Spring Lawn Overseeding

Severe lawn thinning and drought damage. Image by, Sarah Browning, Nebraska Extension. Last summer's dry conditions were hard on lawns and this spring many unirrigated lawns are showing dead patches or thinned grass stands. These areas are pretty easy to spot now.  Look for patches not greening up as they should. Or areas with a large percentage... Continue Reading →

Garden Math 

While you may not think of it much, mathematics is an important part of yard and garden care. Planning for planting, fertilizing, mulching, and pest control all involve some math, yet it is often overlooked.  For example, do you know square footage (sq.ft.) of your planting beds, vegetable garden or lawn? Once these figures are... Continue Reading →

Earthworms in Lawns

Earthworms are very beneficial to a home lawn and landscape, serving as an indicator of healthy soil. Their movement through soil provides natural aeration, improving the growing environment for grass roots by increasing air and water movement in the soil. They also help decompose thatch and alleviate compaction.  However, earthworm activity can also contribute to... Continue Reading →

Dog Friendly Landscapes

According to the Humane Society of the United States, over 69 million or 54% of American households own a dog and 85% of those pet owners view their dogs as family members or companions. So naturally dog owners want their landscapes to be a safe place for their companions.  A Healthy LawnLawns get a bad... Continue Reading →

Getting Your Lawn Ready for Summer – Aeration 

Many Nebraska soils have high clay and silt content making them prone to compaction. Foot traffic from both human and pets, equipment and vehicles are all common causes of soil compaction. Look for the following as signs of potential soil compaction in your landscape.  Areas where water puddles after rain Tracks or pathways where grass growth is sparse  Hard packed soil at garden gates, edges of driveways... Continue Reading →

Tall Fescue is Not Perfect

It seems like many landowners are jumping on the turf type tall fescue bandwagon, switching from perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass. It’s understandable - the number of problems that these species have caused many homeowners to look for other options.

Wait to Control White Grubs

One of the most easily recognized insects in the home landscape is the white grub.  Almost every gardener has seen white grub larvae in the soil, while installing new plants or tilling the vegetable garden.  The term "white grub" actually encompasses the larval stage of several scarab beetles, the most common, and most damaging, being... Continue Reading →

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