Nebraska Extension in Dodge County

Garden Update
Week of October 24, 2022
Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator in Dodge County 

Collecting and Starting Seeds from Trees and Shrubs

Now is a great time to collect seeds from trees and shrubs to start your own and add diversity to your landscape.  If you think starting trees from seeds is a silly way to get trees into your landscape, think again.  I appreciate the story Justin Evertson of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum likes to share about his 15-foot-tall bur oak. Justin started the tree from an acorn he planted just ten years ago. The tree was quick to establish and grow, disavowing oaks as slow-growing trees.

Week of October 31, 2022
Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator in Dodge County

 Fall’s Insect Invasion

As nights cool, it’s not unusual to see an increase in the number of insects and spiders (collectively known as arthropods) inside the home. On average, homes have 200+ species of arthropods living there.  Keep in mind this isn’t a total of 200 insects and spiders, but instead of 200 species, with multiples of each not being at all unusual. There are reasons why arthropods make their way indoors.  Some, like crickets and millipedes, are seeking warmth, with heated homes offering a reprieve from cool temperatures. Other arthropods are predators, like ground beetles and spiders, following the prey indoors.