This was by far been one of the most popular episodes we have recorded. It's practical, it's helpful, and it brings us hope of spring and new projects. Whether you are a new or longtime listener, we hope you enjoy this look back at how to prepare a new garden bed or get ready to replant an old one. An insider tip: as gardeners we're always in a hurry to get outside so we often shorten well used phrases like "preparing a new bed" to "bed prep".

We talk about everything from killing and removing turf to improving your soil and composting. We also share our favorite garden tools and how to maintain them, so they work for you and not against you.

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

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

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

There are so many things to keep in mind when trying to garden sustainably and it would be tempting to think they are all black and white issues, “choose this not that and you’ll have the perfect, ecologically friendly garden”. In this episode we’re sharing specific choices we’ve had to make in our own gardens based on available time, physical ability, budget, and problems we’ve needed to solve.

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

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

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

Thank you Hannah for your question about planting near buried utilities! We though your question was common enough to answer on it's own instead of during another episode. This is a complicated topic since every neighborhood is designed a little different.

Always call 811 and refer to your local ordinances (rules) for planting near utilities.

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

The 2025 issue of The Seed (our largest annual publication) is out and we're giving you practical tips and steps to advocating for tree planting and greenspaces in your community! Whether you see yourself as a hands on volunteer, a vocal advocate, or a future member of a committee or tree board, we hope to inspire you to take the first step to guiding your own community to plant for the future.

Read The Seed (current and past issues)

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

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

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

This week we are replaying one of our most popular early episodes. All about soil; what it is, what it isn’t, what lives in it, why it’s so important, and what we can do to improve and protect it.

It may be a little cold to go outside but we'll offer you a hint of spring and walk you through learning what kind of soil you have and what that means for your plant choices and your garden. Understanding your soil is a key starting place, so if you're planning to create a new garden bed this spring, you'll be prepared to get a 'feel' for things once the ground thaws.

How to ID your soil type.

More info on Epsom Salt.

Watch Bob "chunk" his garden soil. Chunking is a great way to loosen soil for planting without breaking down the soil structure.

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

The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum mission is to plant Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities, and a resilient environment. This week we're reflecting on what this means to us and why, when our jobs often involve more people and paperwork than plants, we continue to be inspired to keep planting. We truly have a wonderful team to work with and we were glad the whole NSA team and our community forestry partners at the Nebraska Forest Service we willing to share their stories!

In this episode we hear from:

• Kendall Weyers, Sustainable Communities Coordinator
• Brad Kindler, Sustainable Landscape Specialist
• Justin Evertson, Green Infrastructure Coordinator
• Michelle DeRusha, Communications and Events Coordinator
• Chrissy Land, Western Nebraska Community Forester
• Bob Henrickson, Horticulture Program Coordinator
• Toby Burnham, Member and Affiliate Coordinator
• Christina Hoyt, Community Landscapes and Forest Health Bureau Chief

NSA Staff Listing

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

Sarah and Hanna review their resolutions from last year, plan their 2025 garden projects and share their predictions of what will be in and what will be out this year.

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

Bob Henrickson joins us to announce the 2025 Great Plants for the Great Plains selections!

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

Friluftsliv, translated as "free air life", is the Norwegian value of time spent in the outdoors. Michelle, whose family fully embraces friluftsliv, introduced us to the idea last episode during our book review. We've thought of several ways that we practice the free air life, intentionally or naturally, to share and have decided to join Norway in declaring 2025 the year of friluftsliv!

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

We're kicking off the holiday season with our annual book review and gift guide! Michelle DeRusha joins us again this year and we share some of the garden related books we read this year (or are looking forward to reading). We also share our list of gift ideas for the gardener in your life, or for your own wish list.

For more in-depth show notes, including a full list of the books and gifts we listed, 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