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

>>> COMING UP ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE WILL HEAR ABOUT A WARM WELCOME TO THE 2023 SEASON AND GET A SPRING WEATHER FORECAST.

WELCOME TO BACKYARD FARMER.

>>> HELLO, WELCOME TO ANOTHER SEASON OF BACKYARD FARMER.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO JOIN YOU AGAIN AND ANSWER ALL OF YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU AS WE KICK OFF SEASON 71.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS READY TO GO, CALL US AT 1-800-676-5446, THE PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO BALL HELP YOU.

IF YOU HAVE PICTURES TO SHARE AND THEY CAN WAIT FOR FUTURE SHOW, SEND US AN EMAIL AND TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE, GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN SO WE CAN GIVE YOU A GOOD ANSWER.

DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK US OUT ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, ALSO LIKE OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.

BEFORE WE GET TO SAMPLES I WANT TO THANK TOM LARSON AND JOSH AGUILAR FROM UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC FOR UP DATING THE BACKYARD FARMER THEME MUSIC.

WE LOVE THAT NEW MUSIC, WE WERE DANCING.

>> LET'S GET STARTED WITH SAMPLES.

YOU HAVE CRICKETS.

>> I DO HAVE CRICKETS.

NORMALLY WE HAVE CRICKETS LATER IN THE YEAR, BUT I BROUGHT CAVE OR CAMEL CRICKETS OR THEY HAVE THE NAME BECAUSE THEY HAVE A ARCHED BACK, IF YOU TURN TO THE SIDE YOU CAN SEE THE HAVE THE ARCHED BACK OVER THE TOP END, THEY GET THE OTHER NAME OF CAVE CRICKETS BECAUSE THEY DWELL IN DARK PLACES.

I HAVE HAD A FEW PHONE CALLS ASKING FOR IDENTIFICATION OF THESE CAVE OR CAMEL CRICKETS THAT PEOPLE FOUND IN THEIR BASEMENTS.

ONE BASEMENT, I KNOW FOR SURE, WHICH ALSO IS DEALING WITH SNAKE ISSUES, MAYBE DENNIS MAY WANT TO GO CHECK IT OUT, I THINK IT IS GARTER SNAKES, NOTHING EXCITING.

THEY LIKELY GOT IN THE SAME AVENUE THAT THE GARTER SNAKES ARE GETTING IT, THEY HAVE A OPEN PATH THROUGH THE BLOCK FOUNDATION OUT TO THE SOIL.

THEY LIKE TO HIDE UNDER ROCKS, ROTTING LOGS, THOSE DARK PLACES.

WHATEVER THEY FIND OR STICKY PLANT MATERIAL THEY FIND, DEAD INSECTS OR LIVE INSECTS THEY WILL CHEW ON WHAT THEY CAN FIND.

>> YOU CAN SMASH THEM, RIGHT?

>> YOU CAN SMASH THEM.

ONE CAME IN ON A STICKY BOARD SO IT WAS ALREADY GONE.

ONE CAME IN HALF SMASHED.

>> THANK YOU.

DENNIS, THOSE LOOK LIKE WEAPONS.

>> THINGS ARE STARTING TO COME UP, EVEN THOUGH IT IS REALLY BROWN WE ARE GETTING GREEN CROCUSES, TULIPS AND ARE STARTING TO EMERGE.

THESE ARE, THEY HAVE A LOT OF MOISTURE, DEER AND RABBITS, WE ARE TALKING DEAR, THEY LOVE TO EAT THAT TO GET THAT MOISTURE THAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING IN PARTS OF THE STATE BECAUSE OF OUR DROUGHT, THESE ARE PROBABLY ONE OF THE BETTER THINGS TO DO, THEY ARE FAIRLY ECONOMICAL, FAIRLY EFFICIENT AND SAFE FOR EVERYONE.

THEY ARE LITTLE SHOCKERS, YOU PUT A LITTLE PEANUT BUTTER OR A CORN SET IN THE TOP OF THESE, THE DEER WILL COME UP, YOU STICK THEM IN THE GROUND RIGHT IN FRONT OF, THE DEER COMES UP AND IT STICKS ITS NOSE, THE MOST SENSITIVE PART OF THE BODY , AND HE WILL BACK OFF.

THEY WILL ASSOCIATE THAT AREA WITH THE SHOCK.

THE SHOCK IS NOT GOING TO HURT THE DEER, OR ANY CHILDREN, IF THEY TOUCH IT IT WILL NOT HURT THEM.

YOU COULD PUT THESE IN THE EASTER BASKET WHERE YOU DO NOT WANT KIDS TO CAUSE PROBLEMS, THEY CAN GO GRAB THEIR EASTER EGG AND THE KIDS STAY AWAY.

YOU CAN ALSO USE THESE BAGS OF SOAP.

THESE DO NOT WORK WELL IN THE WINTER, IN THE SPRING THEY DO WORK FAIRLY WELL.

THIS IS GROUND UP SOAP, I HAVE TO START TALKING AGAIN.

THE THING IS YOU CAN USE SOAP BARS OR GROUND UP SOAP AND HANG THAT RIGHT AROUND WHERE YOU HAVE THE PLANTS.

>> THAT IS A NICE LITTLE UNINTRUSIVE THING.

>> I LIKE TO SEE THAT DEMONSTRATION AGAIN.

WITH BATTERIES.

>> OKAY, KYLE, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE CHIA PET HAIR.

>> IT IS ORNAMENTAL BLUE FESCUE.

I WENT TO THE GARDEN CENTER AND I BROUGHT A PLANT, THAT IS NOT TRUE, INSTEAD, WE ARE GETTING TO THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN ALL THE PARKING LOTS MIGHT BE FULL OF DIFFERENT PLANT STANDS, THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU MAY FIND GROWING IN THE POTTING SOIL.

ONE OF THOSE IS LIKELY GOING TO BE SOME SLIME MOLD.

YOU MIGHT JUST SEE THIS, YOU PULL IT UP AND THERE ARE ALL THESE LITTLE BALLS THAT ARE KIND OF GROWING THERE, ESPECIALLY IN THE MOIST AREAS.

NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, THEY ARE A FUNGAL ORGANISM, NOT A TRUE FUNGUS, NOT MUCH MORE DIFFERENT FROM FUNGUS AND PEOPLE ARE.

THESE ARE SLIME MOLDS, AS WITH ALL SLIME MOLDS, THEY ARE FEEDING ON WOODING MATERIAL IN THE POTTING SOIL, IT IS WAITING FOR THERE TO BE ENOUGH MOISTURE AND THEN THEY WILL POP UP AND SPREAD, IT WILL NOT HARM THE PLANT AT ALL.

THIS PLANT IS NOT DOING TOO WELL BECAUSE I LET IT DRY OUT TRYING TO GET THE SLIME MOLD, I WANTED SOME IMPRESSIVE SLIME MOLD, I STRESS THAT A LITTLE BIT FIRST ENDING GAVE IT MORE WATER, I WAS NOT TO ABLE TO GET THE CLIMB MOLD CLIMBING UP.

IF YOU DO SEE THESE LITTLE DOTS OF WHITE OR YELLOW, SOMETIMES THEY ARE BLUISH COLOR IN THE SOIL OR THE SOIL SURFACE DON'T WORRY >> YOU CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SLIME MOLDS.

>> IT IS ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING ORGANISMS EVER.

>> WHAT DO YOU HAVE, JOHN?

IS NOT AS INTERESTING.

>> NOT NEARLY AS INTERESTING.

PEOPLE ARE CALLING UP ASKING ALREADY WHEN CAN I PLANT THIS OR THAT?

PEOPLE SAY I PLANT THIS ON GOOD FRIDAY AND THIS ON MOTHER'S DAY .

OUR BEST INFORMATION IS TO GO BY THE SOIL TEMPERATURE, ESPECIALLY FOR SOME OF THE EARLY THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO PUT IN A VEGETABLE GARDEN.

SOME PEOPLE WANT TO PLANT LETTUCE, ONIONS AND CARROTS, YOU CAN GO GET YOURSELF A SOIL THERMOMETER LIKE THIS ONE AND YOU CAN MEASURE THE SOIL TEMPERATURE AND START PLANTING COOL SEASON CROPS, WHEN IT GETS TO ABOUT 45 DEGREES.

THERE IS A RANGE OF THINGS, YOU DO LETTUCE AND SPINACH, WHEN YOU GET TO 50 YOU CAN GET INTO SOME OF THE BEATS AND TURNIPS.

WHEN YOU GET ABOVE 60, HERE IS A GRAPHIC.

60 IS SORT OF LIKE CORN AND CUCUMBERS AND EGGPLANTS , PEPPERS AND TOMATOES.

THE WARMEST THINGS ARE LIKE MELONS AND CANTALOUPE, THEY NEED WARM TEMPERATURES AND THAT IS WHY YOU MOUNDED THE SOIL UP TO GET AIRFLOW TO HEAT UP THE SOIL.

YOU CAN USE A THERMOMETER, IT IS NOT A MEAT THERMOMETER, IT NEEDS TO BE A LOWER READING.

IF YOUR SOIL IS 180 DEGREES, THAT IS A LITTLE TOO WARM.

OR GO TO THE UNIVERSITY CROP WATCH.

THEY HAVE STATEWIDE MAPS ON A DAILY AND AVERAGE BASIS >> IT IS A GOOD CALLOUT BECAUSE IT IS USEFUL.

>> AT WHAT TEMPERATURE DO I LAY OUT MY LAWN CHAIR AND SON MYSELF?

>> THAT DEPENDS ON HOW BROWN YOU WANT TO GET, DO YOU WANT TO BROIL?

>> JUST A LITTLE BROWNING.

>> RIGHT NOW.

>>> WE HAVE A PICTURE QUESTION, WAYNE, YOU GET THE FIRST OF THE SEASON, THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER AND SHE SAYS HER MAGNOLIA TREE SEEMS TO HAVE A TYPE OF FUNGUS.

YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?

IS IT TREATABLE?

THIS HAPPENED AT THE END OF LAST SUMMER?

>> THIS ONE DOES NOT GO TO KYLE, SORRY.

THIS IS MAGNOLIA SCALE, THEY OVERWINTER AND THEN THEY MATURE IN THE JUNE TO JULY TIMEFRAME AND THEN THEY START LAYING EGGS IN AUGUST AND THAT'S WHEN THEY HATCH.

THAT IS THE TIME TO WATCH FOR THEM, AUGUST.

LAST YEAR WE HAVE THE SUGGESTION OF DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE ON THE BRANCHES AND YOU CAN CHECK THAT DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE TO SEE IF THEY ARE CRAWLING UP AND DOWN THE BRANCH AND THEN SPRAY IT TOPICAL INSECTICIDE.

I WAS WANDERING AROUND CAMPUS, YOU CAN USE IT OIL, BUT THE FLOWER BUDS ARE STARTING TO BREAK AND GO, WE ARE A LITTLE LATE FOR THE EARLY-SEASON TREATMENT.

YOU CAN USE SOIL DRENCHES BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT AFTER FLOWERING IS DONE.

YOUR BEST BET RIGHT NOW IS TO WAIT UNTIL AUGUST, BUT DOUBLE- SIDED STICK TAPE OUT AND GET THE CRAWLERS.

>> BE READY.

THEY ARE TERRIBLE.

WE ARE LOSING MAGNOLIAS ON CAMPUS.

>> YOU HAVE ANOTHER TEACHER, THIS IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE.

SHE IS INTERESTED IN ALL CREATURES, SHE LIVES IN LINCOLN, SHE COULD HAVE TAKEN THE PICTURE SOMEPLACE ELSE BUT YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS >> THIS IS A JUMPING SPIDER, IT DOES NOT HAVE A ENGLISH NAME.

I CAN REMEMBER THE FIRST PART BUT I CANNOT REMEMBER THE SECOND SO I WILL NOT BOTHER TRYING.

THIS IS ONE OF THE COMMON EASTERN JUMPING SPIDERS THIS GOES FROM NOVA SCOTIA ALL THE WAY TO NEBRASKA DOWN TO FLORIDA AND TEXAS AREA OVERWINTER THEY UNDER BARK.

IT HAS A LITTLE SNACK THERE >> THANK YOU, WAYNE.

YOU HAVE A COOL ONE, DENNIS, THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN APRIL 3rd BY ONE OF MY CLASSES ON THE NORTH SIDE OF PLANT SCIENCE HALL.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF A BAT AND IS IT NORMAL AT 10:30 IN THE MORNING TO HANG ON THE WALL?

>> THAT IS NOT UNUSUAL, ESPECIALLY IN APRIL.

IT PROBABLY CAME OUT AND WAS SPEEDING AND HAS NOT GOTTEN BACK IN.

THE INSECTS PROBABLY WERE NOT OUT YET SO IT IS PROBABLY WARMING ITSELF UP.

MAYBE HE CAME OUT TO GET MOISTURE OR THEY DO COME OUT ALL WINTER WHEN IT IS WARM JUST TO GET DRINKS.

IT MIGHT HAVE COME OUT AND THAT SIDE OF THE BUILDING WAS HEATING UP AND IT WANTED TO THERMAL REGULATOR AND BRING THE BODY TEMPERATURE UP AND IT IS JUST SUNNING ITSELF.

>> THEY WERE FASCINATED.

WE HAD ANOTHER ONE THAT CAME IN THIS WINTER.

SHE SAID SHE FOUND A TREE FROG AND SHE WONDERS WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> THIS IS.

IT IS ONE OF THE ONLY FROGS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAS CRYO- PROTECTANTS, THE BODY FREEZES SOLID.

JUST LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS AND IT WILL BE FINE.

IT FREEZES AND STAYS FROZEN GRID THE LIVER MAKES GLUCOSE FOR THE ORGANS AND IT PUTS GAS AND ALL THE MUSCLES IN THE BODY FREEZES.

IT DOES NOT WAKE UP AND IT DOES NOT CHANGE UNTIL IT TAKES HIS FIRST INSECT MEAL.

IF THERE IS A FROST SPRING IT DOES NOT DIE.

JUST LEAVE IT.

THEY ARE USED TO BEING FROZEN, THEY DO NOT HIDE, THEY STAY OUT ON THE PARK ALL WINTER.

>> THAT IS FASCINATING.

>> KYLE, SPEAKING OF MAGNOLIAS, FROM THE SAME PERSON, THIS IS WHAT THEY SAW HAPPEN AT THE END OF SUMMER, >> I THINK ANYTIME YOU HAVE SCALE OR A FEDS OR A LOT OF INSECTS, YOU WILL HAVE BLACK STUFF TO FOLLOW.

THIS IS SITTING MOLD.

IT IS NOT A SPECIFIC FUNGUS, THERE ARE 10- 12 DIFFERENT GENERA THAT COMPRISE CITY SITTING MOLD CREATE THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO THE MAGNOLIA.

ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT ANIMALS, WHEN THEY EAT, THEY POOP, THE SAME GOES FOR SCALE.

SCALE POOP SUGAR OR HONEY DO YOU THE FUNGUS IS FEEDING ON THE HONEYDEW THAT IS PRODUCED BY THE SCALE THAT IS DROPPED ONTO THE LEAVES IT IS NOT COLONIZING THE LEAF AT ALL, YOU COULD PROBABLY RUB IT OFF WITH YOUR FINGERS AND TRY TO SPRAY SOME OFF WITH A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE, NOT A PROBLEM IN AND OF ITSELF, IT DOES INDICATE THAT YOU DO HAVE INSECT ISSUES.

>> THE NEXT PICTURE WAS FROM FEBRUARY, IT IS A GIANT SHREW AND THEY WANT TO KNOW IF IT IS EDIBLE.

>> NEVER EAT A MUSHROOM UNLESS YOU KNOW 100% EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

WE WILL NEVER RECOMMEND YOU EAT A MUSHROOM SOLELY BASED OFF OF A PICTURE BECAUSE THERE ARE LOOK-ALIKES.

I WOULD NOT EAT THIS MUSHROOM BECAUSE IT LOOKS WAY PAST ITS PRIME.

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS, IT COULD BE A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS, IT MIGHT BE OVERLY MATURE SULFUR SHELF OR CHICKEN OF THE WOODS OR ANOTHER TYPE, OR IT COULD EVEN BE ANOTHER TYPE LIKE GAMMA DERMA THAT IS BEGINNING TO SPREAD A LITTLE BIT MORE, WE WOULD NEED A LOT MORE INFORMATION.

IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION THE FIRST THING WE NEED IS PICTURES NOT ONLY OF THE TOP BUT ALSO THE BOTTOM.

DOES THE BOTTOM OF THE MUSHROOM HAVE PORES, GILLS, HAIRS, THIS ONE PROBABLY DOES NOT HAVE HAIRS.

WHERE DID YOU FIND IT?

WAS THAT ON A LIVING TREE, A STUMP, DID YOU FIND IT IN THE DIRT?

ALL OF THAT INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT WHEN IDENTIFYING MUSHROOMS.

FIRST OFF, I WOULD NOT EAT IT, IT LOOKS WAY PAST ITS PRIME, I CANNOT SAY FOR SURE WHAT IT IS.

>> JOHN, THE FIRST ONE IS FROM YANG AND.

SHE SAID THIS IS A HOUSEPLANT AND SHE WONDERS WHAT IT IS.

>> THAT IS A TYPE OF PEPPER ROMEO.

THEY ARE SOMETIMES CALLED RUBBER PLANS BUT WE SOMETIMES CALL IT PEPPER ROMEO.

I THINK THAT IS PEPPER ROMEO OBTUSE OF FOAM YOU MEANING THAT THE ENDS OF THE LEAVES ARE SMASHED, THEY ARE SORT OF FLAT.

MANY LOOK VERY DIFFERENT, THIS IS COMMON.

>> YOU HAVE TWO XERS ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS CAME TO US AND MARCH, PLANTING TOMATO SEEDS ON THE 24th.

HE WONDERS WHAT HE CAN DO UNTIL IT IS TIME TO PLANT THEM OUTSIDE.

>> YOU CAN TRY TO MOVE THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE, YOU HAVE TO START THEM EARLY, WE TYPICALLY DO NOT START THEM UNTIL MARCH, I THINK HE STARTED THEM IN FEBRUARY.

MOVING TO A BRIGHT SUNNY WINDOW , SHE YOU COULD MOVE THEM AROUND , YOU CANNOT DO MUCH WITH THE LIGHTS, IF YOU HAD IS -- LIGHTS, MORE LIKE UV LIGHT OF SOME SORT INSTEAD OF WOLVES.

>> WE HAD A FANTASTIC TIME CELEBRATING OUR 70th BIRTHDAY LAST YEAR, WITH NEW SEASONS, NEW CHALLENGES.

LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES WHAT WE HAVE IN STORE THIS YEAR ON BACKYARD FARMER.

>>> WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO LAUNCH OUR 71st SEASON OF BACKYARD FARMER, COMING TO YOU FROM THE TOP OF THE CAPITAL IN LINCOLN NEBRASKA, WE CANNOT SEE THE BORDERS OF THE STATE BUT WE CONNECT WITH YOU, THE PEOPLE THROUGH EXPERTISE, ENTHUSIASM AND FUN.

THIS SEASON, WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO DO IS CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE PLANTS.

ALL OF THOSE THAT ARE ESSENTIAL COULD BE A HEALTHY MIND AND HEALTHY BODY AND HEALTHY SPIRIT AND A HEALTHY PLAN.

WE START WITH THAT BEAUTIFUL EXPANSION, THIS IS THE LANDSCAPE, MAYBE YOU DO NOT HAVE THAT MUCH ROOM FOR PLANTS, MAYBE IT IS AN OFFICE OR A DECK , WE HAVE ROOM FOR ONE MAYBE IT DOESN'T NO MATTER, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PLANTS AND PEOPLE ARE ESSENTIAL ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE INSIDE.

PERHAPS YOU LIKE PLANTS THAT FLOWER LIKE ORCHIDS, MAYBE YOU HAVE A BROWN THUMB, IF SO START WITH SUCCULENTS, DO NOT GIVE THEM TOO MUCH TO DRINK HARRIET NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU WANT TO COME TO PLANTS, THEY DO HELP YOUR MENTAL CAPACITY, AND MAKE YOU HAPPIER AND THEY HELP YOU BREATHE AND THEY WILL MAKE EVERYONE AROUND YOU HAPPIER AS WELL.

PLANTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO LIFE ON EARTH, THAT'S WHY YOU EAT THE PLANTS OR EATING ANIMALS THAT EAT THE PLANTS MAYBE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GROW SOME THINGS.

OBVIOUSLY TO BE ABLE TO GET TOMATOES LIKE THIS, OR LETTUCE OR SPINACH, IT REQUIRES A SET UP, IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE HUGE AND THERE ARE GREAT SYSTEMS AVAILABLE TO ALLOW YOU TO EXPERIMENT WITH HOW TO GROW VEGETABLES OR HERBS FOR YOU TO EAT IN YOUR OWN HOME, YOU CAN DO IT ON YOUR DECK, OR IN YOUR OFFICE.

WE ARE ANTICIPATING THE START OF SPRING AND THE START OF THE BACKYARD FARMER SEASON.

ARE OUR BACKYARD IS GRAY AND BROWN BUT IN A FEW WEEKS IT WILL BE LIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL WITH WONDERFUL PLANTS TO EAT, ALL OF THESE BEAUTIFUL PLANTS WILL BRING BEAUTY TO YOUR LIFE OR IT OF COURSE, THE PLANT AND PEOPLE CONNECTION IS US ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM YOU.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN AND HOPEFULLY HELP YOU GROW YOUR OWN FOOD AND KEEP YOUR LANDSCAPE LOOKING FANTASTIC.

>> THIS QUESTION IS FROM WESTERN HOTEL COUNTY THIS IS NICKNAMED POPEYE.

WHAT IS IT?

>> WE LIKE TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE DESCRIPTIVE WITH OUR NAMES.

THIS ISN'T EASTERN TIGER SWALLOW HILL CATERPILLAR.

WHEN THEY FOUND IT IT WAS PROBABLY LOOKING FOR A HIDDEN SPOT TO TURN INTO A CHRYSALIS FOR THE WINTER.

THAT IS FULL-SIZE.

>> THE NEXT ONE IS WHAT IS ON THE BOROUGH TREES, THIS IS ON A LONG ISLAND KANSAS, IS IS HARMFUL?

>> IT IS NOT HARMFUL TO THE TREE, IT IS MORE OF AN EYESORE FOR YOUR THIS IS ROUGH OAK -- EXCUSE ME, ROUGH OAK BULLET BULB.

IF THEY REALLY BOTHER YOU, PICK THEM OFF, WHAT YOU CAN REACH AND GET RID OF IT >> WE HAVE SOME ON-CAMPUS, THEY ARE AROUND.

DENNIS, THIS IS A ELKHORN YOU ARE VIEWER AREA THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT ANIMALS MAKING A NEST IN THEIR BLUEGRASS FESCUE LAWN, THERE IS NO SOIL.

>> IT IS PROBABLY A VOLE OR A DEER MOUSE.

>> YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES OF THIS ONE, YOU COULD HAVE 1 MILLION THIS YEAR.

>> THIS IS ALL RABBIT DAMAGE.

WITH A DROUGHT IN A GOOD PART OF THE STATE THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF GREEN VEGETATION GOING INTO THE WINTER AND YOU YOU SUGAR MOISTURE AND THE RABBITS GO HOGWILD LANCASTER COUNTY AND LINCOLN WERE THE FOX POPULATION IS BETTER, WE DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RABBITS.

RABBITS, OR EXCUSE ME, FOXES, THEIR MAIN DIET IS RABBIT.

IF YOU HAVE A FOXY WILL NOT HAVE AS MANY RABBITS.

>> THEY ALSO WONDER IF THESE SHOULD BE PRUNED?

WILL THEY COME OUT OF THE?

>> THAT IS HORTICULTURAL.

>> I KNOW >> THE RABBITS WILL COME BACK.

>> IT IS HARD TO KNOW WHAT THE PLANTS.

YOU COULD PRUNE THEM TO GROUND LEVEL AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>>> ANOTHER ONE FROM THE SAME PERSON, WE DO NOT NEED TO ANSWER THAT AGAIN.

KYLE, THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER, THIS CRABAPPLE WAS PLANTED 10 YEARS AGO, A COUPLE YEARS AGO THE NEW GROWTH LOOKED WEIRD, SHORT AND BLACK.

I CUT IT DOWN AND THIS WAS ON THE ROOTS.

WHAT IS THIS?

IS IS IN THE SOIL AND CAN ANOTHER TREE BE PLANTED IN THIS LOCATION?

>> THERE ARE A FEW THINGS FOR YOU AND WHAT STRUCK ME IS THE GIGANTIC ROOT THAT IS GOING COMPLETELY HORIZONTAL, THAT IS NOT NORMAL FOR CRABAPPLE, I DON'T THINK.

THAT GROWTH ON THE OTHER SIDE, THAT IS CROWN GOAL.

THAT IS A BACTERIA THAT CAN INFECT MOST OF OUR WOODY PLANTS.

IF THERE ARE OTHER PLANTS IN THAT AREA THEY WOULD LIKELY GET THAT AS WELL NOT A WHOLE LOT YOU CAN DO.

>> THE NEXT ONE IS A PALMYRA VIEWER WHO HAS A PEACH THAT HAS BLACK STUFF.

SHOULD THEY DO SOMETHING?

>> START PREPARING FOR ANOTHER PEACHTREE.

THAT IS BACTERIAL CANKER.

WHEN IT WARMS UP AND WE GET MOISTURE, THAT BACTERIA WILL LOSE OUT OF THE CANKER.

WITH IT BEING ON THE CENTRAL TRUNK, THERE IS NOT A LOT TO DO ASIDE FROM PREPARE FOR ANOTHER PEACHTREE.

>> JOHN, THIS IS FROM A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO SAW THIS PLANT IN IOWA AND FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY?

>> THAT IS A STANDING CYPRESS.

IT IS INTERESTING.

IT IS BIANNUAL, FIRST-YEAR GROWTH IS IT JUST LEAVES AND THE SECOND YEAR IT LOOMS.

IT IS HARDIER TO THE SOUTH OF US.

YOU COULD -- IT IS A ZONE SIX PLANT.

SOME PLACES IT WILL LIVE IF IT IS PROTECTED OR NOT.

IT IS PRETTY EASY TO GROW AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL, IT REALLY FEEDS POLLINATORS LIKE HUMMINGBIRDS.

>> EXACTLY.

YOU HAVE ONE THAT IS ALSO A LINCOLN VIEWER, THEY HAVE A WHOLE LINE OF ORNAMENTAL GRASSES WE HAVE TWO PICS HERE, WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT THEM?

THEY LOOK LIKE THIS NOW.

>> YOUR DOUGHNUT GRASS.

THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE MULTI STEM PERENNIAL PLANTS IN A PLACE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

WHAT HAPPENS IS THE PLANT GROWS OUTWARD AND THE INSIDE DIES OUT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT AS MANY NUTRIENTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

REALLY THE PLANT IS OKAY, YOU HAVE TO DIG IT UP AS SEPARATE IT OUT, YOU CAN PUT A PIECE OF THE GOOD BACK IN THE WHOLE AND YOU CAN SEPARATE INTO THREE, FOUR, FIVE PLACES AND PUT IT OUT.

THE PLANT IS FINE IT IS JUST OLD AND TIRED.

>> WE ALL LOOK TIRED.

>>> ONE OF OUR VERY BEST TRADITIONS IS THE WEEKLY VISIT TO OUR GARDEN.

WITH NOT MUCH GROWING RIGHT NOW OUTSIDE, HERE IS TERRY TO SHOW US THE GREENHOUSE.

>> Reporter: WELCOME TO THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

WE ARE EXCITED TO SPEND THE 2023 SUMMER GARDEN SEASON WITH YOU.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE STUFF WE HAVE IN THE GARDEN AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU.

WE HAVE SOME NEW RANGE BEDS THAT WENT IN LAST FALL AND WE ARE WAITING FOR EVERYTHING TO WARM-UP.

WE HAVE ONE BED THAT WAS PLANTED THIS WEEK SO WE CAN GET SOME OF THOSE COOL SEASON CROPS UP AND GOING.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF THE NEW SEEDS WE HAVE STARTED AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME GREAT DESIGNS THAT WE CAN SHOW OFF.

WE HAVE BEEN SUPER BUSY AND THE GREENHOUSE, WE HAVE A LOT OF SEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN STARTED THAT ARE UP AND GOING AND WE ARE ABOUT READY TO PUT OUR PANSIES OUTSIDE THAT WE STARTED IN JANUARY A LOT OF COLOR IN THE GARDEN SOON.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU STAY TUNED IN AND YOU STOP BY FREQUENTLY BECAUSE THINGS WILL CHANGE QUICK AS IT WARMS UP.

STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN TO CHECK IT OUT.

>>> WE CANNOT WAIT FOR WARMER DAYS AND GIVE YOU A PEAK OF HOW THINGS PROGRESS.

IT WILL BE A GREAT SEASON AT THE GARDEN.

>> FOR WE GO TO BREAK I WANT TO REMEMBER A GOOD FRIEND AND FORMER BACKYARD ANALYST, HE WAS AN AMAZING PERSON AND INCREDIBLE HORTICULTURIST.

HE SERVED ON THE PROGRAM FOR OVER 30 YEARS, WE WILL MISS HIM GREATLY.

HE HAD A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR, HE WAS A WONDERFUL HORTICULTURALIST.

>> STAY TUNED FOR MORE BACKYARD FARMER RIGHT AFTER THESE MESSAGES.

[Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] >>> WELCOME BACK.

COMING UP LATER WE WILL HEAR A WEATHER FORECAST FOR THIS SPRING, YOU CAN STILL PHONE IN YOUR QUESTIONS TO 1-800-676-5446 , OR SEND PICTURES AND EMAILS TO US.

RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND, ARE YOU READY, JOHN?

>> I AM READY.

I HAVE COME OUT OF HIBERNATION AND I AM DEFROSTED AND READY TO GO.

>> WE HAVE ONE MINUTE MINUTE IF YOU CUT OFF A CEDAR CEILING FROM THE LOWEST BRANCH WILL IT DIE?

>> YES.

SCOTCH PINE, ARE THERE SUGGESTIONS FOR REPLACEMENTS?

>> NOT A SCOTCH PINE.

>> THAT IS A COPOUT.

>> THE THIRD ONE, SHOULD WE BE WATERING NOW?

>> IF IT IS WARM YOU CAN WATER HIM IF IT IS BELOW FREEZING, DON'T.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE ARE APPLES, PEACHES AND PEARS THAT ARE CONSIDERED MORE DROUGHT RESISTANT?

>> NOT NECESSARILY CULTIVARS, BUT THERE MIGHT BE SOME ROUTINE STOCKS THAT COULD WEATHER THE DROPPED.

>> THIS IS FROM OMAHA, IF STARBURST PLANTED IN CONTAINERS, WILL THEY SURVIVE THE WINTER?

>> THEY WILL PRINT YOU WANT TO PROTECT THE CONTAINER BECAUSE YOU DO NOT WANT THE ROOTS TO FREEZE.

>> IS IT OKAY TO CUT BACK FLOWERBEDS NOW AND REPLACE THE MULCH?

>> I WOULD WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHTTIME TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 50 SO WE DO NOT HAVE INSECTS AND POLLINATORS AND OUR FRIENDS UPSET.

>> THANK YOU.

KYLE, ARE YOU READY?

>> DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM NOT?

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO FOUND WHITE DUSTY MOLD UNDER HER MULCH AND SHE WONDERS IF IT IS DANGEROUS.

>> NO.

>> THE SECOND QUESTION IS, HOW DID SHE HANDLE IT?

>> I WOULD LEAVE IT, YOU CAN GIVE IT MORE WATER IT MAY SPROUT INTO A COOL MOLD BUT THERE'S NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO SAID THEY LEFT THEIR PEACH MUMMIES ON THE GROUND LAST YEAR AND THEY WONDER IF IT IS TOO LATE TO KEEP WHATEVER DISEASE THAT MUMMIFIED THEM FROM SPREADING.

>> PROBABLY PRINT YOU CAN STILL GET OUT AND REDO SOME.

>> A VIEWER SAID LAST YEAR THEIR AROMA TOMATOES GOT FLATTENED OUT AND HAD A BROWN SPOT.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> LACK OF, AND CALCIUM.

>> A VIEWER WONDERS IF THEY PUT STRAWBERRIES WITH GRADE MOLD IN THE COMPOST, WILL THE COMPOST BE CONTAMINATED?

>> YES.

>> WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR MORELS THIS YEAR?

>> INTERESTING.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT THEM WITH SOMEONE EARLIER, THIS WEEK HAS BEEN WEIRD WITH IT BEING HOT AND COLD AND WET AND DRY, MAYBE THERE'D MIGHT BE SOME POPPING UP THIS WEEKEND.

ONCE I SEE THE GOALS POP UP ON CEDAR TREES AND THEY ARE ORANGE THAT'S WHEN YOU GO OUT AND LOOK.

>> YOU SHOULD HAVE ASKED THAT QUESTION FIRST SO HE WOULD HAVE A LOWER SCORE.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU TO SAY MORE.

>> ARE YOU READY?

>> YES.

>> A VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW IF THAT WIRE YOU TALK ABOUT COULD KEEP BIRDS FROM -- >> NECK A LIGHT.

>> THE QUESTION IS, CAN IT BE PURCHASED LOCALLY?

>> NOT THAT I KNOW OF.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO HEARD PUTTING DRYER SHEETS -- >> THEY ARE NOT REPELLENT FOR ANYTHING.

>> OBVIOUSLY I HAVE ASKED THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE.

>> WE HAVE FOXES SCREAMING AT DUSK, WHY ARE THEY SCREAMING?

>> THAT'S HOW THEY TALK TO EACH OTHER.

IT IS THEIR LANGUAGE.

THEY ARE LIKE TODDLERS.

THAT IS JUST THEIR LANGUAGE.

>> ONE OF MY STUDENTS ASKED ME THIS MORNING, HOW FAR EAST DO THE ANTELOPE ROME?

>> NOT THROUGH THE WHOLE STATE OF NEBRASKA, ONLY THE WESTERN PART, MAINLY THE PANHANDLE, BUT THEY WILL GET -- >> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF WHAT SHE THINKS IS A RAT WITHOUT POISON.

>> TRACK IT, YOU SOMETHING FOR BAIT LIKE PEANUT BUTTER.

>> NICE JOB, A LITTLE OFF THE RAILS FOR THAT ONE.

>> ARE YOU READY?

>> THIS IS FROM A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IF IS THE BEST PRODUCT FOR CLOVER MITES IN THE HOUSE?

>> IT WILL NOT MATTER.

VACUUM AND DUMP.

>> A VIEWER WONDERS IF THEY CUT DOWN PERENNIALS AND GRASSES NOW, WILL THAT DESTROY WINTERING INSECTS?

>> IF THEY ARE LOOKING FOR POLLINATORS IT WILL NOT BECAUSE THEY NEST IN THE PRIOR YEARS, CUT THEM OFF AT ASKED TO EIGHT INCHES.

>> A VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO CONTROL FUNGUS IN THE SOIL.

>> INDOORS, DO NOT WATER YOUR PLANTS AS MUCH.

>> THIS VIEWER HAD SPIDER MITES ALL OVER AND WONDERS HOW TO PREVENT IT THIS YEAR.

>> HOPEFULLY THE WEATHER IS NICER AND YOU CAN HOSE THEM OFF.

>> A SHIELD -SHAPED GRAY BUG DESTROYED THINGS LAST YEAR BELIEVES, NOT THE FRUIT, HOW DO YOU DESTROY THEM?

>> IT COULD BE A STINK BUG, WE HAVE HAD THEM GETTING INTO WEIRD PLACES BECAUSE OF THE DROUGHT.

MY GUESS IS USE A -- PRODUCT.

>> IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE WE HAVE A TIE.

YOU GUYS HAVE TO PASS THIS AROUND.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

IT IS SPRING AND SPRING HAS SPRUNG AND THINGS ARE BLOOMING.

THIS LOVELY WHITE PLANT HERE, SOME PEOPLE CALL IT A WHITE, IT IS NOT YELLOW, IT DOES NOT REALLY HAVE A GOOD COMMON NAME OTHER THAN THE LATIN NAME.

SAY THAT FIVE TIMES FAST.

IT IS KOREAN, IT IS FAST- GROWING AND VERY FRAGRANT IT HAS ABOUT FIVE TO SIX FOOT SPREAD AND WILL GROW IN PART SHADE WITH SOME PROTECTION.

WITH SPRING COMES DAFFODILS, THOSE ARE LOVELY AND EASY TO GROW AND MOST ANIMALS WILL EAT THEM.

>> HERE WE GO WITH TWO QUESTIONS, THIS IS A JAPANESE BEETLE INFESTATION, ANY THOUGHTS ON HOW WE GET RID OF JAPANESE BEETLES?

>> THIS IS A PERFECT STORM.

NEIGHBORS ARE USING PHEROMONE TRAPS AND I HAD SOMEONE CALL THIS WEEK ASKING ABOUT THAT, PHEROMONE TRAPS ARE NOT A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE YOU INVITE EVERYONE TO THE PARTY IN YOUR YARD OR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> JUST HOPE THE POPULATION CRASHES.

>> YOU CAN HOPE, BUT I DO NOT THINK IT WILL HAPPEN ANYTIME SOON.

>> IT IS THE PEACH AND THE PIT.

>> THE REMNANTS ARE BAD.

IT JUST NEVER MADE IT TO SOMEONE'S MOUTH TO ENJOY.

>> IT DID, THE JAPANESE BEETLE.

>> THANK YOU, WAYNE, THE NEXT ONE, DENNIS, THIS IS SPRINGFIELD, THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS, THEY FOUND IT OUTSIDE THE DOOR ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE HOUSE AND THEY POKED IT AND THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

>> IT IS NOT AN EGG AND IT DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A REPTILE AMPHIBIAN.

IT COULD BE A VERY IMMATURE ABORTED POSSUM OPOSSUM.

IT COULD BE EARLY FOR THAT.

IT IS DEAD AND IT WILL ROT, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

>> TWO PICTURES OF THIS NEXT ONE, THIS IS A OMAHA VIEWER, IS THIS A NEST FOR A BIRD OR BAG WORMS?

>> IT IS A BIRDS NEST.

IT LOOKS BIG ENOUGH THAT IT IS NOT A WEAVER NEST BUT PROBABLY ORIOLE.

>> BALTIMORE ORCHARD ORIOLE.

>> KYLE, YOU HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME ON THIS ONE WHEN IS THE IDEAL TIME TO TREAT FOR ON THE FLOWERING PAIRS?

THEY WANTED TO DO THIS BEFORE APRIL 15th, IF THIS IS THE TIME.

>> WE ARE JUST GETTING UP TO THAT WINDOW.

ONCE WE SEE SYMPTOMS LIKE THIS, IT IS WAY TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING.

YOU WANT TO DO YOUR FIRST APPLICATION RIGHT AS THOSE FLOWERS AND LEAVES ARE BEGINNING TO BREAK FROM THE BUD.

ON MY FLOWERING PAIRS, THE BUDS ARE SWOLLEN BUT NOT BREAKING YET.

I WOULD WAIT A LITTLE BIT.

THEN YOU WANT TO COME BACK ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER WITH ANOTHER FUNGICIDE APPLICATION AND HIT THE TREE THE SECOND TIME.

THAT SHOULD GIVE YOU DECENT CONTROL.

A PRODUCT THAT CONTAINS, OR A COPPER PRODUCT WORKS FAIRLY WELL.

>> IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT, CUT THEM DOWN.

>> ENJOY HAVING LEAVES THAT LOOK LIKE THEY WERE SPRAY- PAINTED ORANGE.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER, SERGEANT CRABAPPLE HAS BEEN A SHRUB FORM FOR OVER 30 YEARS, SOME OF THE BRANCHES HAVE GOT BLACK, THEY HAVE LOOKED LIKE THIS AND THEN THEY DRY OUT.

>> THIS COULD BE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF RUST AS WELL, IT IS HITTING THE FRUIT.

THEY MOVE FROM CEDAR TREES OR JUNIPERS INTO.

THEY JUST GO BACK AND FORTH EACH YEAR AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING.

ONCE WE GET TO THIS POINT, IT IS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING, IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT CHEMICAL CONTROL RIGHT BEFORE THE FLOWERS AND LEAVES, THAT IS THE TIME TO DO IT.

>> IS IS FUN BECAUSE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT IT IS ARE NOT THE SAME THING.

SHE GOT THIS FROM A PLACE LAST YEAR AND SHE WONDERS WHAT THIS IS AND IF SHE SHOULD EXPECT IT OVERWINTER.

>> ISN'T THAT PRETTY?

IT LOOKS LIKE WHAT WOULD BE A TALL PHLOX.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PLANT, THE BAD NEWS IS, IT WILL NOT COME BACK.

IT IS A TROPICAL FLAMBI GO.

THE GARDEN CENTER SOLD IT LIKE A ANNUAL, YOU CAN GROW IT LIKE A HOUSEPLANT IF YOU WANT.

I HAVE TO GIVE KUDOS TO MIKE COLLEAGUE, ARE HORTICULTURALIST IN THE OFFICE, HE IS A BIGGER PLANT NERD THAN I AM I SAID WHAT KIND OF BLOCKS IS THIS AND HE SAID NO IT'S A FLAMENCO.

>> THE PETALS ARE NOT EXACTLY, YOU WILL SEE THESE ALL OVER IN CALIFORNIA AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

ONE MORE PICTURE AND THIS IS CREEPING PHLOX.

THIS IS A STEEP SLOPE AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS, SHOULD THEY PRUNE OUT THOSE PIECES?

>> YOU CAN PRUNE THAT OUT IF YOU WANT, THE LIVE PART THAT IS LIVING IT WILL GROW AND FILL THAT IN, IT IS UP TO YOU HIM IF IT IS TOO STEEP, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN IN A TERRIBLE DROUGHT IN PARTS OF THE STATE AND OF COURSE IT WILL SHOW ITSELF THIS YEAR BUT IT IS ALSO HOPE FOR RAINFALL.

WE HAVE A BRIEF WEATHER FORECAST FROM THE HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER.

>>> THE STATE OF NEBRASKA IS IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE THAN LAST YEAR.

WE HAD A LOT OF WINTERTIME PRECIPITATION EVEN IF IT WAS JUST RAIN AND THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE, THE WESTERN PART HAD RECORD SNOWFALL WHICH IS TREMENDOUS FOR THE CURRENT DROUGHT SITUATION.

IF YOU LOOK BACK TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE WILDFIRES IN HIGH AND RIGHT NOW IT IS STILL SNOWING IN PARTS OF THE STATE.

OBVIOUSLY LOOKING AHEAD TOWARDS THE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER, WE HAVE BEEN TRANSITIONING FROM LA NIÑA THE PAST THREE YEARS, WHICH HAS BEEN DRIER AND COLDER AND GOING INTO INDO NEUTRAL AND THAT MEANS THREE THINGS FOR THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOK, YOU WILL SEE NEBRASKA HAS EQUAL CHANCES OF ABOVE OR BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE.

IF YOU LOOK SOUTH YOU WILL SEE KANSAS HAS A CHANCE FOR ABOVE NORMAL.

IF YOU LOOK NORTH, NORTH DAKOTA HAS A CHANCE FOR BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES.

WHAT THIS MEANS IS WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE, THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF POSSIBILITIES.

WE COULD HAVE WARMER TEMPERATURES SHOW UP, WE COULD HAVE COLDER TEMPERATURES SHOW UP, A LOT OF THINGS COULD HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY WITH PRECIPITATION BEING EQUAL WE COULD HAVE DRY SPELLS AND PERIODS OF A LOT OF RAIN AND MORE SEVERE WEATHER, IT IS VERY OPEN ENDED AND YOU CANNOT MAKE ANY ASSUMPTIONS WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE.

GIVEN OUR PAST ENTER, I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AND WE SHOULD BE FINE.

BEFORE THIS PAST WINTER, SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA AND NORTHEAST NEBRASKA WERE HEAVILY IMPACTED BY DROUGHT.

AFTER THIS PAST WINTER BOTH PLACES HAVE GOTTEN AMPLE SNOWFALL AND PRECIPITATION AND THAT HAS GREATLY IMPROVED THE DROUGHT SITUATION.

SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA DID NOT HAVE AS MUCH SNOWFALL, THIS LIMITS THEIR DROUGHT IMPROVEMENT.

THEY HAVE HAD PLENTY OF RAINFALL, IT IS A SINKING PRECIPITATION BUT STILL BENEFICIAL BUT THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF NEBRASKA WAS NOT AS HEAVILY DROUGHT AFFECTED BUT THEY HAVE TO MEDICINE AMOUNT OF SNOWFALL.

THE SITUATION IS IN GREAT SHAPE WITH PLENTY OF SOIL RECHARGE THE SPRING INTO EARLY SUMMER.

>>> WE HAVE HAD SOME GOOD MOISTURE ALREADY AND WE HOPE THAT CONTINUES AS WE GET FURTHER INTO THE GROWING SEASON.

KEEP IN MIND IF YOU WANT TO GROW PLANTS THE RIGHT WAY CHECK OUT OUR EDUCATIONAL FEATURES ON THE BACKYARD FARMER YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

CHECK IT OUT ON THE SHOW AND WHILE YOU ARE THERE DO NOT FORGET TO HIT THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON SO YOU DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE NEW CONTENT.

>>> LAST PICTURE ROUND, YOU ARE FIRST UP, WAYNE.

THIS IS FROM GRAND ISLAND.

THIS LOOKS LIKE BAG WORMS ON THE SIDE OF THE WILTING BUILDING.

WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT OR WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

HAVE THEY SPREAD TO THE TREES NEXT TO THE BUILDING?

>> THEY ARE BAILING ON WHATEVER THEY WERE FEEDING ON, PROBABLY BECAUSE IT WAS OVERCROWDED.

THEY HAVE NOT SPREAD THE EGGS WOULD BE INSIDE OF THE FEMALE CASES RIGHT NOW AND THEY USUALLY HATCH SOMEWHERE IN THE JUNE TO JULY TIMEFRAME, DEPENDING ON HOW THE SEASON IS GOING.

YOU CAN PICK THOSE OFF RIGHT NOW AND IT WILL HELP TO NOT HAVE THEM.

>> YOU HAVE A SECOND ONE, ALL OF OUR VIEWERS ARE GOOD, BUT THIS ONE IS VERY LOYAL PRETTY HE SAID HE WAS DOING SOME BRUSH CLEARING AND HE NOTICED THIS CASE AND HE WANTED TO PASS THIS ALONG AS A REMINDER TO DO WHAT?

>> I WOULD SAY THIS IS AN EVASIVE PRAYING MANTIS.

IT IS NOT ONE OF OUR NATIVES, TAKE IT AS THAT.

YOU CAN GET RID OF IT OR WATCH IT INDISCRIMINATELY EAT WHAT IT CAN CATCH.

>> INCLUDING ONE WE WANT TO KEEP.

>> LEAF POLLINATORS AND IF YOU WANT A GROTESQUE SCENE GO ON YOUTUBE AND FIND THEM EATING HUMMINGBIRDS.

>> WE ARE NOT WATCHING THAT.

>> DENNIS, THIS IS A OMAHA VIEWER.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHETHER YOU CAN IDENTIFY THIS BABY SNAKE.

THEY FOUND IT MARCH 29th WHILE THEY WERE RAKING OUT THE FLOWERS.

>> THIS IS NOT A BABY, IT IS FULL-GROWN.

THEY EAT SLUGS AND THEY PUT THAT INTO LAND SNAILS AND IT APPEARS TO BE A FEMALE AND IT APPEARS TO BE FULL-GROWN AND IT IS ABOUT SIX TO EIGHT INCHES.

>> THEY ARE GOOD GUYS.

>> THEY ARE, ALL SNAKES ARE.

>> I KNEW YOU WOULD SAY THAT.

THEY ARE COLD TOLERANT.

>> THAT IS THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> BEEN WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO SAID SOME CREATURE HAS BEEN USING THIS AREA AS A LATRINE AND SHE SEES FOXES, CATS, RACCOONS AND TURKEYS.

>> IT IS NONE OF THOSE.

THIS IS TERMITE.

THIS IS KIND OF A LATRINE, IT IS DEFECATION OF SALIVA SALIVA IN TERMITES.

WE HAVE A CONSENSUS ON THAT.

WHAT ABOUT TERMITES?

THEY ARE MUCH SMALLER THAN THE ANIMALS YOU MENTIONED.

IT WILL CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME.

>> THEY MAY BE IN THE HOME IF IT IS THAT CLOSE.

>> KYLE, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES, THIS ONE IS A VIEWER WHO SAYS THESE ARE NOT THERE BUT THIS IS A WHOLE LINE ALONG THE NEIGHBORS FENCE.

THEY BLOOM NICELY BUT THEY HAVE THIS HUGE WAD OF THAT LOOKING STUFF ON THE ENDS.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> I THINK THIS POTENTIALLY IS ROSETTE DISEASE, IT USED TO BE A VIRUS BUT THERE IS A MITE INVOLVED NOW IT IS ROSE ROSETTE DISEASE AND IT CAN CAUSE A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS.

IT IS JUST A LOT OF STUFF, PROLIFERATION OF FLOWERS AND THORNS, ABNORMAL GROWTH.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NOTHING THAT ANYONE CAN DO ASIDE FROM GETTING RID OF IT.

>> THEY WILL NOT LIKE THAT, BUT THAT IS OKAY.

>> THE SECOND ONE IS A ROSE AND THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THIS LAST SUMMER AND THEY WONDER IF THEY SHOULD TREAT IT.

THE THORNS ARE SORT OF GONE.

>> IT IS MOST LIKELY THE ROSE ROSETTE DISEASE, SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT ENTOMOLOGY BUT DEPENDING ON, THEY WILL HAVE DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO IT OR IT IT COULD ALSO BE THAT YOU HAVE TO MIGHT AND NOT THE ACTUAL VIRUS.

IT CAN CAUSE A PROLIFERATION OF THORNS, THERE REALLY IS NOTHING TO TREAT.

IT SOMETIMES WORK ON HIGH-VALUE ROWS PLANTING, BUT GENERALLY YOU JUST HAVE TO PUT IN A NEW PLANT.

>> I KNOW THEY HAD A PROBLEM THIS YEAR.

>> THEY DID.

IT IS A DISEASE THAT GETS EVERYWHERE INTO THE ROOTS.

IF YOU ARE MOVING PLANTS YOU NEED TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE PLANTS .

>> JOHN, YOU HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME, ONE MORE FOR KYLE.

THIS IS A FALSITY VIEWER, THEY DID NOT THINK THE SHRUB AROSE GOT THIS DISEASE BUT LAST YEAR THEY DID.

IS THERE ANYTHING THEY CAN DO SO THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN?

>> PREVENTATIVE FUNGICIDE WOULD BE EFFECTIVE.

THE NEWER VARIETIES ARE RESISTANT TO BLACK SPOTTED ROSE ON CAMPUS, SINCE THEY HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF ROSES WE CANNOT FIND IT MUCH.

ONCE IT WARMS UP AND IT GETS A LITTLE WETTER, THEN YOU WILL THINK ABOUT SOME SORT OF PROTECTIVE APPLICATION.

>> NOW IT IS YOUR TURN, JOHN.

THIS IS A VIEWER IN WAKEFIELD, TWO QUAKING ASPEN'S TWO OR THREE YEARS OLD, THEY BOTH HAD DAMAGE WHEN THEY WERE DELIVERED AND PLANTED.

ONE TREE IS STRONGER, SHORTLY AFTER WAS PLANTED THE LEADER DIED AND BROKE OFF.

THIS IS A THREE INCH PIECE OF THE ORIGINAL TRUNK WITH TWO DECENT RANCHES.

THAT CUT THAT OFF OR IS IT OKAY TO LEAVE IT?

>> MY INCLINATION WOULD BE TO REMOVE THAT.

IT WILL CAUSE YOU TROUBLE DOWN THE LINE.

YOU WILL HAVE A COMPETING LEADER OR BRANCH TRYING TO GROW OUT.

I DO NOT LIKE THAT DEAD BRANCH STICKING UP, THAT COULD BE A PATHWAY FOR DISEASES.

>> IDEALLY THEY WOULD HAVE SAID TO GET A DIFFERENT TREE.

>>> THE SECOND ONE IS TIME KIND OF A TURF QUESTION, THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO HAS 1 MILLION ACORNS CAN'T RAKE THEM, THE LAWNMOWER BAG WILL NOT PICK THEM UP AND THE SQUIRRELS ARE NOT EATING THEM, THEY WONDER IF THEY WILL HAVE A YARD OF OAK TREES AND WHAT CAN THEY DO ABOUT IT?

>> YOU PROBABLY WILL, ONCE THEY START GERMINATING THEY WILL COME UP, JUST MOW THEM DOWN WHEN THEY ARE TINY, IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF THEM, YOU CAN GET A DEVICE THAT IS USED TO PICK UP THINGS LIKE FRUIT AND NUTS OFF THE GROUND, IT IS A ROUND CAGE AND YOU JUST RUN IT ALONG AND IT WILL PICK UP ALL THE NUTS.

>> I HAVE SEEN THEM USE THAT AND IT LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT KIDS USE THAT GOES POP, POP, POP.

WE ALL SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

JOHN, I AM GOING TO ASK YOU A QUESTION SINCE WE HAVE SOME TIME, THIS VIEWER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GROW PEPPERS EFFECTIVELY.

THEY WONDER WHAT ARE THE TRICKS?

>> PEPPERS ARE ONE OF THE TRICKIER VEGETABLES TO GROW.

SOME OF IT HAS TO DO WITH TEMPERATURE.

WE TYPICALLY WANT TO GET OUT AND PLANT EARLY IN MAY, THE SOIL TEMPERATURES JUST NOT THERE, THEY SIT THERE UNTIL THE FULL TEMPERATURE WARMS UP FOR THEM TO GET GOOD ROOT GROWTH.

SOMETIMES WE PLANT THEM A LITTLE TOO EARLY, ANOTHER THING TO THINK ABOUT, THE AIR TEMPERATURE, IT IS SORT OF BACKWARDS LOGIC, SOIL TEMPERATURE CAN STILL BE COOL WHEN IT IS REALLY HOT AIR TEMPERATURE WISE AND THAT CAN STUNT GROWTH.

THAT IS ANOTHER THING TO THINK ABOUT.

THEN PICKING A CULTIVAR THAT WORKS BEST.

PEOPLE LOVE THOSE REALLY HOT SPICY PEPPERS, A LOT OF THOSE ARE FROM COUNTRIES THAT ARE VERY HOT AND WE ARE NOT HOT ENOUGH TO GET THEM TO GROW EFFECTIVELY AND THEIR SEASON IS MUCH LONGER HERE AND SO YOU DO NOT GET PRODUCTION UNTIL THE SEASON IS ALMOST OVER.

>> THE BEST WAY TO GROW PEPPERS IS TO LET SOMEONE GO TO THE FARMERS MARKET.

JUST GO BY THEM.

WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE QUICK QUESTION, 30 SECONDS OR LESS, A QUESTION CAME FROM A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHEN IS THE TIME TO DO GRUB CONTROL FOR JAPANESE BEETLES?

>> IT DOES NOT WORK VERY WELL IN ORDER TO CONTROL THEM.

IF YOU HAVE GRUB DAMAGE YES YOU CAN CONTROL IT BUT THAT IS AS FAR AS IT WILL GO.

JAPANESE BEETLES HAVE AN EXTENDED GROWING SEASON YOU CAN USE THAT PREVENTATIVE PRODUCT WHICH IS TYPICALLY FOR NORMAL GRUBS IN EARLY TO MID JUNE SO IT EXTENDS IT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS LATER.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR BACKYARD FARMER.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED QUESTIONS AND ONCE AGAIN TO OUR PANELIST FOR ANOTHER INTERESTING SHOW.

WE HAD JOHN, SUSIE AND THE BRETT NEBRASKA EXTENSION EDUCATOR.

NEXT TIME WE WILL HELP YOU WITH TIPS TO GET IN YOUR UNDERGROUNDS ANCHOR SYSTEM.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE PROPER STEPS TO STARTING UP A HOME IRRIGATION SYSTEM.

GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK RIGHT HERE ON BACKYARD FARMER.