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

♪ >> TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL CHECK OUT SOME TREES THAT ARE PRODUCING THOUSANDS OF SEEDS AND SEE HOW YOU CAN GROW FOOD ON A NON-TRADITIONAL LANDSCAPE.

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

♪ ♪ >> HELLO AND WELCOME ONCE AGAIN TO "BACKYARD FARMER!"

I'M KIM TODD AND I'LL BE YOUR HOST FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF GOOD GARDENING.

IF YOU'VE GOT A GARDEN QUESTION, YOU CAN GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-676-5446.

OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

PICTURES AND EMAILS FOR FUTURE SHOW CAN BE SUBMITTED TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

PLEASE GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN INCLUDING WHERE YOU LIVE.

AND DON'T FORGET TO CHECK US OUT ONLINE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR ALL THOSE EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS, PAST PROGRAMS AND OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.

SO LET'S START SAMPLES AND YOU HAVE -- AND HE DECIDED TO SLEEP INSTEAD OF ESCAPE.

>> YES, HE WAS SO ACTIVE BEFORE.

SO THIS IS A BRONZE CUT WORM CATERPILLAR.

AND SO WE HAVE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF CUT WORMS THAT HAVE WIDE HOST PLANT RANGES.

AND MOST OFTEN, WE SEE CUT WORM DAMAGE IN TURFGRASS, AS WELL AS YOUNG VEGETABLE PLANTS.

AND SO, CUT WORMS GET THEIR NAME, BECAUSE WHAT THEY DO IS THAT THEY'LL ACTUALLY CUT THE STEM OF THE PLANT AT THE BASE AND LEAVE THE WHOLE PLANT BEHIND.

SO, IF YOU EVER SEE THAT, YOU DON'T NEED TO BLAME YOUR NEIGHBOR'S CHILDREN.

YOU CAN JUST BLAME CUT WORMS.

AND THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO MANAGE THEM.

YOU CAN PHYSICALLY PICK THEM OFF.

YOU CAN DO PHYSICAL BARRIERS, LIKE CARDBOARD COLLARS, AND OF COURSE, DO SOME FALL CLEANUP IN THE GARDEN, AS WELL.

THAT WILL HELP WITH THEM FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> SO THE PERSON THAT SENT US THE QUESTION AND SAID, WELL THE FOXES AND RABBITS HAVE EATEN HER TOMATOES, IT WAS PROBABLY THAT GUY.

>> IT COULD HAVE BEEN, YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TERRI, WHAT IN THE WORLD?

>> SO I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL PLANT.

SO, THE LAST TIME I WAS ON, I ACTUALLY HAD THIS AS AN I.D., AND THIS WAS PENNYCRESS, AND WE TALKED ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT YOU GOT IT AND PULLED IT OUT OF YOUR GARDEN BEFORE IT WENT TO SEED.

SO THIS HAS NOW GONE TO SEED.

AND I WANTED TO SHOW EVERYBODY WHY WE TELL YOU TO DO THIS, BECAUSE EACH ONE OF THESE LITTLE CAPSULES HERE, AND I RIPPED THEM APART, AND I'M HOPING THAT I CAN GET THIS TO SHOW EACH ONE OF THESE HAS AT LEAST EIGHT SEEDS INSIDE OF EACH ONE OF THE CAPSULES.

SO IF YOU GO AND MULTIPLY HOWEVER MANY WERE ON THAT PLANT, BY, AT LEAST, EIGHT, YOU'RE LOOKING AT HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF NEW PLANTS NEXT YEAR, IF YOU DO NOT PULL THAT OUT BEFORE THEY ALL ARE RIPE AND GO TO SEED.

>> AND DO NOT DRY IT AND PUT IT IN A DRIED ARRANGEMENT.

>> CORRECT.

WELL, UNLESS YOU THROW IT IN THE GARBAGE, I GUESS.

BUT -- >> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, TERRI.

>> IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA.

>> THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THAT, THERE ARE SOME RESEARCHERS WORKING ON THAT AS ANOTHER OILSEED CROP.

>> ALL RIGHTY THEN.

>> POTENTIAL USE.

>> BUT, THEY'RE NOT WORKING ON THAT DEAD JUNIPER.

>> THEY ARE NOT.

SO, A LOT OF -- THIS TIME OF YEAR, YOU KNOW, ALL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE'LL SEE SOME DAMAGE TO OUR EVERGREENS.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, I JUST WANTED TO SHOW AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE'LL SEE AS ONE OF OUR FUNGAL TIP BLIGHTS.

THIS IS ON AN EVERGREEN WHERE WE HAVE -- IT'S MOST LIKELY KAVATINA, WHICH IS A FUNGAL DISEASE.

AND THE DIFFERENCE HERE BETWEEN THIS AND WHAT WE'D SEE WITH DROUGHT INJURY OR SOMETHING IS IT'S VERY DEFINED, IT'S GOT ONE SECTION.

LITTLE FLAG THAT YOU WOULD SEE ON THE BUSH THAT'S BROWN.

BEST THING TO DO WITH THESE ARE JUST TO PRUNE THEM OUT, AND THEN YOU'LL REDUCE THAT INOCULUM FOR FUTURE SPREAD.

SO, JUST SOMETHING WE'RE SEEING QUITE A BIT WITH ALL OF THE WARMER AND DRIER CONDITIONS EARLY IN THE YEAR THAT WE'RE SEEING NOW.

SO WE'RE SEEING SOME DROUGHT INJURY IN OUR EVERGREENS.

AND THIS IS ONE THAT'S NOT.

>> IT'S INTERESTING, BECAUSE, AGAIN, YOU DON'T THINK OF SOME OF THOSE DISEASES AS BEING ASSOCIATED WITH DRY.

>> WELL, AND THE THING IS TOO, MANY OF THESE ARE INFECTING EARLIER, AND THEN, THE DROUGHT STRESS RESULTS IN THE PLANT BEING STRESSED, AND THEY SUCCUMB TO THESE AND OTHER CANKER DISEASES THAT WE'LL SEE PICTURES OF TONIGHT ON THE SHOW.

>> ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH, WHAT DO WE HAVE?

>> WELL IT'S OFFICIALLY GARDENING SEASON.

SO THOSE OF US IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA, MOTHER'S DAY WAS OUR INDICATOR DATE WHERE WE COULD START PUTTING THE GARDENS IN, AND I DID NOT, BECAUSE OF THE 90 DEGREE TEMPERATURES, BUT SO I HAVE MY PEPPERS TODAY.

ON ONE OF THE PEPPERS I HAVE IS WE HAVE A FLOWER.

NOW IT MAY BE TEMPTING TO PURCHASE A PEPPER WITH THE FLOWERS ATTACHED AND GROWING, BECAUSE YOU ARE LIKE, "OH, I'LL GET PEPPERS SOONER."

NO.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE WANT TO BE RUTHLESS WITH THIS PEPPER PLANT AND WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND JUST PINCH THE TOP OFF.

THE REASON THAT WE'RE GOING TO PINCH THE TOP OFF IS THESE PEPPERS ARE KIND OF TALL, THEY'RE KIND OF LEGGY, AND BY TAKING THE TOP OFF AND TAKING THAT FLOWER OFF, WE HAVE BROKEN THE APICAL DOMINANCE AND WE'RE HOPEUFLLY GONNA GET SOME LATERAL BUDS THAT COME OFF OF HERE.

ALSO, BY REMOVING THAT FLOWER BUD, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE PUSHING IT TO HAVE MORE ROOT GROWTH AND GET BETTER ESTABLISHED BEFORE WE GET SOME MORE FLOWERS AND SOME PEPPERS FROM IT.

>> EXCELLENT.

AND IT'S INTERESTING HOW FEW PEOPLE WILL DO THAT.

JUST CAN'T STAND IT.

OH WELL.

ALL RIGHT, KAIT, YOU GET THE FIRST ROUND OF QUESTIONS.

THIS IS TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

AND THIS IS A ROSA SETIGERA, WHICH IS A SPECIES ROSE, AND THEY'VE HAD SOMETHING EATING AWAY AT THE LEAVES, 10 TO 20% OF THE FOLIAGE.

THESE SPOTS, TINY, CRAWLING WORMLIKE CREATURES ON THE PLANTS, AND WE HAVE A PICTURE, ALSO, THAT IS JUST LOVELY OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE ISSUE HERE.

>> YEAH.

SO WHAT'S CAUSING THE ISSUE ARE ROSE SLUG SAWFLIES, AND IT'S THE LARVAE THAT YOU CAN SEE ON THAT FIRST PICTURE.

THEY'RE SMALL AND THEY'RE GREEN, AND THEY'RE KIND OF HARD TO SEE, BUT THAT'S WHAT'S CAUSING THE DAMAGE.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO THESE SAWFLIES, THERE'S A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN DO.

ONE IS TRY TO HANDPICK AS MUCH OF THE LARVAE AS POSSIBLE.

YOU CAN ALSO, BECAUSE THEY'RE KIND OF SMALL, JUST TAKE THE HOSE OUT, SPRAY IT WITH A STRONG JET OF WATER.

AND I BELIEVE THIS VIEWER WANTED KIND OF MORE ORGANIC OPTIONS.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO THERE'S THINGS LIKE INSECTICIDAL SOAP, HORTICULTURAL OILS, SPINOSAD.

YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LEAVES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE LARVAE ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, BUT YOU COULD HAVE HAD 100.

I THINK MOORE CAME INTO THE INBOX TODAY.

LITTLE WORMS COVER THE GROUND, NONE OF THE BIRDS ARE EATING THEM, AND THEY ARE WANDERING UP TOWARD THE ASH TREES.

>> YEP.

>> WHAT ARE THESE AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM?

>> YEP, IT'S ANOTHER YEAR OF RAINING WORMS, THAT'S FOR SURE.

SO THESE ARE ANOTHER TYPE OF SAWFLY.

THESE ARE THE BROWN HEADED ASH SAWFLY, AND THEY DO FEED ON ASH TREE LEAVES, AND AS A MATURE, THEY'RE GOING TO FALL DOWN ONTO THE GROUND, SO THEY CAN GO INTO THE SOIL TO PUPATE.

LUCKILY, THE DAMAGE THEY CAUSE TO THE LEAVES, IF THE TREE IS ESTABLISHED, IF IT'S HEALTHY, IT'S GOING TO BOUNCE BACK REALLY EASILY.

THE BIGGEST THING WITH THESE IS THAT THEY'RE JUST A NUISANCE, BECAUSE THEY RAIN DOWN BY THE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THE THOUSANDS.

SO I WOULD SUGGEST GETTING OUT A VACUUM, GETTING OUT A BROOM, AND SWEEPING THEM UP, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KAIT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THEY'VE HAD HUSKER RED PENSTEMON IN THEIR LANDSCAPE FOR YEARS, AND THEN ON ONE OF THE LEAVES, THEY FOUND THESE EGGS, AND THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE APHID EGGS.

WHAT ARE THEY?

>> SO THEY'RE DEFINITELY EGGS.

THEY'RE NOT APHID EGGS, BECAUSE APHIDS ACTUALLY REPRODUCE PARTHENOGENETICALLY, WHICH IS A FANCY TERM FOR THE FEMALES DON'T NEED TO MATE.

SHE MAKES CLONES OF HERSELVES AND SHE GIVES LIFE BIRTH.

THAT BEING SAID, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THESE EGGS ARE.

THEY'RE DEFINITELY INSECT EGGS.

IF YOU DON'T WANT THEM THERE, YOU CAN SIMPLY PULL THE LEAF.

BUT, SORRY, I CAN'T BE MUCH HELP BEYOND THAT.

>> OR WATCH THEM HATCH AND THEN YOU'LL KNOW MORE.

>> WATCH THEM HATCH, YEAH.

IT COULD BE GOOD OR BAD.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KAIT.

YOU HAVE THREE QUESTIONS ON THIS ONE, TERRI.

THIS IS FROM FAIRBURY.

WHAT KIND OF GRASS IS THIS, AND WOULD IT WORK TO USE IT IN TOUGH AREAS OF THE LAWN?

>> WELL, I BELIEVE THIS IS NIMBLEWILL, AND I MOST LIKELY WOULD NOT WANT THIS IN MY LAWN.

I BELIEVE THIS WAS DOWN IN FAIRBURY AND I WOULD PROBABLY RECOMMEND WE'RE ACTUALLY GETTING TO THE RIGHT TIME OF YEAR IS IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SUPER TOUGH, AND SOMETHING THAT WOULD KIND OF WORK LIKE THIS, WHERE IT'S GOT LIKE THE RHYZOMES AND THE STOLONS KIND OF SPREADING OUT IN AMONGST AN AREA TO KIND OF HELP STABILIZE THE SOIL AND STUFF, I WOULD PROBABLY GO WITH A BUFFALO GRASS.

YOU CAN BUY SOME REALLY NICE VARIETIES NOW, AND THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE WHAT I WOULD GO WITH IF THAT IS WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IS REALLY TOUGH AS NAILS, AND DON'T HAVE TO MOW AND DO ALL OF THOSE KINDS OF THINGS GRASS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A GRAND ISLAND VIEWER.

WHAT IS CAUSING THESE STRIPES IN AN OTHERWISE WELL WATERED LAWN?

AND APPARENTLY, THE MOWING COMPANY SAYS IT'S NOT THEM.

>> YEAH, SO I LOOKED AT THIS, AND CONSIDERING THE TIME OF YEAR AND STUFF, WE'VE BEEN REALLY DRY AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S REALLY WELL WATERED, BUT DEPENDING ON WHERE IT IS, I'M WONDERING IF MAYBE THIS IS MAYBE SOME COMPACTION AND THERE ACTUALLY ISN'T A VERY GOOD ROOT SYSTEM UNDERNEATH THERE.

I DID KIND OF SHOW LOREN AND WE KIND OF TALKED MAYBE A DISEASE.

BUT IT'S A LITTLE TOO EARLY FOR SOME OF THAT.

SO I'M THINKING IT IS COMPACTION, SO CHANGE DIRECTIONS OF YOUR MOWING.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT MOWING THE EXACT SAME WAY ALL THE TIME.

I WOULD PROBABLY DO AERATION THIS FALL.

JUST DO SOME REALLY GOOD MAINTENANCE, MANAGEMENT OF YOUR TURF, JUST AN INCH OF WATER.

DON'T OVERWATER, ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WE TELL EVERYBODY TO DO ALL THE TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT AND ONE MORE, AND IF PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THAT WORKS, THIS IS A KEARNEY VIEWER WHO IS HAPPY TO REPORT THAT AERATION AND WATERING, HEAVY WATER SPOT PROBLEM WAS SOLVED, AND IT WAS THATCH.

SO HIS LOOKED LIKE THAT, AND MATT TOLD HIM TO DO ALL THE THINGS YOU JUST SAID, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS.

>> EXCELLENT.

SO THE GRAND ISLAND PERSON CAN SEND US A PICTURE IN A COUPLE WEEKS, AND, WELL MAYBE A COUPLE MONTHS, AND GIVE US AN UPDATE.

>> EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT, TWO PICS ON THIS ONE, LOREN BUT THIS IS PAGODA DOGWOOD.

BEAUTIFUL WHEN THEY MOVED IN.

THEY THINK IT IS GOLDEN CANKER OR SOME SORT OF CANKER IN THIS DOGWOOD.

WHAT YOU THINK?

>> ALL OF OUR DOGWOODS ARE REALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT FUNGAL TANKERS.

DYPLODIA'S ONE.

BOTRYOSPHAERIA IS ANOTHER ONE.

THE DISCOLORATION, FOR EXAMPLE IN THIS PICTURE, WHERE YOU SEE THE LIGHTER AREAS AGAINST THE BARK, MOST LIKELY, IT IS A CANKER.

I WOULD RECOMMEND PRUNING OUT AFFECTED AREAS, BUT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE OVERALL STRUCTURE AND AS LEAVES ARE DYING, OR BRANCHES ARE DYING, I WOULD PRUNE THOSE OUT ABOUT THREE OR FOUR INCHES BELOW THE AREA.

I WOULDN'T TAKE THE MAIN BRANCHES OUT THAT HAVE LITTLE DARK SPOTS ON THEM THAT WERE SHOWN IN THE ONE PICTURE.

>> OKAY, GOOD.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

>> BEAUTIFUL.

>> NOT THE ONLY PERSON ON THIS ONE, EITHER.

A SIX-YEAR-OLD PEACH TREE, AND THEN THE SECOND ONE IS ACTUALLY A DIFFERENT VIEWER.

BUT FUNKY LEAVES.

NEVER HAD IT BEFORE.

OOPS, WHAT IS IT?

>> WHAT'S AMAZING -- THIS IS PEACH LEAF CURL.

AND THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS, THIS IS A FUNGUS THAT INFECTS WHEN THE BUDS START TO CRACK AND SWELL EARLIER IN THE YEAR.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF WE GO BACK IN TIME, WHEN WE HAD MILDER CONDITIONS, WHERE BUD BRAKES HAPPENING, AND YOU GET COOL AND WARM CONDITIONS, THAT'S WHERE YOU GET INFECTION.

SO YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING NOW, BUT WHAT YOU COULD DO IS YOU COULD REMOVE THOSE LEAVES AND DO SOME SANITATION WORK.

IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT FOR THE TREE, YOU CAN LOOK AT A DORMANT SPRAY NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND TWO ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM McCOOK.

THIS IS AN -- I THINK IT'S AN ORNAMENTAL PAIR.

SHE DIDN'T SAY.

SOUTH SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

ONE SIDE, VERY LIGHT, NOT VERY FULL.

SHE HAS ANOTHER ONE IN THE BACKYARD THAT IS BETTER.

DOES THIS LOOK, POTENTIALLY LIKE FIRE BLIGHT OR SOMETHING?

>> IT COULD BE.

I THINK IT'S SOME SORT OF CANKER, MOST LIKELY, ON THIS, KIM.

WHEN YOU SEE THAT, ANY TIME YOU SEE A TREE WHERE IT'S GOT SOME BRIGHT GREEN COLOR, AND THEN OTHER PARTS OF THE TREE CANOPY ARE THIN OR YELLOWING, IT'S MOST LIKELY SOMETHING'S AFFECTING THAT PORTION OF THE TREE CROWN.

SO I WOULD LOOK CAREFULLY AT IT AND SEE IF YOU DON'T SEE ANY SWELLING, AS MUCH OF IT IS AFFECTED, I WILL BE SURPRISED IF IT BECOMES, UNFORTUNATELY IF IT EVER BECOMES A PRODUCTIVE PEAR TREE FOR YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU LOREN.

ELIZABETH, TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THE FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

INTUITIVELY, KNOWS THE ANSWER, BUT THOUGHT, GOSH, THIS IS A GIVING TREE.

EVERY YEAR, IT BLOOMS.

60 SOMETHING YEARS OLD.

COULD HE GRAFT A SMALL ONE TO THIS ONE WITH ANY SUCCESS?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, NO.

MOST OF THE TIME, THE GRAFTING WORKS WHEN YOU HAVE YOUNG TREES, AND THEN THEY'RE ABLE TO GROW UP TOGETHER.

SO GRAFTING'S REALLY NOT GONNA WORK IN THIS SITUATION WITH THAT OLD OF A TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND YOUR NEXT ONE IS ALSO A RED BUD.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS ALSO LINCOLN.

THIS IS AN OLD ONE TOO AS WELL.

30 PLUS YEARS.

ONE DEAD MAIN BRANCH.

ANOTHER BRANCH, NO LEAVES.

WHAT'S THE PROGNOSIS?

ANYTHING SHE CAN DO ON THIS ONE?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS ONE.

ONE OF THE THINGS IS TO LOOK AT IS TO SEE IF THERE'S A STEM GURGLING ROOT.

WHERE THERE'S A ROOT CROSSING OVER THE TRUNK OF THE TREE, OR POSSIBLY, IF WE HAVE SOME TRUNK DAMAGE, WE'RE JUST GONNA RECOMMEND THE 3W'S.

JUST WATER, WATCH, AND WAIT WITH THAT ONE AND THAT'S ABOUT ALL WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW.

>> ALL RIGHT AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM GRETNA.

THIS WAS PLANTED.

THIS IS BURCH PLANTED IN SEPTEMBER OF '24.

TOLD TO FERTILIZE THE TREE THIS SPRING TO STIMULATE GROWTH ON THE TOPS, BECAUSE NO LEAVES ABOUT FIVE FEET.

WAS THAT A GOOD IDEA?

WHAT HAPPENS HERE?

>> WE EITHER HAVE DROUGHT STRESS, AND OR IN COMBINATION WITH SOME WINTER KILL.

UNFORTUNATELY, IF IT HASN'T LEAFED OUT BY JUNE, IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO.

MY GUESS IS, THAT TOP IS DEAD.

SO ADDING FERTILIZER TO A STRESSED TREE IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

BECAUSE WE ARE ADDING INSULT TO INJURY, AND WE'RE MAKING THAT TREE THINK WE CAN GO AHEAD AND PUT ON NEW GROWTH THAT IT CAN'T SUSTAIN.

SO I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANY MORE FERTILIZER.

WE CAN DO SOME ADDITIONAL WATER, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, IF THAT TOP IS BRITTLE, IT'S DEAD, AND IT'S NOT COMING BACK.

>> AND SHE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH DEAD TOPS IN BIRCH THIS YEAR.

WELL WE'VE SEEN SOME OF OUR MAPLE TREES AND SOME ELMS PRODUCE THOUSANDS OF SEEDS THIS YEAR.

IT'S A BIT OF A CURIOSITY.

JUSTIN EVERTSON FROM THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE TELLS US IT'S REALLY NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY.

HERE'S JUSTIN TO TELL US MORE.

♪ >> SOME OF OUR LANDSCAPE TREES HAVE PECULIAR HABITS, INCLUDING HOW THEY FLOWER AND PRODUCE SEEDS.

WE ARE GETTING REPORTS THIS YEAR OF A PRETTY HEAVY SEED CROP FOR SILVER MAPLES, WHICH WE ARE STANDING BY RIGHT HERE.

SILVER MAPLE ACTUALLY TELLS A FUN STORY ABOUT HOW IT PRODUCES ITS SEEDS, STARTING WITH THE FACT THAT A SILVER MAPLE IS ONE OF THE FIRST TREES TO WAKE UP IN LATE WINTER OR EARLY SPRING, LONG BEFORE THE LEAVES COME OUT.

THE FLOWERS COME OUT ON A SILVER MAPLE.

LATE FEBRUARY OR EARLY MARCH, EVEN, WHEN WINTER IS NOT EVEN DONE.

THEY SEEM TO HAVE AMAZING ANTI- FREEZE TOLERANCE IN THOSE FLOWERS.

BU THAT EARLY FLOWERING CAN ALSO MEAN, IF WE GET INTO A COLD SNAP, IT WILL FREEZE OFF SOME OF THOSE SEEDS THAT ARE STARTING TO DEVELOP AND REDUCE THE OVERALL CROP OF SILVER MAPLE SEEDS IN A COLD YEAR.

ANOTHER REALLY INTERESTING FACT ABOUT SILVER MAPLES IS THAT THE TREES CAN BE MALE OR FEMALE.

GENERALLY, THERE IS A MALE TREE OR A FEMALE TREE, BUT BELIEVE IT OR NOT, SOME TREES CAN HAVE BOTH MALE AND FEMALE FLOWERS.

AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT SILVER MAPLES TOO, IS THAT THEY CAN SHIFT FROM A MALE TREE TO FEMALE TREE SOME YEARS, AND SO, THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN WHY SOME YEARS, YOU DON'T HAVE A VERY HEAVY SEED CROP, BUT, THERE DOES SEEM TO BE, FOR CERTAIN SILVER MAPLE TREES, THIS IDEA THAT THEY ARE SUPER PRODUCERS, AND A TREE NEXT TO MY HOUSE IN WAVERLEY PRODUCES A HEAVY SEED CROP ALMOST EVERY YEAR.

LAST YEAR, ALMOST NONE.

SO WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

THAT LEADS TO ANOTHER CONCEPT WE TALK ABOUT, MASTING.

ESPECIALLY FOR OUR FOREST TREES.

MASTING IS THE IDEA THAT TREES IN THE FOREST ARE DROPPING THEIR MAST, WHICH IS THE EDIBLE SEEDS OF TREES TO THE GROUND THAT ANIMALS WILL THEN CONSUME.

MAST IS JUST THE NUTS OR THE FRUITS OF THE TREES, AND MASTING IS THIS IDEA THAT IN SOME YEARS, TREES ACROSS THE FOREST PRODUCE HEAVIER SEED CROPS THAN OTHER YEARS.

WHAT IS GOING ON THERE?

WELL THE THEORY FROM BOTANISTS IS, THERE ARE COUPLE THINGS AT PLAY.

FIRST OF ALL, IF WE HAVE A HEAVY SEED CROP SOME YEARS, IT OUT PRODUCES SEEDS THAT THE PREDATOR ANIMALS THAT ARE EATING THOSE SEEDS CAN CONSUME AT ONE TIME.

SO IF YOU HAVE MORE SEEDS THAN ANIMALS, MORE SEEDS HAVE A CHANCE TO GERMINATE AND GROW, AND THAT IS ONE THEORY ABOUT MASTING AND THE CYCLICAL NATURE OF IT.

THE OTHER IDEA THERE BEING, IN A HEAVY YEAR, IF YOU HAD SEED CROPS EVERY YEAR THAT WERE HEAVY YEAR, THE ANIMAL PREDATION POPULATIONS FROM THINGS LIKE RABBITS AND SQUIRRELS AND MICE WOULD INCREASE SO MUCH THAT THE TREES COULD NEVER PRODUCE SEEDS THAT GROW UP TO BECOME BIG TREES.

SO THAT IS THE THEORY BEHIND MASTING.

OAK TREES ARE MORE ASSOCIATED WITH MASTING.

NOT JUST OAKS, BUT NUT TREES, IN GENERAL.

OAKS ARE REALLY THOUGHT TO BE MAST TREES, WHERE THEY ARE NOT PRODUCING A HEAVY CROP EVERY YEAR, BUT THEY ARE GENETICALLY CYCLING THROUGH, SO THAT EVERY SECOND, THIRD OR FOURTH YEAR, THEY HAVE A HEAVY SEED CROP.

THE THEORY IS, THOSE HEAVY SEED CROPS HELP PRODUCE THE PREDATOR ANIMALS THAT ARE COMING TO EAT THE SEEDS, SO THERE IS A HIGHER POSSIBILITY THAT SOME SEEDS CAN GERMINATE AND BECOME TREES OVER TIME.

SO, DON'T WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT YOUR TREES PRODUCING HEAVY SEED CROPS.

REMEMBER, WE DON'T HAVE TREES IF WE DON'T HAVE THE SEEDS THEY PRODUCE.

THEY CYCLE THROUGH THIS.

SOME YEARS ARE HEAVIER THAN OTHERS, AND NEXT YEAR WILL PROBABLY BE A LIGHTER SEED CROP.

>> WELL, THANKS TO JUSTIN FOR THAT.

YOU KNOW MOST OF THE TIME IT'S SQUIRREL FOOD BUT THERE MIGHT BE A FEW MAPLES OR A LOT OF FEW -- [ LAUGHTER ] SPROUTING UP IN YOUR LAWN THIS YEAR.

OR ELMS, OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT DECIDED TO HAVE A MAST YEAR.

KAIT, THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS SO FUN.

THIS IS A BELLE VIEW VIEWER, WHO SAW SOMETHING DROP FROM ABOVE HIM AND LAND ON THE PAVEMENT.

IT WAS A BRAND-NEW YELLOW SWALLOWTAIL WITH WINGS STILL WET.

HE REMOVED IT FROM THE DANGERS OF THE DRIVEWAY AND PLACED IT ON A CLEMATIS WHERE IT DRIED OUT TO TAKE FLIGHT.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL EASTERN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL, AND I'M PRETTY SURE THIS ONE IS A MALE.

YEAH, JUST BEAUTIFUL TO HAVE AROUND.

I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THE BUTTERFLIES THIS YEAR.

>> WHAT A THING FOR HIM TO DISCOVER.

TO WATCH IT THAT IS EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, AND THIS IS AN ALBION VIEWER.

SAYS PRUNING THE DOGWOOD AND NOTICED A FEW MORE THAN USUAL DEAD BRANCHES.

CLOSER INSPECTION, IS THAT SCALE ON THE BARK?

IF SO, WILL IT SPREAD TO THE MAGNOLIA ONLY 15 FEET AWAY?

>> WE WENT FROM A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY TO THIS.

[ LAUGHTER ] THIS IS OYSTER SHELL SCALE, AND THE GOOD NEWS IS, IT'S JUST ABOUT TIME TO TREAT.

SO THE CRAWLERS COME OUT LATE MAY, EARLY JUNE, SO RIGHT NOW, GET SOME DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE ON THAT BRANCH, WATCH FOR THOSE CRAWLERS, TINY INSECTS THAT WILL GET STUCK TO THE TAPE, AND THEN TREAT, SO YOU CAN USE HORTICULTURAL OIL, INSECTICIDAL SOAP, BIFENTHRIN.

THE GOOD NEWS IS, THAT I DON'T BELIEVE MAGNOLIA IS A HOST.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF OTHER HOSTS, BUT MAGNOLIA HAS ITS OWN SCALE PROBLEMS TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, AND YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, KAIT.

THIS IS A 16-YEAR-OLD RED OAK.

HE SAW EVIDENCE OF BORERS LAST YEAR.

TREATED WITH TREE AND SHRUB PROTECTIVE FEED --1.1%.

RECOMMENDING ANNUAL TREATMENTS.

IS THAT A GOOD IDEA?

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THIS?

>> SO SOILED TRENCHES FOR OAK BORERS DON'T WORK VERY WELL.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF OTHER OPTIONS.

THERE'S TRUNK SPRAYS, BUT IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET THE TIMING RIGHT, AND THEN, THERE ARE TRUNK INJECTIONS WITH A DIFFERENT ACTIVE INGREDIENT.

EMAMECTIN BENZOATE, I BELIEVE IT IS.

THAT WORKS A LITTLE BIT BETTER, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WHEN IT COMES TO BORES, ESPECIALLY OAK, IS THEY LIKE STRESSED TREES.

SO I WOULD MAYBE HAVE AN ARBORIST COME OUT, TAKE A LOOK AT THE TREE, SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER HEALTH ISSUES.

AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE PLANT PEOPLE, MAYBE MAKE THAT MULCH RING A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.

>> AND TAKE THOSE STONES AWAY.

>> TAKE THE STONES AWAY.

YEAH.

SO EVALUATE THE OVERALL HEALTH FIRST, AND THEN DO SOME ACTION STEPS AFTER THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KAIT.

TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

HE IS SAYING, THIS SHOWED UP ON THE LAWN LAST YEAR, AND HE WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER IT IS A FRIEND OR FOE.

HE IS GETTING MORE EVERY YEAR.

>> WELL I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON YOUR POINT OF VIEW.

THIS IS A SEDGE.

WE HAD THAT LAST WEEK.

BOB HENDRICKSON DID A GREAT SEGMENT ON THAT, SO YOU CAN USE THIS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TURF.

IT IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TURF.

JUST LET IT GO AND LET IT BE.

IF NOT, THEN, YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE A STRUGGLE TRYING TO GET RID OF IT.

IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE MULTIPLE CHEMICAL CONTROLS TO GET RID OF IT IF YOU WANT IT TO TURN INTO A REAL TURF.

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

THIS IS A FRANKLIN VIEWER.

PULLED OUT OLD SPIREA AND WHATEVER ELSE WAS THERE.

SHE HAS THIS SOIL, AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO COME UP IN IT.

SHE IS WONDERING WHETHER SHE SHOULD USE SOME --SHE'S CALLING IT A NASTY WEEDKILLER, OR WAIT UNTIL THE TURF IS SOMEWHAT ESTABLISHED, AND THEN START TREATING.

>> YEAH, I THINK -- SO I TRIED TO SEE WHAT WEEDS WERE AROUND IT, AND IT WAS JUST PRETTY HARD TO ZOOM IN VERY WELL ON THIS.

REALLY, WHAT I WOULD DO IS I WOULD PRETTY MUCH LEAVE IT AND LET WHATEVER GROWS IN THEIR GROW IN THERE OVER THE SUMMER, AND THAT I WOULD START, ACTUALLY, TAKING CARE OF THIS IN THE FALL.

IF YOU WANT TO TURN IT ALL INTO TURF AND BLENDED ALL IN WITH THE REST OF THAT, THAT WOULD BE MY BEST SUGGESTION.

THEN, YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE SOME BROADLEAF WEEDKILLER AND GET RID OF THAT, OVER-SEED, DO ALL THOSE KIND OF GOOD SOIL PREP THINGS, THIS FALL, AND THEN TAKE CARE OF IT THAT WAY.

>> ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A BURWELL VIEWER.

AND WHETHER THIS IS STILL THERE OR NOT, WHO KNOWS?

BECAUSE OF THE RAIN.

[ LAUGHTER ] BUT, SHE SAYS MORNING GLORIES ARE CROWDING OUT HER XENIA SEEDS, AND SHE WONDERS HOW TO GET RID OF THE MORNING GLORIES.

>> REALLY, THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IN THIS SITUATION IS TO GO OUT THERE AND HAND PULL THEM OUT.

AGAIN, THIS IS KIND OF WHAT I HAD FOR MY SAMPLE.

A LOT OF THESE PLANTS THAT WE LET GO TO SEED HAVE LOTS AND LOTS OF SEEDS.

SO WHAT I WOULD DO IS HAND PULL OUT AS MANY AS YOU CAN.

ONCE YOUR XENIAS GET ESTABLISHED AND UP, THEN I WOULD MULCH IT.

SO MORNING GLORIES DO NOT NEED LIGHT TO BE ABLE TO GERMINATE.

THEY CAN GERMINATE IN THE DARK, HOWEVER, ONCE THEY HIT THAT MULCH, THEY PRETTY MUCH WILL DIE.

THAT WILL BE ABLE TO HELP.

PULL THE MORNING GLORIES NOW.

YOU CAN TELL A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE AND THE XENIAS.

PUT THE MULCH DOWN AS SOON AS HE XENIAS GET BIG ENOUGH, AND THAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP.

MAKE SURE IF YOU HAVE THE MORNING GLORIES SOMEWHERE ELSE, DON'T LET THEM GO TO SEED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE FROM ALLIANCE.

AND THEN TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THE FIRST ONE IS PINE.

HE'S WONDERING, IS THIS PINE WILT?

AND THE SECOND ONE IS SPRUCE.

TWO PINES, TWO SPRUCE PICTURES.

>> FIRST, ON THE PINES, THIS IS NOT PINE WILT, IT'S THE WRONG TIME OF YEAR.

USUALLY, WE SEE THAT LATE SUMMER, EARLY FALL.

SHOWING UP MORE.

IT ALSO HAS, YOU CAN SEE THAT DRYING OUT.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE JUST DROUGHT INJURY TO ME.

IT IS VERY SPREAD ACROSS THE TREE.

EVEN IF YOU ARE WATERING NOW, THE DAMAGE WAS DONE BY THE WARM, DRY CONDITIONS EARLIER.

>> RIGHT.

AND THEN THE NEXT TWO ARE SPRUCE, ALSO FROM ALLIANCE.

>> AND THESE, ALSO -- SO WE SHOWED EARLIER, WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT DOGWOODS AND HAVING DROUGHT STRESS, AND THAT ALSO CAN TRIGGER A LOT OF OUR CANKERS.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS, BECAUSE IT IS A CERTAIN CONFINED PORTION OF THE CROWN OF THE TREE, SO IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE A CANKER THAT IS AFFECTING THAT UPPER PORTION.

DROUGHT STRESS DOES FAVOR THAT.

SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PROVIDING ADEQUATE MOISTURE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

LARGE TREES LIKE THAT, IF IT'S IN AN IRRIGATED LANDSCAPE, NOT A PROBLEM, BUT IF IT'S OUT AND IT'S TOTALLY DRY, YOU WILL HAVE SOME PROBLEMS.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOME WATERING IF YOU WANT TO AVOID THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE FUNGI ARE THERE JUST WAITING FOR STRESS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A CARNEY VIEWER.

THIS IS HACKBERRY THAT HAS THIS ON THE SIDE.

FIRST OFF SEVEN YEARS AGO, A MAJOR LIMB TRUNK HEALED.

IT'S BEEN FINE, BUT HALF THE TREE LOOKS UNHEALTHY.

AND YOU GOT IT BECAUSE ELIZABETH'S BOX IS FULL.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WELL, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THIS, THERE ARE COUPLE THINGS.

MY CONCERN IS HAZARD TREE, BECAUSE I SEE HOUSES IN THE BACKGROUND -- LARGE TREEE.

WHERE YOU HAVE A BRANCH THAT IS NOT LEAFING OUT.

SURELY, IT'S RELATED TO THAT INJURY, AND THAT TREE IS SUCCUMBING TO SOME DAMAGE, SO I WOULD JUST BE CAREFUL AND EVALUATE THAT.

YOU MIGHT CONSIDER REMOVAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

ELIZABETH, THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN EDISON, NEBRASKA VIEWER.

TWO MAPLES, 70 TO 90 YEARS OLD.

BEAUTIFUL LAST MAY, AND THEN STARTED LOSING THEIR LEAVES.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE OR TWO, THERE WAS A SPILL OF SOMETHING IN THE DITCHES ACROSS THE STREET, AND NOW THAT, THEY LOOK LIKE THIS.

IS THERE ANYTHING THEY CAN DO?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO.

IT IS HARD TO PINPOINT EXACTLY WHAT THE CAUSE IS, BUT I WOULD, POSSIBLY, LEAN TOWARD A HERBICIDE SPILL ACROSS THE WAY.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NEW GROWTH ON IT, IT IS VERY SMALL, SO THOSE TREES ARE VERY STRESSED.

ALL WE CAN DO IS MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SUPPLEMENTAL WATER, AND WATCH AND WAIT.

IF THEY CONTINUE TO DECLINE AT THAT POINT IN TIME, YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE DETERMINATION IF THEY NEED TO BE REMOVED OR REPLACED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE IN THE ROCKBROOK AREA.

100 PLUS PONDEROSA PINE.

100 FEET TALL.

IT IS CODOMINANT.

THEY ARE WONDERING IF THEY CAN TAKE ONE SIDE OFF AND PROLONG ITS LIFE.

>> AT THIS POINT, I WOULD JUST LET IT HAVE IT'S CODOMINANT LEADER.

IF YOU TRY TO REMOVE ONE, YOU WILL HAVE A BALD SPOT, AND IT WILL NOT PROLONG ITS LIFE BY HAVING A GIANT WOUND.

GO AHEAD AND LEAVE IT.

LET IT LIVE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, THIS IS AN OLD OAK TREE IN LINCOLN.

CAN THESE VINES BE, HARMFUL TO THE OAKS?

>>SO IT LOOKS LIKE WINTER CREEPER AND BOSTON IVY AND BOTH OF THOSE ARE FINE, AS LONG AS THE TREE IS OVERALL IN GOOD HEALTH.

>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

WELL TEMPERATURES ARE RISING HERE IN THE STATE AND WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY LOVELY DAYS IN LINCOLN -- AT LEAST TODAY.

BEFORE WE GO TO BREAK, LET'S TAKE A MINUTE TO HEAR FROM GANNON RUSH FROM UNL'S HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER ABOUT WHAT'S COMING UP FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.

>> THANKS, KIM.

FOR ONCE, I HAVE GOOD NEWS THIS WEEK.

TEMPERATURES ON FRIDAY AND OVER THE WEEKEND WILL BE RELATIVELY MILD WITH HIGHS IN THE 70s AND LOW 80s.

ON MONDAY, IT COULD BE A LITTLE TOASTY IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE, BUT IT SHOULD QUICKLY COOL BACK DOWN ON TUESDAY.

PRECIPITATION FOR THIS WEEK IS A COMPLETE 180, WITH A GOOD CHANCE OF AN INCH OR MORE FOR MANY.

OUTSIDE OF SCATTERED SHOWERS, THE GREATEST CHANCES SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BE SEVERE AND HAVE HEAVY RAINFALL, SO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

THIS WEEK'S DROUGHT MONITOR SHOWS THAT THE DRYNESS HAS TAKEN IT'S TOLL WITH MORE THAN 60% OF THE STATE IN SEVERE DROUGHT.

IF THE FORECAST PANS OUT, HOPEFULLY, WE WILL SEE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DROUGHT MONITOR IN THE COMING WEEKS.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEATHER FORECAST PAYBACK TO YOU, KIM.

>>THANKS GANNON!

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK NOW BUT COMING UP IS THE PLANT OF THE WEEK AND THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

THERE'S MUCH MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" RIGHT AFTER THIS!

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

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'LL SEE HOW YOU CAN TURN YOUR LANDSCAPE INTO YOUR OWN GROCERY STORE.

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

SEND US THOSE PICTURES AND E-MAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THE LITTLE BABY ROBINS IN THE NEST IN THE POT ARE JUST THE CUTEST THING EVER.

[ LAUGHTER ] ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH, ARE YOU READY?

>> I AM.

>> OKAY, THIS IS YOUR FIRST QUESTION HERE.

IT COMES TO US FROM FREMONT.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO USE ARBOR VITAE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THEIR HOUSE.

IS THAT A GOOD IDEA?

>> THEY'RE REALLY PRONE TO DROUGHT STRESS AND WINTER DESICCATION.

SO, YOU CAN.

THEY ARE JUST GOING TO BE BROWN.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER IN WORMS, NEBRASKA, WHO HAS ASKED IF WE HAVE USED VALOR ON ASPARAGUS, WHICH IS FLUMIOXAZIN?

>> I WILL HAVE TO DO MORE RESEARCH AND CONTACT THE HALL COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE FOR A FOLLOW-UP.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHETHER THEY SHOULD PUT WEED BARRIER UNDER THEIR MULCH.

THEY USED TO HAVE IT -- >> NO.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> -- UNDER THE ROCK.

>> NOPE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING IN THE STRANGE WEATHER THAT THE NEW GROWTH ON THEIR SHRUBS AND TREES IS WILTING BY THE END OF THE DAY, BUT THEY HAVE IRRIGATION.

SO, WHAT'S THE DEAL?

>> THE OUTER LAYER ISN'T FORMED YET, AND SO IT'S LOSING A LOT OF MOISTURE.

SO, NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

IT'S JUST GOING FASTER THAN IT'S COMING IN.

>> ALL RIGHT, SOMETHING RUNNING AROUND ON THE INTERNET SAYS YOU SHOULD NEVER PLANT EVERGREENS UNTIL THE CANDLES ARE HARD, AND THAT WOULD BE THE END OF JUNE OR INTO JULY.

[ LIGHTNING STRIKE ] >> HUH.

THAT'S A FIRST.

>> DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ.

>> YEAH, DON'T READ THAT.

>> DON'T READ THAT.

>> DON'T READ THAT.

>> AT LEAST, DON'T FOLLOW IT.

ALL RIGHT, ARE YOU READY?

>> I AM SO READY.

>> OKAY, YOUR FIRST ONE ACTUALLY COMES TO US FROM DOWNTOWN IN NEBRASKA.

THEY HAD PLANTERS WITH ZERO DRAINAGE HOLES AND THE ROOTS ROTTED ON THE PLANTS, SO THEY DRILLED HOLES, THEY PULL THE PLANTS OUT, BUT NOT THE SOIL.

SHOULD THEY REMOVE THE SOIL TOO?

>> NO, JUST MAKE SURE IT IS DRAINED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER THAT HAS SMALL APPLE TREES.

THEY ARE ALREADY SHOWING FAINT, ORANGE YELLOW SPOTS.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> WELL, IT'S EARLY, BUT IT COULD BE SIERRA APPLE RUST.

BUT IT IS EARLY.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA VIEWER WHO WANTS TO -- A FRUIT TREE.

SHE IS WONDERING, RESISTANT APPLE TREES?

SHE'S GOT CEDARS SURROUNDING THE PROPERTY.

>> YES, YOU DEFINITELY WANT RESISTANTS, AND I ACTUALLY I'M GONNA CORRECT MYSELF ON MY LAST ANSWER.

I'M NOT GOING TO WIN TONIGHT.

THAT'S OKAY.

WE'RE GOING TO GO QUALITY.

IT ISN'T TOO EARLY FOR CEDAR APPLE RUST.

IT WOULD BE NORMAL.

THAT OCCURS AFTER THOSE CEDAR TREES PRODUCE THOSE GALLS THAT THEN RELEASE THE SPORES.

IF YOU DO THAT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY HARD TIME UNLESS YOU HAVE A RESISTANT APPLE VARIETY.

>> THAT WAS HEAT LIGHTNING AGAIN.

ALL RIGHT, SO IS INDIAN PIPE A PLANT OR A FUNGUS?

THAT WAS THE WHITE -- >> DON'T READ THAT.

[ LAUGHTER ] I DON'T KNOW ON THAT ONE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

[ LIGHTNING STRIKE ] WHAT IS THAT?

WAS THAT OROBANCHE?

IS IT A PARASITIC PLANT?

WAS THAT WHAT THAT WAS?

OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

YEAH, IT'S A PARASITIC PLANT.

THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL.

I DON'T KNOW.

IS THERE WAY TO CULTIVATE THOSE?

DO PEOPLE EVER -- YEAH, THAT WOULD BE AMAZING.

THERE'S SOME BEAUTIFUL ONES ALL THROUGHOUT THE SANDHILLS.

>> AND ON THAT NOTE -- >> I DID NOT WIN.

I'M OKAY.

>> WE'VE GOT TO GET GOING.

WE'RE BEHIND.

TRUE LIGHTNING.

ALL RIGHT, TERRI.

THIS PERSON WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO REDUCE THE DANDELIONS IN THEIR LAWN WITHOUT USING CHEMICALS AND WITHOUT DIGGING.

>> MAKE SURE THAT YOU TAKE ALL OF THE DANDELIONS OFF AND TRY TO OVERSEED AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AND LET THE GRASS TRY TO SNUFF IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO HAS BEEN WATERING THEIR TURF FOUR TIMES A DAY FOR 20 MINUTES.

IS THAT OKAY?

>> NO.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAID THEY HAVE BEEN CUTTING THEIR SOW THISTLES OFF OF THE GROUND, BUT THEY JUST COME BACK.

SHOULD THOSE BE DUG OUT OR JUST CUT OFF?

>> NO, YOU NEED TO GET THE ROOT.

IT WILL COME BACK FROM THE ROOT.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING IF THE FOUR STEP DIY TURF MANAGEMENT IS A PRE-EMERGE GRUB CONTROL, THEN CRABGRASS PREVENTER AND THEN A WINTER ICER.

IS THAT THE RIGHT ORDER?

>> IT IS GOING TO DEPEND ON WHAT COMPANY YOU GET IT FROM, AND SO, I CAN'T TELL YOU FOR SURE.

NO, THAT IS NOT THE RIGHT ORDER, THE WAY YOU SAID IT, NO.

[ LIGHTNING STRIKE ] >> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, KAIT, YOUR TURN.

WE HAD SPRUCE NEEDLEMINERS LAST WEEK OR A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, AND HE'S WONDERING WHETHER YOU CAN TREAT WITH SEVIN NOW.

>> I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TREATING WITH SEVIN, BUT ALWAYS READ THE LABEL TO MAKE SURE IT'S ON THERE FIRST.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND WHAT WILL KEEP THE BAG WORMS AT BAY, SO THEY DON'T FURTHER STRESS HIS TREES?

>> RIGHT NOW, YOU NEED TO PULL ALL OF THOSE BAGS OFF AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO PLANT FOR THE MONARCHS.

WHAT SHOULD SHE PLANT?

>> MILKWEED.

>> ALL RIGHT, ANOTHER VIEWER SAYS THAT TEENSY LITTLE INCHWORM'S HAVE BEEN FALLING OUT OF THE HONEY LOCUST.

ARE THEY GOING TO CAUSE DAMAGE OR TURN INTO SOMETHING?

>> AS LONG AS THE TREE IS HEALTHY, IT WILL PROBABLY BE OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, A VIEWER FOUND ALL SORTS OF WEBBING AND THEN SPOTS ON THEIR LAMB'S EAR.

IS THAT SPIDER MITES OR DOES LAMB'S EAR GET SPIDER MITES IS THEIR QUESTION.

>> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

I WOULD PROBABLY SAY YES, 'CAUSE SPIDER MITES HAVE A LOT OF HOST PLANTS, BUT I AM NOT SURE.

SORRY.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAID SHE HAS LITTLE BLACK BUGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY EATING THE BUDS ON THEIR PEONIES.

SO BUGS EATING THE BUDS.

LITTLE BLACK BUGS.

>> COULD IT POSSIBLY BE ANTS?

>> NOT ANTS.

>> NOT ANTS?

I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE EITHER, WITHOUT SENDING A PICTURE.

SEND US A PICTURE.

[ LIGHTNING STRIKE ] >> THANKS, ALL.

KAIT WON.

SO, SEE THERE, LOREN.

>> I HAD SOME EASY QUESTIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT, OUR NEXT SEGMENT PANEL WITH THE HELP OF OUR MASTER GARDENERS, WE GOT OUR PLANTS HARDENED OFF AND THEY WILL BE GOING INTO THE GROUND THIS WEEK.

WE'LL BE EXCITED TO SEE HOW THAT TURNS OUT FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON.

SO HERE'S TERRI AT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN TO TELL US MORE.

♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, WE HAVE GOTTEN OUR PLANTS HARDENED OFF.

WE'RE GONNA START PLANTING THIS WEEK.

PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT HAVING THE MASTER GARDENERS HERE, AND REMEMBER, WE DO A LOT OF MIXING, SO WE'RE GONNA SEE A LOT OF VEGETABLES AND FLOWERS COMBINED.

WE'RE GONNA MAKE SURE WE ARE MATCHING COLORS, LOOKING AT DIFFERENT TEXTURES AND MIXING AND MATCHING, SO WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING THOSE DESIGNS GOING FOR YOU TO COME AND CHECK OUT THIS SUMMER.

WE'RE ALSO STRATEGICALLY LEAVING A FEW KIND OF WEED PLANTS IN OUR GARDEN, AND THOSE WOULD BE THE MILKWEEDS.

WE'VE HAD MILKWEEDS HERE FOR A LOT OF YEARS, AND WE DO LEAVE QUITE A FEW HERE FOR THE MONARCHS.

SO WHEN YOU ARE HERE, YOU CAN SEE, MAYBE, SOME MONARCH EGGS OR SOME MONARCHS ON OUR MILKWEEDS.

WE'RE GONNA START WORKING ON OUR CONTAINERS ALSO, AND WE ARE CONTINUALLY TAKING CARE OF OUR SPRING, COOL SEASON PLANTS THAT ARE STILL DOING PRETTY WELL, FOR AS HOT AS IT HAS BEEN THIS WEEK.

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

♪ >> I'M CERTAIN IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER GREAT YEAR OUT AT OUR GARDEN.

WE DO HOPE YOU'LL KEEP TUNING IN TO SEE HOW IT GROWS.

AND OF COURSE, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

ELIZABETH, WHAT'S THIS WEEK'S GIFT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, HOW CAN WE GET TO THE END OF MAY AND NOT TALK ABOUT PEONIES.

THIS IS THE SARAH BERNHARDT PEONY.

THIS IS ONE OF THE OLD-FASHIONED PEONIES.

IT'S A DOUBLE PINK, VERY FRAGRANT.

THIS ONE IS GOING TO BE ABOUT 36 INCHES TALL TO ABOUT 36 INCHES WIDE, BUT A VERY NICE PEONY WITH THAT LIGHT PINK AND DARK PINK COLORATION ON IT.

AND THE OTHER ONE WE HAVE IS A CAROLINA ALLSPICE.

SO THIS IS VENUS ALLSPICE.

IT'S GOT A WHITE FLOWER TO IT.

THIS SHRUB IS ABOUT FIVE FOOT TALL.

STEMS ARE REALLY COOL, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ARCHING STEMS, AND THEN THEY HAVE THESE FLOWERS ON IT, AND A REALLY FUN SEED POD THAT COMES ON AFTER IT.

>> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL COMBINATION, AND WE JUST LOVE SEEING ALL THESE GREAT PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE FABULOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS OF EVERYTHING GOING ON IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND ELSEWHERE.

FREE COMPOST DEMONSTRATION, NEBRASKA EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERS AND THAT IS SATURDAY THE 17th OUT AT THE PIONEERS PARK BUILDING SOUTH OF THE NATURE CENTER IN LINCOLN.

WE HAVE THE LINCOLN GARDEN CLUB PLANT SALE, SATURDAY, AS WELL, AND THAT IS AT SOUTHERN HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 40th & OLD CHENEY, AND THE LINCOLN IRIS SOCIETY SHOW, WHICH ALSO SATURDAY, MAY 17th AT ST. ANDREWS.

SO STAY IN LINCOLN AND DO THINGS.

ALL RIGHT, QUESTIONS, NEXT.

KAIT, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

FOUND THIS AND SEVERAL OTHERS WHILE PLANTING PERENNIALS THRASHING AROUND.

SHE IS WONDERING, IS THIS ONE OF THOSE GUYS?

>> IT IS NOT AN INVASIVE JUMPING WORM.

THEY HAVE A WHITE BAND ON THEIR BODY, AND THIS ONE LOOKS PINK TO ME.

>> ALL RIGHT, JUST A REGULAR OLD WORM.

>> YES.

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

FOUND THIS IN THE GARDEN WHILE PLANTING PLANTS.

VERY TOUGH SKIN AND HARD TO SMASH.

>> OH, NO, THEY SMASHED IT.

THIS IS THE GRUB OF A GREEN JUNE BEETLE, AND WE CAN TELL IT'S A GREEN JUNE BEETLE, 'CAUSE THEY LAY ON THEIR BACK AND DO THIS FUNKY LITTLE DANCE WALK THING.

PRETTY COOL.

AND THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL AS ADULTS TOO.

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

THREE CLIENTS WITH ZILLIONS OF FLYING YELLOWISH THINGS SWARMING AROUND BOXWOOD.

BOXWOOD LEAF MINERS.

>> YES, BOXWOOD LEAF MINERS.

RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE PRETTY WELL PROTECTED IN THAT LEAF, BUT IF YOU DO START TO SEE DAMAGE OF LIKE SOMETHING'S MINING UNDER THAT TOP LAYER OF THE LEAF, IT STARTS TO DISCOLOR, THEN YOU CAN TRY A SOIL DRENCH OF IMIDACLOPRID.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND TWO ON THE NEXT ONE, AND THIS EMERGED FROM THE STUMP OF AN ASH TREE THAT WAS REMOVED TWO YEARS AGO.

POPPED OUT AT MOTHER'S DAY AND THIS IS FROM KYLE.

>> YEAH, SO THIS IS A LILAC ASH SPORE, AND WE CAN TELL IT WAS A MOTH THAT CAME OUT BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS LEAVE THAT PUPIL CASE BEHIND.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS, I DON'T THINK HE NEEDS TO DO ANYTHING TO SAVE THE TREE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A GROUNDCOVER TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE HOSTAS.

THEY'VE TRIED ROUND UP, DIGGING.

THEY KEEP COMING BACK.

THIS IS THE LOVELY HOUTTUYNIA AGAIN.

>> YEAH, OUR CHAMELEON PLANT IS ANOTHER NAME THAT WE CALL THIS.

YOU ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO BE ON TOP OF THIS.

THEY HAVE LOTS OF RHIZOMES THAT SPREAD.

YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO DIG AND CONTINUE TO PULL AT -- YOU CAN TRY THE GLOVE OF DEATH ON IT, BUT IT'S IN AND AMONGST SO MANY THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP.

>> GOOD LUCK.

>> IT'S JUST GOING TO BE A VERY HARD -- HONESTLY, WHAT I WOULD DO IS I WOULD DIG UP WHAT YOU WANT TO KEEP, AND THEN I WOULD JUST GET RID OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PAXTON.

SHE HAS WILD VIOLETS BY THE END OF THE SUMMER ALL OVER EVERYTHING.

SHE HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET RID OF THEM.

SAME THING?

>> AGAIN, IT'S THE SAME THING.

WILD VIOLETS, ACTUALLY THEY ARE KIND OF COOL WHEN THEY FLOWER, WHEN THEY GO TO SEED, THAT SEED, ACTUALLY EXPLODES AND THOSE SEEDS JUST GO EVERYWHERE.

SO, AGAIN, DON'T LET PLANTS GO TO SEED IF YOU DON'T WANT THEM AROUND.

THAT'S JUST GONNA ADD EVEN A HARDER TIME FOR YOU TO GET RID OF THEM.

DIGGING THEM OUT, MAKING SURE YOU ARE GETTING AS MUCH OF THE ROOT AS POSSIBLE.

GLOVE OF DEATH, ALL THOSE MANAGEMENTS IS JUST WHAT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO KEEP DOING.

>> OKAY, ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS DAYLILIES, NOW ENCROACHED.

HOW TO GET RID OF THEM QUICKLY.

>> A SHOVEL.

>> OVER AND OVER.

>> YEP, JUST SHOVEL THEM AND GIVE THEM TO A FRIEND.

>> I USED A MILK CRATE TO SIEVE THE SOIL ONE TIME.

THAT WORKED OUT REALLY WELL.

>> PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE, TERRI.

THIS IS FREMONT.

HOW TO GET THIS ONE OUT, AND THIS IS BISHOP'S GOUTWEED.

>> AGAIN, IT'S BASICALLY THE SAME.

I'M SORRY, I'M GOING TO BASICALLY TELL EVERYBODY THE EXACT SAME THING.

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

IT'S JUST SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE WORKING AT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

THREE ON THIS ONE FOR YOU, LOREN.

THIS IS YELLOW SPOTS ON NATIVE POLLINATOR PLANT LEAVES, AND THEY ARE WONDERING WHAT THEY SHOULD DO.

AND THIS IS HERS, AND THIS IS OURS.

"BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

>> TALKING THROUGH THIS, THIS IS AN ASTOR OF SOME SORT.

AND THIS IS A RUST.

>> HINSTAMINTS.

>> OKAY, RUST HINSTAMINTS.

I'M NOT CERTAIN OF THE LIFECYCLE ON THIS, IS THE ONLY THING.

SO WHERE IT IS SHOWING UP EARLY THOUGH, A LOT OF TIMES THESE WILL REPEAT ON THE PLANT, SO IT MAY BECOME MORE SEVERE, WHERE WE'RE SEEING IT EARLIER.

IF YOU ARE SEEING NEW GROWTH THAT IS NOT INFECTED, THEN YOU KNOW THAT IT IS CYCLING INTO SOMETHING ELSE.

I'M SORRY, I JUST DON'T KNOW THE LIFECYCLE ON THIS ONE, BUT IT IS A RUST.

>> IT IS A RUST, INDEED.

ALL RIGHT, THIS COMES TO US FROM VILLAGE POINT, AND IT'S ONE OF THE CLIMBING HONEYSUCKLES.

ANY SUGGESTIONS?

SHE THINKS IT'S POWDERY MILDEW.

AND THERE'S SOME BLACK STUFF ON THERE TOO.

>> THERE'S SOME BLACK ON THIS.

IT IS A FUNGUS, SO POWDERY MILDEW IS A GOOD GUESS.

I THINK THIS IS HONEYSUCKLE BLIGHT, WHICH IS A DIFFERENT FUNGUS.

DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN DO.

INCREASE AIR CIRCULATION.

WATER IN THE MORNING.

THINGS WILL DRY OFF MORE RAPIDLY.

YOU CAN LOOK AT FUNGICIDES, BUT I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW EXTENSIVE THEY WANT TO GO INTO MANAGEMENT ON THIS.

I WOULD TRY AIR CIRCULATION, WATERING, PRUNING, DO SOME SANITATION IN THE FALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THREE ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM SCOTTSBLUFF.

APPLE TREE WITH CURLED LEAVES ALREADY WITH BROWN SPOTS.

WHAT IS IT?

>> THIS IS POWDERY MILDEW ON APPLE, AND I THINK THEY SAID THEY HAD ONE VARIETY THAT DOESN'T HAVE IT.

THIS IS WHERE RESISTANCE PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE, IF ANYONE IS LOOKING AT ESTABLISHING A NEW FRUIT TREE.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING RESISTANT VARIETIES TO OUR COMMON DISEASES LIKE POWDERY MILDEW, SCAB, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

>> EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT, WAGNER, SOUTH DAKOTA ON THIS ONE, ELIZABETH.

A RAISED GARDEN OUT OF OLD FEED BUNKS AND HE IS WONDERING WHETHER HE HAS TO HAVE TWO FEETS WORTH OF SOIL OR NOT.

>> NO, WE CAN DO A TECHNIQUE CALLED HUGELKULTUR, THAT'S A TONGUE TWISTER, BUT THAT'S WHERE YOU PUT LARGE TWIGS OR BRANCHES, OR THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES, TO TAKE UP A LOT OF ROOM IN THE BOTTOM.

YOU CAN DO THE THIRD, AND THEN YOU WANT TO ADD LEAFLET OR LAWN CLIPPINGS, THINGS LIKE THAT, AND THEN YOU WANT TO TOP IT WITH A SOIL OR A TOPSOIL.

AND SO, YES, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO ADD MORE SOIL AS TIME GOES ON, BUT IT DOES TAKE UP A LOT OF ROOM IN THE BOTTOM.

>> AND I THINK THAT IS SUCH A COOL IDEA.

ALL RIGHT, TWO ON THE NEXT ONE, ELIZABETH.

THIS IS NELIGH, NEBRASKA.

NEW LAVENDER PLANTS TURNING WHITE AND WILTING, THEN WOODY.

HE HAS BEEN WATERING WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, WATER AND EPSOM SALT WATER.

>> AND I TRIED TO FIGURE, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE REASONING BEHIND USING THE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND THE EPSOM SALT?

THOSE AREN'T REALLY RECOMMENDED.

I LOOKED FOR EXTENSION PUBLICATIONS FOR WHY WOULD WE USE THOSE.

IT LOOKS LIKE THAT SOIL IS PRETTY SANDY, SO YES, YOU ARE WATERING THEM TWICE A DAY, BUT IF THAT WATER FLUSHES THROUGH THE BOTTOM, THAT SOIL IS GOING TO DRY OUT VERY QUICKLY.

SO I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THEY ARE REALLY DRYING OUT TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE GETTING CRISPY, AND THAT'S WHY THEY ARE TURNING WHITE, AND KIND OF WOODY, AND PROBABLY KIND OF CRUMBLY.

SO CUT OUT THE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, THE EPSOM SALT.

MAYBE PUT THEM IN A PLANT TRAY WHERE THE WATER CAN SIT FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

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

THIS COMES TO US FROM COZAD.

AND THIS IS A CACTUS, THANKSGIVING, EASTER, OR SOMEBODY, AND THEY ARE SENDING OUT AERIAL ROOTS.

>> YES, THE EASTER CACTUS IS SENDING OUT AERIAL ROOTS.

ONE THING TO LOOK AT IS TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT IT'S ROOT BOUND.

'CAUSE THAT CAN BE AN INDICATION OF STRESS WITH THAT GUY.

SO BE ON THE LOOKOUT.

CHECK FOR ROOT BOUND.

MAYBE RE-POT, SEE IF THAT HELPS WITH THOSE AERIAL ROOTS.

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

AND THIS IS 35-YEAR-OLD HOLLIES IN THE WAY.

SHE IS WONDERING IF SHE CAN DIG THEM UP, SET THEM IN SOIL AND REPLANT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, YOU CAN'T REALLY DO IT VERY SUCCESSFULLY WITH LARGE HOLLIES.

YOU CAN DO IT WITH YOUNGER, LESS ESTABLISHED ONES, BUT, YOU KNOW, SOME THAT ARE 35 YEARS OLD JUST AREN'T GOING TO TRANSPLANT REALLY WELL FOR YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, ELIZABETH.

WELL IF YOU WATCH "BACKYARD FARMER," CHANCES ARE YOU'VE GOT A VEGETABLE GARDEN SOMEWHERE IN YOUR BACKYARD.

ONE LINCOLN RESIDENT DECIDED THAT HIS ENTIRE LANDSCAPE, AND MOST OF THE HOMES ON THE BLOCK, WERE PLACES TO GROW SOMETHING TO EAT.

♪ >> CITY PEOPLE TEND TO SEE THEIR ROLE IN THE FOOD SYSTEM AS THAT OF CONSUMERS, STRICTLY AS CONSUMERS.

SOMEBODY ELSE GROWS THAT FOOD SOMEWHERE, WE DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT OUR JOB IS TO EAT IT.

AND YET, WITH FOOD PRICES GOING UP ALMOST WEEKLY NOWADAYS, DIY HOME GARDENING MIGHT BE A GOOD WAY TO HELP BALANCE OUT YOUR FOOD BUDGET.

NOW, HERE IN THE CITY, WE DON'T HAVE ROOM FOR FIELDS OF CORN OR WHEAT OR DRY BEANS, AND WE CAN'T KEEP LIVESTOCK, BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS WE CAN GROW FRESH PRODUCE AND WE CAN DO IT BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN THE WORLD BECAUSE OURS IS GOING TO BE FRESHER, AND IF IT'S FRESHER, IT'S MORE NUTRITIOUS.

FRESH VEGETABLES, FRESH FRUITS, THOSE ARE ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE US WITH THE VITAMINS AND THE MINERALS THAT OUR BODIES NEED TO BE HEALTHY.

15 YEARS AGO, THIS ENTIRE YARD WAS GRASS AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING EDIBLE IN IT.

WHAT WE STARTED DOING, IT WAS HERESY AT THE TIME, BUT IT'S SOUNDING MORE MORE SENSIBLE, IS WE STARTED TEARING UP SOME OF THAT LAWN THAT WE WEREN'T USING, THAT WAS SUCKING UP LOTS OF WATER AND WE STARTED GROWING FOOD WITH THAT WATER.

WE STARTED GETTING FRESH VEGETABLES FOR OUR TABLE, AND THAT IS WHAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU CAN DO IN YOUR LIVES, AS WELL.

>> WE WERE AT TIM'S HOUSE ABOUT A DECADE AGO AND IT WAS MOSTLY CLOVER, A VEGETABLE GARDEN AND A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GREENHOUSE.

SO THIS SHOWS WHAT'S POSSIBLE IF YOU USE A LITTLE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION.

CERTAINLY CUTS DOWN ON THE MOWING.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S SEE, THIS IS A FUN PICTURE, KAIT.

AT FIRST HE THOUGHT IT WAS -- OH, LET'S SEE, THIS ONE IS COZAD -- I -- NO, NO.

THIS IS THE HERSHEY VIEWER.

THOUGHT IT WAS A BUMBLEBEE.

LIES LIKE ONE, BUT HE'S NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS A SNOWBERRY CLEARWING MOTH.

AND SO IT'S ONE OF OUR DAY-FLYING MOTHS.

THEY'E EXCELLENT POLLINATORS.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE FROM ITS COLORATION, IT KIND OF MIMICS BUMBLEBEES.

>> REALLY PRETTY.

ALL RIGHT.

THE NEXT ONE IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

SAID THESE INSECTS HOVER AROUND THE STAIRWAY AND BUZZ.

THEY RESEMBLE A BUMBLEBEE.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS ACTUALLY A MALE CARPENTER BEE.

WE KNOW IT'S A CARPENTER BEE BECAUSE ITS BACK END ISN'T FUZZY LIKE WE WOULD SEE WITH BUMBLEBEES, AND THEN WE KNOW IT'S A MALE BECAUSE IT'S GOT A YELLOW FACE.

SO IF YOU ARE SEEING A LOT OF THESE AROUND, I WOULD TAKE A LOOK TO SEE IF YOU CAN FIND LIKE PERFECT HALF-INCH CIRCLES IN THE WOOD, BECAUSE THEN YOU MIGHT HAVE A CARPENTER BEE PROBLEM.

>> OKAY, AND HE DID THINK THAT WAS A HOVERFLY.

SO HE WAS WRONG.

OKAY.

ALL RIGHT AND ONE MORE.

AND HE THOUGHT -- SHE THOUGHT THIS WAS SOIL ON TOP OF FLOWERS, BUT IT'S A MONSTER ANTHILL.

WHAT SHOULD SHE DO ABOUT THIS?

>> SO USUALLY WITH ANTS, THE FIRST THING WE RECOMMEND WOULD BE USING ANT BAITS.

AND SO FOR OUTSIDE, THEY MAKE STEAKS THAT GO INTO THE GROUND.

OTHERWISE, THEY ALSO MAKE GRANULES THAT YOU CAN APPLY.

AND IF THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO WORK, YOU CAN ALWAYS RAKE BACK THAT MOUND AND DO A DRENCH INSECTICIDE.

JUST MAKE SURE IT GOES DEEP SO YOU CAN GET TO THE NEST AND GET TO THE QUEEN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE SEVERAL OF THOSE IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

[ LAUGHTER ] ALL RIGHT.

TERRI, THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM NORTHWEST OF DUNCAN, AND HE'S WONDERING, WHAT IS THIS WEED OR THIS FLOWER?

>> WELL IT'S A FLOWER.

I THINK IT IS A PRAIRIE RAGWORT.

I THINK IT'S THE GOOD GUY AND I WOULD JUST LEAVE IT AND -- IT'S PRETTY.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A COUPLE POSSIBILITIES ON SOMETHING THAT'S YELLOW LIKE THAT THIS TIME OF YEAR, AND IT IS PRETTY.

ALL RIGHT AND ONE MORE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

HE'S WONDERING, WHAT IS THIS PLANT THAT IS GROWING IN HIS LAWN?

AND THE FOLLOW-UP, OF COURSE, IS WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT?

>> THIS IS MOCK STRAWBERRY.

I WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT IN THE FALL.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF APPLICATIONS OF A BROADLEAF WEED KILLER.

SO GOOD LUCK.

>> ALL RIGHT, LOREN, THIS IS SIOUX CITY, IOWA.

SHE'S WONDERING WHY THIS LILY AND ITS STARGAZER IS SO PALE IN COLOR AND THE OTHERS ARE NOT.

SAME SUN, SAME WATER.

>> IT'S THE LARGEST ONE, KIM.

AND I'M JUST WONDERING IF THERE'S NOT MAYBE A NUTRIENT THING GOING ON HERE OR SOMETHING.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT, DISEASE.

IF THERE'S WATER RUNNING OFF THE PORCH IN THAT SPOT OR SOMETHING?

SOMETHING'S GOING ON.

I THINK THAT WAY ON IT.

I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT DISEASE.

I WOULD WATCH THIS AND SEE IF THERE'S NOT AN OVERFLOW OF WATER THERE OF SOME SORT.

>> RIGHT.

ALL RIGHTY.

AND TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA.

ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THESE YELLOWING PEONIES, WEST SIDE OF THE HOUSE, AFTERNOON FULL SUN.

I THINK THERE'S A CLOSE UP HERE.

IS IT -- >> A COUPLE THINGS HERE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A DISEASE.

I THINK THIS IS, IN THAT PART OF THE STATE, SOMETIME, WE'LL SEE SOME IRON CHLOROSIS, AND I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PROBABLY DEALING WITH.

AND SO THIS IS MORE OF A NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ISSUE, AND MAYBE SOMETHING WITH THAT.

>> OKAY, AND IT'S NOT TOBACCO RATTLE VIRUS OR WHATEVER THAT OTHER THING IS?

>> I DON'T REALLY THINK IT IS.

I MEAN, THE CLOSE UP, IT'S GOT YELLOW LEAVES.

IT DOESN'T HAVE RINGS.

I MEAN, I CAN TELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OKAY.

SO, ELIZABETH, WE'RE HAVING A LITTLE ISSUE WITH GRAPHICS APPARENTLY RIGHT NOW.

SO WE'RE GOING TO DESCRIBE SOMETHING IS EATING THE RADISHES, AND NOT THE TOPS.

IS THERE A SOLUTION?

THIS IS GRAND ISLAND.

>> SO WHAT WAS EATING THE RADISHES TOOK LITTLE NIBBLES THAT WERE VERY NEAR THE SURFACE AND JUST TOOK THE COLORATION OFF.

SO BASED ON THAT, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S EITHER SLUGS OR A WOOD LOUSE.

WHICH, AND I THINK THEY WANT TO DO AN ORGANIC CONTROL, SO THAT WOULD BE LIKE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH AROUND WHERE THE RADISHES ARE PLANTED.

>> OKAY, AND THEY CAN STILL EAT THOSE TOO.

THEY JUST MIGHT WANT TO WASH THEM.

>> WELL I'D WASH IT FIRST, BUT THAT'S JUST ME.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

ALTHOUGH, WE DON'T HAVE A PICTURE.

THIS IS KEARNEY.

HER PEONIES HAVE BEEN OPEN HALFWAY FOR 10 DAYS.

THEY'RE STICKY.

SHE'S BROUGHT SOME OF THEM IN, PUT THEM IN WATER, TO SEE IF THEY WOULD OPEN.

THEY HAVEN'T OPENED.

>> AND OUR BEST BET AND OUR BEST GUESS IS GOING TO BE ENVIRONMENTAL.

IT LOOKED LIKE THEY KIND OF HALFWAY OPENED, BUT THEY DIDN'T BLOW UP AND LIKE THE OTHER PEONIES THAT WE SHOWED.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING ENVIRONMENTAL.

YOU KNOW, SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH IT NEXT YEAR.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD A REALLY WEIRD WEATHER YEAR SO FAR THIS YEAR.

SO ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> VERY STRANGE.

ALL RIGHT AND ONE MORE.

AND THIS -- WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

THIS IS BLOOMFIELD, NEBRASKA.

WHEN TO PRUNE A RHODODENDRON.

IT'S 15 YEARS OLD, BLOOMING LESS AND LESS.

>> THE HARD PART IS, IS RHODODENDRONS REALLY LIKE TO HAVE THAT ORGANIC MATTER.

THEY LIKE TO HAVE A LOWER PH IN THE SOIL, THEY LIKE TO BE IN SHADED CONDITIONS.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I WOULD BE QUESTIONING THE LOCATION, IF IT'S THE BEST LOCATION FOR THAT RHODODENDRON.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO PRUNE IT, YOU KNOW, WE PRUNE THOSE SPRING BLOOMING SHRUBS AFTER THEY GET DONE FLOWERING, BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO RESET THEIR BUDS AGAIN FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO, AND DON'T PRUNE VERY MUCH.

>> YES, DON'T -- IT LOOKED LIKE A NICE SHRUB, SO I WOULDN'T PRUNE TOO MUCH ON IT ANYWAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS ELIZABETH.

WELL THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR WEEK'S "BACKYARD FARMER."

WE DO WANT TO SAY THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED THOSE QUESTIONS THIS WEEK AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW, SHOOTING FROM THE HIP WITH NO PICTURES.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING, WE HAD TIM DUNGAN, AND JOHN CARIOTTO.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'RE SHOWING YOU HOW TO CONVERT A LAWN TO A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE AND WE'LL SEE SOME EXAMPLES OF SOME INVASIVE PLANTS.

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

SIGN UP FOR OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER!

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

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪