Gage County Horticulture

Nicole StonerNicole Stoner is the Horticulture Extension Educator located in Gage County, serving Southeast Nebraska. Nicole's focus areas include trees, shrubs, lawns, gardens, and insects. Nicole obtained her Master's Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for Horticulture with a minor in Insect Science, she also has Bachelor's Degrees from UNL in both areas. Nicole is also an ISA Certified Arborist and has her Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ).

Questions for Nicole? Email: nstoner2@unl.edu or contact her at the Gage County Extension Office 402-223-1384

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                                                 Map of Nicole's Accountability Region, including Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha, Johnson, Gage, Jefferson, Saline, Thayer, Fillmore, Clay, and Nichols counties.

Yard & Garden

Guest Schedule

You can listen to the recording of all past shows on my new podcast: https://yardandgarden.buzzsprout.com

Commercial Pesticide Training

Commercial Pesticide Safety Education Information

Dates/Locations for Gage County Initial Trainings:

  • March 17, 2022: 8am at the Gage County Extension Office Meeting Room

Dates/Locations for Gage County Recertification Trainings:

  • February 15, 2022: 8am at the Gage County Extension Office Meeting Room
  • March 8, 2022: 8am at the Gage County Extension Office Meeting Room
  • March 22, 2022: 8am at the Gage County Extension Office Meeting Room

Check current pesticide license status — Are you listed in the applicator database operated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA)? Check online or contact NDA at 402-471-2351.

Be sure to Recertify BEFORE your Pesticide Applicators license expires.

Commercial Applicator — A licensed applicator who uses any restricted use pesticide (RUP) on a contractual or “for hire” basis. Commercial applicator shall also include any person using restricted or general use pesticides “for hire” or compensation for lawn care, structural pest control, or community-wide outdoor vector control.

Noncommercial Applicator — A licensed applicator who applies RUPs only on lands owned or controlled by his/her employer or for a governmental agency or subdivision of the state. Also, a licensed applicator who applies either general or restricted use pesticides to control mosquitoes on behalf of a political subdivision of the state.

Private Applicator — A licensed applicator who uses any restricted use pesticide (RUP) for purposes of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him/her or his/her employer, or to apply on the property of another person without compensation (other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities).

For more information on Private Pesticide Training, Visit the Crop Tech Cafe with Nathan Mueller

Extension Master Gardeners

Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Reporting Site - For Master Gardeners to use to keep records of their volunteering and education

2022 - Classes will start in late January/early February, More information to come soon

Contact Nicole if interested in becoming a Master Gardener

Classes are available in Beatrice, Wilber, Auburn, and others

NRD Tree Information

How to Order Trees from the Lower Big Blue NRD

Click on the name of each tree or shrub below to find a factsheet about the tree you are interested in.

Evergreen Trees

Deciduous Trees

Shrubs

Planting Trees - A factsheet developed by Nicole Stoner on how to properly plant trees for best long-term success.

Proper Tree Pruning - A factsheet developed by Nicole Stoner on how and when to properly prune trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources