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Justin Evertson, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Although most conifer trees are considered to be evergreens, all of their needles eventually fall just like deciduous trees. What makes them evergreen is that their leaves/needles persist more than one year before falling. Since new needles are added every year, there is always an overlap between green needles... Continue Reading →
From time to time, you’ll see Acreage Life blog posts that mention various tools and equipment that you may not heard of, have never taken the time to buy, or wish that someone else would buy for you.
When discussing beneficial critters, it’s easy to forget about the ones we don’t see, especially those below ground. Yet the soil is where it all starts, so they deserve recognition and admiration too. From cycling and retaining nutrients to improving structure, suppressing disease and moving and holding water, air and carbon, soil fauna do an... Continue Reading →
Water conservation is important in home and business landscapes. While leaving automatic irrigation systems turned off, and only turning them on when plants need water, is a much needed practice change in many residential and business landscapes, selecting drought tolerant plants is also important. This article focuses on drought tolerant shrubs for different functions. While... Continue Reading →
Deciding on an artificial versus real Christmas tree is a matter of personal preference. Growing up, we had an artificial tree mostly because my mom’s allergies were very sensitive to the smell of pines and our house was pretty small so having a small tree we knew would fit in our dining room was preferred.... Continue Reading →
The holiday season is upon us. It is at this time of the year that we begin to decorate our homes for the holidays. One of my favorite holiday decorations is the Christmas Tree. This plant of the month article will not focus on one specific plant, but the many different types of trees that... Continue Reading →
Cranberries are a common part of holiday celebrations, whether they're used as garland decorating a Christmas tree or in the holiday meal. One of the few native North American fruit crops, cranberries provide plenty of health benefits, too. Health Benefits Cranberries prevent harmful bacteria from wreaking havoc on the body. Research by Cornell University reported that... Continue Reading →
Thanksgiving is a holiday that is quintessentially American (or North American, since our Canadian friends also have their own Thanksgiving). A commemoration of not only the arrival and survival of the pilgrims in Plymouth in 1621, but of our thankfulness for what we have. It is a time for us to gather with family or... Continue Reading →
Recently, I have encountered more predators of my poultry than I care to. One of the main reasons for this is the changing of the seasons. With winter quickly approaching, the food sources for such animals such as coyotes, raccoons, hawks, eagles and even skunks is becoming more scarce. With the drive for food, more... Continue Reading →
Gardeners can prevent winter damage in their landscapes, but first they need to recognize which plants are at greatest risk. Plant damage during winter is often caused by frost heaving, desiccation or cold temperature injury to roots and crowns. Plants most at risk of winter injury include: late fall-planted trees, shrubs and perennials, broadleaf evergreens, and... Continue Reading →
Nebraska Extension’s CropWatch recently announced a series of workshops that will help landlords and tenants with common land management questions that are often asked. Both parties want to ensure they are treated fairly and keeping up with market practices. This week, I’ve decided to share upcoming workshops and dates close to the area, including one... Continue Reading →
This season’s autumn colors have been exceptional. Shortened day lengths, sunny and warm days, cool nights, and adequate soil moisture provide the perfect conditions to showcase autumn’s greens, golds, reds, oranges and coppers in our trees and shrubs. Fall leaf color is a dynamic process, influenced by the decline and production of pigments within leaves.... Continue Reading →
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