Planting has greatly progressed and/or finished for most in the area. I enjoy seeing the fuzzy green appearance of fields with something growing in them again! The main issues I’m hearing about are drought, crusting, and ground squirrels. We will keep praying for rain! For ground squirrels, I’ve heard the following options for management: plant deeper (2 ¾” vs. they will dig to 2.5”), get a badger!, bait holes and replant. Zinc phosphide is labeled for use for ground squirrels. Nathan Mueller, a former colleague, had shared a pre-plant option (ZP® Rodent Bait AG) for consideration for next year. That product can be applied pre-plant or at planting according to labeled instructions. If you find something that works, please let me know so I can pass it along!

NUE Program: A reminder that the Nitrogen Use Efficiency program deadline to apply is May 15, 2026. The application and instructions can be found at: https://dwee.nebraska.gov/nebraska-nitrogen-use-efficiency-nue-program.

Lawn clippings around plants: Many homeowners apply herbicides (or pay a company to apply them) to their lawns. Herbicides include products that control dandelions, clover, and other weeds in lawns. They are also contained in “weed and feed” products. Most of these herbicides have restrictions that require at least 3-4 mowings of the lawn (so essentially think 3-4 weeks) before lawn clippings can be placed around garden plants. Dying and/or curling leaves around vegetables and flowers may be attributed to people placing lawn mulch around plants too soon.

Mulch and termites: Does using wood mulch around the home attract termites? No as the chipping process kills termites. The most noted study was conducted by Long, et al. in 2001 which compared different types of mulches. They found termites prefer higher nutrient woody materials like cardboard placed under inorganic mulches like pea gravel compared to wood or needle mulch. However, mulches can create a hospitable environment for subterranean termites already established in the soil near the home or building. Termites prefer a moist environment, so soil desiccation (letting the soil dry) near the house foundation is an important barrier. Some keys with applying mulch include: don’t apply more than 2” thick layer of mulch in landscape beds, ensure a 6” gap between the top of the mulch layer and the house siding, and avoid watering mulch or soil close the house foundation walls. Mulch can be applied up to the house foundation to within 12” of the foundation. One may also consult a professional to set up monitoring or barrier control methods for termites around the home or building. The following guide has additional helpful thoughts on termite prevention and control: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1277.

Roller Crimping Workshop: Discover how roller crimpers can help manage cover crops without turning the soil — see the equipment in action and learn how to make this low-disturbance method work for your operation at Nebraska Extension’s hands-on workshop on Wednesday, May 20. Free on-site registration begins at 9 a.m.; no pre-registration is required. The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact Katja Koehler-Cole at 402-504-1016 or Aaron Nygren at 402-624-8030. ENREEC is located at 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, Nebraska.

Roller crimpers mechanically terminate cover crops while leaving the soil undisturbed, ideally creating a thick mulch that suppresses weeds. They are commonly used by organic and regenerative farmers, as well as others looking to reduce herbicide inputs or improve weed control with cover crops. Growers and ag professionals interested in learning more about this termination strategy are invited to attend this workshop.