Bloom Box: Growing Deeper

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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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: In addition, federal funding provides: 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: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/?p=email-debhttps://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion/ https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representativehttps://flood.house.gov/contact https://bacon.house.gov/contact/ https://adriansmith.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact 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:

We know our listeners enjoy learning about plants they should consider or try each year and we like to make those lists based on a theme. We've done pollinator habitat, we've done other wildlife, we've done shrubs, etc. This year we're going through our team (at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and Nebraska Forest Service) and sharing everyone's signature, or favorite plants. Anyone who regularly designs landscapes, helps people select plants, or influences what is planted in public spaces eventually ends up with a toolbox of their favorite species. These are our tried and true, dependable problem solving plants- or just our favorites to see growing. For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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

Plants are often used to screen visually, for protection from wind, and to limit sound pollution from roadways. One of the most common questions we get is how to select trees, shrubs, grasses (and even perennials) for use in a screen or ‘Living Fence’. Today we’re discussing some of our go-to plants as well as the framework for designing a living fence or creating a visual screen. 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail. Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org. 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail. Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

Thanks to the Lied Center, we had the opportunity to meet Dr. Tyson over Zoom and ask him two questions related to his Cosmic Perspective talk! He will be at the Lied Center tonight for a sold-out show. This week we’re partnering with the Lied Center to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day, check out the show notes for our tips and events. We hope to see you at Spring Affair this weekend! For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: ttps://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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail. Follow us @NebraskaStatewideArboretum on Facebook and Instagram Learn more about Bloom Box: https://plantnebraska.org/bloom-box Learn more about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum: https://plantnebraska.org

This week, we're Growing Deeper into a topic introduced in an episode of our Plant Talk webinar series (watch here). Keystone species, an idea discussed by entomologist Doug Tallamy in several of his books, are a foundation of healthy, functioning habitat. Today we're discussing some of the keystone species of the Great Plains and how understanding this theory impacts the way we design urban greenspaces. You don't want to miss the full show notes this week, they are packed full of great (and a few funny) links! https://plantnebraska.org/podcast Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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

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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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

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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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: NSA Staff Listing For more in-depth show notes visit Bloom Box: Growing Deeper at: https://plantnebraska.org/podcast Send us your questions at growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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 growingwithbloombox@gmail.com 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