This beautiful weather resulting in a warm, dry winter, provides an important opportunity to be watering evergreen trees and lawns. Our horticulture educators have the following information to share. Now is the time to water trees and lawns to prevent desiccation, especially with warm temperatures in the extended forecast. If you want to prevent evergreens from turning ever-brown, take time over the winter to provide supplemental water. Any time air temperatures are above 40°F you can do a slow soak of water around your evergreen trees and shrubs (and even lawns). Allow enough time for the water to infiltrate before temperatures drop below freezing. For information about this and other winter tree care tips read more here: https://water.unl.edu/article/lawns-gardens-landscapes/tree-care-during-winter/.

Friday Conversations: This past week’s conversation on nutrient balance could’ve lasted much of the afternoon as it went two hours over the scheduled time. Will write on that topic next week. Friday Feb. 20^th’s conversation will be on Cows, Compost, and Covers. Hear from growers who have converted crop ground to annual forages for grazing and the economics of that, especially compared to corn and soybeans this year. There’s still time to make that change for 2026. We’ll share options for different classes of cattle, including custom grazing if you don’t own/have enough cattle. I’ve heard some growers struggling with landlords/lenders to make that decision. If you are in that situation, please contact me and I’d be happy to talk with them and you. We need more diversity in our operations to spread risk and reduce pests! You’ll also hear how we’re using compost extracts on our farms to aid in biology and other benefits. You’ll also learn from the growers why they use various species of cover crops in their operations and what each species does for their soils and their system. If you’re interested, please join us from 10 a.m.-noon this Friday, Feb. 20^th at the 4-H Building in York. RSVP to 402-362-5508 isn’t required, but is helpful to ensure I have enough handouts.

On-Farm Research Updates: There’s several on-farm research updates upcoming with the first being this Tuesday, Feb. 17^th at the Holthus Convention Center followed by Feb. 18^th at ENREEC near Mead. Program starts at 9 a.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m. If you’re looking to hear what other growers are trying on their farms and their results, it’s a great opportunity. More info.: https://on-farm-research.unl.edu/.

Central Nebraska Soil Health Conference will be held Feb. 18^th in Hastings at the Lochland Country Club with program beginning at 9 a.m. and registration at 8 a.m. At that meeting, you will hear from some of our producers utilizing cover crops for grazing with the economics and how they are also reducing inputs in the corn the following year after that cover crop grazing year. You will also hear from growers who are reducing inputs in soybeans using soil health practices. The keynote speaker will share on biochar. More info. and RSVP:  https://go.unl.edu/2026soilhealthcon.

York Co. Corn Grower Tour will be held Wed., Feb. 25. We’ll meet at the York Co. Extension Office at 9:40 a.m. First stop will be Timpte Manufacturing in David City. Lunch will be at La Carreta in Seward followed by tours at Hughes Brothers Inc. and Bottle Rocket Brewing Co., both in Seward. Please RSVP to the Extension Office at 402-362-5508 if you’re interested in attending.