Nebraska Extension in Dodge County

Early Childhood

Professional Development for Childcare Providers

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Horticulture, Landscape, and Environmental Systems

Nebraska Extension Master Gardeners Make a Difference

Master Gardeners are volunteers who combine their love of gardening with making a difference in their communities. Become a Master Gardener by contacting Ian at 402-727-2775.

Find out how you can become a Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
4-H Youth Development

4-H Online Enrollment

Dodge County 4-H online enrollment must be completed (includes $10 online payment) by June 15. We encourage you to enroll by May 1st so you do not miss out on important 4-H information.

ENROLL HERE
4-H Youth Development

Building tomorrow's innovators: Nebraska 4-H Robotic Expansion and FLL Championship ignite STEM passion

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Master Gardener Volunteers offer stories of growth and giving back

The Nebraska Extension Master Gardeners Volunteer (NE-EMGV) program has dedicated volunteers, some of whom have devoted more than half of their lives to Extension...

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Local Interest

Tree Pest Detector Workshops

The Nebraska Forest Service will be hosting two Tree Pest Detector Workshops in July. Participants will learn how to detect emerald ash borer, thousand cankers disease of walnut, and other invasive tree pests.

In exchange for the training, participants will pledge to provide three hours of time in pest survey activities.

Who should register: Green industry professionals, natural resource professionals, master gardeners and other volunteers with at least a minimum knowledge of trees and their pests.

Topics will include:

Signs and symptoms of pest infestation Tree identification Survey reporting

Fremont workshop Wednesday July 18th 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Pollinators and Their Health

By Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator

One third of our food supply exists because a pollinator moved pollen from one flower to another. Their quest for nectar and pollen means we reap the benefits by harvesting fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Despite the necessity of pollinators for a reliable food supply for humans, pollinator habitat is in jeopardy because of reduced food sources and chemically-dependent pristine landscapes.

Helping pollinators is a local issue. Gardeners can make a difference for pollinator health by planting more flowers, supplying a water source, reducing the number of insecticides used and leaving a few dandelions and white clover for them to feed on.

Raised Beds around Trees - A Bad Idea for Landscapes

By Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator

As we plan for our much anticipated outdoor projects this gardening season, let’s discuss the tree-killing practice of building raised beds around trees. Don’t get me wrong here—I am not talking about planting hosta beneath a tree, I’m talking about building a RAISED bed around a tree. This unfortunate practice leads to many dead trees, often years later when the tree owner no longer connects the tree dying with the creation of the raised bed.

The Hard Truth about Rocks at the Bottom of Planting Containers

By: Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator

As we get our containers ready for planting our amazing annuals or that coveted tomato plant, conventional “wisdom” dictates we must first add an inch or so of gravel. Problematic? You bet!

Rocks in the bottom of containers do not contribute to better draining soils and healthier plants. Instead plant roots encounter saturated soils that don’t drain efficiently. It all has to do with something called a perched water table.

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer—Where Is It In Nebraska and When Should Tree Owners Treat For It?
By Kathleen Cue
Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator

The much-dreaded emerald ash borer (EAB) was identified in Douglas County in 2016. Since that time, EAB has been found in several other locations that holds implications for counties in the eastern part of Nebraska.

Infestations of this insect are known to kill ash trees in a relatively short time period—from 3 to 5 years in most cases. Once an ash tree is dead, the tree quickly becomes brittle and is a threat to nearby homes, vehicles, and yes, people.

Japanese Beetles

Japanese Beetles
By Kathleen Cue
Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator

With over 300 ornamental and edible plants they like to feed on, Japanese beetles (JB) can quickly become an overwhelming insect in the landscape. Last year, one gardener brought in his peach so covered in Japanese beetles that it was hard to identify the fruit as a peach!

If you didn’t have Japanese beetles last year, then hurray, you may not get any this year or if you do get them, they will be in such low numbers that hand-picking will take care of the problem. But if you had JB last year, chances are very good you’ll have them this year, too.

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Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources News

Latest from ianrnews.unl.edu

Sugar beets to be grown across Nebraska in agronomy project

April 19, 2024

The Nebraska Extension 4-H and Open Class entries have seen many special projects over the years, from dry edible beans to sorghum and broom corn.

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance offers certification in the Panhandle

April 18, 2024

Nebraska Extension and Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance will offer Beef Quality Assurance and Beef Quality Assurance Transportation Certification throughout the Panhandle.

Building Bridges in Conservation: Nebraska hosts inaugural natural resources workshop

April 15, 2024

Overlooking the iconic Platte River, over 100 natural resource professionals and students met to build and foster new collaborations at the first Natural Resources Conservation Connecting Points Workshop.