402 - 444 - 7804
June 2022
Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties News
Care of Perennials and Annuals

Keep the roots of annuals and newly planted perennials moist, not soggy or dry. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation work well for this purpose. Mulching with wood chips helps to keep the moisture in the soil after it has been applied.

Most annuals are heavy feeders and benefit from fertilization. Water soluble products are easy to apply to a container or landscape bed with a sprinkler can. Reading the label before application will provide important information on how much product to mix with water.

Do you have gardening and plant questions?
Master Gardeners are available to answer questions from 9 am to noon and 1-4 pm.
By phone: 402-444-7804
In person: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha
Early Childhood Professional Development In-services Online

Nebraska Extension offers online early childhood professional development lessons on various topics. Each lesson provides research-based information and strategies on how to support young children's early growth and development.

See the classes and register for them here.
Summer Food Safety

Picnic and barbecue season offer a lot of opportunities for outdoor fun with family and friends. These warm weather events also present opportunities for foodborne bacteria to thrive.

For information on keeping your outdoor meals safe: https://go.unl.edu/eating-outdoor
Our Extension Experts on Backyard Farmer

Backyard Farmer is a cooperative television program produced by University of Nebraska - Lincoln and Nebraska Public Media.

Jody is an Extension Educator with a specialty in Urban Entomology. Jody has been a Backyard Farmer (BYF) panel expert since 2017.

Her favorite thing about being on BYF:
"The people we meet... other panelists/colleagues that we hardly see, Master Gardeners answering phones, and viewers who recognize you in public."


Check out Jody's previously recorded and aired BYF panel shows and educational segments at https://www.youtube.com/c/backyardfarmer/videos.


Ask our Backyard Farmer experts a question here. Your question may be featured on the TV show!

4-H Fosters Curiosity

4-H has a variety of projects to spark curiosity and creativity in youth. One of those projects, Miniature Gardens, are a fun way to get children interested in gardening. Fairy or Miniature Gardens are a miniature “scene” contained in an open container and feature miniature or small, slow growing houseplants. The garden needs to have an imaginative theme and miniature accessories. Learn how to make one from our experts here.

4-H youth are able to enter these projects in the Fair; for guidance reference the Fairbook here.
 
Find more 4-H events and upcoming classes for your children in the 4-H Newsletter here.

4-H Enrollment is Due June 15, 2022:
  • 4-H Enrollment for returning members can be found here.
  • Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here
Turn an Apple a Day into Two Apples a Day

Double Up Food Bucks is program that matches fruit and vegetable purchases dollar for dollar, up to $20 a day when individuals use their EBT Card at participating stores and farmers markets. Eligible families get twice the amount of fresh fruits and veggies.

If you have an EBT Card, you're automatically eligible for Double Up. "I am very appreciative of the program, it has helped me eat more fresh fruits and veggies and buy things I normally wouldn’t. Plus, I love that it supports local farmers!"
— Double Up Food Bucks Grocery Store Shopper

You can learn more about Double Up Food Bucks: https://doubleupnebraska.org/
Free Bed Bug Education

Bed bugs do not discriminate - We are all at risk for bites, as well as picking them up and transporting them without our knowledge. Let's work together to learn about about bed bugs and stop the spread! 

Bed Bugs for Businesses
June 15, 2022 | 1:00-2:00 PM CDT | Followed by a 30-minute Q&A
This webinar is free to attend, but you must register: go.unl.edu/businessbedbugs

Bed Bugs for Residents
June 22, 2022 | 6:30-7:30 PM CDT | Followed by a 30-minute Q&A
This webinar is free to attend, but you must register: go.unl.edu/homebedbugs
Want to learn more about horticulture and the 4-H program:

Sign up for our Newsletters:

  • Monthly Horticulture Newsletter by emailing John Fech here
  • Weekly 4-H Newsletter by emailing Rachel Wright here.
8015 West Center Road
Omaha, NE 68124-3175
402-444-7804
go.unl.edu/douglassarpyext 
Email us at douglas-sarpy@unl.edu

Our south office is located at 1102 E. 1st St., Papillion, NE 68046.
Call 402-444-7804 to schedule an appointment at our Papillion Office.