PlantNebraska Podcast

Hanna is joined by Kim Slezak, Wood Utilization expert with the Nebraska Forest Service, to talk about how to use wood. There are so many ideas, from biochar to furniture to woodchips, we can give you a way to use your trees if they must come down. For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail....

Christina Hoyt from the Nebraska Forest Service is back as promised to talk with Hanna about the history and trends in community forestry in Nebraska. Listen now to learn easy ways you can support community forestry right in your own neighborhood. For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.c...

Our song of the summer is the sound of cicadas. Jody Green from Douglas-Sarpy County Extension joins Hanna to talk about the essential Nebraska summer insects, cicadas and fireflies. Learn how to support these bastions of summer in your yard and garden by listening now. Update: Soil drenching can kill the eggs of cicadas, but it doesn't appear to impact nymphs.  For more in-depth show notes visit...

Christina Hoyt from the Nebraska Forest Service joins Hanna to talk about how their gardens are looking this summer, how to be a more relaxed gardener, and answer a listener question about community trees. CORRECTION: Christina mentions Solidago rigida as used in her patio pond, but the actual species is riddellii . For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebr...

Hanna is pleased to talk with Dan Moore from Kinghorn Gardens all about what it takes to manage the beautiful and environmentally friendly gardens on the Assurity Center campus in Lincoln near Union Plaza.

An intro conversation to the water cycle and how water gets to our homes and gardens. Hanna interviews her sister Dr. Lundon Pinneo, professor of education at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail. Follow us @NEBloomBox...

Jennifer Morris, Forest Health Specialist for the Nebraska Forest Service, joins us this week to help us recognize tree problems. She walks us through deciding if this is a 'wait and see', 'I can fix it', or 'call an arborist' issue. For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us...

In this episode, we talk about the struggles and fun of gardening with pets. Toby joins us to talk about his experience and Sarah and Hanna share their tips. For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail. Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram Follow us @gro...

Tired of having a yard full of grass? Whether you are trying to create habitat, save water, be more sustainable, or are just plain tired of mowing we have some ideas for you! From small changes you can make today to be more environmentally friendly to full lawn replacements, and a few wild ideas just for fun. For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.or...

Let us help you learn how to design your own pollinator garden! Our online subscription provides everything you need to be your own landscape designer; Hanna and Sarah walk through how to use the Build-Your-Own Bloom Box program and offer suggestions on how to design without the materials or if you are outside the Great Plains.  Learn more about Build-Your-Own Bloom Box at plantnebraska.org/bloom-...

Spring Affair 2024 is right around the corner! Hanna and Sarah highlight a few plants that you should know about. They also share a few tips for shopping and making the most of the event. Spring Affair dates are: Thursday April 25th (Preview Party, visit website for tickets) Friday April 26th, 2-6 PM (open sale) Saturday April 27th, 9-noon (open sale).  For more information on sale dates and to vi...

This week we are switching things up and talking about our favorite annuals for pots or temporary garden beds! For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail. Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest Learn more about...

Thinking about adding fruit trees or shrubs to your landscape this year? Bob Henrickson and Brad Kindler join us to talk about native fruits and more traditional fruits we can grow in our home landscapes, acreages or farms. We also talk about what to consider when deciding what to plant and how to choose fruits that will fit your gardening style and your family. For more in depth show notes visit...

Kyle Martens, friend of the podcast and garden enthusiast, joins us to talk about how he starts vegetable seeds at home. He has some great tips on timing, supplies, and realistic expectations for beginners. He credits Community Crops , a local nonprofit based in Lincoln, NE with much of what he has learned but there is no doubt he has expanded on what they taught him! For more in depth show notes...

Hanna and Sarah are joined by Justin Evertson and Kendall Weyers to hear what advice they would give someone who wanted to start a project in their town. Justin, Kendall, Brad Kindler and Sarah make up what we call the Green Infrastructure team; we manage the project funding programs that the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum offers, consult on projects and offer landscape design services (among many o...

Ron Poe from the Nebraska Department of Transportation joins us to talk about NDOT's goals for creating a "Nebraska" landscape along our state highways. He answers our questions about pollinator habitat, erosion control, tree planting, mowing practices and more. A little light reading for those who are interested: NDOT's Vegetation Manual. Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or...

It feels like a second New Year after 2 winter storms and 4 snow days which makes for a good day to talk about resolutions! Sarah and Hanna review their resolutions, goals and plans for their 2024 gardens and share their predictions of what will be in and what will be out this year. Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail. Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://...

Happy New Year! Sarah, Hanna and Bob review the Great Plants selections for this year. The Great Plants program is a collaboration between the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association to promote underutilized plants that are favorites of industry professionals in Nebraska. Each year a tree, conifer, shrub, perennial, and grass are selected to be highlighted a...

An update but unfortunately not a definitive answer on the palm tree debate. We'll be taking a little break since our next scheduled episode would land on Christmas Day; our next episode will be coming January 8th with the 2024 Great Plants selections!

This week we will review the recent USDA Zone Map update and what it means for Nebraska. We also talk about the limitations of the map and the other factors we consider when predicting plant hardiness. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map A couple of sources we used to get a better understanding of the USDA map: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/pages/map-creation   https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/n...

Our top gifts for gardeners! Each year we round up some of our favorite gardening/outdoor products that we think would make good gifts, many we have enjoyed receiving ourselves. This year we created categories: NSA Merch at plantnebraskashop.org Kids little shovel Bird Enthusiasts Chefs/Cooks Uline Jars New Gardener Experienced Gardeners All the books we mentioned can be found on our Bookshop.org...

Dave Zahn is back to finish our conversation about harvesting and storing nuts so they can be enjoyed through the winter. Also joining us is Sam Creal who makes syrup from the walnut trees on his property. Check out Creal Baking to learn more about how to purchase. They don't currently ship syrup but can be found at farmers' markets and craft shows in eastern Nebraska. Show Notes Send us your ques...

Dave Zahn, a long time member of the Nebraska Nut Growers Association, joins us this week to talk about nut trees that are native to Nebraska as well as introduced species that grow well here. We talk planting, growing and a little about harvesting nuts both for personal use and as a crop. To be continued with part 2 focused more on harvest and processing! Learn more about the Nebraska Nut Growers...

It may be fall but gardening season isn’t over! This week we are talking all about fall planting bulbs: how, what, when and how to protect them from critters. We had a lot of fun recording this episode and out ‘end of planting season’ caught up with us; check out the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum on Patreon for an uncut version featuring bears and shrews. Show Notes Send us your questions at growin...

Heather Beyers, founder of Great Plains Nursery, joins us this week to talk about trees to plant in your landscape or community. Great Plains works hard to promote native trees that increase the biodiversity of our landscapes while meeting the needs of humans and thriving in urban settings (not an easy task!). That mission makes Heather a good source of ideas for trees to plant, not just for their...