Life Sciences Commons^™

Ec97-2506 A Place In The Country: The Acreage Owner's Guide, Gary C. Bergman, Corey Brubaker, Kathleen J. Cue, Dennis M. Ferraro, Keith Glewen, Donald E. Janssen, Kevin Kock, Richard J. Lodes, Barbara P. Ogg, Jim Peterson, Warder Shires, Sharon Skipton, Monte Stauffer, David L. Varner

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A special place in the country is often a long-awaited dream. For many it communicates freedom, open space, clean air and unique opportunities to enjoy hobbies, nature and quiet living at its best. Making this a reality not only requires a major financial investment, it also requires careful planning and assessment of the existing property or new homesite under consideration.

This extension circular helps you as an acreage owner make the right decisions when living in the country.

G97-1315 Composting Manure And Other Organic Residues, Bahman Eghball

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Composting is becoming more common in Nebraska because of the many advantages it offers. This NebGuide provides information on the composting process and its management and related issues.

The Composting Process

Composting is the aerobic decomposition of manure or other organic materials in the thermophilic temperature range (104-149°F). The composted material is odorless, fine-textured, and low-moisture and can be bagged and sold for use in gardens, or nurseries or used as fertilizer on cropland with little odor or fly breeding potential. Composting improves the handling characteristics of any organic residue by reducing its volume and weight. Composting can kill pathogens …

G97-1331 Backyard Wildlife To Feed A Hummingbird, Ron J. Johnson, Donald H. Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The sixth in the backyard wildlife series, this NebGuide describes plants and nectar feeding for attracting hummingbirds to your backyard in Nebraska. Four species of hummingbirds are found in Nebraska, one in the east and three in the west. Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate through eastern Nebraska in spring and fall, and some nest here, mostly along the Missouri river valley. Typically, ruby-throat migration in Nebraska peaks about May 5-17 and September 2-18, but northward migration may occur from April to June and southward flights from August to early October. Broad-tailed and rufous hummingbirds are seen in the Nebraska panhandle during fall …

G96-1289 Diseases Of Home Garden Strawberries, John E. Watkins, David S. Wysong

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide addresses on some of the common diseases affecting home garden strawberries in Nebraska and their control.

Strawberries are a favored fruit of home gardens. They have been adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions, but sometimes can be challenging to grow. Strawberry yields and fruit quality are influenced by interactions of environment, diseases, pests, and soil conditions.

Nf96-274 Seed Sources For Commercial Vegetable Production, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact has addresses of distributors of seeds for commercial vegetable production.

Nf96-313 Guides For Development Of A Farmers Market, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact contains a list of resources for starting and running a farmers' market.

Ec95-1250 Forecasting Late Blight, Alexander D. Pavlista, Walter R. Stevenson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A method for forecasting environmental conditions favorable to the development of late blight is described. How is weather data obtained from hygrothermographs and weather stations? How are the data used to calculate severity values? How is late blight forecasted and fungicide applications scheduling recommended? These questions will be answered here. The intended audience is potato growers; tomato growers would also benefit.

G95-1268 Lettuce And Other Salad Greens, Susan D. Schoneweis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses different salad greens, their uses and nutritional value.

Lettuce has been an important part of human diets since ancient times. It was customary for the Romans to precede their gargantuan banquets with refreshing lettuce salads in the belief that lettuce enhanced the appetite and relaxed the alimentary canal. It had other uses, too. Dried lettuce juice was used to aid sleep in Elizabethan times and through World War II lactucarium, a sedative made from wild lettuce extracts, was used in hospitals¹. Today, lettuce is used as the main ingredient in most salads and it is joined by …

G95-1250 Rust Of Dry Bean, James R. Steadman, H. F. Schwartz, Dale T. Lindgren

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The symptoms, sources, spread and management of rust in dry edible beans is discussed in this NebGuide.

Rust is an important disease that affects dry beans in eastern Colorado, western Nebraska and adjacent regions. The disease is caused by the fungus Uromyces appendiculatus which has caused periodic epidemics in this region since the 1950s. Recent yield losses from the disease have exceeded 50 percent in some areas.

G95-1264 Storing Fresh Fruits And Vegetables, Susan D. Schoneweis, Durward Smith

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The following NebGuide outlines proper storage methods and conditions for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Harvesting fruits and vegetables from your garden at the proper stage of maturity is only the first step to fresh table quality. Proper harvesting and post-harvest handling methods, as well as proper storage of fruits and vegetables not immediately eaten, will help maintain the flavor, texture and nutritive value of the produce.

Proper storage means controlling both the temperature and relative humidity of the storage area. All fruits and vegetables do not have the same requirements. This NebGuide will help you select the best storage conditions …

G95-1270 Sclerotinia Stem Rot Of Soybeans, James R. Steadman, S. Rutledge, D. Merrell, David Wysong

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Life cycle, symptoms, and control measures of sclerotinia stem rot of soybeans is discussed.

Sclerotinia stem rot of soybeans is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. This pathogen has an extremely wide host range and can affect more than 400 plant species, including oilseed, vegetable and forage legume crops. S. sclerotiorum has caused a disease known as white mold on dry edible beans in western Nebraska for 40 years, but it did not become a problem in soybeans until the 1990s. This fungal pathogen can be found on soybeans in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. …

Nf94-185 Supporting And Pruning Raspberries, Donald Janssen, Donald H. Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact has information on supporting and pruning raspberries.

G94-1209 Evaluating The Landscape Of A Prospective Home, Don Steinegger, Roch E. Gaussoin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses facts to consider when examining a prospective home's yard and landscape.

Often home buyers hire an inspector to evaluate the roof, plumbing, heating system, and structure of a prospective home. Seldom, however, does the landscape receive similar scrutiny.

Buyers should consider investing time and, perhaps, even money in careful evaluation of the landscape they might be purchasing. A healthy, well-designed, well-maintained landscape adds significant equity (15 percent or more) to a property's value. In a climate like Nebraska's, characterized by hot, windy summers and cold, windy winters, lawns, trees, and shrubs play a major role in moderating …

Nf94-127 Growing Seedless (Triploid) Watermelons, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact has information on growing seedless watermelons.

Ec94-138 Pigweed Identification: A Pictorial Guide To The Common Pigweeds Of The Great Plains, M.J. Horak, D.E. Peterson, D.J. Chessman, L.M. Wax

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Several pigweed species are found in the Great Plains. Pigweeds commonly reduce crop yields and interfere with harvest. One means of controlling these weeds is through the use of herbicides. Recent research indicates that some pigweed species respond differently to various herbicides; therefore, proper identification is needed for good control.

This extension contains a generalized distribution map; photographs of seeds, seedling, and mature plants; and text describing other identifying features for each pigweed species. The species are grouped with others that have similar shape and form. The pigweed species listed in this publication are: redroot pigweed, smooth pigweed, Powell amaranth, …

G93-1127 Petunias, Dale T. Lindgren

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This is a practical guide to sowing, transplanting and caring for petunias.

Petunias are a popular, reliable flowering ornamental plant for use in Nebraska landscapes. This versatile annual can be used in flower beds, hanging baskets, window boxes and other types of containers. They also can be used as cut flowers. The blossoms of petunias come in many colors with petal edges that are straight or ruffled.

Two general classes of petunias are Grandiflora and Multiflora. Grandiflora petunias are characterized by having fewer, but larger, showy flowers. A number of Grandifloras are cascade selections, well suited to growing in hanging …

G93-1176 Raspberries For The Home Garden, Donald E. Janssen, Don Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides guidelines for identifying and cultivating raspberries.

Raspberries can be successfully grown in Nebraska. They are grown primarily by the home gardener and used fresh or frozen, in jams or in jellies. The red, yellow, black, and purple raspberry types are grown in eastern Nebraska, while western Nebraskans primarily grow only red berries.

This publication is not intended for the commercial grower but is, instead, targeted towards home gardeners who have limited space for raspberry production.

G93-1181 Evaluating Your Landscape Irrigation System, Don Steinegger, Roch E. Gaussoin, Garald L. Horse

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide addresses irrigation techniques and methods that can improve water usage.

In the summer months, most water used in residential areas is applied to landscapes. By learning how much water to apply to your landscape and when to apply it, you simultaneously support four landscape irrigation goals: reducing costs, conserving water, reducing non-point pollution (contamination from a broad geographical area such as fertilizer, run off from urban landscapes), and maintaining an attractive landscape.

G93-1157 Testing Irrigation Water, Delynn Hay, K.D. Frank

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide explains some of the reasons irrigation water should be tested and provides guidelines for collecting and submitting water samples. All irrigation water contains essential plant nutrients. These nutrients are free bonuses from a crop production standpoint. However, some nutrients can be present in amounts that will be toxic or damaging to crop growth. The nutrient content of Nebraska irrigation water can be highly variable from one location to another. The purpose of this guide is to provide guidelines for collecting and submitting irrigation water samples to laboratories for analysis. Reasons for having irrigation water tested are discussed. The …

G93-1140 Red Cloud: A New Red-Skinned Potato Cultivar From Nebraska, Alexander D. Pavlista, Robert B. O'Keefe

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The description, characteristics and performance of Red Cloud potato are described. Its primary market is as a fresh table potato for boiling, mashing and baking. he Red Cloud potato cultivar is named after the great Sioux chief who lived in Nebraska and South Dakota. It was selected, developed and tested at the University of Nebraska's Panhandle Research and Extension Center under the pedigree number NE A143.70-2. The cross was made in Alliance, NE in 1970. The parents were a red-skinned selection from the Nebraska breeding program and Superior, a white-skinned cultivar chosen for its scab resistance. Red Cloud (Figure 1) …

G93-1183 Butterfly Gardening, Dale T. Lindgren, Stephen M. Spomer, Amy Greving

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide outlines planting schemes and arrangements that will help attract butterflies to a garden area.

Butterflies can be found in almost any part of Nebraska, from the Pine Ridge's coniferous forests and across the grasslands of the Sandhills to the deciduous forests along the Missouri River. Watching butterflies, much like bird watching or observing wildflowers has become a popular and enjoyable pastime. Since many natural butterfly habitats have been lost to urbanization and other development, some environmental organizations have incorporated butterfly conservation into their programs. Many people are taking a personal interest in attracting these fascinating insects to their …

Nf93-65 Turfgrass Cultivars For Nebraska, Robert C. Shearman, Roch E. Gaussoin, Steve Westerholt, Terrance P. Riordan

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This fact sheet will assist in turfgrass cultivar selection for Nebraska. Cultivar lists are not inclusive. Consumers should use them as guides. Use all available information before making a final selection of grasses best adapted for use in your situation.

Nf92-108 Sources Of Information — Organic Or Sustainable Vegetable Production, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact is a list of companies, organizations and government offices that supply information for the gardener and small farmer who are looking at instituting organic or sustainable vegetable production.

Nf92-107 Resource List For Marketing Alternative Crops, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact is a resource list of companies, organizations, and government offices who offer and supply information for helping the small farmer/gardener market their alternative crops.

Nf92-82 Gypsy Moth, Mark Harrell, Frederick Baxendale

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses gypsy moths.

G92-1121 Winter Deicing Agents For The Homeowner, Jay Fitzgerald, Donald E. Janssen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Information on deicers and how they affect plants is covered here.

Slick sidewalks and roads are hazardous. Removing compacted snow and ice with shovels or snow blowers is not always an easy task. Deicers can help by "undercutting," or loosening the snow or ice because they lower the freezing point of water.

Do not use deicers to completely melt snow or ice, but to make their removal easier. Deicers melt down through the ice or snow to the hard surface, then spread out underneath. This undercuts and loosens the snow so shoveling and plowing can be done.

G92-1084 Culture Of Cole Crops, Laurie Hodges, R.E. Neild

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

How to grow successfully broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi.

Cole crops, which include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi, can be successfully grown on most soils if drainage is good and the crop is supplied with adequate water and nutrients, particularly nitrogen. Light-textured soils usually produce earlier crops but heavier soils hold more moisture and tend to produce crops that hold quality longer at maturity.

Cole crops have shallow root systems. Inadequate moisture may cause small cauliflower heads to form prematurely. Rainfall or irrigation following a prolonged dry spell may cause splitting of cabbage and kohlrabi. Supplemental …

G92-1123 Spinach And Swiss Chard, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This is a guide to the growing, harvesting and use of spinach and swiss chard.

Spinach

Spinach is a cool season crop and belongs to the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae), along with Swiss chard and beets. Spinach is low in calories. It is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and minerals, especially iron. After washing the leaves, cook them in a covered pan using only the water clinging to the leaves. After cooking, add salt and butter, vinegar, or mustard for added flavor. Spinach may be prepared in a souffle, creamed soup, or used raw in salads.

Swiss Chard …

G92-1069 The Poinsettia, Jay Fitzgerald, Don Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Growing poinsettias so that they rebloom is easier if you understand and follow some basic horticultureicultural and pest management procedures.

Poinsettias are the most popular decorative plants for the Christmas and New Year holiday seasons. The newer cultivars often remain colorful until spring and do not have to be discarded when they finish blooming. Following a few basic principles can bring the plants back into full bloom.

The poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima is a native to the area around Taxco, Mexico, and was introduced to the United States by Joel R. Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico. Poinsettia or …

Nf91-43 Blossom End Rot In Tomatoes, Laurie Hodges, Don Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses the causes, prevention and treatment of blossom end rot in tomatoes.