Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties News |
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4-H Sarpy County Fair Exhibits & Events
Sarpy County Fair
When: August 3-7, 2022
Where: Sarpy County Fairgrounds, 100 Main Street, Springfield
Who: Douglas-Sarpy 4-Hers, and Open Class is open to Sarpy residents.
Learn more at https://sarpyfair.com/
Ever wonder what the 4-H ribbon colors actually mean? In 4-H, we use the Danish Judging System to recognize and reward young people for their efforts and projects. T
his system uses colors to signify different award levels. For example: Purple = Superior; Blue = Excellent; Red = Good; White = Fair. Read more at 4h.unl.edu/ribbon-meaning.
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Mangos are Full of Health Benefits
Mangos are high in both vitamin A, which is crucial for our vision, and vitamin C, which helps heal and repair body tissues and keep our immune system strong.
Learn how to easily peel and cube mangos by viewing this video. There are several ways to cut a mango. Remember to wash produce before cutting it.
Try our Mango Tango Black Bean Salsa recipe here.
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Do you have gardening and plant questions?
Master Gardeners are available to answer questions from 9 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm.
By phone: 402-444-7804
In person: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha
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Quick Tips for Preparing Zucchini
- Slice, marinate (try balsamic vinegar) and grill a variety of vegetables including zucchini, asparagus, green onions, eggplant, and mushrooms. They're delicious!
- Cut up veggies like carrots, zucchini and potatoes. Add them to your favorite meatloaf or soup recipes.
- Take your favorite lasagna recipe and try adding different combinations of your favorite vegetables between the layers: mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, carrots, zucchini, onions, or eggplant. Be creative.
- Add raw sliced zucchini to lettuce and pasta salads.
- Cut zucchini into sticks and serve with a dip.
- Slice zucchini, sauté in oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes until tender crisp; toss into heated pasta sauce for a veggie-packed pasta topping.
See our tips for Freezing Zucchini for Baking here.
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Community Partner of the Month
Nebraska Extension continues to partner with the Latino Center for the Midlands, teaching staff and families that are part of the Siembra Salud, or Grow Wellness program. This is an at-home gardening and health initiative that uses gardening as a catalyst to address health and social needs. Recently, Nutrition Education Program Assistant, Martha Hernandez led a food preparation workshop where the families learned about safe food handling and made recipes using produce from their gardens. The Wellbeing Partners provides supplemental funding for this program.
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Our Extension Experts on Backyard Farmer
Backyard Farmer (BYF) is a cooperative television program produced by University of Nebraska - Lincoln and Nebraska Public Media.
Scott Evans is the Douglas and Sarpy Counties Horticulture program coordinator. Learn more about him here.
His favorite thing about BYF: I enjoy doing the segments because they are timely and it’s a great way to get current information out.
Ask our Backyard Farmer experts a question here. Your question may be featured on the TV show!
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Indigenous Wellness Circle Event
When: August 6, 2022 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: 8015 West Center Rd. Omaha, NE
Our summer session will include breakfast, Indigenous worldviews, nutrition education, and guest speaker, Jamie Smidt-Fowler, presenting on medicinal plants. See the flier here.
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Renovating Your Lawn
Have the heat and bugs ravaged your lawn? If so, lawn renovation is in order. It’s a multi-step process and August is the time to get started.
- Determine why the lawn is ailing. Identify the cause – pet urine, grubs, compaction, drainage, weed invasion, fungal diseases, and sprinkler gaps are a few of the common causes. If you don’t, the likelihood of lawn failure next year is high.
- Treat the ailment. Kill the grubs, increase the water penetration, plan to use disease resistant seed, and use preemergence herbicides in spring.
- Create a seedbed of grass. Aerate spots in 3 directions or powerrake in 2 directions. If more than 50% is affected, spray the lawn with Roundup and then aerate and powerrake. If bare soil is showing on 50-70% of the surface, the turf will require a total renovation.
- Reseed. Use 2-3 lbs. of Kentucky bluegrass per 1,000 sq. ft. or 9 – 10 lbs. of turf type tall fescue per 1,000 sq. ft.
- Lightly rake the area with an overturned leaf rake or a section of chain link fence.
- Water. Frequently at first, for the first 3 weeks, 2-3 times per day for 10 minutes or so. The next week, water 1-2 times per day and let the irrigation run a bit longer.
- Hand pull weeds as they germinate, they tend to germinate faster than the desirable grass.
- Apply starter fertilizer according to label directions after the bluegrass/fescue is 1-2 inches tall.
- Keep the soil in the new stand moist, not soggy or dry. Check it frequently with a screwdriver.
- Begin mowing when the height of the desired grass is 2 inches tall.
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Want to learn more about horticulture and the 4-H program?
Sign up for our Newsletters:
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Monthly Horticulture Newsletter by emailing John Fech here
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Weekly 4-H Newsletter by emailing Rachel Wright here.
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8015 West Center Road
Omaha, NE 68124-3175
402-444-7804
go.unl.edu/douglassarpyext
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.
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