Lawn and Garden

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.

Turfgrass professionals will want to mark their calendars for January 7th through the 9th for the 2025 Nebraska Turfgrass Conference in LaVista. Nebraska Extension Turfgrass Assistant Educator Amanda Folck says there will be plenty of great information on new research and turfgrass techniques for professionals.

Do you have extra pesticide or fertilizer products left over from this past growing season? Extension Educator Elizabeth Exstrom talks about how to store them safely over the winter so they’ll still be effective next year.

Changes in the USDA Plant Hardiness zones have shown the state is getting a little warmer. That could mean gardeners could try to grow some landscape plants that wouldn’t previously thrive in their location. Nebraska Extension Landscape Horticulture Specialist Kim Todd talks about how changes in the hardiness zones affect home gardeners in Nebraska.

During the holidays, poinsettias, flowering cactus, and Amaryllis become the decorative plant of choice for many. Nebraska Extension Associate Educator Scott Evans offers some plant care tips, so your indoor holiday ornamentals thrive.

Dry conditions across much of the state have caused stress on landscape trees and shrubs. Nebraska Extension Educator John Fech talks about winter landscape care and watering.

Do you have leftover lawn and garden pesticides you plan to use next year? Nebraska Extension Educator John Fech talks about safe winter pesticide storage to keep products effective for next season.

One of the sure signs of fall is the changing colors of our trees. Justin Evertson, the Green Infrastructure Coordinator at the Nebraska Forest Service talks about trees you can plant around your home landscape that offer fantastic fall color.