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

>> TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'LL IDENTIFY WHAT THESE TINY PESTS ARE AND HOW TO CONTROL THEM AND WE'LL HELP YOU KEEP YOUR TURF GREEN AND LUSH IN THE SUMMER HEAT.

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

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

I'M KIM TODD AND WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU BACK FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

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

OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

WE'LL TAKE YOUR EMAILS AND PICTURES FOR A FUTURE SHOW.

THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

WE DO NEED TO KNOW AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TELL US, INCLUDING WHERE YOU LIVE, AND WE CAN'T GET THEM ALL ON AIR, SO, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AFTER THE SHOW.

AND LET'S START WITH SAMPLES.

AND JODY, YOU HAVE A TINY THING?

>> I DO.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T NORMALLY SEE.

SO, I BROUGHT AN ANTLION.

BUT IN THIS STAGE, IT'S IN THE LARVAL STAGE, IT IS CALLED A DOODLEBUG.

AND SO IF YOU ARE ABLE TO FOCUS ON THIS BEFORE IT BACKS OFF THIS PAPER -- THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

IF YOU HAVE THOSE, SOMETIMES PEOPLE CALL IT AN INVERTED ANTHILL OR IT LOOKS LIKE A CONE THAT IS CLOSE TO YOUR HOUSE, IT'S IN THE DRY SANDY SOIL, THAT IS ACTUALLY AN INSECT THAT'S UNDER THERE AND IT FEEDS ON ANTS.

SO, AN ANT WILL FALL INTO THE LITTLE CONE AND IT WILL FLICK UP THE SAND SO IT FALLS TO THE BOTTOM AND THEN IT WILL EAT IT.

SO, IT WILL CONTROL SOME OF THE ANTS AROUND THERE.

BUT IT IS A NATURAL ENEMY AND A PREDATOR.

>> OOPS.

>> DON'T WORRY.

IT IS A FIERCE PREDATOR, SO WE DON'T WANT ANYONE SPRAYING THOSE LITTLE HOLES OR CONES THAT ARE OUT THERE 'CAUSE THEY'RE THE GOOD GUYS.

>> YEAH, AND IT'S LIKE THAT THING ON "STAR WARS" AND I CAN NEVER REMEMBER THE NAME.

THE THING, WHERE YOU FALL IN THE PIT.

>> IT LOOKS BAD.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> OH, GET OVER IT.

>> BANTHA.

>> NO.

>> NO, IT'S NOT THE BANTHA.

>> SORROW-SOMETHING.

OKAY.

THANK YOU, JODY.

MATT?

>> ALL RIGHT, MINE WILL NOT EAT ANTS BUT IT WILL GROW IN YOUR YARD.

AND SO, WHAT I BROUGHT TODAY IS SOME GOOSEGRASS BECAUSE NOW IS THE TIME WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ALL COMING UP.

SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT ACCIDENTALLY THINKING THAT THIS IS CRABGRASS.

SO, IF WE ARE TRYING TO TREAT IT WITH NORMAL CRABGRASS HERBICIDES IT'S JUST GONNA STAY GREEN AND MOST TIMES WILL NOT DIE.

SO, ONE WAY TO DIFFERENTIATE IT, I MEAN, IT KIND OF STARTS OFF REALLY SMALL, KIND OF LIKE CRABGRASS, BUT ONCE IT GETS BIGGER, YOU CAN KIND OF SEE THAT IT'S GOT THAT LIKE WHITISH CENTER TO IT.

AND IT'S KIND OF A FLAT, PROSTRATE GROWTH.

DOES IDEAL ON COMPACTED SOILS, BARE AREAS.

SO, THIS ONE WILL NOT REACT TO SOME OF THE QUINCLORAC PRODUCTS THAT CONTROL CRABGRASS.

THERE'S A COUPLE OTHER ONES, SPEEDZONE, WHICH IS A BROADLEAF HERBICIDE, DOES REALLY WELL AT BURNING IT BACK AND THEN PYLEX, WHICH IS A NEWER HERBICIDE, KIND OF A SPECIALTY HERBICIDE, IT WORKS WELL ON IT IF YOU DO HAVE A BAD INFESTATION ON IT.

SO, JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN CRABGRASS.

AND IT'S CONTROL.

>> AND WORSE.

>> YEAH, AND WORSE BECAUSE YOU'LL USUALLY SEE IT WHERE THE PLANT WAS LAST YEAR AND IT WILL JUST BE LIKE A RING OF LITTLE BABY PLANTS AND THEN GET HUGE.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU, MUCH, MATT.

OKAY.

KYLE, YOU ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

>> I AM.

IS IT A SARLACCS?

>> I HAVE NO IDEA.

>> ANYWAY, THAT IS GOING TO BOTHER ME.

BUT IT'S BEEN RAINING AND IT'S BEEN HOT SO IT'S BEEN KIND OF PERFECT DISEASE WEATHER.

SO, OF COURSE, I BROUGHT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN MAKE IN THE LAB AT ANY TIME.

THESE ARE HOW WE GROW SLIME MOLDS IN A PLATE.

AND, SO, THE -- WE FEED THEM, WE FEED THEM OATMEAL AND THE OATMEAL HAS BACTERIA AND OTHER FUNGI ON IT AND THE SLIME MOLD ARE OFTEN EATING THOSE.

THIS IS A PHYSARIUM TYPE OF SLIME MOLD.

BUT WE HAVE THIS, IT'S ON A BLACK AGER, SO IT'S KIND OF HIGHLIGHTING THE NEON GREEN COLORATION THAT WE CAN SEE.

BUT THEN WE HAVE THE EXACT SAME SLIME MOLD ON THIS CLEAR ONE.

AND IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COLOR.

AND, YEAH, IT'S JUST A LOT OF FUN.

YOU LOOK AT IT UNDER THE SCOPE AND YOU CAN SEE NUCLEI FLOWING EVERYWHERE.

BUT THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT GROW SAPROPHYTICALLY ON YOUR PLANTS, ON YOUR TURF, WHEREVER.

THEY'RE NOT CAUSING ANY PROBLEMS, THEY JUST LOOK SUPER, SUPER COOL.

>> THANK YOU, KYLE.

OKAY, TERRI.

>> WELL, I HAVE SOMETHING GREEN BUT IT'S COOLER THAN YOURS.

>> I DOUBT IT.

>> SO, WE ARE JUST FINISHING UP IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, SOME OF OUR SPRING STUFF.

SO, I DID BRING A SAMPLE, AND OF COURSE I WILL TALK ABOUT IT IN THE GARDEN MINUTE, BUT THIS IS GIANT NOBLE SPINACH.

THIS HAS NOT BOLTED YET.

IT IS STILL SEMI-EDIBLE, 'CAUSE I WAS EATING PART OF THE LEAF EARLIER TODAY AND IT'S STILL TASTY.

BUT MANY PEOPLE WANT SPINACH OR GREENS IN THE SUMMERTIME AND THIS IS JUST STARTING.

SO, THIS IS CALLED MALABAR SPINACH.

AND THIS ONE WILL GROW UP, IT MAKES A VERY NICE, BEAUTIFUL, ORNAMENTAL VINE BUT YOU ACTUALLY WILL JUST PICK OFF THE LEAF AND YOU EAT THOSE AND IT DOES TASTE JUST LIKE SPINACH.

IT'S NOT RELATED TO SPINACH, THEY JUST CALL IT THAT.

BUT THIS ONE IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE IF YOU WANT THOSE GREEN LEAVES IN THE SUMMERTIME.

AND IT WILL TAKE THE HEAT AND KIND OF LAUGH AT IT.

>> WONDERFUL.

NICE JOB, ALL.

>> OKAY.

JODY, YOU HAVE YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES TO US FROM PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, FROM SOMEONE WHO USED TO LIVE HERE.

AND THIS IS -- THIS IS A ROSE, AND INSECTS ALL OVER THIS ONE.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> THESE ARE KATYDID NYMPHS.

>> GOOD GUYS?

>> THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

THEY CAN FEED ON VEGETATION, NORMALLY, DECAYING ORGANIC MATTER.

THEY DON'T HAVE WINGS, SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE THEM, YOU CAN REMOVE THEM.

BUT THEY ARE JUST KIND OF AROUND.

>> NO BIG DEAL.

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY.

THE NEXT ONE IS CEDAR BLUFFS, NEBRASKA.

THIS IS ALSO A ROSE, THIS ONE IS ONLY A YEAR OLD.

SPOTS ON THAT ONE AND THEN YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE WHICH IS AN OLD FASHIONED 20-YEAR-OLD ROSE THAT LOOKS JUST DREADFUL.

SO, IT'S ROSE BUG TIME.

>> YEAH, SO, THE FIRST ONE I CALLED IT LIKE THE EXPLODING FLOWER HEAD.

THAT ONE COULD HAVE BEEN THRIPS.

AND SO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO THERE IS MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE THE BUDS AND REMOVE ALL OF THE FLOWER PARTS SO THAT THE THRIPS ARE NOT GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, TO MINIMIZE THAT BEING THERE AND THROW THEM OUT.

AND THEN, SANITATION FOR THE GARDEN.

AND THEN IF YOU NEED TO, MAYBE A SYSTEMIC.

AND THEN FOR THESE OTHER TWO WITH THAT BIG STAND OF ROSES, IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS HIT WITH A REALLY BAD CASE OF THE ROSE SLUG SAWFLY, AND THEN WITH ALL OF THE HEAT MAYBE, REALLY, STARTING TO MAKE THOSE REALLY CRISPY.

AND SO, I TALKED TO SCOTT A LITTLE BIT.

HE SAID, MAYBE, A QUART OF FERTILIZER TO TRY TO GREEN THAT UP WHEN IT GET COOLER, AND DON'T EXPECT AS PRETTY FLOWERS AS YOU MAY HAVE IN THE PAST.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN THESE TWO.

AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS ONE IS FROM EITHER.

SHE THOUGHT THIS WAS MILDEW.

THIS IS NOT MILDEW.

>> THESE ARE LIKELY APHIDS, AND SO, I WOULD PRUNE THAT SECTION OUT SO THE APHIDS DON'T SPREAD DOWN TO THE OTHER PARTS BUT THERE'S APHIDS EVERYWHERE.

>> YES AND YOU ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THEM LATER.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

LOTS OF TROUBLE WITH ROSES.

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

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER ONE THAT'S A FOLLOW UP.

AND ANOTHER ONE THAT'S A FOLLOW UP.

SO, POPPED THIS FIRST SET, THEY POPPED UP CLOSE TO A FERN LEAF PEONY.

SHE REALLY WANTS TO KEEP THE PEONY.

AND SHE WANTS TO GET RID OF THIS.

AND THEN YOUR NEXT ONE IS FROM BELLEVUE, AND SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS PLANT IS.

GROWING LIKE CRAZY.

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER ONE THAT'S A WEED ONE.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT, THAT'S YOUR BELLEVUE ONE.

>> I THINK THEY'RE ALL WEEDS FOR THE MOST PART.

I THINK THEY'RE ALL POISON HEMLOCK.

THOSE ARE JUST IN THE EARLY STAGES.

IN THAT FIRST ONE YOU CAN KIND OF TELL BY THE STEM, THEY ARE USUALLY A HOLLOW STEM.

AND THEN, THIS ONE IS ALREADY FLOWERING.

SO, ONCE YOU GET TO THAT FLOWERING STAGE, THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS TRY AND REMOVE IT BECAUSE IT'S JUST GOING TO SPREAD A LOT OF SEED AND IT'S GONNA CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR YEARS TO COME.

SO, DON'T LET IT GET TO THAT POINT.

IF YOU CAN, REMOVE THEM.

AND IF YOU WANT TO BE SAFE IN REMOVING THEM, I DON'T REALLY HAVE MUCH ISSUES WITH THEM, WALKING THROUGH THEM.

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT BE MORE ALLERGIC TO THEM.

SO, I WOULD SAY, WEAR GLOVES, LONG SLEEVES, AND THEN PUT IT IN A PLASTIC BAG IS WHAT THEY RECOMMEND, TIE IT UP AND THEN PUT IT IN THE GARBAGE.

THAT WAY YOU ARE NOT PUTTING IT WITH YOUR COMPOST OR ANYTHING, BECAUSE IT CAN STILL HAVE THOSE TOXINS IN IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND WE HAVE ONE MORE FOR YOU, AND THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER.

HE WANTS TO KNOW IF THESE ARE WEEDS AND HOW TO GET RID OF THEM WITHOUT KILLING OTHER PLANTS.

>> SO, YEAH, I'M PRETTY SURE THESE ARE WEEDS.

IT'S A GOOSEFOOT FAMILY, SO MAPLE LEAF GOOSEFOOT IS PROBABLY THE CLOSEST I COULD GET TO IT, OR NETTLE LEAF GOOSEFOOT.

AND THEY, YOU DON'T REALLY WANT THEM EITHER.

I THINK THEY ARE MORE OF A NATIVE SUMMER ANNUAL THAT GROWS ALL OVER THE U.S., SO, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY LIKE A NOXIOUS PLANT BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU PROBABLY WANT TO GET RID OF SO IT'S NOT GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEED OUT AND SPREAD IN YOUR GARDEN.

SO, I'D SAY JUST PULL THEM OUT.

OTHERWISE, BROADLEAF HERBICIDES, I WOULD SAY 2,4-D WORKS PRETTY WELL, BUT NOT IN THIS HEAT, YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO KILL YOUR PLANTS NEXT TO IT AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, MATT.

TWO PICS FOR YOU ON THE FIRST ONE, KYLE.

THIS IS AT THE LANDING, HERE IN LINCOLN, AND THEY HAVE REALLY SOME BEAUTIFUL RAISED BEDS.

TOMATOES, AND THEY'RE LOOKING LIKE THIS AND, THEY, THEY'RE ALL IN RAISED BEDS.

THE SOIL IS DECENT, THE MANAGEMENT IS GOOD AND FOLLOW UP WITH HER.

>> YEAH, WELL, MATT JUST TALKED ABOUT BROADLEAF HERBICIDES AND INJURY, AND THIS, THAT'S WHAT I THINK IS GOING ON HERE.

ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST PICTURE.

YOU CAN REALLY SEE SOME OF THOSE LEAVES THAT ARE CURLED AND DISTORTED IN A WAY THAT VIRUSES USUALLY DON'T WORK.

ESPECIALLY WITH, IT LOOKS LIKE MOST OF THE TOMATOES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.

I THINK IT'S A DRIFT ISSUE.

UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL FLOWER.

YOU MIGHT JUST BE KIND OF OUT OF LUCK WITH THOSE TOMATOES RIGHT NOW, UNFORTUNATELY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS ALSO A TOMATO, THIS COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

WEIRD BUMPS ON THE STEM AND THEN THE ROOTS.

AND WE HAD SOME WEIRD BUMPS ON THE STEM I THINK LAST WEEK THAT WERE AERIAL ROOTS.

BUT WHAT ARE THE BUMPS ON THE BOTTOM THERE?

>> I THINK THESE ARE OTHER ROOTS.

[ LAUGHTER ] AND SO, IT'S THE, YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT TOMATOES WILL DO IS THEY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S WET, THEY WILL SHOOT OUT SOME EXTRA ROOTS RIGHT ALONG THE SURFACE.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT HAD HAPPENED.

IT WAS WET, THEN THEY KIND OF DRIED OUT, AND THOSE ROOTS KIND OF SHRIVELED UP AND WENT AWAY.

I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

SOMETIMES THERE CAN BE SOME HERBICIDES THAT MAY CAUSE THAT SORT OF ISSUE, BUT MOST LIKELY IT'S JUST ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE ONE MORE, KYLE.

THIS IS FROM LITCHFIELD.

SHE IS WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE ZUCCHINI.

SHE DOESN'T THINK IT'S POWDERY MILDEW.

SHE THINKS IT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT BUT SHE DID LOOK AT THE UNDER SIDE AND SHE DOESN'T THINK IT IS POWDERY MILDEW NOW.

>> I THINK IT IS POWDERY MILDEW.

IT LOOKS A LOT LIKE POWDERY MILDEW TO ME.

WITH HOW WET EVERYTHING WAS, IT WAS WET, IT WAS CLOUDY, IT WAS PRIME POWDERY MILDEW CONDITIONS.

THERE WAS, THERE WERE LOW-LEVELS OF IT OUT THERE AND THEN THAT WEATHER THAT WE HAD ABOUT A WEEK AGO WAS JUST IDEAL FOR IT.

SO, I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON.

NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE WATERING FROM THE BASE AND NOT DOING THAT OVERHEAD WATERING BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO SPREAD THOSE SPORES.

>> EXCELLENT.

OKAY, TERRI, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM KEARNEY.

IT'S A 3-YEAR-OLD WEEPING WILLOW.

HAS A LIMB THAT HE DIDN'T PRUNE LAST YEAR.

HE IS WORRIED ABOUT THE SYMMETRY OF THE TREE, IS IT TOO LOW?

SHOULD HE PRUNE?

WAIT UNTIL SPRING?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YOU KNOW, HONESTLY IF I LOOKED AT IT, I PROBABLY WOULD LEAVE IT.

IT DOES LOOK A LITTLE UNSYM -- OFF A LITTLE BIT, I GUESS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, HONESTLY, IT'S UP TO YOU HOWEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO MANAGE IT.

HOWEVER, I WOULD PROBABLY WAIT AND WAIT UNTIL IT'S DORMANT IF YOU WANTED TO GET IT OFF AND KIND OF EVEN OUT THOSE TWO SIDES SO THAT YOUR WEEPING IS EVEN ON BOTH SIDES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE, TERRI.

THIS IS A BURNING BUSH.

OLD, LARGE, HAS NEW GROWTH COMING FROM THE BOTTOM.

ONE YEAR HE DID TAKE IT BACK AND HE IS WONDERING SHOULD HE TAKE THE NEW GROWTH OFF OR CUT THE WHOLE THING OFF AND LET THE NEW GROWTH BECOME THE NEW BURNING BUSH?

>> YOU CAN DO EITHER OR.

YOU CAN CUT THE NEW GROWTH BACK AND LET IT GROW UP OR CUT SOME OF THE OLD GROWTH BACK AND LET THE NEW GROWTH KIND OF TAKE OVER.

HONESTLY IF I LOOK AT THIS, I THINK IT LOOKS FANTASTIC.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S ABOUT THE RIGHT SIZE IN THE SPACE.

SO, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T TAKE A LOT OF IT BACK BECAUSE I THINK YOU WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED IF YOU PULLED A LOT OF IT OUT.

BUT YOU CAN DO, MAYBE LIKE, NORMALLY WE SAY THE THIRD, THE THIRD, THE THIRD.

MAYBE THIS ONE WOULD BE LIKE A FOURTH, A FOURTH, A FOURTH, A FOURTH.

AND MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

>> OKAY.

AND YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THIS IS ALSO A EUONYMUS BUT THIS IS A TREE FORM DIFFERENT SPECIES CALLED POLLY.

AND HE'S HAD IT 25 YEARS.

HE LIKES THE TREE FORM BUT IT'S GOT THIS WONKY FUNKINESS GOING ON AT THE BASE.

AND THEN HE'S CALLING IT HAIR BUT IT'S THE AERIAL ROOTS, I THINK, ON YOUR NEXT PICTURE.

HE IS DOING SOME THINGS LIKE REMOVING THE ROCK, DOING SOME OF THOSE THINGS TO KEEP IT GOING.

WHAT SHOULD HE DO HERE?

>> NO, I AM PLEASED THAT YOU ARE KIND OF REMOVING THOSE ROCKS, LIKE WE ALWAYS TELL, AND GO INTO MORE ORGANIC MULCH FOR THAT.

SOME EUONYMUS, ESPECIALLY SOME OF THE CRAWLERS OR CREEPERS, THEY DO GET THIS AND THAT KIND OF, THOSE ARE JUST THE AERIAL ROOTS.

I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT THEM.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE UNSIGHTLY, BUT I THINK THAT IF YOU KIND OF LET THEM DRAIN, I WOULD TRY TO GET THAT WATER AWAY FROM THERE AS POSSIBLE.

SO, IF YOU COULD MOVE THAT DOWNSPOUT OFF, THAT WILL HELP WITH SOME OF THAT AERIAL ROOT ISSUE, TOO.

YOU'RE DOING ALL OF THE RIGHT THINGS, MAYBE DO A LITTLE BIT OF PRUNING WHEN IT IS DORMANT IN THE FALL AND WE CAN WATCH AND SEE HOW IT GROWS.

>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU, TERI.

>> MOST OF THE TIME THOSE TINY APHIDS AREN'T MUCH OF A CONCERN UNLESS THEIR POPULATION EXPLODES.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THEY AREN'T DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

HERE'S JODY TO TELL US.

>> WE'VE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF APHIDS THIS YEAR ON EVERY PLANT IMAGINABLE.

FROM TREES TO FLOWERS, AND AS USUAL, OUR MILKWEED.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

FIRST I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN IDENTIFY APHIDS REALLY EARLY.

SO WHEN YOUR PLANTS START COMING UP AND GREENING YOU WANT TO CHECK THE UNDERSIDES FOR APHIDS.

AND WHAT YOU'LL BE LOOKING FOR ARE EXOSKELETONS THAT KIND OF LOOK LIKE WHITE WORMY THINGS.

BUT THAT'S THEIR SHED EXOSKELETON.

IF YOU SEE THAT, YOU KNOW THEY ARE FEEDING AND DEVELOPING THERE.

BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT TO SHED THEIR SKINS TO MOLT.

YOU MAY ALSO SEE ANTS ON YOUR PLANTS.

IF YOU SEE THAT, THAT IS A SIGN THAT APHIDS ARE NEARBY BECAUSE ANTS -- THEY FIND A LOT OF SUGAR OUT NATURALLY IN THE GARDEN BECAUSE THE APHIDS SUCK ON SAP.

AND SO THEREFORE THEY RELEASE HONEYDEW.

SO IT'S SUGARY SWEET, AND SO ANTS LOVE TO FARM THEM.

THEY ACTUALLY WILL MOVE THEM AROUND AND PROTECT THEM FROM PREDATORS.

BUT THOSE PREDATORS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT, TOO.

THINGS LIKE LADYBUGS OR LADYBEETLES, THEIR LARVEA AND ADULTS WILL EAT UP TO 50 APHIDS PER DAY.

WE'VE ALSO GOT SYRPHID FLY LARVAE, AND WE'VE GOT LACEWING LARVAE.

WHICH ARE VERY GREAT NATURAL ENEMIES.

SO WE REALLY DO WANT TO KEEP THEM AROUND.

ONE OF THE EASIEST AND NONCHEMICAL WAYS TO GET RID OF APHIDS ARE GOING TO BE BY FINDING THEM AND SQUISHING THEM.

IT CAN BE A LITTLE MESSY WITH YOUR HANDS AND MAY FEEL A LITTLE BAD OR A LITTLE GOOD, BUT THAT WAY YOU WILL REMOVE THEM FROM YOUR PLANTS.

SO THEY WILL STOP FEEDING AND STOP REPRODUCING.

ANOTHER THING YOU CAN DO IS SPRAY THEM A REALLY STRONG SPRAY OR BLAST OF HOSE WATER.

IT WILL KNOCK THEM OFF OF THE PLANT AND YOU WILL GET A LITTLE RELIEF FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.

BUT YOU'RE GONNA WANT TO DO THAT EVERY TWO TO THREE DAYS SO THEY CAN NOT MULTIPLY.

APHIDS ARE VERY, VERY GOOD AT REPRODUCING QUICKLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T NEED TO MATE.

THEY CAN PRODUCE CLONES OF THEMSELVES AND THAT IS WHY YOU WILL SEE THEM ONE DAY AND THE NEXT DAY THEY WILL JUST LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE TAKEN OVER THE PLANT.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON.

IF YOU DO WANT TO USE SOMETHING ELSE, WE RECOMMEND INSECTICIDAL SOAP.

THAT WILL BE I GUESS, MORE GENTLE, BUT YOU WILL DO IT REPEATEDLY.

OTHER THAN THAT YOU WANT TO JUST KEEP CHECKING YOUR PLANT AND KEEPING UP WITH THOSE APHIDS.

BECAUES THEY WON'T STOP, BUT NEITHER WILL WE.

SO ENJOY YOUR GARDEN AND HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.

>> SO IF YOU SEE A BIG BUNCH OF APHIDS IN YOUR GARDEN SEASON, NO NEED TO APPLY ANY PESTICIDES.

GET OUT THAT SPRAY OF WATER, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S HOT.

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

THIS COMES TO US FROM FAIRBURY.

SHE SAYS OVERNIGHT THEY HAD SOMETHING EATING THE BRUSSEL SPROUTS, CAN YOU TELL WHAT IT IS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> YEP.

THOSE ARE IMPORTED CABBAGE WORMS.

AND IT WASN'T OVERNIGHT.

BUT THE LARGER CATERPILLARS EAT LIKE 85% OF THEIR WEIGHT WHETHER THEY ARE OLDER.

SO YOU'VE GOT TO PICK THEM OFF EARLY.

>> JUST PICK THEM OFF.

>> THOSE WHITE LITTLE BUTTERFLIES FLYING AROUND THEY ARE LAYING EGGS ON WHAT IS IT?

BRASSICA?

>> YEP.

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

IT IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

BLACK EYED SUSAN PLANTS STARTED LOOKING POORLY AND THEN SMALL BLACK BUMPS, AND SMALL BLACK CATERPILLARS.

THEY REMOVED THIS PLANT, THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW TO PREVENT THE OTHERS FROM GETTING IT?

>> WELL, THESE ARE CHECKER SPOT CATERPILLARS AND TURN INTO CHECKERSPOT BUTTERFLIES.

SO THEY ARE REALLY PRETTY BUTTERFLIES, THEY ARE ORANGE AND BLACK.

SO YOU CAN REMOVE THOSE LEAVES IF YOU WANT TO OR YOU CAN SQUISH THE EGGS IF YOU DON'T WANT THE CATERPILLARS.

BUT THEN YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE BUTTERFLIES.

>> THAT IS TRUE.

SO YOU HAVE ONE ON THE NEXT, THIS IS A HASTING VIEWER.

ACTUALLY I THINK WE JUST SAW THAT ONE, WHICH IS THE SAME THING.

LITTLE CATERPILLARS.

>> YEAH, CHECKERSPOTS.

>> SO, THIS IS A COUPLE THREE SPRUCE PICTURES.

CUNNINGHAM LAKE, 25-YEAR-OLD SPRUCE.

HAD THIS ON IT THIS YEAR.

IT'S NOT BAGWORMS, ANYTHING THEY SHOULD DO ON THIS ONE?

AND THEN THESE TWO ARE IN CRAIG, NEBRASKA.

NORTHEAST OF BERT COUNTY.

ALSO SPRUCE, BROWN TIPPED, DIE BACK, I KNOW YOU AND KYLE HAD SOME BACK AND FORTH AND WE HAVE THIS ONE TWO OR THREE TIMES ALREADY THIS YEAR.

>> YEAH, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I DON'T SEE LIKE SPRUCE NEEDLE MINER.

I DON'T SEE THEM, THE MATS WITH THE CATERPILLARS, IT COULD HAVE BEEN WHEN THE TREES WERE CANDLING.

WE HAD 90 DEGREE DAYS IN MAY, SO THAT COULD OF DONE THAT.

BUT I DON'T KNOW.

KYLE, ARE THERE ANY -- >> YEAH, THERE ARE SOME SIROCOCCUS BLIGHT WOULD BE ONE OF THE FUNGAL DISEASES THAT COULD CAUSE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT ESPECIALLY WITH IT'S BEING ALL OVER THE ENTIRE TREE, I THINK IT PROBABLY IS -- YEAH, THE CANDLES CAME OUT AND IT WAS HOT.

>> ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> YEP.

>> AND MAYBE IF THEY REALLY NEED TO KNOW -- >> THEY CAN SEND IN A SAMPLE.

>> YEP.

>> SEND IN A SAMPLE.

AND YOU CAN HAVE THE BACK AND FORTH AGAIN.

>> EXACTLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MATT, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS LANCASTER COUNTY, SOUTHWEST OF DENTON.

THEY'RE WONDERING AT WHAT POINT DO YOU WANT TO START CONTROLLING A POTENTIALLY INVASIVE PLANT, WHICH IS YELLOW SWEET CLOVER.

PULLING IT OUT BY THE ROOTS, IS THAT AN OPTION?

SHE DOES SAY IT IS CREEPING INTO THE LAWN AROUND THE HOUSE, WHICH IS MOWED, AND OF COURSE, IT'S KIND OF CREEPING AROUND ALL OVER LINCOLN, TOO.

>> YEAH.

YEAH, SWEET CLOVER IS REALLY THICK THIS YEAR.

SO, IT'S ACTUALLY A BIANNUAL.

SO THE FIRST YEAR IT'S GOING TO PUT ON GROWTH, AND THE SECOND YEAR IT'S GOING TO BOLT OUT AND FLOWER.

AND SO MAYBE WE'RE JUST SEEING A BIG FLUSH THIS YEAR.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S DOING REALLY WELL.

SO IT WILL SPREAD FROM SEED AND GET INTO THE LAWN.

SO THE RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO TREAT EARLY IN THE TREAT EARLY IN THE YEAR BEFORE FLOWERING.

AND USUALLY A BROADLEAF HERBICIDE, 2,4,D IS PROBABLY THE EASIEST ONE TO USE, AND THAT WILL HELP CONTROL IT IN THE LAWN.

OR INTO YOUR GRASS MIX IS WHERE IF YOU DON'T WANT IT IN THERE AS WELL.

I LIKE IT, IT SMELLS GOOD, BUT IT DOES CONTINUE TO SPREAD.

>> IT DOES SPREAD, BUT IT DOES SMELL GOOD.

VERY, VERY GOOD.

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

THIS IS A VIEWER WONDERING WHAT THIS IS AND IS IT TOXIC OR DANGEROUS?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S DANGEROUS.

BUT SOMETIMES THOSE BURRS GET ON YOU AND IT CAN BE DANGEROUS.

BUT IT'S COMMON BURDOCK.

I DON'T THINK IT'S REALLY TOXIC.

I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY THE ROOT IS EATEN OR MADE INTO A TEA TO TREAT SOME ILLNESSES.

MAYBE NOT LOCALLY BUT IN JAPAN I THINK THEY USE IT.

SO IT IS A BI-ANNUAL AS WELL.

SO THAT FIRST YEAR IT WILL GROW THE BIG LEAVES, AND THEN THE NEXT YEAR IT WILL SHOOT UP AND YOU'LL HAVE THOSE SEED HEADS ON THERE.

AND THEY WILL STICK TO ANIMALS FUR OR RIGHT TO YOUR CLOTHES.

AND THEY'RE PRETTY VELCRO-LIKE.

SO I WOULD JUST DIG THEM OUT WITH A SPADE AND GET RID OF THEM.

>> AND DON'T LET THEM FLOWER AND GO BURR.

>> YEAH, DON'T LET THEM, BECAUSE THEN THERE'LL BE LOTS OF THEM FLOATING AROUND.

STUCK TO YOUR ANIMALS AS WELL.

>> RIGHT, AND PEOPLE ALSO, YOU KNOW, WHEN THESE ARE YOUNG WE GET QUESTIONS, "IS THIS RHUBARB?” OR "IS THIS EDIBLE?” >> YEAH, IT'S MORE OF A FURRY LEAF.

SO I DON' THINK IT -- >> IT'S RHUBARB WITH KYLES ROTS AND SPOTS ON IT.

YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE MATT.

THIS IS A SIOUX CITY IOWA VIEWER.

THEY HAVE BUFFALO BURRS AND POTATO BEETLES.

AND THEY'RE GROWING FOUR ROWS OF POTATOES IN THE GARDEN.

YOU GET HOW TO CONTROL THE BUFFALO BURR.

>> YEAH, BUFFALO BURR IS A PAIN.

YOU GOTTA WEAR SOME NICE LEATHER GLOVES AND PULL THAT OUT.

YOU CAN SEE THAT IT ACTUALLY HAS THE POTATO BEETLES ON IT.

AND I FOUND OUT, THAT IS ACTUALLY THE NATURAL HOST WHERE POTATO BEETLES STARTED.

SO IT'S ACTUA[ LAUGHTER ] Y EATING THOSE INSTEAD OF YOUR POTATOES.

SO, MAYBE KEEP THEM AROUND BUT DON'T LET THEM SEED OUT.

AND WEAR GLOVES, 'CAUSE THEY'RE VERY POKEY.

BUT I WOULD SAY GET RID OF THEM BEFORE THEY SEED OUT.

BECAUSE IT'S JUST GOING TO CAUSE A LOT MORE BUFFALO BURR FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> AND HOW DO YOU GET RID OF THEM?

>> IN THAT CASE, YOU'RE GOING TO PULL THEM NEXT TO THE PLANTS OF THE POTATOES.

ANYTHING YOU WOULD USE FOR HERBICIDE WOULD NOT BE SAFE AROUND THOSE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, MATT.

OKAY.

KYLE, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

SHE'S SAYING, THIS IS THE WEEK OF JUNE 8TH.

THEY HAD A 2X4 PATCH OF GRASS GO BROWN.

IS IT ALL THE RAIN, AND NOW THE HOT WEATHER?

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A FUNGUS?

THEY DON'T SEE ANY GRUBS.

>> IT IS A FUNGUS.

THIS IS ASCOCHYTA ON TURF.

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY ON THIS PICTURE YOU CAN SEE THAT SOME OF THE, OR A LOT OF THE BLADES THEY KIND OF LOOK LIKE A HYPODERMIC NEEDLE AND THE TIP OF THEM IS BLEACHED.

VERY COMMON WITH ASCOCHYTA NEEDLE BLIGHT.

BUT IT'S ONE OF THOSE FUNGI THAT WE DON'T NEED TO ANYTHING ANY ABOUT.

BECAUSE IT IS PURELY CAUSED BY ROOT STRESS.

AND WITH HOW SQUARE AND THE SQUARE, AND THE RIGHT ANGLES, THE SQUARE CORNERS THERE, I WOULD WONDER IF MAYBE THERE WAS SOMETHING LAID DOWN, SOME SORT OF SOIL COMPACTION THERE.

SO I WOULD RECOMMEND MAYBE TRYING TO AERATE THAT AREA.

SEE IF THERE'S EXCESS THATCH.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE WATERING IT WELL IN THIS HEAT.

AND IT SHOULD COME OUT OF IT JUST FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, KYLE.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A FORT CALHOUN VIEWER.

THIS IS CAROLINA ALLSPICE, ABOUT THREE-YEARS-OLD.

GULLS, OR SOMETH8ING THEY'RE SAYING.

IT'S IN AN OPEN MEADOW AREA, THEY WONDER WHAT IT IS.

AND WE HAVE ALLSPICE ON CAMPUS I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE THIS.

>> YEAH.

I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS ON ALLSPICE EITHER.

THESE ARE SOME BEAUTIFUL PICTURES.

THIS IS, THEY ARE, THERE'S BEAUTY EVERYWHERE.

RIGHT?

IT'S NATURE'S WONDEROUS PAGEANTRY.

BUT THIS IS ALLSPICE RUST.

PUCCINIA PSIDII, IS THE NAME OF THE FUNGUS.

AND, LEARNED A COOL THING ABOUT IT.

IT IS -- THE ALTERNATIVE HOST IS GUAVA.

SO IF YOU HAVE GUAVAS NEARBY YOU'LL WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE CONTROLLING IT.

BUT LUCKILY YOU PROBABLY DON'T HAVE GUAVAS NEARBY.

REGARDLESS -- SORRY I GO ON TANGENTS.

THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IF IT SHOWS UP, REALLY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT IT IS BECAUSE OF RAIN.

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

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

THEY THINK THIS GOLDSTURM RUDBECKIA HAS SEPTORIA, OR ANGULAR LEAF SPOT.

TOO MUCH TO PLUCK OFF, HOW DO THEY GET RID OF IT?

>> YEAH.

THIS IS SEPTORIA, SO GOOD JOB THERE.

YOU KNOW, AT THIS POINT, YOU WOULD PROBABLY JUST, IF YOU ARE WANTING CONTROL YOU WOULD NEED TO USE SOME SORT OF BROAD SPECTRUM FUNGICIDE.

SOMETHING LIKE CHLOROTHALONIL IS WHAT I WOULD USE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE GOT RID OF OURS ON CAMPUS.

>> YEAH, THE OTHER THING IS THOSE LEAVES ARE JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE SPOTS.

>> OKAY.

TERI, THREE PICTURES FOR YOU ON THIS VERY FIRST ONE.

THIS IS FINE LINE BUCK THORN, 8-10 YEARS OLD AND GROWTH IS VARIED.

PREVENTION, EVERYTHING ELSE.

DEAD MATERIAL.

THEY THINK IT'S ENVIRONMENTAL.

CAN IT BE REPAIRED?

>> GOOD JOB ON THE DIAGNOSE.

YES, MOST LIKELY, ENVIRONMENTAL.

I DRIVE BY SEVERAL ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK EVERY NIGHT AND I WATCH THEM SLOWLY DECLINED OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THEY'VE JUST REALLY TAKEN A BIG HIT WITH LIKE OUR REALLY DRY WINTERS AND STUFF.

YOU CAN TRY TO PRUNE SOME OF THIS BACK.

BUT REALLY JUST THE WAY THOSE GROW, I THINK YOU'RE PROBABLY BETTER OFF GOING WITH SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND STARTING ANEW.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, TERI.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AGRAND ISLAND VIEWER.

SPIREA HEDGE, 40 PLUS YEARS OLD.

THEY'VE BEEN CUTTING OUT ALL THE SCRUB TREES.

THEY'VE GOT THORNY THINGS AND WOOD BINE, THEY ARE WONDERING IF THEY CAN THEY SAVE THE SPIREA AND HOW DO THEY ELIMINATE THE WOODBINE?

>> WELL, GOOD LUCK.

SO, REALLY, WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO, AND IT WILL TAKE YOU AWHILE.

SINCE IT'S THIS LONG.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE GO BACK IN, PULL THE WOODBINE OUT.

MAYBE DO THE GLOVE DEATH.

GET DOWN AS FAR AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

MAYBE EVEN DO SOME SHRUB HERBICIDE TO PUT ON THAT.

AND THEN MAKE SURE YOU ARE PULLING OUT THE SCRUB TREES TOO OR THE VOLUNTEER TREES THERE.

GIVE THOSE SPIREA AS MUCH AIR AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

CUT BACK THE DEAD AND THEN I WOULD JUST LET THE SPIREA BE AND THEN KIND OF MANAGE IT NEXT YEAR.

BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO BE MESSING WITH IT WAY TOO MUCH.

THIS YEAR TO TRY TO GET ALL THAT OTHER STUFF OUT.

SO GIVE THAT SPIREA KIND OF A YEAR TO RECOVER FROM EVERYTHING ELSE YOU ARE DOING, AND THEN MANAGE THEM NEXT YEAR.

>> GREAT, OKAY.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN AURORA VIEWER.

HER BLUEBERRIES ARE EXCEPTIONALLY PRODUCTIVE.

LONG STRANDS OF BERRIES.

SHE'S WONDERING SHOULD SHE PRUNE THOSE OFF AFTER THE HARVEST?

>> I AM GOING TO TELL HER THAT MOST OF THE TIME WE TELL PEOPLE NOT TO GROW BLUEBERRIES HERE AND LOOK AT THIS.

SO, YES, YOU WANT TO PROBABLY PRUNE THEM BACK.

YOU CAN CUT THEM BACK A LITTLE BIT.

BUT, REALLY, IT'S KIND OF A FIVE-YEAR PROCESS OF CANES AND YOU HAVE CUT JUST A COUPLE BACK EVERY YEAR SO YOU ALWAYS HAVE NEW CANES GROWING AND YOU HAVE A SUCCESSION.

UNFORTUNATELY THESE LOOK LIKE YOU MAY NOT GET VERY MUCH NEXT YEAR.

BUT, IF YOU TELL ME WHERE YOU LIVE I WILL COME TASTE THEM AND MAKE SURE THEY TASTE OKAY FOR YOU.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> EXACTLY.

THAT WAS GREAT.

THANKS, TERI.

WELL, WE'VE HAD SOME GOOD RAINS COME THROUGH A LOT OF AREAS OF NEBRASKA THIS WEEK.

THINGS ARE STARTING TO WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO SUMMER.

BEFORE WE GO TO BREAK, LET'S TAKE A MINUTE HEAR FROM GANNON RUSH FROM UNL'S HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER ABOUT HOW HOT IS HOT NEXT WEEK.

>> THANKS, KIM.

THERE'S NO SUGARCOATING IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A TOASTY ONE.

HIGHS WILL BE IN THE 100s FOR MANY FOR FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

THE HEAT INDEX WILL ALSO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, PARTICULARLY IN EASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

OUT WEST, AREAS SUCH AS SCOTTS BLUFF, COULD SET THEIR DAILY RECORD HIGHS.

THERE IS GOOD NEWS, THAT A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH ON MONDAY WITH AREAS WEST OF GRAND ISLAND IN THE 70s AND THE 80s.

THIS COLD FRONT WILL BRING IN A DESCENT AMOUNT OF RAIN.

A GOOD CHUNK OF CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE HAS A CHANCE OF RECEIVING AN INCH AND A HALF OR MORE OF RAIN.

THERE COULD BE SOME SCATTERED STORMS OVER THE WEEKEND.

BUT THE BULK OF THIS WILL FALL ON MONDAY.

THERE COULD BE SOME HEAVY RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH THESE STORMS, SO DEFINITELY KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEKLY WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU, KIM.

>> THANKS, GANNON.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT SHORT BREAK NOW.

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

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

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

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, JEFF WILL GIVE US SOME TIMELY TIPS ON WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO DO WITH YOUR TURF THIS SUMMER.

YOU CAN STILL PHONE IN THOSE QUESTIONS TO 1-800-676-5446 OR SEND US PICTURES AND EMAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

AND OF COURSE RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND!

TERI, YOUR FIRST TIME IN THE LIGHTNING ROUND THIS YEAR, I THINK.

>> YEP.

>> READY?

>> SURE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO BOUGHT A BABY CAKES BLACKBERRY.

IT'S TWO YEARS OLD.

PROLIFIC FLOWERS, NO FRUIT, HOW CAN SHE MAKE IT FRUIT?

>> WELL, YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO TRIM IT BACK.

I ACTUALLY HAD IT.

IT IS GOING TO GO ALL OVER THE PLACE.

SO KEEP TRIMMING IT BACK.

IT GROWS, IT WILL FRUIT ON NEW WOOD.

SO SHOULD BE JUST TRIMMING.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A HUMPHREY VIEWER, HE WANTS TO KNOW IS IT OKAY TO TRIM THE TOP BRANCHES OFF AN APPLE TREE WHEN IT IS TOO HIGH TO HARVEST IT?

>> YEAH, YOU ACTUALLY SHOULD PRUNE A LOT OF YOUR APPLE TREE.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE A LOT OF MOVEMENT THROUGH IT AND AIR THROUGH IT.

SO, YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAYS THE WINTER WAS HARD ON THEIR HARRY LOUDERS WALKING STICK.

MIDDLE IS DEAD, BOTTOM AND TOP ARE ALIVE?

PRUNE IT TO THE BOTTOM OR START OVER?

>> NO.

BECAUSE THAT IS GRAFTED.

SO PROBABLY NOT GOING TO DO VERY GOOD LUCK.

>> THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER, TONGUE AND CHEEK, IF LEFT UNCHECKED WOULD HUSKER RED PENSTEMON TAKE OVER THE EARTH?

>> YES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SHOULD STRAWBERRIES BE PRUNED AFTER HARVESTING?

>> YEAH, YOU ACTUALLY KIND OF HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AND GET THE OTHER PLANTS OUT AND BABY PLANTS IN, A LOT OF WORK TO STRAWBERRIES.

IT'S EASIER TO GO TO THE FARMER'S MARKET.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

KYLE, READY?

>> OF COURSE, I AM STILL RIDING MY HIGH AFTER THE WIN A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

>> WELL YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WIN THIS ONE.

>> DON'T COUNT ON IT.

>> I PROBABLY WON'T.

I NEVER HAD BEFORE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR FIRST ONE, THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL ANNUALS AND A PLANTER BOX.

POWDERY MILDEW ON ALMOST EVERYTHING, IS THERE A WAY TO TREAT FOR THE POWDERY MILDEW?

>> YEAH.

YOU CAN USE, YOU CAN USE A FUNGICIDE IF YOU WANT TO, BUT TYPICALLY IT'S JUST A MOISTURE PROBLEM.

>> THE SAME VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW IF SHE DECIDES TO GIVE IT UP DOES SHE START WITH NEW SOIL IN THE PLANTER BOX, WILL THAT HELP?

>> NO.

THAT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE TWO VIEWERS NOW WHO SENT US PICTURES IN THE LAST FEW DAYS WITH THEIR GREEN BEAN LEAVES SLOWING BROWN, IRREGULAR ANGULAR SPOTS.

THEN THEY ARE COLLAPSING.

>> SOUNDS LIKE ANGULAR LEAF SPOT, THE BACTERIAL DISEASE.

DON'T SPRAY A FUNGICIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER VERTICILLIUM WILT WILL MOVE FROM SPECIES TO SPECIES.

FROM RED BUD TO TO FLOWERING CRAB.

>> YES, MOST LIKELY, IT HAS OVER 500 SPECIES IT CAN INFECT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS HOLLYHOCK RUST THIS YEAR AND HAS NEVER HAD IT BEFORE.

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

>> IT IS A RUSTY YEAR.

SAME LIKE IT'S IT'S LIKE AN APHID-Y YEAR.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

HOW LONG CAN YOU EXPECT A BIG TREE WITH SHROOMS AT THE BASE TO SURVIVE?

>> YOU KNOW TYPICAL EXTENSION ANSWER, IT DEPENDS, SOMETIMES A LONG TIME.

OTHER TIMES NOT VERY LONG.

SO KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU, OKAY, MATT.

THIS IS A SOUTH OF LINCOLN VIEWER.

THEY AERATED, THEY FERTILIZED, THEY USED A PRE-EMERGE.

THEY'RE WONDERING ABOUT A SECOND APPLICATION OR A THIRD APPLICATION OF ANY OF THAT?

>> YEAH, TYPICAL TIME, AROUND NOW, JUNE 1st THROUGH THE 15th FOR SECOND OF YOUR PRE-EMERGENT.

>> BUT NOT WHEN IT IS 100.

>> YEAH, PROBABLY NOT.

BUT THOSE HERBICIDES GENERALLY DON'T EFFECT THE TURF.

BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ACTING ON THE TURF.

JUST WATER THEM IN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER THAT WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE AN HERBICIDE TO CONTROL SPOTTED SPURGE IN HER PERENNIALS?

>> YEAH, THERE ARE PROBABLY SOME PREs THAT I WOULD PUT OUT THERE.

LIKE EVEN SOME PRE-EXTENDED CONTROL.

WOULD BE A GOOD ONE.

BUT I WOULDN'T GO WITH POST, BECAUSE IT WOULD PROBABLY SMOKE YOURE PERENNIALS.

ALL RIGHT AND THE SAME VIEWER IS WONDERING WHETHER THAT HERBICIDE WILL NEUTRALIZE THE SEED BANK?

>> NO.

UNLESS IT IS A PRE.

IT WILL DEFINITELY PREVENT THE NEW ONES FROM COMING UP.

ISOXABEN IS AN EXTENDED CONTROLLED, THAT ONE HELPS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO MULCHED WITH STRAW AND NOW HAS WHEAT COMING UP ALL OVER EVERTHING.

AND IT SEEMED TO HAVE SEEDED IN THE GRASS AS WELL.

HOW DO YOU CONTROL IT?

>> JUST MOW IT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> OKAY.

NICE JOB.

OKAY, JODY.

READY?

>> WHAT A LOADED QUESTION.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I DIDN'T MAKE THEM UP.

OKAY.

JODY, THIS IS A SIOUX CITY VIEWER, THE SAME ONE, HOW TO GET RID OF THE POTATO BEETLES IN THOSE FOUR ROWS.

>> HAND PICK THEM WHILE THEY ARE LARVE SO THEY DON'T TURN INTO ADULTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THE VERY FIRST OF THE SQUASH VINE BORE MOTHS HAS BEEN DISCOVERED.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT?

>> YOU WANT TO CHECK THE VINES FOR THOSE EGGS AND IF YOU DO WANT TO TREAT, JUST SPOT TREAT BY THE VINES, BECAUSE YOU WANT TO GET THE CATERPILLARS BEFORE THEY GET INTO THE VINE.

>> AND WHERE DO THEY CHECK FOR THE EGGS?

>> CLOSE TO THE VINE.

SO LIKE CLOSE TO THE GROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF THE BAG WORMS ON HIS SEED GREEN JUNIPER, WHICH IS THE SHRUB FORM.

>> OKAY, SO THEY HAVE HATCHED AND YOU CAN TREAT WITH B.T.

YOU JUST NEED REALLY GOOD COVERAGE SO THAT YOU GET THEM WHILE THEY ARE YOUNG AND THEY'LL STOP FEEDING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A BELLEVUE VIEWER WHO SAYS, WOULD ANTS BE BRINGING THE APHIDS TO THE GOOSE BERRIES AND HOW DO YOU CONTROL WITHOUT HURTING THE POLLINATORS?

>> THE ANTS ARE THERE TO FARM THE APHIDS.

THEY ARE NOT BRINGING THEM THERE.

I WOULDN'T MANAGE THE ANTS OUTSIDE.

>> OKAY.

NICE JOB.

I AM NOT SURE -- KYLE.

>> KYLE.

>> I AM ON A ROLL.

>> WELL, WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN STOP THAT.

>> WE WILL CALL IT BEGINNER'S LUCK.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, AS I SAID EARLIER WE'VE HAD GOOD RAINFALL THIS WEEK.

THAT HAS REALLY HELPED OUR GARDEN GET OFF TO A GREAT START.

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

♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN WE ARE THOROUGHLY ENJOYING ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL COLORS THAT ARE SHOWING UP IN OUR PLANTS THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN PLANTED.

EVERYTHING IS MULCHED, WELL TAKEN CARE OF BY OUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND THE SPORADIC RAINS WE HAVE BEEN GETTING EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO LOOK AT THIS WEEJ ARE OUR RAISED BEDS.

REMEMBER WE HAD A LOT OF THE SPRING CROPS IN OUR RAISED BEDS EARLY ON.

A LOT OF THOSE HAVE COME OUT.

WE HAVE SOME GREAT SUMMER VEGETABLES IN THERE.

WE'RE SEEING OUR KOHLRABI START TO GROW.

AND ONE OF THE THING THAT IS REALLY INTERESTING AND I AM KEEPING AN EYE ON, IS WE HAVE A SPINACH THAT WE'VE NEVER GROWN BEFORE.

IT IS STILL DOING REALLY WELL HUGE LEAVES AND IT HAS NOT STARTED BOLTING.

SO WE ARE GOING TO KEEP IT IN THE RAISED BED TO SEE HOW LONG WE CAN GET IT TO GO.

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE START GETTING IN TO THESE REALLY HOT DAYS.

SO COME BY AND STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN AND CHECK IT ALL OUT.

♪ >> OUR VEGETABLES ARE REALLY TAKING OFF.

SOON WE'RE GOING TO BE HARVESTING THOSE THINGS TO DONATE LOCALLY.

AND RIGHT NOW, PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

TERI, WHAT DO WE HAVE?

>> SO THE FIRST ONE IS THE LADY BELL.

SO THIS ONE WILL GET TO BE FOUR FOOT TALL.

IT'S VERY VERTICAL.

IT WILL REFLOWER FROM THE LOWER LEAF AXELS.

PART SHADE, IT WILL SPREAD BY SEED IF YOU ALLOW IT.

THEN, THE LITTLE PINK ONE DOWN HERE, IS CALLED PRINCEES DIANA CLEMATIS, IT IS A CLIMBER.

IT CAN GET TO ABOUT FIVE TO SIX FEET TALL.

IT DOES HAVE A REALLY LONG SEASON OF BLOOMING.

THEN, THEY WILL, THE FLOWERS WILL ACTUALLY TURN UPWARDS LIKE THAT.

SO, TOWARDS THE SUN.

SO THEY'RE KIND OF PRETTY LITTLE PINK AND PURPLE COMBINATION.

>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TERI.

WELL, WE ALWAYS HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THINGS GOING ON IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

A COUPLE OF THEM.

ONE OF THEM IS THE WACHISKA AUDUBON SOCIETY AND SPRING CREEK AUDUBAN CENTER TOUR THE WILD SIDE.

SATURDAY JUNE 21st 10-2PM.

THAT SHOULD BE GREAT.

AND THEN THE SYRACUSE GARDEN WALK, IS SUNDAY JUNE 22nd 11-3:00PM.

THAT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN GET TICKETS TO IN SYRACUSE.

SO GREAT THINGS GOING ON IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

ALL RIGHT, PICTURES.

ONE ON THIS ONE, JODY, THIS IS A BLUE HILL VIEWER.

THEY'RE WONDERING ARE THESE EGGS ON THE BUTTERFLY BUSH?

ARE THEY GOOD OR BAD?

>> THESE ARE OLEANDER APHIDS.

SQUISH THEM.

>> OKAY.

YOU HAVE ONE ON THIS ONE AND THIS QUESTION IS SIMPLY ARE THESE APHIDS?

>> THESE ARE SUN FLOWER APHIDS.

JUST LEAVE THEM.

>> LEAVE THEM OR SQUISH THEM?

AND THEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE AND THIS ACTUALLY ON CREEPING JANNY.

WHAT IS THE SCARY LOOKING WHITE POWDER?

>> THEY LOOK LIKE MILLY BUGS, SO I WOULD JUST PRUNE THOSE OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM IOWA.

QUESTIONS ON SOME SPRUCE PLANTED.

SHE IS WONDERING ARE THESE ADELGIDS LIKE APHIDS AND HARMLESS?

THE WHITE STUFF, WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> THEY ACTUALLY DON'T LOOK LIKE ADELGIDS.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S SAP OR SOMETHING COMING FROM THAT TRUNK, SO I WOULD PROBABLY INVESTIGATE A LITTLE FURTHER.

SEE HOW THAT TREE IS PLANTED AND IF THERE'S ANY CANKERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE, THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER, HAD TO CUT DOWN A MAGNOLIA, BUT THIS YEAR IT'S GOT ALL THESE WHITE SPOTS.

IS THIS A FUNGUS?

>> THIS IS MAGNOLIA SCALE.

SO YOU WANT TO TRY TO REMOVE -- IF YOU CAN REACH THIS, REMOVE AS MANY AS YOU CAN AND TREAT WITH INSECTICIDAL SOUP OR HORTICULTURAL OIL IN AUGUST WHEN THE CRAWLERS ARE OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, JODY.

THREE PICTURES FOR YOU ON THIS FIRST ONE, MATT.

SOUTHWEST OMAHA VIEWER.

WONDERING WHAT THIS GRASS IS.

WINDMILL, BERMUDA?

WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO YOU CONTROL IT?

>> YEAH, TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE BERMUDA GRASS.

IT CAN SURVIVE THE WINTER HERE AND THEN IT JUST TAKES A WHILE TO COME BACK IN MAY.

THAT AND ZOYSIA GRASS ARE KIND OF IN THE MIX.

I CAN'T TELL, JUST BY LOOKING AT THESE PICTURES.

THEY'RE GOOD PICTURES, BUT YOU GET IN A LITTLE CLOSER AND SEE IF THERE ARE LEAVES ON THE UPPER OR LOWER OF THE LEAVES -- SO, EITHER OF THOSE YOU ARE CONTROLLING THE SAME WAY.

THERE IS ONE PRODUCT THAT WORKS WELL AS A NON-SYSTEMIC.

IT BASICALLY WILL THE BERMUDA AND THE ZOYSIA.

PYLEX, WHICH IS A NEWER HERBICIDE.

THREE APPLICATIONS OF THAT, THOUGH, THERE IS, THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION ON THE LABEL.

OTHERWISE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TREAT IT WITH A NON-SELECTIVE SUCH AS GLYPHOSATE TO GET RID OF IT, BUT THEN LET THE OTHER GRASS COME IN, RESEED.

SO THAT'S KIND OF A TOUGH ONE WHEN YOU HAVE SMALL PATCHES OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

ALL HE SAYS ON THIS -- THIS IS GRETNA, THIS IS AN ANNOYING PLANT.

>> YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE AN ANNOYING PLANT.

IF IT'S JUST POPPING EVERYWHERE.

BUT I'VE NEVER REALLY SEEN THIS ONE OR HAD ISSUES WITH IT, BUT I HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE DO.

CHAMELEON PLANT, IT CAN SPREAD, BY ANY PIECE OF THE PLANT IT CAN REGROW.

IS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS ONE.

SO TREATING IT WITH SOMETHING THAT IS NON-SELECTIVE WOULD BE THE OPTION NOW.

INSTEAD OF LIKE 2-4-D PRODUCT.

BECAUSE YOU COULD JUST BURN IT DOWN.

LET'S SAY IT'S SOMETHING THAT CONTAINS GLUFOSINATE OR SOME OF THE PRODUCTS WITH A PANTOTHENIC ACID TO BURN IT DOWN.

THEN YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP DOING THAT TO GET RID OF IT WITHOUT HARMING THE OTHER PLANTS.

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

THIS IS A BLAIR VIEWER.

HOW DO YOU CONTROL SUMACK IN GRASSES?

>> SO SUMACK IN GRASSES IS EASY TO CONTROL.

ACTUALLY NOW IS KIND OF THE TIME TO CONTROL WHEN THEY ARE FLOWERING.

USING A 240, AGAIN, PRODUCT, OR PRODUCT WITH CROSSBOW HAS BASICALLY TRICLOPYR AND 240 IN IT SO JUST BE CAREFUL.

NOT WHEN IT IS THIS HOT BUT WHEN WE GET THOSE COOLER TEMPERATURES.

TREAT IT, AND IT WORKS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE FOR YOU, KYLE.

DISEASE SPREADING THROUGH THE NURSERY.

AND IT IS BASICALLY THE CULTIVARS OF WHITE OAKS.

>> YEAH, THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST SEVERE CASE OF OAK TATTERS THAT I'VE EVER SEEN.

IT IS NOT ACTUALLY CAUSED BY A PATHOGEN OR A FUNGUS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

IT'S JUST A WEIRD THING THAT HAPPENS TO OAKS SOMETIMES.

THERE IS SOME AFFILIATION WITH CERTAIN HERBICIDES.

BUT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW.

IT IS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT HAPPENS AND MAKES THE TREES LOOK NOT VERY GREAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER.

WHY DID THE SYCAMORE DROP IT'S LEAVES SO EARLY?

IS IT ANTHRAK NOSE?

>> IT IS ANTHRAK NOSE.

PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON DISEASE ON SYCAMORES.

I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

SYCAMORES TYPICALLY PRODUCE MORE THAN ENOUGH LEAVES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A RAVENNA VIEWER.

HONEY CRISP APPLES.

LEAVES TURNED BROWN, DRIED UP.

IS THERE A TREATMENT?

EVERYTHING ELSE IS DOING WELL.

>> YEAH I THINK THIS IS KIND OF A WEIRD FIRE BLIGHT THAT IS GOING ON HERE.

ON SOME OF THE PICTURES YOU CAN SEE THAT CHARACTERISTIC SHEPHERDS CROOKING OF THE PETIALS.

AND THEY ARE KIND OF BLACK.

THE BEST CONTROL FOR THAT WOULD BE JUST PRUNING OUT THOSE BRANCHES.

IF THERE IS A CANKER, MAKE SURE YOU ARE PRUNING DOWN AT LEAST EIGHT INCHES BELOW THAT CANKER.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, KYLE.

>>> TERRI, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A NORTHWEST IOWA VIEWER.

THIS MAPLE HAS SORT OF SOME FUNKY THINGS GOING ON ON THE TRUNK.

AND THIS IS ONE THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO THE GRANDDAUGHTER'S HEART.

SO THE CANOPY LOOKS GOOD THE TRUNK LOOKS BAD, ANY THOUGHTS?

>> YOU KNOW, I REALLY LOOKED AT THIS PRETTY CLOSE.

YOU KNOW, SOME MAPLES DO KIND OF HAVE THAT SHAGGY BARK ONCE THEY ARE OLDER.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A WOUND ON THE TRUNK.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS HEALING ITSELF REALLY WELL.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A WOUND AT THE TOP.

I THINK IT IS FINE, JUST KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

YOU SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS ALSO A MAPLE.

TREATED PROFESSIONALLY FOR CHLOROSIS.

NO IMPROVEMENT.

DOES IT NEED IRON SULFUR?

HOW ABOUT THE WICCA METHOD?

WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> YOU CAN'T FOR SURE KNOW WHICH NUTRIENT IT NEEDS.

YOU HAVE TO DO A LEAF TEST TO FIGURE THAT ONE OUT.

THERE ARE LOTS OF ISSUES THAT COULD RESULT IN THIS ISSUE.

IT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS.

TO CHANGE THE PH OF THE SOIL TAKES A LOT.

WITH THAT BIG OF A TREE, I DON'T KNOW.

>> IT LOOKS PRETTY HEALTHY.

AND JUST SAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THAT COLOR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER.

WONDERING IF HE CUTS DOWN THE WEAK LOOKING, UNHAPPY RED BUD, SHOULD IT GROW BACK AS A BEAUTIFUL MULTI-TRUNK BUSHY TREE?

THEY WERE SIBLINGS.

YEAH?

>> OH, I DON'T KNOW, YOU CAN TRY IT.

IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF THE TREE ANY WAY, YOU MIGHT AS WELL JUST TRY IT TO SEE WHAT IT WILL DO.

ONCE IT GETS THAT OLD I AM NOT FOR SURE IF IT WILL ACTUALLY COME BACK UP LIKE THAT.

YOU ARE NOT OUT ANYTHING IF YOU WANTED TO GET RID OF IT ANY WAY.

SO TRY IT.

>> I HAD ONE GO DOWN AND THERE IT COMES BACK UP AND IT WAS 60.

>> WELL THERE YOU GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL WE HAVE NOT FOCUSED VERY MUCH ON THE TURF THIS SEASON.

BUT AS THE HEAT IS STARTING TO REALLY BOIL, THERE ARE FEW TIPS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR TURF MAKE IT THROUGH THE SUMMER.

HERE'S JEFF TO REMIND YOU OF A FEW THINGS TO DO AND NOT DO WITH YOUR TURF.

>>> NOW THAT OUR SPRING IS COMING TO AN END, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO LOOK AT SOME OF OUR SUMMER TURF MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

FIRST THING WE WANT TO LOOK AT IS RAISING THE DECK OF OUR MOWERS.

MAKING SURE WE ARE MOWING AT 3-1/2 TO FOUR INCHES.

IF YOU HAVE NOT SHARPENED YOUR BLADE LATELY, THIS WOULD BE THE PERFECT TIME TO GET THAT DONE.

THAT WILL HELP TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ROUGHLY-CUT GRASS THAT WILL CAUSE US SOME PROBLEMS WITH DISEASE AND KIND OF HEAT STRESS GOING THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS.

THE NEXT THING WE WANT TO LOOK AT IS MAKING SURE WE ARE WATERING CORRECTLY.

WE DON'T WANT TO WATER OVERNIGHT.

AGAIN, TO AVOID DISEASES.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO LOOK AT GETTING ABOUT AN INCH OF WATER A WEEK ON OUR TURF.

AND THAT INCLUDES ANY RAINFALL.

SO IF WE ARE GETTING SOME GOOD RAINS YOU MAY NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ADDING ANY ADDITIONAL WATER TO YOUR LAWN.

AS FAR AS FERTILIZING, THIS IS REALLY THE TIME WE HOLD OFF ON FERTILIZING FOR THE YEAR.

WE WILL WAIT UNTIL LATER IN AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER TO DO ANY FERTILIZING.

SO NO FERTILIZING RIGHT NOW.

AND, WE WANT TO HOLD OFF ON DOING ANY KIND OF WEED SPRAYING.

SO A LOT OF THE HERBICIDES WILL GET VOLATILE AND KINDA GET AROUND THE YARD.

AND THAT'S WHEN WE END UP WITH OUR VEGETABLES HAVING SOME HERBICIDE DAMAGE.

SO WE WANT TO AVOID DOING ANYTHING LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW.

SO, IT'S GOING TO GET HOT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUR MOWER DECKS UP HIGH.

AND THAT WE ARE CHECKING OUR LAWN.

MAKING SURE IT HAS ENOUGH WATER BUT NOT TOO MUCH AND TIMING OUR WATERING JUST RIGHT.

AVOID OUR FERTILIZER AND AVOID DOING ANY HERBICIDE SPRAYING AT THIS TIME.

AND THAT SHOULD GET US READY FOR LATE IN THE SUMMER.

>>> THANKS, JEFF.

AND IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD TIME, AS JEFF SAID, TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF MAINTENANCE ON THAT MOWER LIKE KEEPING THOSE BLADES SHARP.

AND RAISING THAT DECK.

>> ALL RIGHT, FINAL ROUND.

JODY YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS SO COOL.

THE FIRST YEAR SHE HAS BEEN GROWING A LITTLE SNICK-SNACK PEPPER.

IT'S IN A CONTAINER.

SHE SAW THESE LITTE THINGS HANGING DOWN FROM A COUPLE OF LEAVES.

WHAT ARE THEY?

>> THESE ARE GOOD GUYS.

THESE ARE THE EGGS OF LACEWINGS.

THEY ARE PREDATORS OF APHIDS.

SO THEY PROBABLY HAD APHIDS.

AND THEY ARE LAID ON THESE STOCKS SO THAT WHEN THE LARVE HATCH THEY DON'T EAT EACH OTHER.

>> THAT IS VERY CLEVER.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, JODY.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT THIS FLY-LOOKING THING IS THAT IS HANGING OUT ON HER HOPPS.

SHE TOOK SOME PRETTY GOOD PICTURES.

>> THEY ARE.

AND THEY'RE SO CUTE.

AND THOSE ARE RABBIT BOT FLIES.

SO IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT THAT WAS LIVING INSIDE OF A RABBIT'S EITHER ITS RUMP OR ITS NECK.

YEAH, I KNOW.

EVERYONE IS MAKING FACES.

>> MY GOODNESS.

>> BUT THEY ARE SO CUTE AS ADULT FLIES THEY DON'T EVEN EAT AS ADULTS.

RABBIT BOT FLY.

WHETHER IT IS UNDER THE SKIN FOR THOSE COUPLE WEEKS THEY ARE CALLED WORBLES.

>> WORBLES?

>> AND THE RABBIT LIVES THROUGH IT.

THE RABBITS ARE FINE.

>> HOW IN THE WORLD DO THEY COME UP WITH NAMES LIKE WORBLES?

WHO KNOWS.

GOOD GRIEF.

>> BOT FLIES?

THAT SO CUTE.

>> NO, IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

ON THAT NOTE.

LETS SEE.

ON THIS ONE FOR YOU, MATT, TWO PICTURES.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

WONDERING ARE THESE FLOWERS OR WEEDS?

THEY GROW IN THE GARDEN WHEREVER THEY DON'T HAVE PLANTS.

SHOULD THEY BE LEFT OR PULLED?

>> I DON'T KNOW, THEY LOOK KIND OF PRETTY BUT THEY WILL SPREAD CRAZILY.

THEY ARE YELLOW WOOD SORREL.

OR OXALIS.

AND THEY ACTUALLY HAVE THOSE SEEDS ON THEM.

THEY LOOK LIKE A BANANA.

BUT WHEN THEY ARE RIPE AND YOU TOUCH THEM THEY JUST POP AND SPREAD THE SEED LIKE 10 FEET.

THEY WILL JUST KEEP SPREADING.

ONE WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE WOULD BE TO USE A PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDE WITH ISOXABEN.

SO I MENTIONED PREEN EXTENDED CONTROL.

THAT ONE HELPS AND WORKS WELL ON THAT ONE.

BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO BURN THEM BACK WITH SOME NONSELECTIVE HERBICIDE THAT'S NOT GOING TO VOLATIZE.

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

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS MAPLE.

WONDERING WHETHER A PRE-EMERGE HERBICIDE WOULD PREVENT THE HELICOPTERS OF THE MAPLE TAKING ROOT.

AND I THINK THE SECOND PICTURE, IT APPEARS THEY SPROUT WITHOUT BEING IN CONTACT WITH THE SOIL.

>> YEAH.

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS RAINING THERE IS ENOUGH MOISTURE DOWN THERE.

IT GETS IN THE SEED AND THE SEED WILL ALLOW IT TO SPROUT INSTEAD OF ROOT.

YEAH PRE-EMERGENTS REALLY WILL NOT WORK ON THOSE BIG SEEDS SO I WOULD SAY JUST MOW THEM OFF.

AND THAT IS YOUR BEST OPTION.

OR PULL THEM IF THEY ARE IN THE LANDSCAPE BEDS.

>> EXCELLENT.

>> PRE'S GENERALLY DON'T WORK.

>> OKAY.

ONE PICTURE FOR YOU, KYLE, ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A NEBRASKA CITY VIEWER, HARBOR DAY FARM.

THEY FOUND THIS FUNGUS.

WHAT IS THIS AMONG US?

>> WELL I HOPE THEY DID NOT BURY SOMEBODY UNDER THERE.

BECAUSE IF THEY DID, IT WOULD BE A ZOMBIE.

THESE ARE DEAD MAN FINGERS CAUSED BY ONE OF OUR ZILARIA FUNGI.

THERE WAS PROBABLY A TREE THERE OR SOME TREE ROOT.

AND IT'S JUST SPROUTING THERE.

SOMETHING REALLY FUN AND COOL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> AND ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A MISSOURI VALLEY, IOWA VIEWER.

THIS IS A MUTSU APPLE TREE, THE LEAVES ALL HAVE BROWN SPOTS.

>> YEAH, THIS IS CEDAR APPLE RUST.

FINALLY MADE IT ON TO THE APPLE TREES AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE IT EVERYWHERE.

AT THIS POINT THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

SO JUST ENJOY APPLE TREES THAT LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN SPRAY PAINTED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> TERRI, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SHE HAS STRAWBERRIES.

SHE'S SAYING THEY HAVE A GREAT CANOPY.

START PRODUCING FRUIT, THEY NEVER GET A CROP, FRUIT DOESN'T MATURE, OR THE BERRIES ROT.

THIS IS YEAR TWO, THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE FIRST YEAR.

SO APPARENTLY THESE ARE TWO YEARS OLD.

>> YEAH SO THIS IS PURELY MANAGEMENT.

YOU ARE KEEPING THEM TOO THICK.

SO THERE'S NOT A LOT OF AIR MOVING THROUGH THERE AND NOT GOOD POLLINATION.

POLLINATION HAS TO HAPPEN MAINLY WITH INSECTS ON THESE.

SO, TRY TO CLEAN THEM OUT A LITTLE BIT.

TRY TO CLEAN THEM OUT A LITTLE BIT.

REMOVE THE DOWNSPOUT SO IT IS NOT STAYING SO WET.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF GRAY MOLD, SO-- KYLE IS PROBABLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT AND GET SOME AIR CIRCULATION THROUGH IT.

>> WELL AND SHE'LL HAVE TO DO MOVING OF DAUGHTERS AND KILLING OF MOTHERS.

>> YEP, A LOT OF MANAGEMENT WITH THOSE STRAWBERRIES.

>> YEAH, THERE IS.

ALL RIGHT, TERRI.

THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM FAIRBERRY, PLANTED A BLOODGOOD JAPANESE MAPLE IN LATE APRIL.

HE'S GOT SEVERAL OTHERS.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE LUCK WITH RED BUDS AND DOG WOODS.

SO THEY PUT THIS JAPANESE MAPLE IN INSTEAD.

HASN'T HAD TO WATER MUCH.

HE HAS DEEP WATERED, BUT HE STARTED SEEING A FEW LEAF SPOTS.

IS THIS FUNGAL?

WOULD IT BE A LIQUID COPPER OR IS THIS TOTALLY ENVIRONMENTAL?

>> YEAH, PLEASE DO NOT SPRAY ANYTHING ON THIS.

THIS IS COMPLETELY ENVIRONMENTAL.

JAPANESE MAPLES ARE A LITTLE TEMPERAMENTAL HERE.

AND IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF WATER TO GET THOSE TREES STARTED.

SO, THE FIRST WEEK-- OR FIRST TWO WEEKS YOU ARE WATERING IT DAILY, AT LEAST A GALLON A DAY.

THE THIRD THROUGH THE 12th WEEK YOU ARE WATERING IT EVERY TWO OR THREE DAYS AT LEAST A GALLON A DAY, AND THEM AFTER THAT YOU ARE WATERING IT FOR AT LEAST A YEAR, WEEKLY, A GALLON A DAY UNTIL WELL ESTABLISHED.

SO, IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF WATER.

LOTS MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE THINK TO GET THE TREES ESTABLISHED.

>> WELL AND I THINK THE ONE THING WE ALSO DON'T KNOW ON THIS IS, IS THAT MAPLE IN FULL SUN?

>> YEAH, THEY LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF MORE SHADE.

I DID TRY IT IN FULL SUN AND DIDN'T WORK.

SO.

>> WE HAVE SEEN SOME PRETTY BIG ONES AROUND, BUT I THINK THEY ARE IN EXACTLY THE RIGHT CONDITION.

SO GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

BUT FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES DON'T TREAT.

>> DO NOT TREAT.

>> FOR ANYTHING IT DOESN'T HAVE.

AND I THINK THAT GOES WITH EVERY PANELIST DON'T TREAT FOR SOMETHING IT MIGHT NOT HAVE JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO TREAT IT FOR SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU CAN'T STAND TO NOT TREAT IT.

>> IT IS.

IT'S AMAZING HOW OFTEN PEOPLE WILL SEND IN SAMPLES AND I HAVE, YEAH, I JUST SPRAYED A FUNGICIDE, WELL, IT WAS A BACTERIA OR IT WAS A BUG.

>> OR IT WAS A BUG THAT'S USUALLY -- >> YEAH.

>> THAT IS IT.

>> OR THE SUN.

>> OR THE SUN.

>> ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

SO YEAH, DON'T SPRAY WITH ANYTHING BUT WATER.

ALL RIGHT, AND WITH THAT, WE WILL WRAP IT UP FOR THIS WEEK'S BACKYARD FARMER.

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

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING WERE CAROL RUSTAD, AND LINDA HELTON.

NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER WE'LL BE FOCUSING ON SOME ISSUES WE'VE BEEN SEEING IN OUR OAK TREES.

WE'LL HEAR ABOUT GALLS, WILT AND BLIGHT AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT THEM FROM DAMAGING YOUR OAK TREES.

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!

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