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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UNL Researchers Advance Soil Health Cycle Concept

soil health cycle infographic
Inspired by an extension event survey comment, Dr. Bijesh Maharjan, associate professor and extension specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center, conceptualized the soil health cycle (SHC) as an iterative soil health management cycle to achieve agricultural sustainability.

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