♪ >>> "BACKYARD FARMER" IS A COPRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

♪ TONIGHT, ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL SHOW YOU SOME ISSUES WITH OAK TREES YOU SHOULD BE ON THE LOOK-OUT FOR.

AND WE'LL HELP YOU KEEP THE WEEDS FROM TAKING OVER.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP NEXT, RIGHT HERE ON "BACKYARD FARMER."

RIGHT HERE ON BACKYARD FARMER.

♪ >> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "BACKYARD FARMER."

I'M KIM TODD AND WE'RE GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF ANSWERING THOSE GARDENING QUESTIONS.

YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH US BY DIALING 1-800-676-5446.

OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

YOU CAN ALSO SEND US PICTURES AND EMAIL QUESTIONS FOR FUTURE SHOWS.

THAT'S BYF@UNL.EDU.

PLEASE TELL US AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, INCLUDING WHERE YOU LIVE.

YOU CAN ALSO ENJOY EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AS WELL AS PAST PROGRAMS AND VIDEOS ON OUR "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

CHECK THOSE OUT AFTER THE SHOW AND LET'S START WITH JODY'S ARRAY OF SAMPLES.

[ LAUGHTER ] THIS IS FUN, JODY.

>> I KNOW.

WELL, I COULDN'T BRING WHAT I WANTED TO BRING.

I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT CHIGGERS.

SO, THEY ARE VERY SMALL AND THEY ARE OUT RIGHT NOW.

SO, WE'VE GOT REGULAR INSECT REPELLANTS, AND THESE ARE EPA APPROVED.

RIGHT NOW, HERE, I HAVE THE DEET PRODUCTS BUT I HAVE DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS OF THEM.

THERE ARE OTHER APPROVED REPELLENTS THAT YOU CAN WEAR, AND THAT'S FOR SKIN.

THIS BOTTLE RIGHT HERE IS A DO IT YOURSELF PERMETHRIN SPRAY FOR CLOTHING AND I WANT TO SAY TO ALWAYS READ THE LABEL.

SO, THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SPRAY ON CLOTHES AND ALLOW IT TO DRY.

THIS WILL REPEL MOSQUITOES, TICKS, AND CHIGGERS.

AND THEN, ON THESE BEAUTIFUL SOCKS RIGHT HERE, THESE ARE AN INSECT SHIELD BRAND.

BUT THERE IS PERMETHRIN COMMERCIALLY TREATED IN THERE.

AND THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ITEMS THAT YOU CAN PURCHASE THAT HAVE THE PERMETHRIN IN THEM, AND THEY'RE SAFE TO WEAR.

AND THEY CAN WITHSTAND UP TO 70 WASHES AND STILL BE EFFECTIVE.

SO, THESE ARE THE DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST CHIGGERS BITES AND WHEN YOU GET INSIDE, TAKE A SHOWER, CHECK FOR TICKS AND DISLODGE THOSE CHIGGERS AND THROW YOUR CLOTHES IN A HOT DRYER.

>> PERFECT.

I WISH I HAD THOSE SOCKS LAST WEEK.

[ LAUGHTER ] ALL RIGHT, TERRI, WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

>> SO, I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO BRING, WE'VE BEEN BRINGING A LOT OF WEEDS LATELY, AND I JUST THOUGHT I'D BRING SOMETHING KIND OF PRETTY FOR THE TURF SHARE.

SO, OFTENTIMES WE GET THE QUESTION "WHAT CAN I GROW UNDERNEATH MY TREE, BECAUSE TURF WON'T GROW."

SO, THIS IS AN OPTION FOR YOU TO DO.

THIS IS VINCA.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S GONNA START KIND OF UPRIGHT LIKE THIS AND KIND OF GROW ALL OVER AND THEN IT WILL EVENTUALLY KIND OF BECOME THIS KIND OF LONG VINE LIKE GROWING ALL OVER THE GROUND.

AND IT WILL PUT ROOTS DOWN.

IT WILL DEFINITELY HELP COVER EVERYTHING.

IT STAYS KIND OF A LITTLE EVERGREEN THROUGHOUT THE WINTER SO IT GIVES YOU A LITTLE BIT OF INTEREST, ALSO, THAT YOU CAN DO.

BUT I THINK THIS IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE FOR TURF, LIKE, UNDERNEATH TREES OR IN SOME SHADY AREA, 'CAUSE IT WILL DEFINITELY TAKE SOME SHADE FOR YOU.

>> EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT, AMY, TINY LITTLE THINGS.

>> TINY LITTLE THINGS.

THEY DIDN'T LIKE MY THREE HOUR TRIP TODAY.

SO, WHERE I'M FROM WE'VE BEEN HAVING LOTS OF RAIN.

WE'VE HAD SIX INCHES OF RAIN SINCE SUNDAY.

AND LOTS OF AREAS THROUGHOUT NEBRASKA HAS BEEN GETTING A LOT OF RAIN.

I PICKED THIS TODAY IN MY MOM'S YARD.

WE HAVE FAMOUS LITTLE BROWN MUSHROOMS.

AND WITH THE MOISTURE WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THIS WEEK IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE STATE, WE WILL BE SEEING A LOT OF MUSHROOMS POPPING UP IN MULCH BEDS, IN HOME YARDS, SO ON AND SO FORTH, BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT MOISTURE.

FOR ME, THIS IS A GOOD INDICATOR.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE A BUNCH OF ORGANIC MATTER.

AND ALL THESE LITTLE MUSHROOMS ARE DOING IS BREAKING DOWN ORGANIC MATTER AND PROVIDING SOME NITROGEN FOR OUR PLANTS.

SO, IF YOU DON'T LIKE THEM, THEY ARE PRETTY THIN STEMMED AS YOU CAN SEE.

YOU CAN JUST PICK THEM OFF, OTHERWISE, YOU CAN ALWAYS JUST TAKE THE MOWER ACROSS THEM AND KNOCK THEM OFF, AND YOU'LL BE GOOD TO GO.

THEY HAVE NICE BROWN GILLS UNDERNEATH.

THESE ARE NOT EDIBLE SO YOU JUST GET TO ENJOY THEM OR MOW THEM OFF.

>> AND DOGGIES WON'T EAT THEM BECAUSE THEY JUST DISAPPEAR.

>> THEY JUST DISAPPEAR.

THIS LITTLE MUSHROOM PROBABLY POPPED UP THIS MORNING.

I WAS OVER AT MY FOLKS ABOUT 10:00 THIS MORNING.

I BET THIS ONE POPPED UP ABOUT MAYBE 8:00 THIS MORNING AND BY TONIGHT YOU WILL NOT EVEN GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIND IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

OKAY, SCOTT.

EPSOM SALTS.

>> EPSOM SALT.

THIS IS A MYTH THAT JUST WON'T GO AWAY.

EPSOM SALT DOES NOT CURE BLOSSOM END ROT IN OUR TOMATOES, PEPPERS, EGGPLANTS AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

BLOSSOM END ROT IS A CALCIUM TRANSPORT ISSUE.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT EPSOM SALT, THIS IS A MAGNESIUM SULFATE.

MAGNESIUM AND SULFUR ARE BOTH NEEDED FOR PLANTS BUT NOT IN THIS FORMULATION.

EPSOM SALT, IF YOU OVERUSE IT, MAGNESIUM CAN ACTUALLY BUILD UP IN THE SOIL AND BECOME ANTAGONISTIC FOR CALCIUM.

SO THAT CAN ACTUALLY MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE.

TO HELP PREVENT BLOSSOM END ROT, KEEP YOUR PLANTS WELL-HYDRATED, MULCHED AND TRY NOT TO DAMAGE THEM.

IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THAT FIRST SET OF TOMATOES TO HAVE BLOSSOM END ROT.

SO GO AHEAD AND POP THEM OFF.

BUT KEEP THE EPSOM SALT FOR SOAKING YOUR FEET AFTER YOU WORK IN THE GARDEN.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I LOVE IT.

AND DON'T USE IT ON YOUR ASPARAGUS FOR WEEDS.

>> NO.

>> THAT'S THE OTHER ONE.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU ALL.

LET'S SEE.

JODY, YOUR FIRST TWO COME TO US FROM HERMAN, NEBRASKA.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE COTTONWOODS DROPPING LEAVES?

THEY ARE 70 YEARS OLD AND 70 FEET TALL.

>> YEAH, SO THIS IS COTTONWOOD PETIOLE GALL.

SO, IT STARTS WITH AN APHID LAYING EGGS THERE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE LEAVES WILL DROP AND YOU'LL HAVE TO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO RAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO HARM THE HEALTH OF THE PLANT.

IT SHOULD BE FINE.

IT IS JUST MORE OF AN AESTHETICALLY UNPLEASING, ANNOYING THING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, THIS COMES TO US FROM SNELL CANYON SOUTHWEST OF BRADY.

THE FLOWER IS A PRICKLY POPPY.

WHICH WE KNOW, BUT HE IS INTERESTED IN THE SECOND ONE ABOUT WHETHER A BEETLE, YOU CAN SEE THE BEETLE IN THERE, CUT THE FILAMENT OFF?

SO DO WE KNOW WHAT BEETLE THIS IS?

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS A TYPE OF SCARAB BEETLE.

IT'S A FLOWER CHAFER AND IT SURE DID DO THAT.

SO LIKE IT'S A POLLEN FEEDER.

IT'S FEEDING ON POLLEN AND NECTAR.

SO -- >> ALL RIGHT, HAD A LITTLE MEAL ON THE POPPY.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO ON THIS ONE, THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

SHE HAS CURRENTS AND SHE SAYS PESTS HAVE FOUND THEM.

THE PLANTS HAVE BEEN IN THE GROUND FOR FOUR YEARS.

LEAVES HAVE BEEN EATEN.

THE FRUIT DOES HAS WEBBING.

THERE'S SOME LITTLE HOLES ON IT.

WHAT DO WE THINK THIS IS?

>> SO THERE ARE SEVERAL PESTS OF CURRENTS WHICH INCLUDE APHIDS, SPIDER MITES, THERE'S A CURRENT WORM, AND THERE IS ALSO A FRUIT FLY.

SO IT COULD BE THE CURRENT MAGGOT.

THE BEST THING TO DO IS WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR AND GET ON A TREATMENT.

IT'S GOING TO BE PRE-BLOOM.

SO A WEEK BEFORE THE TREE BLOOMS IS WHEN YOU CAN SPRAY WITH LABELED SYNTHETIC PYRETHROID.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

TERRI, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM ELK HORN.

THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD ELEPHANT EAR.

AND THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR TEN YEARS AND THIS YEAR, IT HAS SPREAD FROM THE MAIN PLANT AS FAR AS TEN FEET.

INTO THE SURROUNDING ROCKS AND THE LAWN.

IT NEVER DOES THIS.

HE DID SEND ME THE PICTURE AND WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS.

AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.

I THINK -- YEP, THERE WE GO.

SO WHAT IS IT?

>> SO THIS IS LEOPARD PLANT OR A LIGULARIA.

SO THIS IS REALLY A NICE ONE.

IT GROWS MAINLY IN THE SHADED AREAS.

BUT IT CAN SPREAD ABOUT.

IT IS IN THE SUNFLOWER FAMILY SO YOU'LL HAVE BEAUTIFUL SUNFLOWER LOOKING FLOWERS ON IT.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT IN SOME OF THOSE AREAS THEY ARE PRETTY EASY TO JUST CONTROL AS YOU WANT TO KEEP THEM -- BUT I THINK THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO KEEP AROUND.

SO, A GOOD GUY.

>> PROBABLY NOT IN THE TURF AND THE ROCKS?

>> WELL, DEPENDS ON WHAT'S IN THE ROCKS.

>> TRUE.

>> MAYBE IT'S A MULCHED AREA.

>> IT'S ROCK.

ALL RIGHT.

THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE, TERRI.

THIS IS FROM YODER, WYOMING.

WHICH IS 35 MILES WEST OF SCOTT'S BLUFF.

GOT KARL FOERSTER FEATHER REED GRASS.

HE CUT IT BACK TO GET RID OF THE SEED HEADS AND THEN HE'S GOT SOMETHING ELSE COMING UP.

WE FIGURED OUT WHAT IT IS.

WHAT IS IT?

>> YEAH.

SO, WE ACTUALLY ALSO HAVE THIS IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, IN OUR KARL FOERSTER.

SO, WE ARE SEEING THIS ALL OVER TOWN, TOO, SO, KIM AND I HAVE BEEN SEEING IT.

SAYING, I'VE SEEN IT AT 40th AND 8th AND 33rd AND SHERIDAN AND WHEREVER ELSE WE'VE SEEN IT.

BUT WE THINK THAT IT -- SO THIS IS NORMALLY WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

AND WE THINK THAT THIS GUY ACTUALLY CAME UP AFTER WE -- WE KIND OF HAD HEAT AND THEN WE HAD COOL AND THEN WE HAD MOIST.

SO WE THINK THAT THIS IS JUST KIND OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL SOMETHING THAT IS KIND OF MAKING IT NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS REALLY SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

BUT I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, CUT IT OUT.

BUT IT SHOULD BE OKAY NEXT YEAR.

>> IT IS JUST KARL AGAIN.

ALL RIGHT.

AMY, ONE PICTURE ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A FREMONT VIEWER WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

SHE'S HAD THESE IN SEVERAL PLACES FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

>> SO THIS IS OUR WONDERFUL FRIEND, ASTER YELLOWS.

PHYTOPLASMAS MOVE BY LEAF HOPPERS.

MOVE BY US.

THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR TREATMENT.

SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT AND DON'T WANT IT TO SPREAD, YOU NEED TO REMOVE THAT PLANT FROM THE LANDSCAPE.

>> AND DO WHAT WITH IT?

>> YOU CAN PUT IT IN COMPOST, BUT USUALLY I RECOMMEND THROWING IT IN THE TRASH AND GETTING IT FAR AWAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, AMY.

THIS IS SOUTHEAST LINCOLN.

IT'S A MAY POP PASSION FLOWER.

THEY BOUGHT IT IN MID APRIL THIS YEAR.

EAST SIDE, SO EVERYTHING ABOUT IT SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD.

THEY DID FERTILIZE AND THEY ADDED SOME IRONITE.

BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WASN'T THRIVING.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT?

>> SO WE'VE KIND OF TOSSED THIS ONE AROUND.

I'M LEANING TOWARD A NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY OF SOME SORT.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THIS PLANT NEEDS FOR NUTRIENTS.

SO MAYBE THE BEST THING TO DO IS DO A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH, WHAT NUTRIENTS IT NEEDS AND THEN PULL A SOIL SAMPLE.

AND GET THAT ANALYZED TO SEE.

ONCE WE KNOW WHAT THE PLANT ACTUALLY NEEDS, THAT WE CAN SUPPLEMENT IT WITH WHAT IT ACTUALLY NEEDS THAT ISN'T IN THE SOIL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, SCOTT.

THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS TRICKY.

THIS IS A FAILING RETAINING WALL AT BUCCANEER BAY.

FULL SAND WITH THE LAKE DOWN BELOW THERE.

AND, THEY REALLY WANT TO HOLD THE BANK WITH PLANTS INSTEAD OF REBUILDING THAT RETAINING WALL.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO START BY MIXING IN SOME COMPOST WITH CHIP MULCH.

TRY TO IMPROVE THE SOIL TO RETAIN THE MOISTURE.

YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO WORK WITH REALLY FIBROUS-ROOTED PLANTS LIKE PURPLE POPPY-MALLOW.

SOME OF OUR NATIVE ASTERS WOULD BE A GOOD OPTION.

EVEN AN ALLIUM MIGHT BE KIND OF FUN TO THROW IN, BUT YOU WANT TO TRY TO JUST REALLY IMPROVE THAT WATER RETENTION AND THEN PLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU MIGHT HAVE TO NET IT FOR STARTERS.

OKAY.

YOUR SECOND TWO COME TO US FROM OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND.

THIS VIEWER HAS COMPACTED CLAY SOIL.

HE TOOK OUT SOME SKIP LAURELS BECAUSE THEY DROWN.

THEY ARE IN ZONE 8A.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HE CAN PLANT THAT IS TALL AND COLORFUL.

>> WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO IS TRY TO IMPROVE THE DRAINAGE THROUGH A PROCESS CALLED SCOOP AND DUMP.

WHERE YOU JUST PUT A COUPLE OF INCHES OF COMPOST ON TOP OF THE SOIL.

SCOOP IT IN AND THEN PLANT.

I HAD TO CHECK THE MARYLAND -- THEIR EXTENSION OFFICE AND THEY RECOMMEND MAPLE LEAF VIBURNUM.

A NORTHERN BAYBERRY WINTER HOLLY.

SO THERE ARE SOME OPTIONS OUT THERE FOR YOU.

>> EXCELLENT, AND THEN YOU HAVE A SEGMENT COMING UP.

AND THEN WE HAVE A LOT OF FUN PICTURES AFTER THAT ONE.

SO, ONE OF THE HARDIEST TREES HERE IN NEBRASKA IS AN OAK.

THEY HAVE SO MANY BENEFICIAL QUALITIES, AS OVERSTORY TREES, AND THEY THRIVE IN OUR ENVIRONMENT.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS, HOWEVER, AND JENNIFER MORRIS FROM THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE WILL TELL US ABOUT A FEW OF THEM.

♪ >> OAK TREES THRIVE IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.

THEY ARE A GREAT ADDITION TO ANY LANDSCAPE.

BUT THEY DO DEVELOP SOME PROBLEMS.

SO LET'S DISCUSS A FEW OF THOSE.

DROUGHT CAN BE A MAJOR FACTOR IN TREES.

AND OAKS IN PARTICULAR HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH DROUGHT SYMPTOMS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO WATER AND MULCH YOUR TREES.

GIVE THEM A LITTLE EXTRA LOVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

HERBICIDE DAMAGE.

HERBICIDES AT THE TIME OAK LEAVES ARE COMING OUT IN THE SPRING, ARE APPLIED EXTENSIVELY.

SO LOOK FOR LEAF WILTING, LEAF CURLING, DISCOLORATION IN LEAVES.

ALSO WATER AND MULCH YOUR TREE TO HELP THEM THROUGH THAT DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

IN TERMS OF INSECTS AND DISEASE PROBLEMS, THERE IS WHAT IS CALLED THE ROUGH OAK BULLET GALL.

AND YOU SEE THOSE SPECIFICALLY ON BUR OAKS.

NOW, ROUGH OAK BULLET GALL IS CAUSED BY A MINUTE WASP.

THAT DOESN'T STING YOU BUT IT DOES MANIPULATE THE TREE TISSUE TO CAUSE THESE GALLS TO FORM AND TURN BROWN AND HARDEN.

SOME PEOPLE DO REMOVE THOSE GALLS BY PRUNING.

BUT YOU NECESSARILY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF BENEFICIAL INSECTS THAT HELP DO OUR JOB FOR US AND REMOVE THOSE GALLS.

THE OTHER IS ROSETTE GALL.

THE OAK ROSETTE GALL HAS A SIMILAR LIFE CYCLE TO THE BULLET GALL.

AND ALSO IS CAUSED BY A WASP.

SAME CONCEPT APPLIES WHERE YOU CAN PRUNE THOSE OUT.

BUT YOU ALSO WANT YOUR BENEFICIALS TO HELP YOU, TOO.

THERE ARE NO CHEMICAL CONTROLS AT THIS TIME FOR THOSE TYPES OF GALLS.

A DISEASE THAT WE'RE WATCHING IS WHAT'S CALLED IS BUR OAK BLIGHT.

THAT AFFECTS BUR OAK SPECIFICALLY.

AND IT'S BUR OAK THAT PRODUCES THE SMALLEST ACORNS.

THIS IS A FUNGAL DISEASE THAT ATTACKS THE LEAVES AND THE LEAVES ONLY.

CAUSING THE LEAVES TO TURN BROWN IN THE SUMMERTIME AND DEFOLIATE EARLY.

AFTER YEARS OF INFECTION, IT DOES AFFECT TREE HEALTH SO YOU CAN DO WHEN NECESSARY AN INJECTION OF FUNGICIDE.

BUT CALL A PROFESSIONAL IN ADVANCE TO GET MORE HELP.

THE OTHER FUNGAL DISEASE I WANT TO TOUCH ON IS OAK WILT.

NOW OAK WILT CAN AFFECT OAKS INS THE RED OAK GROUP AND THE WHITE OAK GROUP.

THE RED OAK GROUP HAS THE LEAVES WITH THE POINTED ENDS WHILE THE WHITE OAK GROUP HAS THE LEAVES WITH THE ROUNDED EDGES.

THE RED OAK GROUP CAN DIE WITHIN A MATTER OF WEEKS TO MONTHS IF INFECTED WITH OAT WILT.

AND OAK WILT IS A VASCULAR DISEASE THAT CAUSES THE TREE TO WILT AND DIE QUICKLY.

IT IS PASSED BY SAP FEEDING BEETLES OR IT CAN BE PASSED BY ROOT GRASS.

IN ORDER TO COMBAT OAK WILT, YOU CAN EITHER INJECT AS A PREVENTIVE, PROPOCONAZAL.

PLEASE CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL.

OR YOU CAN ALSO ROOT TRENCH AROUND AN INFECTED TREE TO HELP WITH ROOT GRAFTING INFECTION.

SO JUST REMEMBER THAT OAKS ARE A GREAT CHOICE AT ANY LANDSCAPE.

BUT JUST BE SURE TO WATCH OUT FOR SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS.

GIVE YOUR OAT EXTRA WATER THROUGH DROUGHT AND CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL.

CALL YOUR LOCAL EXTENSION OFFICE OR NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> AS JENNIFER SAID, OAKS ARE REALLY A GREAT CHOICE FOR MOST PLACES BUT DO THAT SCOUTING ONCE IN A WHILE FOR THOSE PROBLEMS.

YOU JUST HATE TO LOSE THOSE BIG BEAUTIFUL OLD TREES.

ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE FOR YOU JODY.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HARLAN.

TINY GOLD EGGS ON THE DECK RAIL.

AND THEY ARE TINY AND THEY'RE GOLD.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YOU KNOW -- I DON'T KNOW, BUT I WISH I DID.

BUT YOU CAN FIND OUT IF YOU COLLECT THEM AND REAR THEM OUT AND LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.

I SUPPOSE THIS WAY IT WOULD NOT BE A GOOD STRATEGY TO LAY YOUR EGGS THIS WAY SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A MOTH THAT HAD SOME KIND OF ISSUE, AND DROPPED IT'S EGGS THERE.

>> NEEDED SOME EDUCATION.

>> YEAH.

>> THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THE FIRST IS SQUASH VINE BORER MOTH FROM YOU.

BUT THEN WE HAD PEOPLE WITH SQUASH AND THEY SAID THEY WERE SPROUTING SEVERAL SQUASH AND THEN SOMETHING HAS EATEN OFF THE END.

CUT IT OPEN AND OUT CRAWLED A TEENY BUG.

SHE THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A SPIDER.

AND THERE WERE MORE TINY BUGS THAT CRAWLED OUT.

>> I DON'T THINK THE TINY BUG MADE THAT WOUND, BUT WHATEVER IT WAS OPENED UP TO OTHER INSECTS GETTING IN THERE.

BUT WHAT WE DO NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR ARE THE SQUASH VINE BORERS AND THE SQUASH BUGS.

BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT AND THEY WILL DESTROY A LOT OF YOUR PRODUCE.

SO THAT IS SOMETHING TO SCOUT FOR AND SQUISH THE EGGS.

>> AND THE BUGS THEMSELVES?

>> AND THE BUGS THEMSELVES, YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, JODY.

SO THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF A HEAD SCRATCHER.

THIS IS IN THE AURORA AREA.

THEY HAVE RAISED BEDS AND THEY ARE GNAWING OFF HER CUCUMBERS AND HER BEATS.

SHE IS WONDERING IF THERE ARE CHEMICALS THAT ARE SAFE?

>> I WOULD NOT TREAT WITH CHEMICALS.

BUT, THIS MAY NOT BE AN INSECT.

IT MAY BE A MAMMAL LIKE A VOLE OR A GROUND SQUIRREL CHEWING FROM UNDERNEATH.

SO, I WOULD GO AND CHECK THAT OUT.

>> RIGHT, SEE WHAT'S COMING UP FROM BELOW.

>> CORRECT.

>> EXACTLY.

OKAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE VERY FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A FRANC HILLS OMAHA VIEWER.

WE'VE NOT HAD THIS ONE THIS YEAR.

HE HAS A CLOVER YARD WHICH IS WAY COOL.

BUT HERE'S THIS VINE WEED AND HE IS THINKING IT PROBABLY SHOULD BE REMOVED.

>> I'M VERY JEALOUS THAT YOU HAVE THIS.

BECAUSE WE WERE ALL VERY EXCITED TO SEE THIS.

THIS IS DODDER.

THIS IS A PARASITIC PLANT.

SO BASICALLY WHAT IT DOES IS IT WILL SEED ITSELF, CREATE A ROOT, FIND A HOST, AND THEN ROOT DIES AND THE REST OF THE PLANT LIVES OFF OF THAT OTHER HOST PLANT.

IT IS YELLOW SO THAT MEANS IT DOESN'T HAVE HARDLY ANY CHLOROPHYLL.

SO IT CAN'T CREATE ITS OWN FOOD, SO IT HAS TO STEAL IT FROM THE REST OF THE PLANTS.

IT'S VERY COOL.

BUT MOST DEFINITELY GET RID OF IT.

GET RID OF AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

YOU REALLY DON'T WANT IT.

BECAUSE ONCE IT GETS ESTABLISHED IT IS VERY HARD TO GET RID OF.

UNFORTUNATELY YOU'LL HAVE TO GET RID OF IT, BUT IT IS VERY COOL.

>> VERY COOL AND VERY CREEPY.

OKAT YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

TERRI, THIS COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

POPPED UP AFTER THE RAIN WITH THE HEAT THEY'VE REALLY TAKEN OFF.

SHE WONDERS IF THESE ARE WEEDS.

>> YEP, THIS IS A WEED.

THIS IS A POKE WEED.

SO, DEFINITELY ONE YOU DON'T WANT AROUND, YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO PULL IT AND GET RID OF IT.

>> OKAY, TWO ON THE NEXT ONE, THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

SHE'S TRYING TO GROW GRASS SEED, HER DAUGHTER IS IN A BARE AREA.

LAWN WAS NEGLECTED.

THEY ARE GETTING GOOD GERMINATION, BUT THEN THEY GOT THE WEEDS.

THEY WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THEY CAN APPLY TO KILL THE WEEDS AND NOT THE NEW GRASS NOW.

>> THERE'S NOTHING THAT I WOULD APPLY TO THAT NOW.

WHAT I WOULD DO IS I WOULD TRY TO KEEP RAKING THAT OUT.

GETTING RID OF AS MUCH OF AS MUCH OF YOUR WEED AS POSSIBLE.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S RIGHT NEXT THE SIDEWALK.

SO MY GUESS IS THAT IT'S VERY COMPACTED RIGHT THERE.

SO TRY TO GET IT AIRRATED.

EITHER PUT A PITCHFORK THROUGH THERE OR SOMETHING AND KIND OF OPEN THAT UP SO THAT IT'LL LOOSEN UP THAT SOIL.

AND THEN THIS FALL, OR IN MID TO LATE AUGUST GO IN AND OVERSEED AGAIN.

YOU CAN USE LIKE A FERTILIZER OR SEED STARTER THAT HAS A MESOTRIONE IN IT AND THAT WILL HELP GET SOME OF THOSE WEEDS OUT OF THERE.

BUT, THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE YOUR BEST MANAGEMENT FOR THAT.

AS OF RIGHT NOW.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU TERRI.

WE HAVE, LET'S SEE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS VIEWER IS FROM AMY.

BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

WE HAVE TWO PICTURES HERE, PINE TREES ARE DYING.

THEY WERE PLANTED 20 PLUS YEARS AGO.

>> AND I'M ASSUMING THEY TURN BROWN VERY QUICKLY ONCE WE HIT THE HEAT, MAYBE LAST WEEK.

THIS LOOKS LIKE OUR DREADED FRIEND PINE WILT.

YOU CAN TELL HOW QUICKLY THE NEEDLES TURN BROWN, AND IF YOU POP THEM OFF THERE IS NO SAP IN THERE.

IT IS COMPLETELY DRY BECAUSE THE NEMATODES ARE BLOCKING THE VASCULAR SYSTEM.

SAD THING IS THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

ENJOY THE TREE AS LONG AS YOU CAN.

AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REMOVE THAT TREE.

IT IS TRANSMITTED BY AN INSECT.

BUT, THAT INSECT TYPICALLY ONLY FEEDS ON TREES THAT ARE STRESSED.

AND SO THAT STRESS COULD BE AGE, DROUGHT, HEAT, OR WATER.

SO ALL THINGS WE CANNOT CONTROL.

>> RIGHT, EXACTLY.

GET RID OF THAT DEAD TREE.

>> AND YOU'RE GOING TO CHIP IT OR BURN IT.

IT'S THE OTHER BIG THING.

BECAUSE THE BEETLES WILL CONTINUE TO EMERGE.

>>ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE FOUR PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A CATALPA.

SHE'S WONDERING DID IT HAVE VERTICILIUM, WILL IT AFFECT THE REST OF THEM?

THEY HAVE TWO VERY LARGE ONES NEAR IT AND TWO FURTHER AWAY.

THEY LOST A RED BUD AND A FLOWERING CRAB ALSO.

>> I AM LEANING TOWARD YES, THIS IS VERTICILIUM.

IN THE NEXT PICTURES, YOU CAN SEE THERE, THEY TOOK A PICTURE OF THE STEM, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT DISCOLOR RATION.

THAT BROWNISH TO GREY COLORATION, AND TH IS A SIGN OF THE VERTICILIUM IN THAT VASCULAR SYSTEM.

IF YOU ARE IN THE OMAHA AREA, IT'S COMMON TO FIND VERMICILIUM WILT.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT IN THE YOUNGER TREES FIRST.

ONCE YOU HAVE A TREE ESTABLISHED AND ITS OLDER IT IS ABLE TO COMPETE WITH IT A LITTLE MORE.

THERE ISN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN DO.

IT IS IN THE SOIL.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, AMY, THIS IS A HAZARD, NEBRASKA VIEWER.

GREEN BEANS, HALF THE PLANTS ARE MAYBE GETTING THIS.

>> YEAH, SO, IN HAZARD, YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF RAIN.

SO PART OF IT IS PROBABLY LACK OF SUNSHINE.

BUT THERE IS A BACTERIAL DISEASE THAT WILL MOVE IN.

I WOULD SAY LET'S GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, SOME SUNSHINE THIS WEEK AND YOU CAN SEE HOW THEY REACT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THIS IS KIND OF A FUN ONE.

SCOTT, TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE FOR YOU.

THIS IS YOUR GARLIC.

SORRY, THIS IS-- WELL GUESS IT'S FUN IF YOU LIKE GARLIC.

THIS IS HOLDREGE, DUG SOME GARLIC BECAUSE THE LEAVES WERE TURNING YELLOW.

AND, FOUR OF THE BULBS HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM.

THE REST WERE OKAY.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> IT'S A LITTLE TOUGHT TO TELL FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHS.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF PHYSICAL INJURY.

THERE IS A REMOTE POSSIBILITY OF A FUSARIUM BASIL ROT.

I'M NOT 100 PERCENT SURE ABOUT THAT.

BUT, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD STORING BULB.

GO AHEAD AND JUST TOSS THOSE AND MAYBE DO A HARD ROTATION IN THIS SPACE.

MAYBE GO TWO YEARS BEFORE YOU REPLANT GARLIC IN THIS SPACE.

>> TWO YEARS.

GOOD ADVICE.

ALL RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE MULBERRY.

SO SHE SAID A MULBERRY FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS HAS GOTTEN MULBERRIES, BUT THEY DON'T TURN RED OR PURPLE.

AND THEY'VE LIVED THERE SIX YEARS.

SHE SAYS THEY STAY GREEN OR THEY TURN A LIGHT GREEN.

>> THIS IS NORMAL.

THIS IS A WHITE MULBERRY.

THE PURPLE IS A VARIANT.

SO THAT CAN HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY, BUT WHITE MULBERRIES DO TURN WHITE.

THE TASTE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OFF THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE DROUGHT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

BUT YOU DO WANT TO GO IN AND TRY TO DO SOME CLEANING UP, GOOD PRUNING CUTS.

WHAT'S ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW TO HELP IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH ON THE TREE.

>>YEAH IT LOOKS LIKE THOSE ARE PRETTY, I MEAN, MULBERRY IS HARD ANYWAY.

>> YEAH THEY'RE REALLY HARD TO KILL.

>> AND HARD TO GET TO BEHAVE.

>>YES.

>> SO YEAH BUT WHITE MULBERRIES.

THAT'S FUN, THEY DON'T STAIN YOUR WHITE SHIRTS.

ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS EAST CAMPUS AREA.

IT IS A YELLOW DAY LILY THAT HAS MAROON CENTERS.

THEY DIVIDED IT LAST SPRING.

THIS SPRING LEAVES ARE TURNING YELLOW IS IT LACK OF WATER, LACK OF IRON, IS IT A FUNGUS?

IT IS AMENDED SOIL.

LOTS OF DAY LILIES AROUND TOWN ARE KIND OF DOING THIS, BUT MAYBE NOT EXACTLY.

>> I WAS REALLY LUCKY TODAY.

I HAD A VOLUNTEER, AND THAT CAME INTO THE OFFICE.

SHE IS OUR DAY LILY GURU.

SHE IS SEEING THIS IN THE WELL, IN THE OMAHA AREA.

WE HAVE HAD SOME REALLY WARM TEMPERATURES EARLY MAY.

THEN FOLLOWED UP BY SOME COOL.

THEN BRITTLE HEAT, NOW ALL THIS RAIN.

IT IS MOST LIKELY STRESS.

JUST GIVE THE PLANT SOME TIME.

LET IT RECOVER.

PROBABLY DON'T FERTILIZE, BUT DAY LILIES ARE REALLY TOUGH, ROBUST PLANTS.

SO JUST GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

>> SHOULD SHE CUT OUT THE LEAVES THAT HAVE THE STREAKING IN THEM OR JUST LEAVE THEM?

>> YOU COULD-- THAT'S GOING TO HELP IMPROVE THE OVERALL APPEARANCE OF THE PLANT.

BUT, IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY UP TO THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT, AESTHETICS.

OKAY WELL, WE NEED TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

BUT BEFORE WE DO THAT, LET'S HEAR FROM GANNON RUSH FROM UNL'S HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER ABOUT WHAT'S COMING UP AND HOPEFULLY NOT DOWN WHERE THEY DON'T NEED IT WEATHER WISE NEXT WEEK.

>> THANKS KIM.

WE HAVE A RELATIVELY MILD WEEK AHEAD OF US.

THANKFULLY TEMPERATURES WON'T BE CRAZY WARM THIS WEEK WITH HIGHS IN THE 90s OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE WEEK WILL LIKELY BE ON SATURDAY WHERE TEMPERATURES MIGHT REACH 100 DEGREES BETWEEN MCCOOK AND HOLDRIDGE.

ON MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 80s AND MAYBE INTO THE LOW 90s.

THE RAIN FORECAST FOR THIS WEEK SHOWS JUST OVER AN INCH IS POSSIBLE IN EASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

SOME OF THAT FELL THIS AFTERNOON WHILE THE REST IS LIKELY TO FALL ON SUNDAY EVENING AND EARLY MONDAY.

OUTSIDE OF THIS, IT IS YOUR TYPICAL SUMMERTIME PATTERN NEBRASKA WITH SCATTERED STORMS POSSIBLE STATEWIDE.

IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THE RECORD RAINFALL YESTERDAY IN GRAND ISLAND.

OVER SIX-AND-A-HALF INCHES FELL AT THE AIRPORT.

SHATTERING THE SINGLE DAY RECORD FOR RAINFALL IN THE MONTH OF JUNE, AND NEARLY BROKE THE ALL-TIME RECORD FOR ANY MONTH.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEKLY WEATHER FORECAST AND FACT FOR THE DAY BACK TO YOU KIM.

>> THANKS GANNON.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THAT SHORT BREAK NOW.

COMING UP IS THE PLANT OF THE WEEK AND THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

THERE IS MUCH MORE BACKYARD FARMER RIGHT AFTER THIS.

WEEK AND THE LIGHTNING ROUN T M♪ [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 HEAR ABOUT GETTING ON TOP OF WEEDS IN YOUR YARD BEFORE THEY TAKE OVER.

YOU CAN STILL PHONE IN YOUR QUESTIONS TO 1-800-676-5446.

SEND US THOSE PICTURES AND EMAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

RIGHT NOW, IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

ALL RIGHT, SCOTT, YOU'RE IN THE FIRST HOT SEAT.

AND HE STARTS LAUGHING.

>> OH BOY, ALL RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW AND THEY ARE IN EASTERN NEBRASKA.

HOW LONG DO THEY HAVE BEFORE THEY CAN START THEIR FALL GARDEN?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WE'RE LATE JUNE, WE PROBABLY HAVE ABOUT ANOTHER TWO OR THREE WEEKS.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO SAYS THEY HAVE NEW GROWTH, A SECOND FLUSH OF GROWTH ON THEIR YEWS, ON THEIR BOXWOODS, ET CETERA.

IS IT OKAY TO PRUNE THAT OFF NOW?

>> YEWES ARE TOUGH PLANTS BUT YOU JUST MIGHT WANT TO PAUSE AND JUST LET THAT GROWTH GO.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS VIEWER HAD TO DIG THEIR DAFFODILS AND TULIPS EARLY.

SHOULD THEY DIP THEM IN SOME SORT OF A CLEANER OR A BLEACH BEFORE THEY STORE THEM?

>> IT IS NOT NECESSARY, NO.

>> ALL RIGHT CAN YOU THINK OF A GOOD SHADE TREE THAT IS NATIVE FOR GRAND ISLAND?

>> HOPCORN BEAN.

>> PERFECT.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHY HUSKER PENSTERMAN STEMS ARE COLLAPSING?

IS IT A SHORT LIVED PERENNIAL?

>> THEY'RE A SHORT LIVED PERENNIAL, BUT THOSE FLOWERHEADS, SEEDHEADS CAN'T JUST FALL OVER.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

NICE JOB.

OKAY, AMY?

>> OKAY I WAS COACHED EARLIER.

YES, NO, IS WHAT I WAS TOLD TO ANSWER.

>> IF YOU SAY YES NO, I MIGHT ASK YOU A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.

ALL RIGHT READY?

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY, THIS VIEWER SAYS HER IRIS ARE ROTTING.

SHE DOESN'T SEE BOORERS OR GRUBS.

SHE PLANTED TULIPS IN THE SAME BED LAST YEAR, AND SHE IS WONDERING IF THE TULIPS ARE RELEASING SOMETHING THAT COULD CAUSE IRIS TO ROT?

>> YOU MOST LIKELY JUST HAVE A CROWN ROT IN THOSE IRISES.

ONCE THEY ARE DONE BLOOMING YOU CUT THEM DOWN, CLEAN THEM UP AND REMOVE ANY OF THE CORMS THAT ARE SOFT AND MUSHY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS VIEWER SAYS WILL THE RUST THAT THEY SEE ON SKUNK BUSH SUMAC MOVE TO OTHER SUMACS IN THE LANDSCAPE?

>> THERE'S A POSSIBILITY, BUT I WOULD PROBABLY SAY NO.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE SOMEONE, THIS IS LINCOLN WHO SAID YESTERDAY AND AFTER THE RAIN, THEY SAW SOMETHING THAT LOOKED LIKE ONE MORALE COMING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF IRRIGATED TURF.

IS THAT A MORALE THIS TIME OF YEAR?

>> IT COULD BE.

WE GOT SOME COOL WEATHER.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

PROBABLY, MAYBE, CUT IT IN HALF.

>> OKAY, AND IF THEY CUT IT IN HALF AND IT IS -- >> HOLLOW, IT IS A MORALE.

IF ITS SOLID ITS A FALSE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS VIEWER HAS OLD PRUNING WOUNDS, GOOD PRUNING WOUNDS ON CRAB APPLES.

THEY'RE BLACK NOW INSIDE THOSE WOUNDS.

>> JUST LEAVE IT ALONE.

MOST LIKELY, THAT IS ASPERGELLES, ANOTHER SAPROPHYTIC FUNGI THAT IS FEEDING ON ALL THAT SAP THAT IS BEING RELEASED.

>> ALL RIGHT, SEE, THAT WASN'T BAD FOR NOT YES NO WAS IT?

>> I KNOW.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, TERRI, READY?

>> SURE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS COMES TO US FROM THE GRAND ISLAND AREA, ACTUALLY.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO'S WONDERING HOW LONG TURF CAN LIVE WITH FLOOD WATER SITTING ON TOP OF IT.

>> PROBABLY NOT VERY LONG.

HOPEFULLY, WITHIN 48 TO 72 HOURS, PROBABLY, YOUR HOPEFULLY YOUR WATER IS GONE BY THEN.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER SPEAKING OF YOUR VINCA WHO WONDERS WHETHER TRICLOPERE WILL KILL WILD STRAWBERRIES IN VINCA WITHOUT KILLING THE VINCA?

>> YOU WOULD HAVE TO INDAVIDUALLY PAINT ALL OF THE WILD STRAWBERRY TO GET THAT, BUT IT WILL KILL THE VINCA IF IT TOUCHES IT.

>> ALL RIGHT WE HAVE A VIEWER WONDERING YET AGAIN WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO SPRAY BLACK MEDIC AND WITH WHAT?

>> RIGHT NOW, DON'T SPRAY ANYTHING.

IT'S TOO HOT, TOO HUMID.

HAND DIG IT OUT IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

OTHERWISE I WOULD PROBABLY WAIT UNTIL THIS FALL.

WELL, IT'S AN ANNUAL, SO, PREEMERGE.

THERE YOU GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SHE DIDN'T HEAR YES NO.

[ LAUGHTER ] THOSE WERE HARD QUESTIONS.

I DIDN'T MAKE THEM UP.

ALL RIGHT.

JODY, ARE YOU READY?

>> YEAH.

SURE.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO IS SEEING MORE BUMBLEBEES THAN USUAL THIS YEAR.

IS THIS AN UNUSUAL YEAR FOR BUMBLEBEES?

>> NO, IT IS A GREAT YEAR FOR BUMBLEBEES.

IT'S PROBABLY THE MILD WINTER THAT ALLOWED A LOT OF THE OVERWINTERING QUEENS TO SURVIVE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE WHO IS SAYING THEY'VE SEEN A HANDFUL OF MONARCHS, NO EGGS, NOT MANY CATERPILLARS.

ANY IDEAS ON THAT ONE?

>> I FIND IT'S WHENEVER YOU START LOOKING, SO I HAVE SEEN A COUPLE.

EGGS AND CATERPILLARS.

AND THEN I GO BACK AND THEY ARE NOT THERE ANYMORE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> PREDATION.

>> YEAH.

WE HAVE AN ATLANTIC, IOWA VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHEN TO PUT DOWN THE GRUB CONTROL.

>> OKAY, SO THIS IS PROBABLY NOT A GOOD LIGHTNING ROUND QUESTION.

BUT I'M GOING TO ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE GRUBS IN YOUR TURF AND YOU WANT TO DO A PREVENTIVE SO IT WOULD BE NOW.

>> RIGHT NOW.

OKAY.

WE HAVE ANOTHER VIEWER WHO SAYS, HAS LOTS OF FLOWERS FOR THE POLLINATORS AND IS NOT SEEING BUTTERFLIES.

MAYBE SEEING THE SOLITARY BEES BUT NO BUTTERFLIES.

>> WELL THEN, YOU NEED TO GO OUT THERE AND STAND THERE AND BE VERY QUIET.

OR SKIP WORK, BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN I SEE THE MOST BUTTERFLIES.

>> YOU DON'T SKIP WORK.

>> NO, NO, I DON'T SKIP WORK.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SCOTT AND AMY TIED.

SO, YOU GUYS CAN FIGHT OVER IT.

ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

WELL, AS OUR GARDEN IS THRIVING, IT IS TIME TO TAKE A WALK AROUND JUST TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS DEVELOPING.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT TERRI IS GOING TO SUGGEST ON THIS WEEK'S "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN UPDATE.

♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, WE ARE AGAIN ADMIRING THE BEAUTY.

BUT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING A LOT OF REPORTS OF PEOPLE SEEING SQUASH VINE BORE AND SQUASH BUGS ALL OVER.

SO, MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE OUT WALKING THROUGH YOUR GARDEN ON A DAILY BASIS INSPECTING EVERYTHING.

AS YOU DO THAT, YOU CAN PLUCK OFF THE DEAD FLOWERS TO KEEP YOUR FLOWERS BLOOMING.

YOU CAN ALSO GO THROUGH AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE KIND OF TRIMMING UP THOSE TOMATO PLANTS SO THAT YOU'RE KIND OF LESSENING SOME OF THE GREENERY DOWN AND ALLOWING SOME OF THAT AIR TO GO THROUGH TO KIND OF HELP ELIMINATE SOME OF THE DISEASE ISSUES.

AND JUST DO SOME OF THAT LITTLE OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF THE GARDEN.

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO KIND OF LOOK THROUGH THE GARDEN, SEE HOW EVERYTHING LOOKS, AND KEEP EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE.

AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE GETTING AHEAD OF ALL THE BUGS AND DISEASES THAT COULD BE SHOWING UP THIS TIME OF YEAR IN THE GARDEN.

SO, STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN THIS WEEK AND CHECK IT OUT.

♪ >> IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO THAT SCOUTING AROUND ON A REGULAR BASIS SO YOU CAN GET AHEAD OF ANY PROBLEMS.

IT'S GOOD ADVICE FOR ANY PART OF YOUR LANDSCAPE, BESIDES WHICH IT'S FUN AND BEAUTIFUL.

SO, BUT RIGHT NOW, SPEAKING OF BEAUTY, SCOTT, WHAT DO WE HAVE?

>> THE FIRST ONE WE HAVE DOWN HERE, THIS ONE IS OUR BUTTONBUSH.

THIS IS A CULTIVAR CALLED SPUTNIK.

BUTTONBUSHES ARE A NATIVE SHRUB.

THEY ARE ABOUT SIX TO MAYBE TEN FOOT TALL.

SAME IN WIDTH.

REALLY NICE PLANT.

THEY ARE BLOOMING RIGHT NOW.

IT'S A GREAT PLANT TO HAVE IN THE GARDEN.

AND THEN THIS ONE UP HERE, THIS IS A BOTTLEBRUSH BUCKEYE, WHICH IS A MOUTHFUL TO SAY.

IT'S A VERY TROPICAL LOOKING PLANT BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LEAVES, WE HAVE THIS PALMY, COMPOUND LEAF.

RIGHT THERE.

IT'S A NICE LONG BLOOMING PLANT.

IT IS HARD TO PROPAGATE BUT IF YOU FIND IT IN THE GARDEN CENTER IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY PICK UP.

>> YEAH, AND IT IS A GREAT COMBINATION FOR GREEN AND WHITE AND POLLINATORS.

>> YES.

>> WE JUST ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.

ALL RIGHT.

SO, WE HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THINGS IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

BUT WE ONLY HAVE ONE AND IT'S THE MOST FUN OF ALL, WHICH IS, YOU NEED TO COME VISIT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN 24/7, 365.

EAST CAMPUS.

YOU CAN PARK FOR FREE ON THE WEEKENDS.

THE GETTING IN AND THE GETTING OUT IS A LITTLE TRICKY RIGHT NOW BECAUSE, OF COURSE, SUMMER IS WHEN THEY TRY TO REPAIR EVERY SINGLE STREET.

BUT COME SEE US BECAUSE IT CHANGES EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE JUST LOVE HAVING OUR VISITORS.

ALL RIGHT, SO NOW WE HAVE QUESTIONS.

WE ARE ON ROUND THREE.

YOU HAVE TWO AND ACTUALLY SEVERAL PEOPLE OF COURSE.

JODY SENT THIS IN.

COLUMBINE LOOKS LIKE THIS.

IF YOU LOOK NORMAL, THEY CAN'T FIND INSECTS.

THEY'RE WONDERING IF THIS WILL KILL THE PLANTS AND WHAT IS IT.

>> IT WILL NOT KILL THE PLANTS, AND OUR PLANTS AT OUR OFFICE HAS THIS TOO.

IT'S THE COLUMBINE LEAF MINER.

SO THAT'S A LITTLE FLY LARVAE IN BETWEEN THE LAYERS OF THE LEAVES JUST MINING THEIR WAY, EATING THEIR WAY THROUGH THERE.

THERE IS A COUPLE OF GENERATIONS PER YEAR.

AND IT IS USUALLY WORST WHEN THE PLANTS ARE IN THE SHADE FOR SOME REASON.

BUT IT SHOULDN'T KILL THE PLANT.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

JODY, THIS COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

SHE SAID, CREEPING JENNY AROUND HER MAILBOX FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BUT THIS YEAR, IT IS BEING ANNIHILATED BY SOME SORT OF A CREATURE.

>> YEAH, THIS YEAR HAS BEEN REALLY BAD FOR SAWFLIES AND SO THE LOOSESTRIFE SAWFLY IS THE PEST THAT'S EATEN THIS.

AND IF YOU WENT AND LOOKED CLOSELY, THEY ARE PRETTY CAMOUFLAGED AND THEN IF YOU GO TO TRY TO PICK IT UP, THEY ROLL OFF THE PLANT.

SO, THERE MAY BE ANOTHER GENERATION, AND IF YOU DO SEE THEM, THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO PICK THEM OFF.

TREATING THEM RIGHT NOW ISN'T REALLY GOING TO DO ANY GOOD BECAUSE THEY ARE GONE.

>> AND THEY ARE BLUE AREN'T THEY?

THEY'RE KIND OF A BLUE?

>> THEY ARE VERY INTERESTING CATERPILLAR-LOOKING AND THEN THEY'VE GOT LIKE THIS WEIRD EYEBALL-LOOKING THING.

NOT COMPOUND EYES.

IT'S A BUNCH OF LITTLE TINY SIMPLE EYES.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS NEAR BLAIR.

CONEFLOWER, SHE'S SAYING WHAT MAKES IT DO THIS?

SHE IS SEEING IT ON NATIVE CONEFLOWER AND ALSO ON BUTTERFLY BUSH.

OR BUTTERFLY MILKWEED, SORRY.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT DOES THIS.

AMY, COULD THIS BE A FUNGUS?

>> I'M THINKING IT COULD BE A FUNGUS.

BOTRYTIS BLIGHT CAN CAUSE THAT CRICKING, AND WE HAVE BEEN WET ENOUGH FOR BOTRYTIS BLIGHT TO BE CAUSING HAVOC ON EVERYTHING.

TYPICALLY, WE DON'T RECOMMEND TREATMENT.

JUST CUT IT OFF, AND YOU'LL GET MORE CONEFLOWERS.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

THREE PICTURES FOR YOU ON THIS ONE, TERRI.

THIS COMES TO US FROM BURLINGTON, COLORADO.

THEY HAVE TEN ACRES OF NATIVE BUFFALO GRASS AND THEY WANT TO GET RID OF THE FOXTAIL AND THE CHEATGRASS.

THEY DO HAVE THEIR OWN 20-FOOT SPRAYER.

WHAT AND WHEN?

>> SO, THIS IS GOING TO BE KIND OF A MULTIPRONG APPROACH.

FOR NOW, I WOULD BE OUT MOWING THIS DOWN AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN SO THAT IT DOESN'T GO TO SEED.

AND THEN, IN THE FALL, IF YOU WANT TO PUT -- WELL, YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT A POST EMERGENT DOWN.

IN THE SPRING YOU'RE GOING TO PUT A PREEMERGENT DOWN, AND YOU CAN USE PLATEAU.

THAT ONE WILL ACTUALLY GET BOTH THE CHEATGRASS AND THE FOXTAIL.

SO, A PREEMERGENT WILL STOP IT BECAUSE THEY'RE BOTH AN ANNUAL.

SO, THAT'S HOW YOU'RE GONNA CONTROL IT.

TRY TO KEEP IT FROM GOING TO SEED SO YOU WON'T HAVE ANY SEED BANK IN THERE.

AND IT WOULD BE A FANTASTIC DAY JUST TO GET IN AND START MOWING, SO THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

PUT YOUR EARBUDS IN AND OFF YOU GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> AND THEN PUT THE PLATEAU DOWN IN THE SPRING FOR THE PREEMERGE, AND THAT SHOULD HELP YOU WITH THOSE TWO ANNUALS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM ASHLAND.

NEW WATERLINE.

SOME SORT OF TURF, SORT OF.

THEY ABSOLUTELY DON'T LIKE WHAT THEY ARE SEEING.

VERY TALL.

VERY THICK.

BROAD LEAVES.

DOESN'T MATCH ANYTHING ELSE.

GROWS THREE TIMES FASTER.

DOES SHE KILL AND START OVER?

>> YES.

PROBABLY.

MY GUESS IS THAT THEY PROBABLY JUST USED A REALLY BAD INEXPENSIVE SEED MIX.

SO, I PROBABLY COULDN'T TELL YOU FOR SURE WHAT WAS IN IT.

I WOULD PROBABLY GO AHEAD, AGAIN, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SPRAY RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT IS TOO HOT AND HUMID.

SO, TRY TO KEEP IT MOWED DOWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

YOU COULD MAYBE TURN IT OVER, BUT THEN YOU'RE GOING TO OPEN UP FOR MORE SEEDS POSSIBLY.

SO CONTROL THE GWTH AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN IN THIS FALL.

DO SOME OVERSEEDING.

I WOULD ALSO MAKE SURE THAT YOU PUT SOMETHING DOWN TO HELP HOLD THE MOISTURE IN, IN CASE IT DOES STOP RAINING WHEN YOU DO PUT THAT SEED DOWN.

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

THIS THE GOHTANBURG.

THESE PLANTS ARE POPPING UP IN THE BACKYARD.

NEVER HAD THEM BEFORE.

>> THEY'RE A TREE OF SOME KIND.

I COULDN'T GET CLOSE ENOUGH IN IT.

BUT BASICALLY, YOU JUST KEEP MOWING THEM DOWN AND THEY WILL EVENTUALLY GO AWAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AMY, ONE PICTURE ON THE FIRST ONE, AND THEN YOU GOT TWO MORE THAT KIND OF GO WITH IT.

AND A COUPLE MORE THAT KIND OF GO WITH IT.

IT'S SPRUCE TIME.

>> IT'S SPRUCE TIME.

>> FIRST ONE IS ELK HORN.

BARE AREA.

IS IT A DISEASE?

THE SECOND TWO ARE BROWNING.

IT'S NOT BAG WORMS WE ALL DECIDED.

AND THAT'S WAHOO AND THE THIRD TWO ARE EXETER.

BRANCHES BROKEN BY THE WIND.

SO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO THINK OF HERE?

>> WE HAVE ALL SORTS OF THINGS GOING ON HERE.

THE BIG THING WITH SPRUCES WE'RE SEEING WITH SPRUCES IS CYTOSPORA CANKER, WHICH IS GOING TO BE IMPACTING THAT TRUNK.

AND SO AS WE GET INTO THE DRIER MONTHS, BECAUSE IT'S PLUGGING THAT VASCULAR SYSTEM, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE PARTS OF THOSE TREES STARTING TO BROWN JUST FROM THAT LACK OF MOISTURE.

CYTOSPORA CANKER IS ONE OF THOSE HARD ONES, ONCE YOU HAVE IT, THERE REALLY ISN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

I DO RECOMMEND AS BEST AS YOU CAN, I KNOW IT'S HARD TO CLIMB INTO A SPRUCE TREE, BUT IF YOU CAN, WIGGLE YOUR WAY IN, YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF WHITE SAP COMING OFF THE TOP OF THE TRUNK.

AND THAT'S USUALLY A GOOD INDICATION OF CYTOSPORA CANKER.

THE OTHER TRICK IS WE RAN INTO SIROCOCCUS TIP BLIGHT.

THE OTHER BIG THING THAT WE RUN INTO WITH BLUE SPRUCES, ESPECIALLY AS THEY START GETTING LARGER, IF ANYTHING IS SHADED, WE'RE GOING TO LOSE THE NEEDLES.

THE NEEDLES HAVE TO HAVE SUNLIGHT TO STAY BLUE-GREEN IN COLORATION.

AND THAT'S HOW WE'LL GET SOME BROWN SPOTS ON OUR SPRUCES TOO JUST FROM LACK OF SUNSHINE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, AMY.

THIS IS A NEIGHBOR HAS A LARGE TREE, LOOKS LIKE AN EASTERN RED CEDAR.

>> YEAH, GOOD FRIEND.

>> AND IT IS COVERED IN THESE, AND SHE SAYS HER ARBORVITAES STARTED GETTING THE SAME THING LAST YEAR.

I DON'T THINK SO.

MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN A DIFFERENT -- >> A DIFFERENT ONE.

>> YEAH.

>> ANYTHING IN THOSE JUNIPER SPECIES, SO EASTERN RED CEDAR, TAILOR JUNIPERS WILL ALL GET THIS.

THESE ARE THE GALLS OF CEDAR APPLE RUST.

OUR CEDAR FILL IN THE BLANK.

PEERS QUINCE RUST.

THOSE PRODUCE THE SPORES EARLIER IN THE SPRING THAT WENT TO THOSE TREES.

THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR TREATMENT.

YOU CAN PICK THEM OFF, BUT THEY'RE JUST KIND OF THERE FOR CHRISTMAS, EARLY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

SCOTT, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES, THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

TALL, SHE SAYS, PHLOX OPENING WEIRD.

WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?

>> I'M NOT QUITE SURE.

THERE DOES APPEAR TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF HERBICIDE INJURY ON THIS PLANT, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THIS GROWTH THAT WE'RE SEEING.

THIS COULD BE A PHYSICAL INJURY AND THE PLANT STARTED TO GROW AROUND THAT PHYSICAL INJURY.

AND SO WE'RE JUST GETTING THAT BURRITO SHAPE GROWTH.

YOU CAN CUT IT OPEN, SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

BUT, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT IS GOING TO BE PERMANENT OR HARMFUL.

JUST ENJOY IT, HAVE FUN.

>> OKAY.

THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, SCOTT.

THIS COMES TO US FROM BRADY, NEBRASKA.

UNUSUALLY BEAUTIFUL ORIENTAL LILIES ARE DEFORMED.

THEY'RE NORMALLY WHITE, LOVELY.

THE BUDS ARE STRANGE.

WHAT'S WRONG?

>> THIS COULD BE A PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENON CALLED BLIND BUD.

THIS IS WHERE WE DON'T GET THE ACTUAL FLOWER PETALS.

WE DON'T SEE A LOT.

THERE'S AN OUTSIDE CHANCE IT COULD BE A TYPE OF A VIRUS.

WHAT I WOULD DO IS GO AHEAD AND SEND A SAMPLE TO KYLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY MIGHT BE GOING ON.

BUT THAT ONE HAS US STUMPED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM A VIEWER WHO LIVES IN GRETNA, BUT HIS DAUGHTER'S IN OCEAN SIDE, CALIFORNIA.

THEY HAD A TREE REMOVED AND HIS QUESTION IS COULD ALL THOSE ROOTS HAVE BEEN FROM A SINGLE TREE?

>> AND THE ANSWER IS YES.

HALF THE TREE WE CAN'T SEE BECAUSE IT IS UNDERGROUND.

AND IT IS KIND OF COOL THAT WE HAVE HAD QUESTIONS FROM BOTH MARYLAND AND CALIFORNIA TONIGHT.

SO THANKS FOR WATCHING.

>> EXACTLY.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WEEDS ARE OFTEN DESCRIBED AS THOSE PLANTS THAT ARE GROWING IN AN UNWANTED AREA.

FOR OUR SECOND FEATURE, IAN PETERSON SAYS IT IS INEVITABLE THAT SOME WEEDS POP UP AND HE GIVES US TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP THEM UNDER CONTROL.

♪ >> WEEDS COME FROM ALL OVER, BUT SOMETIMES THEY COME FROM A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME.

DEPENDING ON YOUR NEIGHBOR'S LANDSCAPE AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY, YOU MAY BE DEALING WITH ANNUALS THAT ARE SEEDING OUT, PERENNIALS THAT ARE CREEPING UNDER FENCE LINES OR ACROSS LOT LINES OR SUCKERS FROM SHRUBS.

THESE SUCKERS ARE FROM A SHRUB, THE PLUM, THAT CAN GO VERY FAR FROM THE MAIN PLANT.

THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH THESE IS TO JUST MOW THEM OFF IN THE LAWN.

IF THEY ARE IN A LANDSCAPE BED, YOU CAN CUT THEM OR DIG THEM OFF.

IF YOU SEE THEM GROWING OFF THE BASE OF A TREE OR SHRUB, JUST CUT THEM.

THERE ARE PRODUCTS YOU CAN APPLY TO SUCKERS THAT CAN KEEP THEM FROM GROWING BACK AS QUICKLY, BUT YOU NEVER WANT TO SPRAY THESE WITH HERBICIDES BECUASE YOU CAN END UP KILLING THESE AND THE BIGGER PLANT WHICH CAN BECOME A BIG PROBLEM EITHER FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR'S PLANT OR FOR SAFETY OF PERSONS OR PROPERTY.

LANDSCAPE BORDERS AND EDGERS ARE ANOTHER WAY TO KEEP PERENNIAL WEEDS FROM GROWING UNDER PENCES OR IN YOUR LANDSCAPE BEDS.

MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE BURIED ABOUT THREE TO SIX INCHES UNDERGROUND, BUT ALSO, KEEP IN MIND, THAT IF THEY'RE NOT TALL ENOUGH, SOME WEEDS, LIKE THIS CREEPING CHARLIE, CAN GET OVER THE TOPS OF THEM, AND SO YOU'LL HAVE TO PULL OR CHEMICALLY REMOVE THEM DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY ARE.

>> AND OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE A LOT MORE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO KEEP THOSE WEEDS DOWN WITHOUT GRABBING THAT HERBICIDE.

THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE THE LAST RESORT AFTER YOU TRY THE OTHER METHODS.

GET OUT TERRI'S SOIL KNIFE.

ALL RIGHT.

LAST ROUND OF PICTURE QUESTIONS.

THE FIRST TWO COME TO YOU FROM KEARNEY.

CAN YOU PLEASE ID THIS?

HE SAW IT IN CEDAR COUNTY.

IT WAS INSIDE A HOUSE.

HE'S INTERESTED IN KEEPING IT OUT.

>> YEAH.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'VE HAD AT LEAST FIVE OF THESE COME UP THIS WEEK.

THESE ARE A TYPE OF DERMESTID BEETLE, WHICH MEANS SKIN BEETLE.

AND IN PARTICULAR, IT'S CALLED A LARDER BEETLE.

THEY'RE ASSOCIATED WITH -- AND IT'S THE LARVAE THAT EAT HIGH PROTEIN ITEMS.

SO, THINK ABOUT LIKE DEAD THINGS.

TAXIDERMY.

DRIED MEATS.

PET FOOD.

WE ARE LEANING TOWARD PET FOOD.

SO IF YOU'VE SOME DOG OR CAT FOOD AND IT'S NOT STORED PROPERLY, GO CHECK THAT OUT.

IF YOU'VE GOT LARVAE IN YOUR PET FOOD, THEN YOU WANT TO FREEZE THOSE, GET RID OF THAT.

AND THEN WHEN YOU BUY NEW PET FOOD, YOU WANT TO STORE THEM PROPERLY IN AN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER.

BUT YEAH, IT'S NOT GOOD.

THAT COULD BE FROM DEAD FLIES, COULD BE FROM A NUMBER OF THINGS.

FIND THE SOURCE AND GET RID OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

SHE WONDERS IF THIS CREATURE IS THE ONE THAT MIGHT BE THE ONE EATING HER XENIAS.

>> COULD BE.

SO, THIS IS AN EARWIG.

THEY LIKE TIGHT CREVICES IN THE TOPS OF FLOWERS, IN MILKWEED IN THE FLOWERS AND WHATNOT.

AND SO, THEY'RE SCAVENGERS, SO THEY COULD BE CHEWING ON SOME OF THE LEAVES.

YOU CAN JUST PICK THEM OUT OR YOU CAN PUT TRAPS IN YOUR GARDEN LIKE ROLLED UP NEWSPAPER.

AND TRAP THEM AND THEN PUT THEM IN SOAPY WATER.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE.

AND THIS IS A LOUISVILLE VIEWER.

THIS SPRUCE STARTED TO SHOW SOME RED.

DISEASE, DROUGHT?

IT DOES GET SOME WATER.

SOUND OFF FOR SPIDER MITES.

>> YEAH, I WOULD CHECK FOR SPIDER MITES, PUT AN INDEX CARD ON TOP OF IT, SEE IF THERE'S LITTLE MITES.

IF SO, SPRAY THEM OFF WITH THE HOSE.

BLAST OF WATER FIRST, AND THEN GO THROUGH THE STEPS IF THEY ARE.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

TERRI, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

SHE'S ASKING IS THIS -- SHE IS CALLING IT MINT WEED.

DOES HAVE A SQUARE STEM.

IS IT CATNIP MAYBE?

>> YEP, THAT'S WHAT IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE TO ME.

SO THIS IS ACTUALLY A VERY ADAPTABLE PLANT.

IT'LL GROW IN LOTS OF PLACES.

THIS IS ONE I MAKE THE MASTER GARDENERS DIG OUT OF THE GARDEN BECAUSE I CAN'T STAND THE SMELL OF IT.

BUT, YEAH.

NO.

JUST -- IT ACTUALLY IS A VERY GOOD POLLINATOR.

SO IF YOU WANTED TO KEEP IT FOR THE POLLEN, FOR JODY'S POLLINATORS, YOU COULD DO THAT.

BUT, IN MY GARDEN IT WOULD COME OUT.

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

THIS IS A HICKMAN VIEWER.

WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS WEED IS, IT'S EVERYWHERE.

WE MIGHT HAVE TO -- >> YEAH, WE'VE GONE AROUND AND AROUND ON WHAT THIS ONE IS.

IF YOU CAN LET IT GROW UP A LITTLE BIT MORE, THEN THAT MIGHT HELP US OR IF YOU CAN BRING A SAMPLE INTO THE EXTENSION OFFICE.

THERE IS MASTER GARDENERS AT THE LANCASTER COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE IN THE MORNINGS.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO HELP.

>> OKAY, THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE FOR YOU, AMY.

THIS IS PILGER.

OR TWO PICTURES, SORRY.

TWO PICTURES FOR YOU ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS OMAHA.

THREE SHRUBS DIED, THE OTHER TWO HAVE THIS.

THIS IS OUR LOVELY NINEBARK.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT TO DO.

>> YOU HAVE POWDERY MILDEW COMING OUT OF YOUR EARS.

OUT OF YOUR NINEBARK EARS, ACTUALLY.

NOT A LOT WE CAN DO.

INCREASE CIRCULATION AND WAIT FOR THE HUMIDITY TO GO AWAY.

>> RIGHT.

AND ON THOSE DARK COLORED ONES, THAT'S USUALLY THE WORST.

>> YEAH.

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

THIS IS ALSO OMAHA.

FULL SUN GROWTHS IN THE GRASS.

SMALL SPOTS.

THEY START WHITE, THEN THEY TURN DARK, THEN THEY DUST.

IS A COTTONWOOD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?

>> COTTONWOOD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE.

THIS IS SUPER DUPER COOL.

THIS IS SLIME MOLD.

AND SO IT'S JUST LIVING -- ON THAT LEAF.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, JUST TAKE A BLAST OF WATER.

THEY COME IN MULTIPLE COLORS.

WHITE, BLUES, PURPLES, REDS, PINKS.

VERY COLORFUL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS AMY.

AND NOTHING TO DO WITH A COTTONWOOD?

>> NOPE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THREE PICTURES FOR YOU, SCOTT.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PILGER BUT SHE SAW THE TREE IN OMAHA.

TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS.

IT'S SPECTACULAR.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IT IS AND IF IT CAN BE PROPAGATED.

SHE THINKS IT IS OLD BECAUSE IT IS IN OLD OMAHA.

SHE'S GOT PHOTOS IN BLOOM AND NOW THE FRUIT.

SO, I THINK WE HAVE A PICTURE OF WHAT IT IS WHICH IS QUITE HELPFUL.

>> YEAH, THIS IS A PURPLE LEAF PEACH.

WE DON'T SEE IT VERY OFTEN.

IT'S A REALLY GORGEOUS PLANT.

THOSE BRIGHT RED FLOWERS, REALLY ORNAMENTAL.

AND THEN AFTERWARDS, YOU JUST HAVE SOME REALLY GREAT FOLIAGE.

I WAS READING ABOUT THE PLANT AND APPARENTLY, THE PEACHES DON'T TASTE VERY WELL.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE GROWING IT MORE FOR OUR ORNAMENTAL VALUE.

THE FLOWERS AND THE FOLIAGE.

BUT IT IS A PEACH, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH IT.

I WOULD LOOK FOR IT IN A GARDEN CENTER AND NOT TRY TO PROPAGATE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE ON THIS LAST ONE.

THIS IS ALSO A PEACH FROM LORTON.

THREE -- A COUPLE PICTURES.

FLOWERS, IT DOESN'T PRODUCE PEACHES.

>> I DOUBT IT WILL.

THIS IS NEBRASKA.

PEACHES HAVE A VERY SHORT LIFE EXPECTANCY.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO SUCCESSION PLANTING WHERE YOU PLANT A PEACH EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS.

TRYH TO GET THAT FRUIT.

BUT THIS ONE, IT JUST MIGHT BE BETTER, CHOP IT DOWN, START OVER.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS IN THE SHADE.

JUST NOT A REALLY GOOD SPACE.

>> YEAH AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S KIND OF A COMPROMISE.

>> YEAH, IT'S SEEN BETTER DAYS.

>> SEEN BETTER DAYS.

A LITTLE MULCH AROUND THE EDGES.

A LITTLE STARTING OVER.

IN THAT LAST WIND, FOR HEAVEN SAKES, WE HAVE A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS VERY NICE PEACH TREES.

PRUNING IS MAYBE AN ISSUE.

CENTER CRACKED RIGHT OUT OF ONE, AND -- >> IT'S LIKE THEY'RE ROMANTICIZED, BUT WE JUST NEED TO BE A LITTLE MORE REALISTIC, BECAUSE -- YEAH.

THIS IS NEBRASKA, NOT GEORGIA.

>> RIGHT.

AND IF YOU WANT PEACHES, GO TO KIMMEL OR TO HARMONY FARM AND DO THAT KIND OF -- GO BUY THEM OR BUY THEM FROM FARMER'S MARKET INSTEAD OF TRYING TO GET THEM GROWN ALL BY YOURSELF IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

AND WITH THAT, AS WE HAVE PEACH JUICE RUNNING DOWN OUR CHINS, WE'LL WRAP IT UP FOR THIS WEEK'S "BACKYARD FARMER."

WE DO WANT TO SAY THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED THOSE QUESTIONS AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES THIS EVENING WE HAD JOHN CARIOTTO AND GARY BELL.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER", WE'LL BE REVISITING OUR TRIP TO VALENTINE.

THEIR DOWNTOWN AREA RECENTLY UNDERWENT A REVITALIZATION.

WE'LL HIGHLIGHT WHY PLANTS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE WHEN IT WAS ALL FINISHED.

DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" WEBSITE AT BYF.UNL.EDU.

SIGNUP FOR OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER.

SO GOODNIGHT, GOOD GARDENING, AND WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT HERE NEXT WEEK ON "BACKYARD FARMER."

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪