Lawn and Garden

During the coming weeks it will be important to prepare your houseplants for the move back indoors. Nebraska Extension Associate Educator Scott Evans says there’s a few things to keep in mind before getting your plants back inside.

The sight of flowers emerging from the soil is one of spring's greatest joys. These early blooms typically come from bulb ornamentals, and if you want to enjoy these early spring blossoms, you'll need to plan ahead. Nebraska Extension Landscape Horticulture Specialist Kim Todd emphasizes that timing is crucial for successful planting.

Invasive insects like the Japanese Beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer have caused homeowners a lot of headaches in recent years. Extension Entomologist Jody Green discusses invasive insects and how all of us can help prevent their spread.

A majestic oak tree adds stately beauty to any property, and oaks generally provide numerous benefits to homeowners. However, Graham Herbst with the Nebraska Forest Service warns that oak wilt disease can be devastating for red oak trees.

UNL Turfgrass Research Manager Matt Sousek details some summer weed and disease issues that homeowners should be aware of. He says you can take care of some of these pests now to help your turf go into fall healthy and thriving. 

With fall around the corner, home gardeners will want to make sure they clean up garden waste especially if they’ve had disease and insect problems this season. Nebraska Extension Plant Diagnostician Kyle Broderick discusses the importance of sanitation and crop rotation in the garden.

Planting a fall garden is a great way to make use of your vegetable garden after harvest. Nebraska Extension Educator Elizabeth Exstrom says now is a good time to get started. 

A common pest of squash plants is the squash vine borer. Nebraska Extension Urban Entomologist Jody Green talks about how to identify vine borer damage and how to treat the pest. 

Mushrooms are a common sight in our home landscapes. Nebraska Extension Plant Diagnostician Kyle Broderick discusses how to perform simple identification of the various mushroom types found in and around our homes. 

Turfgrass professionals won’t want to miss this year’s Turfgrass Field Day, held July 23rd in Lincoln. Nebraska Extension Assistant Turfgrass Educator Amanda Folck says the field day will cover a variety of topics that will help turf professionals stay on top of advancements in management and research. 

Promoting pollinator habitat around your home is vital to harvesting fruits and vegetables. Nebraska Extension Associate Educator Scott Evans talks about providing food sources for pollinators throughout the growing season. 

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.