Houseplant Transitions

Moving indoor/outdoor plants back indoors is in full swing in early September.  Many gardeners have a full patio of container plants at this point in the season, some of which are well-suited to bring back indoors for winter enjoyment.  The key to success is doing it gradually.

FAQ For August

Keep your garden going strong with answers to these frequently asked questions.

Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees

There are 2 windows of time that are best for pruning fruit trees. Most fruit tree growers are well aware of the first timeframe, which is late winter. The benefits of pruning at this time include the ease of seeing the flaws without the leaves in the way and close proximity to the point in the season when a healthy tree will naturally close the wounds made when branches are removed.

Groundcovers Are Great!

There are lots of locations in a landscape where turf and large trees just won’t grow well – too much shade, steep slopes and narrow spaces are just a few. Installing groundcovers might be the solution to some of these challenges. Of course, they’re not maintenance free, but considering the various options of better adapted plants can improve the appearance and function of the site.

Got an Ugly Landscape Feature?  Half Hide It!

When you think about it, there are quite a few items that landscapes commonly have that – well…a homeowner would rather not be all that visible to visitors or themselves. They include cable boxes, electrical pad mounted transformers, dog runs and water hydrants.

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,…

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Pre and Post Emergence Herbicides – A Key Lawn Maintenance Tool

The best weed control in a lawn is to create a thick, dense turf that naturally outcompetes and prevents weed invasion. There are many steps involved, including proper fertilization, irrigation, species selection, mowing and cultivation. Another useful tool is the use of herbicides.

Trees Damaged by the Blizzard

A terrible blizzard blew through our area last week. It did a lot of damage to many things, including trees. Tree branches broke and trees fell over or broke at the trunk. While some of this damage may have been from wind, the heavy, wet snow may have impacted trees as well. As we dig…

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Pruning Broadleaf Shrubs

The month of March and throughout the rest of spring is a good time of year to prune shrubs in the landscape.

Drought Effects on Trees

The drought is continuing across the state of Nebraska. This drought has been going on for over 3 years and we are already seeing problems in our plants. These problems will continue to get worse if we don’t have good precipitation through spring and summer this year. Photo of Drought Stress on a tree above…

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