Local Interest

By Elaine Pile, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener

Drought Tolerant Plants

As we once again are experiencing drought this year, we need to consider drought tolerant plants. These plants will persist for three or more years with little or no supplemental watering, and help conserve water, reduce water maintenance and still provide multi-season color and interest. They do best in full sun and well-drained soil. Areas that are difficult to water or are subject to reflected heat and light are good locations for drought-tolerant perennials. 

The Panhandle Research and Extension Center is pleased to announce the recipients for its first annual “Panhandle Research and Extension Center Student Scholarship.”

Laura Albro from Bayard, Faith Miller from Mullen and Braelyn Shrewsbury from Alliance were all awarded $1000. Each was asked to send a brief bio and what this scholarship was going to help them achieve.

Laura Albro

The Kendrick Project – Seminoe & Alcova

By Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension Water & Integrated Cropping Systems Educator

The first dam and reservoir on the North Platte River after it enters from Colorado is Seminoe. Seminoe dam is part of the Kendrick Project intended to generate hydropower and expand irrigation in central Wyoming. The project, called the Casper-Alcova Project, was authorized in 1933 under the National Recovery Act during the Great Depression. The project was renamed the Kendrick Project in 1937. The Kendrick Project also includes the Alcova dam, reservoir, and the Casper-Alcova Canal. 

By Leann Sato, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener

Lawn Down and Brown?

That’s okay, let it rest. Grass protects itself from scorching heat by going dormant. Let it rest during summer’s heat and revive when Fall’s cooler temperatures arrive. A half inch of water about every two to three weeks will keep the crowns and roots healthy. Native, drought-resistant grass varieties, like buffalo and blue grama, will require less water during dormancy than cool season grasses. Save water and let the lawn rest until Fall.

Set Trees for Success

By Elaine Pile, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener

Drifting Pesticides

Drifting may be okay for a tumbleweed, but it’s not okay when spraying pesticides of any kind. When spraying pesticides, the size of the droplets can affect how much drift may occur. Using a hand pump sprayer and pumping it up to full pressure creates smaller droplets. If you refrain from pumping it up to full pressure, the droplets will be larger. Larger droplets are less likely to drift. Remember, when spraying pesticides, avoiding drift is critical to protect surrounding vegetation. 

Reading and Understanding the Label

By Laurie Zitterkopf, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener

How to Prepare to Show Your Flowers and Vegetables at the Fair!

Ready, Set, Go to Fair. Share your flowers with our community, Flower Arrangements must include fresh flowers. Decorative inserts can be used. Containers will be considered in judging. Judging will be based on originality and artistic ability. Many options/themes to choose from, but why not try your hand a “All Those Sunflowers” for this years’ Scotts Bluff County Fair.  Entries are Tuesday, August 2nd 8:30am to 11:30am. See you at the Fair! 

Ready to show your flowers at the fair, General Guidelines for Round-Form Flowers; 

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Nebraska’s Natural Resource Districts honor Paul C. Hay and Randy Pryor with Water Conservation Award

October 4, 2024

Lincoln, Neb. —Nebraska’s Natural Resource Districts have awarded the Outstanding Water Conservation of the Year Award to Paul C. Hay (posthumous), Emeritus Extension Educator, alongside Randy Pryor, also an Emeritus Extension Educator. The two long-time educators were nominated by the Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) for their nearly 40 years of service to agricultural sustainability in Southeast Nebraska.

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4-H service project will update courthouse garden in 2025

October 4, 2024
The Scotts Bluff County Court House garden in Gering will be undergoing an update in the spring of 2025. Spearheading the update will be the Nebraska Master Gardeners of Scotts Bluff County with funds from A Watchable Wildlife Grant, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, or Keno Funds.

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Nebraska Soil Health School: An Accomplishment of Goals Through Collaboration

October 4, 2024

Lincoln, Neb. —The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) team led by Dr. Bijesh Maharjan, associate professor and extension specialist at UNL’s Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center (PREEC), accomplished another successful series of Nebraska Soil Health Schools hosted by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and UNL.

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70th Annual Nebraska State Range Judging Contest Held in Chase County

September 27, 2024

IMPERIAL, Neb. — Chase County hosted the 70th Annual Nebraska State Range Judging Contest, marking a milestone for one of the state’s longest-running educational contests. Organized by the Nebraska Range Judging Committee and local partners from the NRD, NRCS, and Nebraska Extension, six area contests culminated in a state contest aimed at promoting range management and conservation practices among Nebraska’s youth.

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