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…
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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…
Winter Interest in the Landscape
As an arborist, horticulturist, etc. I always get the question – “what should I plant in my landscape?”….to which I answer, “First, take an inventory of what is there now, and plant something different”…an appeal to increase diversity. A common second answer is “Plant something that is appealing in all seasons, or at least in…
Winterizing Your Lawn
Don’t let the lawn go to pot; give it just a little more care before the snow flies
Growing an Indoor Feast
Do the thoughts of a home winter without tasting or eating fresh produce from the garden have you feeling blue? Or don’t have outdoor space to grow even the smallest garden? As we slip out of summer and fall into autumn, there are some things you can do to to keep the growing going year round.
GRO Big Red Gardening Show Episode 3: Watering Tips for the Landscape
In the latest podcast John and Kathleen discuss how to best water your plants!
IPM: An Ounce of Pest Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
Perhaps the right question to ask is not about what to spray but about how to prevent the problem in the first place, and to take the advice of Ben Franklin that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s a philosophy we call Integrated Pest Management. The secret is planning ahead, instead of waiting for problems to present themselves.