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