Wondering what all those fuzzy white masses are all over your house, fence, furniture, lawn ornaments, pergola, shed, etc. These are the eggs of the fall armyworm!
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Fire Smart Landscaping
Wildfires have been headline news not only in Nebraska but across the country. It’s comfortable to think a devastating wildfire can’t happen in your area, but it’s better to be aware of the possibility and be prepared. Learn the aspects of Fire Smart Landscaping including creating a defensible space, planning ahead for a fire event,…
Weekly Update July 22
What’s in Bloom Summer is in full swing and I wanted to share some pictures of lesser grown perennials for your garden. All six of these plants are native and do well in an urban setting. Most of these plants do need a little extra care the first year they are in the ground. After…
Weekly Update July 15
It’s been a quiet few weeks and I wanted to share some of the things that we have seen coming into the office. Japanese Beetles Japanese beetles have returned and this summer and they are feeding on our favorite herbs, fruits, veggies and ornamental plants. This introduced insect has been recorded feeding on over 300…
Weekly Update June 24, 2024
Ash Flower Gall Mite We received this picture question to the office this past week about strange growths in an ash tree. This is the work of the ash flower gall mite (Eriophyes fraxiniflora). This microscopic mite will feed on the developing male ash flowers causing them to distort and form these broccoli like structures…
Butterflies and Moths
Summer is really here, not quite by calendar, but definitely the temperatures, and bugs. As an Entomologist, I love when insects become active, but I know not everyone feels the same about bugs. I do not like mosquitoes and other annoying bugs that bother me outside and I especially dislike those that do damage to…
Weekly Update June 7th, 2024
White Mulberry This week we’ve been getting questions on how to manage white mulberries in the garden. White mulberries (Morus alba) is an introduced small tree/large shrub from China. It was originally brought over as a potential food source but it quickly escaped cultivation. The fruit is tasty and is enjoyed by many animals such…
Old But New
Plant breeders have given us some spectacular wonders for our gardens over the years. We now have beebalm and phlox that are more resistant to powdery mildew. Coneflowers now come in bright bolder colors with sturdier stems. We even have different Joe-Pye-Weeds that are shorter, more compact and even some like Eupatorium altissimum ‘Prairie Jewel’…
Spring Tree and Shrub Planting
On the Heels of Arbor Day – May is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. Once the site has been analyzed for adequate room and the purpose of the tree has been identified (shade, fruit, screening, color), it’s time to focus on getting the roots in the ground. First Things First First, dig…