Education Commons^™

G91-1022 Guide To Growing Houseplants, Don Steinegger, Frederick P. Baxendale, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Proper care can extend houseplants' lives. This NebGuide offers hints on conditioning, light, fertilizing and more.

Many people enjoy houseplants; in fact, raising them is one of the fastest growing indoor hobbies. Caring for houseplants offers opportunities for people who like to work with living things and watch them develop. Today, houseplants are an integral part of indoor decor -- especially in winter.

An artificial indoor environment often hinders plant development. High temperatures, low humidity, lack of sunlight, poor soil conditions, and improper watering contribute to most houseplant problems. In addition, insects or plant diseases occasionally damage houseplants.

While plants …

G91-1061 Conserving Water In The Landscape, Don Steinegger, Frederick P. Baxendale, Garald L. Horse, Dale T. Lindgren

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Conserve water in a landscape by following a prescribed sequence in designing and managing the site.

Beauty and utility traditionally have been the purposes of home landscapes. Because water -- in both quality and quantity -- is becoming a limited resource, conservation has become a third goal. The homeowner can achieve all three by using careful, comprehensive planning.

You can reduce water consumption by 40-80 percent by following an appropriate sequence in designing and managing your site.

G90-1007 Pesticide Management And Safety On Home Grounds, John C. Fech, Larry D. Schulze

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Pesticides can be valuable tools in controlling lawn and garden pests. They must be used according to the label, with regard for the safety of people and animals.

Pest infestations often develop in lawns or gardens, damage lawns and ornamentals, and reduce the attractiveness of the home setting. When an infestation occurs, gardeners can reach a decision in pest management by answering the following questions: What is the pest? Is the pest causing unacceptable damage? Are controls needed? What pest control method(s) should be used?

There are several methods of pest control. The main methods of pest control and some …

Ec90-1762 Nut Tree Cultivars For Nebraska, William A. Gustafson Jr.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Proper nut cultivar (variety) selection is important for successful and satisfying results from the home gardener's efforts. Selection should be determined by personal preferences, available space, and intended use of the nuts. Harvest can be spread over several weeks if cultivars with different periods of maturity are planted.

It is important that homeowners select the nut plants or cultivars best adapted for cultivation in their area of the state. This extension circular covers how to select a nut cultivar, the plant hardiness zones, horticultural regions, and length of growing season. It contains a list of all nut cultivars suited for …

G90-945 A Gardener's Guide For Soil And Nutrient Management In Growing Vegetables, E.J. Penas, Dale T. Lindgren

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

How to manage soil and nutrients when growing vegetables is discussed here, as is soil testing, soil pH, organic matter, and the use of commercial fertilizers.

Using fertilizers as nutrient sources in growing vegetables is one cultural practice that can improve production if done correctly. This means using the right fertilizer material, applying it at the correct rate and time, and using the proper method of application.

Fertilizer needs for vegetables depend on the kind of vegetable grown, chemical properties of the soil, previous cropping history, and adequate water for plant growth. Guidelines here are based on soil chemical properties …

G90-1005 Fruit Tree Cultivars For Nebraska (Revised September 1997), William A. Gustafson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Proper fruit cultivar (variety) selection is important for successful and satisfying results from the home gardener's efforts. Selection should be based on family preferences, available space and intended use of the fruits. Harvest can be spread over several weeks if cultivars with different periods of maturity are planted.

It is important that homeowners select the kinds of fruit plants or cultivars that are best adapted for cultivation in their area of the state. They must have adequate hardiness to survive the winter, heat and drought tolerance to thrive in the summer, and the ability to survive spring frosts.

G89-897 Strawberries, Don Steinegger, Donald E. Janssen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Plants, selecting and preparing a site, planting and care of strawberries are covered in this NebGuide.

Strawberries are a popular, dependable fruit for home production. Management of this crop is easier than that of tree fruits.

G89-902 Intensive Gardening Techniques, Betty Besal

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes techniques which will allow the gardener to grow more vegetables where space may be limited.

For some people, a small-sized garden is preferable to a larger one. Smaller gardens require less labor and expense than larger gardens. Decreasing garden size provides more yard space for other activities. The gardener can concentrate soil improvement efforts in a smaller area, and, with careful management, small gardens can produce sufficient vegetables for fresh eating during the growing season, and perhaps extra produce for preserving.

G88-867 Forcing Spring Flowering Bulbs, Debra Schwarze

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This guide discusses the various aspects of forcing spring flowering bulbs, including planting, cold treatment, forcing, care, and forcing in water.

Introduction

Spring flowers can be a bright addition to any home. With just a little effort, many types of spring flowering bulbs can fill your home with flowers throughout the winter. Tulips, narcissus (daffodils), hyacinths, crocus, grape-hyacinths, scillas and other bulbs can be forced into midwinter bloom.

The term forcing can be a bit misleading. There is little force involved, but rather the bulbs receive their cold treatment early and are allowed to bloom out of season. The term …

G88-886 Growing Sprouts, Debra Schwarze

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Ways to grow different sprouts are discussed in this NebGuide.

Sprouts are tasty and delicious, and growing them is a simple process, although it does require a few minutes of your time each day to get quality sprouts.

They can be grown year-round, and provide an opportunity for simple gardening projects for limited spaces and for children. Seeds often used for sprouting include mung bean, soybean, lentil and alfalfa.

When purchasing seeds for sprouting, be sure to get seeds that have not been treated with a fungicide, insecticide or any other material. This type of seed is available at health …

G88-877 Zoysiagrass Lawn Calendar (Revised April 1999), Robert C. Shearman, Roch E. Gaussoin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide is a calendar containing information on mowing, fertilizing, watering, herbicides, insects and disease, thatch removal, aerification, and plugging of your Zoysiagass Lawn.

G88-868 Forcing Flowering Branches, Debra Schwarze

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This guide explains the procedure for forcing flowering branches, discusses the use of flowering branches in decorating or display and provides a chart of plant type, color, cutting and forcing times.

Introduction

Branches from flowering trees and shrubs can be forced into bloom easily and inexpensively. Flowering branches can bring the outdoors inside and add color during a long winter. These branches also give the floral designer some unique and inexpensive alternatives.

Trees and shrubs which bloom early in the spring form flower buds the previous fall before dormancy. After at least 8 weeks of cold weather (under 40° F) …

G87-856 Hedges, Don Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Hedges can be an attractive and functional part of home landscaping. This NebGuide outlines the steps for proper plant selection and establishment, care, and rejuvenation.

Not only are hedges attractive, but they serve some important landscape functions. Hedges, particularly sheared ones (formal), require time and some knowledge to establish them as well as annual pruning. It is also important to select suitable plant material and an appropriate site to minimize upkeep. Rapid growing plants like privet require more frequent shearing. A shady site or one with little air movement may require spraying for disease control.

Hedges mark boundaries such as …

G87-852 Growing Gladiolus, Amy J. Greving

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The gladiolus is as beautiful as it is easy to grow. Planting, culture, care, insects, and disease are discussed in this NebGuide.

Gladiolus are one of the most popular flowers for garden use, and are easy to grow. The plants, ranging from two to six feet in height, have sturdy sword-shaped leaves and produce flower spikes with trumpet-shaped florets borne in double rows.

A member of the iris family, gladiolus have great diversity of flower color and shape. Flower shapes range from those with plain petals to those that are deeply ruffled and cut. The colors cover the spectrum and …

G87-836 Coldframes And Hotbeds, Dale T. Lindgren

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Coldframes and hotbeds can help the home gardener in many ways. This NebGuide explains uses, construction, and management.

Hotbeds and coldframes are mini-greenhouses in that both use solar energy and sunlight. Coldframes and hotbeds can help the home gardener start, grow and maintain plant material and the commercial grower propagate and display plant material.

The main difference between hotbeds and coldframes is that hotbeds have a supplemental heat source. This supplemental heat source may be organic, such as manure, or non-organic, such as an electric heating cable. Construction can be simple and inexpensive or quite sophisticated. Hotbed/coldframe size can vary.

Ec86-1244 Vegetable Producction In Nebraska, Ralph E. Neild, Robert B. O'Keefe, David S. Nuland, Joseph O. Young

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Vegetable research at the University of Nebraska concerns studies of the culture, processing, mechanization of production and marketing of vegetable crops with the objective of increasing production, quality and use of crops and products process from them.

This circular presents a portion of results from investigations into the production, marketing and processing of vegetables in Nebraska. Information concerning climate, soil and water resources is presented and discussed. Also summarized are results from vegetable yield trials conducted at different locations in the state during the seven-year period 1960-66.

G86-810 Garden Compost (Revised February 1993), Don Steinegger, Donald E. Janssen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the advantages of compost, the compost heap, ingredients, uses and instructions for making compost.

Compost is a mixture of partially decomposed plant material and other organic wastes. It is used in the garden to amend soil and fertilize plants.

G85-752 Strawberry Cultivars For Nebraska, William A. Gustafson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The purpose of this NebGuide is to help you make the proper strawberry cultivar* (variety) selection for your area of the state and individual needs.

Proper strawberry cultivar selection is important for successful and satisfying results. Cultivar selection should be based on the family's intended use of the strawberry fruit (i.e. dessert use, freezing or preserves); on labor available to harvest the strawberries; and on available growing space.

G85-751 Thatch Prevention And Control (Revised July 1992), Roch E. Gaussoin, Terrance P. Riordan

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how thatch accumulation damages turfgrass sites, and gives methods for removing accumulations and preventing their reoccurrence.

Thatch is a problem on many turfgrass sites. It consists of a tightly intermingled layer of dead and decaying turfgrass tissues derived from stems, roots and leaves.

G84-688 Brown Patch Disease Of Turfgrass (Revised June 1999), John E. Watkins, Robert C. Shearman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the symptoms and disease cycle of brown patch and gives recommendations for its prevention and control through management, including use of fungicides.

Brown patch of turfgrass is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kuehn. All commonly cultivated turfgrasses in Nebraska are affected by this disease, but differences in susceptibility exist within cultivars of the various turfgrass species. Primary hosts are bentgrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and annual bluegrass. Certain species of Rhizoctonia are capable of attacking turfgrass plants from seedling stage to mature plants and are pathogenic over a wide range of environmental conditions. In some literature, …

G84-698 Selecting A Ground Cover (Revised July 1999), Anne Streich, Don Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how to evaluate a site for ground cover and the characteristics of the most common ground cover species grown in Nebraska.

Ground covers are low-growing plants used in landscaping for mulching or covering the soil. They are typically low growing but may range in height from just inches to over 4 feet tall. Ground covers differ in color, texture and form and can be herbaceous, woody, succulent or grassy. Some have attractive flowers, while others are grown only for their foliage.

Selecting the best species for a site is important to its success as a ground cover. …

G84-697 Ground Covers: Their Establishment And Maintenance (Revised June 1992), Don Steinegger, Luann Finke

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how to plant and maintain ground covers to take advantage of their low-maintenance features.

Ground covers are low-growing plants, usually less than 12 inches tall, that spread to form dense mats which bind and hold the soil in place. Many also have a season of effective bloom. Turfgrass is the most common ground cover. However, sites that are less suitable for turfgrass, such as slopes, steep banks, and shaded areas, can often grow other ground covers successfully.

A well-established ground cover generally requires less maintenance than the typical turfgrass lawn. Ground covers are not totally maintenance-free, nor …

G83-638 Strawberry Pests, Timothy P. Miller, David L. Keith

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the more common pests of strawberries in Nebraska, their damage, and recommended control procedures.

Several pests attack strawberries and cause varying types and degrees of injury. Damaging infestations of strawberry pests do not occur in Nebraska in most years. However, control measures are occasionally required to maintain quality, yield, and health of the strawberry bed.

G82-618 Grapes: Cultivars, Training And Pruning, Don Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Planting and caring for grapes both are covered here.

Grapes have long been a favorite fruit of the home gardener. The earliest settlers in the New World found wild grapes thriving along streams and in timbered areas. These were mostly of the species Vites labrusca and V. riparia, while the wine and dessert grapes of the Old World are V. vinifera.

G82-603 Eggplant, Dale T. Lindgren

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

How to grow eggplants from transplants and seeds. Includes varietal descriptions, cultural practices, harvesting tips, and possible disease and insect problems.

The eggplant belongs to the Solanaceae or nightshade family, which includes the sweet pepper, tomato and potato. The ornamentals petunia and Jerusalem cherry, and other plants such as tobacco and horse nettle, are also members of this family.

Eggplant was so named because the first varieties introduced to English-speaking people had egg-shaped fruits. Its scientific name is Solanum melongena var. esculentum.

Ec81-1240 Vegetable Gardening In Nebraska, Dale T. Lindgren, Laurie Hodges, Don Steinegger, Ralph E. Neild

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraskans are increasing their consumption of fresh vegetables — as appetizers, salads, side dishes, and snacks. Fresh vegetables are an integral part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Although Nebraska's climate and soil are well-suited for many vegetables, most are supplied from out of the state, even during summer. Growing fresh vegetables can provide higher nutrition and flavor at less expense than buying fresh produce at the grocery store. A garden also can be a source of personal enjoyment and satisfaction.

This extension circular helps the gardener decide when, where, and how to plant and maintain a vegetable garden.

G81-548 Organic Gardening In The Backyard (Revised June 1990), Dale T. Lindgren, Don Steinegger, Frederick P. Baxendale, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Successful organic gardening requires consideration of many factors, including resistant cultivars, crop rotation, sanitation, incorporation of organic matter, garden location, and insect and disease control.

Organic gardening is growing in popularity. Although this technique traditionally has been limited to backyard gardens, commercial organic farms now exist in Nebraska. The phrase "organically grown" generally refers to produce grown and processed without the use of synthetic organic chemicals in pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives, or flavorings. The main arguments for organic gardening are that food is less likely to contain potentially harmful chemicals and that fewer chemicals are released into the environment. Arguments against …

G81-558 Tall Fescue Lawn Calendar (Revised April 2004), Terrance P. Riordan, Roch E. Gaussoin, John E. Watkins, Frederick P. Baxendale

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide on tall fescue lawns discusses the calendar dates of when to mow, fertilize, water, apply herbicides and pesticides, check for insects and diseases, remove thatch, and when to aerify and overseed.

Ec81-1869 Guide To The Identification Of Physiological Disorders Of Landscape Plants, John E. Watkins, Donald H. Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Physiological disorders are plant diseases caused by non-living agents. Other terms for this group of disorders are abiotic diseases or noninfectious diseases.

Physiological disorders are often confused with pathogen-caused diseases but they do not spread from plant to plant as do diseases caused by living organisms. Landscape plants are often exposed to toxic materials, mechanical damage, nutritional stress, homeowner neglect and other stress factors in the urban environment.

This 4-color extension publication highlights the following physiological disorders of landscape plants: sun scald, drought, lightning injury, winter injury, root girdling, iron chlorosis, salt injury, herbicide injury and air pollution.

G81-540 Peppers (Revised May 1990), Dale T. Lindgren, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Various peppers and their care are discussed here.

Peppers are treated as warm-season annual crops when grown in Nebraska gardens. They are related to eggplants, potatoes and tomatoes, all of which belong to the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family.