Douglas-Sarpy@unl.edu

(402) 444-7804

August 2023

Summer Deadheading

Deadheading is a process of removing spent blooms to encourage more blooming. Flowers are produced on a plant so they can be pollinated and produce seed. Once the flowers have been pollinated for the year, the plant will move on to seed production and not use energy on flower production. This can leave the plant without blooms for the rest of the season.

To keep the plant flowering through the summer, you can remove the flowers before the seeds are mature. This will push the plant to flower again to get mature seeds for future generations. Deadheading can be done with hand pruners or just pinch them off with your fingers. Plants that respond well to deadheading include snapdragons, roses, zinnias, blanket flower, and others.



Not all of our plants go through this short process of flowering. Many annuals will continue to bloom through the season even without deadheading, but they will look better overall if the dried-up blossoms are removed. Some plants are self-cleaning meaning they will naturally lose their spent blossoms and continue to flower through the summer. Learn more about Summer Landscaping here.

Do you have gardening and plant questions?

Our Master Gardeners are now available to answer questions from 9 am to noon and1-4 pm

By phone: 402-444-7804

Email: douglas-sarpy@unl.edu

In person: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha.

Sun Tea Safety

The heat of the summer is the perfect time to enjoy a tall glass of refreshing iced tea, but how you brew it is an important step to keeping you safe.

Tea left to brew out on the counter all day or kept in a jar under the sun, is at a higher risk for bacterial growth. The water doesn't get hot enough to kill potential microorganisms that can be found in tea leaves.

When brewing tea, heat water to 195°F and allow to steep for 3-5 minutes. Pour in a pitcher over ice and refrigerate after brewing. Be sure not to store brewed tea at room temperature for more than 8 hours.

Learn more from our partners about this at https://buff.ly/3PWDRAR

Tips to Enjoy Eating Seasonal Vegetables

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/

Have you ever wondered what the 4-H ribbon colors mean? 4-H uses the Danish Judging System to recognize and reward young people for their efforts and projects. This system uses colors to signify different award levels. Purple = Superior; Blue = Excellent; Red = Good; White = Fair. Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/ribbon-meaning



Join our Extension Board

If you are interested in serving on our Douglas-Sarpy Extension board, contact Carrie Miller for more information at 402-444-7804 or clsmiller@unl.edu

Community Partner of the Month: Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home

Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home is one of Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy's teaching gardens. Recently Sarpy County Commissioner Angi Burmeister and community members toured the gardens, led by Master Gardeners. One of the gardens is designed after the Purple Heart medal. 

Backyard Farmer 

Backyard Farmer is dedicated to finding solutions to your lawn and garden questions. Every year from spring to fall, our panel of experts discuss and educate about insects, turf, weeds, rots and spots, landscapes, vegetables, wildlife, and as well as landscape design and general horticulture topics.

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

Tune in and watch

NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA (CDT)

• 7 pm Thursdays
• 10 am Saturdays

CREATE (CDT)

• 4 pm Sundays 
• 5 pm Mondays

In the News

Annette Langan, a Master Gardener at St. Leo’s Church, spoke on the importance of pollinators.

“If we did not have pollinators, we would not have a lot of our food,” Langan said.

The garden at St. Leo’s is set up to help attract pollinators with groups of different pollinating plants to give the bugs access to a variety of food options.



See the segment at: https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/omaha-gardener-highlights-the-importance-of-pollinators-to-the-environment

2023 Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent Workshop

This year's Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent Workshop for landowners and operators will be September 6 from from 1 to 4 p.m.

The workshop will cover current Nebraska cash rental rates and land values, best practices for agricultural leases, and other contract considerations. The meeting will also include information about farm succession and transition planning and offer an opportunity for those in attendance to have their leasing questions answered.

The meeting is free to attend, but registration is required by Sept. 4. To register call Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties at 402-444-7804.