by Katie Markheim, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
Lincoln, Neb. —Here is the weekly crop of Master Gardener tips from Nebraska Extension in the Panhandle, relevant to local lawn and garden issues in the High Plains and consistent with research-based recommendations.
May 15 - Both FIFRA and the Nebraska Pesticide Act state that the label must be followed when making a pesticide application. Each product label has specific information regarding use to reduce risk to the applicator, other people, nontargets, and the environment. Some products may require additional data collection or training before applications. Others may require site investigation using FieldWatch, DriftWatch, or BeeCheck. Read and follow the label every time you use a pesticide. It’s the law.
May 16 - Many vegetables have ornamental as well as food value and can be used as ornamentals where space for a traditional food garden is limited. They can be incorporated as decorative container plantings in outdoor living spaces, big or small, even in floral arrangements for a creative flair. I suggest using these vegetables as ornamentals: peppers, kale, ornamental corn, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, okra, even tomatoes!
May 17 - Remembering your roots. When choosing landscape plants, it’s easy to get distracted by the natural beauty offered at first site. Remember to check those roots! Purchase plants with healthy root systems. If plants are in containers, pull them out to observe the presence of healthy white or light-colored roots. Check for spiraling, girdling, or circling roots. This can be corrected at planting by scoring the sides and bottom of the root ball.
Considerations when creating your outdoor space include:
- Site preparation
- Plant Selection by hardiness zone
- Planting season
- Spacing in the landscape
- Planting depths
- Watering habits
- Staking, protecting, and mulching
These are aspects of integrated pest management and a great way to ensure the growth and longevity of your investment.
May 19 - Moles, voles, and gophers…oh my! These burrowing rodents look harmless, but beware, they may be damaging your lawn, garden, tree plantings, or forage crops. They adversely affect turf and crops by directly feeding on roots, stems, and leaves by exposing plant roots to drying and burying plants with excavated soil. Never fear. Management is most effective when using a combination of controls such as trapping, exclusion, fumigants, repellents, or reducing food sources.