Hummingbirds and butterflies are some of our favorite and most

dramatic migrators, at least among those that visit our home

landscapes. While butterflies already have been active for several

months, late summer is their peak season.

Fall migration is when we’re most likely to see hummingbirds regularly

in our gardens. They pass through briefly on spring migration, and

can remain all summer if you’re along waterways or other favored

spots, but in fall they are in larger numbers and can stay and feed

from August into October.

LINCOLN - In an effort to slow the spread of the emerald ash borer

(EAB), the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), is adding

three more counties to an existing quarantine on ash tree products.

Otoe, Lancaster and Saunders join the counties of Douglas, Sarpy,

Cass, Washington and Dodge, for a total of eight Nebraska counties

regulated under the Nebraska EAB Quarantine. The revisions to the

quarantine went into effect Nov. 1.

Another season is coming to a close. It seems

there is more to do than hours in the day to get it

done. Fall is in the air, but landscape work goes on.

As I write this the evening was especially nice. The

temperature was warm, the wind had died down

and with the setting sun, there was just enough

light to see the last birds of the day rummaging

through the leaves. Before long the sounds of the

owls, which I seldom hear, came alive, and despite

all the things that needed my attention, there was no where else I

wanted to be.

The Nebraska Nursery and Landscape

Association and the Nebraska Arborists

Association teamed up again to provide

the 2018 Eastern Summer Field Day on

August 10. The event took place at the

Great Plains Nursery in Weston. There

were over 150 attendees and exhibitor

representatives at the event who took

advantage of the learning and networking

opportunities.

I think the pandemonium of spring has subsided,

and the steady rhythm of summer has finally

arrived. I love the fast pace of May and June, but

frankly I am exhausted. I look forward to being

able to take a deep breath and spending a little

more time thinking instead of reacting.

Recently the opportunity to reconnect with a

client I had not seen for at least 7 years came

along. They contacted me as their garden had become an out of

control nightmare after being invaded by native Equisetum and a few

other uninvited visitors. They were hoping there would be a solution

to eradicating it and returning the beds to their former self. Upon

arriving and engaging in the normal social pleasantries and catching

up on what was new in our lives we stepped out into the gardens.

In 100 degree weather, a walk in downtown Lincoln can still be made in the shade.

It’s not an accident: downtown is one of the largest regional urban arboretums

in the Midwest. The nearly 1,200 trees and 97 different species in the area are

carefully identified in order to gain certification as one.

The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is made up of more than 100 arboretum

sites in 55 different communities. There are six accredited arboretums in Lincoln

alone, and downtown has been one for around 10 years. It consists of 90 square

blocks of urban sidewalk planting beds.

Register now for the 2018 Great Plains

Summer Field Day, taking place August 17 at

the Great Plains Nursery near Weston.

The event features keynote speaker Jonathan

Larson who will discuss plant pests, breakout

session topics include an herbicide damage

roundtable, nursery tours, plant health care,

plant ID walking tour, young tree pruning and

more. Demonstrations on the latest products and services will be provided by industry

representatives. There will also be time to network and visit with vendors.