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

♪ TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL HEAR ABOUT TRANSFORMING A LAWN INTO A LANDSCAPE, AND TAKE A LOOK AT SOME AGGRESSIVE PLANTS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO TAKE OVER YOUR YARD.

THA'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 THOSE GARDENING QUESTIONS.

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

OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

WE'LL TAKE YOUR EMAILS AND PICTURES FOR FUTURE SHOWS.

THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

AND OF COURSE, WE NEED TO KNOW AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE GOING ON, INCLUDING WHERE YOU LIVE.

THERE'S PLENTY OF GREAT EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS AND PAST PROGRAMS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO HELP YOU DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY.

DO BE SURE TO FOLLOW US DURING THE WEEK ON OUR FACEBOOK FA -- PAGE.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER.

SO, LET'S START WITH SAMPLES.

WAYNE, YOU ARE JUST ROCKING AND READY.

>> I AM.

WELL, YOU GOT TO GET READY FOR THE CAMERA SO THAT THEY CAN DO THEIR MAGICAL WORK SO THAT THE AUDIENCE CAN SEE.

I BROUGHT SOME APPLES WITH ME TODAY FROM MY APPLE TREE.

IT'S BEEN EITHER TOO HOT, TOO WINDY, OR TOO RAINY, OR I JUST DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO -- THEY WANT ME TO RAISE IT ABOVE THE BAR.

THERE WE GO.

AND I HAVEN'T GOTTEN THEM SPRAYED.

AND SO, IF YOU WANT TO GROW GOOD BACKYARD FRUIT, ESPECIALLY APPLES, IN OUR STATE, YOU NEED TO BE ON A GOOD SPRAY SCHEDULE AND FOLLOW THOSE LABELS ACCORDINGLY, AND AT LEAST ALTERNATE BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT PRODUCTS, PREFERABLY THREE IF YOU GOT THE OPTION TO.

HAVE DIFFERENT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS FROM DIFFERENT CLASSES.

AND THESE HAVE THE CLASSIC CRESCENT MOON.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN ANGLE THIS CORRECTLY.

CRESCENT MOON SHAPE ON THERE, SO IT'S PLUM CURCULIO THAT HAS DEPOSITED AN EGG INTO THIS APPLE.

THAT EGG WILL HATCH, AND IT'LL EAT OUT A PORTION OF THAT APPLE ON THE INSIDE, AND THEN YOU DON'T GET FRUIT THAT'S VERY GOOD TO EAT.

SO, THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT FOR YOU TONIGHT.

JUST A REMINDER, IF YOU'RE GONNA DO BACKYARD FRUIT, YOU -- YOU STAY ON THAT SPRAY SCHEDULE TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THIS HAPPENING, 'CAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF WILD PLUMS IN THE STATE, AND SO WE HAVE A LOT OF PLUM CURCULIO TO INFEST YOUR APPLES.

>> EXCELLENT.

AND THEN YOU GET PROTEIN WITH YOUR APPLE.

OKAY, JEFF -- >> SIDE BENEFIT.

>> WHAT DO YOU HAVE -- I KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE.

WHY DO YOU HAVE IT?

>> WELL, A FEW -- WELL, A MONTH AGO MAYBE, YOU HAD YELLOW ARCHANGEL AS THE PLANT OF THE WEEK, SO -- >> RIGHT.

>> -- I WAS THINKING ABOUT IT.

NOW THAT IT'S DONE FLOWERING, AND THE SEED HEADS ARE FORMING, AND IT'S STARTING TO SPREAD AND DO ITS THING AS A GROUNDCOVER, I THOUGHT WE COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES OF USING A GROUNDCOVER IN A SHRUB BED, OR AROUND SOME TREES, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IF YOU HAVE A BIG MULCHER AND YOU WANNA CUT BACK ON YOUR MULCHING, AND ALSO HELP SUPPRESS SOME OF THE WEEDS THAT MIGHT BE GROWING IN THAT AREA, AND THEN YOU'RE QUESTIONING, "WHAT DO I DO WITH THE WEEDS?

DO I SPRAY 'EM?

WHAT DO I DO, 'CAUSE I HAVE TREES OR SHRUBS THERE?"

FIND YOURSELF A NICE GROUNDCOVER THAT WILL DO WELL AND, KINDA, TAKE CARE OF ALL THOSE PROBLEMS FOR YOU.

THEY SUPPRESS THE WEEDS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO MULCH.

THEY'RE PRETTY, THEY FLOWER.

>> AND THAT ONE SPREADS BY SEED AND RUNS.

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

>> SO, IT'LL -- >> YEAH, RIGHT.

>> IT'LL DO A NICE -- >> AND WITH OUR COOL WEATHER AND A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN, THIS THING WENT FROM KINDA DORMANT, TO, YOU KNOW, GREW A FOOT OVERNIGHT, SO.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JEFF.

OKAY, AMY.

BANANA PEPPERS.

>> BANANA PEPPERS.

SO, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT LOOKALIKES TODAY.

SO, IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT THESE BANANA PEPPERS, THEY'RE A LITTLE YELLOW IN COLORATION.

THE NEW LEAVES ARE PUCKERED.

AND AS YOU LOOK AT THE SIX-PACK, WE'RE GONNA SAY THAT THESE AREN'T HEALTHY AS A WHOLE.

AND WHEN WE START SEEING SOME OF THAT YELLOWING, AND MODELING, AND PUCKERING OF THE LEAVES, IT HAS A TENDENCY OF HAVING -- LEANING TOWARDS VIRAL DISEASES.

AND PEPPERS HAVE A LOT OF VIRAL DISEASES THAT ARE ACTUALLY SEA TRANSMITTED, SO WE DON'T SEE 'EM RIGHT AWAY UNTIL THE PLANTS START GETTING STRESSED AND START GETTING LARGER.

HOWEVER, FOR THESE PEPPERS, THIS WHOLE SIX-PACK HAVE THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS, WHICH MAKE ME GO, "NAH, IT'S NOT A VIRUS."

THESE ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN STUCK INSIDE AND NOT GETTING ANY LIGHT.

AND SO, THEY'VE TURNED YELLOW AND NOT GROWING AS THRIFTY.

SO, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, WE CAN SOMETIMES GET DISEASES CONFUSED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL.

AND IF YOU HAVEN'T PLANTED YOUR GARDEN YET, MAKE SURE YOUR PLANTS ARE GETTING AMPLE SUNLIGHT, OTHERWISE THEY'RE GONNA LOOK A LITTLE YELLOW BEFORE YOU PUT 'EM OUT THERE.

IN ALL REALITY, THIS LAST WEEK, YOU DIDN'T WANT TO PLANT 'EM BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN WHIPPED TO SHREDS.

>> EXACTLY.

THANK YOU, AMY.

ALL RIGHT, SCOTT, THOSE ARE ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.

>> LAST WEEK, YOU HAD SOME PEONIES AS PLANT OF THE WEEK, SO I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST EXPAND UPON -- OOPS.

THERE WE GO.

-- JUST EXPAND UPON WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

THESE ARE INTERSECTIONAL PEONIES.

THEY'RE A CROSS BETWEEN A HY -- HERBACEOUS AND A TREE PEONY.

SO, WE'RE GIVING IT THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

WE ARE GETTING SOME FANTASTIC COLOR.

WE HAVE BARTZELLA, THIS YELLOW ONE RIGHT HERE.

AND NEXT TO IT, WE HAVE WHAT'S -- THIS IS FANTASTIC, WE HAVE WHAT'S -- CAL'S MEMORY.

STUNNING COLOR.

THE NICE THING ABOUT THE INTERSEXUAL PEONIES, THEY HAVE STRONG, STURDY STEMS, SO THEY'RE NOT GONNA FLOP ON YOU.

THEY ARE POWDERY MILDEW RESISTANT.

SO -- WHICH IS A HUGE BONUS, BECAUSE THAT'S BECOME A PRETTY BIG PROBLEM AT THE END OF THE SEASON.

OCTOBER, YOU CAN CUT THE PLANT DOWN, OR JUST LEAVE IT STANDING, EITHER WORKS.

BUT THEY'RE EXPENSIVE, BUT THEY'RE WORTH EVERY PENNY.

>> YOU'RE ACTUALLY BUYING A SHRUB INSTEAD OF A PEONY.

>> YES.

>> EXACTLY.

THAT'S GREAT.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE SOME NICE ONES ON CAMPUS TOO.

PINK.

WE DON'T HAVE THOSE COLORS.

ALL RIGHT, QUESTIONS.

YOU GET THE FIRST ONE, WAYNE.

THIS IS TWO PICTURES.

THIS IS A BELLEVUE VIEWER CONCERNED WITH THESE BURS, HE'S CALLING THEM, ON HIS ASH.

HE'S NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.

HE SAYS HE'S SEEING IT ALL OVER.

THIS IS BELLEVUE.

AND A LITTLE BIT OF SPARSENESS IN THE CANOPY AS WELL.

THEY DID HAVE IT TREATED FOR E.A.B.

A FEW YEARS AGO.

HE WONDERS WHAT THIS IS.

>> WELL, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SPARSENESS OF CANOPY.

THIS IS ASH FLOWER GALL.

IT'S CAUSED BY A MITE.

IT ONLY ATTACKS THE MALE TREE'S FLOWERS.

SO, IT -- THAT'S ALL IT'S DOING.

IT'S NOT ATTACKING ANY OF THE REST OF THE TREE.

IT'S NOT GONNA HARM THE TREE DIRECTLY.

IT'S JUST UNSIGHTLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THERE'S NOTHING TO DO ABOUT IT.

>> NOTHING TO DO, OTHER THAN, JUST, NOTHING.

ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER, NORTH DOUGLAS COUNTY.

HE'S WONDERING WHAT THIS GROWTH IS ON A YOUNG NORTHERN RED OAK.

SECOND YEAR IN THIS LOCATION.

>> GOOD OLD OAK APPLE GALL.

IT'S NOTHING -- WE SEE IT REGULARLY ON THE SHOW.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S AN ANNUAL PARTICIPANT IN WHAT WE'RE SHOWING.

SO, IT'S COMMON.

BUT THEN AGAIN, IT'S NOT ANYTHING THAT'S REALLY GONNA 'CAUSE ANY MAJOR HARM TO THE TREE.

SO, I THINK THIS WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNE TIME TO USE FRED'S FAMOUS WORDS, "NATURE IS WONDROUS PAGEANTRY.

JUST ENJOY IT AND WATCH IT DEVELOP AND DO ITS THING."

>> THOSE ARE REALLY FUN BECAUSE THEY'RE HOLLOW.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> OAKS HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF GALLS THAT CAN GET ON THEM.

AND SO, THEY LOOK ANYTHING LIKE -- LIKE FUZZY, LITTLE CATERPILLARS, OR ROUND SPOTS, BULLET GALLS THAT DROP OFF, THOSE.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT ONES OUT THERE, AND SO -- >> OKAY, FUN.

ALL RIGHT.

JEFF, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS VIEWER IS FROM FREMONT.

HE'S ASKING, "IS THIS FUNGUS OR SPREADER MALFUNCTION?"

IT'S WEST SIDE, FULL SUN.

HE SAID IT SHOWED UP IN JUST THIS SPOT AFTER THE LAWN COMPANY SPRAYED FERTILIZER.

>> WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS BEFORE THE SHOW.

AND, YOU KNOW, AT FIRST, I WOULD SAY, IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE DOG URINE ISSUES.

>> MM-HM.

>> BUT THIS LATE IN THE YEAR, YOU'RE NORMALLY NOT SEEING THAT.

SO -- SO THAT'D BE THE FIRST THING, IS IF YOU HAVE A LARGE DOG THAT TENDS TO DO HIS BUSINESS IN THE SAME PLACE, THAT MAY BE THE -- THE ISSUE.

THE OTHER MIGHT BE -- IT COULD BE FROM FERTILIZER, BUT IT MIGHT BE, AS WAS SUGGESTED, IT MAY BE FROM CLEANING OUT A SPRAYER, SO, THAT COULD BE.

IF THERE WAS SOME GLYPHOSATE IN THE SPRAYER AND THEY DUMPED IT OUT, MAYBE THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

SO, CLEAN IT UP AND SEE IF SOME OF THE RHIZOMATOUS ACTION OF THE GRASSES AROUND IT WILL HELP FILL THAT SPOT IN.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, JEFF.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A NORFOLK VIEWER.

THIS IS A WEED SHE'S GOT IN HER BERM.

IT WAS THERE LAST YEAR, AND THIS YEAR SHE'S GOT MORE.

>> SO THAT -- SO, WE HAVE SOME YELLOW NUTSEDGE.

SO, IT'S EARLY IN THE YEAR, SO YOU COULD DO A FEW THINGS.

YOU COULD GO AHEAD AND TRY TO PULL IT, SO WE'RE -- USUALLY, YOU KNOW, SOMETIME BEFORE JUNE, WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT THAT WAY.

OR, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, THERE'S JUST SO MUCH OPTIONS, AS FAR AS HERBICIDES AVAILABLE.

SO, YOU'LL HAVE TO READ THE LABELS BECAUSE THEY ALL HAVE ABOUT 12 THINGS IN THEM RIGHT NOW.

BUT IF YOU LOOK FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS HALOSULFURON IN IT.

>> SAY IT AGAIN, SLOWLY.

>> HALLO -- SO, IF -- IF IT HAS HALLO IN IT, YOU KNOW -- >> HELLO.

>> -- THAT'S THE ONLY ONE IN THERE.

OR HALO.

>> HALO.

>> SO, IF IT HAS THAT IN THERE, YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF THE NUTSEDGE.

>> EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SHE SAID THIS PLANT POPPED UP IN HER POLLINATOR GARDEN.

SHE THINKS IT'S A FOUR O'CLOCK.

AND SHE'S APPARENTLY DONE SOME RESEARCH.

SOME PEOPLE THINK IT'S AN INVASIVE SPECIES THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT, OTHERS THINK IT IS NATIVE AND WOULD BENEFIT POLLINATORS.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THIS IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

SO, I THINK IF YOU WANT TO KEEP IT, YOU CAN.

IT MIGHT PRODUCE SOME SEED.

YOU MIGHT HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF FOUR O'CLOCKS NEXT YEAR.

AND IF YOU DON'T WANT IT, YOU CAN PULL IT, SO.

IT CAN BE TOXIC TO ANIMALS, SO THAT WOULD BE ONE REASON, IF YOU HAVE PETS THAT MIGHT BE IN THERE CHEWING ON STUFF.

MY DOG TENDS TO CHEW ON EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN, SO, YOU MAY WANT TO PULL IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, JEFF.

OKAY, AMY, TWO PICS FOR YOU ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS FROM NORFOLK.

HE RECENTLY PLANTED A LARGE CONTAINER OF EVERBEARING STRAWBERRIES.

THEY'RE IN FULL SUN, AND THEY ALL SEEM TO BE DYING OR BURNING.

ANY THOUGHTS ON DISEASE?

OR?

>> I DON'T THINK THIS IS DISEASE.

LIKE, ON THIS PICTURE, YOU CAN SEE THE NEW GROWTH IS NICE AND GREEN.

I BELIEVE THIS IS ENVIRONMENTAL AND A LITTLE BIT OF TRANSPLANT SHOCK, DEPENDING ON WHEN YOU PLANTED THEM.

WE WERE REALLY HOT, NOW WE'VE GOTTEN REALLY COLD.

WE'VE HAD SOME HEAVY RAINS IN THAT NORFOLK AREA, SO I LEAN TOWARD ENVIRONMENTAL.

JUST GIVE IT SOME TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A WASHINGTON COUNTY VIEWER.

SHE SAID, A COUPLE OF CRABAPPLES, ONE GOT HIT BY HAIL LAST YEAR, AND THE LEAVES ARE KINDA LOOKING LIKE THIS.

THEY'RE WONDERING IF LEAVING THAT TREE WILL CAUSE HARM TO ANY OF THE OTHERS.

THEY PLANTED FOUR OTHERS, AND THEY'RE GRANNY SMITH AND GOLDEN DELICIOUS.

>> SO, THIS IS OUR BEST FRIEND, APPLE SCAB.

VERY COMMON.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT CRABAPPLES, A LOT OF SUSCEPTIBILITY, BUT GOLDEN DELICIOUS IS ONE OF THE APPLES THAT YOU PLANTED, THAT IS HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO APPLE SCAB.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU REMOVE THE CRABAPPLE, YOU'RE STILL GONNA RUN INTO APPLE SCAB ISSUES.

SO, KINDA GOING BACK TO WHAT WAYNE WAS SAYING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW, YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE ON A ROUTINE FRUIT SPRAY SCHEDULE FOR THOSE TREES TO PREVENT APPLE SCAB AND CEDAR APPLE RUST, 'CAUSE GOLDEN DELICIOUS IS VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO THAT ALSO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A MIDTOWN OMAHA VIEWER.

SHE GOT ONE TOMATO PLANT THAT HAD SPOTS AND YELLOWING, AND THE TOP WAS CURLING.

SHE PLANTED IT WITH THREE OTHERS.

SHE WAS WORRIED ABOUT IT.

SHE PULLED IT OUT, PUT A NEW ONE IN THE SAME SPOT.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT WAS WRONG, AND IS THIS GONNA INFECT THE REST OF THEM?

>> SO, IF YOU GO BACK TO THE FIRST PICTURE, WHEN YOU START TAKING A LOOK AT IT, IF YOU ZOOM IN ON THAT LEAF, WE HAVE THE CLASSIC EARLY BLIGHT SY -- SYMPTOMS, RIGHT THERE.

SO, THERE'S A LITTLE ROUND CIRCULAR LESION, BROWN, AND STARTING TO GET BLACK.

AND EARLY BLIGHT STARTS VERY EARLY IN THE SEASON.

TYPICALLY, MY RECOMMENDATION IS WE WANNA AVOID OVERHEAD IRRIGATION.

AND ONCE YOUR TOMATOES ARE LARGE ENOUGH, TRYING TO PINCH UP -- A LITTLE WAYS UP, SO THOSE INFECTED LEAVES ARE OFF THE PLANT, SO WHEN WE HAVE RAIN EVENTS, IT'S NOT SPLASHING UP.

AND ALSO USING SOME TYPE OF MULCH IN YOUR GARDEN TO PREVENT THE SWELL FROM SPLASHING UP ON THOSE LEAVES.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

SCOTT, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

IT'S A 3-YEAR-OLD APPLE TREE.

AND -- OR, NO, CHERRY, I THINK.

CHERRY.

GRAFT IS THREE TO FOUR INCHES ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

THAT'S STILL THE TOMATO, SO WE'RE JUST GONNA DESCRIBE THIS FOR A MINUTE.

BUT IT'S A HUGE INJURY.

AND THEY WANT TO -- HE WANTS TO AVOID ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS ON THIS.

THE WHOLE BASE OF THE TREE IS KINDA NASTY.

>> THE BEST THING TO DO IS PUT A TREE GUARD AROUND IT.

IT'S WHEN -- TO HELP KEEP WHATEVER CRITTER, OR HUMAN, FROM DOING ANY FUTURE DAMAGE.

THE PHOTOGRAPH SHOWED THAT IT WAS LACKING MULCH, SO IT WOULD BE A GOOD THING, TOO, TO GO AHEAD AND MULCH THAT PLANT IN.

BUT A TREE GUARD, CHICKEN WIRE, HARDWARE CLOTH, ANY OF THAT WOULD WORK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE ONE PICTURE, I HOPE, ON THE NEXT ONE TOO.

THIS IS IN LINCOLN.

THIS ONE IS AN ELM THROUGH THE STREET TREE PROGRAM, AND THE WOUND IS, KINDA, HALFWAY UP THE TRUNK AND BEGINNING TO COMPARTMENTALIZE A LITTLE BIT, MAYBE.

SHE'S WONDERING -- THERE WE GO -- WHETHER -- WHETHER THAT'S A WORRY?

>> IT -- IT'S HARD TELLING WHAT CAUSED THAT IN -- INJURY, BUT IT DOES LOOK LIKE IT'S RECOVERING.

THIS IS THE -- ONE OF THE TWO TREES THAT WE, KIND OF, MIGHT RECOMMEND USING A PRUNING SEALANT, OR A PRUNING PAINT, TO HELP REDUCE THE CHANCE OF ELM BARK BEETLE TO TRANSMIT DUTCH ELM DISEASE.

BUT OTHERWISE, JUST LEAVE IT ALONE AND JUST WATCH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A NORFOLK VIEWER AGAIN.

SHE'S CALLING THIS A KOREAN MAPLE, ABOUT 4 TO 5 YEARS OLD.

IT'S ALWAYS DONE WELL, BUT THIS YEAR NOT SO MUCH.

AND THE BOTTOM HAS BEEN, KIND OF, DOING THIS SUCKERING THING OR A WHILE.

SEEMED TO HEAL.

THEY'VE DONE SOME PRUNING.

WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> KOREAN MAPLES, THEY DON'T LIKE HOT, DRY CONDITIONS.

SO THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YARD.

IT MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST CHOICE.

YOU COULD GO AHEAD AND PUT A TREE GUARD AROUND IT.

KEEP IT WELL IRRIGATED AND JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT CANOPY AND DO CORRECTIVE PRUNING OF NEEDED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, SCOTT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, MANY PEOPLE LOVE LUSH GREEN LAWNS AND A LOT OF US TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN THEM BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO BE A LITTLE MORE CREATIVE, YOU CAN KEEP SOME OF YOUR TURF, TURN OTHER AREAS OF YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE INTO SOMETHING THAT UPGRADES THE BEAUTY OF YOUR HOME.

WE SENT OUR CAMERAS OVER TO A LINCOLN HOMEOWNER WHO WILL SHOW US A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

♪ >> IT WAS ALL GRASS, RIGHT UP INTO THE BASE OF THE TREE.

SO WHEN WE'D GO OVER IT WITH THE MOWER, WE'D BE HITTING SOME OF THE TREE ROOTS THAT WERE STARTING TO COME UP.

I DON'T ENJOY MOWING.

AND IN OUR LAST HOUSE AT SCOTTSBLUFF, WE HAD GOTTEN RID OF AS MUCH GRASS AS WE COULD AND PUT IN SOME PLANTINGS, AND SOME RAISED GARDEN BEDS.

AND NOW IN OUR NEW HOUSE, WE ARE DOING THE SAME THING.

THE FIRST STEP WAS KILLING OFF SOME OF THE GRASS.

SO WE PUT DOWN LAYERS OF NEWSPAPER OR CARDBOARD, AND THEN PUT DOWN SOME WOODCHIP MULCH ON TOP OF THAT.

AND SO, WE STARTED WHERE WE KNEW FOR SURE WE WERE WANTING TO GET RID OF THE GRASS, MOSTLY AROUND THE BIGGER TREES.

AND THEN WE HAD WORKED WITH A LANDSCAPE DESIGNER TO KIND OF HELP DIRECT US TO GIVE US A SOLID PLAN TO GO AFTER.

SO WE COULD GET THINGS DONE FASTER.

AND ALSO, COMING FROM SCOTTSBLUFF, WE WERE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE PLANTS THAT DO WELL THERE.

AND SO WE WANTED A LITTLE MORE ADVICE ON WHAT WOULD GROW BEST HERE AND ALSO LOOK NICE FOR THE NEIGHBORS.

WE'RE ON A CORNER LOT HERE, SO WE WANT IT TO LOOK GOOD FOR PEOPLE.

SO WE'RE TAKING IT ONE CHUNK AT A TIME.

WE STARTED OVER ON THE BOUNDARY OF OUR PROPERTY, ON THE ONE SIDE ,AND WE COMPLETED ONE LITTLE CHUNK.

SO WE PUT IN A COUPLE OF CHERRY TREES, WE'VE GOT SOME FRUIT BUSHES, STRAWBERRIES -- THOSE ARE PARTLY FOR US, PARTLY FOR THE WILDLIFE -- AND THEN WE'VE GOT SOME POLLINATOR GARDEN PLANTS OVER THERE.

SO MILKWEED, WE'VE GOT SOME BEE BALM.

WE WE'VE GOT A MIX OF THINGS FOR US AND FOR THE WILDLIFE.

SO WE HAD STARTED WITH THAT ONE SMALL BED, IT FELT DOABLE IN THE FIRST YEAR.

AND THEN JEFF, MY HUSBAND, HAD BUILT THOSE GARDEN BEDS OVER THERE, SO THAT WAS ANOTHER -- THAT WAS, I GUESS, PHASE TWO.

AND THEN PHASE THREE HAS BEEN THAT STRIP BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND THE STREET.

SO WE'RE JUST TAKING IT PIECE BY PIECE, AND PLANTING THINGS OUT AS WE HAVE THE ABILITY AND THE FUNDS TO GET THE PLANTS.

ONE THING WE LEARNED IS IF YOU'VE GOT OAK TREES AND YOU JUST HAD A BUMPER CROP OF ACORNS, DON'T PUT THE NEWSPAPER AND MULCH DOWN ON TOP OF THAT BECAUSE GUESS WHAT?

THAT MAKES YOUR ACORNS REALLY HAPPY AND YOU WIND UP WITH A TINY OAK FOREST OF THOUSANDS OF LITTLE TREES.

I THINK PROBABLY IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE IT SLOW IN THE CHUNKS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PLANTS THAT WE'RE PLANNING ON PUTTING IN HERE AND JUST THE AMOUNT OF WORK IT TAKES TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE PLANTS THAT YOU'VE JUST PUT IT AND MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT DIE, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH WATER.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS LANDSCAPE TRANSFORMED WITH A MAGIC WAND BUT THAT WOULD NOT LEAD TO THE PATH OF SANITY.

SO TAKING IT ONE PIECE AT A TIME, BITE OFF CHEWABLE CHUNKS OF THE LANDSCAPE SO YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF THE PLANTS YOU HAVE.

>> THIS KIND OF PROJECT CAN TAKE A FEW YEARS TO ESTABLISH, BUT THE REWARDS ARE NUMEROUS.

A MORE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE, LESS MOWING AND LESS MANAGEMENT AND YOU HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE.

WE DO HOPE THIS FEATURE GAVE YOU SOME GOOD IDEAS AND, AS KATIE SAID, THINK BIG, START SMALL.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S SEE, WAYNE, YOU'VE GOT THREE PICS ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS FROM PAPILLION AND ANOTHER VIEWER FROM LA VISTA SENT THE SAME THING, MOW TWICE A WEEK AND JUST NOTICED THESE CRITTERS IN THE LAWN.

AND I JUST LOVE THIS PICTURE OF THEM CRAWLING UP THE TREE.

HE IS WONDERING WHAT THEY ARE.

THEY ARE LIKE A LITTLE ARMY IN HIS TURF, SO HE'S WONDERING, ARE THEY GOING TO CAUSE TROUBLE TO THE TURF OR TROUBLE TO THE TREE?

>> IF THEY'RE OFF THE TREE ALREADY, THE TREE IS SAFE AND THE TURF IS NOT ON THEIR MENU.

[ LAUGHTER ] THEY'RE FINE.

THIS IS BROWN HEADED ASH SOFT FLY.

NOT THAT THE HEADS ARE ACTUALLY BROWN, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST WHAT IT WAS NAMED.

THEY DO ATTACK THE ASH LEAVES, THEY COME AND GO, THEY'RE SPORADIC.

GENERALLY, AT THIS POINT, THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO DO.

AND YES, I EVEN HAD SOMEONE ELSE FROM UP IN MY AREA GIVE ME A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF THAT.

WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

>> YEAH, GOOD YEAR FOR THEM.

ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE THIS VIEWER HAS HAD ROSE SAWFLY DAMAGE.

HE HAS TRIED SOME THINGS, HE SAID HE PUT SEVEN ON THEM AND THEY'RE STILL BEING CHEWED ON.

THIS IS IN KEARNY.

>> WELL, THE FIRST THING I RECOMMEND IS NOT USING A DUSTER POWDER ON THIS.

BECAUSE THOSE TYPICALLY WORK WELL ON THE SURFACE OF THE LEAVES, AND THOSE ROSE SLUGS START ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAVES.

SO YOU ARE NOT GETTING THE PRODUCT TO WHERE THE PEST IS.

AND THAT'S JUST NOT GOING TO BE AN EFFECTIVE MEASURE FOR CONTROLLING THEM.

I PREFER TO RECOMMEND USING THE HOSE WITH A GOOD, STRONG BLAST BECAUSE THOSE -- SAWFLY LARVAE CANNOT CRAWL BACK UP ONTO THE PLANT.

SO YOU KNOCK THEM OFF, IT'S OVER IT'S DONE WITH.

YOU'VE ACTUALLY WATERED THE PLANT TOO WHILE YOUR WERE AT IT.

>> PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT.

ONE MORE FOR YOU.

THIS ONE IS FROM ELWOOD.

ANTS IN A BRICK PATIO THAT SHE CAN'T GET RID OF -- AND THEY'VE APPARENTLY DONE THE THIS COOL LITTLE ANT COLONY THING.

>> OH YES, GOOD OLD -- THINK IT'S PAVEMENT ANTS.

HARD TO TELL FOR SURE JUST FROM THE MOUND THERE.

BUT THIS IS WHAT THEY DO.

THEY BRING SOIL UP ON THE TOP FROM THEIR TUNNELLING UP UNDERNEATH.

AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO JUST GET RID OF THEM.

IF YOU GET RID OF THESE NEW ONES WILL MOVE IN SOMEWHERE ELSE ALONG THE BRICK PATIO.

IT'S PROBABLY BEST TO JUST MAYBE WASH IT OFF WITH THE HOSE OR SWEEP IT OFF WITH THE BROOM.

YOU CAN USE OUTSIDE ANT BAITS, BUT YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO TAKE CARE OF IT THIS TIME.

AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO COME BACK UP IN ANOTHER SPOT.

WHEN THE NEW COLONY STARTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

LET'S SEE, JEFF -- YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM EVANS, COLORADO.

SHE SAYS SHE NEEDS HELP WITH THIS PLANT, IT SHOWED UP THREE YEARS AGO, SQUIRRELS.

>> OKAY.

>> AND IT IS GROWING SO FAST, SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO GET RID OF IT.

>> WELL, TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE A HONEYSUCKLE, I WOULD GUESS.

SO IT WAS PROBABLY SPREAD BY THE BIRDS.

WE CAN'T BLAME THE SQUIRRELS ON THIS ONE.

SO I THINK THE FIRST THING IS, THEY PULL PRETTY EASILY.

LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE GROWING AROUND THE BASES OF THE PLANTS.

I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD NECESSARILY SUGGEST USING A HERBICIDE ON THEM.

SO, GO AHEAD SEE IF YOU CAN DIG THEM OUT.

OUP PULL THEM OUT.

KEEP THEM CUT BACK BUT DO NOT LET THEM GET ANY BIGGER AND CERTAINLY DON'T LET THEM FLOWER.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS LOUISVILLE AND THEY SAY THEY'RE 300 YARDS FROM THE PLATTE.

THIS IS VERY INVASIVE, STARTED IN THE FOREST NOW IT'S MOVING INTO THE YARD.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEY CAN USE TO GET RID OF IT.

AND THIS IS GARLIC MUSCLE.

>> YEAH, SO -- YOU KNOW BEING MUSTARD, SO IT PRODUCES A TON OF SEED.

SO THIS IS ONE AGAIN -- YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO NOT ALLOW IT TO FLOWER OR PRODUCE SEED.

YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER USING SOME PRE-EMERGENT IN THIS AREA HERE GOING FORWARD FOR A WHILE.

AND YOU KNOW A NONSELECTIVE HERBICIDE WOULD PROBABLY BE PRETTY EFFECTIVE.

BUT AGAIN USE IT VERY CAREFULLY IF YOU HAVE OTHER PLANTS THAT YOU'RE LOOKING OUT FOR.

>> AND CALL YOUR WEED SUPERINTENDENT BECAUSE THIS ONE IS ON OUR LIST.

>> OH YEAH, RIGHT.

>> YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE ONE FROM WEST DES MOINES.

SHE SAYS THIS IS PROLIFIC THIS YEAR.

SHE'S PULLED OVER 150 OF THEM.

HAPPY IN BOTH SUN AND SHADE.

WE KIND OF WENT BACK AND FORTH ON WHAT WE THOUGHT THIS WAS.

RUDBECKIA MAYBE, BUT MAYBE NOT.

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW.

WHEN I FIRST SAW THE PICTURE, I THOUGHT PENNYCRESS, THAT WAS MY INITIAL THOUGHT.

THEN AFTER LOOKING AT IT MORE CLOSELY, I DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS --.

SHE HAS A LOT OF THEM.

AGAIN, THIS IS KIND OF WHATEVER, LATE SUMMER, PRE-EMERGENT SORT OF ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

IF YOU HAVE THINGS GROWING THIS RAPIDLY THIS TIME OF YEAR, CONTINUE TO STICK WITH THE PULLING.

IF YOU NEED TO USE SOME SORT OF HERBICIDE, ANY OF THE NONSELECTIVE WILL WORK AS FAR AS CONTROLLING IT.

>> LET ONE FLOWER AND SEND US A PIC.

>> WELL, AND THAT'S ALWAYS A GREAT IDEA.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT, AMY.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER, SPEAKING OF PEONIES.

HE HAS THREE AND ONE PF THEM LOOKS LIKE THIS.

>> WHEN I FIRST LOOK AT IT, I LEAN TOWARDS HERBICIDE.

BECAUSE IT'S THE NEW SHOOTS WAS MY FIRST.

BUT THE FACT THAT HE HAS OTHERS THAT ARE LOOKING OKAY, I AM GOING TO LEAN TOWARD PROBABLY MORE OF A CROWN ROT ISSUE.

THAT ONE BEING TOO WET POTENTIALLY.

YOU MAY ALSO NEED TO LOOK AT DEPTH THAT IT'S PLANTED AT.

PEONIES ARE PRETTY ABOUT THEIR DEPTH.

I KNOW SCOTT COULD TALK ABOUT THAT A LOT MORE THAN I CAN.

BUT I KNOW THEY'RE REALLY PICKY ABOUT -- IF THEY'RE TOO DEEP THEY DON'T LIKE IT, IF THEY'RE TOO SHALLOW THEY DON'T LIKE IT.

IT HAS TO BE JUST RIGHT.

SO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT CROWN, PULL BACK THAT MULCH AND SEE HOW WET IT IS.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE, AMY,.

THIS COMES TO USE FROM TACOMA.

IRIS ARE REALLY HEALTHY AND DOING WELL.

HOWEVER SOME ROT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THEM AND SHE PULLED SOME UP.

WE'VE GOT THIS PICTURE AND THEN ANOTHER ONE I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE CLOSER.

IS IT A DISEASE?

SHE SAYS THEY ARE NOT WET SINCE IT HAS BEEN SO DRY.

WE DON'T SEE THE STREAKING THAT WOULD BE YOUR BAILIWICK.

>> SO THERE IS A COUPLE ROTS THAT CAN HAPPEN WITH THE BULBS OR CORMS.

THERE ARE TWO OF THE,.

ONE IS FUSARIAM WHICH LIKES IT REALLY DRY, SO IT CAN ROT AND PULL OUT.

THE OTHER IS A BACTERIAL SOFT ROT.

THE WAY YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE, YOU NEED TO DIG THEM UP.

THE BACTERIAL SOFT ROT IS OOEY-GOOEY AND IT STINKS.

I WOULD PROBABLY LEAN TO FUSARIAM, BUT YOU NEED TO DIG HIM UP.

GET RID OF THOSE ONCE THEY'RE DONE BLOOMING AND DISCARD THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THEY'RE BETWEEN WEST POINT AND OAKLAND, FEATHERY NEW LEAVES ON TWO OF THREE ROSEBUSHES.

TREAT OR DIG AND DESTROY?

SHE SAYS NO SPRAY ANY PLACE, BUT WEED AND FEED ON LAWN USUALLY FOR DANDELIONS, BUT IT HASN'T HAPPENED THIS YEAR.

JEFF KNOWS THIS ONE REALLY WELL TOO.

THIS IS ROSE ROSETTE.

YOU NEED TO DIG AND GET RID OF IT.

>> YEAH, UNFORTUNATELY.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SCOTT, TWO PICTURES, THIS FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM A NEW GRETNA DEVELOPMENT.

SO NEW SOIL.

THIS RED SUNSET PLANTED TWO YEARS AGO, MULTIPLE SHOOTS AT THE TOP NOT DOING WELL.

MAIN SHOOT WAS SEVERED.

THEY'RE WONDERING, WHETHER WHICH ONE TO LET BE DOMINANT?

LET THE TREE DECIDE?

OR DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES?

>> WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IS JUST LET THE TREE DECIDE.

FOLLOW THE LEADER.

ONE IS GOING TO COME INTO POWER.

SO GO AHEAD AND TAKE OUT ANY OF HE WEAKER ONE, BUT RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THIS WAITING PHASE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT IS A GREAT USE OF A BABY GATE.

>> IT IS.

ABSOLUTELY.

KEEP THAT MOWER AWAY FROM THE TRUNK.

ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, SCOTT.

THIS COMES TO US FROM YOU, JEFF.

SO HE SAYS HIS MAPLE TOOK A DIRECT LIGHTNING STRIKE SUNDAY.

TOOK DOWN A LARGE PORTION OF THE TREE.

HE IS WONDERING IF THE TREE CAN SURVIVE THE STRIKE.

IS THERE ANYTHING HE SHOULD DO TO TREAT?

>> TAKE A LOOK AT THE OVERALL AESTHETICS OF THE TREE.

SEE HOW DOES IT LOOK.

LIGHTNING DAMAGE CAN TAKE A COUPLE YEARS BEFORE IT SHOWS UP IN THE TREE FOR OVERALL HEALTH.

BUT THIS MAY BE A BLESSING.

YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER TAKING IT OUT BECAUSE THAT IS A BIG WOUND AND IT'S NEVER GOING TO SEAL.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S A QUARTER OF A TREE.

ALL RIGHT.

ONE MORE FOR YOU.

THIS IS 36 TO 38-YEAR-OLD PURPLE ASH.

NEIGHBOR'S TREE DID THE SAME IN THE WIND STORM.

IT'S JUST LEAVES ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> THIS IS NORMAL, JUST GO AHEAD MULCH THOSE BACK INTO THE TURF.

NOTHING TO BE ALARMED ABOUT.

WE HAD A HECK OF A WIND STORM.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE FINE.

>> YEAH, AND IT WAS FUNNY, THAT IT WAS PRETTY MUCH JUST AUTUMN PURPLE.

THE GREEN ASH DIDN'T DO THAT.

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

>> THANKS, KIM.

WE'RE LOOKING AT PRETTY DREARY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AHEAD OF US.

FRIDAY COULD BE A LITTLE WARM WEST OF NORTH PLATTE, WITH HIGHS INTO THE 80s.

OVER THE LONG WEEKEND AND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, IT WILL LIKELY BE CLOUDY AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 60s ACROSS THE STATE.

BY WEDNESDAY, WE SHOULD REBOUND AND TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW-70S.

A GOOD CHUNK OF THE STATE HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF RECEIVING AN INCH OR OF RAIN THIS WEEK.

AS OF RIGHT NOW THE HIGHEST AMOUNT EXPECTED IN THE NORTHERN MOST PART OF THE STATE NEAR VALENTINE.

THERE ARE CHANCES OF RAIN NEARLY EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

SO HOPEFULLY FOLKS GET A DECENT AMOUNT THIS WEEK.

THE DROUGHT MONITOR SHOWED MOSTLY IMPROVEMENTS.

THANKS TO THE GOOD MOISTURE WE HAD LAST WEEK.

THERE WAS SOME SLIGHT GRADATIONS NEAR CAMPBELL AND McCOOK AND THOSE ARE PLACES WE SHOULD DEFINITELY KEEP AN EYE ON AS WE GO FORWARD.

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

>> THANKS, GANNON.

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

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

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

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT SOME INVASIVE PLANTS YOU NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR.

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

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

AND OF COURSE RIGHT NOW, IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND, SINCE WE JUST HAD A TREE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

OKAY.

[ LAUGHTER ] SCOTT, ARE YOU READY?

>> LET'S GO.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS READ SOMETHING ABOUT YEAST FERTILIZER AND BEING GOOD FOR STRAWBERRIES?

ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THAT ONE?

>> I CAN'T SAY I'VE HEARD OF IT.

I WOULD STICK WITH MORE TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A YORK VIEWER WHO WAS WONDERING ABOUT RHUBARB THAT HAS GONE TO SEED.

DOES HE JUST CUT THE SEED OFF, OR CUT THE WHOLE SEED STALK OFF?

>> YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT WHOLE SEED STALK OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO HAS A DWARF KOREAN LILAC THAT NEEDS TO BE MOVED.

THEY'RE WONDERING ABOUT THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO DO THAT.

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION AND I DON'T KNOW THAT ANSWER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DO THEY LIKE FULL SUN?

THATS'S A FOLLOW UP.

>> YES, THEY DO LIKE FULL SUN.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHETHER CUCUMBERS NEED TO BE PLANTED IN MOUNDS, OR CAN YOU PLANT THEM IN ROWS?

>> IT COULD DO BOTH.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> WE ALSO HAVE, FROM LINCOLN OR OMAHA, ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO DISPOSE OF BEDDING PLANT CONTAINERS, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T BE RECYCLED?

>> CITY OF OMAHA DOES PARTICIPATE IN THE ENERGY BAG PROGRAM SO THAT MIGHT BE AN OPTION FOR YOU.

[ THUNDER ] >> EXCELLENT.

NICE.

ALL RIGHT, AMY, READY?

>> YEAH.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN FOLLOW THAT, BUT YES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> OKAY, THIS ONE COMES TO US -- YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM WAHOO, SHE WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE ANYWAY TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT CONEFLOWERS HAVE ASTER YELLOWS BEFORE THEY BLOOM?

>> NOT REALLY.

GOT TO WAIT FOR 'EM TO BLOOM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO HAS AN ESTABLISHED CLEMATIS, AND SAID TWO TO -- SAYS TWO TO THREE OF THE STEMS OF IT WENT BLACK AND WILTED ALMOST OVERNIGHT.

>> I WOULD LEAN TOWARD A CROWN ROT.

GOING IN THERE, PULL BACK THE MULCH, TAKE A LOOK THERE, AND CLIP THOSE TWO STEMS OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS VIEWER HAS ONE OF THOSE BRAIDED TROPICAL HIBISCUS.

OVER WINTERED IN THE ORIGINAL POT, MOVED IT OUTSIDE VERY SLOWLY, AND NOW IT'S YELLOWING AND BLACKY SPOTS ON THE LEAVES.

DISEASE?

>> COULD BE.

I WOULD LEAN TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL, AND IT MIGHT BE NEED TO BE REPOTTED.

AND LOOK FOR SALT TOXICITY ISSUES.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS VIEWER HAS A REALLY GOOD CRABAPPLE WITH NICE FRUIT ON IT, BUT SAYS THE BLOSSOM END OF EVERY SINGLE LITTLE FRUIT IS ORANGE.

>> YOU HAVE WONDERFUL CEDAR APPLE RUST.

YOU NEED TO FOLLOW A SPRAY PROGRAM.

>> ALL RIGHT, DUSTY GRAY APPEARANCE TO THE OLDER NEEDLES NEEDLES ON A FIR?

[ THUNDER ] ANY IDEA?

>> ON A FIR?

>> MM-HM.

>> THAT ONE HAS ME STUMPED.

>> OKAY.

>> TYPICALLY WE DON'T HAVE POWDERY MILDEW ON FIR, BUT IT MIGHT BE.

SEND A SAMPLE OR PICTURE.

>> OKAY, AWESOME.

'KAY JEFF.

>> 'KAY.

>> 'KAY.

THIS IS AN ELKHORN VIEWER WHO HAS -- WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER HE SHOULD PUT DOWN HIS GRUB PLUS HIS TURF BUILDER PRODUCTS IN THE SAME APPLICATION.

IT'S A BLUEGRASS LAWN.

>> YOU KNOW, TYPICALLY, WE'RE GONNA PUT OUR GRUB APPLICATION DOWN HERE IN JUNE.

AND IT MAY BE TOO WARM AT THAT POINT.

SO I -- NO, I WOULDN'T.

I MEAN, IF YOU NEED TO FERTILIZE, FERTILIZE NOW, AND THEN DO THE GRUB HERE OR WHATEVER, A FEW WEEKS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAD A VIEWER WHO COMMENTED ON A NONCHEMICAL WAY FOR GETTING RID OF DANDELIONS.

SHE'S TALKING ABOUT GRAMPA'S WEED PULLER.

ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THAT ONE?

>> ACTUALLY, WE HAVE IMMENSE EXPERIENCE WITH GRAMPA'S WEED PULLER SO, IT'S GOOD EXERCISE AND IT'S RELATIVELY EFFECTIVE.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A PONCA HILLS VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHETHER USING THE GLOVE OF DEATH ON VINING PLANTS WILL HAVE A RESIDUAL EFFECT IN THE SOIL?

>> NO.

>> OKAY, THIS IS A BAYARD VIEWER, WONDERS WHETHER MOWING TUMBLEWEED AND KOCHIA WILL KEEP IT FROM GOING TO SEED?

>> WELL, IF YOU KEEP ANYTHING MOWED AND IT DOESN'T FLOWER, THEN IT WON'T PRODUCE SEED.

SO IN GENERAL THAT WOULD BE THE RULE.

[ THUNDER ] >> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

OKAY, YOU READY, WAYNE?

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY.

THIS ONE ACTUALLY CAME TO US FIRST AS A PICTURE, BUT I'M JUST GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION SINCE THIS IS LIGHTNING.

SHE'S WONDERING, WHERE DO ANTLION PITS OCCUR IN THE LANDSCAPE?

>> TYPICALLY, IN AREAS WITH LOOSE SOIL.

BARE SOILS THAT THEY CAN MAKE THE PITS AND THOSE ANTS CAN FALL DOWN.

UNDERNEATH PORCHES ARE A GREAT PLACE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND THEN THE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION FROM THIS VIEWER IS, IS THERE ONE LION PER PIT OR MORE?

>> OH, THERE'S ONLY ONE LION PER PIT.

THEY ARE NOT FRIENDLY TO EACH OTHER.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> OKAY.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO HAD OLEANDER APHIDS ON THEIR CUP PLANT LAST YEAR, AND THEY'RE WONDERING DID THEY OVERWINTER?

WOULD THEY HAVE OVERWINTERED SOMEWHERE IN THE VICINITY?

AND IS THERE ANY WAY TO CONTROL THEM?

>> AGAIN, I LIKE THE HOSE FOR APHIDS.

IT'S A GREAT CONTROL METHOD, AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE GOING TO GET THEM ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT, 'CAUSE THEY'LL ALTERNATE HOSTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO HAS GRANDCHILDREN WHO ARE GETTING CHIGGER BITES IN THEIR WEST POINT LAWN.

SHOULD THEY FOG OR SPRAY?

>> DON'T FOG.

IF YOU'RE GONNA SPRAY, SOMETHING WITH BIFENTHRIN WOULD BE EFFECTIVE.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE INCH LONG DARK BROWN WORMS WITH MANY LEGS ARE UNDER THE BRICKS, ARE THEY HARMFUL?

[ THUNDER ] >> WITH MANY LEGS, SOUNDS ALMOST LIKE CENTIPEDES OR MILLIPEDES.

MILLIPEDES ARE HARMLESS, RECYCLERS.

CENTIPEDES, CAREFUL IF YOU HANDLE THEM, THEY CAN BITE.

>> THIS GOES TO SCOTT.

AND NO I DIDN'T STACK THE DECK, HE JUST KNOWS HOW TO ANSWER LIGHTNING.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> CONGRATULATIONS, SCOTT.

>> SCOTT AND -- WHO?

WELL, YOU CAN FIGHT IT OUT.

BOTH OF YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE'RE BOTH WEARING THE SAME BLUE TONIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THE BLUES WON.

>> WE'RE SHARING TONIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WE FINALLY GOT OUR GARDEN INSTALLED, OR PART OF IT AT LEAST, THIS MORNING.

OUR MASTER GARDENERS WERE HARD AT WORK GETTING MOST OF THE SEASON'S VEGETABLES AND ORNAMENTALS AT LEAST OUTSIDE, AND THEN POSSIBLY PLANTED.

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

♪ >>> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, WE ARE ENJOYING OVER TWO INCHES OF RAIN IN THE LINCOLN AREA.

SO WE ARE THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ALL OF OUR NEW PLANTS IN HERE AND BE GETTING SOME REALLY GOOD DRINKS.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE OVER THE COMING WEEKEND, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EVEN MORE RAIN, SO PERFECT FOR ALL OF OUR NEW PLANTS.

WHILE IT DID KIND OF SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT OF OUR PLANTING, PLANTING IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING THIS WEEK, AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO GET THESE PLANTS IN THE GROUND.

WE'RE ANXIOUS TO SEE WHAT OUR NEW ALL-AMERICAN SELECTIONS ARE GONNA BE DOING THIS YEAR, AND HOW THEY'RE GONNA LOOK MIXED IN WITH ALL OF OUR PLANTS IN OUR GARDEN.

WE'RE GONNA -- REMEMBER, ALSO WE HAVE OUR PRODUCTION BED, THAT'S GONNA BE STRICTLY JUST VEGETABLES, SO MUCH MORE OF A TRADITIONAL LOOK IN OUR GARDEN.

BUT DOWN IN THE BOTTOM PART OF OUR GARDEN, WE'RE GONNA HAVE THE WONDERFUL COMBINATIONS OF FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES.

SO PLEASE, COME BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN IN A WEEK OR TWO AND SEE WHAT WE'VE DONE, AND HOW OUR PLANTS ARE LOOKING.

♪ >>> A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO OUR WONDERFUL MASTER GARDENERS, OF COURSE, FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK PLANTING, TAKING CARE OF THE GARDEN.

WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER GREAT YEAR.

BUT OF COURSE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

SCOTT, WHAT'S IN THE VASE?

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS FIRST ONE RIGHT HERE WITH THIS PINK FLOWER, THIS IS JUPITER'S BEARD, IT'S ONE OF THE COMMON NAMES FOR IT.

IT'S A REALLY NICE PERENNIAL.

IT'S ONE OF THE FEW THAT CAN FLOWER THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SEASON.

IT'S SHORTER, ABOUT MAYBE A FOOT AND A HALF TO TWO FOOT TALL, ABOUT SAME IN WIDTH.

RIGHT NEXT TO IT IS TRICOLOR BEECH.

THIS IS A REALLY NICE UNDERSTORY SHADE PLANT.

IT DOESN'T WANT DIRECT FULL SUN, IT WILL BURN UP REALLY EASILY.

IT CAN GROW 15, MAYBE 20 FOOT TALL.

IT'S A NICE SPECIMEN TREE IF YOU HAVE THE SPACE FOR IT.

>> EXCELLENT.

NICE COMBINATION.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, SCOTT.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THINGS GOING ON, OF COURSE, IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

VERY FIRST ONE HERE IS WE ARE GOING TO VALENTINE.

SO WE'RE GONNA BE LIVE ON JUNE 10th.

WE WANT A A WONDERFUL, FABULOUS AUDIENCE THERE.

OUR SECOND IS THE MONUMENT VALLEY IRIS SHOW, WHICH IS IN SCOTTSBLUFF.

AND THAT'S GONNA BE A WONDERFUL SHOW AS WELL.

WE'VE GOT ALL THE INFORMATION ON THE SCREEN TOO.

[ SNEEZE ] WE HAVE A THIRD ANNOUNCEMENT, WHICH IS THE SHADY CHOICE HOSTA SOCIETY, WHICH IS SUNDAY, JUNE 1st, 11:00 TO 2:00 IN OMAHA.

WE HAVE ALSO IN OMAHA, THE ROSE SOCIETY SHOW, WHICH IS AT LAURITZEN GARDENS IN OMAHA, ALSO ON JUNE 1st.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

AND THEN WE HAVE WILDFLOWER WEEK IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA, THE WHOLE FIRST WEEK IN JUNE.

WE HAVE A PLANTNEBRASKA.ORG ON THE SCREEN BECAUSE IT IS ALL OVER THE STATE, AND THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS GOING ON.

SO, GREAT, FUN STUFF GOING ON IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

AND LOTS OF QUESTIONS LEFT.

SO WE'RE GONNA PILE RIGHT THROUGH THESE.

YOU HAVE TWO QUESTIONS ON THE FIRST ONE, WAYNE.

SEVERAL PEONY BUDS ARE BEING EATEN BY A SMALL, BLACK BEETLE.

SHE'S NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE.

SHE DOESN'T REALLY WANT TO TREAT.

ANY IDEAS ON THIS ONE?

>> WELL, THIS IS NEW.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I'VE RUN INTO.

YOU ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT THE ANTS CRAWLING AROUND ON THERE, BUT TO HAVE THESE BEETLES IN THERE, AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE THERE'S THAT HOLE GOING IN THERE, SO THAT MUST BE ROTTING OR SOMETHING GOING ON THERE, WHERE THESE SAP BEETLES ARE DIGGING IN THERE AND FEEDING.

IF YOU'VE GOT SOME KIND OF ROT IN THERE, PROBABLY BEST TO CLIP AND DISPOSE OF THAT AND GET RID OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A LINCOLN VIEWER, ONE PICTURE, WONDERING WHAT ARE THESE BUGS ON THE DAISY?

GOOD OR BAD?

>> THESE ARE VARIED CARPET BEETLES, I KNOW.

THEY CAN BE A PROBLEM INDOORS, BUT OUT IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT THEY DO GO TO FLOWERS, EAT POLLEN, AND ACTUALLY GET INTO BIRDS' NESTS, TYPICALLY.

BUT THEY LOVE PEOPLE FOOD THAT'S BEEN LEFT AROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN OGALLALA VIEWER.

SAYS QUITE A FEW OF THESE HAVE BEEN APPEARING IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF THEIR HOUSE.

WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY DEAL WITH THEM?

>> IT'S ONE OF THE DARKLING BEETLES, THEY'RE TOUGH TO IDENTIFY.

IT'S ABOUT THE RIGHT SIZE FOR A MEALWORM, POTENTIALLY, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'VE GOT SOME OLD DOG FOOD, OR SOMETHING, DRY FOOD THAT'S BEEN OPEN FOR A LONG TIME, HANGING OUT DOWN THERE, OR IF THEY'RE JUST GETTING IN THROUGH LIKE, AN OLD CRAWLSPACE.

CHECK THOSE THINGS OUT.

IF YOU'VE GOT OLD FOOD LAYING AROUND THAT THEY'RE GETTING INTO, GET RID OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE.

THIS IS AN ELKHORN VIEWER WHO'S DISCOVERED THESE CRAWLING ALL OVER THE WOOD DECK.

SHE'S HOPING THEY'RE NOT TERMITES.

>> FORTUNATELY THEY ARE NOT.

THEY ARE APHIDS.

AND FOR THIS ONE, THIS IS REMINISCENT OF ANOTHER ONE THAT WE'VE HAD ON THE SHOW BEFORE, WHERE THERE WAS SOME VEGETATION MANAGEMENT THAT HAPPENED AROUND THE DECK AND THEN THOSE APHIDS WERE CRAWLING UP, LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO GO.

SO I'M WONDERING IF THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

YOU'VE GOT -- LET'S SEE -- ONE, JEFF.

THIS IS AN ELKHORN VIEWER, IS THIS A WEED OR IS THIS A FLOWER?

>> IT'S A WEED.

SO WE HAVE KNOTWEED HERE, SO THIS IS ONE THAT, YOU KNOW, I WOULD JUST PULL THIS, NO NEED TO SPRAY IT, MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL OF THE PLANT 'CAUSE IT'LL -- ITS LITTLE ATTACHMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW, SO -- >> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A NORTHWEST OMAHA VIEWER.

"GREETINGS, LAST YEAR COSMOS CAME UP IN THIS SECTION OF THE FLOWER GARDEN."

SHE DOESN'T THINK THIS IS COSMOS.

>> I DON'T THIS SO EITHER.

AND YOU KNOW, AGAIN, LIKE, YOUR EARLIER SUGGESTION OF LET 'EM GROW AND FLOWER, WE COULD DO THAT, CERTAINLY, AND THEN SEND US ANOTHER PIC.

OR GO AHEAD AND HOE THAT AREA OUT, IT'S STILL EARLY IN THE SEASON, AND PLANT SOMETHING YOU'D LIKE TO GROW IN THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

HE SAYS THIS WEED IS THROUGHOUT HIS BACKYARD, AND IT LOOKS LIKE RHUBARB, WHICH HE WISHES IT WAS.

>> YEAH, IT'S NOT.

I THINK THIS IS COMMON BURDOCK.

SO THIS WILL PRODUCE A LOVELY BURR THAT WILL STICK AND DRAW BLOOD.

SO, I WOULD SAY -- >> DON'T EAT IT.

>> DON'T EAT IT.

AND YOU'RE PROBABLY GONNA WANT TO USE A THREE-WAY HERBICIDE ON THIS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE ON THIS ONE FOR YOU, JEFF.

THIS IS AN ELKHORN VIEWER.

THEY HAVE LANDSCAPING ON A SIDE HILL, THISTLES, THEY'VE SPRAYED IN THE PAST, THEY'VE TRIED DIGGING.

IS THERE -- HOW DO YOU GET RID OF --?

>> I WOULD USE A THREE-WAY HERBICIDE, SO NOT A NON-SELECTIVE.

YOU WANT A SELECTIVE HERBICIDE THAT'S GOT THE THREE DIFFERENT 2,4-D, DICAMBA, WHICH I KNOW IS A NASTY WORD, AND -- AND MCCP IN IT.

AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T GO TO FLOWER AND SPRAY THIS.

AND THIS CAN TAKE MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, JEFF.

TWO PICTURES FOR YOU, AMY, ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HICKMAN.

THIS IS YEAR THREE FOR WEEPING WHITE SPRUCE, BROWN NEEDLES FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.

>> THIS ONE HAS ME STUMPED, AND SCOTT AND I BOTH LOOKED AT IT.

IT DOESN'T -- IT COULD BE SIROCOCCUS SHOOT BLIGHT, BUT IT'S NOT VERY COMMON.

MY RECOMMENDATION IS YOU REALLY NEED TO SEND A SAMPLE IN TO KYLE FOR POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION HERE, 'CAUSE WE'RE STUMPED.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A RALSTON VIEWER.

IS THIS TIP DAMAGE?

OR IS THIS THAT DISEASE?

>> THIS IS KABATINA TIP BLIGHT.

LOREN HAD A SAMPLE LAST WEEK.

VERY COMMON TO SEE ON LAST YEAR'S GROWTH ON ANY OF OUR JUNIPERS.

REALLY NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR IT, IT WILL BREAK OFF EVENTUALLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO SAYS, "WHAT IS CAUSING THE MATURE LEAVES OF THIS BURNING BUSH TO CURL?"

NO PESTICIDES, AND WHAT SHOULD THEY DO ABOUT THIS?

>> TO ME THIS STILL LOOKS LIKE PESTICIDE.

IT DRIFTED FROM SOMEBODY ELSE, EVEN THOUGH YOU DIDN'T SPRAY IT, IT DRIFTED FROM SOMEPLACE ELSE.

IT LOOKS LIKE TYPICAL GROWTH REGULATOR DAMAGE.

WAIT AND SEE HOW IT GROWS OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS AMY, SCOTT, YOU'VE GOT ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

IT COMES TO US FROM SIOUX RAPIDS, IOWA.

SHE THINKS THIS IS JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE AND SHE'S JUST WANTING AN I.D.

ON IT.

WHAT DO WE THINK?

>> IT'S A HELIANTHUS.

IT'S EITHER THE PALE-LEAF SUNFLOWER, OR IT COULD BE THE WOODLAND SUNFLOWER.

IT'S AGGRESSIVE.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE SPACE FOR IT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE IT OUT, BUT IT WILL SPREAD.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A BRAINARD VIEWER.

"HAD THIS COME UP IN OUR FLOWERS," SHE THINKS IT'S BLACK SNAKEROOT AND THAT IT MIGHT BE POISONOUS.

>> IT IS BLACK SNAKEROOT.

THERE'S ACTUALLY A COUPLE THAT GO BY THAT COMMON NAME, SO I WOULDN'T BE TOO ALARMED ABOUT THE TOXICITY, BUT IT DOES PRODUCE A SEEDHEAD THAT WILL ATTACH TO EVERYTHING, PEOPLE AND PETS.

GO AHEAD AND TAKE IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, SCOTT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO THOUGHT THIS COOL PLANT CAME UP IN HER HARDY HIBISCUS, AND SHE THOUGHT IT WAS TOBACCO.

WHAT IS IT?

>> IT IS NOT TOBACCO.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] IT IS POKEWEED.

POKEWEED IS A PERENNIAL.

IT'S ACTUALLY A NICE LOOKING PLANT, BUT IT IS TOXIC, SO IT SHOULD COME OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE FOR YOU, SCOTT.

THIS IS LINCOLN VIEWER.

SHE HAS THIS PEANUT CACTUS, WAS THREE INCHES TALL WHEN SHE GOT IT, AND NOW IT'S THIS TALL.

FOUR INCH POT, SHE SHOULD REPOT IT AND IF SO, HOW?

>> UM, IF YOU'RE GONNA REPOT IT, DO IT VERY CAREFULLY.

BUT WHEN YOU UP-SHIFT IT, POP IT INTO A POT NO MORE THAN TWO INCHES LARGER, AND IT'S GONNA CONTINUE TO GET BIGGER FOR YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU, SCOTT.

WELL, WE LOVE PLANTS ON OUR SHOW, BUT SOME OF THEM JUST WANT TO RULE THE WORLD.

AND IF OUR HOMEOWNERS AREN'T CAREFUL, THEY CAN BECOME A REAL PROBLEM.

LET'S HEAR ABOUT A FEW OF THEM AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THEM IN CHECK.

♪ >>> INVASIVE PLANTS ARE PLANTS THAT ARE FOUND IN AN AREA WHERE THEY ARE NOT FROM.

A LOT OF TIME WHEN WE THINK ABOUT INVASIVE SPECIES, WE THINK OF THEM AS BEING BROUGHT FROM VERY FAR AWAY, LIKE ANOTHER COUNTRY, CONTINENT, OR STATE, HOWEVER THEY CAN ALSO BE FROM MORE CLOSE BY, LIKE ANOTHER COUNTY, CITY, OR NEIGHBORING HABITAT.

THEY'RE USUALLY BROUGHT BY SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ACCIDENTALLY OR ON PURPOSE.

ONCE THEY'RE BROUGHT TO A NEW AREA, THEY CAUSE HARM TO THE ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY, OR HUMAN HEALTH.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF INVASIVE PLANTS IS THAT THEY GROW RAPIDLY, THEY'RE PROLIFIC SEED SPREADERS, THEY HAVE LITTLE TO NO NATURAL PREDATORS, AND THEY SPREAD VERY AGGRESSIVELY.

AND SO WE WILL OFTEN SEE THAT THEY OUTCOMPETE NATIVE PLANT SPECIES FOR NUTRIENTS THAT THEY NEED TO SURVIVE, AND OTHER RESOURCES LIKE WATER, SPACE, AND SUNLIGHT.

SO WE'LL OFTEN SEE THE LANDSCAPE CHANGED FROM A DIVERSE, NATIVE LANDSCAPE WITH A LOT OF POLLINATORS AND DIFFERENT PLANTS TO A DENSE MONOCULTURE OF THE INVASIVE SPECIES, WITH LITTLE TO NO POLLINATORS.

SOME MAJOR INVASIVE SPECIES THAT WE SEE IN NEBRASKA ARE ORNAMENTAL PEAR TREES, WHICH ARE CALLERY OR BRADFORD PEARS, TREE OF HEAVEN, AMUR HONEYSUCKLE, JAPANESE KNOTWEED, AND PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE.

AND SOME OF THESE PLANTS ARE ACTUALLY PLANTS YOU CAN FIND AT MAJOR NURSERIES IN THE STATE, SO WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO YOUR RESEARCH ON WHAT TYPE OF PROPERTY YOU'RE ON, AND WHAT AREA YOU LIVE IN, TO DETERMINE WHAT NATIVE SPECIES WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO PLANT FOR YOU.

>>> WE ALL LIKE TO BUY PLANTS THAT HAVE A GOOD CHANCE AT SURVIVING.

DO CAREFUL AND CHOOSE WISELY.

YOU'LL AVOID HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH MANY OF THEM SPROUTING UP AND GETTING OUT OF CONTROL.

AND WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE OF THAT.

ALL RIGHT, LAST ROUND OF PICTURES.

LET'S SEE.

THIS IS -- FIRST TWO PICTURES ARE FOR YOU, SCOTT.

THIS ONE COMES FROM OMAHA AND THE OTHER ONE IS ACTUALLY -- OR WAYNE, SORRY.

WRONG COLOR OF BLUE.

[ LAUGHTER ] DON'T DO THAT TO ME.

FOUND THEM ON THE CAR'S WINDSHIELD, AND THEN THEY'RE -- HE SAYS ITS THE SIZE OF A ROLY POLY AND MOVES LIKE ONE OF THE SAME BEASTIE.

WHAT IS IT AND ARE THEY GOOD GUYS?

>> WELL, DEPENDS ON YOUR POINT OF VIEW FOR THESE.

THE FIRST ONE ON THE GLASS THERE, IT'S -- WELL, ACTUALLY, ALL THREE OF THEM ARE MULTICOLORED ASIAN LADY BEETLE LARVAE.

THE ONE ON THE GLASS IS VERY CLOSE TO TURNING INTO A PUPA.

IT'S LOOKING FOR A PLACE AWAY FROM THE PLANT TO DO THAT, SO THAT IT HAS A LITTLE BIT MORE SECURITY, 'CAUSE IT'S NOT WHERE THE PREDATOR MIGHT FIND IT.

SO THAT -- A LOT OF INSECTS DO THAT, WHERE THEY'LL CRAWL AWAY FROM THEIR PLANT.

SO SAME THING HAPPENS WITH MONARCH BUTTERFLIES, BY THE WAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, AND THIS IS A NORTH-CENTRAL OMAHA VIEWER, WANTS TO SHARE THIS PICTURE OF WHAT SHE THINKS IS A POLYPHEMUS MOTH, AND SHE SAW IT EMERGE.

>> OH, THAT WOULD BE FUN.

SO, YES, SHE IS CORRECT, THIS IS A POLYPHEMUS MOTH, IT'S ONE OF OUR GIANT SILKWORM MOTHS, ONE OF THE MORE COMMON GIANT SILKWORM MOTHS HERE IN NEBRASKA, ALONG WITH THE CECROPIA.

>> AWESOME.

BEAUTIFUL EYE SPOTS ON THAT.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE, JEFF, YOU HAVE ONE FROM CENTRAL CITY.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF SWEET PEAS FOR GOOD.

SHE HAS A HARD TIME DIGGING THEM UP.

I KNOW WE HAVE SOME ON CAMPUS.

>> YEAH, AND YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING, THEY TEND TO MOVE AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

SO, YOU KNOW, I GUESS IF SHE WANTS TO GET RID OF IT FOR GOOD, SHE WOULD HAVE TO USE A NONSELECTIVE HERBICIDE, I GUESS AT THIS POINT.

SO -- >> ALL RIGHT.

>> YEAH.

>> JUST KEEP AFTER IT.

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY, TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS SOUTHWEST OF LINCOLN, EAST OF DENTON VIEWER.

WINTER CREEPER, AND HE'S WONDERING, HOWIN THE WORLD TO GET RID OF IT?

>> WELL, I THINK I WOULD ACCEPT IT, AND LEARN TO LOVE IT.

IT TOLERATES PRUNING VERY, VERY WELL, SO IF YOU WANT TO CUT IT WAY BACK, YOU CAN DO THAT, AND THEN IT'LL COME BACK AND LOOK REALLY LOVELY FOR A WHILE BEFORE YOU CUT IT WAY BACK AGAIN.

SO THAT'S MY SUGGESTION.

ENJOY IT, IT'S A GREAT GROUNDCOVER, EFFECTIVE, A LITTLE PRUNING PRACTICE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE, AMY ON THIS FIRST ONE, THIS IS A KEARNEY -- OR, SORRY, SORRY, JEFF, THIS IS YOU.

THIS IS ONE MORE ON HOW DO THEY GET RID OF THE ALLIUMS?

>> WELL, I CAN SEE THEY PULED A BUNCH OF 'EM, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

AGAIN, MAKE SURE YOU'RE USING SOME PRE-EMERGE IN THAT AREA WHERE THEY'VE FLOWERED AND PRODUCED A LOT OF SEED.

AND AGAIN, A NONSELECTIVE HERBICIDE SOMETIMES IT'LL TAKE THAT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, NOW AMY, ONE PICTURE, THIS IS KEARNEY, WONDERS WHY THE LEAVES ON THE HIBISCUS PLANT ARE TURNING YELLOW?

PLANTED ONE MONTH AGO.

>> I WOULD LEAN TOWARDS TRANSPLANT SHOCK, ENVIRONMENTAL, JUST KEEP IT WATERED AND JUST KEEP WATCHING IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE MONTH AGO IT WENT THROUGH SOME CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE.

>> IT DID WENT THROUGH A LOT OF CHANGES.

>> YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE, ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

SHE SAYS, "I THINK YOU'VE HAD THIS ON THE PROGRAM BEFORE."

THEY'RE SQUISHY.

WHAT ARE THEY?

>> THIS IS THE BEGINNING CASES OF STINKHORNS.

SO YOU'RE GONNA FIND THOSE GELATINOUS MASSES, AND THEN THE STINKHORN'S GONNA POP OUT, AND THEN THEY'RE GONNA STINK AND YOU'RE GONNA HAVE THE FLIES.

NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>> AND THEY'RE NOT SNAKE EGGS, WHICH IS GOOD.

>> NO, THEY'RE NOT SNAKE EGGS.

THANK HEAVENS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND SINCE YOU ALL DID A NICE JOB, SCOTT GETS A LITTLE MORE TIME FOR ONCE.

SO SCOTT, YOUR FIRST PICTURE COMES TO USE FROM LINCOLN.

FOUR FINE LINE BUCKTHORNS.

THEY WERE PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED, THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE DOING VERY WELL.

WHAT DO WE THINK ABOUT UN-FINE LINE?

>> IT -- THERE'S A LOT TO BE SAID.

THERE'S A LOT TO BE SAID WITH THIS LANDSCAPE, IT'S VERY AESTHETICALLY PLEASING, BUT THE PLANT'S GROWING IN ROCKS, THAT 'S -- THAT'S A BIG ISSUE.

ROCKS HOLD HEAT, ROCKS CAN COMPACT THE SOIL.

THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THERE IS LANDSCAPE FABRIC UNDERNEATH THOSE ROCKS, THAT'S PREVENTING WATER PERCOLATION INTO THE GROUND.

FINE LINE BUCKTHORNS ARE OKAY, THEY MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST CHOICE, THEY DO GUEST RUST AND JAPANESE BEETLES ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM, SO THEY'RE GONNA BE A LITTLE BIT OF MAINTENANCE ON THAT ISSUE.

IF YOU'RE UP FOR IT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER WORKING WITH YOUR LANDSCAPE COMPANY AND SEE IF YOU CAN SWAP 'EM OUT FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, SCOTT.

ONE MORE PICTURE, FOR YOU.

THIS IS AN EAST LINCOLN VIEWER.

FOUND THIS ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE GARAGE, DIDN'T PLANT IT, WONDERS WHAT IT IS.

IS IT A KEEP IT OR A CUT IT?

>> IT'S UP TO YOU.

THIS IS COMFREY.

COMFREY IS A PERENNIAL HERB, LITERALLY AN HERB THAT YOU CAN USE.

IT'S REALLY FUZZY, SO A LOT OF OUR CRITTERS DON'T LIKE IT.

OUR RABBITS, OUR DEER TEND TO KEEP AWAY FROM IT.

IF YOU ARE GONNA TRY TO REMOVE IT, YOU NEED TO TRY TO GET AS MUCH OF THE ROOT SYSTEM AS YOU CAN, BECAUSE FRAGMENTS CAN RESPROUT.

THEY DO NATURALIZE, THEY COLONIZE.

IN THE SPACE THAT THEY'RE IN, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THEY'RE GONNA DO ANY DAMAGE, SO YOU JUST MIGHT LET 'EM GO.

THEY REALLY HAVE A CUTE BLUE FLOWER, LIKE WAYNE AND I WEARING BLUE TODAY, SO THAT MIGHT BE AN OPTION.

>> WELL, AND I ACTUALLY HAVE COMFREY THAT SOMETHING BROUGHT ME, AND IT'S BEEN 32 YEARS UNDER THE CANOPY OF AN OLD HONEY LOCUST.

AND, THERE IT SITS.

>> YEAH, IT'S -- THEY ARE NOT A BAD PLANT.

A LOT OF THINGS DON'T LIKE TO MUNCH ON THEM, SO THEY DO HAVE THAT BENEFIT.

SO KEEPING IT WHERE IT'S AT COULD BE KINDA FUN.

>> YEAH, LET IT FLOWER AND ENJOY IT.

ALL RIGHT, AND -- AND, YES, THERE'S A WHITE ONE, TOO.

IT'S NOT NEARLY AS PRETTY.

SO GO FOR BLUE.

GO FOR BLUE.

>> GO FOR BLUE.

[ LAUGHTER ] AND TO JUST FOLLOW UP ABOUT PEONIES WITH DEPTH, THEY WANT TO BE PLANTED TWO INCHES DEEP.

THAT'S -- THEY ARE PICKY.

OR ELSE YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A BUNCH OF ISSUES, AND SO TRY TO KEEP 'EM AT THAT TWO INCHES.

>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU, SCOTT.

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

WE ALSO WANT TO SAY THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED A QUESTION, AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES THIS EVENING WE HAD TIM DUNGAN, LINDA HELTON, AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION EDUCATOR, TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL BE FOCUSING ON THE BEAUTY AND USEFULNESS OF WILDFLOWERS.

NEBRASKA WILDFLOWER WEEK IS COMING SOON.

WE'LL HEAR ABOUT SOME STATEWIDE EVENTS THAT YOU CAN ENJOY.

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

SO GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

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

♪ ♪