>>> CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

"“BACKYARD FARMER"” IS A CO-PRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'LL HELP YOU AVOID POISONOUS PLANTS AND SEE WHY THESE TREES ARE IN DANGER OF DYING.

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

"” ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF "BACKYARD FARMER.

"” I'M KIM TODD.

WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE ANOTHER GREAT SHOW IN STORE YOU.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, SO IF YOU HAVE ANY GARDENING QUESTINS, SIMPLY DIAL 1-800-656-5446.

THOSE PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE GLAD TO HELP YOU.

IF YOU'D RATHER SEND US AN E-MAIL OR A FEW PICTURES ALONG WITH A QUESTION, SEND THOSE TO BYF.UNL.EDU.

BE SURE TO TELL US AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR QUESTION INCLUDING WHERE YOU LIVE.

IF YOU LOVE TO WATCH "“BACKYARD FARMER"”, YOU CAN CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AFTER THE SHOW.

CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING SO YOU WON'T MISS ANY OF OUR GOOD CONTENT.

AND YOU COULD ALWAYS FOLLOW "“BACKYARD FARMER"” DURING THE WEEK ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

SO, LET'S START WITH SOME SAMPLES.

AND, THIS IS A PEACH OF A SAMPLE.

>> IT IS A PEACH OF A SAMPLE.

I DID BRING A PEACH TONIGHT.

[ LAUGHTER ] AND THIS IS FROM OUR GROWING TOGETHER NEBRASKA GARDEN AT THE EXTENSION OFFICE IN MADISON COUNTY IN NORFOLK.

AND EVERY NOW WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT YOUR SMALL GREEN PEACHES, AND THEN YOU'LL SEE A LITTLE GLOB OF OOZE COMING OUT.

AND I KNOW IT'S GOT A BIG BROWN SPOT UP HERE, THAT'S FROM IT RUBBING ON A BRANCH.

BUT THIS OOZE IF YOU PULL IT OFF, YOU'LL SEE THERE'S A BROWN SPOT RIGHT THERE.

AND THAT'S WHERE AN ORIENTAL FRUIT MOTH CATERPILLAR HAS EATEN INTO THAT FRUIT.

LOTS OF OUR FRUIT BORING CATERPILLARS LIKE TO COME IN THROUGH THE TOP BY THE STEM OR UP THROUGH THE BLOSSOM END.

BUT, THESE WILL GO RIGHT THROUGH THE SIDE IN THE SOFT PEACHES AND THEY'LL BURROW THROUGH.

SO, THIS IS OUR FIRST GENERATION OF ORIENTAL FRUIT MOTHS THAT WILL DO THIS.

LATER ON THEY'RE DO THE MORE CLASSIC COME IN THROUGH THE TOP AND BORE INTO THE PIT AND EAT THE SEEDS.

AT THIS POINT, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH.

MANAGEMENT'S REALLY EASY IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT BACKYARD, YOU KNOW SMALL NUMBER OF TREES.

JUST PICK OFF THE AFFECTED FRUITS AND DEPOSE OF THEM.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

I SEE MAYBE ONE OR TWO A YEAR ON MY TREES AT HOME.

SO IT PRETTY EASY TO TAKE CARE OF THAT WAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU, WAYNE.

OKAY, TERRY.

>> ALL RIGHT,SO I HAVE BROUGHT A BOTTLE.

A BOTTLE OF CONCENTRATED POISON IVY AND BRUSH KILLER.

WE'VE BEEN HAVING LOTS AND LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT KILLING VINES, ESPECIALLY POISON IVY IN PEOPLE'S YARDS.

SO THIS IS KIND OF WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK FOR.

IT PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS.

IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON WHAT BRAND YOU GET AS TO WHAT THE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS ARE.

THEY'RE ALL GOING TO WORK REALLY WELL.

MOST LIKELY YOU'LL BE PUTTING MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS ON.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE READ THE BACK OF THE LABEL, OPEN IT UP, READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT TO WEAR, HOW TO APPLY IT, WHEN TO APPLY IT, AND ALL THOSE KIND OF GOOD TIDBITS.

>> ALL RIGHT, TERRI.

OKAY AMY, WHAT'S THE ROT TONIGHT?

>> THE ROT, SO, EVEYRBODY'S BEEN BUSY COLLECTING THOSE WONDERFUL YUMMY STRAWBERRIES.

AND AS YOU'RE IN THERE PULLING UP THE STRAWBERRIES, YOU'RE SEEING THESE ROTS IN SPOTS.

SO, I BROUGHT TWO DIFFERENT LEAF DISEASES.

THE FIRST ONE WE'RE GONNA LOOKA AT IS THIS ONE HERE.

SORRY THEY'RE A LITTLE WILTED.

THEY DIDN'T LIKE THE WARM WEATHER.

THIS IS WHAT WE CALL A STRAWBERRY SPOT.

REALLY CREATIVE, RIGHT?

IT'S FAIRLY SHOWY.

YOU'LL SEE THIS ON THE UPPER LEAVES.

IT GIVES THAT DARK PURPLE BORDER BROWN AND AS IT GETS OLDER, THOSE WILL BREAK THROUGH AND THEN IT KIND OF GIVES YOU A RATHER TATTERED LOOK.

TRADITIONALLY, HISTORICALLY THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH STRAWBERRIES BUT NOW THE MAJORITY OF OUR STRAWBERRIES ARE ACTUALLY RESISTANT.

AND SO THIS ENDS UP BEING A COSMETIC ISSUE AND NOTHING FOR YOU TO WORRY ABOUT.

THE SECOND ONE WE HAVE WE FIND ON THE LOWER SIDE OF THE STRAWBERRY PLANT.

AND THIS IS LEAF BLIGHT.

THIS ONE IS CHARACTERIZED BY THAT -- YOU SEE THAT BEAUITFUL "“V"” THERE?

THE INFECTION STARTS AT THE TIP AND THEN IT KEEPS WORKING DOWN AND DOWN TO THE BASE AND UP GET THAT NICE V AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO TURN BROWN AND YELLOW.

THIS IS ANOTHER FUNGAL LEAF SPOT.

TYPICALLY IT'S NOT A MAJOR ISSUE AND ENDS UP BEING MORE COSMETIC.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ALL THESE, THE BEST THING TO DO IS FALL CLEAN-UP.

SAY OVER WINTER IN THE DEBRIS.

SO, CLEAN UP YOUR STRAWBERRY BEDS REALLY WELL AT THE FALL, AND YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR STRAWBERRY BEDS AND NOT HAVING ALL THE NASTY ROTS AND SPOTS NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, AMY.

ALL RIGHT SARAH, YOU GET BEAUTY.

>> YEAH.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL BUT IT'S VERY PRICKLEY.

[ LAUGHTER ] SO THIS IS A ACANTHUS SPINOSA.

SPINOSUS.

AND THE COMMON NAME FOR THIS IS SPINY BEAR BREACHES.

AND THIS HAPPENED TO BE BLOOMING IN THE YARD OR GARDEN HERE ON THIS CAMPUS RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS A PERENNIAL.

IT'S HARDY TO ZONE FIVE.

IT NOT NATIVE IN NORTH AMERICA.

IT ACTUALLY COMES FROM ASIA.

AND IT'S VERY STRIKING.

IT'S A VERY STRIKING KIND OF STRUCTURAL OR ARCHITECTURAL LOOKING PLANT IN A LANDSCAPE, IT'S GOT A VERY UPRIGHT LOOK TO THE FLOWERS WHEN THEY'RE BLOOMING.

THE LEAVES THEMSELVES, THEY'RE KIND OF LARGE.

AND I DIDN'T BRING ONE, BUT THEY'RE VERY SHINY DARK GREEN AND ALSO QUITE SPINY.

SO, YOU HAVE TO BE A LITTLE CAREFUL BECAUSE THESE ARE SHARP.

THESE ARE REALLY SHARP.

BUT SOMETHING UNUSUAL.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANTED TO HAVE SOMETHING A LITTLE UNUSUAL IN YOUR GARDEN, YOU MIGHT THINK ABOUT ACANTHUS SPINOSUS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SARAH.

OKAY WAYNE, YOU GET THE FIRST ROUND OF PICTURES.

THE FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM WEST DES MOINES, IOWA.

AND THIS IS A HAWTHORN AND SHE FOUND THESE LITTLE WHITE GROWTHS SHE'D NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO GET RID OF IT?

>> THIS IS THE HAWTHORN MEALYBUG.

AND YOU'RE SEEING THE ADULTS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE THAT COVERED IN THE WHITE, WAXY SUBSTANCE.

IT REALLY DIFFICULT TO TOPICALLY TREAT THEM WITH ANYTHING BECAUSE THAT WAX PROTECTS THEM.

YOU CAN TARGET CRAWLERS IN EARLY MAY BUT THEY HAVE A HABIT OF HIDING IN CREVICES OF BARK AND UNDER BARK SO THEY'RE REALLY TOUGH TO CATCH THAT WAY AND ALSO DORMANT OILS TEND NOT TO WORK THAT WELL EITHER BECAUSE EGGS AND THE CRAWLERS ARE UP UNDERNEATH BARK WHERE IT'S TOUGH TO GET THOROUGH COVERAGE TO GET INTO THEM.

SO UNFORTUNATELY ONE OF OUR BEST METHODS IS MOVING INTO WHAT WE MIGHT CALL ONE OF OUR MORE QUESTIONABLE TREE INSECTICIDES AND IT DOES WORK FAIRLY WELL FOR CONTROLLING IT.

IT'S A PRODUCT THAT GETS INTO THE ZYLUM I BELIVE OF THAT PLANT AND IT MOVES UP AND OUT WITH IT.

AND THEN THAT INSECT IS THEN EXPOSED TO IT THAT WAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU WAYNE.

YOUR NEXT ONE COMES TO US FROM AMHERST, NEBRASKA.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

HE CALLS IT ALIENS ON CHOKECHERRY AND WILD PLUM.

AND WONDERS IS IT AN INSECT OR A ROTTEN SPOT?

>> ACTUALLY NEITHER.

THIS IS ACUTALLY A MITE THAT HAS MADE THESE HOMES.

THIS IS CHOKECHERRY FINGER GALL.

AND NOTHING YOU NECESSARILY NEED TO WORRY ABOUT.

MOST OF OUR GALLING INSECTS ON LEAVES LIKE THIS DO NOT CAUSE ANY PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE PLANT.

THEY MAY BE UNSIGHTLY, BUT ITS JUST THEIR CURRENT HOME FOR THIS YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU WAYNE.

AND YOU HAVE ONE MORE.

AND THIS IS OUR FIRST ONE OF THESE.

THIS IS NORTHERN DIXON COUNTY, MINI GRASSHOPPERS ON HIS TATERS.

HOW DOES HE GET RID OF THE GRASSHOPPERS?

>> WELL, IF IT'S IN YOUR GARDEN, FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO IS KEEP YOUR GRASS SHORTER AROUND YOUR GARDEN.

MOW IT PROPERLY, PROPER HEIGHT.

DON'T LET IT GET LONG AT ALL.

GRASSHOPPERS AREN'T AS INTERESTED IN THAT TALLER GRASS.

SO, THAT KEEPS THEM AWAY.

YOU ALSO KILL A FEW WHEN YOU MOW.

SO, THAT'S ANOTHER PERK.

SINCE THEY'RE SMALL AND THEY'RE STILL IN THE NIPPLE STAGE, MOST OF OUR GARDEN INSECTICIDES WILL WORK IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PERMETHINS OR THE CARBARYLS IN THE VARIOUS FORMS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU WAYNE.

TERRI, SPEAKING OF POISON IVY, THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM ELK HORN.

HE'S HAD THREE CASES OF THE RASH WORKING IN HIS FENCED GARDEN.

HE'S BEEN FIGHTING IT.

HE'S GOT PATCHES ALL OVER THE PLACE.

HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THIS IS WHAT IT IS AND THEN HE WANTS TO HAVE US TELL HIM HOW TO TAKE CARE OF IT AND HIS LAST PICTURES, WHAT IT CAN DO.

THIS IS FROM PIONEER'S PARK AND IT'S ABOUT AS TALL AS WE ARE.

>> WELL, THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S VERY TALL BUT, SO YES, THAT IS POISON IVY.

IT WILL KIND OF VINE ABOUT, CAN BE SPREAD BY BIRDS, TOO.

YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO NEED LIKE A THREE-WAY, THAT BRUSH KILLER IS GOING TO HAVE LIKE TRICOLPYR, OR DICAMBA, OR 2,4-D OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT'S GONNA BE IN IT.

I WOULD PROBABLY MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TWO DIFFERENT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS IN IT.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT IT, PAINT IT AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS TO GET RID OF IT.

YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE AT IT.

IT MAY TAKE YOU A COUPLE YEARS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, TERRI.

AND YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT'S DIFFICULT ONE TO CONTROL.

THIS IS A PAPILLION VIEWER.

TRUMPET VINE ACROSS THE FENCE THAT HAS INVADED.

SHE SAYS SHE ACTUALLY DOES CUT.

SHE USES SUCKER PUNCH.

SHE CUT OUT 97 CHUTES BEFORE SHE SENT US THE E-MAIL.

>> SHE IS VERY TENACIOUS.

SO ACTUALLY YOU'RE GOING TO DO THE SAME THING LIKE YOU DO FOR THE POISON IVY.

YOU'RE GOING TO CUT IT AND USE THAT BRUSH KILLER.

SO THREE-WAY PRODUCT MOST LIKELY GOING TO BE IN IT AND THEN MAKE SURE THAT YOU CONTINUALLY DO IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE CONTINUED.

I THINK SHE SAID THAT THE PARENT PLANT IS IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S YARD SO UNTIL THEY GET RID OF IT, YOU MOST LIKELY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE GETTING THAT.

>> THANKS.

ALL RIGHT, AMY.

IT'S A GREAT ROCKS AND SPOTS TIME.

SO YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM WAYNE, NEBRASKA.

IT'S HYMNS AND CHICKS WITH A FUNGUS PROBLEM.

THIS COMES TO US FROM A 6-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO LOVES "BACKYARD FARMER.

"” >> WE APPRECIATE YOU LOVING OUR SHOW.

WE HOPE YOU KEEP LOOKING AND TAKING PICTURES.

THE PICTURE YOU SENT, THIS IS REALL NEAT AND INTERESTING.

I ACTUALLY HAD TO BLOW UP A COUPLE TIMES.

AND THIS IS UNUSUAL.

THIS IS ACTUALLY JUST A SLIME MOLD THAT THE SPORES GOT MOVED AROUND BY INSECTS.

THERE WAS ENOUGH WATER IN THERE AND IT WAS ABLE TO START GROWING.

IT ISN'T GOING TO HURT IT AT ALL.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU CAN ACTUALLY JUST GO IN AND KIND OF POP IT OFF AND PULL IT OUT.

BUT REALLY VERY UNIQUE SITUATION AND IT WAS A GOOD EYE TO BE CATCHING THAT.

>> EXCELLENT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS A BEATRICE VIEWER.

HAS A PEACE LILLY IN HER HOUSE.

SHE SAYS THESE LITTLE MUSHROOMS GROW, DIE, THEN COME BACK AGAIN.

AND SHE'S WONDERING DOES SHE NEED TO REPOT AND PUT IN NEW SOIL?

>> IT JUST MEANS YOU HAVE FAIRIES GOING AROUND IN YOUR PEACE LILLY.

IT'S THEIR NEW HOME.

[ LAUGHTER ] ACTUALLY, THERE'S NOTHING YOU REALLY NEED TO DO.

WHAT THIS IS A FUNGAL STRUCTURE.

THE FRUITING BODY IS BREAKING DOWN DEAD ORGANIC MATTER.

TYPICALLY WHEN I START SEEING A LOT OF MUSHROOM GROWTH IN A HOUSE PLANT, IT'S A LITTLE TOO WET.

SO MAYBE SLOW DOWN THE NUMBER OF WATERINGS THAT YOU'RE DOING.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE WATERING WHEN THE PEACE LILLY NEEDS IT AND STARTS TO DROOP A LITTLE BIT.

AND THAT WILL HELP OFFSET SOME OF THAT MUSHROOM GROWTH.

>> EXCELLENT.

YOUR NEXT ONE COMES TO US FROM WILBUR.

SHE FOUND THIS FUNGUS AMONG US HER TOMATOES AND HER AND HER BASIL PLANTS IN THE GARDEN.

IT'S A STRAW BAIL GARDEN.

SO, WHAT SHOULD SHE DO ABOUT THIS?

>> SO, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE YOU DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING.

IT IS BREAKING DOWN THAT STRAW, WHICH IS DEAD ORGRANIC MATTER.

AND PUTTING IT INTO CARBON SOURCES.

THEY'RE SEVERAL DIFFERENT SPECIES.

THIS IS A REALLY NEAT LOOKING ONE.

IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A SNAKE AND THEN IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE EARS DEPENDING ON WHICH WAY YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IT.

BUT, NOTHING ARMFUL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU'RE FINAL ONE, THIS IS FROM BENNETT.

FOUND IT IN HIS YARD, SEEMINGLY GREW OVERNIGHT.

IS IT TOXIC TO PETS AND PEOPLE?

AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WE GOT THIS WEEK BUT IT'S A LOT.

>> IT WAS A LOT.

THIS ONE IS GORGEOUS.

I MEAN, LOOK AT THE YELLOW OF IT.

ONCE AGAIN, ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE SLIME MOLDS.

SLIMES MOLDS WILL COME IN YELLOWS, AND BLUES, AND PURPLES, AND GRAYS.

THEY GROW VERY QUICKLY.

THEY'RE ALL SUPERFICIAL.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU CAN HIT IT WITH A STRONG BLAST OF WATER AND IT'LL WASH IT AWAY.

IT'S NOT TOXIC.

SO, IF YOUR PET WOULD ACCIDENTLY LICK SOME OF IT, IT SHOULDN'T HURT YOUR PET.

THEY USUALLY ARE VERY SHORT LIVED, 24 TO 48 HOURS AND THEN THEY KIND OF MELT AND GO AWAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS AMY.

SARAH, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM A VIEWER IN OMAHA WHO HAS BLUEBERRIES.

THEY'RE IN CONTAINERS.

HE THINKS THIS IS A DISEASE.

SOME OF THE LEAVES HAVE TURNED BROWN AND DEAD.

BUT, THEY ARE IN CONTAINERS, WHICH IS WHY YOU GOT IT INSTEAD OF AMY.

>> SURE.

SO, THERE ARE SEVERAL LEAF DISEASES THAT BLUEBERRIES CAN GET.

AND I THINK THERE KIND BE TWO OF THEM HERE.

THE LARGER BROWN SPOTS COULD BE AN ANTHRACNOSE.

AND THEN THE SMALLER SPOTS, A SEPTORIA.

SO, AGAIN, BLUEBERRIES HAVE MULTIPLE LEAF FUNGI.

IF YOU WANT TO PREVENT THAT IN FUTURE YEARS, YOU NEED TO START SPRAYING THEM WITH A FUNGICIDE, LIKE A MANCOZEB TYPE PRODUCT AT A GREEN TIP STAGE.

THAT'S WHEN THE BUDS ARE JUST OPENING AND THEN YOU CONTINUE ON TO THE SEASON UNTIL YOU'RE DONE HARVESTING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE COMES TO US ACTUALLY FROM NEW MEXICO.

SHE IS GROWING HORSE RADISH IN A CONTAINER AND THEY'VE HAD HORRIFIC TEMPERATURES, AND SHE'S KEPT IT MOIST BUT IT'S DONE THIS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HERE?

>> YEAH, I REALLY THINK THAT THIS IS PROBABLY JUST HEAT DAMAGE.

EVEN IF THERE IS MOISTURE IN THE SOIL, SOMETIMES IT TREMENDOUSLY HOT.

THE LEAVES JUST CAN'T PULL THE WATER UP WELL ENOUGH.

AND YOU'LL GET BROWNING AND LEAF DEATH LIKE THIS.

SO WHAT I WOULD DO IS JUST CLEAR AWAY ALL THOSE BROWN LEAVES AND IF THERE'S SOMEPLACE WHERE YOU COULD PULL IT INTO MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF SHADE.

YOU KNOW, TYPICALLY HORSE RADISH IS A FULL SUN PLANT.

BUT, CONSIDERING WE'RE JUST AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER AND YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET VERY, VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AT LEAST, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF SHADE ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON MIGHT HELP IT DO BETTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR FINAL TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN.

HE'S WONDERING ABOUT THE BROWNING IN THE ARBORVITAE HERE AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.

>> SO, THAT KIND OF DAMAGE IN ARBOVITAE IS VERY COMMON.

AND WHEN WE SEE IT VERY EARLY IN THE SPRING, QUITE OFTEN IT'S A WINTER DESICATION TYPE OF INJURY.

BUT, YOU KNOW ANYTHING THAT KILLED THE BRANCHES WOULD CAUSE THIS TYPE OF BROWN FOLIAGE.

SO, YOU REALLY NEED TO GET IN THERE AND LOOK CLOSELY AT THE BRANCHES THAT ARE DEAD.

SEE IF THERE'S BEEN ANY BARK DAMAGE.

IF THERE'S BEEN ANY, MOLES OR ANYTHING CHEWING ON THOSE STEMS.

ALSO, JUST ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND, YOU KNOW A AND A ROCK MULCH LANDSCAPE IS NOT A GREAT LOCATION FOR ARBORVITAE BECAUSE IT WILL REFLECT A LOT OF HEAT.

WHICH THEY DON'T PARTICUARLY LIKE.

AND THEY DO BETTER IF THEY HAVE SOME AFTERNOON SHADE.

SO, JUST A COUPLE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, SARAH.

WELL, WE HAVE HAD SOME SPIRITED DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IDENTIFYING CERTAIN PLANTS, ESPECIALLY SOME OF THOSE POISON ONES THAT LOOK A LOT LIKE SOME OF THE HARMLESS PLANTS IN OUR LANDSCAPES.

FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE TONIGHT, TERRI AND I SHOW YOU A FEW OF THE VINING EXAMPLES.

♪ ♪ >> WE'VE HAD LOTS OF QUESTIONS THIS YEAR ABOUT I.D.ING PLANTS AND ESPECIALLY VINES.

I'VE BEEN GETTING THEM A LOT MORE SINCE I'VE BEEN SITTING IN THE HORT CHAIR HAVING TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.

SO, TODAY KIM AND I DECIDED WE WOULD COME OUT AND SHOW YOU KIND OF WHAT SOME OF THESE ARE AND HOW TO I.D.

THEM AND POSSIBLY HOW TO CONTROL THEM IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD.

>> AND THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE BECAUSE WE HAD KIND OF A FUN BACK-AND-FORTH BANTER WHEN WE WERE IN NORFOLK ABOUT WHETHER IT WAS BOSTON IVY OR POISON IVY.

SO, HERE WE ARE STANDING IN A PARK WHERE WE HAVE VIRGINIA CREEPER, WE HAVE WOODBINE, WE HAVE BOSTON IVY, WE HAVE WILD GRAPE, WE HAVE EUONYMOUS, AND WE HAVE POISON IVY.

>> AND WE HAVE EVEN WILD STRAWBERRY, WHICH WAS A QUESTION FROM LAST WEEK.

>> EXACTLY.

SO THESE VINEY THINGS ARE EITHER POSITIVE AND GREAT TO HAVE IN YOUR YARD OR CLIMBING IF YOU DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT WHETHER THEY'RE CLIMBING.

AND IF THEY'RE NOT GONNA DO DAMAGE, OR THEY CAN REALLY BE VICIOUS.

SO TERRI, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE VIRGINIA CREEPER AND THE WOODBINE.

SO?

>> SO THESE ARE GREAT.

PEOPLE ASK US A LOT OF TIMES FOR GROUND COVERS.

THESE CAN POTENTIALLY BE A NICE GROUND COVER.

HOWEVER, IF YOU DO HAVE SOMEPLACE FOR THEM TO START CRAWLING UP, THEY WILL CRAWL UP AND ALMOST OVERTAKE OR OVERTAKE SOME TREES.

>> THEY TURN A BEAUTIFUL RED AND THEY'RE NATIVE, THEY TWINE, THEY TWIRL BUT YOU CAN SEE WHAT THEY DO WHEN THEY CRAWL AROUND THE GROUND.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MOW THEM, BECAUES THEY JUST GET SHORTER AND THEY JUST HANG RIGHT ON.

SO, THEY'RE GONNA GO LIKE THIS ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE.

SO, LET'S TALK ABOUT EUONYMOUS SINCE THAT'S IS IN YOUR HAND.

OR WINTER CREEPER.

>> SO, THIS IS ONE THAT WE GET A LOT OF TIMES QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS THIS INSECT ON THIS PLANT.

IT DOES GET SCALE QUITE FREQUENTLY.

SO, THIS IS ONE THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T MAYBE WANT TO PUT IN THERE BUT IT DOES CREEP ALONG THE GROUND BUT IT ALSO WILL START CRAWLING.

>> ALL THE WAY UP THE TREE AGAIN.

SO, LET'S TALK ABOUT BOSTON IVY VERSUS POISON IVY AND OUR DEBATE ON AIR WAS LEAVES OF THREE, LET IT BE WHICH IS CLASSIC POISON IVY.

BUT BOSTON IVY WHEN ITS YOUNG HAS LEAVES THAT ARE NOT DIVIDED.

SO, SAME THING.

THIS IS GOING TO CRAWL, THIS IS GONNA CLIMB.

AND IF IT'S INTERTWINED WITH POISON IVY, THEN YOU'VE REALLY GOT A PROBLEM.

AND WE JUST HAVE WADS AND WADS OF POISON IVY.

IF YOU MOW THE POISON IVY, IT GROWS VERY AGGRESSIVELY ON GROUND AGAIN, THEN GOES UP THE TREES.

POISON OAK, POISON SUMAC, ALL OF THOSE ARE REALLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

CONTROL BEING -- >> SO, CONTROL BEING MOST LIKELY, IT'S GONNA END UP BEING A CHEMICAL CONTROL.

IT WILL BE ONE OF THOSE BRUSH KILLERS WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT IT DOWN AND PAINT IT AND IT WILL BE MULTIPLE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS THROUGHOUT PROBABLY A COUPLE, THREE YEARS DEPENDING ON HOW INVASIVE IT IS IN YOUR AREA.

>> AND FINALLY, WE'RE GOING TO END WITH THE POISON HEMLOCK, WHICH IS NOT A VINE BUT IT IS ALL OVER.

WE'VE BEEN GETTING SO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT A GREAT DEAL ON AIR.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS A DON'T TOUCH, BAG IT, TAG IT, THROW IT IN THE TRASH AND BE CAREFUL ABOUT GETTING THAT IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

SO, DO BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU'RE ENJOYING THAT GARDENING AND TAKE SOME TIME TO TIME TO KNOW THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE BAD ONES.

GET RID OF THEM AS SOON AS YOU CAN CAREFULLY IN YOUR SPACE SUIT.

ALL RIGHT, WAYNE, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES OF THIS ONE.

AND THIS IS AN INSECT SHE HAS NOT SEEN BEFORE.

IT'S IN THE GARDEN UNDER HER RADISHES.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY IT AND LET THEM KNOW IF IT'S BENEFICIAL OR A BAD GUY.

AND IT'S NICE OF HER TO PUT THE PENNY IN THERE.

>> YES.

NICE USE OF SCALE.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MOST PEOPLE DON'T SEE BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE DON'T GO DIGGING AROUND A DEAD ANIMAL CARCASS TO THE POINT OF DECOMP THAT EVERYTHING IS DRY.

THESE ARE HYDE BEETLES.

HYDE AS IN TANNED HYDE.

AND THEY FEED ON FEATHERS, DRIED SKIN, FUR.

THEY'RE ONE OF THE LAST INSECTS THAT COMES THROUGH IN THE DECOMPOSITION PROCESS.

SOME OF OUR RECYCLERS, I'M NOT SURE WHY IT WAS IN THE RADISH PATCH.

>> SOMETHING DEAD UNDER THERE.

A FEATHER.

>> I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

>> WE'LL HOPE IT'S A FEATHER.

>> I DON'T NEED ANY TALKS ABOUT NEEDING TO SLEEP WITH THE FISHES BECAUSE WE CAME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T BE FOUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE COMES FROM OMAHA.

SAW THIS INSECT ON THE BUBBLER ROCK AND HE THINKS IT LOOKS LIKE AN EAR WIG BUT THE ABDOMEN IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

>> HE'S CORRECT.

IT IS NOT AN EAR WIG.

THIS IS A ROVE BEETLE.

AND THE HIND LEGS ON THESE ARE REALLY SHORT SO THEY'RE KIND OF TUCKED UP TOWARDS THE FRONT SIDE OR JUST OVER BARELY THE BACK OF ABDOMAN.

AND THEN HIND LEGS ARE TUCKED UP UNDERNEATH THAT.

SO, A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER BEETLES WE'RE USED TO SEEING BUT THEY'RE PREDACIOUS.

SO, THEY'RE ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN YOU HAVE A PICTURE NEXT THAT IS A GERANIUM.

AND THE QUESTION IS WHAT ARE THESE AND WILL THEY TURN INTO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL?

>> YES AND NO.

[ LAUGHTER ] THIS IS AN INTERESTING ONE BECAUSE I'VE NEVER SEEN WHITE LENGHT SPINX MOTH CATERPILLARS ON GERANIUMS.

AND IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

NORMALLY THEY'RE ON OUR WHEATY PLANTS.

I HAD A COUPLE KIDS FEEDING AND RAISING THESE WE GOT FROM CURLY DOC.

THEY USUALLY EAT A LOT OF WHEATY PLANTS.

JUST PICK IT OFF.

IT'S UNUSUAL TO SEE IT ON THERE.

THANKS FOR SHARING.

>> SO, IT'S NOT A TOBACCO BUG WORM YET?

>> NO.

>> NOT YET.

>> NOT YET.

>> THEY'RE IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

>> OH, GOOD.

GREAT.

[ LAUGHTER ] TERRI, YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

SHE HAS THIS WEED COMING UP ALL OVER HER PERENNIAL GARDEN BED.

SHE'S BEEN TRYING TO PULL IT BY HAND.

SHE DID SEND A FOLLOW UP AND SAY YES, IT HAS NOT FLOWERED YET AND IT IS STILL ALL OVER EVERYTHING.

>> SO, THIS IS I BELIVE WILD STRAWBERRY.

ONE OF THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO FIGURE OUT IF IT IS OR ISN'T, IT WILL BLOOM FIVE PETALS WHITE.

IF IT'S MOCK STRAWBERRY, IT WILL BLOOM FIVE PETALS YELLOW.

MOCK STRAWBERRY PROBABLY WILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT SMALLER LEAF, BUT IT'S GONNA BE IN THE SAME SHAPE.

SO, LET IT BLOOM AND SEE WHAT IT IS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND KILL IT HOW?

>> I WOULD KILL IT IN THE FALL WITH A BROAD LEAF WEED KILLER IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE COMES TO US FROM ELK HORN.

SHE SAYS IS THIS A WEED?

IT'S ABOUT TWO TO THREE FEET TALL.

THREE CLUMPS OF THEM IN A FLOWER GARDEN.

>> YEP.

SO, ROCK HAD THIS LAST WEEK.

THIS IS VIRGINIA SICK WEED.

IT WILL HAVE A WHITE PALE BLUE FLOWER AND GET THIS ROUND FRUIT ON IT THAT'S GONNA HAVE THESE LITTLE HOOKS LIKE VELCRO.

SO IT IS A WEED.

DIG IT, PULL IT.

WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO TO GET RID OF IT.

>> BEFORE ALL THOSE END UP IN YOUR SOCKS.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU'RE FINAL ONE IS THIS CAME UP IN THE MULCH, IN THE EDGES OF THE LAWN.

SO, IF IT GETS MOWED, IT KEEPS GROWING BUT STAYS SHORT IN SOME PLACES.

WHERE WE MISSED WEEDING IT, IT'S FIVE FEET TALL.

>> THIS IS LAMB'S QUARTERS.

IT'S REALLY RELATED TO AMETHYST SOME OF THE PRETTY FLOWERS THAT WE'VE HAD ON THE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” OVER THE YEARS.

IT'S RELATED TO THAT.

IT WILL GET KIND OF THESE, KIND OF UGLY WHITE FLOWERS ON THEM.

YOU DON'T WANT THEM.

THESE ARE REALLY EASY TO DIG OUT OR PULL OUT.

YOU CAN ALSO USE A BROAD LEAF WEED KILLER IF THE TEMPERATURES ARE LOW ENOUGH TO APPLY IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS YOU TERRI.

AMY, TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A DAY LILLY ISSUE.

IT IS WEST SIDE OF THE HOUSE IN FULL SUN IN THE AFTERNOON.

BLACK, DARK BROWN SPOTS ON THE BUDS AND THEN SOME THINGS GOING ON ON THE FOLIAGE.

>> SO, TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PICTURE, I DID SPEND SOME TIME LOOKING AT IT MAKING SURE WE WEREN'T LOOKING AT DAY LILLY RUST.

WE ARE GETTING INTO THAT TIME FRAME.

BUT, AS YOU LOOK AT THE BROWN SPOTS ON THOSE BUDS, IT'S NOT QUITE RIGHT.

IF IT WAS RUST, IT SHOULD BE RAISED, IT SHOULD BE PUSTULY, AND ROUGH APPEARANCE.

AND THIS LOOKS FAIRLY SMOOTH IN APPEARANCE.

SO, I'M LEANING TOWARDS THIS MIGHT BE ENVIRONMENTAL WITH IT BEING ON THAT WEST SIDE IN FULL SUN, IT MIGHT JUST BE A LITTLE TOO MUCH HEAT AND SO WE'RE GETTING THOSE SPOTS THAT ARE OCCURRING.

SO -- >> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A FORT CALHOUN VIEWER.

WHAT IS CAUSING THIS BROWN CREEPING UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ASTERS AND HOW TO CONTROL IT.

>> IT LOOKS PRETTY SEVERE.

SO, THIS PICTURE IF YOU REALLY TAKE A CLOSE LOOK, YOU SEE ALL THOSE BLACK DOTS ON THERE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY CITY MOLD AND CITY MOLD IS ALL THE FUNGI THAT ARE USUALLY BREAKING DOWN DEAD ORGANIC MATTER.

BUT IN THIS SITUATION THE CITY MOLD IS ACTUALLY FEEDING ON INSECT EXCREMENT, POO, WHICHEVER WAY YOU LIKE TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE IT HAS LOTS OF SUGERY BASES.

SO, WITH IT BEING AN INSECT, I'M GONNA THROW IT OVER TO WAYNE.

POTENTIAL INSECTS PESTS THAT ARE AFFECTING THESE ASTERS.

>> YEP,THE TERM WE USE ANTOMOLOGISTS IS HONEY DEW.

>> HONEY DEW.

>> HONEY DEW.

FOR THAT EXCREMENT.

AND IT'S JUST THE EXTRA FLUID IN SUGAR THAT IS REALLY A LOT OF THAT IN THE PLANT SAP.

SO, THE INSECT FILTERS OUT, MORE THINGS LIKE IMMINO ACIDS THAT ARE A LOT MORE SCARCE.

COULD BE APHIDS.

IT COULD BE LACE BUGS.

WE HAD SOME ASTERS AT OUR OFFICE UP IN NORFOLK THAT LOOKED LIKE THAT AND WORSE COME JULY LAST YEAR.

YOU NEED TO USE A TOPICAL OR MAYBE CHOOSE A DIFFERENT PLANT IN THAT PLACE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

AND AMY, YOU HAVE ONE MORE.

THIS IS A WEST POINT VIEWER.

AND IT'S IS A STRANGE THING ON A CUCUMBER PLANT.

A STRANGE THING.

>> IT IS A STRANGE THING.

I'LL HAVE TO SAY, THIS WEEK I'VE HAD TO SCRATCH MY HEAD A LITLTE BIT.

SO, YOU CAN SEE IT'S GIRDLING THAT STEM OF THAT CUCUMBER.

THE BEST GUESS I HAVE RIGHT NOW AND IT REALLY A GUESS BECAUSE WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT A LITTLE BIT CLOSER, THERE'S A DISEASE CALLED DEMI STEM AND IT'S A FUNGAL DISEASE THAT CAN INFECT THE LEAVES OR THE STEMS ITSELF.

AND THIS FUNGUS WILL COLONIZE AND FORCES THAT STEM TO GIRDLE.

SO, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAUSE OF THAT GIRDLING IT WILL COLLAPSE DOWN BECAUSE IT CAN'T MOVE THE WATER AND NUTRIENTS THROUGH IT.

VERY COMMON IN LARGE INDUSTRIAL FARMING OPERATIONS WITH CURCUBITS.

SO, MOST LIKELY YOU WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

IF THOSE VINES DON'T SEEM TO BE RECOVERING, THIS MIGHT BE, I WOULD REALLY HIGHLY SUGGUEST, THIS MIGHT BE A CUCUMBER YOU WANT TO REMOVE SO IT'S NOT SPREADING TO OTHER CUCUMBERS IN YOUR GARDEN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS AMY, SARAH, YOU HAVE FROM OMAHA TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A VIEWER THAT HAS HAD THIS ASPEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

THIS YEAR ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE TREE HAS LEAFED OUT.

HE'S WONDERING IF HE SHOULD WAIT TO SEE IF IT'S DEAD, OR CUT IT OUT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HERE?

>> IF THOSE BRANCHES WERE STILL ALIVE, IT WOULD HAVE LEAFED OUT BY NOW.

SO, I'M CONFIDENT HERE, YOU KNOW, LATE PART OF JUNE SAYING THOSE BRANCHES ARE DEAD.

AND UNFORTUNATELY ASPENS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SOME FUNGAL CANKERS WHICH INFECT THE BARK WHICH CAN CAUSE BRANCH DEATH LIKE THIS.

SO THAT'S A POTENTIAL CAUSE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE THREE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A DOUGLAS COUNTY VIEWER.

18 YEAR OLD COTTONWOOD, NEIGHBOR THREE HOUSES TO THE NORTH HAS THE SAME ISSUE.

SAME TREE, SAME AGE.

>> SO COTTONWOODS ARE ALSO SUSCEPTIBLE TO SOME FUNGAL CANKERS THAT CAN KILL THE BARK.

SO, IT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL IN PICTURES LIKE THESE TO HAVE A DISTANCE PICTURE, BUT THEN ALSO HAVE A PICTURE AT THE BASE OF THE DEAD BRANCH WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE TRUNK SO WE COULD LOOK TO SEE IF THERE WERE DISCOLORATION IN THE BARK OR CRACKING, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT WOULD GIVE US A REALLY GOOD CLUE THAT THIS IS A CANKER.

BUT, THAT'S MOST LIKELY WHAT IS GOING ON WITH BOTH OF THESE TREES.

CANKERS DO NOT RESPOND TO FUNGICIDES, SO THERE REALLY IS NO CONTROL FOR THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

SO, UNFORTUNATELY YOU'RE LEFT WITH PRUNING OUT THE DEAD BRANCHES AND THE DECIDING IF THERE'S ENOUGH LEFT OF THE TREE FOR YOU TO WORK WITH.

>>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SARAH.

WELL, OUR GARDEN IS FULL OF ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS AND THIS WEEK WE TAKE TIME TO EXAMINE ONE THAT IS REALLY BEAUTIFUL.

THRIVES EITHER IN YOUR ORNAMENTAL BED OR IN A CONTAINER.

HERE'S TERRY WILL SHOW US WHAT THIS IS IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

>> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE LOOKING AT THE ALL AMERICA SELECTION WINNERS.

REMEMBER LAST WEEK ON THE SHOW WE STARTED WITH THE BOWER LETTUCE.

WE LOOKED AT THAT.

THIS WEEK WE'RE GONNA LOOK AT A NEW CELOSIA CALLED FLAMMA ORANGE.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE UPRIGHT PLUMES CELOSIAS THAT ARE REALLY FUN AND EXCITING.

THEY LOOK FANTASTIC IN YOUR RAISED BEDS OR IN YOUR GROUND BEDS OR IN CONTAINERS.

THEY WON'T FADE, WHICH IS A GREAT BONUS FOR THESE.

THEY WILL TAKE FULL SUN.

THEY WILL NOT REALLY RE-BLOOM TOO MUCH BUT THEY WILL BLOOM CONTINUALLY FROM SPRING TO FROST.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE THAT SOLID POP OF ORANGE THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE.

THEY ONLY GET TO BE ABOUT 9 TO 11 INCHES SO YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO KEEP THEM MORE TO THE FRONT OF THE CONTAINER OR THE BED BUT THEY WILL GIVE YOU THAT POP OF COLOR.

SO STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN AND CHECK OUT FLAMMA ORANGE CELOSIAS.

>> WITH MOST OF THE OTHER COLORS IN THE GARDEN REPRESENTED, IT'S REALLY GREAT TO HAVE THAT DEEP ORANGE SCATTERED AROUND WITH THE REST OF THOSE ORNAMENTALS.

WE DO NEED TO TAKE A BREAK.

COMING UP LATER IN THE PROGRAM WE'LL HAVE THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND PLANT OF THE WEEK.

THERE'S MUCH MORE GOOD GARDENING ON "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.

"” LATER ON IN THE PROGRAM WE'LL GET SOME TIPS ON HELPING YOUR EVERGREENS FROM DECLINING AFTER A STORM OR OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS.

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

SEND THOSE PICTURES IN EMAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

ALRIGHT SARAH, YOU'RE IN THE HOT SEAT.

>> ALRIGHT.

>> READY.

THIS IS A BROKEN BOW VIEWER WHO SAID UNFORTUNATELY HER ASPARAGUS GOT WEED WHACKED TO ABOUT 6 INCHES TALL.

SHOULD SHE RE-PLANT OR WILL IT RECOVER NEXT YEAR?

>> IF IT'S BEEN IN THE GARDEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS, JUST LET IT REGROW.

IT WILL SEND UP NEW SHOOTS AND I THINK IT PROBABLY SHOULD RECOVER PRETTY WELL.

>> ALRIGHT, THIS IS A CARNEY VIEWER WHO SAID HIS ZUCCHINI IS NOT BLOOMING.

>> SO NOT BEING IN FULL SUN IS ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF NOT BLOOMING WELL.

TOO MUCH NITROGEN FERTILIZER.

THOSE WOULD BE THE FIRST THINGS I'D THINK ABOUT.

>> ALRIGHT, THIS IS A GRETNA VIEW HAS 20-YEAR-OLD YEWS AND WANTS TO PRUNE 10 TO 12 INCHES OFF OF THEM RIGHT NOW.

IS THAT OKAY?

>> SO MID-SUMMER WOULD NOT BE THE IDEAL TIME TO PRUNE A YEW.

EITHER PRUNING IT LATE IN THE FALL OR EARLIER IN THE SPRING WOULD BE BETTER.

YOU WON'T KILL IT BUT IT'S NOT THE IDEAL TIME.

>> THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO HAS A 6-YEAR-OLD PURPLE GAGE PLUM THAT IS FRUITING BUT HER RUTH STETER PLUM IS NOT.

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

>> SO YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT WOULD CAUSE FRUIT TREES NOT TO BLOOM, YOU KNOW THE FLOWERS GOT FROZEN BY SOME KIND OF A LATE SPRING FREEZE WOULD BE ONE OF THE MAIN CULPRITS.

PRUNING AT THE WRONG TIME, WHEN YOU'RE ACTUALLY PRUNING OFF THE FLOWERS.

ALTHOUGH IT'S REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE YOU'D PRUNE OFF 100% OF THE FLOWERS WOULD BE ANOTHER ONE.

BUT SPRING FREEZES ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST CULPRITS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SARAH.

OKAY AMY, READY?

>> YUP.

>> ALRIGHT, YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES TO US FROM SOMEBODY UP IN NAPONKA AREA.

THEY'RE WONDERING ABOUT BURROW BLIGHT THIS YEAR.

HAVE WE SEEN IT OR IS IT KIND OF QUIET?

>> CURRENTLY IT'S FAIRLY QUIET.

I'M SUSPECTING WE SHOULD START SEEING IT HERE SOON.

>> ALRIGHT, THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO SAYS THAT SOME OF HER SERVICE BERRIES LEAVES AND THE LITTLE FRUITS ARE TURNING A LITTLE BIT YELLOW NOW AND THEY DO THAT EVERY SINGLE YEAR, JUST THE ENDS, THE TIPS.

WHY WOULD THAT BE?

>> SO SERVICE BERRIES CAN GET A LOT OF THOSE CEDAR FILL IN THE BLANK RUST.

AND MOST LIKELY THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING.

THEY WILL ATTACK THOSE ENDS OF THE BERRIES.

>> ALRIGHT, WE HAVE CURLING TOMATO TOPS AND TOMATOES DYING, CARNEY, GRAND ISLAND.

PICK YOUR SPOT.

>> PICK YOUR SPOT.

THE QUESTION HAS THERE BEEN ANY GROWTH REGULATOR, HERBICIDES WERE SPRAYED WITHIN SEVERAL MILES OF YOUR RESIDENCE AND WITH THE WARM TEMPERATURES, IF THOSE HERBICIDES ARE SPRAYED WITHIN TWO DAYS AND IT GOES UP TO 80, 90 DEGREES THAT HERBICIDE'S STILL GOING TO MOVE.

>> ALRIGHT, THIS IS AN ALBION VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE A WAY TO TELL IF WHETHER YOUR POTATOES HAVE THAT ROTTEN CENTER BEFORE YOU DIG THEM UP?

>> NO, YOU DON'T.

IT'S A PLEASANT SURPRISE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALRIGHT, IT'S A PAD OF BLACK BUTTER.

[ LAUGHTER ] OKAY, JERRY ARE YOU READY?

>> YES.

>> ALRIGHT, YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES TO US FROM PLATSMOUTH.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO KILL CREEPING CHARLIE THAT IS IN HER VINKAMINER AND IN HER MONEY WART BED.

>> THE ONLY WAY YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IS HAND PULL.

>> ALRIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO SAYS SHE HAS RASPBERRIES AND STRAWBERRIES THAT ARE SPREADING IN HER TURF.

HOW DOES SHE CONTROL THEM IN THE TURF?

>> YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT ALONG WHEN THEY'RE SPREADING IN AND DIG THEM OUT.

THEY'RE GOING TO SUCKER AND YOU'RE GOING TO CUT THE DAUGHTER PLANT OFF THE MOTHER PLANT AND SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIEND.

>> ALRIGHT, THIS VIEWER FROM BEATRICE IS REPLANTING THEIR HILL DAMAGED VEGETABLE GARDEN.

THEY WANT TO KNOW SHOULD THEY PUT DOWN PREEN AS A PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> IF YOU ARE REPLANTING WITH PLANTS, THEN YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH THAT.

IF YOU ARE REPLANTING WITH SEEDS, NO.

>> ALRIGHT, A WOOD RIVER VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER BUFFALO GRASS WILL OUTCOMPETE AN EXISTING FESCUE LAWN.

>> AH, MAYBE.

PROBABLY.

>> SARAH'S SAYING NO, NO, NO, NO.

I DON'T KNOW.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> IT WILL NOT.

>> ALRIGHT, LITTLE HELP.

WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT.

OKAY WAYNE, YOU READY?

>> LET'S GO.

>> OKAY THIS ONE CAME IN ACTUALLY TODAY.

THIS IS A CERESKO VIEWER WHO SAID THERE ARE FLIES BITING AND THEY'RE SUCKING BLOOD AND THEY REMIND THEM OF LIKE THE COW HORN FLIES.

WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO YOU CONTROL THEM.

>> IF THEY'RE THAT SIZE THERE THEY'RE PROBABLY ARE SOME OF THE LARGER BITING FLIES, ONES THAT LOOK JUST LIKE HOUSE FLIES THAT ARE BITING.

THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT THEY ARE.

>> ALRIGHT, CONTROL.

>> OH, CONTROL.

>> PERFECT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW DO YOU SCOUT ON THE UPPER OR THE LOWER LEAF SURFACE FOR SQUASH FINE BORE EGGS?

>> SQUASH FINE BORE, YOU LOOK RIGHT AT THE LEAF AXELS ALONG THE VINE.

>> ALRIGHT, WE HAVE A PAPPILION VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER EAR WIGS OR SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT INSECT BITE.

>> EAR WIGS ATTEMPT TO BITE BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH JAW STRENGTH TO DO MUCH DAMAGE TO YOU.

SO NOTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT.

>> THIS IS A PAWNEE CITY VIEWER WHO HAS SWEET CORN AND WONDERS IF IT IS TOO LATE TO TREAT FOR CORN EAR WORMS.

>> CORN EAR WORMS ARE A CONTINUOUS FLIGHT.

WE GET MIXED AS WE GET LATER IN THE YEAR SORRY YOU CAN PROTECT IT AS YOU GO THROUGH THE SUMMER.

>> ALRIGHT AND A SOUTH BEND VIEWER WONDERS WHETHER THERE'S TREATMENT FOR SAND FLEAS.

>> SAND FLEAS.

>> SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF STAR WARS.

>> NO, I WOULD BE MORE CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE REALLY AFTER, BECAUSE.

>> MAYBE A PICTURE.

>> PICTURE, BETTER DESCRIPTION THAN JUST SAND FLEAS.

A LOT OF THINGS BOUNCE AROUND ON SAND.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY'RE AFTER.

>> ALRIGHT, SARAH WHAT ARE OUR PLANS FOR THE WEEK THIS WEEK?

>> SO WE GOT THREE REALLY PRETTY ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS HERE THAT YOU KNOW POTENTIALLY COULD BE ADDED TO A GARDEN.

SO THE TOP ONE HERE WITH THESE LITTLE GLOBULAR WHITE FLOWERS, THIS IS CALLED BUTTONBUSH.

AND THIS ISN'T NATIVE, THIS IS NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE SHRUB.

IT GETS TO BE ON THE LARGE SIZE SO, FIVE TO EIGHT FEET TALL.

IT BLOOMS, OBVIOUSLY MID SUMMER AND IT TOLERATES WET AREA.

SO YOU COULD PLANT THIS IN LIKE, SAY THE EDGE OF A WATER GARDEN OR POND OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND IT WOULD DO VERY WELL THERE.

FULL TO PARTIAL SUN IS WHERE IS THRIVES.

AND IT'S A GREAT POLLINATOR PLANT.

BUTTERFLIES AND BEES AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS LIKE THAT LOVE THESE FLOWERS.

SO THAT'S BUTTONBUSH.

THEN WE HAVE DOWN HERE IN THE FRONT, WE HAVE THIS PRETTY PURPLE FLOWER.

THIS IS LEADPLANT, AND LEADPLANT IS ALSO ANOTHER NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE.

IT'S GOT THIS PRETTY GRAYISH FOLIAGE.

IT'S COVERED WITH LOTS AND LOTS OF LITTLE HAIR, WHICH GIVES IT THIS GRAYISH LOOK.

AND THEN, WE'VE GOT THESE STOCKS OF PURPLE FLOWERS.

SO IF YOU'RE WANTING TO PLANT NATIVES IN YOUR LANDSCAPE THAT WOULD ALSO BE GREAT FOR POLLINATORS, LEADPLANT MIGHT BE A GOOD ONE TO TRY.

IT DOES REALLY WELL IN HOT SUN AND FAIRLY DRY LOCATIONS.

SO A PRETTY TOUGH PLANT THAT'S FAIRLY EASY TO GROW.

THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE'VE GOT THIS LITTLE FLOWER HERE IN THE FRONT WITH THE YELLOW FLOWERS.

THIS IS BUSH HONEYSUCKLE.

THIS IS NOT A NATIVE BUT IT'S A NICE KIND OF SHORT, SHRUBBY TYPE OF HONEY SUCKLE AND THESE ARE GOING TO BE AS YOU SEE JUST BEAUTIFUL YELLOW FLOWERS.

SO THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER ONE THAT WOULD DO WELL KIND OF IN THE MEDIUM TO FRONT OF A GARDEN WITH THIS SHORTER BUSH HONEYSUCKLE.

>> EXCELLENT, THANKS, SARAH.

>> ALL RIGHT, WAYNE.

TWO PICTURES FROM THE FIRST VIEWER AND TWO PICTURES FROM THE SECOND VIEWER FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF THE SAME BEASTY.

THE FIRST TWO COME TO US FROM MISSOURI VALLEY, IOWA.

WHAT ARE THESE AND HOW DO YOU GET RID OF THEM?

THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THEY SWARM LIKE FLIES.

AND THEN -- SO THERE'S A CLOSER UP AND THEN, YOUR THIRD AND FOURTH PICTURE HERE ARE FROM A VIEWER WHO WAS IN NORTHEASTERN IOWA AT A PARK AND THEY'VE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, AND THEN THEY FOUND WHAT LOOKS LIKE AN INCH WORM AND THEY WONDERED IF THE INCH WORM AND THIS PARTICULAR BUTTERFLY ARE RELATED.

>> OKAY, EVERYTHING UP HERE, THAT'S HACKBERRY EMPEROR OR THE BUTTERFLIES, AND THEY ARE PRONE TO -- YOU CAN CALL THEM OUTBREAKS WHERE YOU SEE A LOT OF ADULTS COME OUT IN FLUSHES LIKE THIS.

NOT SOMETHING YOU NEED TO BE TOO WORRIED ABOUT, THEY WILL DISPERSE AND MOVE ON AND NOT BE AROUND TOO MUCH LONGER.

SO BEAR WITH THEM.

THEY'RE BUTTERFLIES, THEY'RE POLLINATORS.

THIS PARTICULAR CATERPILLAR -- I HAD TO WORK REALLY HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE.

I CAN NARROW IT DOWN TO TWO POSSIBLE GROUPS.

IT'S GOT THE HEAD THAT WOULD BE CHARACTERISTIC OF EITHER A SKIPPER, BUTTERFLY OR A PROMINENT MOTH.

BOTH OF THEM HAVE THAT HEAD THAT -- FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A BUTT.

AND YEAH, I COULD SAY SOMETHING ELSE BUT THE PRODUCER WILL YELL AT ME.

>> SO THEY'RE NOT THE HACKBERRY MOTH?

>> NO, THEY'RE NOT THE HACKBERRY BUTTERFLY.

THEY'RE SOMETHING ELSE.

NOT REALLY SURE, AND WITH IT BEING BLACK LIKE THAT.

IF THEY WERE ALL BLACK LIKE THAT, IT WOULD HELP TO KNOW THAT, BUT THEY COULD BE SICK WITH A DISEASE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE OF THIS NEXT ONE.

SIMPLY WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS MOTH IS.

THIS IS FROM -- >> EITHER A TOBACCO OR TOMATO HORNWORM.

IT'S TOUGH TO TELL WHEN YOU CAN'T SEE THE YELLOW SPOTS ON THE SIDE OF THE ABDOMEN.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE OTHER ONE.

AND THIS IS -- WHAT'S THIS BEAUTY AND WHAT DOES IT TURN INTO?

>> THIS IS A YELLOW WOOLLY BEAR.

AND I KNOW IT'S WHITE.

BUT THEY -- EARLY ON, WHEN THEY'RE SMALL, THEY'RE WHITE, AND THEN THEY GO TO YELLOW AND THEY CAN EVEN TURN A LITTLE LIGHT BROWN LATER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TERRY, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES FOR THIS FIRST ONE AND THIS IS FROM KENNARD OR KENNARD.

LAWN RECEDED THREE YEARS AGO WITH TALL FESCUE AND THEN SAW A FEW PATCHES OF THIS GRASS.

DO THEY HAVE TO KILL THE WHOLE LAWN AND START OVER?

>> SO I WANT TO THINK ROCK FOR HELPING WITH THIS BECAUSE THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO WAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE THIS ONE OUT ON MY OWN.

AND THIS IS AN HONOR OF THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES.

THIS IS FOUL BLUEGRASS.

SO IT IS A NOT PREVALENT PERENNIAL.

IT IS NATIVE TO THE U.S. JUST LIKE THE BLUEGRASS BUT IT WILL GROW PRETTY QUICKLY IN THE SPRING AND THEN ONCE IT GETS HOT, IT SHOULD KIND OF GO AWAY.

REALLY THE BEST THING TO DO IS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU OVERSEED WITH YOUR PREFERRED TURF AND FERTILIZE AND DO ALL THOSE GOOD THINGS AND IT SHOULD JUST SNUFF IT OUT IF YOU HAVE A NICE STANDARD TURF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO PUT DOWN FESCUE SOD IN THE BACKYARD AND THEN SOMETHING ROLLED IT UP.

-- SO WHAT DO WE DO?

>> SO IT WAS PROBABLY EITHER AN OPOSSUM OR RACCOON LOOKING FOR EITHER GRUBS OR WORMS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ROLL IT DOWN AND GET IT GOOD IN CONTACT, WATER IT, MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE WATERING IT.

IT LOOKED PRETTY DRY.

SO IF YOU MAYBE COULD KEEP WATERING IT, WAYNE WOULD TELL YOU MORE WHETHER OR NOT THE GRUBS WILL STAY THERE OR NOT.

BUT YEAH, THAT'S THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO.

>> AND YOUR NEXT ONE IS A VIEWER WITH A MAPLE TREE WITH NO TURF AND WHAT DO WE TELL HER?

>> SO I TELL YOU THAT THIS IS A GREAT LANDSCAPE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE TURF DOES NOT LIKE TO GROW UNDERNEATH TREES.

SO I WOULD MULCH IT AND I WOULD PUT BEAUTIFUL SHADE LOVING PLANTS UNDERNEATH THERE.

>> PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT AMY, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES FROM THIS FIRST VIEWER AND YOU HAD TWO OR THREE OTHERS THAT SENT IN SOMETHING SIMILAR.

TOMATO LEAVES ARE TURNING YELLOW BEGINNING ON THE BOTTOM BRANCHES.

WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON HERE?

>> SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE MARGINS HERE, WE'RE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON FOR EARLY BLIGHT.

WONDERFUL SOIL FUNGI STARTS AT THE BOTTOM WITH -- AND GOING TO CONTINUE MOVING UP AND THEN CAUSES THE LEAVES TO TURN YELLOW AND DIE PREMATURELY.

NOW IF YOU DO LOOK AT THIS PICTURE -- THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT HAS AS MUCH BROWN SPOTS, THERE ARE SOME.

THE ONE THING YOU DO NEED TO BE WATCHING FOR WOULD BE NITROGEN DEFICIENCY ALSO.

IF YOU'RE NOT SEEING THE BROWN SPOTS, I WOULD LEAN TOWARDS NITROGEN DEFICIENCY ALSO.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES FROM AND ELK HORN VIEWER THAT -- RAISED GARDEN BED, IT'S NEW SOIL, THEY JUST, THEY CROAK.

>> YOU'VE DONE EVERYTHING CORRECT, AND THE FIRST PICTURE, WE SAW THE WHOLE PLANT, I NEED TO ZOOM IN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE TERMINAL TIPS, EVERYTHING IS CURLED UP.

IT'S TRADITIONAL, GROWTH REGULATOR HERBICIDE DAMAGE.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S FAIRLY SEVERE DRIFT AND IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE TOMATOES ARE GOING TO GROW OUT OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, AMY.

SARAH, YOUR FIRST TWO ARE FROM HARDINGTON.

THE ROSEBUDS ARE NOT OPENING ON THESE SHRUBS.

ANY IDEAS ON THIS?

>> SO A COUPLE OF THINGS COULD CAUSE ROSEBUDS NOT TO OPEN.

THE FIRST WOULD BE THRIPS, WHICH ARE REALLY TINY LITTLE INSECTS THAT LOVE TO GET DOWN RIGHT INTO THE TIGHT GROWING CENTER OF THE FLOWERS AND THEIR FEEDING CAN CAUSE THE FLOWERS TO EITHER BECOME BROWN OR JUST NOT OPEN.

AND IF YOU WERE TO PICK A FLOWER AND PULL IT APART, YOU MIGHT LOOK FOR LITTLE STREAKS, IRREGULAR SPOTS OR STREAKS IN THE LEAVES THAT COULD INDICATE THRIP FEEDING OR IF YOU HAVE A MICROSCOPE OR A HAND LENS, YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO SEE THE TINY LITTLE KIND OF YELLOWISH CIGAR-SHAPED INSECTS.

THE OTHER POTENTIAL PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE ROSES NOT TO OPEN WOULD BE BOTRYTIS, BOTRYTIS IS GRAY MOLD.

AND SO, BUT THAT WOULD APPEAR -- YOU WOULD SEE -- I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD SEE MORE OF THE KIND OF FUZZY GRAY GROWTH ON THE FLOWER BEDS.

SO THOSE ARE TWO POSSIBILITIES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS SUN PATIENCE.

IT'S ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE HOUSE IN FULL SUN IN THE AFTERNOON.

IS THIS DISEASE OR IS THIS SUN PATIENCE NOT LIKING THAT MUCH SUN?

>> SO YOU KNOW, THIS PICTURE LOOKS TO ME LIKE PHYSICAL DAMAGE.

IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE HAIL INJURY.

AND SO I'M WONDERING IF YOU HAD SOME HAIL IN YOUR LANDSCAPE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS.

IF IT'S EXTREMELY, IT REALLY, REALLY INTENSE SUNLIGHT MAYBE, BUT I'M THINKING MORE SOME KIND OF PHYSICAL INJURY.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN IVORY HALO DOGWOOD THAT WENT IN THIS SPRING, LOOKED GREAT AND THEN STARTED TO TURN BROWN.

WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON?

>> SO THERE ARE SOME LEAF SPOT DISEASES THAT EFFECT THE DOGWOODS AND WE SEE THEM ALMOST EVERY YEAR.

AND SO, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU MIGHT HAVE THE BEGINNINGS OF SOME OF THAT HERE.

BUT THIS PARTICULAR DOGWOOD, SINCE IT'S FERTIGATED FOLIAGE, ALSO PREFERS TO HAVE SOME AFTERNOON SHADE.

AND SO, I THINK YOU'RE GETTING A LITTLE BIT OF LEAF BURNING JUST BECAUSE IT'S IN TOO MUCH SUN.

SO YOU MIGHT THINK ABOUT TRYING TO RELOCATE IT TO A PORTION OF YOUR LANDSCAPE WHERE IT'S GOING TO GET A LITTLE AFTERNOON SHADE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH, SARAH.

WELL IN THE WESTERN PART OF OUR STATE, THE CLIMATE AND THE WEATHER PATTERNS CAN BE QUITE DIFFERENT AND SOMETIMES, THE STORMS WE HAVE HERE IN THE EASTERN PART AREN'T QUITE AS HARSH.

CHRISSY LAND FROM THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE IS GOING TO SHOW US SOME EVERGREENS THAT HAVE BEEN HIT HARD AND MIGHT NOT RECOVER.

♪ ♪ >>> WE ARE STARTING TO SEE SOME DAMAGE SHOW UP ON OUR EVERGREENS FROM A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT CAUSES.

WE'VE GOT SOME HAIL DAMAGE, WE'VE GOT SOME DROUGHT ISSUES, WE'VE GOT SOME WINTER BURN THAT'S GOING ON.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE A LOOK AT THAT TODAY.

HERE WE HAVE SOME SPRUCE TREES THAT WERE DAMAGED IN 2019 WITH A LARGE HAIL STORM.

THERE WERE ACTUALLY TWO STORMS THAT CAME THROUGH WITHIN 12 HOURS OF EACH OTHER AND HAD SOFTBALL SIZE HAIL.

THE HAIL FELL IN FROM THE NORTHWEST WHICH MAKES IT VERY UNIQUE THAT WE SEE THE DEATH PATTERN ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TREE.

WE KNOW THAT IT'S HAIL BY LOOKING AT THE TOP SIZE OF THE BRANCHES AND SEEING A LOT OF SMALL WOUNDS SCATTERED ALL THE WAY THROUGHOUT THE TREE.

AND BY LOOKING AT THE DEATH PATTERN, IT SORT OF ALL OVER THE TREE.

IT'S NOT JUST ONE SPOT, IT'S SORT OF PATCHY.

AND SO, WE CAN LOOK AT THOSE WOUNDS.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT WITH THAT MANY WOUNDS, THE TREE CAN'T KEEP UP WITH FIGHTING BACK ON KEEPING THE PESTS AND DISEASES OUT.

AND SO, WITH SO MANY OPEN WOUNDS, THE TREE IS LIKELY TO BE INFECTED BY PESTILENT DISEASES SUCH AS CANKER AND AS THOSE TREES GET FURTHER STRESSED, WE CAN SEE SECONDARY PROBLEMS COME IN LIKE SOME BARK BEETLE WHICH WE HAVE HERE ON THESE TREES.

SO THE LAST PROBLEM THAT WE HAD WAS HAIL.

AND THIS PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE HAIL BUT THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT WE WANT TO LOOK FOR.

WE CAN SEE THAT THIS TREE HAS A PATTERN OF THINNING TO IT.

OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE MISSING SOME NEEDLES ON THE ENDS OF OUR BRANCHES.

THERE ARE A FEW BUDS THAT ARE TRYING TO PUSH AND THERE ARE SOME GREENER NEEDLES ON THE INSIDE.

I ALWAYS ENCOURAGE SOMEBODY TO TAKE A BRANCH AND GO LIKE THIS AND IF A BUNCH OF NEEDLES FALL OFF, THAT'S A SIGN THAT THE TREE IS ON ITS WAY OUT.

WAYS THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY IF OUR TREES ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DYING IS AGAIN LOOKING AT THOSE NEEDLES AND SEEING DO WE HAVE GLOSSY NEEDLES LIKE WHAT THIS TREE TO MY LEFT DOES AND IT'S VERY BRIGHT.

WE'VE GOT SOME VERY VIBRANT BUDS ON THE END OF IT VERSUS THIS TREE WHERE WE HAVE SOME DULL NEEDLES THAT DON'T HAVE THAT WAXY CUTICLE ON THE OUTSIDE.

TREES, PARTICULARLY EVERGREENS, IF YOU THINK OF CHRISTMAS TREES, THEY CAN BE GREEN FOR A LONG TIME AFTER THEY'VE BEEN CUT OFF FROM THE ROOT SYSTEM.

AND SO, WE KNOW THAT OUR EVERGREENS DON'T LOOK DEAD NECESSARILY WHEN THE DAMAGE ACTUALLY HAPPENS.

IT'S COMMON FOR US TO SEE A STAND OF TREES THAT SEEM TO BE FINE WITH JUST ONE OR TWO THAT ARE RANDOMLY WITHIN THE BUNCH THAT ARE DEAD.

AND WE MIGHT ASK WHY IS IT JUST ONE OR TWO TREES?

THAT ONE INDIVIDUAL TREE MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ROOT SYSTEM ON IT OR MAYBE THERE IS SOME SORT OF ANIMAL CHEWING ON THE ROOT SYSTEM.

THERE'S SOMETHING THAT IS SITE SPECIFIC TO THAT ONE TREE.

WE'RE HERE AT THE RIVERVIEW GOLF COURSE WEST OF SCOTTS BLUFF AND WE'RE HERE AT THE EDGE OF THE ROUGH WHERE TREES ARE PROBABLY NOT GETTING QUITE AS MUCH MOISTURE.

AND WHAT WE TEND TO SEE HAPPEN WITH OUR DROUGHT IS THAT OUR TREES ARE DYING UP AT THE VERY, VERY TOP AND WE SEE JUST A FEW BRANCHES, SOME BROWNING, MAYBE THE TOP 12 TO 18 INCHES AND LIKELY WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THAT WHILE THAT SOIL IS NOT IDEAL FOR GROWTH, THAT TREE IS SHRINKING THAT ROOM SYSTEM TO CONSERVE ENERGY.

SO EVEN WHEN WE DO GET MOISTURE, THE TREE DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO TAKE UP ANY OF THAT MOISTURE BECAUSE ITS HAS SUCH A REDUCED ROOT SYSTEM.

SO WE'LL SEE THAT DEATH THE FURTHEST AWAY FROM THE ROOTS UP THERE AT THE TOP OF OUR TREES.

THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING YOUR EVERGREENS IS GOING OUT AND LOOKING AT YOUR SITE.

LOOK AROUND YOUR TREE AND TRY TO IDENTIFY WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE IMPACTING YOUR TREE.

WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL ARBORIST WHO IDENTIFY WHAT YOUR PROBLEM IS SO THAT WAY, YOU CAN GET AN IDEA OF WHAT OPTIONS YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH YOUR EVERGREENS.

>>> AND WHAT SHE SAID, GO OUT AND LOOK, TAKE A PEEK AND TAKE CARE OF IT.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT OF WAY FUN THINGS IN THE GARDENING WORLD AS WE ALWAYS DO.

AND I BELIEVE OUR VERY FIRST ONE IS THE OMAHA ROSE SOCIETY ROSE WALK SUNDAY JUNE 26, 1:00 TO 4:30.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THAT ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MORE INFO.

SECOND ONE IS WAY COOL, WHICH IS COMING UP NEXT AT 8:00, TITLE NINE, 50 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

YOU CAN STREAM THAT AT MPM.ORG.

AND IT'S JUST A FABULOUS THING FOR US TO THINK ABOUT.

ALL RIGHT, BANG, BANG, LIGHTNING ROUND ON PICTURES.

SO WAYNE, THE FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM SYRACUSE.

WHAT COMES OUT OF HOLES LIKE THIS IN THE FLOWER GARDEN?

>> WOLF SPIDERS.

>> OH.

YUCK, OKAY.

YOUR SECOND TWO FROM OMAHA, AND THOUGHT WE MIGHT LIKE THIS.

WHAT ARE THESE GUYS?

>> THESE ARE CICADAS.

THOSE ARE THE EXCESS SKELETONS FROM THE FINAL NYMPH STAGE, AND THE ADULTS ARE COMING OUT, WHICH WAS IN THAT OTHER PICTURE THAT WAS FLASHED UP THERE BRIEFLY.

>> PERFECT.

McCOOK, NEBRASKA.

WONDERING WHAT THIS ONE IS OUT ON A WALK IN McCOOK.

>> I BELIEVE THIS ONE IS A TORTOISE BEETLE PUPA.

>> FUN.

ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, TERRY, THIS IS A PAWNEE CITY VIEWER.

WHAT KIND OF A WEED IS THIS AND HOW DO WE CONTROL IT?

AND HE THINKS IT'S HEMLOCK.

>> NO, THESE ARE SPANISH NEEDLES.

THEY ARE RELATED TO BIDENS.

THE ONLY GOOD THING IS THE FLOWERS ARE NICE POLLINATORS.

THEY'RE GOING TO GET THESE FUNKY SEED HEADS THAT WILL ATTACH TO YOU IF YOU'RE FIVE FEET AWAY FROM IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS A PAPILLION VIEWER WHO SAID THIS WILD GARLIC-LOOKING THING, IT STARTED TWO YEARS AGO, HE DOESN'T LET THEM FLOWER.

HE'S DUG THEM OUT.

IS THERE ANYTHING TO GET RID OF THEM PERMANENTLY?

>> CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

YOU CAN ALSO USE A BROAD LEAF WEED KILLER IF YOU CUT IT AND THEN SPRAY IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND YOUR FINAL ONE HERE IS, THIS WEED KEEPS APPEARING IN THE LAWN, ESPECIALLY ALONG THE EDGES OF THE LAWN.

WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO WE GET RID OF THIS ONE?

>> THIS IS NOT WEED.

NOT WEED, LIKE COMPACTED SOILS.

SO, IF YOU CAN AERATE THAT AREA A LITTLE BIT, IT'S EASY JUST TO GO IN WITH YOUR SOIL KNIFE AND REMOVE IT OFF THE EDGES.

>> ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB.

AMY, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE, HE THINKS THESE ARE NORWAY SPRUCE IN BLAIR, THEY'VE PUT ON ALL SORTS OF CONES AND THE TOP APPEARS TO BE THINNING.

THEY DO BELIEVE THE TOP OF ONE IS BEING STRANGLED BY A CANKER.

IS THIS TRUE AND IS THERE ANYTHING HE CAN DO?

>> SORRY TO GIVE YOU THE BAD NEWS.

YOUR TREE IS DYING.

UM, IT IS A CANKER AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO FOR IT AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE ALSO.

THIS IS ALSO A NORWAY SPRUCE.

THIS IS A PLEASANT DALE VIEWER.

WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS TWISTY, GNARLEY GROWTH?

>> SO, THIS ONE WAS A LITTLE UNIQUE.

I'M GOING TO LEAN TOWARD ENVIRONMENT AND DROUGHT CONDITIONS.

I THINK THE PLANT IS TRYING TO REACT TO THAT DROUGHT, TRYING TO CONSERVE SOME ENERGY AND SO WE'RE GETTING THAT TWISTING.

SO, HOPING FOR GOOD RAIN AND EVEN THAT SEGMENT BEFORE TALKS A LITTLE BIT MORE HOW THOSE ROOTS CHANGE IN THAT TREE IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, AMY.

YOU HAVE THREE, SARAH, THREE PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS A CLARKS, NEBRASKA, VIEWER.

THEY REALLY WANT TO SAVE THIS MAPLE TREE.

THEY SAY IT'S PRODUCING LITTLE TINY LEAVES AND IT TURNS WAY BAD FALL COLOR WAY EARLIER THAN FALL.

>> SO, WHEN YOU HAVE AN OVERALL EFFECT LIKE THAT IN A TREE WHERE THE LEAVES ARE TURNING COLOR TOO EARLY IN THE SEASON, I MEAN, THAT'S TELLING YOU THAT SOMETHING THAT'S AFFECTING THE WHOLE TREE.

I'M LOOKING AT THIS PICTURE RIGHT HERE.

THIS TREE'S GOT ROOT PROBLEMS.

I MEAN, WE CAN SEE SOME ROOTS THERE ON THE SURFACE OF THE SOIL THAT ARE STARTING TO KIND OF CIRCLE THE TRUNK.

THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT MORE GOING ON UNDERNEATH THE SOIL THAT WE CAN'T SEE.

SO, JUST FROM THESE PICTURES, THAT'S MY THOUGHTS.

AND, UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A WHOLE LOT YOU CAN DO WITH THAT TO SAY THAT WILL MAKE IT BETTER OTHER THAN JUST GOOD BASIC CARE.

YOU KNOW, MULCH, GET RID OF THE GRASS MULCH, WATER WHEN IT'S DRY.

AND IF THE TREE HAS THE CHANCE IT MIGHT BE ABLE TO PICK UP A LITTLE BIT OF VIGOR.

BUT THAT'S ABOUT ALL YOU CAN DO.

>> AND PLANT A NEW TREE.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH, BECAUSE THAT'S A FORMER TREE, PROBABLY.

>> MM-HMM.

>> ALL RIGHT, WELL, THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT TONIGHT FOR "BACKYARD FARMER.

"” THANKS TO OUR LOYAL AUDIENCE FOR SUBMITTING ALL OF THE QUESTIONS FOR THIS WEEK'S SHOW.

AND THANKS TO A PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES THIS EVENING, WE HAD MASTER GARDENERS, KIT DIMON, TIM DUNGAN AND GEORGE MALY.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'RE GOING TO RETURN TO WESTERN NEBRASKA TO HEAR ABOUT SOME OF THE WEATHER, THE PLANT LIFE AND THE CRITTER PROBLEMS THEY HAVE AND HOW DIFFERENT IT IS FROM THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

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