Through the fall, Nebraska Extension in the Panhandle is offering Master Gardener tips, relevant to local lawn and garden issues in the High Plains and consistent with research-based recommendations. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Earth laughs in flowers." Most of us want beauty around us that's why we have plants in our homes and around our homes.
We also want shrubs flowers trees for our birds, butterflies, and for our wildlife. The Nebraska Panhandle is "short grass prairie." This swath extends from Texas up to Canada.
This means we're the type of prairie that might have one or two months of drought in the summers and our area can have tornadoes, hailstorms, and blizzards all in the same year. East of the Panhandle, there is more rain and, therefore, taller grass. When considering plants, it is best to buy plants "native" to the Panhandle.
The "natives' are used to our soil and they're used to the pests here. In other words, these plants know how to survive and survive well in the Panhandle. And speaking of "native", this spring has been beneficial for thistles.
There are native thistles and non-native thistles. The non-native are considered "noxious" which means they can be invasive and directly harmful to humans, to livestock and to wildlife. Some of the non-native thistles are Plumless Thistle, Canada Thistle, and Musk Thistle.
Since the property owner is responsible for noxious weeds, you don't want them on your property. Thistles and other noxious weeds can bring legal no.
