Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties | | |
Spring into Gardening Time: Benefits and Resources for You
The Physical Benefits of Gardening
Gardening offers significant physical benefits, providing an excellent workout that enhances strength, flexibility, and stamina.
Financial Benefits of Gardening
Gardening offers several financial advantages. Well-maintained plants thrive and contribute to a healthier garden. A lush lawn and properly cared-for trees can boost curb appeal, ultimately increasing your home's value. Additionally, growing your own food allows you to enjoy fresh produce, reducing grocery costs while also promoting better overall health.
Nebraska Extension's Supporting for Gardeners
Because of these physical and financial benefits to Nebraskans, we are dedicating our educational resources and volunteers to support you in your gardening journey.
Get Expert Advice
Our Master Gardeners are available to answer your questions starting April 1, 2025:
- Visit Us: Bring your plant, turf, or insect sample to 8015 West Center Road, Omaha
- Hours: 9 AM to Noon and 1 to 4 PM
- Horticulture Helpline: (402) 444-7804 (Press 2)
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Email: douglas-sarpy@unl.edu
Additional Resources
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Egg Handling and Safety Tips
Spring brings fun traditions like decorating, cooking, and hunting for eggs. With egg prices fluctuating, it’s more important than ever to make the most of them. Follow these tips to prevent waste and ensure your eggs remain safe to enjoy after the celebrations.
Essential Egg Safety Tips
- Check Before You Buy – Inspect eggs at the store to ensure they are clean and free of cracks, as bacteria can enter through damaged shells.
- Store Properly – Keep eggs in their original carton inside the refrigerator, rather than in the door where temperatures fluctuate.
- Practice Clean Handling – Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before cooking, cooling, dyeing, or hiding eggs.
- Choose Hiding Spots Wisely – Avoid areas where eggs may come into contact with pets, wildlife, insects, chemicals, or other contaminants.
- Gather and Inspect Eggs – After the hunt, collect all hidden eggs. Discard any that are cracked, dirty, or left unrefrigerated for more than two hours. Rinse intact eggs and store them in the fridge.
- Use Within a Week – Keep hard-cooked eggs in their shells and consume them within seven days.
By following these simple precautions, you can enjoy a fun and safe spring!
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Buzzing Into Action - The Power of Nebraska's Insect Pollinators
Join Dr. Jody Green as she shines a spotlight on often-overlooked pollinators, including wild and solitary bees. She will inspire you to discover and cherish the fascinating world of bees and other pollinating insects that may call your backyard home. Learn how to attract, identify, appreciate, and conserve these vital creatures, and take steps to protect the essential role they play in our ecosystems.
When: June 10, 2025
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Where: UNL Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office, 8015 West Center Road, Omaha
Limited seating, be sure to reserve your spot today here.
This event is free to attend, but participants can donate non-perishable food item for our Free Little Pantry on-site or you can make a donation to the Friends of Extension Foundation - https://www.friendsofextension.org/donate.html.
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Unlocking Potential: The Benefits of 4-H for Youth and Families
In 4-H, youth gain:
- Skill Development: 4-H offers hands-on learning opportunities in a variety of fields like science, technology, arts, and leadership.
- Leadership and Responsibility: Through 4-H, youth have the chance to take on leadership roles, manage projects, and work with others to achieve goals. This builds confidence, responsibility, and teamwork.
- Community Engagement: 4-H fosters a sense of community and service. Participants often work on local projects, volunteer, and contribute to their communities, which can be a fulfilling and meaningful experience.
- Fun and Exploration: Beyond the learning aspect, 4-H also provides a fun environment to explore hobbies, interests, and passions, whether it’s showing animals, doing arts and crafts, or participating in public speaking.
- Family Involvement: 4-H encourages families to get involved together, whether it's volunteering, attending events, or supporting projects. It can be a way to bond as a family while contributing to the growth and development of children.
It’s a well-rounded program that provides life skills, personal growth, and community involvement, all in a positive and encouraging environment. Sign up to become a part of the fun at https://douglas-sarpy.unl.edu/4-h-youth-development/
| | | | Grow Your Skills: This Month’s Horticulture Classes | | |
GroBigRed - Local Classes
Caring for Woody Plants
Join Nebraska Extension for an engaging discussion on the vital role of woody plants in ecosystems and landscapes. Learn proper care techniques and get expert advice from local specialists, who will share tips, insights, and answer your questions.
When: April 12, 2025
Time: 9-10 AM
Where: UNL Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office, 8015 West Center Road, Omaha
Cost:
- $15 in advance
- $20 at the door
Register at go.unl.edu/gbr
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GroBigRed - Virtual Classes
Trees to Plant & Trees to Avoid
Join us for a free lunch-and-learn with Nebraska Extension! One Wednesday a month at noon our horticulture experts will discuss a variety of topics to help you tackle common landscape and gardening challenges. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to grow your gardening knowledge!
Upcoming Classes
- April 9 — Trees to Plant & Trees to Avoid
- May 14 — Consider These Natives
- June 11 — Garden Friends
Register at https://hles.unl.edu/grobigred
| | | Horticulture Resources for April | | |
Backyard Farmer is Back!
The 73rd season kicks-off on April 3, bringing expert gardening tips, plant advice, and all the seasonal inspiration you need to make your garden thrive. Get ready for a fresh new season that will feature various Douglas-Sarpy Extension staff!
BYF airs on Thursday's at 7 pm and replays Sun-10am on Nebraska public media.
Learn more at https://byf.unl.edu/
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Call before you dig!
Nebraska 811 is a free service for anyone who is planning a digging project, including homeowners and professional excavators. Nebraska State law requirements requires anyone one who digs to place a locate request at least two full business days before digging. Once your request is submitted, utilities will locate and mark their lines.
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New trees or shrubs?
Whether you've recently planted new trees, shrubs, or flowers—or you're planning to do so this year—proper first-year care is essential for strong, healthy growth. The steps you take now can make all the difference in ensuring your plants establish deep roots and thrive for years to come.
Nebraska Extension Educator John Fech shares his top do’s and don’ts for nurturing new plants in this helpful video:
https://youtu.be/dJ5jykvpOvs?si=rd1ALdwvoGM0J7bJ
| | Continuing Ed Hours for Childcare Professionals | | |
April Lunch and Learn Series – Family Child Care
Join us in April for a series of Lunch and Learns focused on caring for children within Family Child Care Settings!
1-hour certificate awarded after each session, attendance at all sessions is NOT required. Classes will be recorded.
When: 4/08/25, 04/15/25, 04/22/25, 04/29/25
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm Central
Where: zoom
Sign up here.
For more information, contact Katie at katie.krause@unl.edu.
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April Lunch and Learn – What does ‘School Readiness’ really look like?
Join Katie as she discusses the cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language skills necessary for success in school.
1-hour certificate awarded after each session, attendance at all sessions is NOT required. Classes will be recorded.
When: 04/16, 04/23
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm Central Time
Where: Zoom
Sign up here.
For more information, contact Katie at katie.krause@unl.edu.
| | | Featured Food Resources for April | | |
Canning Help
Dreaming about that bumper crop of vegetables from your garden? Now is the time to refresh your food preservation skills with free videos created by our Nebraska Extension experts.
Learn more about pressure canning, water bath canning, freezing and dehydrating food at
https://food.unl.edu/article/home-food-preservation-series.
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Preparing a Ham
Hams are either ready-to-eat or not. Ready-to-eat hams include prosciutto and cooked hams; they can be eaten right out of the package. Fresh hams and hams that are only treated to destroy trichinae (which may include heating, freezing, or curing in the processing plant) must be cooked by the consumer before eating. Hams that must be cooked will bear cooking instructions and safe handling instructions.
Hams that are not ready-to-eat, but have the appearance of ready-to-eat products, will bear a prominent statement on the principal display panel (label) indicating the product needs cooking, e.g., "cook thoroughly." In addition, the label must bear cooking directions.
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Save Money & Reduce Food Waste!
Did you know that a few simple changes in your grocery shopping habits can help prevent food waste and cut costs? By planning ahead, making smart purchasing decisions, and storing food properly, you can make the most of every grocery trip while also helping the environment!
Learn more & start saving today: https://go.unl.edu/reduce-waste-save-money
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Extension's Co-Parenting for Successful Kids Class
Navigating divorce or custody changes? Co-Parenting for Successful Kids is an educational program designed to support families going through divorce, custody modifications, or paternity proceedings.
This program helps parents:
- Understand the impact of divorce on children
- Learn strategies to support their children through the transition
- Take concrete steps to foster a healthy co-parenting relationship
Available throughout Nebraska, this course also meets the requirements of the Parent Act (LB 554, 2007).
Learn more and register: https://child.unl.edu/coparenting
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Learn more about horticulture and the 4-H program by signing up for our Newsletters:
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Monthly Horticulture Newsletter by emailing Rachel here.
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Weekly 4-H Newsletter by emailing 4-H here.
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Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties
8015 West Center Road, Omaha
402-444-7804
go.unl.edu/douglassarpyext
Email us at douglas-sarpy@unl.edu
See our annual report here.
Our south office is located at 1102 E. 1st St., Papillion, NE 68046.
Call 402-444-7804 to schedule an appointment at our Papillion Office.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to Douglas-Sarpy County Extension at 402-444-7804 or douglas-sarpy@unl.edu
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