Cacti Care 

Don't be fooled by plastic flowers glued on to these cacti. Image by Sarah Browning, Nebraska Extension. It grates on my gardener’s soul to visit a big box store this time of year and see shelves of cacti each with a flower - in an array of colors - because (spoiler alert) most are glued-on... Continue Reading →

Care of Holiday Plants 

During the holidays, poinsettias become the decorative plant of choice for many. And many green thumbs who enjoy working with plants are eventually tempted to save a poinsettia after the holidays with the intention of getting it to re-bloom the following year. Christmas cactus and Amaryllis plants also make great houseplants - easy to grow... Continue Reading →

Keep Gift Plants Under Wraps

A holiday plant can be the perfect gift for many occasions, but to ensure a beautiful, healthy plant use care when selecting and transporting your gift.   Selection When choosing a poinsettia, look for a full, well-branched plant with good color development in the showy bracts and dark green leaves. A fresh poinsettia will have little or... Continue Reading →

Extension Master Gardener Volunteers – Now Accepting Applications for 2023 Program

A frosty winter day is a great time to stay indoors and enjoy a good book, a warm fire in the fireplace and a hot cup of cocoa. But for gardeners, winter is also time to dream and plan next summer’s gardens. Soon gardeners will be looking through mail-order catalogues, making up their 2023 plant and seed orders.  But for Nebraska Extension Master Gardener volunteers, winter is also a time... Continue Reading →

Amaryllis Trumpets a Splash of Color

Amaryllis is a popular holiday gift plant - maybe you found one among your holiday gifts this year? If so, rest assured Amaryllis are easy to grow and their huge, brightly colored flowers will soon bring a bright splash of color to your home during the winter season. Amaryllis are tender bulbs easily grown in... Continue Reading →

Master Gardener Volunteers  

2022 Master Gardener Program Now Accepting Applications Winter is a time many people prefer to stay indoors, enjoy a good book, a crackling fire in the fireplace and a hot cup of cocoa, giving little thought to the outdoors or their landscape.  But gardeners know winter is a time to dream and plan for next summer’s gardens.  For Nebraska Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers, winter is... Continue Reading →

Rosemary, An Herb for All Seasons 

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, although not as popular as poinsettias, is common during the holidays. It combines ornamental beauty and the usefulness of a culinary herb in one attractive plant. It is often sold as small pine tree-shaped tabletop plants or in variously shaped topiary forms. It’s not surprising they are so popular, given their beauty and fragrance. Their... Continue Reading →

Holiday Plants

It is hard to believe that Christmas is in just a few short weeks. I love decorating for the holidays and many plants are great holiday decorations. Poinsettias Poinsettias are a wonderful plant for the holiday. The traditional poinsettia is red, but newer varieties can be found in white, pink, peach, yellow, and marbled or... Continue Reading →

Success With Houseplants – Fertilization

As with overwatering, over fertilization is a common problem, so an important step in winter houseplant care is understanding whether your plant needs fertilization.    Houseplants, like most other plants, need fertilizer containing three major plant nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). The amount and frequency of fertilizer required depends on the type of... Continue Reading →

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