Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator in Dodge County
Local Interest
Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator in Dodge County
When it comes to watering during dry winters, three factors will determine if and when water should be applied to trees and shrubs.
1. Is the ground frozen? If soil temperature is below freezing, then water uptake by tree roots will not occur. Push the shaft of a screwdriver into the soil to help determine if the ground is frozen. If the screwdriver pushes in easily, then soil isn’t frozen and the first requirement for winter watering has been met. Read on for other factors to consider.
Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator in Dodge County
Garden Update
Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator in Dodge County
Late Fall Watering
Now is the time to provide a last deep soaking of the soil prior to ground freeze. This ensures tree and shrub roots can take in the water necessary to stay hydrated, helping them to overwinter better and to arrive to spring in good condition. If you’re unsure about the dryness of you soil, the screwdriver test is the simplest way to determine moisture levels. Dry soils will resist your efforts to push the screwdriver into the soil, while a moist soil will be easily penetrated by a screwdriver.
In order of importance, these are the plants most in need of late fall watering:
Enrollment is open for the 2022 Dodge County 4-H Program Year!
Youth ages 8 to 18 years old as of January 1 of the current calendar year are welcome to enroll in the 4-H Program. Youth 5 to 7 as of January 1 of the current calendar year may enroll as a Clover Kid in the 4-H Program. In Dodge County there is a $10 fee when enrolling for the program year.
4-H Enrollment is completed online. Both youth members and adult volunteers will need to complete their online enrollment, annually.
In order to participate in 4-H contests and events, you must be enrolled online by June 15, 2022.
4-H Youth and Volunteer Enrollment - https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in
Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator in Dodge County
People in the business of trees have been strong advocates for proper mulching, steering people away from the ill-advised practice of mulch volcanos around trees. Real inroads have been made, though the practice continues, evidenced by new tree plantings with the mulch overkill. When these practices are perpetrated, the assumption this is a good practice is validated and then repeated at residences and other landscapes.
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