Fire Smart Landscaping

Fire on a fence in a neighborhood. Image courtesy of Sarah Browning

Wildfires were headline news in 2023, including the Lahaina, Hawaii fire and scores of fires across Canada and Nebraska. It’s comfortable to think a devastating wildfire can’t happen in your area, but it’s better to be aware of the possibility and be prepared. Learn the aspects of Fire Smart Landscaping including creating a defensible space, planning ahead for a fire event, and management of the surrounding landscapes to decrease potential fire damage.

 

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Watering New Plants

Damp soil clings to a flat head screwdriver used to test soil moisture

April and May are classic times to install plants of all types – trees, shrubs, veggies, herbs, groundcovers and flowers.  One of the most basic requirements for ensuring their benefits and longevity is watering…but it’s not as simple as it may seem.  There are many factors that contribute to success.

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Replanting Corn: Things To Do and Think About

seedling in person's hand
Recent flooding events beginning May 20-21, 2024 in portions of the state have some concerned about the need to replant corn when waters recede. It’s important to assess potential recovery before making replant decisions.

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Q/A: What Impact Does Flooding and Saturated Soils Have on Wheat and Alfalfa?

flooded field at ENREEC
Extension insights on crop recovery, disease and harvest considerations for flooded wheat and alfalfa fields.

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Corn and Soybean Survival in Saturated and Flooded Soils

corn seedlings under water in field
Several factors affect corn and soybean survival in flooded soils at early season growth stages. This Nebraska Extension article reviews considerations for growers concerned about impacts to seed germination for these crops.

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Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Society to Host Annual Meeting in Scottsbluff

greenhouse with signage in foreground
This year’s theme is “Tech Talks — Tech Walks,” focusing on various technologies, with tours planned at a local organic heritage seed farm and North Platte NRD's geothermal greenhouse.

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Nebraska 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship Field Day Set for July 11

Nathan Mueller, Nebraska Extension water and cropping systems educator, speaks to participants during the 2023 4Rs Nutrient Stewardship Field Day.
This year's 4Rs Field Day will feature a demonstration on UNL's newly developed web-based N tool, designed to increase efficiency of nitrogen use, as well as ease of record-keeping.

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Strategies to Minimize Compaction During Wet Spring Conditions

photo of water standing in tire tracks of field
Insights on how wet field conditions affect compaction and ways to mitigate compaction when field work can't be delayed.

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The Impact of Spring Rainfall on Available Soil Moisture

Surface soil texture map for Nebraska.
Nebraskans in the eastern part of the state have recently experienced good rainfall during April and early May. This was a much-needed relief, especially considering the dry winter with minimal rainfall/snowfall and the dry 2023 growing season. While rainfall is always welcomed, assessing whether the received rainfall was sufficient to recharge soil moisture to adequate levels is not an easy task. This information plays a crucial role in planning the first irrigation event of the season and estimating the duration until water deficit begins to affect crops in dryland fields.

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Groundwater Nitrate in Nebraska: Key Factors and Timescales of Movement

Factors Influencing Groundwater Nitrate Concentrations

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