In this episode, Hanna and Sarah welcome Jason “the Bird Nerd” to talk about how gardeners can make their yards more welcoming to birds. From native plants and insect habitat to brush piles, feeders, and even light pollution, the conversation explores how a healthy garden ecosystem naturally supports birds.

Jason St. Sauver joins us from the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center.

For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: 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/cw/plantnebraska

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

Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

In this reprisal of one of our very early episodes, we revisit spring cleanup with the added tricks and nuance we’ve learned along the way. It’s all about pacing yourself instead of rushing into full cleanup just because of a warm day.

Early spring is the perfect time to tackle the less pleasant jobs (hello, mushy leaves and grass cutting) while the weather is still cool and the bugs aren’t out yet. Work with the season, not against it — protect emerging plants, support habitat, and make the most of these comfortable days before the real growing (and sweating) begins.

For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: 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/cw/plantnebraska

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

Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

Snow may not be the first thing you think about when designing a garden—but maybe it should be. In this episode, Hanna and Sarah dig into the often-overlooked topic of designing landscapes for winter functionality, especially when snow, ice, and de-icers come into play.

For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: 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/cw/plantnebraska

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

Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

Bob Henrickson is back for our annual Great Plants of the Great Plains episode! Every year he uses this program to highlight plants that are overlooked and underutilized by the nursery and landscape industry. Nominated by and voted on by industry members, these are trees, shrubs, and perennials that deserve a consideration when looking for something to plant this spring.

For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: 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/cw/plantnebraska

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

Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

We made it to 100 episodes! We're sharing 10(ish) things we have learned over the last 3 years of podcasting and almost 10 years of helping new gardeners plant native plants through the Bloom Box program.

For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: 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/cw/plantnebraska

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

Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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 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 full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: 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/cw/plantnebraska

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

Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

In this special gratitude-themed episode of PlantNebraska, we hand the microphone over to you—our members, arboretum partners, volunteers, and community growers. We asked for stories about what you’re thankful for when it comes to trees, native plants, and the landscapes you steward. Join us as we highlight the shared work that makes our Nebraska communities stronger and more resilient.

For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: 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/cw/plantnebraska

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

Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

Welcome to the Plant Nebraska Podcast! (formerly known as Bloom Box: Growing Deeper) In this first official episode under our new name, hosts Hanna and Sarah are talking about plants they love—but whose common names make it hard to convince others to plant them. From “swamp milkweed” to “sneezeweed,” we’re rethinking names that don’t do justice to beautiful, beneficial native plants. Tune in for stories about language, plant history, and a few of our not-so-successful renaming attempts (looking at you, “purple puff plant”).

For full show notes, including a list of all the plants we mentioned in this episode, visit: 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/cw/plantnebraska

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

Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

We’re thrilled to share some big news with you: the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is now PlantNebraska!

This new name reflects who we are today—rooted in Nebraska and growing for generations to come—and makes our mission clearer, more welcoming and easier for new people to discover.

What’s staying the same:

• Your favorite programs, resources and events
• Our statewide network of arboretums and public gardens
• Our mission: we plant Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities and a resilient environment

What’s new:

• A name and look that better reflect who we are today
• Stronger visibility to grow our impact across the state
• A name that inspires the next generation of tree planters, gardeners and environmental stewards 

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/cw/plantnebraska

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

Follow us @PlantNebraska on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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

Don’t forget your dragon hide gloves! Sarah and Hanna are heading to Hogwarts for a special herbology-themed episode featuring magical plants from the Harry Potter universe — and their real-life counterparts you can actually grow in your own garden. From calming hellebores to, they dig into the folklore, horticulture, and just a little bit of magic behind these spellbinding species. Whether you’re a wizarding world fan or just love a weird plant story, this episode is full of enchanting garden inspiration (and a few poison warnings).

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