>> BACKYARD FARMER IS A CO-PRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

TONIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER.

WE'LL BE CHECKING IN ON OUR GARDEN TO LOOK FOR ANY PROBLEMS TO SOLVE.

AND WE'LL SHOW YOU THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO BEETLES.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP NEXT.

RIGHT HERE ON BACKYARD FARMER.

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO BACKYARD FARMER.

I'M KIM TODD, AND I'LL BE YOUR HOST FOR THE NEXT HOUR OF ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

IF YOU NEED SOME HELP, YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH US BY DIALING 1(800) 676-5446.

IF YOU'D RATHER SEND US SOME PICTURES OR AN EMAIL FOR A FUTURE SHOW, THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

WE DO NEED TO KNOW AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT YOUR ISSUE OR YOUR QUESTION, INCLUDING WHERE YOU LIVE, AND DO MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND OUR FACEBOOK AFTER THE SHOW.

LET'S GET SAMPLES STARTED.

SO, KAIT, YOU'VE GOT.

>> TOMATOES >> SORT OF.

>> SORT OF KIND OF THEY'RE GOING TO BE TOMATOES.

>> THEY WERE GOING TO BE.

>> YES, THEY WERE GOING TO BE TOMATOES.

BUT TODAY I BROUGHT WITH ME A COUPLE OF TOMATOES THAT HAVE BEEN FED ON BY CATERPILLARS.

AND IF YOU LOOK HERE THIS FIRST LARGER TOMATO AND ZOOM IN A LITTLE BIT, THERE IS A SMALL LITTLE CATERPILLAR FEEDING ON THAT TOMATO.

THAT'S THE TOMATO FRUITWORM CATERPILLAR.

AND THEY ARE OUT AND ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

AND IF YOU SEE THESE REALLY CHARACTERISTIC BORING HOLES IN THE FRUIT OF THE TOMATO PLANT, THAT MEANS IT'S BEEN INFESTED.

SO RIGHT NOW WHAT YOU CAN DO IS YOU CAN HANDPICK, HANDPICK THESE CATERPILLARS, DISPOSE OF ANY INFESTED FRUIT.

AND THEN ANOTHER CATERPILLAR ON THE SECOND TOMATO.

THIS WAS ACTUALLY CAUSED BY A TOMATO HORNWORM CATERPILLAR THAT DOES MORE OF THIS CHARACTERISTIC RASPING, JUST TAKING BIG CHUNKS OUT OF THE TOMATO FRUIT.

EITHER WAY, YOU CAN ALSO HANDPICK THOSE ONES, DISPOSE OF THEM, AND IF ABSOLUTELY NEEDED, THERE ARE CHEMICAL OPTIONS SUCH AS BTK WHEN THE CATERPILLARS ARE SMALL, SPINOSAD AND PYRETHROIDS AS WELL.

>> AND THOSE ARE NOT GOING TO BE TASTY.

>> NO, I WOULD NOT EAT THEM, ESPECIALLY THESE ONES, BECAUSE THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE OF CATERPILLARS GOING TO BE INSIDE OF IT.

>> A LITTLE PROTEIN.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT, DENNIS.

ALL RIGHT CAMERA, LET'S ZOOM IN ON.

>> OH, IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR.

IT'S BEEN JULY.

AND LIKE WE SAY, LET THEM FLY TO THE END OF JULY.

AND IT'S DEFINITELY THE END OF JULY.

SO I'M SEEING BATS EVERYWHERE WHERE THERE'S A BAT, THERE'S A BAT.

SO BATS ARE THE YOUNG OF THE YEAR ARE LEAVING THE NEST.

AND THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR YOU CAN EXCLUDE THEM.

AND SO IF YOU HAVE BEEN HEARING BATS IN YOUR ATTIC OR, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BATS IN YOUR ATTIC OR PART OF A BUILDING, THIS IS A TIME OF YEAR.

YOU USE THE ONE WAY CONES.

THIS TYPE GOES AGAINST THE HOLE.

THIS ONE GOES IN A CORNER AGAINST THE HOLE.

AND THEN IF YOU HAVE A SLIT AND YOU NEED BATS HAVE BEEN COMING IN AND OUT OF IT, YOU CAN DO THIS TYPE OF THING WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO USE BIRD NETTING, ABOUT HALF INCH TO QUARTER INCH NETTING WITH WEIGHTS, AND PUT THAT OVER THERE SO THE BATS WILL FLY OUT THROUGH THE SLIT, HIT THE NETTING, DROP DOWN, BUT YET WON'T GO UNDERNEATH THE NETTING TO GET BACK IN THE SLIT.

SO REMEMBER, THIS IS A TIME OF YEAR WE PUT IN THE ONE WAY DOORS.

YOU CAN GET ANY OF THESE TYPE PLASTIC ONES FOR CORNERS OR FOR JUST HOLES ON THE INTERNET.

JUST PUT BAT CONES AND THEY'LL COME UP.

YOU MIGHT GET SOME THINGS ABOUT BATMAN AND ROBIN, BUT GO.

FOR THE BAT CONES.

AND THIS IS AGAIN, IT'S LIKE I'M DOING RIGHT NOW.

>> GEEZ, DENNIS.

OH, AMY, WE'RE SO GLAD YOU MADE IT FOR OUR AUDIENCE.

AMY HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A CHALLENGE GETTING HERE, AND WE THOUGHT PERHAPS SHE HAD EATEN ONE OF THOSE SHROOMS THAT SHE TELLS US.

>> NOT TO EAT.

>> INSTEAD, IT WAS TRAFFIC.

>> IT WAS TRAFFIC.

SO I DON'T KNOW HOW I CAN FOLLOW DENNIS IN THE BATS.

>> NOBODY CAN.

>> SO INSTEAD, I BROUGHT DEATH AND GLOOM WITH ME AGAIN.

SO THIS IS OUR WONDERFUL SPRUCE TREE.

THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR THAT WE START SEEING.

RISE OF FEAR AND NEEDLE CAST.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THE SPRUCE HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS.

THE BIG THING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS THE PURPLE TONE COLORATION OF OUR NEEDLES AND THAT'S A PRIME EXAMPLE OF RHIZOPHORA NEEDLE CAST.

IT AFFECTS THE OLDER NEEDLES FIRST, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, I DON'T HAVE ANY NEEDLES ON THE NEW SHOOTS EITHER.

SO THIS TREE ACTUALLY HAS TWO THINGS GOING ON.

BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT RHIZOPHORA OR.

YEAH, RHIZOPHORA NEEDLE CASTS, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE ACTUALLY END UP DOING TWO FUNGICIDE APPLICATIONS AS THE NEEDLES ARE ABOUT HALFWAY ELONGATED.

AND THEN WE DO ANOTHER FOLLOW UP ACCORDING TO THE LABEL OF THAT PRODUCT.

SO IT CAN BE VERY DEVASTATING TO BLUE SPRUCES, THOUGH.

>> EXACTLY AND VERY DEVASTATING.

WE'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT, TERRI, THIS IS A FUNKY, FUN PLANT.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS ALIVE UNLIKE AMY'S SAMPLE.

SO.

SO THIS IS ACTUALLY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

THIS IS A FUN ONE.

WE'VE HAD IT.

OH, I DON'T KNOW.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE GREW THIS, BUT THIS IS TOOTHACHE PLANT.

BULLSEYE PLANT, ELECTRIC DAISY OR EYEBALL PLANT.

SO THOSE ARE ALL COMMON NAMES OF THIS.

BUT THIS IS REALLY JUST KIND OF FUN.

IT'S GOT THIS KIND OF WEIRD EYEBALL LOOKING LIKE FLOWER.

IT GETS TO BE ABOUT SUPPOSEDLY 6 TO 12IN.

BUT REMEMBER, NOTHING EVER READS THE BOOK.

OURS IS PROBABLY 18IN THIS YEAR JUST BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SO WET.

IT IS AN ANNUAL HERE.

YOU CAN.

I'VE NEVER SEEN IT ACTUALLY IN THE GARDEN CENTER.

PRETTY EASY TO START FROM SEED.

PLANTED IN THE HOUSE ABOUT SIX WEEKS BEFORE THE LAST FROST, AND IT WILL LAST IN THE GARDEN AND BLOOM THROUGH FROST.

SO A GREAT ADDITION AND FUN FOR KIDDOS.

>> ESPECIALLY AT HALLOWEEN.

>> YES.

>> IF THOSE EYEBALLS.

ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

OKAY, KAIT, YOU GET THE VERY FIRST ROUND OF PICTURES.

THIS FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM NORFOLK, AND THEN YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER ONE FROM NORFOLK.

AND SO THE UP TO AT LEAST TEN CICADA KILLER TUNNELS IN THE YARD.

IT'S VERY SANDY.

THEY'VE NEVER HAD THIS MANY, BUT THEY ALSO HAVEN'T HEARD CICADAS YET.

SO WHAT ARE THE TUNNEL BUILDERS KNOW THAT THEY DON'T.

>> YEAH.

SO IT'S THERE ARE CICADAS OUT.

THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF THEM OUT NOW.

I'VE HEARD THEM SINGING.

I'VE SEEN SOME.

SO CICADA KILLER WASPS ARE NOT GOING TO EMERGE UNLESS THEY HAVE THAT FOOD SOURCE.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY EXCLUSIVELY FEED THEIR YOUNG.

AND YOU'RE PROBABLY SEEING A LOT BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE SOLITARY WASPS, THEY DO TEND TO NEST IN SIMILAR KIND OF CLOSE QUARTERS TOGETHER.

>> SO AND THESE PICTURES ARE ALSO NORFOLK AND CAUGHT THE WASP COMING IN WITH THAT CICADA AND ALL THAT SAND.

AND ONE OF THESE TWO VIEWERS SAID THAT THEY ARE NOW UP TO 20 CICADA LITTLE DWELLINGS IN THEIR, IN THEIR LANDSCAPE.

>> SO THAT SAND MUST JUST BE PERFECT FOR THEM.

THEY LIKE IT.

THEY WANT TO NEST IN IT.

YOU CAN TRY TO DETER THE WASPS BY KEEPING THE AREA REALLY WELL WATERED, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO LIKE THAT WET SOIL, OTHERWISE THEY ARE BENEFICIAL.

YOU CAN JUST LEAVE THEM BE IF YOU'RE WILLING TO, AND IF YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT STAND THEM.

JUST WANT TO REITERATE THEY'RE NOT AGGRESSIVE, BUT IF YOU CANNOT STAND THEM, THEY'RE IN A BAD PART.

YOU CAN ALWAYS JUST TRY A DUST INSECTICIDE TO GET RID OF THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS NEXT ONE COMES TO US FROM CANON CITY, COLORADO.

KAIT AND THE GRASSHOPPERS ARE JUST EATING THE TREES AND THEIR SOULS, AND THEY'VE TRIED ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

THEY ARE ORGANIC AND THEY'VE GOT GUINEAS AND TURKEYS AND, I MEAN, THEY'VE TRIED EVERYTHING.

SO ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THEM?

>> YEAH.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO GRASSHOPPER CONTROL, THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND IS ONE, YOU WANT TO TRY TO TARGET THEM WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT EASIER TO CONTROL COMPARED TO WHEN THEY'RE ADULTS.

SO YOU WANT TO START CONTROL AROUND MAY WOULD PROBABLY BE A GOOD TIME TO START.

TWO IS YOU WANT TO TARGET CONTROL AND KIND OF THE WEEDY AREAS, THE TALL GRASS AREAS THAT ARE AROUND THE TREES OR THE PLANTS THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP, BECAUSE THOSE ARE GOING TO BE THE PRIMARY HOST PLANTS FOR THE GRASSHOPPERS.

SO THERE'S BIOLOGICAL BAITS YOU CAN TRY, BUT REALLY TARGET EARLIER AND TARGET THOSE OUTSIDE PLACES AND TRY TO KEEP THE WEEDS SUPPRESSED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND KEEP THINGS MOWN AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, DENNIS.

FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT'S BUILDING A NEST.

ITS TWIGS AND COTTONWOOD COTTON.

>> THAT HAS TO BE A RODENT.

LIKE A MOUSE.

IT COULD BE A HOUSE MOUSE, OR IT COULD BE A DEER MOUSE OR WHITE FOOTED MOUSE.

BUT THEY LOVE TO USE DIFFERENT THINGS.

WHAT THEY USE IN NATURE IS COTTON FROM COTTONWOOD TREES.

IT'S THE REASON WHY I ONLY PLANT COTTONWOOD TREES.

THEY HAVE COTTON BECAUSE ALL THE ANIMALS NEED SOMETHING TO WORK WITH, BUT DEFINITELY A RODENT.

>> ALL RIGHT, OUR NEXT ONE COMES TO US FROM A ALUMNI, AN ALUM FROM WHO IS NOW IN LEBANON, OHIO.

SO HE'S GOT A GROUNDHOG, AND HE WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO CONTROL ALL THE MAMMALIAN PESTS THAT WE HAVE.

AND FOR SOME REASON, THIS GROUNDHOG ACTUALLY ALSO JUST LOVED THE MILKWEED IN HIS GARDEN AND THEN WENT OUT.

EVERYTHING ELSE TRAPPED A WHOLE BUNCH OF THEM.

ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

>> YEAH, WELL, RACCOONS, WOODCHUCKS, ALL THOSE MESO CARNIVORES THAT ARE PRETTY PREVALENT IN OHIO AS WELL AS NEBRASKA AND I DON'T KNOW ALL THE REGULATIONS IN OHIO.

I DO KNOW IN NEBRASKA, YOU CAN'T TRANSLOCATE AND I'M ALMOST POSITIVE YOU CAN'T TRANSLOCATE IN OHIO AS WELL, ESPECIALLY RACCOONS, FOX OR ANYTHING THAT CAN CARRY RABIES.

YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO TRANSLOCATE, WHICH MEANS YOU CAN'T MOVE THEM.

SO WHAT, YOU GET THEM TRAPPED IN A CAGE LIKE IT'S SHOWN, AND THEN YOU CALL ANIMAL CONTROL OR ANIMAL REHAB AND HAVE THEM TAKE IT AWAY AND TAKE CARE OF IT.

PREVENTION.

IT'S TOUGH.

YOU START TRAPPING A LOT OF THEM AND REMOVING THEM.

THE POPULATIONS IS GOING TO GO DOWN FROM THOSE IN THOSE AREAS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, DENNIS.

AMY, YOUR VERY FIRST ONE IS AN ELM TREE SEEPAGE.

AND SHE'S WONDERING IF THIS IS SOMETHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

SO WE HAVE A PICTURE OF THE TREE.

WE HAVE A PICTURE OF THE SEEP.

>> THE SEEP WITH IT.

SO WITH ELM TREES WE ACTUALLY RUN INTO TWO CONDITIONS.

IF YOU'VE BEEN IN AN AREA THAT'S BEEN RECEIVING ADEQUATE WATER OR SUPPLEMENTAL WATER OR EXTRA WATER, THE PLANTS WILL SEEP ALSO BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST TOO MUCH MOISTURE.

BUT WITH ELMS, THE BIG THING THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IS DUTCH ELM DISEASE.

AND THAT WILL ALSO CAUSE A SEEPAGE TO OCCUR.

THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE IS HAVING AN ARBORIST OR AN EXTENSION EDUCATOR ACTUALLY COME OUT AND ACTUALLY VIEW THE TREE TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

IS IT DUTCH ELM DISEASE OR IS IT JUST NATURAL FLUX BECAUSE OF WET CONDITIONS?

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO PICKS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A TURF QUESTION FOR YOU.

SPRING.

THIS ALWAYS LOOKS OKAY.

MID-SUMMER IT GETS A RING OF DYING GRASS.

>> THIS IS DREADED SUMMER PATCH.

SO IT LOOKS ALL NICE AND GREEN.

AND THEN WE GET INTO THOSE WARM PARTS OF THE SUMMER.

AND WHAT SUMMER PATCH DOES IS IT'S INFECTING THE ROOTS AND THE PLANTS.

JUST DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH ROOT SYSTEM TO MOVE THAT WATER UP.

SO WHAT DO WE DO FOR MANAGEMENT?

THERE IS FUNGICIDES THAT YOU CAN USE, BUT THE BEST RECOMMENDATION IS JUST OVERSEED THIS AREA WITH RESISTANT, TOLERANT BLUEGRASS SPECIES THAT ARE ABLE TO HANDLE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

TERRI, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM TREYNOR, IOWA.

THIS IS A THIRD YEAR FOR THESE NEW SWAMP WHITE OAK.

NEW LEAVES APPEARED, BUT THEY ARE YELLOWING.

THEY'VE HAD GOOD MOISTURE.

THEY DO HAVE LESS SOILS.

AND OF COURSE, THEY'VE HAD EVEN MORE MOISTURE SINCE HE SENT THESE PICTURES IN.

SO TOO MUCH, NOT ENOUGH IRON.

WHAT CAN HELP WITH THIS?

>> YEAH.

SO THESE SWAMP WHITES ARE A LITTLE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHLOROSIS WHEN THEY'RE REALLY WET SOILS.

AND MOST OF US ARE SEEING A LOT OF EXTRA WET SOILS LATELY.

SO IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE THAT DIDN'T SEE WHETHER OR NOT THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS SINCE THEY PLANTED IT.

IF IT'S JUST KIND OF HAPPENING THIS YEAR OR NOT.

SO OVERWATERING CAN'T HELP IT IF IT'S COMING FROM THE SKY OVER FERTILIZING.

I SEE IT IS IN TURF.

SO IF YOU ARE FERTILIZING THE TURF, MAYBE BACKING OFF THAT AND SOMETIMES YOU KNOW, IF YOU DO HAVE SOME ROOT DAMAGE, NOT FOR SURE HOW IT WENT IN, BUT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY SOMETIMES CAUSE THIS TOO.

BUT I CAN'T SHUT THE RAIN OFF.

BUT LET'S JUST KIND OF MAKE SURE THAT IT DOES WELL GOING INTO WINTER AND SEE WHAT IT DOES NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS NORTHWEST DOUGLAS COUNTY ON AN ACREAGE 20 YEAR OLD MAPLE.

WHAT CAUSED THIS AND WHAT DO THEY DO ABOUT IT?

>> WELL FIRST OF ALL, IT COULD BE MANY THINGS.

IT COULD BE TEMPERATURE, TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS THAT IS BEEN LIKE IN THE WINTERTIME.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY IT'S LIGHTNING, BUT THIS DIDN'T REALLY LOOK LIKE LIGHTNING TO ME.

IT COULD BE STRONG WINDS.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF STRONG WINDS LATELY OR SOME KIND OF DISEASE, BUT I WOULD KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

REALLY.

IF YOU WANT SOMEBODY TO COME OUT AND LOOK AT IT, I MAYBE WOULD HAVE A PROFESSIONAL LOOK AT IT TO SEE KIND OF HOW DEEP IT'S GETTING INTO IT, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A TREE THAT'S GOING TO BE AROUND ANYTHING WHERE IT COULD POTENTIALLY COME DOWN ONTO A BUILDING OR A CAR OR A PERSON OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON IT.

I WOULD PROBABLY GET THE TURF AWAY FROM IT, PUT A MULCH RING AROUND IT JUST SO THAT IT'S HAPPY AND YOU'RE NOT WEED EATING UP AGAINST IT AND DAMAGING IT ANYMORE.

>> SO ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

TERRI, THIS IS A HERITAGE RIVER.

BIRCH ROOTS ARE SO ON THIS ONE.

WHAT SHOULD THEY DO.

>> SO THEY DO HAVE VERY SHALLOW ROOTS ON THIS.

I WOULD PROBABLY JUST PULL THAT ALL THAT TURF AWAY FROM IT.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A REALLY NICE MULCH RING, KEEP AN EYE ON IT IF YOU CAN.

MAYBE KIND OF PULL BACK THE SOME OF THE SOIL AND KIND OF SEE WHERE THOSE ROOTS ARE TO SEE HOW CIRCLING THEY ARE.

BUT REALLY GOOD MANAGEMENT OF THIS, AND I WOULD REALLY HIGHLY SUGGEST PUTTING THAT MULCH RING AROUND THOSE TREES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

WELL, OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS WE HAVE BEEN DOING A COUPLE OF THINGS FOR YOU.

WE'VE BEEN SUGGESTING THAT YOU SCOUT FOR INSECT AND DISEASE PESTS, AND WE'VE BEEN GIVING YOU SORT OF A MID-SEASON UPDATE.

RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A TOUR OF OUR GARDEN FOR THAT MID-SEASON UPDATE TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED THAT'S GOING TO NEED OUR ATTENTION.

>> HERE WE ARE MID-SEASON, AND IT'S A GREAT TIME TO START TAKING STOCK OF WHAT YOUR GARDEN LOOKS LIKE.

WE'RE IN THE PERENNIAL SECTION IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, AND IF YOU'VE GOT PERENNIALS THAT HAVE DECIDED THEY'RE GOING TO PLANT THEMSELVES IN PLACES THAT ARE UNEXPECTED, THAT'S A GREAT SURPRISE.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER YOU WANT TO LEAVE THEM THERE.

HAVE YOU HAD PLANTS THAT HAVE SPREAD WAY TOO MUCH OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES?

DO YOU HAVE PERENNIALS THAT YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO INSERT INTO THE LANDSCAPE?

THAT GETS A LITTLE BIT TRICKY BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE ROOM FOR THEM, WHICH MEANS YOU'RE EITHER GOING TO HAVE TO REMOVE SOMETHING ELSE OR CUT SOMETHING ELSE BACK TO GET THOSE NEW ONES SLOTTED IN, AND THE WEATHER MIGHT NOT ACTUALLY COOPERATE WITH YOU.

SO THE LIATRIS, AS AN EXAMPLE, HAS COMPLETELY SPREAD INTO OUR GARDEN.

IT'S GORGEOUS.

THE ASTERS ARE ALSO GORGEOUS, BUT THEY HAVE SPREAD WAY BEYOND THEIR BOUNDARIES.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND WHEN.

WITH THIS PIECE OF THE GARDEN, WE FEEL THE PAIN OF ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN BATTLING WEEDS ALL SUMMER BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE TWO IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

AGAIN, THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE AGGRESSIVENESS OF SOME OF THE WEEDS, FIGURE OUT A STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH THEM COME FALL OR NEXT SPRING.

IF YOU CHOSE NOT TO USE CHEMICALS, WHICH WE HAVE DONE, AND YOU HAVE PULLED AND YOU HAVE PULLED AND YOU HAVE PULLED AND YOU HAVE SOIL KNIFED ALL THOSE WEEDS OUT, AND YET YOU RETURN ONE WEEK LATER AND THEY ARE ALL UP GROWING AND SMOTHERING EVERYTHING ELSE IN YOUR GARDEN.

YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A DIFFERENT STRATEGY THAT MAY BE JUST A WORKDAY THAT IS OVER THE TOP.

THINGS LIKE BINDWEED.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WE HAVE NEVER HAD THE PROBLEM WITH BINDWEED THAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR, AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE PLANTS UNDER THE BINDWEED THAT WE KIND OF FORGOT WERE THERE.

SO WHETHER IT'S THE GLOVE OF DEATH THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RESORT TO OR A LOT OF SWEAT EQUITY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET ON TOP OF THOSE WEEDS.

SPRING BULBS ARE A GREAT ADDITION TO ANY GARDEN, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF THEM IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, BUT WE DON'T MARK THEM.

WE KNOW WHERE OURS ARE, BUT YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE MARKED YOURS, AND YOU MIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN DIG INTO A SPOT WHERE THOSE BULBS LIVED.

HERE'S THE DEAL ON THAT.

MARK THEM NEXT SPRING WHEN THEY ARE IN FLOWER SO YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.

YOU CAN USE GOLF TEES.

YOU CAN USE MAPPING, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

BUT THE OTHER THING IS, IF YOU HAVE NOT YET ORDERED YOUR BULBS FOR FALL, OR YOU HAVE NOT PLANNED FOR WHERE YOU WANT THEM, THIS IS THE TIME TO DO THAT AS WELL.

SO YOU CAN ADD THOSE CLUMPS, THOSE CLUSTERS, THOSE MASSES AND SWEEPS OF THAT FABULOUS EARLY SPRING BEAUTY.

AND THEN OF COURSE, THE REST OF THE PERENNIALS OR THE ANNUALS WILL COVER THAT DYING FOLIAGE.

SO THOSE BULBS WILL COME BACK NEXT YEAR.

ANOTHER REALLY IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION THIS TIME OF YEAR IN YOUR GARDEN IS TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT WILL SEED ITSELF ALL OVER THE PLACE.

IF YOU DON'T CUT THOSE SEED HEADS OFF.

OUR VERVAIN IS ONE EXAMPLE.

ANOTHER THING TO PAY ATTENTION TO IS WHAT FLOPPED ALL OVER THE PLACE.

CAN YOU DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT NEXT YEAR SO THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN?

THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE BECAUSE WE CUT BACK THE CUP PLANT, WHICH IS NOW SHORTER, AND IT'S STILL GOING TO FLOWER A LITTLE BIT LATER.

WE DID NOT CUT BACK ITS COUSIN WHICH IS COMPASS PLANT, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S FLOPPING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

IT'S SORT OF INTERESTING, BUT IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T MAKE IT EASY TO WALK DOWN THE PATH.

AND THEN OF COURSE, WE HAVE SOME OF THE GRASSES LIKE DALLAS BLUES BEHIND US.

IF YOU DO NOT GIVE THEM A BEAUTIFUL CORSET THAT IS HIDDEN BY THE FOLIAGE, THEY ARE GOING TO BE ALL OVER THE PLACE AS WELL.

SO GREAT TIME TO PAY ATTENTION NOW TO WHAT IS GORGEOUS.

IT CAN BE EVEN MORE GORGEOUS NEXT YEAR IF YOU FIGURE OUT THE STRATEGY FOR MANAGING IT THIS FALL OR EARLY NEXT SPRING.

SO ALL THE TIME, IT'S GREAT TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AND ACTUALLY SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR HOME LANDSCAPE AND YOUR GARDENS.

KEEP EVERYTHING LOOKING BEAUTIFUL.

YOU ALSO GET A BETTER HANDLE ON INSECTS, DISEASES, WEEDS AND THEN YOUR GARDEN LOOKS BETTER AND YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT FOR NEXT YEAR.

ALL RIGHT.

NEXT QUESTIONS.

KAIT.

YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM MCCOOL JUNCTION.

EXCUSE ME.

SHE THINKS THIS IS A JUMPING WORM.

IS SHE RIGHT?

>> WELL, I'M UNFORTUNATELY NOT ABLE TO TELL FROM THE PICTURES, SO I DO RECOMMEND BRINGING IN A SAMPLE TO EITHER YOUR LOCAL EXTENSION OFFICE, OR IF YOU COULD GET A NICE PICTURE OF THE BAND THAT'S AROUND THE WORMS CALLED THE CLITELLUM, THAT HELPS US IDENTIFY IT AS A JUMPING WORM OR NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A JALAPENO AND SHE FOUND SHE'S CALLING THEM WHITE LARVA.

THEY'RE REALLY CUTE, BUT NOT LARVA YET.

>> NOT YET.

THESE ARE ACTUALLY THE EGGS OF THE BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUG.

SOMETIMES A PEST.

THEY DO FEED ON PLANTS.

THEY'RE MOSTLY ANNOYING IN THE LATE SUMMER OR FALL WHEN THEY TRY TO GET INSIDE OUR HOUSES.

I WOULD JUST SQUISH THEM.

REMOVE THEM IF YOU DON'T WANT THEM THERE.

OTHERWISE THEY'RE NOT TOO BIG OF AN ISSUE.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

KAIT, THIS IS AN ACREAGE IN LINCOLN.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS MASSIVE CLUSTER OF CATERPILLARS IS ON THE TRUNK OF HIS WALNUT.

WILL IT HURT THE TREE?

AND SHOULD HE CUT THE TREE DOWN?

>> THIS IS A REALLY COOL PICTURE.

I THINK THESE ARE COOL INSECTS.

THESE ARE THE CATERPILLARS OF THE WALNUT MOTH, APPROPRIATELY NAMED.

BUT THE THING THAT'S COOL ABOUT THESE, AS YOU'RE SEEING IN THE PICTURE, IS, AS THEY GET READY TO SHED THEIR EXOSKELETON AND MOLT, THEY'LL ACTUALLY COME DOWN TO THE BASE OF THE TREE AND MASS.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

THEY DO FEED ON THE TREE LEAVES.

MAJORITY OF THE TIME THEY'RE NOT GOING TO REACH PEST LEVELS, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A MATURE TREE THAT CAN BOUNCE BACK.

SO NO NEED TO CUT THE TREE DOWN IF YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT STAND THE CATERPILLARS AS THEY COME DOWN, YOU CAN JUST SIMPLY REMOVE THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM GERING.

HE HAS THESE TOMATOES.

IT'S A POTTED PATIO PLANT.

GOT THESE FUNKY BROWN SPOTS ON THEM.

THEY ALMOST LOOK LIKE SCRATCHES.

HE DID USE 7RTU 5%.

>> SO I DON'T THINK THIS IS INSECT RELATED.

I REALLY DON'T SEE ANY HOLES OR CATFACING.

I WILL SAY THOUGH, THAT WHEN IT COMES TO ANY SORT OF PESTS OR ISSUES WITH PLANTS, IT'S REALLY GOOD TO IDENTIFY WHAT'S CAUSING IT BEFORE WE APPLY A PESTICIDE.

SO IN THIS CASE, LIKE SEVEN CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO POLLINATORS.

SO IF WE DIDN'T NEED TO APPLY IT DON'T I MIGHT DEFER TO THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE PANEL TO TELL YOU WHAT THIS IS.

COULD IT BE BACTERIAL?

COULD IT BE HEAT STRESS?

I DON'T REALLY KNOW.

BUT YEAH, IT'S AT LEAST NOT INSECT RELATED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KAIT.

OKAY, DENNIS, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN EXETER VIEWER.

SHE CAUGHT A PICTURE OF A SNAKE IN THE DAYLILIES.

SHE LOVES.

IT ACTUALLY STARTED TO TURN AROUND AND THEN STOPPED AND POSED FOR HER IN THE DAYLILIES.

SO WHAT IS HE AND IS THIS A GREAT PERSON?

>> YEAH IT'S A GREAT PICTURE.

IT'S A PLAINS GARTER SNAKE, THAMNOPHIS RADIX.

AND WHENEVER I PLANT OR BUILD A SNAKE HIBERNACULUM, WHICH I DO IN ALL MY YARDS, I ALWAYS PLANT DAYLILIES AROUND IT BECAUSE THEY SEEM I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT GARTER SNAKES SEEM TO LOVE BUNCHES OF DAYLILIES AND THEY SEND THEMSELVES ON IT, SO THEY'RE JUST BEING THEMSELVES.

AND IT LOOKS GREAT TO ME.

>> OKAY, TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PAPILLION CREEK IN PAPILLION.

FOUND THIS QUICK LITTLE GUY ON A CONCRETE BLOCK WALL, VERY SKITTISH.

WHAT IS HE?

>> YEAH, IT'S A REAL IT'S DARK FOR IT'S JUVENILE AND IT'S DARK.

IT'S THE NORTHERN PRAIRIE SKINK.

AND THEY'RE FOUND IN SARPY COUNTY, AND THEY'RE USUALLY NOT THIS DARK AND THEY'RE USUALLY STRIPED.

THEY HAD A BECAUSE IT'S SO YOUNG AND SO DARK, I HAD TO BLOW IT UP TO COUNT THAT IT HAS SEVEN AND NOT FIVE LINES ON IT, BUT IT HAS SEVEN LINES.

THAT MAKES IT A NORTHERN PRAIRIE SKINK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS NEAR SWEDESBURG USED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MICE AND NOW HE'S GOT SNAKES INSTEAD.

THIS SKIN, HE SAID, MEASURES 48IN LONG.

HE ASSUMED IT WAS A BULL SNAKE.

HE'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW OLD AND HOW LONG THE SNAKE WOULD CONTINUE TO HELP HIM OUT.

>> OKAY, SO A LOT OF QUESTIONS THERE.

ONE, THE SNAKE IS NOT 40IN LONG BECAUSE THE SKIN IS ALWAYS WAY LONGER WHEN THEY SHE, BECAUSE THEIR SCALES OVERLAP.

AND WHEN THEY SHED, THE SCALES PULL APART.

SO A SNAKE THAT MEASURED 48IN IS PROBABLY ONLY 36IN IN REAL LIFE.

THE OTHER THING IS IT LOOKS MORE LIKE A RACER.

I COULDN'T IT'S DEFINITELY NOT A BULL SNAKE.

THE CONFIGURATIONS IN THE SCALE TYPE ARE NOT THAT IT COULD BE A RACER, OR IT COULD BE A VERY LARGE GARTER SNAKE, BUT I'M GOING TO GO WITH A YELLOWBELLY RACER, BUT IT DOES SEEM TO HAVE A DARK SIDE TO IT, SO IT'S HARD TO TELL.

THE RACER WOULD EAT SMALL RODENTS.

HOW LONG WOULD A BULL, SNAKE OR A RACER STAY THERE UNTIL THE RODENTS ARE GONE?

THEN IT'S GOING TO MOVE ON.

SO AGE I CAN'T TELL IT'S FULL GROWN, WHICH MEANS IT'S OVER FIVE YEARS OLD, BUT THEY LIVE TO 20 TO 25 YEARS, SO I CAN'T TELL YOU IF IT IF IT'S FIVE, TEN, 15, 20.

>> THANKS, DENNIS.

ONE MORE.

AND THIS IS.

LOOK WHAT THE CAT BROUGHT IN.

WHAT IS IT?

>> IT'S A SHREW.

YOU CAN TELL BY THE PURPLE TEETH.

SHREWS EAT OTHER RODENTS.

THEIR SOLITAIRE, AND THEY USE THE HOLE OF OTHER RODENTS.

AND AS YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, SHREWS ARE GREAT FOR GETTING MICE OUT OF YOUR HOUSE.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ALWAYS SAY?

THERE'S NO TAMING OF THE SHREW, SO>> ALL RIGHT.E THEM TO GET RID OF THE MICE.

>> I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

>> AMY.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS.

FIRST ONE.

THIS CAME TO US FROM DOUGLAS SARPY, MASTER GARDENER.

I KNOW YOU WENT BACK AND FORTH AS PATHOLOGISTS ON WHAT THIS REALLY IS.

THEY SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS ON THIS TOMATO.

>> SO WE'RE DOWN TO TWO THINGS.

IT LOOKS LIKE ADVANTAGEOUS ROOTS THAT IT'S TRYING TO PRODUCE NEW ROOTS.

BUT KYLE ALSO SAID HE HAS SEEN BACTERIAL CANKER DO THE EXACT SAME THING.

SO THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE IS SEND IT IN TO THE LAB FOR KYLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A AN EARLY GIRL.

THE VINE IS HEALTHY.

SHE'S ALL SORTS OF THINGS IN THIS ONE.

BUT THE FRUITS SHOW NO SIGNS EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE.

HE THINKS IT'S TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS.

>> IT IS ONE OF THE TOMATO VIRUSES.

IT'S HARD TO SAY JUST LOOKING AT IT.

YOU CAN STILL EAT THE FRUIT IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT IT MOVING.

YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND REMOVE THE PLANT, BUT THROW IT IN THE TRASH AND NOT THE COMPOST BECAUSE THE INSECTS CAN MOVE IT BACK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PIC ON THIS ONE.

WONDERING WHY THE TOMATO PLANT LEAVES ARE TURNING YELLOW.

SHE DIDN'T TELL US WHAT KIND OF PLANT SHE THINKS IT'S.

FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM SOMETHING OR OTHER.

>> SO WHEN I BLOW IT UP, I AM ABLE TO SEE EARLY BLIGHT, WHICH IS ALTERNARIA STARTS AT THE BOTTOM.

WORK ITS WAY UP.

YOU HAVE PLENTY OF FOLIAGE ON THAT PLANT.

JUST PICK OFF THOSE YELLOW LEAVES THAT WILL HELP SLOW IT DOWN.

AND I KNOW, JUST LIKE TERRI SAID, WE CAN'T CONTROL MOTHER NATURE, BUT TRY TO WATER FROM THE BOTTOM UNTIL WE GET THOSE WONDERFUL RAIN EVENTS.

>> EXCELLENT.

AND FROM NORFOLK, THIS, SHE'S WONDERING, IS THIS BLACK ROT ON GRAPES AND WHAT TO DO?

>> I'M SORRY TO TELL YOU, IT IS BLACK ROT ON GRAPES.

THE BIG TRICK WITH GRAPES AND ANY OF THE FRUITS.

WE NEED TO FOLLOW THOSE SPRAY SCHEDULES ACCORDING TO THE LABEL OR ACCORDING TO THE BOOKS.

AND THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF RAIN EVENTS, ESPECIALLY IN NORFOLK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT, TERRI.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY FIVE PICTURES FROM LINCOLN AND RURAL WESTERN OTOE COUNTY.

YOU GET THEM THIS TIME BECAUSE THIS IS BLOSSOM END ROT.

>> SO.

>> YEAH, THIS IS BLOSSOM END ROT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SEE PRETTY FREQUENTLY THIS TIME OF YEAR.

LOTS OF TIMES.

THE FIRST SET OF FRUITS, YOU SEE IT IN THIS NEXT SET IS ACTUALLY INTERNAL BLOSSOM END ROT.

SO YOU CAN SEE IT ON THE EXTERIOR SOMETIMES ON THE INTERIOR, USUALLY KIND OF THE WAY TO MANAGE IT IS JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE FREQUENT WATER, CONSISTENT WATERING.

DON'T LET IT DRY OUT.

DON'T LET IT GET TOO WET AND DRY.

WET, DRY WET IS REALLY THE WORST THING FOR IT.

SO JUST REALLY GOOD MANAGEMENT.

>> AND NOT TASTY WHEN YOU CUT INTO THAT.

>> NO, NO, BUT YOU CAN EAT THE REST OF IT.

THE INTERNAL ONE I'D PROBABLY THROW AWAY, BUT THE OTHER ONE YOU CAN JUST CUT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE AND YOU GET THIS ONE BECAUSE WE HAVE RHUBARB IN OUR GARDEN.

WHAT HAPPENED, DO YOU THINK.

>> I DON'T KNOW, THIS COULD BE MOISTURE.

I WOULD PROBABLY MAKE SURE THAT ALL THAT GRASS IS AWAY FROM THAT.

IT'S PROBABLY PLANTED TOO DEEP.

RHUBARB DOESN'T REALLY LIKE TO BE PLANTED VERY DEEP EITHER.

SO REMOVE THE GRASS, PUT SOME MULCH ON IT, AND GET RID OF ALL THE DEAD LEAVES.

AND AGAIN, CAN'T STOP THE RAIN.

BUT DON'T OVERWATER IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE MORE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHY HIS PEACH TREE SPLIT.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAD FRUIT ON IT.

MY GUESS IS IF YOU DIDN'T THIN THE FRUIT OUT, IT COULD HAVE BEEN TOO HEAVY.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN A POOR CONNECTION AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER.

SO I COULDN'T REALLY.

I LOOKED AND I COULDN'T FOR SURE TELL, BUT REALLY, WE VERY WELL RECOMMEND THINNING OUT THOSE FRUITS.

SO THOSE FRUIT TREES, BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE TOO MUCH ON IT, IT WILL CRACK.

WE HAVE DONE THAT IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

SO THEN THE FRUITS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

WELL, WE NEED TO TAKE A BREAK.

BUT BEFORE THAT, LET'S HEAR FROM GANNON RUSH FROM THE HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER TO SEE WHAT NEXT WEEK'S WEATHER WILL BE LIKE.

>> THANKS, KIM.

WE HAVE A PLEASANT WEEK AHEAD OF US.

TEMPERATURES ON FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY WILL BE IN THE 70S, EAST AND NORTH PLATTE, WHILE AREAS TO THE WEST WILL BE IN THE 80S AND MAYBE INTO THE 90S.

ON TUESDAY, THINGS WILL HEAT UP WITH THE ENTIRE STATE BEING IN THE MID 80S AND WARMER.

WEDNESDAY LOOKS TO BE THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE WEEK, BUT THANKFULLY IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ANYWHERE WE'LL HIT TRIPLE DIGITS.

LOOKING FURTHER OUT, THE FRONT HALF OF AUGUST LOOKS TO BE WARMER THAN NORMAL.

THE RAIN FORECAST FOR THIS WEEK IS PROMISING, WITH THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS BEING AROUND AN INCH AND A HALF UP IN THE O'NEILL AREA.

STORMS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE OVER THE WEEKEND, SO HOPEFULLY YOU GET SOME RAIN OUT OF THIS.

OUT WEST, SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD HAVE SEVERE WEATHER AND HEAVY RAINFALL, BUT NOTHING TOO CONCERNING.

AFTER THIS.

IT SHOULD BE PRETTY QUIET UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEK OF WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU, KIM.

>> THANKS, GANNON.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT SHORT BREAK.

COMING UP.

WE HAVE THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK AND THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

THERE'S MUCH MORE BACKYARD FARMER RIGHT AFTER THIS.

[Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] WELCOME BACK TO BACKYARD FARMER.

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'LL SHOW YOU THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO BEETLES, WHERE ONE IS RELATIVELY HARMLESS AND THE OTHER WILL EAT ANYTHING.

YOU CAN STILL CALL IN A QUESTION TO OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS AT 1(800) 676-5446.

SEND US THOSE PICTURES AND EMAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU AND OF COURSE, RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

ARE YOU READY, TERRI?

>> SURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES FROM HICKMAN.

BEAUTIFUL BUSH BEANS.

THEY'RE FLOWERING GREAT.

AND THERE ARE NO BEANS.

>> ARE IT'S PROBABLY HEAT RELATED.

SO NOW THAT IT'S COOLER, YOU SHOULD BE READY TO GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A NORFORK VIEWER.

THEY PLANTED SWEET 100 CHERRY TOMATOES.

BUT THE TOP OF EVERY SINGLE TOMATO IS BLACK.

IS THAT OKAY?

IS THAT STILL SWEET?

100.

AND ARE THEY OKAY TO EAT?

>> I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT IT FOR SURE, BUT THERE ACTUALLY ARE A COUPLE CHERRY TOMATOES THAT KIND OF HAVE BLACK SHOULDERS, SO IT KIND OF COULD HAVE BEEN MISLABELED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS AN ELKHORN VIEWER THAT HAS CUCUMBERS FOR CUKES.

THEY'RE GROWING.

THEY'RE FLOWERING.

HE HAS ONE CUCUMBER.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT.

>> AGAIN A HEAT RELATED.

BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY TELL IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET CUCUMBERS OR NOT BY IF YOU LOOK AT THE RIGHT BEHIND THE FLOWER, IF IT'S KIND OF GOT LIKE A LITTLE KIND OF BUMP BEHIND IT, THAT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE A FRUIT.

IF IT'S JUST STRAIGHT INTO THE FLOWER, THEN THAT'S THE MALE FLOWER.

AND THAT'S JUST GOING TO BE THE POLLEN FOR THE FOR THE FEMALE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO LEADERS IN A YOUNG COFFEE TREE.

SHOULD ONE BE CUT OFF NOW OR SHOULD THEY WAIT.

>> I WOULD I WOULD PROBABLY WAIT TILL WINTER.

AND THEN YOU'D ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO SEE THE WHOLE STRUCTURE AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE GETTING THE RIGHT ONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB AMY.

READY?

>> YES.

>> THIS IS AN ASHLAND VIEWER THAT HAS A FIVE YEAR OLD PEAR TREE.

AND SOME OF THE BRANCHES ARE TURNING BLACK.

>> WE'RE MOST LIKELY LOOKING AT FIRE BLIGHT.

YOU NEED TO PRUNE THEM BACK EIGHT INCHES OR 12, 8 TO 12IN.

STERILIZE BETWEEN EVERY CUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A HUMBOLDT VIEWER WHO HAS A MUSHROOM AT THE BASE OF AN OLD MULBERRY TREE.

HE WANTS TO KNOW IF HE SHOULD REMOVE THIS SURFACE GROWTH, IF THAT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE.

>> REMOVING THE MUSHROOM WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IT IS AN INDICATION OF INTERNAL ROT OF THAT MULBERRY.

SO TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE IT'S AT AND YOU MAY NEED TO REMOVE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE WHO HAS AN OOZING HOLE IN A MULBERRY, AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEY SHOULD TREAT THAT OOZING HOLE WITH.

>> CUT DOWN THE MULBERRY MULBERRIES ARE A DIME A DOZEN.

DON'T TREAT IT WITH ANYTHING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAYS, WE SAID BOLETES ONLY OCCUR ON ASH.

THEY SAY THEY'RE FINDING BOLETES IN A LOCATION WHERE THEY HAVE KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE AND MAPLES.

>> THAT'S A GOOD POSSIBILITY.

THERE'S SEVERAL SPECIES OUT THERE.

WE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

NICE JOB.

DENNIS.

READY?

>> YEP.

>> OKAY.

YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM SAINT PAUL, NEBRASKA.

THEY ARE USING CASTOR OIL PLUS DISH SOAP TO GET RID OF MOLES.

SPRAYING IT ALL OVER.

AND THEY WONDER, DOES THE SMELL DETER THEM?

>> YES, BUT IT'S HOW THEY SMELL IT, NOT HOW WE SMELL IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO IF IT IS A FRAGRANCE FREE CASTOR OIL, WILL THAT STILL.

>> BE UNREFINED CASSEROLE?

>> ALL RIGHT.

ARE PELLETS OF CASTOR OIL POSSIBLE.

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO HAD A SQUIRREL THAT CHEWED HER GARAGE.

SHE CAUGHT HIM IN THE ACTION.

HOW CAN SHE DETER THE SQUIRREL?

>> CAYENNE PEPPER MIXED WITH VEGETABLE OIL SPRAY IN THAT SPOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A BELLEVUE VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE ARE KINGSNAKES IN NEBRASKA.

>> KINGSNAKES.

THERE'S THREE TYPES THE MILK SNAKE, SPECKLED KINGSNAKE, AND THE PRAIRIE KINGSNAKE.

>> SO THE ANSWER IS YES.

ALL RIGHT.

AN ADAMS COUNTY VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW IF A BAT CAN BITE A PERSON IF IT FLIES BY THEM.

IN OTHER WORDS, CAN IT BITE ON THE FLY.

>> NO NOT REALLY.

IT CAN ACTUALLY RUN INTO YOU, BUT IT CAN'T BITE ON THE FLY.

ALL RIGHT >> IT CAN EAT ON THE FLY, THOUGH.

>> A PAPILLION VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S UP WITH A CARDINAL THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY FEATHERS ON THE TOP OF ITS HEAD.

>> PROBABLY FALL NIGHTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

OKAY, KAIT.

>> SURE.

LET'S GO.

>> THIS IS YOUR FIRST ONE.

COMES TO US FROM A JEFFERSON COUNTY VIEWER.

THEY FOUND A LONG GRAY BUG ON THEIR YELLOW SQUASH.

ANY IDEA WHAT THAT MIGHT BE?

>> GOOD CHANCE.

IT'S A SQUASH BUG.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THEIR SECOND QUESTION IS, WHATEVER IT IS, WHAT DO THEY DO ABOUT IT?

>> IF IT WAS JUST THE ONE, YOU CAN VACUUM THEM UP, GET RID OF THEM OR DIATOMACEOUS EARTH IF THERE'S A LOT OF THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WONDERS THEY'VE ACTUALLY USED FLOUR FOR ORGANIC GRASSHOPPER CONTROL.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE FLOUR HAS ANY INSECTICIDAL PROPERTIES, SO I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE BOTH A COLUMBUS VIEWER AND A FULLERTON VIEWER WONDERING HOW DO YOU PREVENT JAPANESE BEETLES?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

YOU COULD TRY DOING GRUB CONTROL, BUT JAPANESE BEETLES CAN FLY IN FROM A LONG WAY AWAY.

YOU JUST KIND OF HAVE TO STAY ON TOP OF IT.

AND IF YOU NEED TO DO A SPRAY SCHEDULE, START EARLY AND DO IT EVERY WEEK TO TWO WEEKS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE AN ALUM, A UNL ALUM WHO IS NOW IN VIRGINIA.

SHE WONDERS IF YOU DIG UP YOUR RAISED BEDS AFTER THE SEASON IS OVER AND GET RID OF ANY JUMPING WORMS.

DOES THAT DO ANY GOOD?

>> SURE.

I MEAN, IF YOU GET RID OF THE SOIL, YOU'LL BE GETTING RID OF THE WORMS TOO, I SUPPOSE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> NICE JOB.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE KAIT AND DENNIS TIED.

JUST DENNIS.

JUST DENNIS.

>> OKAY.

>> SORRY.

>> SECOND PLACE.

I'M OKAY WITH THAT.

>> I'LL SHARE IT.

>> WELL, EARLIER IN THE SHOW, WE TOOK A TOUR AROUND THE GARDEN TO SEE WHAT PROBLEMS NEED OUR ATTENTION.

RIGHT NOW, TERRI'S GOING TO FEATURE AN ALL-AMERICA SELECTION THAT YOU'LL WANT TO TRY OUT.

AND IT'S IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

>> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, WE ARE LOOKING AT A NEW VEGETABLE FOR THE ALL-AMERICA SELECTION 2025 GROUP.

AND THIS ONE IS A PEPPER CALLED PEPPER PICK AND POP YELLOW.

SO THIS ONE IS ONE OF THOSE SMALLER ONES THAT ARE REALLY GOOD.

IT'S GOING TO BE A SWEET PEPPER.

THEY ARE ALL GREEN RIGHT NOW AND THEY ARE JUST STARTING TO TURN YELLOW.

WE'VE BEEN LEAVING THEM ON THE PLANT TO TURN YELLOW BUT WE COULDN'T WAIT.

WE DID HAVE TO TRY SOME WHILE THEY WERE STILL GREEN.

THEY WERE SWEET.

BUT OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, AS THOSE PEPPERS MATURE AND TURN COLORS, THEY WILL GET MUCH SWEETER.

SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

ACCORDING TO ALL OF THE JUDGES, THEY ALL SAID THAT THESE WERE EXTRA SWEET, JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CRUNCHINESS.

VERY PROLIFIC.

IT'S NOT GETTING VERY TALL.

IT'S ONLY ABOUT 24IN, VERY COMPACT AND THE FRUIT SIZES ARE ABOUT FOUR INCHES LONG.

AND ACCORDING TO WHAT THE JUDGES SAY, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE BETWEEN 50 AND 100 FRUITS PER PLANT.

SO TRY THIS NEW PEPPER NEXT YEAR IN YOUR GARDEN.

PICK AND POP YELLOW AND STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN THIS WEEK TO CHECK IT OUT.

>> IT'S NICE TO HAVE ANOTHER SWEET PEPPER IN THE GARDEN, AND IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE IT'S TAKING OFF.

TERRI.

WITH THAT, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS TWIRLING BECAUSE IT'S SO COOL.

>> SO THIS IS A TRIO OF CLEMATIS.

WE'RE GOING TO START AT THE VERY TOP ONE.

SO THIS ONE THE PURPLE ONE IS CHINA PURPLE.

AND THEN WE'LL MOVE TO THE YELLOW ONE.

AND THAT ONE IS MONGOLIAN GOLD.

AND THEN THE PRETTY WHITE ONE IS MRS. ROBERT BIDON.

>> BRYDEN.

>> BRYDON CAN'T READ HER WRITING.

THEY'RE REALLY GREAT.

THEY'RE ALL KIND OF A SHRUB LIKE ONE.

THEY GET TO BE 3 TO 4 FOOT HIGH AND WIDE.

THEY'RE VERY, VERY HARDY.

AND THEY'LL TAKE A PART SUN TO FULL SUN.

SO A GREAT ADDITION TO GET IN YOUR GARDEN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH TERRI.

AND THEY ARE REALLY QUITE DIFFERENT FROM OUR USUAL CLEMATIS.

SO GIVE THEM A SHOT.

ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE WONDERFUL ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THINGS GOING ON IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

AS ALWAYS.

OUR FIRST ONE IS THE 2025 RHIZOMES IRIS RHIZOME PLANT SALE AUGUST 3RD, 10 TO 4 LAURITZEN GARDENS AT THE OMAHA BOTANICAL CENTER IN OMAHA.

AND OF COURSE, THAT WILL BE WONDERFUL FOR ANYBODY WHO LOVES THE IRIS.

THE SECOND IS THAT WE HAVE A DISCOVERY DAYS.

THIS IS OUR LAST DISCOVERY DAYS ON EAST CAMPUS.

SATURDAY THE NINTH FROM 10 A.M. TO 1 P.M. ALL SORTS OF WONDERFUL THINGS GOING ON EAST CAMPUS.

ALL RIGHT, KAIT, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

HE WANTS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING ON HIS PEACHES.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THEY'VE GOTTEN THE PEACHES AND DEVASTATED.

HE WANTS TO KNOW IF HE SHOULD TREAT IN THE SPRING WITH COPPER OR SOMETHING.

>> SO THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT INSECTS THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THIS.

I WOULD JUST FOLLOW THOSE FRUIT TREE SCAPES, FRUIT TREE SPRAY SCHEDULES THAT WERE MENTIONED EARLIER, AND THE BEST TIME TO SPRAY IS AFTER 90% OF THE PETALS HAVE FALLEN.

AND THEN YOU'LL HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN TEN DAYS LATER, AND THEN DO IT AGAIN LATER.

SO JUST FOLLOW THOSE SCHEDULES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

HERE WE GO WITH UNDERSIDE OF MAGNOLIA HAS WHITE BLOBS.

AND THEN THE LEAVES ARE TURNING BLACK.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS MAGNOLIA SCALE.

SO THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE BEST TIME TO TREAT IS COMING UP AUGUST THROUGH SEPTEMBER.

OR WHEN THOSE CRAWLERS ARE GOING TO BE OUT.

SO YOU CAN USE INSECTICIDAL SOAP HORTICULTURAL OIL.

AND THEN YOU CAN USE THOSE ALL UP UNTIL FREEZE.

AND THEN ONCE IT GETS COLD, YOU CAN USE DORMANT OILS UNTIL BUD BREAK.

AND EVEN IF YOU NEED TO, YOU CAN HAVE A PROFESSIONAL DO A SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDE.

THERE'S A LOT OF OPTIONS OUT THERE.

JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT IT CAN BE AN UPHILL BATTLE WHEN IT COMES TO MAGNOLIA SCALE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND IN NORFOLK THIS IS TWO PICTURES.

THESE BEETLE LIKE INSECTS CRAWLING ON THE CONCORD AND NIAGARA GRAPES.

WHAT ARE THEY.

AND ARE THEY GOING TO DO A LOT OF DAMAGE.

>> SO THESE ARE GRAPEVINE BEETLES.

THEY DO FEED ON THE GRAPES, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THEY DON'T REALLY CAUSE ANY DAMAGE TO REQUIRED TREATMENT.

BUT IF YOU WANTED TO, YOU CAN JUST PICK THEM OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE FROM BLAIR, HE SAYS HE SAW THIS FLY SITTING ON THE SIDE OF HIS HOUSE.

AND FOR SCALE, HE SAID THE MORTAR JOINT IS HALF AN INCH WIDE.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS ISN'T A FLY.

IT'S JUST A BUMBLEBEE TAKING A LITTLE BIT OF REST.

WE DO GET SOME FLIES THAT MIMIC BEES, BUT THIS ONE IS A BUMBLEBEE.

>> ALL RIGHT DENNIS, THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PONCA HILLS.

THEY'RE IN THE COUNTRY.

THEY'VE DISCOVERED THESE HOLES.

LARGER ONES STARTED OUT SMALLER AND THEN IT GOT BIGGER.

AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER SMALLER ONE.

AND THEY WONDER WHAT WOULD DO THIS.

>> BEING IN THAT AREA, EASTERN PART OF THE STATE, I WOULD SAY FRANKLIN'S GROUND SQUIRREL.

IT'S RELATED TO THE 13 LINED GROUND SQUIRREL, BUT IT LOOKS MORE LIKE A RAT SHAPED ANIMAL.

AND IT'S CHECKERED.

AND THEY USUALLY DO OPEN HOLES LIKE THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM RURAL STROMSBURG.

SHE FORGOT WHAT THE ANSWER WAS ON THIS.

SHE HAS A COUPLE ABOUT TEN OF THESE HOLES IN THE YARD.

SOME ARE EIGHT INCHES ACROSS, OTHERS ARE A COUPLE INCHES.

SOME ARE DEEPER THAN THE OTHERS.

>> OKAY, THE FIRST ONE IS THE CICADA KILLER.

DEFINITELY.

THIS ONE COULD BE A FOX OR A WOODCHUCK.

SO THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

THE BIGGER ONES ARE ONE THING AND THAT OTHER ONE IS DEFINITELY A CICADA KILLER BECAUSE THE GRANULATION AND THE SIZE OF IT.

SO THOSE ARE NOT RELATED.

THOSE TWO PICTURES WHATSOEVER.

ALL RIGHT.

BUT I THINK IT MIGHT BE A SMALL FOX OR EVEN A SMALLER WOODCHUCK BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF DIRT IN THAT SECOND PICTURE.

>> OKAY, TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A PROSSER, NEBRASKA VIEWER.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS DIGGING IN THE AREA WHERE THE DEAD SHRUBS WERE REMOVED.

AND THEN IS THAT FOX SCAT?

I THINK THAT'S OUR NEXT PICTURE.

>> YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE FOX SCAT.

THE ONLY THING THAT COULD BE SIMILAR TO THAT, BECAUSE IT'S POINTING AT ONE END AND DARK WOULD BE OPOSSUM.

OPOSSUM WOULD NOT DIG A HOLE AS MUCH AS DIG UP GRUBS AND STUFF THAT MIGHT BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE OLD STUMP, BUT A FOX WOULD ALSO GO AFTER GRUBS, SO IT'S HARD TO SAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE.

AND THIS IS BEEN LEFT ON TOP OF A STORAGE BOX.

BESIDES BEING CAREFUL TO GET RID OF IT, WHY DID THEY POOP ON THE STORAGE BOX?

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, IT'S PRETTY GOOD.

I LIKE THE WAY IT'S CONFIGURED.

THAT'S A NICE SCAT.

>> ONLY YOU.

>> IT MUST HAVE A TIGHT RECTUM, THE WAY IT'S NICE AND POINTED.

THAT COULD BE AGAIN, FOX OR OPOSSUM.

I'M GOING TO GO WITH OPOSSUM JUST BECAUSE THEY LIKE THE BOX.

>> OKAY.

THREE PICTURES FOR YOU AMY.

IF YOU CAN STOP GIGGLING.

>> I KNOW.

>> SO SHE'S WONDERING WHAT'S HAPPENED TO HER HAWTHORN THIS YEAR.

SHE DOES SPRAY FOR ONE DONE AND SHE'S WONDERING, IS IT ALL JUST RUST AND OR DID WAS TIMING WRONG?

>> TIMING WAS WRONG.

AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, WE DO HAVE CEDAR HAWTHORN RUST, ESPECIALLY ON THE FRUITS.

TIMING WAS JUST OFF AND WITH THE WET SPRING IT WAS HARD TO GET THAT SECOND APPLICATION IN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A LAWRENCE VIEWER.

THREE PICTURES ON THIS.

SHE'S THE TREE IS OVER 30 YEARS OLD.

LAST YEAR THE LEAVES GOT SPOTS TURNED COLOR AND STARTED FALLING OFF.

IN JULY THIS YEAR THE LEAVES WERE, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT SHORT AND THEN SOME WERE BETTER.

AND NOW THEY IT'S DOING THE SAME THING.

>> DOING THE EXACT SAME THING.

WE HAVE THE TRADITIONAL APPLE SCAB HERE.

CRABAPPLES ARE VERY NOTORIOUS FOR GETTING THIS.

YOU CAN SPRAY WITH THE SPRAY A FUNGICIDE, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT AS THE LEAVES ARE EMERGING AT BUDBREAK.

SO AND THE OTHER TRICK IS THERE LOOKED LIKE THERE WAS JUST SOME GENERAL DECLINE TO OF THE TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE HERE.

THIS IS FROM BEATRICE PRAIRIE ASPEN PRAIRIE GOLD PLANTED TWO YEARS AGO.

BLACK SPOTS ON THE LEAVES.

IS THERE A TREATMENT FOR IT?

>> THERE ISN'T A TREATMENT FOR THIS ONE.

IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF ANTHRACNOSE.

THE BIGGEST THING I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND IS, SINCE IT'S IN MIDDLE OF THAT BED, MAKING SURE WE'RE GETTING AMPLE WATER, AND IF IT HAS BEEN GETTING AMPLE WATER, MAKING SURE THE CROWN ISN'T TOO WET.

AND IF YOU NEED TO PULL BACK SOME MULCH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE.

THIS IS A GRETNA VIEWER.

HE SAYS IDENTIFY THESE PLEASE.

THEY'RE GROWING ON THREE LAYERS OF MULCH.

>> I COULDN'T IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHAT TYPE OF MUSHROOM IT IS.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL MUSHROOM THAT IS BREAKING DOWN ALL THAT BEAUTIFUL ORGANIC MATTER INTO NITROGEN FOR YOUR PLANTS TO USE LATER.

>> ON.

>> AND DON'T EAT IT.

>> YES, AND DON'T EAT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES HERE ON THIS.

FIRST ONE, THIS COMES TO US FROM REMBRANDT, IOWA, NORTHWEST IOWA.

FERN LEAF PEONY.

SHE DID TRANSPLANT.

IT BLOOMED BEAUTIFULLY IN THE OLD YARD.

LOTS OF BUDS.

NOW THEY'VE PUT IT.

IT WAS ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

NOW IT'S ON THE WEST SIDE.

SHE WONDERS WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

>> OH, THERE COULD BE A FEW THINGS AGAIN, LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT THE RHUBARB.

THEY DON'T LIKE TO BE PLANTED TOO DEEP, SO YOU COULD POTENTIALLY PLANTED IT A LITTLE TOO DEEP.

IT DOES LIKE FULL SUN, BUT FULL SUN ON ONE SIDE OF THE HOUSE MAY BE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AND HOTTER THAN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

I WOULD PROBABLY ALSO ADD SOME COMPOST AROUND THAT TO HELP KEEP THE WEEDS AND STUFF DOWN.

JUST DON'T OVERWATER IT.

AND AGAIN, IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO THAT WHEN IT RAINS ALL THE TIME NOW.

>> ALL RIGHT TWO PICKS ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A HIBISCUS THAT IS FALLING DOWN LIKE THIS.

HE DID SAY THAT THIS IS KIND OF THE FIRST YEAR THAT'S HAPPENED.

IT'S A VERY OLD PLANT.

AND THEN IT'S GOT BUDS THAT LOOK A LITTLE ODDBALL.

>> YEAH.

SO THE SO WE'LL ADDRESS THE FIRST PART OF THE QUESTION FIRST.

AGAIN IT'S BEEN RAINING A LOT.

YOU HAVE THE DOWNSPOUT RIGHT THERE.

MY GUESS IS THAT IT'S JUST TOO WET.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT I COULDN'T QUITE TELL.

IT COULD BE EITHER FASCIATION OR IT COULD BE A HERBICIDE DRIFT ON THE BUDS.

SO WITHOUT SEEING KIND OF THE BACK SIDE OF THAT, I COULDN'T TELL FOR SURE.

>> BUT ALL RIGHT, THREE PICKS ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN OLD REDBUD AND IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.

AND THEN THE TREE ITSELF IS FAILING.

BUT SHE'S GOT SOME SUCKERS COMING UP.

CAN SHE GO AHEAD AND TRY TO GET A SUCKER TO GIVE HER A NEW REDBUD?

>> YEAH.

SO THIS WINTER YOU COULD GO AHEAD AND CUT SOME OF THOSE OLD BRANCHES OUT OR OLD STEMS OUT AND SEE IF YOU CAN'T GET THOSE NEWER ONES TO REJUVENATE FOR YOU.

AND I'VE DONE IT A COUPLE TIMES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WELL, OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WE'VE SEEN A LOT MORE JAPANESE BEETLES BUZZING AROUND IN OUR GARDEN.

AND SO OF OUR VIEWERS, THERE'S A SIMILAR LOOKING BEETLE THAT WE'VE HAD A FEW QUESTIONS ON.

AND FOR A SECOND FEATURE TONIGHT, KAIT IS GOING TO HELP US FIGURE OUT WHICH ONE IS WHICH.

>> BY NOW, MANY OF US ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE JAPANESE BEETLE, AN INVASIVE SPECIES OF INSECT THAT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE IN BOTH OUR LANDSCAPES AND IN OUR GARDENS.

BUT THERE'S ANOTHER SPECIES OF INSECT THAT IS OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR A GIANT JAPANESE BEETLE DUE TO ITS SIZE AND COLOR.

THE GREEN JUNE BEETLE.

GREEN JUNE BEETLES ARE ACTUALLY A NATIVE SPECIES OF SCARAB BEETLE, AND WHILE THEY DO FEED ON PLANTS AND CAN CAUSE SOME DAMAGE, THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS BETWEEN THE TWO.

IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR FIRST.

THEIR APPEARANCE GREEN JUNE BEETLES ARE BIG, WITH ADULTS REACHING ABOUT ONE INCH LONG, AND JAPANESE BEETLES, ON THE OTHER HAND, ONLY REACH ABOUT HALF THAT SIZE.

IN ADDITION, JAPANESE BEETLES HAVE THESE BRONZE WING COVERS AND WHITE TUFTS OF HAIR ALONG THEIR SIDES.

THAT GREEN JUNE BEETLES LACK.

GREEN JUNE BEETLES ALSO HAVE A MORE LIMITED DIET FROM JAPANESE BEETLES.

THEY MOSTLY GO AFTER RIPENED FRUITS AND EARS OF CORN, AND DON'T CAUSE AS WIDESPREAD DAMAGE AS WE SEE WITH JAPANESE BEETLES.

SO WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU FIND GREEN JUNE BEETLES IN YOUR YARD?

WELL, MOST OF THE TIME THEIR NUMBERS AND THE DAMAGE THEY CAUSE DON'T WARRANT CONTROL.

BUT IF YOU NEED TO, YOU CAN HANDPICK OR NET THE ADULTS AND PUT THEM INTO A BUCKET OF SOAPY WATER.

THERE ARE ALSO ORGANIC OR SYNTHETIC CHEMICAL CONTROL OPTIONS, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THOSE ARE NOT GOING TO BE NEEDED WITH THE GREEN JUNE BEETLE.

>> WE'VE SAID NUMEROUS TIMES THAT IDENTIFICATION IS REALLY THE FIRST STEP IN PEST MANAGEMENT.

AND AS KAIT SAID, THAT GREEN JUNE BUG IS RELATIVELY HARMLESS, SO KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE WILL SAVE YOU TIME, EFFORT AND CHEMICALS.

ALL RIGHT, TWO PICKS KAIT.

THIS FIRST ONE COMES FROM LINCOLN.

OH SORRY.

THIS IS TWO PICKS.

YEAH, IT'S STILL LINCOLN.

THIS GUY'S BEEN SITTING ON THE PATIO DOOR.

WHAT IS HE.

>> THIS IS A TIGER BEE FLY.

AND IT'S CALLED THAT BECAUSE IT'LL ACTUALLY LAY ITS EGGS IN CARPENTER BEE TUNNELS.

AND THE LARVAE FEED ON CARPENTER BEES.

>> IT'S REALLY BEAUTIFUL.

>> IT IS.

AND IT'S BIG, TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LINWOOD, NEBRASKA.

WHAT'S THIS ONE?

>> THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FLIES.

AND I KNOW IT'S KIND OF WEIRD TO HAVE A FAVORITE FLY, BUT IT'S A GOLDEN MIDAS FLY.

AND THEY ALSO GET FAIRLY LARGE.

>> AS IN MIDAS GOLD.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS WAS ON THE DRIVEWAY THIS MORNING.

GOOD BAD HAD PINCHERS.

SO SHE DIDN'T WANT TO GET VERY CLOSE.

>> TO IT.

>> YEAH THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA.

THIS IS A STAG BEETLE.

WE CONSIDER THEM GOOD BECAUSE THE LARVAE WILL FEED ON DEAD AND DECAYING WOOD, SO THEY HELP RECYCLE NUTRIENTS BACK INTO THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> BUT THEY DO LOOK.

>> A LITTLE INTIMIDATING, BUT VERY COOL NONETHELESS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THREE PICS FOR YOU ON THIS ONE DENNIS.

ON THIS FIRST ONE, THIS COMES TO US FROM CENTRAL CITY.

THEY HAVE A CABIN ON PASTURE LAND.

THEY HAVE A CRITTER DIGGING HOLES.

THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING AFTER GROUND SQUIRRELS.

THEY FILLED IN A HOLE, CAME BACK, FOUND IT DUG OUT AGAIN.

WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO THEY STOP IT?

AND THEY'RE WONDERING IF THEY SCATTER RED PEPPER IF THAT WILL WORK.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S RED GROUND SQUIRREL.

I'M NOT SURE IF THE RED PEPPER WORK.

IT COULD BE SOME KIND OF RODENT, LIKE, RELATED TO A RAT OR A PACK RAT OR RAT.

I WOULD PACK IN PEA GRAVEL AS HARD AS YOU CAN INTO THOSE HOLES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> TRY THAT.

>> ONE PICK ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A WHAT IS MAKING SMALL MOUNDS OF DIRT IN THE BACKYARD WITH A SMALL HOLE.

>> WHAT THAT IS, IS A WORM MOUND THAT'S BEEN RUN OVER OR FLATTENED OR STEPPED ON.

>> OKAY.

AND ONE MORE.

AND THIS VIEWER IS FROM PAPILLION.

THIS IS A WALNUT.

AND HE SAYS SQUIRRELS AND BIRDS LOVE THE FRUIT.

AND HE SAID, BIRDS SEEM TO RUB THE JUICE ON THEIR WINGS.

>> I NEVER HEARD OF THAT.

OF COURSE, SQUIRRELS LOVE WALNUTS, BUT I NEVER HEARD OF A BIRD EATING A WALNUT, SO I CAN'T HELP YOU THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AMY, TWO PICTURES.

THIS COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

THESE ARE DAISIES.

THEY STARTED BEAUTIFULLY.

THEY JUST SHRIVELED UP.

THEY STARTED TURNING BROWN AT THE SOIL LINE AND THEN WORKING THEIR WAY UP.

ANY IDEA?

>> SO YOU'RE DEALING WITH A ROOT OR CROWN ROT?

THANKS TO THAT WONDERFUL RAIN THAT WE HAVE, THERE ISN'T A LOT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

SORRY.

>> YEAH, I KNOW THAT'S PRETTY BAD.

AND THEN THREE PICKS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

THIS IS A DEER RUN SPRUCE PLANTED IN 2015.

SHE SAYS HER IRRIGATION SYSTEM IS IRRIGATING IT.

LOTS OF BROWN ON THE TIPS, LOTS OF BROWN.

WAY BACK IN SIGNIFICANT BROWNING ON THIS.

WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> I'M LEANING TOWARD ENVIRONMENTAL.

IT IS PLANTED FAIRLY CLOSE TO THE HOUSE.

I THINK IT'S GETTING A LOT OF RADIATION HEAT FROM THE HOUSE.

THEY DO LIKE TO EXPAND OUT A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.

AND THEN THE OTHER BIG TRICK IS SPRINKLERS ARE NOT ENOUGH WATER FOR TREES.

>> ALL RIGHT, TERRI, TWO PICKS ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM YUTAN.

SO THIS IS A CASABLANCA LILY 36 PLUS FLOWERS ON THIS STEM OF THIS ONE.

WHAT IS THIS THAT WE HAVE GOING ON?

>> THEY ARE VERY LUCKY.

THIS IS FASCIATION.

SO KIND OF A WEIRD PHYSICAL THING THAT HAPPENS.

SO JUST ENJOY ALL THOSE EXTRA FLOWERS.

>> OKAY?

THIS IS ASHTON, NEBRASKA SQUASH SEEDS.

AND SHE GOT INSTEAD WHAT SHE'S CALLING SOME SORT OF LITTLE SQUASH THING.

AND WHAT IS IT.

>> I THINK THAT YOU JUST HAD TWO SQUASH CROSS-POLLINATE LAST YEAR AND YOU'RE USING SEED FROM LAST YEAR.

WE DON'T RECOMMEND DOING THAT WITH HYBRID PLANTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SHE'S CALLING THEM SQUASH KINS.

THAT'S FUN.

>> WELL THAT'S FUN.

>> AND THEN BIG SPRINGS, NEBRASKA VIEWER, THIS IS FOR YOU TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE HORT CLUB.

BECAUSE HE DID BECAUSE HE TOOK KYLE'S RECOMMENDATION HE HAD SPOTTED TOMATO WILT VIRUS.

HE DID EVERYTHING KYLE TOLD HIM TO.

THEN HE BOUGHT EASY GIRL TOMATOES FROM HORT CLUB AND THIS IS THE PLANT.

AND HE SENT ME AN EMAIL TODAY AND HE SAID HE HAS ON THE ONE PLANT 80 FRUITS.

>> OH, EXCITING.

>> FANTASTIC.

>> SO GIVE THAT SHOUT OUT TO THE HORT CLUB IN THE NEXT 20 SECONDS AND SAY EVERYBODY NEEDS EASY GIRL.

>> RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR VISITING THE BEDDING PLANT SALE IN MAY.

AND COME SEE US AGAIN NEXT MAY.

>> ESPECIALLY SINCE HE CAME ALL THE WAY FROM BIG SPRINGS.

>> OH YEAH, THAT'S EVEN BETTER.

THANK YOU.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> AND SINCE EARLY GIRL IS LIKE NOT BEHAVING VERY WELL, WE'RE ALL GOING TO DO EASY GIRL.

>> YES.

SO IT WAS A NEW ONE.

AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU TOLD US THAT WE HADN'T GROWN THAT ONE YET.

SO THANK YOU.

>> EXCELLENT.

WELL, AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS WEEK'S BACKYARD FARMER.

THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED THOSE QUESTIONS.

AND A BIG THANKS TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW, ESPECIALLY TO AMY FOR HOOFING IT QUICKLY.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE TONIGHT WE HAD GARY BELL, TIM DUNGAN AND JOHN CARIOTTO.

NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE OUR SCOUTING SERIES, AND THIS TIME THE FOCUS WILL BE ON TURF AND WEEDS.

MATT WILL SHOW US WHAT HE'S OBSERVED THIS SEASON AND GIVE US A FEW FALL MANAGEMENT TIPS.

DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER WEBSITE AT BYF.UNL.EDU SIGN UP FOR THAT MONTHLY NEWSLETTER.

SO GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

WE'LL SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK RIGHT HERE ON BACKYARD FARMER.