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

TONIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'LL DO SOME SCOUTING FOR PEST INSECTS IN OUR GARDEN, AND WILL WELCOME THE RETURN OF A FORMER PANELIST.

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

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO ANOTHER EDITION OF BACKYARD FARMER.

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

WE CAN TAKE YOUR CALLS AT 1-800-676-5446 OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUBMIT PICTURES AND EMAILS FOR A FUTURE SHOW, THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@.UNL.EDU PLEASE TELL US AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR QUESTION, INCLUDING WHERE YOU LIVE.

WE ALSO HAVE EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU CHECK THAT OUT AFTER THE SHOW.

SO LET'S GET STARTED WITH.

OH MY GOODNESS SAMPLES.

I DID NOT SEE THAT COME OUT OF THE BOX.

>> YEAH, I HAVE, IN MY OPINION, OUR MOST INTERESTING, CHARISMATIC AND BEAUTIFUL BEETLE HERE IN THE STATE.

SO THIS IS LUCANUS ELAPHUS.

THIS IS ONE OF OUR SPECIES OF STAG BEETLES AND THEY GET THE NAME STAG BEETLES BECAUSE THE MALES OFTEN HAVE THESE REALLY EXAGGERATED MANDIBLES THAT RESEMBLE THE ANTLERS OF, OF DEER.

AND SO THESE ARE DECOMPOSERS AS LARVAE.

THEY FEED IN, IN ROTTING LOGS.

SO THEY'RE GENERALLY GOOD HELP RECYCLE NUTRIENTS.

AND THEN THE MALES, THEY USE THESE EXAGGERATED MANDIBLES TO FIGHT EACH OTHER AT FOOD SOURCES FOR ACCESS, REPRODUCTIVE ACCESS TO FEMALES.

SO THEY'LL KIND OF GRAB ON TO EACH OTHER AND THROW THEM OFF OF THE TREE OR WHATEVER SAP FLOW THEY'RE AT.

SO THIS IS ONE OF OUR MOST INTERESTING BEETLES.

>> OH MY GOODNESS, I'D LOVE TO SEE A STAG BEETLE FIGHT.

>> IT'S PRETTY COOL TO WATCH ACTUALLY.

>> HE'S PRETTY TAME.

>> YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

TERRI, WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU HERE?

>> SO I HAVE SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE SOMETHING GOOD TO TALK ABOUT.

OFTENTIMES, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT APPLYING HERBICIDES, AND PEOPLE KEEP SAYING THAT I'VE APPLIED IT MANY TIMES AND IT DOESN'T WORK.

WELL, THESE ARE TWO THINGS THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.

A SURFACTANT IS KIND OF LIKE A SOAP.

SO IT KIND OF HELPS BREAK DOWN THE WATER TENSION AND ACTUALLY HELPS THAT HERBICIDE STICK A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

AND THEN TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING OVER AND OVER APPLYING, THERE'S KIND OF THIS DYE THAT YOU CAN PUT IN WHEN YOU'RE ACTUALLY USING THE APPLICATION TOO.

SO YOU'LL KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING.

SO YOU'RE NOT OVERAPPLYING AND YOU'RE MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE GETTING THE WHOLE PLANT AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

SO TWO TOOLS THAT YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR ARSENAL THAT WILL HELP.

WE'RE TELLING EVERYBODY NOT TO SPRAY QUITE YET BECAUSE IT'S TOO HOT, BUT SOON WE'LL BE SPRAYING SOME OF THOSE PERENNIAL WEEDS.

SO THIS IS A GOOD TOOL TO ADD TO YOUR ARSENAL.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU TERRI AND KEVIN KORUS.

WELCOME BACK TO NEBRASKA.

>> IT'S SO GOOD.

>> TO BE BACK.

>> AFTER NINE YEARS.

>> ALMOST NINE YEARS.

>> AND YOU.

>> FOUND A SAMPLE.

>> YEAH WE STILL HAVE THIS DISEASE.

I DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO TRY TO GET RID OF IT IN NEBRASKA, BUT WE STILL HAVE THIS DISEASE.

SO I HAVE OBVIOUSLY A PINE TREE IN FRONT OF ME.

THIS IS AN AUSTRIAN PINE.

IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A PONDEROSA.

IT'S GOT LONG NEEDLES, BUT IT'S AN AUSTRIAN.

AND IT HAS SOMETHING, WHAT WE USED TO CALL DIPLODIA TIP BLIGHT.

AND BECAUSE MYCOLOGISTS LOVE TO MAKE THINGS EASIER, IT'S NOW, I THINK, NAMED TIP BLIGHT OR SOMETHING THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PRONOUNCE.

DOESN'T MATTER.

IT'S A FUNGAL TIP BLIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO AFFECT BOTH YOUR AUSTRIAN AND YOUR PONDEROSA PINES.

AND AS THE NAME IMPLIES, IT USUALLY JUST CAUSES THE VERY TIPS OF THE BRANCHES TO DIE BACK, LIKE YOU CAN SEE HERE.

SO YOU'LL SEE THIS SPOTTING YOUR TREE RANDOMLY, TIPS THAT ARE TURNING BROWN AND DYING.

ANOTHER GOOD INDICATION THAT YOU HAVE THIS DISEASE IS IF YOU HAVE A PINE CONE YOU CAN FIND, AND YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH ONE OF THESE LITTLE SCALES, YOU WILL SEE TINY, TINY, AND IT'S REALLY, REALLY HARD TO SEE UNLESS MAYBE SOMETIMES YOU CAN SEE WITH THE NAKED EYE.

BUT IT HELPS WITH A HAND LENS, THESE TINY LITTLE BLACK DOTS, AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY CALLED PYCNIDIA.

THEY RELEASE THE SPORES THAT CREATE INFECTION AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

SO A WAY TO HELP REDUCE THIS DISEASE, IF YOU DO HAVE IT ON YOUR TREE, IS MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN UP ALL OF THE NEEDLES AND PINE CONES THAT FALL TO THE GROUND.

IF IT GETS REALLY, REALLY BAD.

THERE ARE FUNGICIDES AVAILABLE, BUT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET IT WITH JUST SANITATION.

>> PERFECT.

THANK YOU KEVIN AND SCOTT.

YOU HARVESTED THESE OUT OF THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN?

>> YES.

I WAS ON CAMPUS MOST OF THE DAY AND GOT PERMISSION FROM TERRI THAT I COULD ACTUALLY CUT STUFF FROM THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

AND THIS IS VERVAIN.

HOARY VERVAIN.

IT DOES NOT MAKE A GOOD CUT FLOWER BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS LITERALLY DROPPING INTO MY COFFEE CUP.

BUT THIS IS A NATIVE PERENNIAL.

IT COULD BE PURPLE, IT COULD BE WHITE.

AND IT'S A REALLY NICE PLANT TO ADD TO YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE IT WILL START TO FLOWER FROM THE BOTTOM.

WORK ITS WAY UP.

IT'S OUR POLLINATORS.

ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.

WE DO HAVE SOME NATIVE SPECIALIST BEES THAT FORAGE JUST ON THE HORAY VERVAIN AND WHAT'S REALLY NICE ABOUT IT, IT'S STRONG, STURDY STEMS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO FLOP OVER UNLESS, WELL, IT CAN WITH OUR STORMS HERE, BUT IT CAN REALLY STAY UPRIGHT.

LOW MAINTENANCE.

IT'S A SHORTER LIVED PERENNIAL, SO IT'S GOING TO MEANDER ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE, BUT CAN SELF-SEED.

BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, IT'S SOMETHING YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER TRYING.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANKS, SCOTT.

ALL RIGHT.

FIRST ROUND OF QUESTIONS COMES TO YOU.

KYLE.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM BLAIR.

SHE IS SAYING WHAT HAPPENED TO HER ASTERS WEEK THEY WERE GREEN AND GROWING.

AND THEN THIS STARTED.

SHE'S GOING TO CUT THEM OFF FOR THIS YEAR.

AND SHE'S WONDERING IF THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

>> YEAH I WOULD WATCH OUT FOR IT.

SO IT'S PRETTY BAD.

THIS IS FROM CHRYSANTHEMUM LACE BUGS.

AND IN THE SECOND IMAGE HERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE SOME OF THOSE ON THE LEAVES.

AND YOU KNOW FOR CONTROL IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO START EARLY WITH.

THEY CAN BE A BIT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

ONE THING YOU CAN GENERALLY DO IS JUST SPRAY THEM WITH A STREAM OF WATER THAT WILL DISLODGE A LOT OF THEM, AND THEY WON'T MAKE THEIR WAY BACK TO THE PLANT OTHERWISE.

YOU KNOW, INSECTICIDAL SOAPS, HORTICULTURAL OILS CAN ALSO WORK, BUT THEY HAVE THEY'RE REALLY LIMITED IN HOW EFFECTIVE THEY'LL BE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY HIDE SO WELL.

THEY LIKE TO GET ON THE UNDERSIDE AND THEN THE EGGS ARE REALLY WELL PROTECTED.

SO IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE EGGS.

YOU'D HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, SORT OF RETREAT AGAIN.

SO I WOULD WATCH FOR IT AGAIN TO POP BACK UP NEXT YEAR AND TRY TO MANAGE EARLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KYLE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM WEST POINT.

SHE FOUND CARPENTER ANTS IN THE KITCHEN.

SHE KILLED THEM.

SHE'S NOT REALLY WORRIED SO MUCH ABOUT THE KITCHEN, BUT SHE DOES HAVE A TREE.

AND SHE'S WONDERING ABOUT WHETHER SHE SHOULD SPRAY THE TREE FOR CARPENTER ANTS.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS RECOMMENDED TO HER.

IT'S MATURE PIN OAKS.

>> SURE.

SO I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND JUST SORT OF HAPHAZARDLY SPRAYING THE TREE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE.

THE MAIN COLONIES ARE GENERALLY IN ENTRIES IN THE LANDSCAPE.

AND THEN WHEN WE GET THEM INSIDE, IT'S USUALLY WHAT, WHAT WE WOULD CALL A SATELLITE COLONY THAT BRANCHES OUT FROM THAT MAIN COLONY.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE INDOORS, THEN IT'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WE NEED TO TREAT OUTSIDE.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING YOU NEED TO IMMEDIATELY TREAT, BUT JUST TREATING THE TREES ISN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING IF YOU DON'T ACTUALLY LOCATE WHERE THAT COLONY IS AND TRY TO REALLY TARGET THAT.

PROFESSIONAL PEST CONTROL OPERATORS DO HAVE BETTER TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, SO I WOULD GENERALLY WORK WITH THEM IF NECESSARY.

BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU REALLY NEED TO AT LEAST IMMEDIATELY.

I WOULD PROBABLY TRY TO WORK ON SEALING UP THE HOME, MAKING SURE THAT THAT'S ALL IN GOOD SHAPE, AND THEN MONITOR FOR ANY ISSUES.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE ONE MORE ANT PICTURE FROM TARNOV.

HE JUST WANTS TO KNOW DOES THIS NEED TO BE CONTROLLED?

>> NO PAVEMENT ANTS I MOST LIKELY.

AND YOU DON'T REALLY NEED TO DO ANYTHING IF THEY'RE OUTSIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE ANT ONE.

AND THIS IS A SOUTHWEST IOWA VIEWER FOUND THESE LITTLE BEAN LIKE THINGS.

SHE JUST WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THE PUPAE OF SOME ANT.

YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO LOTS OF ANTS.

>> YEP.

>> OKAY TERRI, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

WE'VE HAD THIS ONE BEFORE, BUT THIS IS REALLY BAD.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

BETTER WAY TO CONTROL YELLOW WOOD SORREL THAT IS EVERYWHERE.

>> YEAH.

SO WOOD SORREL IS AN INTERESTING PLANT.

WHEN THE SEEDS ARE RIPE, THEY ACTUALLY EXPLODE AND GO ALL OVER.

SO THAT MIGHT BE WHY YOU'RE SEEING IT KIND OF EXPAND WITHIN THE LANDSCAPE.

IF IT IS IN YOUR TURF.

THE BEST WAY IS IT IS AN ANNUAL USUALLY HERE.

SO THE BEST WAY IS A PRE-EMERGENT IN THE SPRING TO HELP KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL.

HOWEVER, IF YOU DO NEED TO KIND OF GET IT UNDER CONTROL NOW, YOU CAN TRY LIKE A TRICLOPYR THAT MIGHT WORK FOR YOU AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED.

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

THIS IS A NORTH BEND VIEWER WHO WANTS TO GET MILFOIL OUT OF HIS LANDSCAPE POND.

>> SO YEAH.

SO THE FIRST THING I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THAT IF YOU DO SEE THIS ANYWHERE AND IT IS IN A PUBLIC POND, THEN YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO GO WORK WITH GAME AND PARKS ON THIS.

THERE'S FOUR DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO IT MECHANICAL, CULTURAL, CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL.

MECHANICAL IS BASICALLY GOING IN THERE AND PULLING IT AND GETTING IT OUT AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

CULTURAL IS.

SO TO STOP ITS PHOTOSYNTHESIS IS TO GET IT EITHER BLACK CLOTH OR PUT A DYE IN THE WATER TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NO SUN GOING IN.

THERE ARE SOME CHEMICALS THAT YOU CAN APPLY, BUT IF IT AGAIN, IS IT IN A PUBLIC LANDSCAPE OR A PUBLIC POND, YOU NEED TO WORK WITH GAME AND PARKS ON THAT.

THEY ARE WORKING ON SOME BIOLOGICAL WHERE THERE'S A WEEVIL THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE EATING IT, BUT NOT A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THAT YET.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE, TERRI.

THIS COMES TO US FROM WAHOO.

SHE SAYS THIS CAME UNDER CAME UP UNDER HER GRAPES.

SHE SHE JUST WONDERS WHAT IT IS.

>> THIS IS A REALLY NICE PLANT.

IT'S A GEUM.

SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY KIND OF USE THIS AS A NICE GROUND COVER.

SO IF YOU WANT TO KIND OF KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL, JUST LEAVE IT THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT?

EXCELLENT.

OKAY, KEVIN, YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE WAD OF TOMATOES, SO YOU CAN WE CAN EITHER BUNDLE THESE FIRST TWO ARE BRANDYWINES CRISPY RAISED BEDS.

THEY'RE ALL BEING WATERED THE SAME.

SHE WONDERS WHETHER SHE CAN REPLANT IN THE SAME SPOT OR IF THESE CAN BE SAVED.

>> YEAH, I THINK BASED ON THE SYMPTOMS, I DON'T THINK THIS IS ANYTHING THAT'S SOIL BORNE WHERE YOU NEED TO WORRY ABOUT NOT PUTTING TOMATOES OR ANOTHER SOLANACEOUS CROP IN THERE.

I THINK YOU'RE TOTALLY FINE.

IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE TO ME.

IT'S KIND OF A GENERAL SCOLDING AND A DISCOLORATION OF THE LEAVES.

I DON'T SEE THE PRESENCE OF ANY FUNGAL LEAF BLIGHTS.

EVEN SO, I THINK YOU'RE TOTALLY FINE PUTTING TOMATOES BACK IN THERE.

I THINK THOSE WILL GROW OUT OF THAT EVENTUALLY.

I'M GUESSING YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT CONTINUE ON THE NEW GROWTH, SO I WOULDN'T REALLY RECOMMEND ANY TREATMENT FOR THAT PARTICULAR CASE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE THIS ONE HAS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER CURLY LEAVES.

SHE UNDERSTANDS CUPPING.

CAN IT BE TREATED BLOSSOMS BUT NO TOMATOES.

>> YEAH.

SO UNFORTUNATELY THIS LOOKS LIKE YOUR VERY TYPICAL GROWTH REGULATOR HERBICIDE DRIFT DAMAGE.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS ALSO SOMETHING CALLED TOMATO CURLY LEAF TOP VIRUS.

I DOUBT IT THAT THIS IS IT.

IF YOU WERE REALLY INTERESTED YOU COULD SEND A SAMPLE OFF FOR TESTING, BUT IT'S USUALLY PRETTY EXPENSIVE.

BUT THIS IS MOST LIKELY HERBICIDE DRIFT FROM A GROWTH REGULATOR TYPE HERBICIDE.

SOME OF THE MOST CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS ARE THE UPWARD CUPPING OF THE LEAVES, AND YOU WILL GET VEINS THAT SHOULD BE NETTED.

THEY'LL BE PARALLEL AND ALL OF THESE BIG MIDRIB LOOKING VEINS WILL ARISE FROM THE PETIOLE.

WHERE THE PETIOLE MEETS THE LEAF ATTACHMENT, YOU'LL SEE PARALLEL VEINS.

IT JUST LOOKS WEIRD.

PROBABLY 2, 4D DAMAGE OR DICAMBA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO MORE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LYONS AGAIN, CURLING, ADEQUATE WATER, ETC.

SHE DOES MULCH.

SAME THING.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBABLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YEAH.

SO ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE PROVIDING ADEQUATE WATER AND YOU'RE GETTING THAT LEAF CURLING AGAIN, IT'S JUST THAT PARTICULAR TYPE OF CHEMICAL WILL CAUSE THAT SYMPTOM.

YOU KNOW PROBABLY NOT OVERWATERING ALTHOUGH YOU CAN KIND OF GET SOME KIND OF WILT SYMPTOMS WITH OVERWATERING OR SOGGY FEET.

BUT AGAIN THIS IS PROBABLY JUST A DRIFT FROM A 2, 4D OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY IS VERY VOLATILE, TURNS FROM A LIQUID INTO A GAS VERY QUICKLY AND CAN TRAVEL MILES AND MILES AND MILES IN THE AIR.

SO EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A NEIGHBOR THAT'S APPLIED IT, YOU COULD STILL GET THE DAMAGE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KEVIN.

OKAY, SCOTT, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS VERY FIRST ONE.

THIS IS AN ESTABLISHED RAISED BED.

SHE'S DONE.

SHE'S GOT ALL SORTS OF THINGS IN HERE.

TOMATOES.

EXCEEDINGLY GNARLY.

I GAVE IT TO YOU BECAUSE KEVIN ALREADY HAD TOO MANY OF THEM.

MAYBE FRESH COMPOST.

SHE'S.

WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON HERE?

>> IT COULD BE A COUPLE DIFFERENT THINGS.

KIND OF PIGGYBACK ON WHAT KEVIN HAD SAID.

THAT IT COULD BE HERBICIDE DRIFT.

TOMATOES, PEPPERS, EGGPLANTS, POTATOES ARE REALLY SENSITIVE TO THOSE SYNTHETIC AUXINS.

SO THAT CAN HAPPEN.

IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO DRIFT.

IT CAN COME IN ON COMPOST.

SO THAT'S ALWAYS A FACTOR.

AWAY TO COME IN, BUT WITH VIRUSES, THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO KNOW IS BY HAVING A SEND SOME PLANTS TO OUR KYLE.

AND WE CAN HAVE THAT TESTED FIGURE OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ON TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, SHE'S TRYING TO GROW YUKON GOLD POTATOES.

SHE SET THEM ON THE GROUND, COVERED THEM WITH COMPOST AND MANURE AS A WAY TO PLANT.

>> POTATOES NEED TO BE IN THE GROUND.

WE WANT TO HAVE THEM IN THE GROUND.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE MUCH HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER.

BUT THIS COULD BE JUST A TOUCH OF A STRESS AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF A FUNGAL ISSUE.

BUT NEXT TIME, PLANT THEM IN THE GROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN ENCOURAGING YOU TO STAY AHEAD OF ANY INSECT OR DISEASE PROBLEMS.

WE THOUGHT WE'D BETTER PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH.

HERE'S KAIT TO GIVE US A MID-SEASON INSECT UPDATE OUT IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

>> WELL, IT'S JULY HERE IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN AND THAT MEANS IT'S PEAK ACTIVITY FOR INSECTS, INCLUDING PESTS AND POLLINATORS ALIKE.

AND ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND THIS TIME OF YEAR IS THE IMPORTANCE OF SCOUTING FOR INSECTS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'RE STARTING TO SEE PEST DAMAGE OCCUR.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE PLANT.

LOOK FOR WILTING, LOOK FOR YELLOWING OF THE LEAVES LIKE WE WOULD SEE WITH APHIDS.

EVEN LOOK FOR HOLES IN THE LEAVES LIKE WE WOULD SEE WITH CHEWERS LIKE CATERPILLARS AS WELL.

BE SURE TO LOOK ON THE UNDERSIDES OF THE LEAVES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF INSECTS SPEND THEIR TIME AND LOOK IN THE BASE OF THE STEMS.

EVEN INSECTS CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE ROOTS AS WELL.

SO A COUPLE OF THINGS WE'VE NOTICED OUT HERE IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN IS ONE OF THIS.

SO WE CAN SEE THE SQUASH VINE BORER HAS DONE A NUMBER ON THESE SQUASH PLANTS.

AND IF WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK, THE SQUASH VINE BORER ACTUALLY BORES INTO THE BASE OF THE STEM OF THE SQUASH PLANT, EATING IT FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

AND SO THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS, LIKE WRAPPING THAT STEM IN TINFOIL OR MAKING SURE THAT WE MONITOR FOR THE ADULTS.

BUT OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO ARE USING A BT BASED SPRAY WHEN THE CATERPILLARS ARE SMALL.

OTHERWISE, WITH THE SQUASH VINE BORER, UNFORTUNATELY IT MIGHT BE EASIER JUST TO RESTART YOUR PLANTING.

ALTHOUGH NOT QUITE AS PREVALENT HERE IN EASTERN NEBRASKA AS WE'VE SEEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WE'RE ALSO SEEING SOME JAPANESE BEETLES IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

AND THE KEY WITH THESE IS IF YOU FIND THEM, GET RID OF THEM, GET THAT BUCKET OF SOAPY WATER OUT, GRAB AS MANY AS YOU CAN AND PUT THEM IN THAT WATER TO KILL THEM.

AND IF YOU HAVE A POLLINATOR GARDEN, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE YOU MIGHT ALSO HAVE SOME MILKWEED.

AND NOT ONLY IS MILKWEED A GREAT HOST PLANT FOR THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY CATERPILLAR, BUT IT'S ALSO ITS OWN LITTLE ECOSYSTEM.

THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE SEEING THOSE BRIGHT YELLOW APHIDS COVERING THE MILKWEED.

AND WITH THE APHIDS, YOU'LL ALSO GET THINGS LIKE LADY BEETLES HAVING A NICE LITTLE SNACK, AS WELL AS ANTS THAT WILL FARM THE APHIDS FOR THEIR HONEYDEW.

IN ADDITION TO THESE WONDERFUL INSECTS, WE ALSO GET THINGS LIKE THE RED MILKWEED BEETLE AND THE MILKWEED BUGS TO.

SO JUST AS A REMINDER, WHEN IT COMES TO INSECTS IN THE GARDEN, WE CAN HAVE BOTH PESTS AND BENEFICIALS LIKE POLLINATORS OR PREDATORS.

SO WHEN YOU SEE DAMAGE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AND FIND THAT CULPRIT, BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE BUGS WE SEE CAN ACTUALLY BE GOOD FOR THE GARDEN.

>> THE IMPORTANT POINT HERE IS NOT THAT WE FOUND SOME PESTS, BUT TO GET OUT THERE AND SNOOP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

MOST OF THE INSECT PESTS WE ENCOUNTER HAVE SOME TIMING ISSUES THAT MAKE THEM EASIER TO CONTROL IF YOU FIND THEM EARLY.

ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE ON THE FIRST ONE FOR YOU, KYLE.

SHE WONDERS WHAT THIS CATERPILLAR IS EATING HER DAYLILY IS IT A BAD GUY OR A GOOD GUY?

>> YEAH.

UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS CATERPILLAR IS FROM THIS.

THIS PICTURE.

HARD TO HARD TO SAY, BUT IT'S NOT A GOOD GUY.

SO IF I IF I SAW IT AGAIN, I'D PROBABLY REMOVE IT.

YEAH.

>> SOME SQUISHING.

ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE AND THEN YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER COUPLE THAT KIND OF GO WITH IT.

FOUND THESE IN ALL THE POTS THAT HAD PETUNIAS.

AND SHE SAYS, OH GOSH, IF THE PETUNIAS ARE PURPLE, THE CRITTER TURNS PURPLE.

>> YEAH, IT'S TOBACCO BUDWORM.

AND THAT'S CHARACTERISTIC OF THEM.

THEY KIND OF TURN THE COLOR OF WHATEVER THEY'RE EATING.

SO IN SMALL PLANTINGS, THE MOST PRACTICAL CONTROL IS JUST HAND-PICKING.

THEY ARE ACTIVE IN THE EVENING.

SO A LOT OF TIMES, YOU KNOW, THE BEST THING IS WAIT TILL IT'S JUST GETTING DARK, GO OUT WITH A FLASHLIGHT AND YOU CAN FIND THEM A LOT EASIER.

THEY'LL HIDE DURING THE DAY.

OTHERWISE YOU KNOW YOU CAN USE LIKE BT ON ON PETUNIAS.

THAT IS AN EFFECTIVE WHERE THEY ARE FEEDING ON THE WHOLE PLANT.

BUT IT'S NOT EFFECTIVE ON EVERYTHING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THAT SECOND ONE WAS THE BUDWORM.

AND THIS ONE WE THOUGHT WE'D TALK ABOUT BECAUSE SHE FOUND TWO LITTLE POTS AND THEN SHE SQUISHED.

WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS WAS A NEST FOR A POTTER WASP.

AND THEY, THEY STING AND, YOU KNOW, STING IN PARALYZED IN THIS CASE CATERPILLARS AND THEN PROVISION THE NEST WITH THAT.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE DEVELOPING LARVA FEEDS ON.

SO THEY'RE BENEFICIAL.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S GOING TO BE A FEW FEWER POTTER WASPS IN HER GARDEN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS KYLE.

AND THAT WAS DUBUQUE AND COLUMBUS AND OMAHA.

SO THEY'RE EVERYWHERE.

AND THIS ONE IS ONE PICTURE FROM BLAIR.

LOVELY PALE YELLOW, MUNCHING ON MAPLE LEAVES.

SHE REMOVED HIM, FEARING THE BIRDS WOULD HAVE HIM FOR BREAKFAST.

>> SO IT'S AN AMERICAN DAGGER MOTH.

AND THEY THEY'RE HOPEFULLY SHE DIDN'T USE HER BARE HANDS OR ANYTHING TO MOVE IT, BECAUSE THEY WILL CAUSE QUITE AN IRRITATION IF THEY TOUCH THE SKIN.

SO THEY'RE ACTUALLY PRETTY WELL PROTECTED.

SO.

BUT YEAH, THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

IT'S A PRETTY COOL MOTH.

>>FUN ALL RIGHT, TERRI.

YOU HAVE FOUR PICTURES ON THIS ONE, BUT BASICALLY THIS IS VALPARAISO AND HE'S GOT TWO PLANTS.

THE BURGUNDY ONE ESCAPED THE CONTAINER AND THE GREEN BROAD LEAF IS ALL OVER THE FARM.

AND HE'S KIND OF WANTING TO KNOW HOW TO CONTROL.

SO HERE'S THE BURGUNDY.

>> SO THIS IS PERILLA.

SO THIS IS AN ANNUAL HERE.

IT'S PROBABLY A PERENNIAL WHERE KEVIN'S FROM.

BUT REALLY THE BEST WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THIS IS MOWING.

DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED.

AND THEN USING LIKE A BROADLEAF HERBICIDE ON IT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER IN THE SEASON, AS SOON AS YOU SEE IT, IT'S TOO DARK OR TOO HOT NOW TO BE TREATING.

AND IT IS AN ANNUAL, SO DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED.

THE OTHER ONE WAS NOT WEED, SO THAT WAS A WEED THAT WE DID.

WE SEE THAT ONE?

>> NO, THAT'S THE NEXT TWO PICTURES AND THEN THE NEXT PICTURE.

SO WE HAVE THREE THAT ARE PROSTRATE.

YEAH I KNOW.

SO WE HAVE PROSTRATE NEAT.

YEP.

WE HAVE A GIANT CARPET.

AND THEN WHAT IN THE WORLD.

>> SO THIS ONE IS OKAY.

SO THIS IS NOT WEED RIGHT.

SO THIS ONE IS USUALLY FOUND WHERE WE HAVE LIKE COMPACTED SOILS.

SO IF YOU CAN AERATE YOUR SOIL THIS IS ALSO ONE THAT YOU CAN EITHER DO CULTURAL OR CHEMICAL TREATMENTS ON.

SO YOU CAN USE LIKE A BROADLEAF HERBICIDE ON THIS.

THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE YOUR BEST BET AS SOON AS IT COOLS DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT IF YOU AERATE THE AREA, THAT SHOULD REALLY HELP KIND OF OPEN IT UP AND YOU MIGHT NOT SEE IT.

ALSO GET RID OF ITS COMPETITION.

SO IF YOU HAVE TURF OR SOMETHING ELSE GROWING THERE, THAT WILL ALSO HELP GET RID OF IT, RIGHT?

>> AND YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH IT SPREADS THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> SO YOU CAN COME TO THE BACKYARD FARM OR GARDEN AND SEE IT THERE TOO.

>> AND PULL IT.

ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE TWO MORE PICTURES, TERRI, THIS IS IN THE COUNTRY OUTSIDE OF CAMBRIDGE WEED TAKING OVER A SECTION OF THE YARD.

SHE'S BEEN DIGGING IT OUT.

SHE'S GOT THREE ACRES OF RAISED FLOWER BEDS.

HOW CAN SHE STOP IT WITHOUT KILLING THE GOOD GRASS?

>> SO THIS ONE IS THE BLACK MEDIC, I THINK.

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

I CAN'T SEE THE PICTURE VERY WELL, BUT.

SO THIS IS BLACK MEDIC.

SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY TREAT THIS ONE VERY SIMILAR TO WHEN I TALKED ABOUT THE YELLOW WOOD SORREL EARLIER.

DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED.

IT'S AN ANNUAL BROADLEAF.

SO TREAT IT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE AND USE A PRE-EMERGE IF YOU SEE IT EARLIER IN THE SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

OKAY, KEVIN, THREE PICKS ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

A RHUBARB BY A SOLID FENCE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE YARD.

NOW IT'S SHOWING THESE RED BLOTCHES.

IS THIS A BUG OR A BLIGHT?

>> I DO THINK THIS IS ACTUALLY A FUNGAL BLIGHT.

A LOT OF THINGS THAT AFFECT RHUBARB WILL MAKE PURPLE LESIONS LIKE THAT.

SO IT'S KIND OF HARD TO TELL.

BUT ONE KEY CHARACTERISTIC TO MADE ME KIND OF KEY IN ON THIS IS THAT AFTER A WHILE, THOSE LESIONS, THE INSIDE OF THAT PLANT MATERIAL WILL JUST BASICALLY FALL AWAY.

PERFECT PICTURE RIGHT THERE.

AND SO WE CALL THAT A SHOT HOLE EFFECT.

IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE SHOT IT WITH A SHOTGUN.

AND THERE'S A FUNGUS CALLED ASCOCHYTA LEAF BLIGHT THAT WILL DO THAT.

AND SO THIS IS PROBABLY WHAT IT IS.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER FUNGAL BLIGHTS OF RHUBARB, BUT IT'S PROBABLY ASCOCHYTA.

DOES IT WARRANT A TREATMENT?

PROBABLY NOT.

I MEAN, YOU CAN SEE IT'S ALREADY PRETTY FULLY WELL GROWN THERE.

AND YOU CAN PROBABLY HARVEST SOME RHUBARB OFF THAT IN THE FUTURE.

AND YOU PROBABLY WOULDN'T NECESSARILY WANT TO PUT A FUNGICIDE ON SOMETHING YOU'RE GOING TO EAT ANYWAY.

SO ANYTHING TO REDUCE LEAF WETNESS, INCREASE AIRFLOW, INCREASE SUNLIGHT TO THAT CANOPY IF YOU CAN.

THAT WILL HELP REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SHOT HOLE YOU GET.

>> GREAT.

ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

EXCUSE ME.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LAKE OF THE OZARKS.

AND THIS IS HYDRANGEAS.

AND HE HAS A LEAF BLIGHT.

HE WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT EITHER SPRAYING THIOPHANATE METHYL OR PROPICONAZOLE, OR WHETHER HE SHOULD DO ANYTHING.

AND I SUSPECT YOU HAVE HYDRANGEAS IN FLORIDA.

>> AND WE DO HAVE HYDRANGEAS IN FLORIDA, BELIEVE IT OR NOT AND GATORS.

>> AND GATORS.

YEAH.

>> I DIGRESS.

SO BASED ON THE SYMPTOMS, I ACTUALLY DO THINK THIS IS CERCOSPORA LEAF SPOT.

IT'S JUST IT'S A DEAD RINGER FOR IT THE WAY IT LOOKS.

AND SO I DO THINK THAT A FUNGICIDE WOULD BE EFFECTIVE.

I WOULD STAY AWAY FROM USING THIOPHANATE METHYL.

WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING A LOT OF RESISTANCE IN DIFFERENT PATHOGEN POPULATIONS TO THIOPHANATE METHYL.

SO I THINK ANY KIND OF REDUCTION OF THAT FUNGICIDE WOULD BE GOOD.

OTHER THINGS YOU COULD USE COPPER CHLOROTHALONIL AND LIKE YOU MENTIONED, PROPICONAZOLE WOULD ALL GIVE YOU GREAT CONTROL AGAINST THAT AND IT'S AN ORNAMENTAL.

SO I MEAN, NOT SPRAY AWAY, BE DILIGENT, BUT YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO EAT IT.

SO YOU COULD PROBABLY PUT A FUNGICIDE OUT IF IT'S REALLY MAKING YOUR LEAVES FALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO, TWO MORE FOR YOU KEVIN.

THIS IS A HONEYSUCKLE THAT'S STRUGGLING.

I THOUGHT IT WAS OVERWATERING, BUT NOW HE'S WONDERING IS IT MILDEW?

>> DEFINITELY.

POWDERY MILDEW AND POWDERY MILDEW IS SO UBIQUITOUS IT'S EVERYWHERE IT GETS ON ALMOST EVERY PLANT.

I THINK THE ONLY WAY TO ESCAPE IT IS PROBABLY TO LIVE ON MARS.

BUT MOST OF OUR PLANT PATHOGENIC FUNGI ARE LEAF BLIGHTS.

THEY REQUIRE STANDING WATER ON THE LEAF BLADE TO CAUSE INFECTION, BUT POWDERY MILDEW DOESN'T.

IT JUST NEEDS HIGH HUMIDITY.

SO YOU'LL OFTEN SEE THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

AND I THINK THIS IS THIS IS A HONEYSUCKLE VINE.

I THINK THIS IS ALSO EARLY POWDERY MILDEW.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO TELL FROM JUST THE PHOTO.

IF THOSE WHITE SPOTS BECOME FUZZY, THEN IT'S A VERY GOOD CHANCE THAT IT'S POWDERY MILDEW.

AGAIN, MOST OF YOUR OVER-THE-COUNTER FUNGICIDES WILL GIVE YOU SOME CONTROL OF THIS, AND IT'S HARD TO CONTROL ENVIRONMENTALLY BECAUSE AGAIN, ALL IT REALLY NEEDS IS HIGH HUMIDITY FOR IT TO OCCUR.

SO MAYBE YOU CAN PRUNE SOMETHING OUT OF THE WAY TO INCREASE SUNLIGHT, AIRFLOW, ETC.

THAT'LL HELP.

>> RIGHT?

AND OUR DEW POINTS ARE A LITTLE HIGH RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH.

IT'S LIKE FLORIDA OUTSIDE.

>> EXACTLY.

ALL RIGHT SCOTT YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LEWISVILLE A RASPBERRY PLANTS.

THEY LEAF OUT.

THEY HAVE FLOWERS.

THEY DON'T EVER FRUIT.

AND THE GRAPES ARE FINE.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S MORE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY WONKY WEATHER THIS YEAR.

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A FUNGAL PATHOGEN, BUT WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY COOL AND COOL AND HOT SPRING DAYS THAT COULD HAVE AFFECT THE POLLINATION.

BUT JUST TRY TO MAKE SURE DO PROPER PRUNING AND GOOD PLANT HEALTH CARE PRACTICES.

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

THIS COULD COME TO US FROM ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY OR THE STATE.

PROBABLY.

THIS IS FROM CLARKSON.

THIS IS A YOUNG, FAST GROWING MAPLE, VERY CHLOROTIC, WONDERING IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE FOR THIS.

>> CHLOROSIS?

BECAUSE BY A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT THINGS SOIL PH, ROOT DAMAGE AND EVEN WATERLOGGED SOILS.

THAT GRASS LOOKS REALLY GREEN.

WE'VE HAD LOTS OF MOISTURE.

MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GIVING THE PLANT ANY ADDITIONAL WATER UNLESS WE GO BACK INTO A DROUGHT, BUT YOU COULD HAVE A SOIL TEST DONE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PH IS, AND THEN TREAT ACCORDINGLY.

IRON, MANGANESE, AND ZINC ARE USUALLY THE METALS THAT CAN CAUSE THIS, BUT THE LOWERING OF THE PH CAN HELP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM FOUR MILES NORTH OF GIBBON.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TEN YEARS.

HIS PAIR HAS A LOT OF FRUIT.

HE'S WONDERING.

SHE WITHIN THE FRUIT ON HIS PEAR TREE.

>> IDEALLY, YES.

WE WANT TO HAVE PRUNE IT TO EVERY 4 TO 6 IN.

THAT'S GOING TO HELP PREVENT ANY TYPE OF BREAKAGE.

WE GET BETTER FRUIT PRODUCTION.

IDEALLY WE WANT TO DO THIS BEFORE IT GETS TO THIS SIZE.

BUT YES, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND THIN SOME OF THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SCOTT.

WELL, AS THE SUMMER ROLLS ON, WE LIKE TO KEEP YOU UP TO DATE WITH WHAT TO EXPECT WEATHER WISE FOR THE WEEK.

ONCE AGAIN, HERE'S GANNON RUSH FROM THE HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER TO TELL US WHAT IS COMING OUR WAY.

>> THANKS, KIM.

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT 4TH OF JULY AND GOT A CHANCE TO GO OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE NICE WEATHER.

WE HAVE A TYPICAL SUMMERTIME WEEK AHEAD OF US.

TEMPERATURES ON FRIDAY WILL BE NEAR NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR, BUT WE'LL COOL DOWN INTO THE 80S ON SATURDAY.

ON SUNDAY, WE'LL HEAT BACK UP TO NEAR NORMAL, AND THEN ON MONDAY WE'LL HAVE OUR HOTTEST DAY OF THE WEEK WITH HIGHS IN THE 90S STATEWIDE.

IT WON'T STICK AROUND FOR LONG THOUGH, AS A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH AND ON WEDNESDAY, TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 70S.

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

SEVERE STORMS ARE ONGOING IN THIS AREA AND WILL LIKELY HAVE HEAVY RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.

ANOTHER LINE OF STORMS IS EXPECTED TO FORM TOMORROW NIGHT OUT WEST AND BRING MUCH NEEDED RAIN TO THAT AREA.

OUTSIDE OF THESE TWO EVENTS, THE NEXT BEST CHANCE OF RAIN WILL BE WITH A COLD FRONT COMING THROUGH IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK, AND THAT'S YOUR WEEK OF WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU, KIM.

>> THANKS, GANNON.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

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

THERE'S MUCH MORE BACKYARD FARMER RIGHT AFTER THIS.

[Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] WELCOME BACK TO BACKYARD FARMER COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE KEVIN OUT TO THE GARDEN.

HEAR ABOUT SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HORTICULTURE AND NEBRASKA AND FLORIDA.

YOU CAN STILL CALL IN THOSE QUESTIONS TO OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS AT 1-800-676-5446, OR SEND US THOSE PICTURES AND EMAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU RIGHT NOW, OF COURSE, IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

SCOTT, YOU'RE IN THE HOT SEAT.

OKAY, WE HAVE BEEN GETTING THIS QUESTION FOR WEEKS AND WE'RE STILL GETTING IT.

PEOPLE ARE WONDERING, IS IT STILL OKAY TO TRIM THEIR YEWS BECAUSE THEY'RE GROWING LIKE TOPSY?

>> YES YOU CAN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING ABOUT USING ORGANIC FERTILIZER PLUS EGGSHELLS, PLUS COFFEE GROUNDS AROUND HER TOMATOES.

>> YES, YOU SURE COULD.

EGGSHELLS WILL HELP.

IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO BREAK DOWN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAYS THE HIBISCUS BUDS ARE DRYING UP BEFORE THEIR OPENING AND THEY DON'T SEE ANY INSECTS.

>> IT COULD BE THRIPS.

THRIPS?

DO YOU LIKE TO GET INSIDE THOSE FLOWERS AND SUCK THE LIFE OUT OF THEM?

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE SEVERAL VIEWERS SAYING THE TOMATOES ARE FLOWERING.

THEY'RE NOT SETTING FRUIT.

WHY?

>> SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME.

>> TOMATOES ARE FLOWERING.

NO FRUIT.

>> IT'S BEEN HOT TOMATO.

THE POLLEN CAN BECOME STERILE AND WE DON'T GET FRUIT SET.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A BEE BALM.

THAT WAS FINE LAST YEAR.

AND THIS YEAR IT DIDN'T COME BACK AT ALL.

IS THAT JUST BECAUSE.

>> THAT'S JUST BECAUSE BEE BALMS ARE KIND OF A SHORT LIVED PERENNIAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

ALL RIGHT.

>> I'M READY TO BRING THE THUNDER.

>> TO THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

>> PERFECT.

>> I PROBABLY FORGOT ALL THESE.

>> BUT LET'S DO IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE IN NEBRASKA, PEOPLE ARE WANTING TO FILL THE HOLES IN THEIR TREES AND SEAL THEM SO THEY DON'T GET SHROOMS.

YES.

NO.

OR MAYBE.

>> I WOULDN'T DO IT.

WHEN YOU DO THAT, YOU CREATE ACTUALLY AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S MORE CONDUCIVE TO ROTTING TYPE FUNGI.

WET, MOIST, DARK.

SO I SAY LET IT OPEN.

LET IT SEAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAYS, CAN YOU USE A MILK SUBSTANCE TO SPRAY ON FOR POWDERY MILDEW?

MILDEW?

>> NO, I WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING THAT'S NOT LABELED FOR THE TREATMENT OF POWDERY MILDEW.

SOME OF THOSE SUBSTANCES THAT YOU USE ARE ACTUALLY FOOD FOR THE FUNGUS AND CAN MAKE IT WAY WORSE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THE SAME VIEWER IS WONDERING WHAT ABOUT DILUTED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE OR SODA AND WATER?

>> POSSIBLY YES.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE SODA AND WATER, TO BE HONEST, BUT HYDROGEN PEROXIDE CAN ACTUALLY HELP REMOVE SOME FOLIAR FUNGAL TYPE THINGS.

BUT AGAIN, IT'S PROBABLY NOT A UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA RECOMMENDATION.

>> OKAY.

>> WE HAVE SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS NOW ASKING, DO CEDARS PREVENT FRUIT FROM FORMING ON APPLES?

>> THEY CAN BECAUSE OF CEDAR APPLE RUST.

YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

VERY NICE JOB.

WE DIDN'T HEAR THE THUNDER.

>> I DIDN'T WIN.

>> AND WE TRIED.

WE DID TRY.

ALL RIGHT, TERRI, ARE YOU READY.

>> AFTER THAT?

I'M NOT FOR SURE.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A DAVID CITY VIEWER.

WE'VE HAD THIS SEVERAL TIMES TOO.

BUT IT'S STILL COMING AROUND.

AND THAT IS CREEPING.

CHARLIE IS COMING UNDER THE FENCE.

HOW DO THEY CONTROL CREEPING CHARLIE?

>> CREEPING CHARLIE'S BEST CONTROLLED IN THE FALL WITH A BROADLEAF HERBICIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A COUPLE OF VIEWERS HAVE SENT IN PICTURES OF THINGS THEY THINK ARE POISON HEMLOCK.

THE QUESTION IS, ARE THERE ALWAYS PURPLE SPOTS ON THE STEMS OF POISON HEMLOCK?

>> USUALLY, YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WONDERING WHAT IS THE 3-WAY PRODUCT FOR FALL WEED TREATMENT?

>> 3-WAY PRODUCT IS USUALLY ONE THAT HAS LIKE THREE DIFFERENT CHEMICALS IN IT.

SOMETIMES IT DEPENDS ON WHICH BRAND YOU GET AS TO WHICH THREE CHEMICALS THEY'RE PUTTING IN.

SO JUST LOOK FOR BROADLEAF WEED KILLER.

IT'S USUALLY WHAT YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THEY SHOULD GO AHEAD AND USE TORDON FOR THE TREE OF HEAVEN STUMP THAT IS 15FT FROM A COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE.

>> NO.

>> THIS PERSON ALSO HAS KENTUCKY COFFEE TREES ALL OVER THE YARD.

SHOULD THEY USE TORDON ALL OVER THE YARD?

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB ON THAT ONE.

OKAY, KYLE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WHO'S GOT WHAT, BUT HERE WE GO.

THIS IS A VIEWER IN GREENWOOD WHO WONDERS, IS THERE ANY WAY SHORT OF MOWING TO CONTROL GRASSHOPPERS ON THREE ACRES?

AND THEY DON'T WANT TO USE CHEMICALS.

>> WITHOUT CHEMICALS?

NO.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING HOW TO KILL JAPANESE BEETLES NATURALLY WITHOUT HARMING PEOPLE'S OR PETS.

>> HAND PICK THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE AN UNDERWOOD VIEWER WHO WONDERS, IS THERE ANY WAY TO TELL WHICH PRAYING MANTIS YOU HAVE WHEN THE BABY IS ONLY A QUARTER OF AN INCH LONG?

>> NOT THAT I AM AWARE OF, NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A BLAIR VIEWER WHO SAYS NO DAMAGE TO THE GERANIUMS, BUT THEY'VE GOT DEAD AND DEAD JAPANESE BEETLES.

IS THERE A CHEMICAL IN THE GERANIUMS THAT'S KILLING THE BEETLES?

>> I KNOW, I DON'T KNOW OF THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IN OMAHA, VIEWERS WONDERING, SHOULD THEY USE A SOIL DRENCH FOR REDBUD BORERS RIGHT NOW?

>> NO.

>> OKAY.

EAB INJECTIONS, SHOULD THEY STILL HAPPEN EVERY OTHER YEAR?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE CHEMICAL THAT YOU'RE USING.

SOME OF THEM ARE EVERY OTHER YEAR.

SOME CAN GO A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

SO IT WOULD JUST DEPEND.

BUT YEAH, IF YOU HAVE A VULNERABLE TREE THAT YOU'RE WANTING TO PROTECT.

>>DO IT.

>>YEAH.

>> THREE WAY TIE.

>> WHAT.

THERE'S A TROPHY NOW GIVE ME ONE MORE.

>> AND YOU DID NOT WIN IT.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU CAN HOLD IT.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, FROM TIME TO TIME, TERRI LIKES TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THE ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS IN THE GARDEN.

TONIGHT.

SHE'S FOCUSING ON OUR NASTURTIUMS.

HERE'S TERRI TO TELL US MORE.

>> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

WE'RE GOING TO START LOOKING AT MORE OF OUR ALL-AMERICA SELECTION WINNERS FOR 2025.

WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO LOOK AT THREE TODAY.

ALL OF THEM A NASTURTIUM ALL OF THEM IN THIS REALLY GREAT SERIES.

THIS IS A REGIONAL WINNER.

SO IT ONLY ACTUALLY WON IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

BUT WE'RE REALLY HAPPY ONE HERE IN THE IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE COUNTRY WE HAVE A NASTURTIUM BABY RED, BABY GOLD AND BABY YELLOW.

ALL THREE ACTUALLY PERFORM THE SAME AND GROW THE SAME.

THEY'RE JUST DIFFERENT COLORS.

THESE ARE A FANTASTIC ONE.

SO THE SISTERS ARE VERY PETITE.

THEY ARE VERY MOUNDING.

SO A LOT OF TIMES WE SEE NASTURTIUMS KIND OF TRAILING OUT AND ABOUT.

THESE HAVE STAYED VERY NICE AND VERY MOUNDED.

THEY HAVE A NICE DARKER FOLIAGE.

THEY ARE FANTASTIC FOR CONTAINERS AND THEY WILL TAKE A SMALLER SPACE IN THE GARDEN.

AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, WE HAVE THEM IN OUR LANDSCAPE BEDS AND THEY'RE LOOKING GREAT.

THE JUDGES ALL PRAISED THEM, SAYING THAT THEY WERE VERY UNIFORM AND ALL THEIR COLORS ARE VERY RICH.

SO STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN AND CHECK OUT OUR NASTURTIUMS, BABY RED, GOLD AND YELLOW.

>> CHERRY.

AND WE'RE GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO FEATURE THOSE NASTURTIUMS.

MAYBE YOU'LL GRAB SOME FOR NEXT SEASON.

AND SCOTT, WHAT DO WE HAVE FOR PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

>> TODAY?

WE HAVE PURPLE, AND THE FIRST ONE THAT WE HAVE UP HERE IS GOING TO BE OUR BASIC PURPLE CONEFLOWER.

THEY ARE TRIED AND TRUE PERENNIAL.

THEY DO GREAT.

THE BEES THE BUTTERFLIES ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM.

AND THEN THE TALLER PLANT UP HERE IS HERRENHAUSEN OREGANO.

THIS IS NOT FOR PIZZA.

THIS OREGANO IS A GREAT ORNAMENTAL.

IT CAN BE USED IN CONTAINERS.

IT WILL GIVE THAT NICE CASCADING THROUGH THRILLER LOOK.

BUT THE BEES AND BUTTERFLIES LOVE IT TOO.

AND IT'S A NICE LONG FLOWER TIME SO YOU CAN GET A LOT OF BANG FOR YOUR BUCK FOR IT.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANKS, SCOTT.

BEAUTIFUL COMBINATION.

WELL AND ALWAYS WE LOVE TO HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COOL THINGS GOING ON IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

SO WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE MONUMENT VALLEY IRISH SHOW SATURDAY, JULY 19TH.

AND THAT IS OF COURSE OUT IN SCOTTSBLUFF AND GERING.

SO THEN WE HAVE THE PLYMOUTH FLOWER AND ART SHOW THAT IS SATURDAY, JULY 12TH IN THE PLYMOUTH, NEBRASKA COMMUNITY BUILDING.

WE HAVE EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS COMING UP AGAIN.

AND THAT IS OF COURSE ON EAST CAMPUS SATURDAY FROM 10 TO 1.

WE HAVE THE WESTERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE THEATER, WEST GARDEN WALK, THAT IS SATURDAY, JULY 19TH.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT SEVERAL BUSINESSES IN GERING AND SCOTTSBLUFF, AND HARMONY NURSERY AND DAYLILY FARM IN BRADSHAW.

DAYLILY DAYS, JULY 7TH THROUGH THE 26TH.

AND THAT IS JUST A BEAUTIFUL THING TO BE ABLE TO SEE.

SO THE GARDENING GARDENING HAS NOT STOPPED.

ALL RIGHT.

QUESTIONS.

AS WE HEAD TOWARD THE END OF THE SHOW.

THIS IS ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE FOR YOU.

KYLE, THIS IS BELLWOOD, NEBRASKA.

WHAT KIND OF BUGS ARE FEEDING ON THE BIRCH?

>> JAPANESE BEETLES.

AND THEY'RE OUT IN FULL FORCE NOW.

SO DEPENDING IF YOU KNOW, IF YOU CAN REACH, YOU CAN HANDPICK.

OTHERWISE THERE ARE PYRETHROIDS LABELED THAT ARE LABELED FOR BIRCH AND JAPANESE BEETLES THAT COULD BE COULD BE AN OPTION TO TREAT IF THEY'RE CAUSING A LOT OF ISSUES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT.

THIS IS AN ACREAGE IN RAYMOND.

HAZELNUTS AND WILD PLUM DOING FINE.

AND THEN 20 WERE TOAST.

>> OH YEAH JAPANESE BEETLES AGAIN.

SO YEAH SIMILAR IF IT'S IF IT'S SORT OF A SMALLER VULNERABLE PLANT YOU MIGHT WANT TO TREAT THAT MORE MATURE TREES.

THEY CAN TOLERATE A LOT OF FEEDING BUT THESE PROBABLY SOMETHING LIKE A PYRETHROID AGAIN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO FOUND WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS AN ALBINO BEE.

IS THERE SUCH A THING?

THIS IS NORTH OMAHA.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

SO THERE COULD BE LIKE LEUCISTIC BEES OR INSECTS.

THEY'RE ALSO HONEYBEES.

SOMETIMES TO COUNT VARROA MITES, THEY'LL COVER THEM IN POWDERED SUGAR.

AND THEN THE VARROA MITES WILL DROP OFF.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS MAYBE A BEE THAT HAD BEEN COVERED WITH POWDERED SUGAR AND HASN'T GROOMED IT OFF YET.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> IT'S A SUGAR BEE.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS JUST A DIFFERENT BEE PICTURE.

HE FOUND THIS ONE ON A RIVERBOAT CRUISE FROM PARIS TO THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

>> YEAH.

VERY BEAUTIFUL.

IT LOOKS LIKE A BUMBLEBEE.

SO.

>> VERY COOL.

AND THEN WE HAVE AN OMAHA VIEWER, AND HE'S WONDERING WHAT THIS IS.

>> THIS IS A BURYING BEETLE.

SO THESE ARE PRETTY COOL.

AND THEY THEY FEED ON CARRION, USUALLY SMALL VERTEBRATES.

AND THEY'LL BURY IT.

AND THEN THE, THE PARENTS WILL ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF THE OFFSPRING AND LIKE REGURGITATE CARRION THAT THEY FEED TO THE, THE GRUBS.

SO >> GREAT.

YUCK.

OKAY, TERRI, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A SPIRIT LAKE, IOWA VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IF WE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THIS GRASS IS GROWING ON THE HILLSIDE.

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE WHEAT GRASSES.

SOME OF THEM ARE REALLY GREAT FORAGE GRASSES THAT THEY PUT IN PASTURES AND STUFF.

SO IF YOU WANT IT THERE, YOU COULD POTENTIALLY GET THERE.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE PRETTY AGGRESSIVE.

BASICALLY, YOU HAVE TO GO DOWN AND LOOK AT LIKE THE LIGULES AND STUFF TO GET A TRUE IDENTIFICATION.

SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE LIKE THE WHOLE PLANT INTO YOUR EXTENSION OFFICE CLOSEST TO YOU IN IOWA.

AND THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FOR SURE IDENTIFY THAT A LITTLE BIT CLOSER FOR YOU, BUT ONE OF THE WHEAT GRASSES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM SCOTTSBLUFF.

INVASIVE GRASSES.

WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON HERE FOR THESE.

>> WE HAVE LOOKED AT THIS, AND I HAVE GONE LITERALLY THROUGH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY TURF BOOKS.

I'M GOING TO SUGGEST YOU TAKE THIS INTO THE EXTENSION OFFICE.

FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT THIS MUCH CLOSER, I'VE PRETTY MUCH ELIMINATED EVERYTHING THAT I COULD POSSIBLY THINK OF BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE COLORING IS ON THIS ONE, SO I AM NOT FOR SURE.

>> THEY CAN LET IT SEED OUT.

THAT WOULD PROBABLY HELP.

>> THAT WOULD HELP, BUT IT'S IN THERE MOWED TURF, SO.

>> JUST LEAVE A FOUR INCH SPOT.

UNMOWED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE.

TERRI.

THIS IS AN ASHLAND VIEWER.

WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS LAWN WEED IS AND HOW DO WE GET RID OF THIS ONE.

>> SO THIS IS A PERENNIAL.

THIS IS WINDMILL GRASS.

THIS IS ONE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MANAGE A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

IT DOES LIKE DRY COMPACTED SOIL.

SO IF YOU CAN AERATE THAT WOULD BE BEST.

AND THEN YOU CAN USE LIKE MESOTRIONE IF YOU NEED TO USE A CHEMICAL ON IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

OKAY, KEVIN.

TWO PICTURES.

THIS IS OMAHA.

CONCORD GRAPES.

HE THINKS THEY HAVE BLACK ROT.

HOW DO.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

THE VINES ARE 3 TO 4 YEARS OLD.

>> OKAY.

YEAH.

THIS PICTURE IS NOT OF BLACK ROT.

THERE.

THAT'S JUST MORE 2,4D DAMAGE.

UNFORTUNATELY, GRAPE IS VERY, VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO 2,4D OR AND OR YOUR AUXIN TYPE GROWTH REGULATOR HERBICIDES.

THIS HOWEVER, DOES LOOK LIKE BLACK ROT.

SO THIS IS A FUNGAL DISEASE.

AND THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN REALLY PREVENT THIS YOU'RE NOT GOING TO CURE IT.

YOU HAVE TO PREVENT IT USING BASICALLY FUNGICIDES.

AND IT'S FROM WHEN THE PLANT STARTS TO BLOOM.

YOU HAVE TO PROTECT IT THROUGH FRUIT SET JUST SO THAT THOSE FUNGI CAN'T LAND ON THE FRUIT AND CAUSE INFECTIONS LIKE YOU'RE SEEING THERE.

AND THOSE NASTY BLACK SPOTS THAT MAKE THEM UNEDIBLE UNMARKETABLE.

SO PREVENTATIVE FUNGICIDES, BUT THEY NEED TO START AT FLOWERING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

KEVIN THIS IS FROM EARLY IOWA.

SO BROWN SPOTS ON THE YOUNG APPLES.

>> I DON'T LOOKING AT THESE PICTURES I DON'T THINK THIS IS ANYTHING LIKE APPLE SCAB OR APPLE CEDAR APPLE RUST.

THIS IS PROBABLY EITHER SOME INSECT FEEDING OR JUST PHYSICAL WOUNDING TO THE OUTSIDE OF THOSE APPLES.

I DON'T THINK THIS WARRANTS ANY TYPE OF TREATMENT.

I'M GUESSING HE'S NOT SEEING THAT ON A LOT OF APPLES.

I'M GUESSING THAT'S JUST A RANDOM APPLE HERE OR THERE.

AND AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY KIND OF A TREATMENT.

I WOULD RECOMMEND PHYSICAL DAMAGE, EITHER BY AN INSECT OR JUST RUBBING UP AGAINST THE BRANCH OR SOMETHING.

>> LIKE THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

HARD TO TELL WHETHER THIS IS FIRE BLIGHT PEAR TREES.

TREES ARE 40 YEARS OLD.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

AND THE DAMAGE ON THIS IS CRAZY.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE SOME KIND OF BIOLOGICAL AGENT IS ATTACKING THESE TREES.

AND MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS FIRE BLIGHT TWO.

HOWEVER, WITH FIRE BLIGHT, I WOULDN'T EXPECT TO SEE FULLY DEVELOPED FRUIT.

FIRE BLIGHT IS A BACTERIUM THAT COMES IN THROUGH THE FLOWER, AND IT USUALLY DESTROYS ANY CHANCE OF PUTTING OUT A FLOWER OR FRUIT THAT SIZE SO TO ME THIS LOOKS LIKE IF, IT IS FIRE BLIGHT, IT HAPPENED AFTER IT SET FRUIT, AND MAYBE AS A RESULT OF A HAILSTORM OR SOME KIND OF DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED TO THAT TREE, THEN WE COULD SEE.

WE COULD SEE FIRE BLIGHT ENTERING THE TREE OTHER THAN THROUGH THE FLOWER, IF THERE WAS A LOT OF DAMAGE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS WAS ACTUALLY A LIGHTNING ROUND TWO.

BUT THIS IS A LINDEN AND THEY PUT FOAM IN THE HOLE AND THEN PAINTED IT BROWN.

AND THE BASE OF THE TREE ALSO HAS IT.

WHAT DO WE THINK HERE.

>> SO THAT'S AN ACTUAL THAT'S LOOKS LIKE A CHICKEN OF THE WOODS FUNGUS RIGHT THERE.

AND SO THE THING IS, IS THAT FUNGUS IS TRIGGERED TO PUT OUT THAT BIG FRUITING BODY, THAT ORANGE BODY, WHEN IT RUNS OUT OF FOOD AND IT'S EATING THE WOOD, THE XYLEM OF THAT TREE, WHICH IS ITS STRUCTURAL HOUSING.

RIGHT?

SO THAT MEANS THAT INSIDE THAT TREE THERE'S PROBABLY NOT A LOT OF STRUCTURE LEFT.

SO THERE IS A HIGHER CHANCE OF THAT THING COMING DOWN.

COULD BE TOMORROW, COULD BE FIVE YEARS FROM NOW.

IT'S HARD TO SAY.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY YOU DO HAVE THE INTERIOR OF THAT TREE PROBABLY SLOWLY DEGRADING.

AND THAT IS YOUR STRUCTURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OKAY.

THREE PICS ON THIS.

FIRST ONE FOR YOU SCOTT THIS IS ATKINSON BARK COMING OFF THIS MAPLE.

AND NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE.

THEY THEY'RE WONDERING IS THIS A GONER.

AND I THINK WE HAVE SOME PRETTY TERRIBLE PICTURES HERE.

GOOD PICTURES OF A TERRIBLE THING.

>> NEVER A GOOD THING WHEN WE SEE BARK FALLING OFF OR CRACKS IN THE TREE, YOU JUST MIGHT WANT TO PUT A PLAN IN PLACE FOR A REMOVAL OF THIS TREE.

BECAUSE SILVER MAPLES ARE SOFT WOODED TREE AND CAN BECOME A HAZARD.

>> ALL RIGHT, THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

ALSO, SCOTT, THIS COMES TO US FROM ONAWA, IOWA.

WINDBREAK 18 YEARS.

THEY'RE STARTING TO LOSE THEIR NORWAY SPRUCE.

BUT THEY ALSO ARE SAYING THAT WATERING WAS IT WAS VERY DRY.

SO WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> THEY'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING A DROUGHT JUST LIKE WE HAVE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

THIS LOOKS MORE ENVIRONMENTAL.

THERE COULD BE A TOUCH OF A DISEASE IN THERE.

SEND IT TO YOUR LOCAL EXTENSION OFFICE, BUT KEEP WATERING.

>> RIGHT.

AND THE ONES THAT ARE TOO BROWN ARE FORMER.

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE PICTURE FOR YOU, SCOTT.

THIS IS ACTUALLY THEY SAW OUR FEATURE ON OAKS AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO HERBICIDES.

THIS IS SWAMP WHITE OAKS.

SHOULD THEY GIVE UP ON THIS OR SHOULD THEY GO AHEAD AND HOPE IT GROWS OUT OF IT.

>> OAKS ARE HARDY TREES.

THEY CAN USUALLY REBOUND.

JUST KEEP GOOD PLANT HEALTH CARE AND IT SHOULD BE OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS.

WELL, WE ARE SO GLAD KEVIN COULD COME BACK TO VISIT US.

IT HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN A BLAST TO HAVE HIM HERE TODAY.

ON THE SHOW EARLIER, WE TOOK HIM OUT TO THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN AND HAD HIM TALK ABOUT NEBRASKA HORTICULTURE AND FLORIDA HORTICULTURE, SORT OF.

>> NOW, AS WE JUST SAW IN OUR PREVIOUS SEGMENT, IT IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO GET OUT INTO YOUR GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE AND SCOUT, SCOUT, SCOUT, WHETHER IT'S FOR INSECTS OR FOR DISEASE.

THE OLD ADAGE IS SO TRUE, AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.

SO IF YOU CAN GET OUT THERE AND FIND WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR GARDEN EARLY ON, THERE'S A BETTER CHANCE THAT YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL ESTHETIC LANDSCAPE.

AS I WAS WALKING THROUGH OUR BEAUTIFUL BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, IT'S PRETTY CLEAN, SO PROPS TO THOSE WHO ARE OUT HERE MANAGING IT.

NOT A LOT OF DISEASES, BUT I DID FIND ONE ROTTING AND SPOTTY ON THIS LITTLE BABY APPLE TREE.

AGAIN, THIS IS A VERY, VERY COMMON DISEASE IN NEBRASKA.

CEDAR APPLE RUST.

AND WHEN WE LOOK HERE ON THE LEAVES, WE HAVE THE VERY, VERY TELLTALE SIGN OF THIS DISEASE, WHICH IS THESE BRIGHT ORANGE CIRCULAR PUSTULES THAT EVENTUALLY BECOME ERUMPENT AND THEY BREAK OUT OF THE PLANT TISSUE.

AND IF YOU RUB YOUR FINGER ACROSS THE LEAF, IT'LL TURN ORANGE.

IF YOU ARE JUST HAVING SOME BACKYARD APPLES, TREATMENT MAY NOT BE NECESSARY.

BUT IF YOU ARE IN THE APPLE INDUSTRY AND YOUR LIVELIHOOD DEPENDS ON THE MARKETING OF THESE APPLES, YOU MAY WANT TO THINK ABOUT A FUNGICIDE TREATMENT.

AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT, THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

BUT THE KEY IS TO APPLY RIGHT AT BLOSSOM.

YOU WANT TO PROTECT THOSE BLOSSOMS UP THROUGH WHEN THEY PUT ON FRUIT, SO THAT NONE OF THOSE GROSS ORANGE PUSTULES END UP ON YOUR FRUIT.

THE NICE THING ABOUT SCOUTING FOR PLANT DISEASE IN NEBRASKA, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT STEPPING ON A WATER MOCCASIN.

HERE'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHILE OUT SCOUTING YOUR GARDEN.

THIS IS WHAT WE WOULD CALL FLIGHTING.

THIS PLANT CLEARLY IS INFECTED WITH A VIRUS.

PART OF IT IS NOT DOING AS WELL AS THE OTHER PART.

IT'S STUNTED AND YELLOW, SO IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A FLAG.

HEY, CHECK ME OUT NOW.

AS WE DISCUSSED IN OUR PREVIOUS SEGMENT, IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT WHENEVER YOU'RE OUT ROGUING DOING WHATEVER, FERTILIZING, WATERING YOUR PLANTS TO SCOUT FOR BOTH INSECTS AND DISEASE TO STAY AHEAD OF ANY TROUBLES.

>> IT IS REALLY FUN TO SEE OLD FRIENDS.

AND THANKS KEVIN, IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN.

MAYBE WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET YOU GO HOME.

>> MY MOM WOULD LOVE THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE FOR YOU, KYLE.

THIS IS A FUN.

WE'VE HAD IT BEFORE, BUT HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S MAKING THESE HOLES.

>> THEY'RE ANTLIONS.

THESE ARE PITFALL TRAPS.

AND WHEN A BUG WALKS IN THERE, THEY THROW SAND AT IT SO IT CAN'T GET OUT.

AND THEN THEY LAY IN THE BOTTOM AND EAT IT.

>> OKAY, WE HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS UNDERWOOD, IOWA.

HE JUST KIND OF WANTS TO KNOW WHO THIS WHO THIS GUY IS.

>> IT'S BELONGS TO A GENUS CALLED SLENDER CRAB SPIDERS.

>> FUN.

AND THEN TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS RURAL WESTERN OTOE COUNTY FOUND THIS UNIQUE MOTH A TWO INCH SPREAD.

HE'S WONDERING WHO.

WHAT?

AND IS IT BENEFICIAL OR NOT?

>> MORE OR LESS.

NEUTRAL.

SO THIS IS A LARGE MAPLE SPANWORM.

THAT'S THE NAME OF THE MOTH.

THEY FEED ON ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT TREES, BUT NOT REALLY A PROBLEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TERRI.

A ONE PICTURE FOR THIS ONE.

THIS IS A PRAIRIE GRASS FIELD SOUTH OF SEWARD.

WONDERING ABOUT THIS.

SHE'S CALLING IT A WEED, BUT THIS IS ACTUALLY A NATIVE PLANT.

>> YEP.

SO THIS IS WILD LICORICE.

IT ACTUALLY ATTACHES THE BURRS ATTACHED.

AND THAT'S KIND OF HOW IT SPREADS ABOUT PROMOTING GOOD STRONG GRASS.

IT WILL HELP KEEP IT OUT OF THE WAY IT IS IN THE BEAN FAMILY.

SO IF YOU NEED TO PUT A LITTLE EXTRA FERTILIZER ON IT, THAT SHOULD HELP A LITTLE BIT TOO.

BUT IT'S ACTUALLY KIND OF COOL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS OMAHA.

WE'VE HAD THIS ONE BEFORE.

THIS IS HOOTENANNY.

HOW DOES SHE GET RID OF THIS ONE WITHOUT HURTING EVERYTHING ELSE?

>> YES.

IT'S ALSO CALLED CHAMELEON PLANT.

SO THIS ONE ISN'T KIND OF COOL.

IT'S GOT SOME VERY DEEP ROOTS.

SHE MENTIONED THAT SHE TRIES TO DIG IT OUT AND DOESN'T COME OUT.

THIS ONE IS PROBABLY ONE WHERE I WOULD BE USING THE GLOVE OF DEATH ON.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THIS.

THIS COMES TO US FROM WAYNE.

BEAUTIFUL PICTURE.

BUT SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT WILL KILL RUSSIAN SAGE.

>> SO SHE MENTIONED THAT SHE'S SPRAYED IT WITH GLYPHOSATE BEFORE.

NOT FOR SURE.

THE TIMING ON THAT.

PROBABLY THE BEST TIME WOULD BE IN THE FALL SINCE IT'S A PERENNIAL AND THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE A WAY TO GET RID OF IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

KEVIN, THIS IS COOL.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES FROM BLOOMSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

>> PA, GO STEELERS.

>> AND SO THESE MILKWEEDS ARE SHOWING SOME REALLY STRANGE LEAVES I THINK.

THERE YOU GO.

AND THEY'RE WONDERING IS THIS DISEASE OR IS THIS ENVIRONMENT.

>> SO HARD TO TELL.

AND IT'S NOT LIKE THERE'S A HUGE RESEARCH BASE ON VIRAL DISEASES OF MILKWEED.

SO IT COULD IT COULD ABSOLUTELY BE VIRUS.

IT COULD BE ENVIRONMENTAL.

VERY HARD TO SAY.

I'M GUESSING YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY TO SEND IT IN FOR A VIRAL TEST.

SO KIND OF JUST LEAVE IT ALONE AND ENJOY IT.

>> ALL RIGHT?

YEAH.

BECAUSE HE DID SAY IT WAS A COOL, WET SPRING.

AND WE HAD A FEW THAT DID THAT.

>> JUST ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

KEVIN, THIS IS A FREMONT VIEWER.

>> SO YEAH.

>> THAT'S A DOLLAR BILL.

AND YOU'LL.

FIND THOSE OFTEN IN THE LAWN.

>> NO THAT'S A $2 BILL.

>> OH IT'S A $2 BILL.

OH MY GOODNESS NO.

SO THAT'S SLIME MOLD THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO SHOW THERE.

EVERYONE THINKS IT'S A FUNGUS.

IT'S ACTUALLY A PROTIST.

IT'S MANY ORGANISMS LIVING TOGETHER IN A LITTLE BUNCH LIKE THAT.

IT CAN BE UNSIGHTLY.

IT LOOKS LIKE DOG VOMIT.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, TAKE A SOAKER HOSE, WASH IT OUT.

>> AND I THOUGHT IT WAS FUN THAT SHE SHOWED IT AS IT'S GROWING.

AND THEN AFTER IT DID.

AND THEN.

YOU'VE GOT TWO MORE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM GRAND ISLAND, TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

AND THE QUESTION ON THAT ONE IS THIS A SLIME MOLD?

WHAT KIND?

WHY IS IT ON THE FOUNDATION OF HER HOUSE AND WILL IT DAMAGE THE CONCRETE?

>> WON'T DAMAGE ANYTHING.

THEY'RE DETRITIVORES.

BASICALLY, THEY EAT JUST DEAD MATERIAL.

WHAT KIND?

I AM NOT A SLIME MOLD OLOGIST.

I COULD NOT SPECIATE FOR YOU.

BUT NO, SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING NEGATIVE ON THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THAT CONCRETE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, SCOTT.

WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE.

A MINUTE AND A HALF.

ONE PICTURE.

THIS IS SYRACUSE.

WHAT CAUSES OUR BROCCOLI TO DO THIS?

>> BROCCOLI IS A COOL SEASON PLANT.

WE'VE BEEN FAR FROM COOL.

IT COULD JUST BE BLEACHING OUT FROM THE HEAT.

IT SHOULDN'T REALLY AFFECT THE TASTE, BUT IT WON'T BE.

YOU CAN'T SET IT TO MARKET.

>> AND IT DOESN'T LOOK VERY GOOD.

ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A CORNER LOT IN PAPILLION.

AND HE'S ACTUALLY ASKED US FOR A SOLUTION FOR UNDER THESE TREES.

SO WE HAD MENTIONED VINCA TERRI HAD MENTIONED VINCA.

AND NOW HE'S WONDERING ANYTHING ELSE COMES TO MIND ON THIS?

>> I THINK A CASSANDRA HOSTAS.

THERE'S EVEN MAYBE SOME SEDGES.

OR YOU COULD JUST EXTEND OUT THAT MULCH RING, REWORK THAT BRICKWORK AND JUST MULCH IT.

BE NICE AND SIMPLE AND PUT A BIRDBATH UNDER IT OR A CONTAINER.

>> WELL AND I THINK HIS REAL HIS UNFORTUNATE ISSUE ON THAT IS HE HAD TO LIMIT.

>> THE BOTTOM LIMIT UP FOR SIGHTLINES.

>> SO THOSE ENVIRONMENTS UNDER SPRUCE ARE A LITTLE DRY.

>> INHOSPITABLE.

>> INHOSPITABLE.

THAT IS A FABULOUS.

>> JUST MIGHT BE BEST TO MULCH.

AND THEN YOU CAN DO SOME FUN YARD ART, MAYBE A CONTAINER JUST FOR A POP OF COLOR.

>> RIGHT?

EXACTLY.

AND ENJOY THE SPRUCE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

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

THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED QUESTIONS THIS WEEK, AND A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

AND TO OUR SPECIAL GUEST, KEVIN, HELPING US ON THE PHONES TONIGHT WE HAD TIM DUNGAN AND CAROL RUSTAD.

THANKS FOR VISITING.

NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'LL CONTINUE OUR LOOK AT MID-SEASON PESTS, AND THIS TIME KYLE WILL DO SOME SCOUTING FOR COMMON DISEASE PROBLEMS.

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

SO GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD GARDENING.

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