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.
Topics Covered
- Why “right plant, right place” is more than a slogan
- Balancing beauty, function, and maintenance in public plantings
- How personal experiences shape plant preferences
- The role of climate and regional conditions in plant selection
- Navigating invasive species concerns
- Native vs. non-native plant performance in Nebraska landscapes
Plants Mentioned in This Episode
- Tomatoes (Roma, San Marzano)
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Corn (red popcorn, popcorn in general)
- Milkweed (host for monarchs)
- Zinnias
- Sunflowers (including giant sunflower, goldeneye sunflower)
- Gayfeather (Liatris)
- Calamintha ‘Montrose White’
- Mountain mint
- Butterfly milkweed
- Crabgrass
- Helenium (sneezeweed, perennial cultivar)
- Asters (Snow Flurry, Aromatic, other cultivars)
- Ironweed (New York Ironweed, Vernonia spp.)
- Switchgrass
- Redbud tree
- Sedges
- Strawflowers
- Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan)
- Primrose
- Clover
- Ajuga (bugleweed)
- Moss
Announcements
- Plants & Pints is coming up October 28 – featuring Dr. Barbara Boustead, meteorologist & climatologist, author of Wilder Weather. Expect a fun night of prairie history and climate storytelling. Big announcement will be shared at Plants & Pints – don’t miss it!
- Fall Plant Sales are already happening – great chance to fill in before winter. See listings at PlantNebraska.org.
- Become a member or donor to support the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and this podcast.
Links
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.
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