Lawn and Garden

Organic mulch is key to having a healthy landscape and garden. UNL Director of Landscape Operations Jeff Culbertson talks about the different types of mulch and why they are beneficial to home plants and soil. 

Do you have an insect or disease in your field or home landscape that you need some help identifying? Nebraska Extension Plant Diagnostician Kyle Broderick says the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic is here to help diagnose your problems.

Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects that can infest vegetable gardens and home ornamentals. If populations are high enough, they can cause damage to plants. Nebraska Extension Urban Entomologist Jody Green talks about aphids and easy ways to control them.

We all want to buy plants that have a reasonable amount of durability, but some plants have characteristics that could make them invasive. Shannon Smith with the Nebraska Invasive Species Council talks about what makes a plant invasive and how it can harm Nebraska’s landscape. 

Integrated Pest Management or IPM is the standard way to control weed, disease or insect pests in and around the home. Nebraska Extension Urban Entomologist Jody Green talks about what homeowners can do to prevent infestations before spraying with pesticides.

Your home landscape benefits from having big canopy trees to help provide shade, energy savings and home for wildlife. Great Plains Nursery Owner Heather Byers talks about the value of diversity with your home landscape trees. 

Spring flowering trees can add a splash of color to any landscape. Nebraska Extension Landscape Horticulture Specialist Kim Todd talks about flowering trees and the importance they play in our landscapes.

Good watering techniques will help your trees thrive this spring after very dry conditions over the winter. Nebraska Extension Instructor Dana Freeman talks about different techniques for watering younger and older trees. 

With spring right around the corner, many homeowners are planning to apply pre-emergent herbicides to control weeds in their lawn. University of Nebraska Turfgrass Research Manager Matt Sousek talks about types of pre-emergent herbicides and to apply them. 

Gardner’s looking to purchase soil at the store beware, not all potting soil mixes are created the same. University of Nebraska - Lincoln Horticulture Professor of Practice Stacy Adams talks about what's inside different bags of potting mixes and which is best for what you want to plant.

As your lawn comes out of the winter, it’s important to give it the timely nutrients it needs. University of Nebraska - Lincoln Turfgrass Research Manager Matt Sousek gives some good tips to get your turf up and green this spring. 

Now is a good time to inspect new or transplanted trees in your landscape. Nebraska Extension Educator Elizabeth Exstrom says be on the lookout for broken branches, crossing limbs and encourages pruning if needed to help your trees during the winter months.

Winter watering is essential in dry years to keep landscape plants alive and healthy through the winter. University of Nebraska – Lincoln Director of Landscape Services Jeff Culbertson says winter watering should occur on days when the temperature is at least 40-45 degrees and says it’s only necessary 1-2 times per month until spring.

During harsh winter conditions, younger trees need a bit more protection to help them get through the winter. A condition called sunscald or southwest disease, can crack and damage the thin bark of young trees. Nebraska Extension Associate Educator Scott Evans talks about preventing sunscald.

Sharp and clean garden tools work better and last longer. Nebraska Extension Educator Elizabeth Exstrom talks about giving your tools a good cleaning and sharpening when the garden season is over.