Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: Recent Episodes
Sarah Buckley & Hanna Pinneo
Bloom Box is smart gardening for everybody; providing you with everything you need to grow the sustainable garden you want. On Growing Deeper we explore different topics, questions and ideas related to gardening with native plants, creating habitat for wildlife and making your corner of the world a little bit greener.
This week on the PlantNebraska Podcast, Bob joins Hanna and Sarah to share everything you need to know about collecting native plant seed. Learn how to tell when seed is ripe, how to clean and store it properly, and simple tricks that improve germination success. Whether you're collecting coneflowers, penstemons, milkweeds, or even acorns, this episode is packed with practical tips you can use this season.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Plant Sale Dates
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Most gardeners own dozens of tools—but if we're honest, there are only a handful we reach for over and over again. Hanna and Sarah empty out their garden tool bags to share the tools they actually use every week. From classic favorites like trowels and pruners to surprising specialty tools, you'll hear what makes each one indispensable.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Plant Sale Dates
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Summer gardens are putting on a spectacular show, so we're taking a tour through what's blooming right now and what's just around the corner. In this episode, Hanna and Sarah share the plants bringing color to their own landscapes and offer ideas for extending color into late summer. From native prairie favorites to reliable garden classics, this plant list is full of ideas to keep your garden in full color through the summer heat.
Help us make the podcast better! Tell us about your podcast listening experience and we'll send you a small thank you gift, we'll also enter you in a drawing for a larger prize: https://unlcorexmuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3eXDaXJQrzpfsrA
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Plant Sale Dates
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Container gardening isn't just for annual flowers and tomatoes! In this episode, Sarah and Hanna are joined by conservation scientist Jeremie Fant from the Chicago Botanic Garden to explore growing native plants, perennials, shrubs, and even small trees in containers.
Whether you're gardening on a balcony, patio, driveway, or in a small yard, you'll learn how container gardening can expand your growing space, support pollinators, and help you garden successfully in challenging conditions. Jeremie shares lessons learned from more than 15 years of experimenting with native plants in containers, including what survives harsh Midwest winters, which plants thrive in pots, and why gardeners shouldn't be afraid to experiment.
Help us make the podcast better! Tell us about your podcast listening experience and we'll send you a small thank you gift, we'll also enter you in a drawing for a larger prize: https://unlcorexmuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3eXDaXJQrzpfsrA
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Plant Sale Dates
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this episode of the Plant Nebraska Podcast, Hanna and Sarah explore the challenges and opportunities of designing around your home's foundation. From overgrown shrubs and river rock regrets to favorite plant choices and fire-wise landscaping tips, they share real-life examples from their own yards and practical advice for creating beautiful, functional spaces around your home. Don't forget to complete our listener survey—we want your feedback as we plan the future of the podcast!
Help us make the podcast better! Tell us about your podcast listening experience and we'll send you a small thank you gift, we'll also enter you in a drawing for a larger prize: https://unlcorexmuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3eXDaXJQrzpfsrA
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Plant Sale Dates
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
What happens after your garden is established? In this episode of the Plant Nebraska Podcast, Hanna and Sarah walk through the full lifecycle of a landscape—from establishment watering and weeding to long-term management, tree care, and eventually refreshing aging gardens. They discuss how maintenance styles differ depending on your goals, why some plants earn extra attention, and how landscapes naturally evolve over time.
Help us make the podcast better! Tell us about your podcast listening experience and we'll send you a small thank you gift, we'll also enter you in a drawing for a larger prize: https://unlcorexmuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3eXDaXJQrzpfsrA
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Plant Sale Dates
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Gardening season is in full swing, and with it comes a lot of questions—especially when you're talking to nursery staff, educators, or fellow gardeners. In this episode, Hanna and Sarah break down common gardening terms so you can better understand advice, ask questions, and feel more confident in your garden decisions.
This is Part 2 so be sure to check out Part 1 (episode 12 in June, 2022).
Help us make the podcast better! Tell us about your podcast listening experience and we'll send you a small thank you gift, we'll also enter you in a drawing for a larger prize: https://unlcorexmuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3eXDaXJQrzpfsrA
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Plant Sale Dates
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this episode of the Plant Nebraska Podcast, Hanna and Sarah learn more about commercial composting. Audrey and Sasha from Hillside Solutions discuss efforts to turn food waste into a resource and make composting more accessible through curbside programs and partnerships with local farms. Melissa from Uribe Refuse Services shares how commercial composting works and its environmental benefits. Tune in for simple tips, real-world insight, and an encouraging reminder that small actions at home can make a big impact.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Plant Sale Dates
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Ever show up at a plant sale with the perfect list… only to find your must-have plant is already gone?
Hanna and Sarah are preparing for Spring Affair by helping you plan ahead for when the plant you carefully researched is sold out. Learn how to plan smart substitutions, ask the right questions at the nursery, and still leave with plants that will thrive in your garden.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Spring Affair
Plant Sale Dates
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this episode, Hanna and Sarah revisit one of the very first topics ever covered on the podcast: preparing a new perennial garden bed. With a few more years of experience under their belts—working in their own yards and on public projects—they’re bringing back the original advice along with some new tricks, lessons learned, and a little extra nuance. The big takeaway? Use the cool days of early spring to get your beds ready before your spring plant purchases fill your driveway. Your future gardening self will thank you.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this episode, Hanna and Sarah welcome Jason “the Bird Nerd” to talk about how gardeners can make their yards more welcoming to birds. From native plants and insect habitat to brush piles, feeders, and even light pollution, the conversation explores how a healthy garden ecosystem naturally supports birds.
Jason St. Sauver joins us from the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this reprisal of one of our very early episodes, we revisit spring cleanup with the added tricks and nuance we’ve learned along the way. It’s all about pacing yourself instead of rushing into full cleanup just because of a warm day.
Early spring is the perfect time to tackle the less pleasant jobs (hello, mushy leaves and grass cutting) while the weather is still cool and the bugs aren’t out yet. Work with the season, not against it — protect emerging plants, support habitat, and make the most of these comfortable days before the real growing (and sweating) begins.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Snow may not be the first thing you think about when designing a garden—but maybe it should be. In this episode, Hanna and Sarah dig into the often-overlooked topic of designing landscapes for winter functionality, especially when snow, ice, and de-icers come into play.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Bob Henrickson is back for our annual Great Plants of the Great Plains episode! Every year he uses this program to highlight plants that are overlooked and underutilized by the nursery and landscape industry. Nominated by and voted on by industry members, these are trees, shrubs, and perennials that deserve a consideration when looking for something to plant this spring.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
We made it to 100 episodes! We're sharing 10(ish) things we have learned over the last 3 years of podcasting and almost 10 years of helping new gardeners plant native plants through the Bloom Box program.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
We're kicking off the holiday season with our annual book review and gift guide! Michelle DeRusha joins us and we share some of the garden related books we read this year (or are looking forward to reading). We also share our list of gift ideas for the gardener in your life, or for your own wish list.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this special gratitude-themed episode of PlantNebraska, we hand the microphone over to you—our members, arboretum partners, volunteers, and community growers. We asked for stories about what you’re thankful for when it comes to trees, native plants, and the landscapes you steward. Join us as we highlight the shared work that makes our Nebraska communities stronger and more resilient.
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Welcome to the Plant Nebraska Podcast! (formerly known as Bloom Box: Growing Deeper) In this first official episode under our new name, hosts Hanna and Sarah are talking about plants they love—but whose common names make it hard to convince others to plant them. From “swamp milkweed” to “sneezeweed,” we’re rethinking names that don’t do justice to beautiful, beneficial native plants. Tune in for stories about language, plant history, and a few of our not-so-successful renaming attempts (looking at you, “purple puff plant”).
For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
We’re thrilled to share some big news with you: the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is now PlantNebraska!
This new name reflects who we are today—rooted in Nebraska and growing for generations to come—and makes our mission clearer, more welcoming and easier for new people to discover.
What’s staying the same:
- Your favorite programs, resources and events
- Our statewide network of arboretums and public gardens
- Our mission: we plant Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities and a resilient environment
What’s new:
- A name and look that better reflect who we are today
- Stronger visibility to grow our impact across the state
- A name that inspires the next generation of tree planters, gardeners and environmental stewards
We've updated our show notes template! Check it out at https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/cw/plantnebraska
Send us your questions at arboretum@unl.edu or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Don’t forget your dragon hide gloves! Sarah and Hanna are heading to Hogwarts for a special herbology-themed episode featuring magical plants from the Harry Potter universe — and their real-life counterparts you can actually grow in your own garden. From calming hellebores to, they dig into the folklore, horticulture, and just a little bit of magic behind these spellbinding species. Whether you’re a wizarding world fan or just love a weird plant story, this episode is full of enchanting garden inspiration (and a few poison warnings).
We've updated our show notes template! Check it out at https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
For the annual fall cleanup episode, Sarah and Hanna are joined by David Mizejewski, naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation, to talk about one of the simplest and most impactful garden actions: leaving the leaves. David shares the science behind this seasonal practice, the wildlife it supports, and how “messy” gardens are essential for biodiversity and climate health.
We've updated our show notes template! Check it out at https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this fall-themed episode, Sarah and Hanna are joined by Community Forester Sarah Browning to talk about the insects (and a few not-quite-insects) that become more noticeable this time of year. From spiders in the basement to mosquitoes that won’t quit, the conversation covers who these critters are, what they’re doing in the fall, and how to live with—or without—them.
Learn why wolf spiders seem extra big in autumn, what oak itch mites are really up to in your red oaks, and why minute pirate bugs have such a misleadingly cute name. The team also shares practical advice for dealing with fruit flies, fungus gnats, whiteflies on houseplants, and nuisance insects like Asian lady beetles and boxelder bugs. And of course, they wrap up with their Plants of the Week.
We've updated our show notes template! Check it out at https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this Q&A episode, Hanna and Sarah tackle common questions about pollinators—what counts as one, why their populations are declining, which crops depend on them, and how gardeners can support them with the right plants and practices. They also discuss the crime of beehivery and whether or not you need to worry about someone stealing your beehive.
We've updated our show notes template! Check it out at https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
As summer winds down, Sarah and Hanna take a breather to reflect on the wild weather, what’s thriving (and what’s struggling) in their gardens, and projects big and small. We're talking soggy lawns, giant sunflowers, raspberries, raised beds, and storm cleanup—this episode covers the full range of gardening successes and struggles.
They also answer a listener question about what to do with a shady yard (spoiler: mulch is your friend) and share what’s blooming right now in Nebraska gardens.
We've updated our show notes template! Check it out at https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this lively episode, Sarah and Hanna are joined by Chrissy Land from the Nebraska Forest Service to debate their favorite (and least favorite) landscape plants. From drought-tolerant natives to misunderstood troublemakers, they make their case for which plants deserve a spot in public spaces—and which are better for the home landscape. The discussion covers climate adaptability, maintenance concerns, personal bias, and the importance of matching plants to place.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
This week on Growing Deeper, Sarah and Hannah welcome Dana Freeman, Urban Agriculture and Local Food Systems Extension Educator, to tackle a problem many gardeners face: Why do vegetables thrive one year and fail the next?
Learn why soil quality matters, how to water your containers correctly, and what to do when the weather doesn't cooperate. Dana shares practical solutions and fall gardening tips that will help beginners and experienced growers alike. Whether you're struggling with cucumbers or wondering if your lettuce can handle the heat, this is a can't-miss episode for home gardeners.
For more in-depth show notes, including a full list of plant mentions and links to resources, visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Sarah Browning joins us for the first time to discuss our favorite mid-summer blooms. These are some of our go-to plants to keep color in the garden all summer long. Not every summer is as rainy as this one, in dry years full summer color can be a challenge, but these dependable species have become favorites for their drought and heat tolerance.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Every gardener has “that spot” that they aren’t happy with but aren’t sure what to do about it. This week we’re reviewing our problem areas, some success stories, and some ongoing struggles. We would love to hear your stories as well! Share a success story and give us all hope or share an area you aren’t sure how to approach and maybe someone will have a suggestion (or at least commiseration).
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
We talk about them all the time, but what exactly is a sedge? Why can’t we call them grasses? Why do we love them so much? Bob Henrickson joins us this week to answer all our sedge questions!
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
We love grasses, native, ornamental, even annual! It's hard to imagine gardening in the Great Plains without them. They create the base and backdrop for native flowers while creating a sense of place in a prairie state. Grasses are also critical habitat for butterflies, moths, and other pollinating insects.
Learn more about becoming a member of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Find us on Patreon for early episode releases and extra photos
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Need help planning a summer vacation or family trip? Justin Evertson (Green Infrastructure Coordinator) and John Woodworth (Community Forester) join us to talk about our favorite trips to public gardens across the state.
Through the American Horticultural Society's reciprocal admissions program, NSA members can receive perks like free admission, free parking, entrance to special exhibits, and other discounts at over 380 public gardens across North America!
Learn more about becoming a member of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Need help planning a summer vacation or family trip? Justin Evertson (Green Infrastructure Coordinator) and John Woodworth (Community Forester) join us to talk about our favorite trips to public gardens across the state.
Through the American Horticultural Society's reciprocal admissions program, NSA members can receive perks like free admission, free parking, entrance to special exhibits, and other discounts at over 380 public gardens across North America!
Learn more about becoming a member of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
This information and scripts for emails and phone calls are available here: https://plantnebraska.org/how-to-help/advocacy.html
The President’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 “Skinny Budget” threatens to eliminate the U.S. Forest Service’s State, Private, and Tribal Forestry (SPTF) programs—a move that would have devastating consequences for communities, volunteer fire departments, landowners, and forests across Nebraska.
These programs directly support wildfire prevention, volunteer fire departments, reforestation, community forestry, forest health, and rural economic resilience. Their elimination would leave Nebraska communities without the resources, tools, and partnerships needed to protect lives, property, and the environment.
These programs provide funding for various community forestry activities, including:
- NFS technical assistance to help communities make informed decisions, such as tree inventories, inventory software access, evaluation of at-risk trees, arborist training, municipal staff training, tree board assistance, ordinance drafting, forest management support, and much more.
- Support for programs like Tree City USA, Tree Care workshops, and events.
- Arborist support includes low-cost or free CEU trainings and arborist prep.
- Forest health diagnostics and monitoring.
- Pass-through funding for initiatives like the Free Tree for Fall Tree Planting program and the IRA.
In addition, federal funding provides:
- Equipment and training for volunteer fire districts
- Wildfire mitigation funding
- Forest management activities.
You can take immediate action to help preserve these essential programs by:
1. Contact Nebraska's Congressional Delegation
Reach out to your Representative and U.S. Senators by phone, email, or letter and urge them to protect funding for SPTF programs in the FY 2026 budget.
You can find contact information for Nebraska’s federal delegation here:
- Senator Deb Fischer: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/?p=email-deb
- Washington, D.C. office (202) 224-6551
- Senator Pete Ricketts: https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion/
- Washington, D.C. office (202) 224-4224
- Find your U.S. House Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
- District 1: Congressman Mike Flood: https://flood.house.gov/contact
- Washington, D.C. office (202) 225-4806
- District 2: Congressman Don Bacon: https://bacon.house.gov/contact/
- Washington, D.C. office (202) 225-4155
- District 3: Congressman Adrian, Smith: https://adriansmith.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact
- Washington, D.C. office (202) 225-6435
2. Share Your Story
When you reach out, please be specific and personal. Share how these forestry programs have made a difference in your life, community, or work. Whether you are a fire chief, city leader, landowner, or citizen advocate, your voice and your experience are powerful.
Please consider including:
- How your community has benefited from SPTF-supported projects or funding.
- How these programs have helped prevent wildfire or improve forest health.
- What the consequences would be if this funding is lost.
We know our listeners enjoy learning about plants they should consider or try each year and we like to make those lists based on a theme. We've done pollinator habitat, we've done other wildlife, we've done shrubs, etc. This year we're going through our team (at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and Nebraska Forest Service) and sharing everyone's signature, or favorite plants.
Anyone who regularly designs landscapes, helps people select plants, or influences what is planted in public spaces eventually ends up with a toolbox of their favorite species. These are our tried and true, dependable problem solving plants- or just our favorites to see growing.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Plants are often used to screen visually, for protection from wind, and to limit sound pollution from roadways. One of the most common questions we get is how to select trees, shrubs, grasses (and even perennials) for use in a screen or ‘Living Fence’. Today we’re discussing some of our go-to plants as well as the framework for designing a living fence or creating a visual screen.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Thanks to the Lied Center, we had the opportunity to meet Dr. Tyson over Zoom and ask him two questions related to his Cosmic Perspective talk! He will be at the Lied Center tonight for a sold-out show. This week we’re partnering with the Lied Center to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day, check out the show notes for our tips and events.
We hope to see you at Spring Affair this weekend!
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: ttps://plantnebraska.org/podcast
For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
This week, we're Growing Deeper into a topic introduced in an episode of our Plant Talk webinar series (watch here). Keystone species, an idea discussed by entomologist Doug Tallamy in several of his books, are a foundation of healthy, functioning habitat. Today we're discussing some of the keystone species of the Great Plains and how understanding this theory impacts the way we design urban greenspaces.
You don't want to miss the full show notes this week, they are packed full of great (and a few funny) links! https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
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Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
This was by far been one of the most popular episodes we have recorded. It's practical, it's helpful, and it brings us hope of spring and new projects. Whether you are a new or longtime listener, we hope you enjoy this look back at how to prepare a new garden bed or get ready to replant an old one. An insider tip: as gardeners we're always in a hurry to get outside so we often shorten well used phrases like "preparing a new bed" to "bed prep".
We talk about everything from killing and removing turf to improving your soil and composting. We also share our favorite garden tools and how to maintain them, so they work for you and not against you.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
There are so many things to keep in mind when trying to garden sustainably and it would be tempting to think they are all black and white issues, “choose this not that and you’ll have the perfect, ecologically friendly garden”. In this episode we’re sharing specific choices we’ve had to make in our own gardens based on available time, physical ability, budget, and problems we’ve needed to solve.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Thank you Hannah for your question about planting near buried utilities! We though your question was common enough to answer on it's own instead of during another episode. This is a complicated topic since every neighborhood is designed a little different.
Always call 811 and refer to your local ordinances (rules) for planting near utilities.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
The 2025 issue of The Seed (our largest annual publication) is out and we're giving you practical tips and steps to advocating for tree planting and greenspaces in your community! Whether you see yourself as a hands on volunteer, a vocal advocate, or a future member of a committee or tree board, we hope to inspire you to take the first step to guiding your own community to plant for the future.
Read The Seed (current and past issues)
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
This week we are replaying one of our most popular early episodes. All about soil; what it is, what it isn’t, what lives in it, why it’s so important, and what we can do to improve and protect it.
It may be a little cold to go outside but we'll offer you a hint of spring and walk you through learning what kind of soil you have and what that means for your plant choices and your garden. Understanding your soil is a key starting place, so if you're planning to create a new garden bed this spring, you'll be prepared to get a 'feel' for things once the ground thaws.
How to ID your soil type.
More info on Epsom Salt.
Watch Bob "chunk" his garden soil. Chunking is a great way to loosen soil for planting without breaking down the soil structure.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum mission is to plant Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities, and a resilient environment. This week we're reflecting on what this means to us and why, when our jobs often involve more people and paperwork than plants, we continue to be inspired to keep planting. We truly have a wonderful team to work with and we were glad the whole NSA team and our community forestry partners at the Nebraska Forest Service we willing to share their stories!
In this episode we hear from:
- Kendall Weyers, Sustainable Communities Coordinator
- Brad Kindler, Sustainable Landscape Specialist
- Justin Evertson, Green Infrastructure Coordinator
- Michelle DeRusha, Communications and Events Coordinator
- Chrissy Land, Western Nebraska Community Forester
- Bob Henrickson, Horticulture Program Coordinator
- Toby Burnham, Member and Affiliate Coordinator
- Christina Hoyt, Community Landscapes and Forest Health Bureau Chief
NSA Staff Listing
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Sarah and Hanna review their resolutions from last year, plan their 2025 garden projects and share their predictions of what will be in and what will be out this year.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Bob Henrickson joins us to announce the 2025 Great Plants for the Great Plains selections!
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Friluftsliv, translated as "free air life", is the Norwegian value of time spent in the outdoors. Michelle, whose family fully embraces friluftsliv, introduced us to the idea last episode during our book review. We've thought of several ways that we practice the free air life, intentionally or naturally, to share and have decided to join Norway in declaring 2025 the year of friluftsliv!
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
We're kicking off the holiday season with our annual book review and gift guide! Michelle DeRusha joins us again this year and we share some of the garden related books we read this year (or are looking forward to reading). We also share our list of gift ideas for the gardener in your life, or for your own wish list.
For more in-depth show notes, including a full list of the books and gifts we listed, visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Dr. Dennis Ferraro, herpetologist, joins us to talk about the reptiles and amphibians that live in and around our gardens. Nebraska is home to many cool species, some can find habitat in our yards and some cannot.
Learn more about his work on his website which includes an identification guide.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Hanna and Sarah talk about their fall garden plans, cleanup and compost. Dr. Amy Schmidt, a livestock bioenvironmental engineer and professor at UNL, joins us for an interview about how manure can be used to improve our garden soil.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Hanna and Justin talk about trees and shrubs as weeds. Which species are problematic and how to manage them. Justin has many years of experience working with towns, parks and larger conservation areas to manage invasive and weedy species and shares some of his best tips!
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Sarah is back! Hanna and Sarah are joined by Carina and Kim from the Nebraska Recycling Council to talk about recycling and other waste reduction practices. We learn about how recycling works broadly, how recycling and waste reduction help our communities and our environment, and what we can strive for as individuals.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this episode, Hanna gets some late summer gardening advice from the all-knowledgeable Bob Henrickson. They talk about watering, weeding, prepping garden beds, planting trees, and more. Listen now and learn how you can set yourself up for success this fall for next year!
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Hanna is joined by Kim Slezak, Wood Utilization expert with the Nebraska Forest Service, to talk about how to use wood. There are so many ideas, from biochar to furniture to woodchips, we can give you a way to use your trees if they must come down.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Christina Hoyt from the Nebraska Forest Service is back as promised to talk with Hanna about the history and trends in community forestry in Nebraska. Listen now to learn easy ways you can support community forestry right in your own neighborhood.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Our song of the summer is the sound of cicadas. Jody Green from Douglas-Sarpy County Extension joins Hanna to talk about the essential Nebraska summer insects, cicadas and fireflies. Learn how to support these bastions of summer in your yard and garden by listening now.
Update: Soil drenching can kill the eggs of cicadas, but it doesn't appear to impact nymphs.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Christina Hoyt from the Nebraska Forest Service joins Hanna to talk about how their gardens are looking this summer, how to be a more relaxed gardener, and answer a listener question about community trees.
CORRECTION:
Christina mentions Solidago rigida as used in her patio pond, but the actual species is riddellii.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Hanna is pleased to talk with Dan Moore from Kinghorn Gardens all about what it takes to manage the beautiful and environmentally friendly gardens on the Assurity Center campus in Lincoln near Union Plaza.
For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
An intro conversation to the water cycle and how water gets to our homes and gardens. Hanna interviews her sister Dr. Lundon Pinneo, professor of education at the University of Arkansas Little Rock.
For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Jennifer Morris, Forest Health Specialist for the Nebraska Forest Service, joins us this week to help us recognize tree problems. She walks us through deciding if this is a 'wait and see', 'I can fix it', or 'call an arborist' issue.
For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this episode, we talk about the struggles and fun of gardening with pets. Toby joins us to talk about his experience and Sarah and Hanna share their tips.
For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Tired of having a yard full of grass? Whether you are trying to create habitat, save water, be more sustainable, or are just plain tired of mowing we have some ideas for you! From small changes you can make today to be more environmentally friendly to full lawn replacements, and a few wild ideas just for fun.
For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Let us help you learn how to design your own pollinator garden! Our online subscription provides everything you need to be your own landscape designer; Hanna and Sarah walk through how to use the Build-Your-Own Bloom Box program and offer suggestions on how to design without the materials or if you are outside the Great Plains.
Learn more about Build-Your-Own Bloom Box at plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Spring Affair 2024 is right around the corner! Hanna and Sarah highlight a few plants that you should know about. They also share a few tips for shopping and making the most of the event. Spring Affair dates are:
- Thursday April 25th (Preview Party, visit website for tickets)
- Friday April 26th, 2-6 PM (open sale)
- Saturday April 27th, 9-noon (open sale).
For more information on sale dates and to view the full plant list visit: https://plantnebraska.org/resources-events/events/spring-affair.html
For more tips on making the most of your visit, listen to episodes:
- Bonus Spring Affair 2024 (4/24/2023)
- Live from Lincoln, It’s Spring Affair (4/24/2023)
For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
This week we are switching things up and talking about our favorite annuals for pots or temporary garden beds!
For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
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Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Thinking about adding fruit trees or shrubs to your landscape this year? Bob Henrickson and Brad Kindler join us to talk about native fruits and more traditional fruits we can grow in our home landscapes, acreages or farms. We also talk about what to consider when deciding what to plant and how to choose fruits that will fit your gardening style and your family.
For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Kyle Martens, friend of the podcast and garden enthusiast, joins us to talk about how he starts vegetable seeds at home. He has some great tips on timing, supplies, and realistic expectations for beginners.
He credits Community Crops, a local nonprofit based in Lincoln, NE with much of what he has learned but there is no doubt he has expanded on what they taught him!
For more in depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Hanna and Sarah are joined by Justin Evertson and Kendall Weyers to hear what advice they would give someone who wanted to start a project in their town. Justin, Kendall, Brad Kindler and Sarah make up what we call the Green Infrastructure team; we manage the project funding programs that the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum offers, consult on projects and offer landscape design services (among many other things of course). If you have ever daydreamed about planting trees or creating a native landscape in your town then this episode is for you!
Read Sarah's blog post with more thoughts on community projects on our blog, The Canopy.
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Ron Poe from the Nebraska Department of Transportation joins us to talk about NDOT's goals for creating a "Nebraska" landscape along our state highways. He answers our questions about pollinator habitat, erosion control, tree planting, mowing practices and more.
A little light reading for those who are interested: NDOT's Vegetation Manual.
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
It feels like a second New Year after 2 winter storms and 4 snow days which makes for a good day to talk about resolutions! Sarah and Hanna review their resolutions, goals and plans for their 2024 gardens and share their predictions of what will be in and what will be out this year.
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Happy New Year!
Sarah, Hanna and Bob review the Great Plants selections for this year. The Great Plants program is a collaboration between the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association to promote underutilized plants that are favorites of industry professionals in Nebraska. Each year a tree, conifer, shrub, perennial, and grass are selected to be highlighted and promoted for the year.
Find the Great Plants Gardener publication here.
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
An update but unfortunately not a definitive answer on the palm tree debate.
We'll be taking a little break since our next scheduled episode would land on Christmas Day; our next episode will be coming January 8th with the 2024 Great Plants selections!
This week we will review the recent USDA Zone Map update and what it means for Nebraska. We also talk about the limitations of the map and the other factors we consider when predicting plant hardiness.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
A couple of sources we used to get a better understanding of the USDA map:
https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/pages/map-creation
https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/new-plant-hardiness-map-used-gardeners-nationwide-and-based-osu-climate-data-unveiled
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Our top gifts for gardeners!
Each year we round up some of our favorite gardening/outdoor products that we think would make good gifts, many we have enjoyed receiving ourselves. This year we created categories:
- NSA Merch at plantnebraskashop.org
- Kids
- little shovel
- Bird Enthusiasts
- Chefs/Cooks
- Uline Jars
- New Gardener
- Experienced Gardeners
All the books we mentioned can be found on our Bookshop.org profile.
We hope this gives you some ideas for gifts to give the gardeners in your life (or to add to your own wish list)!
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Dave Zahn is back to finish our conversation about harvesting and storing nuts so they can be enjoyed through the winter.
Also joining us is Sam Creal who makes syrup from the walnut trees on his property.
Check out Creal Baking to learn more about how to purchase. They don't currently ship syrup but can be found at farmers' markets and craft shows in eastern Nebraska.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Dave Zahn, a long time member of the Nebraska Nut Growers Association, joins us this week to talk about nut trees that are native to Nebraska as well as introduced species that grow well here. We talk planting, growing and a little about harvesting nuts both for personal use and as a crop. To be continued with part 2 focused more on harvest and processing!
Learn more about the Nebraska Nut Growers Association
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
It may be fall but gardening season isn’t over! This week we are talking all about fall planting bulbs: how, what, when and how to protect them from critters.
We had a lot of fun recording this episode and out ‘end of planting season’ caught up with us; check out the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum on Patreon for an uncut version featuring bears and shrews.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Heather Beyers, founder of Great Plains Nursery, joins us this week to talk about trees to plant in your landscape or community. Great Plains works hard to promote native trees that increase the biodiversity of our landscapes while meeting the needs of humans and thriving in urban settings (not an easy task!). That mission makes Heather a good source of ideas for trees to plant, not just for their beauty and hardiness, but also for wildlife and insects.
Learn more about Great Plains Nursery
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
An interview with Jenny Hopwood from the Xerces Society all about the life cycle of stem nesting bees and how we can create habitat for them. Often known for their work with pollinator habitat, the Xerces Society works with any invertebrate species.
Their mission: The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. As a science-based organization, we both conduct our own research and rely upon the most up-to-date information to guide our conservation work. Our key program areas are: pollinator conservation, endangered species conservation, and reducing pesticide use and impacts.
This is our first interview over Zoom so the audio does sound a little different at times but it was worth it to bring you this fantastic interview!
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Listen in to today’s episode where Sarah and Hanna share and discuss their favorite nature and gardening related apps. From iNaturalist to SkyView to Planter there are a lot of tools to help you learn about and enjoy they great outdoors. There is also a “deleted scene” from this episode available on our Patreon!
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Did you know Nebraska has over 200 species of butterfly? Hanna and Sarah compare which species they see the most in their urban vs rural yards and how to create nesting habitat. They also take a look at the species that migrate including Monarchs.
Join our iNaturalist bioblitz and see how many butterflies we can photograph through September 1st!
Mail in dead butterflies and moths to USGS
Monarch Watch Tagging Kit
Nebraska Game & Parks Butterfly guide
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Botanical Latin- the language of plants- can be baffling but also incredibly helpful. Not really a language at all, this system of naming (nomenclature) gives each plant and official and universal name. These scientific names come in handy when identifying plants with regional common names or when several plants have the same common name; like sunflowers.
International Botanical Congress (yes, it's real)
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Erin Ingram and Jenny Keshwani join us from GROWABLE, science literacy team, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. They recently hosted an event called Climate and Mental Health for high school and college students and shared with us what they learned.
View the documentary "Gen Z Mental Health: Climate Stories"
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Join the new Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Patreon for weekly plant profiles, bonus podcast content and behind the scenes looks in our greenhouse and at our projects!
https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum
It’s the middle of the summer and hopefully everyone has something blooming in their garden! But, midsummer brings some issues with it as well; flopping, insects, diseases & Random Death (it happens to us all). These issues aren’t unique to this time of year but they often intensify in the summer heat.
June 17th is Member Appreciation week at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum! We are a member supported nonprofit and rely on our wonderful members to help us plant Nebraska every year. Learn more about NSA memberships here.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
How does heat affect plants? How do plants affect temperature?
Summer in the City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7ofnHmxE-I
Photosynthesis: Mrs. Frizzle says it best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMNVwkxoW6k
Stomata: any of the minute pores in the epidermis (skin) of the leaf or stem of a plant, forming a slit of variable width which allows movement of gases in and out of the intercellular spaces.
Transpiration: the exhalation of water vapor through the stomata.
Evapotranspiration: the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants.
Heat index: a measure indicating the level of discomfort the average person is thought to experience as a result of the combined effects of the temperature and humidity of the air.
To better understand evaporation, give 'The Water Cycle Song' a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flnn0phfpzw
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Happy Wildflower Week!
The first week of June we always celebrate Nebraska Wildflower Week by traveling to the panhandle to spend time hiking and visiting with our partners and friends. For this episode we're going to take you along with us.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
It's time for another episode of the Bloom Box Growing Deeper podcast. In this edition, Sarah and Hanna answer listeners' questions about gardening, including how much to water during this very dry spring, how to deal with invasive weeds and more.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Denise Wally, former Nebraska Forest Service coworker and current friend, joins us to talk about her love of growing mushrooms. As a member of the Nebraska Mycological Society she enjoys teaching others about the identification, culinary uses and growing of mushrooms. She has experimented with ways to include mushrooms in both her landscape and her culinary gardens with great success, both for the mushrooms and the other plants!
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
It’s Spring Affair Week and that applies to EVERYTHING we do at NSA. So, today’s episode is all about Spring Affair. Sarah and Hanna share practical tips and tricks to use while you’re shopping and list more than a few plants you should look for while you’re shopping. Toby and Michelle also join in to talk about vendors and creating spring affair news.
Spring Affair is our major fundraiser for the year and is one of the largest plant sales in the Midwest!
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Chrissy Land, Western Nebraska Community Forester for the Nebraska Forest Service, joins us to talk about the importance of trees to bees.
As a forester she knows and loves trees, as a beekeeper she knows and loves bees, and with a background in landscape design and maintenance she knows how to combine the two!
Doug Tallamy is one of our favorite authors when it comes to the ecological importance of trees, especially oaks. Check out our Bookshop link to find our most read books of his.
Spring Affair is our major fundraiser for the year and is one of the largest plant sales in the Midwest!
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
April Fool's! No tricks here but we are changing things up and talking about all our 'unpurposeful' gardening projects. We always try to help you garden with a purpose but today that purpose is whatever brings you joy whether or not it has a direct tie to habitat or ecological services.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Victory Gardens made a comeback during Covid. This is an opportunity for us to talk about a significant movement in home horticulture- similar in many ways to the current movement of sustainable/habitat gardening at home.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
The days are getting warmer (between snowstorms) and we're getting excited for spring!
Between the Spring Affair plant list and the Bloom Box design archives this episode is dedicated to pre-spring "window" shopping.
Review Bloom Box: Growing Deeper and make Hanna pay! Ratings and review help new listeners find our podcast and help us create better content for you. Never reviewed before? Here are some tips.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
How are we planning to improve our soil this spring? Lot's of poop!
Late winter-early spring is a great time to make sure their is organic matter ready to decompose in your garden.
Our podcast episodes are now on YouTube! We also have how-to videos, webinars and other resources so check it out.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Our interests and hobbies matter to the people who care about us most, sometimes they come along for the ride, diving in with us, and sometimes they cheer us on while appreciating the fruits of our labors (pun definitely intended).
With Valentine's Day coming up, we spent some time talking with our husbands about our gardening obsessions. Hanna's husband Matthew is an admirer her gardening efforts and is happy to help with dirt moving and food harvesting. Sarah and Nick like to work together in the garden and keep trying to improve their vegetable growing skills.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Equitable access to public spaces is central to our civic life and democracy. We can’t let the threat of terrorist attacks or mass shooters turn our public spaces into inaccessible fortresses. To protect our people and economy, cities instead need thoughtful, designed security solutions that balance the need for openness with the management of risk. Roxanne Blackwell, co-interim CEO of ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)
With this quote in mind we took a look at some of the research around using plants to create community in public spaces and keep those spaces safe and inviting. The same concepts can be used to think about how our yards and neighborhoods encourage people to behave and how we encounter each other in the garden.
Check out our show notes blog for a list of links that we used to research this topic!
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
The Great Plants program is a partnership between the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association with the goal of promoting overlooked and underutilized plants that are native or well adapted to our area.
Bob Henrickson has been leading this program for the last couple of decades and joins us to talk about this years Great Plants of the Year and highlight some of our past favorites.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Get cozy with a book this winter while we wait for the ground to thaw and planting to begin!
Sarah and Hanna, along with Michelle our communications specialist, talk about their favorite books that keep them thinking of gardens and growing.
Check out our Bookshop.org affiliate link to purchase any of these titles and support Bloom Box & NSA at no extra cost!
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Help us Plant Nebraska by supporting the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Annual Campaign:
Become a Member
Donate to NSA
Shop our Merch
Shop with our bookshop.org affiliate link
At the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum we plant Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities and a resilient environment.
We do this through tree planting, garden making, education and community building.
Learn more about the work we do across Nebraska.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
This week we recorded our first Bloom Box Kids episode with John! It's about 10 minutes long about different ways animals survive the winter. If you're celebrating the solstice by putting out food for wildlife, this episode may help start the conversation.
Show Notes
The winter solstice is drawing near! This week we're talking about winter survival methods, human and animal. For humans, a major cold survival tactic is to celebrate with feasts and holidays; so we're learning about solstice festivals around the northern hemisphere.
Our horticulture assistant John has a background in herpetology and an interest in all sorts of animals. He joins us to share some of the interesting strategies different animals have for surviving the big cold.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Some ideas for the gardeners in your life this holiday season! (or give gardeners ideas for their Christmas lists)
For experienced gardeners who have all the 'stuff' they need, consider a donation to an organization or cause they are passionate about.
plantnebraska.org/donate
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
In this episode Sarah and Hanna talk about what they wish they had known when they started gardening. They get into proper tools, soil types, and size and timing among other things.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Happy Halloween from Bloom Box!
We're facing our fears on this spooky holiday and talking about stings. Listen in to hear 5 different people + Hanna and Sarah share their bee sting stories and experiences working closely with bees and wasps.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
What do bees do in the fall? Courtney Brummel from the UNL Bee Lab talks us through fall in the life of both native bees and honey bees. Plus some tips on how to make your garden a friendly place to nest.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Fall beauty is more than just brightly colored trees and pumpkins (thank goodness because good tree color years only come around once in a while)! In the fall we appreciate a different, more muted, color palette as well as textures. In the fall the landscape draws us in and invites us to look closer; at the seed heads, at the insects, at the small flowers hiding in protected places.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Fall planting just feels a little more relaxed and easy going with less pressure to plant and less pressure to water all summer. Today we're focusing on fall tree planting and dividing/moving plants in the next episode.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Fall planting just feels a little more relaxed and easy going with less pressure to plant and less pressure to water all summer. Today we're focusing on fall planting of perennials and grasses, stay tuned for fall tree planting and dividing/moving plants in the next episode.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
School may have started but it's still summer! We've weathered the July/August heat flash and are ready to get back outside. We're playing a little bit of catch-up and looking forward to fall.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
One of the magical things about plants is their ability to bring people together. Whether its the beauty, the connection to nature or the source of food; gardens create common ground between people who may have little else in common. They help us see the world together- something desperately needed right now. These are just a few of the ways we've experienced the gardening pull. We would love to hear your stories!
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Being a gardener means trying new things, embracing our failures, and experimenting again. Anyone who has gardened for more than a year has likely experienced some pretty epic successes and a few hard falls. We're going to talk about some of our most entertaining mistakes and some of the biggest lessons we learned.
Bob Henrickson, NSA's Horticulture Program Director, joins us and shares stories from his widely varied experiences. From public horticulture on UNL's campus and the state fair grounds to personal gardening and vegetable growing, Bob has grown it all!
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Have weeds? Looks like you're a gardener! And you're not doing it wrong- there's no way to have a garden and not pull some weeds. But we can be intentional about how much work we do and which weeds we fight or accept. Also, we complain a little about the weeds we are struggling with and how our relationship to our neighbor's garden styles influences our yards.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Gardening is it's own language, let's talk about some of the terms we often get asked to define when talking to new gardeners!
This will almost certainly have a part to so share the gardening terms that confused you when you first started gardening or the ones that you're still unsure of years later.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
It's National Pollinator Week! Obviously we love our pollinators here at Bloom Box so join us in talking about some of the most important insect pollinators and what we can do to help them.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Ann is a Research Technician for the Department of Agronomy & Horticulture at the University of Nebraska. She graduated this spring with her Masters of Applied Science and presented her research on the Bloom Box program!
We learned more about how her degree and research worked and what she learned about Bloom Box. Her paper was titled "Affordances of a Pre-designed Pollinator Garden Program on Personal Development and Engagement with Others" which translated means "the opportunities Bloom Box gardens create for personal growth and community building".
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
We went a little long this week, there was just so much to talk about! Gardening in apartments comes with some unique challenges but plant lovers are creative and will always find a way to grow.
Christina Hoyt from the Nebraska Forest Service shares some of her best tips and tricks as an apartment dwelling plant lover. We also talk about some of the more creative containers we have grown plants in.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mother figures in our lives who taught us to love the outdoors and inspired us to grow (pun intended ;-) Planting the seeds of love for plants and nature is one of the greatest honors and gifts of motherhood. We had fun talking to our moms and Karma, the unofficial gardening mom of NSA, and sharing memories.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
It's Spring Affair Week! Spring Affair is the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum's largest fundraising event and the largest plant sale in the Midwest. Sarah and Hanna have some tips for shopping large plant sales and highlight some of the plants that will be available at Spring Affair.
More information, dates & times of Spring Affair.
Full Spring Affair plant availability and prices.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
We love getting your questions and hearing about your gardens!
Some of the topics these questions cover include: mulching, mulch vs compost, moving plants, pruning leadplant and finding a landscape designer.
Show Notes
Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast
Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box
Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org
Birds are so crucial to the health of our ecosystem and our gardens that it's good to take a moment to appreciate them and look for ways to encourage them to come back.
Climate is a huge deal in the garden; whether you are worried about the effects of climate change on your garden, started gardening in an effort to do your part, or are learning about how to choose plants that will grow in your climate. Many of our gardening choices are dependent on the climate and learning how to work with it's variability and the weather it produces. Tune in to hear from climate scientist Eric Hunt from Verisk Atmospheric and Environmental Research. He helps us better understand difference between weather and climate and how to better understand how they work together.
Don't grab that rake yet! It's still not quite time to start cleaning up the garden. We just want to help you get ready and maybe talking about it will let off some of that impatience we're all feeling about now.
We talk all about soil; what it is, what it isn’t, what lives in it, why it’s so important, and what we can do to improve and protect it.
This episode we're diving right into gardening topics with how to prepare a new garden bed or get ready to replant an old one. An insider tip: as gardeners we're always in a hurry to get outside so we often shorten well used phrases like "preparing a new bed" to "bed prep".
Get to know Sarah and Hanna- how they became gardeners, why they love working for NSA and what they are looking forward to about podcasting together. We'll also tell you more about what Bloom Box is, our plans for this podcast and how we plan to help you become the gardener you want to be.
Bloom Box: Growing Deeper is here to help you become the gardener you want to be. We'll talk about all things gardening, habitat and people- because gardening can only be truly sustainable when planned with people in mind.
Meet your hosts Sarah and Hanna and hear what we have planned for you!
Leave us a voicemail or send us an email at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com
Bloom Box is a program of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, learn more at plantnebraska.org/podcast