Ahhh… summer. The ‘official’ start to summer is June 21, but you can bet we have already felt those summer temperatures. The start of summer is more than just about barbecue and popsicles, its also an important date to keep in mind if you are controlling yellow nutsedge.
Continue readingIs it Winter Desiccation or Something More?
Now that spring has sprung, it is the perfect time to get out into the landscape and take inventory of how the plants fared during the winter. We might have thought it was a ‘mild’ winter by Nebraska standards, but some of our trees thought otherwise. Winter desiccation is the major culprit for browning trees and the extent of damage to plants might not be fully realized until now.
Continue reading2022 Central Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Training
Do you enjoy plants and gardening? Are you looking to learn more and hone your skills but don’t know where to go? The Extension Master Gardener program will educate you on many aspects of horticulture, allow you to test your knowledge and skills, all while serving your local community.
Continue readingCarpenter Ants: the misunderstood ant
Carpenter ants are one insect that are often misunderstood. They are an important part in the circle of life in decaying wood. Knowing a little more about these insects will help to understand why they are in a specific location and whether or not it might be possible to control them.
Continue readingI saw that on social media… it must be true!

Without a doubt we saw in increase in the interest in gardening and landscaping over the previous year. In the past, you had to know who to ask or what book to look in to find information on how to garden. Today the places to find information are endless. Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and the internet all have gardening information that is easily shared among friends and followers alike. Sometimes these ideas are tried and true while others are more “too good to be true.” I might not be the first to say it, but you can’t believe everything you read on the internet.
Continue readingHenbit, Crabgrass, & Ground Ivy… Oh My!
Spring has officially sprung. The crabapples and flowering pears are nearing full bloom. Tulips and daffodils are starting their flower show. Henbit and dandelions are looking gorgeous. Are the last two not quite the kinds of spring flowers you want in your landscape? If so, there are some things you can do. The key to knowing what to do when depends on the weed, but it all comes down to proper identification of the enemy and its life cycle.
Continue readingSay It Isn’t Snow!!

Winter can be a beautiful time of the year. The gracefully falling snow or frost on the plants in the morning sun can be an attractive sight to some. To others, it just means more work outside. Regardless of how you feel, these winter conditions should remind everyone to think about their turf. That’s right, I said turf. While the frost and snow are pretty, there are some steps that you can take now to ensure a beautiful looking lawn come spring.
Continue readingHoly Mole(y)

We have all heard the saying, “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.” That can be difficult if we don’t even know what a molehill looks like. Knowing more about this pest can help you identify the damage and keep them from making molehills in your yard.
Continue readingPicking a Perfect Pumpkin

Picking the perfect pumpkin is an art. Finding one with the right size and shape that can be transformed into a jack-o-lantern or selecting a pumpkin that will make the perfect pie is more difficult than it sounds. Whether its orange, yellow, brown or white, finding that flawless pumpkin can be made a little easier with just a little assistance.
Continue readingChartreuse Isn’t a Turf Color

Chartreuse isn’t the first color we think of to describe turfgrass. Its half green/ half yellow, but it is the perfect color to describe many lawns in the area right now. What is causing turf to be this color and why is it happening now? Iron chlorosis is to blame and there are many causes for the yellow/green color. Continue reading