Flood Recovery and Plants in the Landscape

By Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator

The flooding and subsequent ponding has a profound effect on trees and shrubs in the landscape. The contaminants these waters carry negatively impact vegetable garden sites and orchards.  Here are some flood resources to address residents’ concerns.

Food safety in vegetable gardens and orchards after a flood*: https://grobigred.com/2019/03/22/gardenflood/amp/?__twitter_impression=true  by Nebraska Extension Urban Ag Educator John Porter

Turf Recovery After Historic Flooding: https://turf.unl.edu/turfinfo/3-25_Flood_Recovery.pdf by Roch Gaussoin and Bill Kreuser, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Understanding the Effects of Flooding on Trees: http://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/Understanding-the-Effects-of-Flooding-on-Trees-Sustainable-Urban-Landscapes-PDF , Iowa State University Extension

Helping Flooded Trees and Shrubs: https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/lawns-gardens-trees/helping-flooded-trees-and-shrubs , North Dakota State University Extension

*With morel mushroom hunting season approaching, be aware that mushrooms collected from areas impacted by flooding should not be eaten. This would also be true for other wild edibles, as well as domestic perennial crops like asparagus and rhubarb.

For more resources on flooding, go to flood.unl.edu or email questions to floodresponse@unl.edu .