Planting Trees and Shrubs

Shovel and Soil-Feature

Learn the basics of planting, mulching, fertilizing, staking, watering and pruning both containerized and balled and burlap trees and shrubs.

Pruning Trees and Shrubs

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One of the tasks that all gardeners must face is pruning trees and shrubs. Questions often arise about timing, techniques, and other issues. This guide answers many of those questions and will help you keep your landscape looking great all year long.

Pruning Roses

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Pruning roses helps make them more productive and less prone to diseases and insects. Spring is the time to prune most roses if you want to enhance the shape and size of the plant. However, if you have once-blooming roses like many of the antique varieties, hold off pruning until after they have bloomed. Keep in mind that hardy shrub roses will flower year after year with very little care.

Plants Not Favored By Deer

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There are few things more frustrating for gardeners than having deer dine on cherished plants. Increased populations of white-tailed deer and reduction of their natural habitat have forced deer into home landscapes where palatable ornamental plants become alternative food sources.

Gardening With Black Walnut

Juglans Nigra - Fruit, Foliage

Black walnut trees produce a chemical called Juglone in their roots, stems and leaves. The need to identify ornamental plants susceptible to Juglone is critical. We have compiled lists and observations from numerous universities and other sources.

Growing Perennial & Annual Flowers

Planting Annuals - Feature

Get tips on soil amendment, planting, mulching, fertilizing, watering and maintaining your perennials and annuals in this guide to growing perennial and annual flowers.

Container Flower Gardening

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Enjoy these great pictures to inspire your annual containers this season and this information guide to help you grow healthy and happy flowers in containers.

Succulents: the Basics for Success

Success with Succulents

Basic questions to consider for insuring the success of your succulent plantings.

Urban Soils

New Construction Soil - Feature

Eastern Nebraska is known for its nutrient-rich soils that once supported endless acres of native prairie grasses. That productive soil now supports many agricultural crops in rural areas. The picture with soils in urban areas is quite different. When farm fields are developed into subdivisions, much of the topsoil is stripped away and the subsoil is graded to make way for streets and houses.