Nebraskans are talking about an invasive worm. They are commonly referred to as “Asian jumping worms”, “jumping worms”, “crazy worms”, or “snake worms”. I like to call them crazy worms because whether they jump or move in a serpentine motion, they certainly behave in an uncharacteristic way for a worm. The short story is that…
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To Fertilize or Not to Fertilize: That is the Question
You see a bright shiny package at the garden center saying that it can help you have the most bountiful garden ever, the greenest lawn in the neighborhood, your plants will have miraculous growth, or it will supply every element on earth to make sure that your plants are living their best life. It’s got…
Flood Recovery Impacts Plants in the Landscape
The flooding and subsequent ponding has a profound effect on trees and shrubs in the landscape. The contaminants these waters carry negatively impact vegetable garden sites and orchards. Here are some flood resources to address residents’ concerns. Food safety in vegetable gardens and orchards after a flood*: https://grobigred.com/2019/03/22/gardenflood/amp/?__twitter_impression=true by Nebraska Extension Urban Ag Educator John…
Flooded Vegetable Garden Sites and Food Safety Considerations
The devastating, historic floods in Nebraska and Iowa will leave their mark on the region for many years to come. Loss of life, homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure are of major concern, but many people who rely on their gardens or vegetable plots for food or income may also have some concerns for the upcoming growing…
What about the Horticulture Education for Extension Master Gardeners?
(Part 2 of 3) Nebraska Extension Master Gardeners are Extension-educated volunteers who make a difference in their communities by educating people of all backgrounds about research-based gardening information. Programs across the nation are set up on a one-for-one basis, with 1 hour of volunteer time for each hour of education received. In Nebraska, Extension provides…
Reflection
What worked for you this year in the garden? What didn’t? Now is the time that you should start reflecting on this years accomplishments and learning opportunities. One of the biggest mistakes I know that I make is telling myself “I’ll remember that next year”. This is especially true when it comes to certain plants…
Growing Food Indoors? Sure!
As we celebrate National Indoor Plant Week, my question turns to can we grow food indoors? The answer is emphatically, yes! Perhaps the simplest option for indoor food production would be to grow some container plants that would work well. Crops like lettuce, arugula, and some of the other leafy greens have lower light requirements…
Oakleaf
Hydrangea quercifolia or Oakleaf Hydrangea is a small deciduous shrub reaching about 6′ tall about the same if not more in spread. Growing in full sun to full shade this North America native shrub is a consistent bloomer and easy to care for. What I find appealing to about this plant is the lack of…
Raised Beds around Trees—A Bad Idea for Landscapes
As we plan for our much anticipated outdoor projects this gardening season, let’s discuss the tree-killing practice of building raised beds around trees. Don’t get me wrong here—I am not talking about planting hosta beneath a tree, I’m talking about building a RAISED bed around a tree. This unfortunate practice leads to many dead trees,…
When to Plant Which Veggies
Especially in Nebraska, spring weather can be variable. You might even say “very variable”. Warm and cold, wet and dry and combinations thereof make for a challenging early planting season. With this in mind as an overarching consideration, we still need to start somewhere, with some kind of guidance. A basic planting schedule as the…