As summer winds down, Sarah and Hanna take a breather to reflect on the wild weather, what’s thriving (and what’s struggling) in their gardens, and projects big and small. We're talking soggy lawns, giant sunflowers, raspberries, raised beds, and storm cleanup—this episode covers the full range of gardening successes and struggles. 

They also answer a listener question about what to do with a shady yard (spoiler: mulch is your friend) and share what’s blooming right now in Nebraska gardens. 

We've updated our show notes template! Check it out at https://plantnebraska.org/podcast

For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum

Send us your questions at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail.

Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram

Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

In this lively episode, Sarah and Hanna are joined by Chrissy Land from the Nebraska Forest Service to debate their favorite (and least favorite) landscape plants. From drought-tolerant natives to misunderstood troublemakers, they make their case for which plants deserve a spot in public spaces—and which are better for the home landscape. The discussion covers climate adaptability, maintenance concerns, personal bias, and the importance of matching plants to place.

For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast

For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum

Send us your questions at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail.

Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram

Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

This week on Growing Deeper, Sarah and Hannah welcome Dana Freeman, Urban Agriculture and Local Food Systems Extension Educator, to tackle a problem many gardeners face: Why do vegetables thrive one year and fail the next?

Learn why soil quality matters, how to water your containers correctly, and what to do when the weather doesn't cooperate. Dana shares practical solutions and fall gardening tips that will help beginners and experienced growers alike. Whether you're struggling with cucumbers or wondering if your lettuce can handle the heat, this is a can't-miss episode for home gardeners.

For more in-depth show notes, including a full list of plant mentions and links to resources, visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast

For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum

Send us your questions at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail.

Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram

Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

Sarah Browning joins us for the first time to discuss our favorite mid-summer blooms. These are some of our go-to plants to keep color in the garden all summer long. Not every summer is as rainy as this one, in dry years full summer color can be a challenge, but these dependable species have become favorites for their drought and heat tolerance.

For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast

For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum

Send us your questions at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail.

Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram

Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

Every gardener has “that spot” that they aren’t happy with but aren’t sure what to do about it. This week we’re reviewing our problem areas, some success stories, and some ongoing struggles. We would love to hear your stories as well! Share a success story and give us all hope or share an area you aren’t sure how to approach and maybe someone will have a suggestion (or at least commiseration).



For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast

For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum

Send us your questions at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail.

Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram

Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

We talk about them all the time, but what exactly is a sedge? Why can’t we call them grasses? Why do we love them so much? Bob Henrickson joins us this week to answer all our sedge questions!

For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast

For early access to new episodes, photos, and other behind the scenes content, join us on Patreon. For $5/month you'll receive exclusive content or early access to podcasts and other resources while supporting our efforts to Plant Nebraska. https://www.patreon.com/NebraskaStatewideArboretum

Send us your questions at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail.

Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram

Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

We love grasses, native, ornamental, even annual! It's hard to imagine gardening in the Great Plains without them. They create the base and backdrop for native flowers while creating a sense of place in a prairie state. Grasses are also critical habitat for butterflies, moths, and other pollinating insects.

Learn more about becoming a member of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.

For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast

Send us your questions at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail.

Find us on Patreon for early episode releases and extra photos

Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram

Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest

Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box

Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

Need help planning a summer vacation or family trip? Justin Evertson (Green Infrastructure Coordinator) and John Woodworth (Community Forester) join us to talk about our favorite trips to public gardens across the state.

Through the American Horticultural Society's reciprocal admissions program, NSA members can receive perks like free admission, free parking, entrance to special exhibits, and other discounts at over 380 public gardens across North America!

Learn more about becoming a member of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.

For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast

Send us your questions at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail.

Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram

Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest

Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box

Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

Need help planning a summer vacation or family trip? Justin Evertson (Green Infrastructure Coordinator) and John Woodworth (Community Forester) join us to talk about our favorite trips to public gardens across the state.

Through the American Horticultural Society's reciprocal admissions program, NSA members can receive perks like free admission, free parking, entrance to special exhibits, and other discounts at over 380 public gardens across North America!

Learn more about becoming a member of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.

For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast

Send us your questions at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail.

Follow us @NEBloomBox on Facebook and Instagram

Follow us @growingwithbloombox on Pinterest

Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box

Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

This information and scripts for emails and phone calls are available here: https://plantnebraska.org/how-to-help/advocacy.html

The President’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 “Skinny Budget” threatens to eliminate the U.S. Forest Service’s State, Private, and Tribal Forestry (SPTF) programs—a move that would have devastating consequences for communities, volunteer fire departments, landowners, and forests across Nebraska. 

These programs directly support wildfire prevention, volunteer fire departments, reforestation, community forestry, forest health, and rural economic resilience. Their elimination would leave Nebraska communities without the resources, tools, and partnerships needed to protect lives, property, and the environment. 

These programs provide funding for various community forestry activities, including: 

• NFS technical assistance to help communities make informed decisions, such as tree inventories, inventory software access, evaluation of at-risk trees, arborist training, municipal staff training, tree board assistance, ordinance drafting, forest management support, and much more.   
• Support for programs like Tree City USA, Tree Care workshops, and events.  
• Arborist support includes low-cost or free CEU trainings and arborist prep. 
• Forest health diagnostics and monitoring.  
• Pass-through funding for initiatives like the Free Tree for Fall Tree Planting program and the IRA. 

In addition, federal funding provides: 

• Equipment and training for volunteer fire districts 
• Wildfire mitigation funding 
• Forest management activities. 

You can take immediate action to help preserve these essential programs by: 

1. Contact Nebraska's Congressional Delegation 

Reach out to your Representative and U.S. Senators by phone, email, or letter and urge them to protect funding for SPTF programs in the FY 2026 budget. 

You can find contact information for Nebraska’s federal delegation here: 

• Senator Deb Fischer: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/?p=email-deb 
• Washington, D.C. office (202) 224-6551 
• Senator Pete Ricketts: https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion/  
• Washington, D.C. office (202) 224-4224 

• Find your U.S. House Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative  
• District 1: Congressman Mike Flood: https://flood.house.gov/contact  
• Washington, D.C. office  (202) 225-4806 

• District 2: Congressman Don Bacon: https://bacon.house.gov/contact/  
• Washington, D.C. office (202) 225-4155 

• District 3:  Congressman Adrian, Smith: https://adriansmith.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact  
• Washington, D.C. office (202) 225-6435 

2. Share Your Story 

When you reach out,  please be specific and personal. Share how these forestry programs have made a difference in your life, community, or work. Whether you are a fire chief, city leader, landowner, or citizen advocate, your voice and your experience are powerful. 

Please consider including: 

• How your community has benefited from SPTF-supported projects or funding. 
• How these programs have helped prevent wildfire or improve forest health. 
• What the consequences would be if this funding is lost.