GRO Big Red Virtual Learning

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2025 Programs 

This webinar series, sponsored by Nebraska Extension and delivered via Zoom, is a great opportunity to join experts from Nebraska Extension to learn and ask questions! All  programs are on the second Wednesday of the month from Noon-1 pm CT. 

If you cannot participate in the live programs, they will be recorded and made available on this webpage for later viewing, too. 

Register Now

February 12 - Starting a vegetable garden | Dana Freeman, Urban Ag Instructor 
Discover the joy of vegetable gardening in this beginner-friendly class. Learn essential tips for planning, planting and maintaining your garden, plus solutions to common challenges. Grow your gardening skills from the ground up!
 

March 12 - Rain Gardens: Where to Use Them/ What to Plant in Them | Kelly Feehan, Extension Educator
Rain gardens help harvest the rain and reduce runoff to streams and rivers. They need to be in the right locations with plant selections considered for three moisture zones. Learn about rain garden plants that succeed in Nebraska rain gardens. 
 

April 9 - Trees to Plant and Trees to Avoid | Elizabeth Exstrom, Extension Educator
Choosing the perfect tree for your landscape is more than just a decision, it's a long-term investment that can transform your outdoor space! Wth so many factors to consider it's essential to know what makes a tree thrive and what can hold your landscape back. Discover key factors you need to consider when selection a tree and learn which ones to avoid for a stunning, hassle-free landscape that lasts for years to come!  
 

May 14 - Consider these Natives | Scott Evans, Extension Assistant 
Native plants offer a wide range of benefits for gardeners, from supporting wildlife to being more resilient in the landscape. With so many options available, how do you know which plants will complement your existing garden? Scott will guide you through a selection of native trees, shrubs, perennials, and even annuals that are well-suited for home landscapes.
 

June 11 - Garden Friends | Kait Chapman, Extension Educator
Discover the hidden allies that support healthy gardens and landscapes — from pollinators, to predators, and beyond.
 

July 9 - Rose Management | Nicole Stoner, Extension Educator & David Lott, Extension Educator
Roses are a great plant for any landscape, but they can have issues and require proper management for success. Learn the different types of roses, and where they are best suited in the landscape to thrive. We will cover general rose care, pest management, and pruning to keep your roses looking great.
 

August 13 - Fall Turf Activities | John Fech, Extension Educator
Summer isn’t over yet, but fall lawn care is calling.  Learn the techniques that will make the transition smooth and help your lawn thrive. John will cover fertilization, reseeding, pest control, irrigation needs, mowing, aeration and more.
 

September 10 - Basics of Composting | Sarah Browning, Extension Educator
Take advantage of organic materials from your home or landscape, including grass clippings, tree leaves and kitchen scraps, to improve your garden soil. The best way to do that is through composting. In this program, we will discuss achieving a proper carbon:nitrogen ratio, or "green" materials vs. "brown" materials and how to construct a compost pile.
 

October 8 - Unusual Small Fruits | Ian Peterson, Extension Educator
Looking for something beyond tomatoes, zucchini and apples? Learn about some of the unique annual and perennial fruits that Nebraska gardeners can bring into their edible landscapes.
 

November 12 - Growing Herbs | Mary Jane Frogge, Extension Associate
Discover the fun and ease of growing your own herbs. Learn about perennial and annual herbs you can easily start from seed in the spring. You are more likely to use herbs when they are fresh and convenient to harvest from your own garden.

 

Join the blog!

Science-based gardening information, specifically for Nebraska gardeners, from the GRO Big Red team.

The GRO Big Red team provides educational resources for gardeners. Learn about edible plants, houseplants, landscapes, trees and insects.

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GRO Big Red Program Recordings

Available below and on the GRO Big Red Virtual Learning Series YouTube channel, go.unl.edu/grobigredtube.

Food Preservation

Garden Management

Houseplants

Insect Pests

Landscape Design

Lawns

Pollinators

Propagation

Soil

Trees

Vegetable Gardening