Yard & Garden

Use sand for icy spots on the sidewalk to increase traction. Or use products such as calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), calcium chloride or magnesium chloride products, which are salt-free, and safe for use around pets and landscapes. For more information, visit Winter Protection for Sensitive Plants.

Yes, ideally dormant lawn seeding is done from mid-December through mid-February, after soil temperatures have dropped below 40° degrees F. Seeding should be done no later than March 15th. 

Dormant seeding has several benefits. First, soil preparation can be done at your leisure during dry fall conditions. There’s no rush to get the work done in a short window of time in spring between frozen soil and wet soil. Dormant seeded turf grows well and fills in during cool spring weather, preventing much of the potential invasion by weeds. Finally, plants have more time to develop vigor and a good root system before hot summer conditions arrive, making them more able to tolerate summer stresses. For more information, visit Dormant Lawn Seeding. 

Yes, 2-4 inches of mulch will hold winter moisture in the soil, minimize fluctuations in soil temperature and prevent damage from lawn mowers or other equipment. For more information, visit Much Ado About Mulch. 

As winter drought conditions continue, watering on warm days is an important consideration. The priority for watering is young plants first - those planted in the last year and especially those planted this past fall; then evergreens, particularly those growing in exposed locations and near the south sides of buildings. 

When watering, first check the soil to make sure it is not frozen. Use a screwdriver to probe the soil and determine 1) if and 2) how deeply the soil is frozen. Do not irrigate frozen soil, due to water waste and runoff. Air temperatures need to be above 40 degrees F.  

Irrigation should take place early enough in the day for moisture to soak into soil to avoid ice forming over or around plants overnight. Water enough to moisten the soil about 6" deep. Stop irrigating if water begins to run off the landscape.  

Be sure to use sprinklers and hoses, NOT your in-ground irrigation system, to prevent damage from future freezing temperatures. 

Disconnect the hose from the plumping spigot once you are done watering. One or two irrigations during winter should suffice. If conditions remain warm and dry through winter and into spring, it will be critical to begin irrigation as soon as soils thaw this spring.  

Determine current drought conditions in your area from the US Drought Monitor. 

This is black knot, a fungal disease which affects primarily plum and cherry trees. Occasionally it can also be found on apricots, peaches and other plants in the Prunus genus, like chokecherry. Black knot is common throughout Nebraska in wild plum thickets. Pruning is the best method for eliminating black knot.  

Watch Out for Black Knot