ProHort, short for Professional Horticulture, is research-driven education for individuals in the tree, lawn, landscape maintenance, and garden center industries, as well as anyone who wants to hone her/his skills in the areas of botany, insects, soils, landscape design, plant disease, trees, wildlife damage management, turfgrass, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). While people participating in…
Using a Lawn Service…after Snow Removal?
Here in the dead of winter, a valuable service to hire to maintain a residential property is a snow removal company. No more aching back, slipping and falling and shivering in the cold. Of course all of that comes at a price, so you have to determine if it’s worth it. As well, as their…
Is This Plant Dead?
You hear these terms – “the dead of winter” and “dead to the world”, but what do they really mean? In most cases, they’re exaggerations or synonyms for other situations; in this case, really cold weather with no end in sight and really, really tired. In the plant world, the question of “is this plant…
Winter Water
The weather the past few days in the Omaha Metro area has been fantastic! If you had a chance to get out this past weekend I am sure you saw people taking full advantage of the weather. Many of us went for a walk or took down Christmas decorations on the house. But how many…
Put That Gift Card to Good Use
*Take an inventory of what you have in the garden tool and supplies room. Chances are that you have some fertilizer leftover, but just how much? And what kind? How about essentials such as hand pruners, hoses and fertilizer spreaders? Take a close look – are they in good shape or are there missing/broken parts….
Reflection
Every year seems to go by a little faster and this year was no exception. To share with you what the Extension Master Gardener program did in the Douglas-Sarpy counties in 2018: The Horticulture Helpline answered 8,094 questions starting in March and wrapping up in November. We had a team of over 40 volunteers manning…
When Salt Attack
As a gardener I am sure you have experienced first hand the accumulation of salts on when using clay pots. Clay pots or a staple in the garden industry and to the home gardener. They are inexpensive and easy to use. In my family we have terracotta pots that have been passed down from our…
Roses – Prepping For Winter
Everyone loves a rose, whether it’s a gift for a birthday or an accent plant in the landscape. Here in eastern Nebraska, roses need a little care getting them ready to endure a typical winter…whatever may come our way. Each type of rose has its own set of prepping steps: Hybrid Tea Roses – Usually…
How to Become a Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
(Part 3 of 3) Nebraska Extension Master Gardeners are Extension-educated volunteers who make a difference in their communities, reaching people from all backgrounds and ethnicities about research-based gardening information. Knowing lots about gardening before joining the program is not a requirement. Becoming a Master Gardener involves a love of learning and the ability to volunteer…
The Wreath
December 15 is National Wreaths Across America Day. Wreaths, being the circular arrangement of plant twigs, leaves and fruits that they are, have been ubiquitous with Christmas. Historically, however, the wreath has long been representative of Mother Earth and the sun. With no beginning and no ending, the circle itself is symbolic of infinity. Today,…