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

TONIGHT, ON "BACKYARD FARMER", WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT A PROGRAM THAT HELPS FEED STUDENTS AND OUR ANNUAL GARDEN TIME LAPSE.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP NEXT RIGHT HERE ON THE SEASON FINALE OF "BACKYARD FARMER."

♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE FINAL "BACKYARD FARMER" OF THE SEASON.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE JUST GET STARTED, THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, IT'S FALL.

SO, YOU HAVE ONE MORE CHANCE TO GIVE US A CALL TO GET THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

YOU CAN DIAL 1-800-676-5446.

OUR VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

UNFORTUNATLEY, WE WILL ALSO NOT BE ANSWERING ANYMORE E-MAILED QUESTIONS THIS SEASON.

WE NEED TO KIND OF TAKE A BREAK, BUT YOU CAN KEEP UP TO DATE WITH "BACKYARD FARMER" BY FOLLOWING US ON FACEBOOK.

WE'LL STILL BE POSTING ORIGINAL CONTENT THROUGHOUT THE FALL AND WINTER ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

SO, TIME FOR SAMPLES.

KATE, A SAD LEAF AND PROBABLY THE BEAST THAT ATE IT?

>> WELL KIND OF.

SO, I BROUGHT A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF NATURE'S BIO CONTROL.

SO, AS KIM MENTIONED, THIS IS OUR SAD LEAF THAT HAS BEEN CLEARLY EATEN BY CATERPILLARS.

BUT IF WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK, WE CAN SEE THE REMNANTS OF THE CATERPILLARS, OR THE COCOONS RIGHT HERE, THOSE LITTLE YELLOW THINGS.

THOSE ARE THE COCOONS OF PARASITOID WASPS.

AND SO, THESE SMALL PARASITOID WASPS, IF YOU CAN SEE THEM IN THIS BOTTLE HERE, THEY'RE REALLY SMALL, THEY'RE BLACK.

THEY DON'T STING PEOPLE, BUT THEY DO STING CATERPILLARS, AND THEY'LL LAY THEIR EGGS INSIDE THE CATERPILLAR.

THE CATERPILLAR WILL BE EATEN ALIVE BY THE LARVAE.

AND WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS THE COCOONS WILL FORM ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CATERPILLAR OR THE COCOON OF THE CATERPILLAR ITSELF.

AND ONCE THE ADULTS EMERGE, THAT CATERPILLAR AND HOST DIES.

AND SO, IT'S JUST A GOOD REMINDER THAT WE HAVE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT.

YES, WE WANT TO GET RID OF THE BAD BUGS, BUT WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO KEEP THE GOOD BUGS TOO, AND PARASITOIDS ARE GOOD BUGS.

>> VERY INTERESTING.

I DON'T THINK WE'VE EVER HAD THAT ONE ON THE SHOW.

>> THEY'RE SO COOL.

>> THEY'RE SO COOL.

OKAY, ROCH, SAD LOOKING DANDELION.

>> A VERY SAD LOOKING -- YOU ALREADY KEYED IT OUT.

>> I'M GOOD.

>> SOME PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY WONDERING WHY I BROUGHT IN A DANDELION.

AND MOSTLY BECAUSE IT'S A REMINDER THAT OUR PERENNIAL BROAD LEAF WEEDS LIKE DANDELION AND GROUND IVY OR CREEPING CHARLIES THAT SOME MIGHT CALL, AND EVEN WHITE CLOVER FOR SOME OF THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO PROMOTE AND BRING IN POLLINATORS, NEED TO BE CONTROLLED IN THE FALL.

YOU CAN BURN THEM BACK AND YOU CAN IRRITATE THEM IN THE SPRING, BUT IT'S REALLY NOT AN EFFECTIVE TIME TO DO IT.

SO, THIS ONE'S A LITTLE WILTED AND IT HASN'T BEEN SPRAYED.

IT'S JUST WILTED.

BUT YOU SPRAY THEM NOW OR IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND THEN AGAIN THREE TO FOUR WEEKS LATER, AND YOU'RE PRETTY MUCH GOING TO ERADICATE OVER 90% OF THEM BECAUSE THAT PLANT IS BASICALLY TAKING IN, YOU KNOW, ALL THE CARBOHYDRATES EVERYTHING, AND SHUNTING THEM DOWN INTO THE ROOT SYSTEM, SO, IT TAKES THAT HERBICIDE WITH THEM.

SO, JUST REMEMBER PERENNIAL WEEDS, FALL APPLICATIONS.

THAT'S THE ONE TAKEAWAY FROM THIS SORRY LOOKING DANDELION PLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

DENNIS, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT?

>> OKAY, SO, IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR.

IT'S GETTING COLDER.

AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S OUR LAST SHOW, IT'S ALSO THE TIME OF THE YEAR THAT CRITTERS WANT TO GET INSIDE.

AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO EXCLUDE THEM BECAUSE IT TAKES SO MUCH EFFORT TO TRY TO GET THEM ONCE THEY GET INSIDE, WHETHER YOU SNAP TRAPS OR POISONS.

WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS STOP THEM FROM GETTING INSIDE.

THIS IS JUST COARSE STEEL WOOL THAT YOU CAN USE FOR CHALKING AROUND ANY HOLES.

NOW, THIS DOES CONDUCT ELECTRICITY, SO DON'T PUT IT AROUND ANYTHING THAT CONDUCTS ELECTRICITY.

BUT LIKE A DRYER VENT, OR PLUMBING HOLES, OR WHERE YOU HAVE UNDERNEATH A STEP OR THRESHOLD.

JUST STUFF THE COARSE STEEL WOOL IN THERE AND PUT CAULKING AROUND IT.

WE ALSO HAVE, IF YOU HAVE SIDING ON YOUR HOUSE, WHETHER IT'S VINYL SIDING OR ALUMINUM SIDING, THIS GOES UP UNDERNEATH THE CORNER OF THE SIDING, SO THOSE MICE CANNOT GO UP THERE.

SO, YOU PUSH THIS ON EVERY CORNER.

AND AGAIN, YOU GET THESE ON THE WEB.

AND IT STOPS THE MICE FROM GOING UP BEHIND THE SIDING, GET INTO THE HOUSE.

AND FOR AROUND THE GARAGE DOOR, WHERE YOU HAVE THE RUBBER THAT STOPS THE SNOW FROM GETTING IN, YOU CAN JUST USE SMALL PIECES OF METAL LIKE THIS.

AND THAT STOPS THEM.

THEY CAN'T CHEW THROUGH THE METAL, THE ALUMINUM LIKE THEY CAN IF THE MOUSE WANTS TO GET INTO THE HOUSE.

AND THEN ON TOP FOR THE VENTS FOR YOUR BATHROOM AND PLUMBING, SQUIRRELS, LOTS OF TIMES, I ALWAYS GET CALLS ABOUT FROM PLUMBERS THAT A SQUIRREL DOVE DOWN THAT HOLE BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY COLD AND GOT STUCK IN THAT PLUMBING HOLE, AND THEN YOU HAVE TO GET THEM OUT OF THERE.

THESE JUST FIT RIGHT ON TOP OF THE HOLE ON THE ROOF.

THE SQUIRREL CAN'T GET DOWN IN THERE, AND YOU CAN EASILY, YOU KNOW, TAKE IT OUT IF IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT TO CLEAN THAT OR THE AIR CAN EASILY COME OUT THE TOP.

SO, THE BEST THING IS TO GET AHEAD OF YOUR PROBLEMS.

STOP THOSE RODENTS NOW, AND YOU WON'T HAVE PROBLEMS ALL WINTER.

>> EXCELLENT IDEAS IF THEY LOOK FOR THOSE WARM SPOTS.

>> I'M SURE THERE'S A JOKE IN THERE SOMEWHERE, BUT THIS IS PUBLIC TV.

>> RIGHT.

>> RIGHT.

>> OKAY, JOHN, GOLDENROD.

>> SO, I HAVE GOLDENROD.

AND THE REASON THAT I BROUGHT GOLDENROD IS NOT JUST TO TALK ABOUT GOLDENROD, WHICH IS THE STATE FLOWER.

BUT GOLDENROD APPEARS THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

IT STARTS BLOOMING, AND PEOPLE, ALSO, THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, START TO HAVE REALLY BAD ALLERGY PROBLEMS.

AND MANY PEOPLE ASSOCIATE GOLDENROD WITH THE ALLERGIES, AND THAT ACTUALLY ISN'T THE CASE.

IF YOU HAVE THE FALL ALLERGIES, THE HAY FEVER, THAT'S USUALLY RAGWEED, WHICH IS NOT GOLDENROD.

AND THE REASON BEING GOLDENROD IS A BEE POLLINATED PLANT.

SO, YOU WILL SEE BEES SWARMING THIS PLANT.

AND THE POLLEN ON GOLDENROD IS SO LARGE AND HEAVY AND STICKY THAT IT WOULD NOT BLOW ON THE WIND.

OUR RAGWEED HAS VERY SMALL POLLEN THAT BLOWS IN THE WIND VERY EASILY.

AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE CLOUDS OF IT SOMETIMES COMING OFF OF THE PLANT.

SO, YOUR ALLERGY PROBLEMS ARE NOT CAUSED BY GOLDENROD.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL PLANT TO HAVE IN THE LANDSCAPE.

DON'T BLAME IT FOR YOUR ALLERGIES.

>> PERFECT.

AND I LOVE GOLDENROD.

ALL RIGHT, KATE, YOU GET THE FIRST ROUND OF PICTURES.

THESE ARE TURF, BUT THERE'S INSECTS IN THEM.

THIS IS -- SHE RECEIVED SOME PATCHES OF DEAD GRASS, NOTICED THESE INSECTS.

THEY'RE REAL TINY IN THERE.

THEY'RE WONDERING IF THEY'RE EATING THE SEED AND KILLING THE GRASS, AND ARE THEY SOMETHING SHE SHOULD WORRY ABOUT?

>> NO, AT LEAST THE INSECTS AREN'T TO BLAME FOR THIS ONE.

I HAD TO ZOOM IN QUITE A WAYS.

BUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS A WHOLE BUNCH OF ANTS.

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S WINGED ONES IN THERE, SO THEY'RE PROBABLY JUST AT THE SURFACE BECAUSE THEY'RE GETTING READY TO SWARM AND FLY TO OTHER PLACES.

WE DON'T USUALLY SEE ANTS AS ISSUES ON TURF UNLESS THEY'RE FIELD ANTS WHERE THEY MAKE THOSE BIG, YOU KNOW, SAND VOLCANOS.

IT DOES MAKE ME THINK THAT MAYBE IT'S A BIT DRY IF ANTS ARE NESTING IN THERE, WHICH MIGHT BE AN ISSUE.

OTHERWISE, ROCH MIGHT HAVE OTHER IDEAS, BUT IT'S HARD TO TELL FROM JUST A PHOTO.

>> THIS TURF LOOKS LIKE IT'S HURTING A LITTLE BIT FROM THE LACK OF MOISTURE, BUT THE ANTS AREN'T CAUSING ANY DAMAGE LIKE YOU SAID, RIGHT?

>> OKAY, GOOD.

KATE, TWO MORE PICTURES ON THIS ONE TOO.

THIS VIEWER ALSO HAS ISSUES.

WONDERS IF HE HAS GRUB OR FUNGUS.

THAT'S CLEARLY NOT A FUNGUS.

THE GRASS PULLS BACK LIKE CARPET, BUT HE DIDN'T FIND A LOT OF GRUBS.

HE DID PUT DOWN A GRANULAR GRUB KILLER JUST REAL RECENTLY.

HE'S WONDERING WHAT ELSE SHOULD HE DO?

AND AGAIN, THERE'S THE DAMAGE THAT HE'S SEEN.

>> YEAH, IF THE GRASS IS ROLLING BACK, THAT'S PRETTY CLASSIC GRUB DAMAGE, AND YOU MIGHT NOT BE SEEING THEM TOWARDS THE SURFACE.

THEY COULD BE DEEPER DOWN IN THERE, ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

I'D BE CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT YOU TREATED WITH.

THERE ARE PREVENTIVE PRODUCTS THAT WORK BEST IN KIND OF LATE JUNE FOR GRUBS.

THAT'S GOING TO BE LIKE IMIDICLOPRID.

RIGHT NOW, FOR CURATIVE TREATMENTS, YOU'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT PRODUCTS WITH CARBARYL OR DYLOX OR SOMETHING.

SO, GO AHEAD AND GIVE THAT A TRY.

JUST FOLLOW THE LABEL DIRECTIONS AND KIND OF SEE HOW IT DOES FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT AND BE READY TO RESEED.

OKAY.

ROCH, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

AND THIS IS WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TREAT THIS SPECIES, THIS IS CHAMELEON PLANT.

THEY'VE TRIED DIGGING, AND I THINK ADDITIONAL PICTURES ON THIS ARE A HOLY-COW'S WORTH OF ROOTS AND SHOOTS.

AND SHE SAYS IF YOU DIG ALL THE ROOTS, THEY JUST MOVE TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

>> YEAH, IT'S A HIGHLY RHIZOMATOUS SPECIES, EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S EVEN INVASIVE IN SOME STATES.

NOT SURE OF IT'S STATUS IN NEBRASKA.

BUT ANYWAY, WHAT WE RECOMMEND IN THIS CASE IS TO CUT IT, BUT DON'T USE A WEEDEATER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

TRY TO GET A GOOD CUT.

EVEN CONSIDER MOWING IT WITH A MOWER SET ON THE HIGHEST HIEIGHT.

AND THEN IMMEDIATELY SPRAY IT WITH A NON-SELECTIVE GLYPHOSATE AND THEN ANOTHER 2,4D OR TRIGLYCERIDE TYPE PRODUCT IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU MOW IT.

AND YOU'LL ERADICATE IT IN MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS.

AND NOW LIKE WE MENTIONED EARLIER, NOW WILL BE THE TIME TO DO IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND IT IS -- THAT IS A BEASTY.

>> IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE A ONE AND DONE OR TWO AND DONE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A THREE-YEAR AND DONE.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE THREE PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM FREMONT.

HE SAYS THE WEEDS AND VINES ARE ALL OVER THE YARD, ESPECIALLY IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.

HE WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO EITHER CONTROL THEM OR IDEALLY GET RID OF THEM WITHOUT KILLING THE VEGETABLE AND THE FLOWER GARDENS.

HE DOES NOT PLAN ON PLANTING THE GARDEN NEXT YEAR, SO, HE'S WONDERING IF HE SHOULD USE SOMETHING LIKE GROUND CLEAR.

>> SO, LET'S START -- LET'S MOVE BACKWARDS IN THAT QUESTION.

GROUND CLEAR IS A LONG RESIDUAL SCORCHED EARTH TYPE PRODUCT.

SO, PUTTING IT DOWN, WE DON'T ALWAYS GET THE WEATHER THAT WE WANT AND IT COULD CARRY OVER INTO THE NEXT YEAR WHEN HE WANTS TO GO BACK IN AND SPRAY OR EXCUSE ME, GROW THE VEGETABLES.

THE FIRST ONE IS -- THE FIRST ONE WE LOOKED AT WAS FIELD BINDWEED.

THE SECOND ONE WAS PURSLANE.

FIELD BINDWEED HAS SOIL -- EXCUSE ME, HAS SEEDS THAT CAN STAY IN THE SOIL UP TO 70 YEARS ACCORDING TO THE BILL GARDEN WORK AT MICHIGAN STATE, MY ALMA MATER.

AND THEN PURSLANE IS ACTUALLY RELATIVELY EASY TO CONTROL WITH PRE- EMERGENT.

SO, USE A PREEN-TYPE PRODUCT IN THE BED, AND THEN THE AREA THAT HE'S NOT PLANTED, THEN IT'LL JUST STAY ON TOP OF THAT WITH ANY OF THE BROAD-LEAF HERBICIDES OR EVEN SOMETHING, IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO LEAVE A SOIL RESIDUAL, LIKE GLYPHOSAED AS IT COMES UP, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO COME UP ALL SEASON LONG, BUT JUST STAY ON TOP OF IT.

AND SINCE HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY OF THE VEGETABLES IN THERE.

AND THEN, WHERE HE DOES PLANT THE VEGETABLES NEXT YEAR, BECAUSE I GUARANTEE YOU THAT THERE'S WEED SEED IN THERE, HIT IT WITH SOME PREEN FOR VEGETABLE GARDENS.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

>> FOR PRE-EMERGENT CONTROL.

>> ALL RIGHTY.

DENNIS.

>> YES.

>> YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE IN THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LEXINGTON.

HE THINKS ALL THESE MOUNDS ARE POCKET GOPHERS AND HE'S TRYING TO GET RID OF THEM.

WHEN HE TRIES TO FIND THEIR TUNNEL, SO HE CAN USE PELLETS, THE SAND JUST FALLS BACK IN THE HOLE AFTER HE STICKS THE DOWEL DOWN THERE.

>> RIGHT.

SO, THIS IS DEFINITELY POCKET GOPHERS.

THEIR MAIN RUNS ARE ACTUALLY AT A 45-DEGREE ANGLE AWAY FROM UNDER THOSE.

SO, YOU HAVE TO PUT DOWN THE PELLETS.

YOU CAN PIERCE BETWEEN THE MOUNDS UNTIL YOU FIND AN OPENING.

AND THEY SELL APPARATUS TO DO THAT.

OR YOU CAN DIG THIS WITH YOUR TROWEL 'TIL YOU FIND THE CROSS RUN.

PUT THE PELLETS IN THE CROSS RUN, AND THEN PUT THE DIRT BACK IN THE HOLE, SO, THEY DON'T SEE LIGHT.

BECAUSE WHEN THEY SEE LIGHT, THEY WILL JUST PUSH THE PELLETS RIGHT OUT.

SO, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PELLETS ARE IN THE OPEN HOLE AND NOT WITH DIRT ON TOP OF THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE A TENDENCY IF THEY SEE LIGHT TO PUSH EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF THEIR FACE OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> AND THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF PELLETS THAT ARE LABELED FOR POCKET GOPHERS.

>> OKAY.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

AND THIS ONE COMES TO US BURWELL NEAR CALAMUS.

HE THINKS -- HE'S ASKING HOW TO PREVENT KANGAROO RATS IN THE LAWN.

>> WELL, THIS IS GOPHERS AS WELL, NOT KANGAROO RATS.

KANGAROO RATS LEAVE AN OPEN HOLE WITH NO MOUNDS AND THEY DO VERY, VERY LITTLE DAMAGE TO TURF.

THEY'RE A GRAINOVORE.

THEY EAT YUCCAS, SO THEY'RE USUALLY AROUND WHEN YUCCA SEEDS ARE AROUND.

SO, THE SAME THING.

JUST LIKE PREVIOUSLY, THE POCKET GOPHER PELLETS CAN BE PUT INTO THE BORROWS, THE CROSS BURROWS.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

YOU HAVE ONE MORE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER, WHO SAYS HE'S SEEING RABBITS SITTING IN THE GRASS AND CHEWING.

AND THE QUESTION IS DO THEY MAKE HOLES NOW AND LIVE IN THEM IN THE WINTER?

WHAT ARE THEY DOING OTHER THAN GETTING EATEN BY FOXES?

>> YEAH, GET EATEN BY FOXES.

RABBITS, OF COURSE, CAN EAT A LOT OF VEGETATION.

BUT OUR RABBITS, COTTON-TAIL RABBITS AND RABBITS HERE FOUND IN THE UNITED STATES DON'T DIG HOLES.

THEY DIG FORMS, WHERE THEY HAVE THEIR YOUNG, JUST ABOUT SIX INCHES DOWN.

THEY LAY ON TOP.

IN THE WINTER, THEY GO UNDERNEATH THINGS.

UNDERNEATH DECKS AND BIG STAGS OF BRANCHES.

EUROPEAN BUNNIES, RABBITS DO DIG HOLES, SO, BUGS BUNNY MUST HAVE BEEN EUROPEAN BECAUSE HE HAD A LONG HOLE WITH A COUCH AND A TV.

YEAH, SO -- [ LAUGHTER ] >> YEAH, THERE WAS A JOKE IN THERE SOMEWHERE.

>> ITS ALWAYS A JOKE WHEN IT'S DENNIS.

>> ALL RIGHT, JOHN, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

HE'S WONDERING HOW TO OVERWINTER THESE CANNA LILIES.

HE DUG THEM LAST YEAR, HE PUT THEM IN PEAT MOSS IN A COOL BASEMENT.

BUT MOST DID NOT COME UP THIS YEAR.

SHOULD HE WASH THE DIRT OFF COMPLETELY AND AIR DRY?

IS THERE SOMETHING BETTER THAN PEAT MOSS TO STORE THEM IN?

>> THERE'S DEFINITELY AN ART AND A SCIENCE TO OVERWINTERING ROOTS AND BULBS LIKE THIS.

SO, IN THE BASEMENT IS KEY.

YOU WANT IT IN A COOL, DRY PLACE.

AND SO -- BUT YOU ALSO WANT IT TO BE HUMID ENOUGH SO THAT IT DOESN'T DRY OUT.

SO, THAT'S WHERE YOUR SURROUNDING MATERIAL COMES.

AND SO, PUTTING IT IN THE BASEMENT IS GREAT.

WHAT I WOULD THINK ABOUT DOING, THE PEAT MOSS WOULD WORK BUT YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE WET.

BUT IT NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE -- JUST A TOUCH OF MOISTURE IN THERE.

YOU CAN ALSO USE STRAW OR SHREDDED NEWSPAPER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND IF YOU DO HAVE A PLACE IN YOUR BASEMENT THAT FEELS, YOU KNOW, NOT DAMP, BUT THE AIR FEELS A LITTLE MORE LIKE IT HAS SOME MOISTURE IN IT, THAT WOULD HELP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS ONE IS GOLDEN PRIVET OR YELLOW PRIVET.

DISCOLORED LEAVES FACE THE SOUTHEAST.

IT DOES HAVE DRIP, FULL SUN.

SHE DOES WONDER IF THIS IS MILDEW, WHICH IT IS.

BUT THEN THE REAL QUESTION IS CAN IT BE REJUVENATED, CUT ALL THE WAY BACK.

AND IF SO, WHEN DOES SHE DO THAT?

>> YEAH, SO, THAT IS DEFINITELY SOME MILDEW ON THERE.

AND I THINK REJUVENATION.

SO, IF WE DON'T PRUNE SHRUBS, WE SORT OF GET LEGGY GROWTH IN A LOT OF SHRUBS.

AND PRUNING THEM BACK ALLOWS THEM TO BUSH OUT, SO, I WOULD DEFINITELY LOOK AT DOING THAT.

WHEN TO PRUNE PRIVET?

I WOULD SAY, I'M NOT A PRIVET EXPERT, BUT I'M THINKING MORE WHEN IT'S DORMANT.

SO, YOU COULD EITHER DO FALL OR LIKE SPRING BEFORE THINGS START GETTING GOING.

>> EXACTLY.

ALL RIGHT, THANKS, JOHN.

WELL, YOU KNOW EVERY WEEK WE GIVE YOU UPDATES FROM THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

THIS WEEK WE DIVE INTO HOW IT IS HELPING STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

♪ >> BIG RED RESILIENCE AND WELL BEING, A PROGRAM ON NEBRASKA'S CAMPUS OFFERS SERVICES SUCH AS SUICIDE, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION.

THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT MOST AREN'T AWARE OF.

>> THE HUSKER PANTRY OFFERS A SERVICE TO ANY STUDENT ON THE UNL CAMPUS, AND WE OFFER FOOD SECURITY RESOURCES BOTH WITHIN THE CAMPUS ITSELF AND THEN ALSO, IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

>> THE PROGRAM STARTED WITH THE LOCAL NON-PROFIT PRODUCE FROM THE HEART, WHICH WORKED WITH FARMERS MARKETS TO RECOVER AND DISTRIBUTE UNSOLD PRODUCE.

THOUGH WHEN PRODUCE FROM THE HEART FOLDED, THE GARDEN TOOK MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS.

>> SO, WE JUST WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FOOD BANK KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A NEW ONE HERE ON EAST CAMPUS ALSO, WHERE WE COULD MAYBE BRING AND JUST TAKE THAT PRODUCE TO THEM DIRECTLY INSTEAD OF HAVING THAT MIDDLE MAN.

>> AN AVERAGE BETWEEN 1,500 AND 2,000 POUNDS OF PRODUCE A YEAR IS DONATED BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, MAKING THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HUSKER PANTRY A NO BRAINER.

>> WE OFFER A TON OF RICE.

WE OFFER A LOT OF GREAT VEGETABLES, MEATS.

>> MOST FOOD BANKS AND MOST FOOD PANTRIES, IT'S ALWAYS SHELF STABLE FOOD THAT THEY HAVE THERE.

AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, FRESH TOMATOES, AND FRESH PEPPERS, AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> WE OFFER A FEW HYGIENE STAPLES AS WELL.

AND SNACKS, SNACK ITEMS, AND ANYTHING FROM JUST, YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALS IN DORMS OR FAMILIES THAT NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE FOOD.

>> ALL NEBRASKA STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE JUST BY BEING ENROLLED AT THE UNIVERSITY AND BY FILLING OUT A SIMPLE FORM USING THEIR NU I.D.

ORDERS ARE ACCOMMODATED TO THE NEEDS OF EACH STUDENT.

>> SO, OUR CURRENT CAPACITY IN WHAT WE FILL OUR BAGS IS ABOUT A WEEK BASED ON FAMILY SIZE.

STUDENTS THAT NEED MORE ARE ALWAYS ABLE TO ACCESS MORE FOOD.

THEY CAN CHOOSE AN E-MAIL OR COME SEE US.

>> SO, WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT STAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND REALLY HELPS THOSE OF US HERE.

SO, BEING ABLE NOW TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S GOING STRAIGHT TO THE STUDENTS REALLY IS -- IS REALLY WHAT WE WANTED TO DO LONG TERM.

>> MANY STUDENTS FACE FOOD INSECURITY AT SOME POINT OR ANOTHER, SO, BEING PART OF SOMETHING SO SPECIAL MEANS THE WORLD TO EMILY.

>> I MEAN, I FEEL REALLY HONORED TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

I JUST ENJOY IT A LOT.

BUT I ALSO THINK THAT A BIG PART OF THE PANTRY AS A RESOURCE IS THAT DESTIGMATIZING IT.

THERE SHOULD BE NO CONCERN ABOUT EVER NEEDING TO ACCESS OUR RESOURCES.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING TO BE EMBARRASSED OR ASHAMED OF.

>> WE DO LOVE THIS PARTNERSHIP.

WE HOPE IT GROWS IN THE FUTURE.

IF YOU DO WANT TO HELP STOCK THE PANTRY EVEN MORE, YOU CAN VISIT PANTRY.UNL.EDU.

SO, THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD PROGRAM.

ALL RIGHT, KAIT, PICS ARE YOURS.

FIRST ONE HERE COMES TO US FROM LAWRENCE, KANSAS.

KIND OF.

AND SHE SAYS THESE ARE ON HER PORCH.

SHE'S JUST NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE.

>> SO, I WAS ACTUALLY SENT THIS EXACT PICTURE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AND I HAD HER BRING THE SPECIMENS IN TO MY LAB BECAUSE I COULDN'T TELL WHAT THEY WERE FROM THE PICTURE.

I DID A LITTLE DISSECTION WITH THEM.

SO, THESE ARE ACTUALLY THE LARVAL OR THE PUPAL CASES OF MASON BEES.

SO, MASON BEES ARE SMALL, SOLITARY BEES, KIND OF CLOSELY RELATED TO LEAF-CUTTER BEES, BUT THEY'RE CALLED MASON BEES BECAUSE THEY USE THIS MUD CONCOCTION THAT THEY'LL SURROUND THEIR YOUNG IN.

AND THEY USUALLY ACTUALLY DO IT IN EMPTY TUBINGS OR SOME PROTECTED AREA AND NOT OUT IN THE OPEN LIKE THIS, WHICH IS WHY THEY KIND OF HAVE A WEIRD DRIP FORM TO THEM.

BECAUSE THEY'RE BEES, THEY ARE BENEFICIAL IN POLLINATORS.

UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS TOLD THESE WERE SPRAYED BEFORE THEY WERE FIGURED OUT WHAT THEY WERE.

BUT JUST KIND OF A REMINDER TO SEE WHAT IT IS BEFORE WE REACH FOR THAT INSECTICIDE.

BUT WE USUALLY DON'T SEE THEM OUT IN THE OPEN LIKE THIS, SO, IT'S KIND OF NEAT.

>> VERY NEAT.

ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

OMAHA.

HER ONLY QUESTION IS WHAT IS THIS CRAZY THING?

>> IT IS A CRAZY THING.

THIS IS A WHEEL BUG.

IT'S A TYPE OF ASSASSIN BUG.

AND SO, IT'S A GENERALIST PREDATOR JUST OUT IN THE LANDSCAPE.

YES, THEY DO HAVE A REALLY PAINFUL BITE.

IF YOU TRY TO HANDLE IT.

OTHERWISE, THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT YOU.

THEY JUST WANDER AROUND.

JUST DON'T TOUCH IT.

IT'S ONE OF THE LOOK-BUT-DON'T-TOUCH BUGS.

>> OKAY.

>> YOU HAVE A QUESTION FROM THIS VIEWER WHO SAYS HE KILLED THIS IN HIS BACKYARD.

HE'S WONDERING IS THIS A TIGER MOSQUITO?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY IN THE '80s GENUS, WHICH IS THE TIGER MOSQUITO BELONG IN.

I WILL JUST SAY MOSQUITOES IN GENERAL, CAUTION THAT NEBRASKA IS KIND OF ONE OF THE HOT SPOT STATES FOR WEST NILE VIRUS, AND WE'VE GOTTEN 20 TIMES MORE POSITIVE MOSQUITO POOLS OF WEST NILE THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

SO, IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG ISSUE THIS YEAR.

EVEN THOUGH THIS ISN'T A WEST NILE MOSQUITO, JUST BE SURE TO WEAR REPELLANTS AND BE SAFE WITH MOSQUITOES.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM RURAL WESTERN OTOE COUNTY.

SAW THESE, THERE'S ANOTHER LITTLE THING ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

THEY'RE WORRIED THESE ARE TERMITES, BUT THEY'RE OUT IN THE OPEN GROUND.

SO, WHAT ARE WE?

>> THESE ARE TERMITES.

AND JUST LIKE THE ANTS, THESE ARE SWARMING TERMITES.

WHEN THEY'RE READY TO SWARM AND GO OFF AND START NEW COLONIES, THEY PRODUCED WINGED REPRODUCTIVES LIKE THIS.

YOU SEE THEM IN THE GROUND BECAUSE THE ONLY TERMITE SPECIES WE GET HERE IN NEBRASKA ARE SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES WHICH MEANS THEY LIVE IN THE SOIL.

AND SO, WHEN WE SEE DAMAGE AND HOMES AND STRUCTURES, IT'S BECAUSE UNTREATED WOOD IS IN CONTACT WITH THAT SOIL.

SO, IF IT IS NEAR YOUR HOUSE OR NEAR ANOTHER STRUCTURE LIKE A SHED, I WOULD PROBABLY CONTACT A PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL.

YOU KNOW, GET AN INSPECTION DONE.

MAKE SURE THAT THAT STRUCTURAL WOOD IS PROTECTED IN SOME WAY BECAUSE THEY'RE REALLY COOL GREAT DECOMPOSERS IN THE WILD, BUT NOT SO GREAT WHEN THEY'RE NEAR OUR HOME.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, KAIT.

ROCH, YOU HAVE BASICALLY, EXCUSE ME, THREE OR FOUR THAT ARE SORT OF A BUNDLE HERE, WHICH IS WHAT IS THE WEED.

HOW CAN IT BE CONTROLLED?

HOW DO WE CONTROL IT IN THE NEXT ONE, WHICH IS AN AREA WITH ROCK GROUND COVER, NO GROUND COVER FABRIC.

WILL A PRE-MERGE WORK?

THE NEXT ONE'S HER DRIVEWAY.

SO, THESE FIRST TWO, WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> SO, IT'S A NON-PLANT AREA, RIGHT?

IT'S A ROCK BED OR IT'S A GRAVEL BED OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

AND ROCK LANDSCAPING.

I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF THAT, BUT THEY DO SERVE THEIR PURPOSE.

BUT THIS IS A GREAT CANDIDATE FOR SOMETHING LIKE GROUND CLEAR, RIGHT?

BECAUSE YOU WANT A LONGER RESIDUAL TYPE PREEMERGENT PRODUCT.

YOU PUT THESE DOWN IN THE SPRING.

GROUND CLEAR IS READILY AVAILABLE AT MOST OF YOUR GARDEN STORES AND ONLINE.

AND THEN NO WEEDS WILL GROW THERE.

BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY PLANT MATERIAL YOU'LL WANT TO PLANT THERE, THEN CERTAINLY THAT MEANS YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

BUT THESE ARE ALL JUST GRAVEL BEDS, SO I WOULD GO WITH SOMETHING LIKE GROUND CLEAR.

IF THE WANTED TO USE A PREEMERGENT HERBICIDE THEY CERTAINLY COULD, BUT THEY'D BE PUTTING IT DOWN THREE TO FOUR TIMES DURING THE COURSE OF THE SEASON BECAUSE THOSE ROCK BEDS HEAT UP AND THEY GET MORE WEEDS AND WHATEVER.

BY THE WAY, THOSE ARE ALL SPURGE, PROSTRATE OR SPOTTED SPURGE.

THIS HAS BEEN A BANNER YEAR IN NEBRASKA, ESPECIALLY EASTERN NEBRASKA FOR SPURGE.

I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY 33 YEARS OF BEING HERE THE KIND OF POPULATIONS OF PROSTRATE AND SPOTTED SPURGE THAT WE'VE HAD.

THAT'S CRAZY.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE, SPEAKING OF SPURGE.

THEY USED TO HAVE FESCUE.

THEY DID HAVE IT RESEEDED.

THE WEEDS WERE KILLED FIRST.

IT WAS ROTOTILLED.

PLANTED A WHITE LABEL GRASS, AS OPPOSED TO THEY NOW KNOW THEY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN CERTIFIED SEED.

THIS IS WHAT CAME UP.

>> I'M GOING TO SAY THE IMPLICATION IS THAT THE SEED, IT WAS IN THE GRASS SEED, I'M JUST GOING TO SAY THERE WAS A RESIDUAL SEED POPULATION THAT THEY BROUGHT IN WHEN THE ROTOTILLED, RIGHT?

AND YOU KNOW, WE OFTEN SUGGEST ROTOTILLING IF THE SOIL NEEDS TO BE AMENDED OR WHATEVER.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE TILLING YOUR GROUND BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING WEED SEEDS UP.

SO, UNLESS THERE'S A REASON TO DO CORRECTIVE ACTION ON THE SOIL, DON'T ROTOTILL DEEP AND SIMPLY SEED INTO THERE.

BUT ONCE AGAIN THAT AREA IS GOING TO NEED TO BE RESEEDED.

THE PROSTRATE KNOTWEED'S GOING TO DIE WITH THE FIRST FROST.

I WOULD GET A SLIT SEEDER OF SOME KIND, LOAD IT UP WITH SOME TURF TYPE TALL FESCUE OR MAYBE EVEN BUFFALO GRASS BECAUSE IT'S BETWEEN TWO DRIVEWAYS AND IT'S PROBABLY A HOT SPOT.

AND THAT MIGHT BE AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR BUFFALO GRASS.

BUT TURF TYPE TALL FESCUE OR BUFFALO GRASS AND KEEP IT MOIST AND WET, MAYBE MULCH IT UP.

AND THEY SHOULD BE READY TO GO NEXT SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT, I THINK YOU HAVE ONE MORE.

THIS IS TAKING OVER THE LANDSCAPE BORDER.

STARTS GREEN AND THEN TURNS RUSTY BROWN.

SAME THING?

> YES, BUT IT'S YELLOW WOOD SORREL.

SO AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S A DIFFERENT WEED, BUT IT COULD STILL BE CONTROLLED PREEMERGENT.

IT CAN BE PERENNIAL SOUTH OF HERE IN KANSAS.

BUT GENERALLY, IT IS A WEAK PERENNIAL AND AN ANNUAL HERE.

BUT IT DOES HAVE A UNIQUE SEED DISPERSAL MECHANISM WHERE IT LITERALLY DRIES OUT AND THEN IT FLICKS THAT SEED UP TO 16 FEET AWAY.

>> OKAY.

DENNIS, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

ACTUALLY, JUST ONE ALTHOUGH HE HAS MULTIPLE TREES WITH THIS.

DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE YARD.

AND IF YOU ZOOM IN, YOU CAN SEE WHAT'S HAPPENED ON THE TRUNK.

THE TRUNK DAMAGE IS ALL THE SAME.

IT IS NOT MOWER BLIGHT.

HE WONDERS THE CHEWING AND GNAWING.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> YEAH, IT'S SQUIRREL OR RABBIT, PROBABLY MORE TOWARDS A SQUIRREL.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A PEACH TREE.

AND IT'S BEING CHEWED AT THE GRAFT, WHICH WOULD BE VERY TASTY FOR A SQUIRREL.

SO, I'M SAYING SQUIRREL WITH THIS ONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THREE PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US IN ACREAGE SOUTH OF LINCOLN.

THEY HAD 30 SWAMP WHITE OAKS PLANTED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.

THEY'RE THIS HEIGHT.

ONE OF THE 30 HAD THIS INTERESTING DAMAGE.

WHAT'S EATING ON IT?

>> IT'S NOT EATING, IT'S A DEER RUBBING.

A DEER JUST CAME RIGHT UP AND WANTS TO RUB THAT VELVET OFF.

YOU CAN TELL THE WAY IT'S RUBBED AND EVEN THE WAY THE TWIGS ARE RUBBED, IT'S DEER RUBBING.

>> HOW DOES SHE PROTECT FROM THAT?

>> YOU CAN CAGE IT OR DURING THE SUMMER, IF YOU HANG SOAP ON IT, DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOAP.

THAT DOES NOT WORK IN THE WINTER FOR DEER, BUT IT WORKS IN THE SUMMER FOR DEER.

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

THOUGHT IT WAS AN INSECT, BUT WE'RE THINKING NOT INSECT ON THIS.

>> YEAH.

I WAS LOOKING AT THIS.

THERE'S ACTUALLY SEVERAL THINGS GOING ON.

I'M THINKING SOME OF THE HOLES MAYBE, I SEE A LITTLE MINOR IN THERE TOO.

BUT SOME OF THE HOLES ARE PROBABLY MAYBE RASP OF A SLUG OR THING.

BUT THE EDGES COULD BE A RODENT INSECT OR A 13-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL.

BUT THEY TOOK THE PICTURE AFTER ITS HEALED, SO I CAN'T SEE TEETH MARKS TO TELL YOU WHICH RODENT DID IT.

YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

JOHN, YOU HAVE THE FIRST THREE OR FOUR, THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE TREE.

THIS IS NORTHEAST LINCOLN.

IT IS A MAPLE.

THE SECOND TWO ARE WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THIS TREE, WHICH IS IN A PARKING LOT.

IT'S ONLY THE SIDE CLOSEST TO THE PARKING LOT.

THE NEXT ONE IS A BALD CYPRESS AND THEY'RE WONDERING WHETHER IT'S FROM LACK OF WATER OR SOMETHING ELSE.

SO, THOSE THREE BUNDLED TOGETHER, WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON?

>> THE ANSWER IS YES AND WE'VE GOT SCORCH GOING ON THERE.

SO, WITH THOSE MAPLES, THEY VERY EASILY GET SCORCHED.

SO, THAT CAN BE A COMBINATION OF LACK OF WATER.

AND THEN ALSO, VERY BRIGHT SUNLIGHT.

SO, I THINK I READ THE QUESTION ABOUT THE ONE IN THE PARKING LOT WHERE IT WAS ACTUALLY HALF OF THE TREE WAS SCORCHED AND THE OTHER HALF WASN'T.

THE NOT SCORCHED SIDE IS ON THE NORTH SIDE.

THE SCORCHED SIDE IS ON THE SOUTH SIDE THAT GETS DIRECT SUNLIGHT.

AND SO, WE HAVE THAT HAPPENING.

I THINK WITH THE BALD CYPRESS, IT IS JUST THE SAME.

IT HAS BEEN SO HOT AND SO DRY IN NEBRASKA THIS YEAR THAT IF YOU AREN'T WATERING TREES, YOU CAN GET STUFF LIKE THIS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> SO, IT IS JUST -- >> JUST MOTHER NATURE.

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY, ONE MORE PICTURE.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAD REGULAR OLD MULCH.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

REMOVED IT, PUT DOWN A FILTER FABRIC, AND A LIGHTWEIGHT ROCK AND THEN THE HYDRANGEA HAS DONE THIS.

WAS THAT A GOOD MOVE OR BAD ONE?

>> THAT WAS NOT A GOOD MOVE.

SO, ROCH SAYS HE DOESN'T MIND ROCK AND, WELL, OF COURSE.

>> I DID MIND IT.

YEAH.

>> BUT HORTICULTURALISTS, IF YOU ASK A HORTICULTURALIST.

THE ONLY THING THAT WE HATE MORE THAN THAT LANDSCAPE FABRIC IS PUTTING ROCKS AROUND PLANTS.

ROCKS AROUND PLANTS, THEY HEAT UP AND THEY CAN DAMAGE PLANTS.

AND THE FABRIC, IT SAYS THAT IT ALLOWS WATER THROUGH, IT REALLY CREATES A BARRIER.

IT REDUCES THE OXYGEN FLOW INTO THE SOIL.

AND YOU GET WEEDS GROWING THROUGH IT.

AND SO, MOST HORTICULTURALISTS WILL TELL YOU DO NOT USE FABRIC AND REAL MULCH, NOT ROCKS.

I WISH THE PEOPLE WHO OWNED MY HOUSE BEFORE ME KNEW THIS.

EVERY TIME I SINK A SHOVEL INTO THE GROUND, I FIND LANDSCAPE FABRIC HIDDEN UNDERNEATH.

>> OF COURSE.

ALL RIGHT, WELL IT'S TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK.

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

STAY TUNED FOR MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" AFTER THESE MESSAGES.

♪ BACKYARD FARMER AFTER THESE MESSAGES.

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

COMING UP LATER ON IN THE SHOW, WE'LL BE REVIEWING THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN GROWTH THIS SEASON WITH OUR ANNUAL TIME LAPSE FEATURE.

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

RIGHT NOW, OF COURSE, IT IS TIME FOR LIGHTNIN'.

ALL RIGHT, JOHN, YOU'RE UP.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO IS LAMENTING HAILSTORM DAMAGE, TEN MINUTES WORTH, QUARTER-SIZED HAIL, DAMAGE ALL THE WAY UP THE SIDES AND BRANCHES OF TREES.

ARE THEY GONERS?

>> THEY COULD BE.

CAN HAVE DISEASES GET IN AND DAMAGE TO THE TREES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAYS ALL HIS PEARS ARE GREEN, THEY'RE HARD.

HE BOILED THEM, THEY'RE STILL HARD.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THEY'RE HARD PEARS.

[ LAUGHTER ] MAYBE AN ASIAN VARIETY THAT ISN'T A SOFT PEAR LIKE A BARTLETT.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A PAPILLION VIEWER WHO CUT DOWN THREE BARBERRY BUSHES THREE WEEKS AGO AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GROW BACK.

HOW DOES HE STOP THEM?

>> YOU CAN USE AN HERBICIDE LIKE GLYPHOSATE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IS THERE A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR THE MORNING GLORIES THAT CONTINUE TO RESPROUT ALL OVER THIS PARTICULAR VIEWER'S GARDEN?

>> GOOD LUCK.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> THERE IS -- SO, THIS IS A CHLORINATED WATER QUESTION, WHICH IS SHOULD YOU LET IT STAND SO THE CHLORINE WILL DISSIPATE BEFORE YOU USE IT ON YOUR HOUSE PLANTS?

>> I WOULD SAY YES.

SOME OF THEM ARE SENSITIVE TO CHLORINE AND CHLORAMINE.

>> ALL RIGHT -- [ THUNDER ] -- THOSE ARE NOT THE SAME THING.

OKAY, NICE JOB.

DENNIS, YOU READY?

>> YEP.

I WAS BORN READY.

>> UH-HUH.

SPEAKING OF PEARS, YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM WAYNE, AND THEY'RE WANTING TO KNOW HOW TO PROTECT THEIR PEARS FROM SQUIRRELS.

>> PUT A NETTING OVER IT LIKE BIRD NETTING AND KIND OF TIE IT, WEIGHT IT AT THE BOTTOM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER HERE IN LINCOLN WHO IS ASKING A SERIES OF QUESTIONS ABOUT COYOTES, STARTING ON WHEN DURING THE DAY ARE THEY MOST ACTIVE?

>> THEY'RE PRIMARILY NOCTURNAL, BUT WITH DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS, THEY'LL BE -- MAYBE IN THE MORNING BETTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ARE NUMBER OF COYOTES CLIMBING IN URBAN AREAS?

>> YES.

WELL, URBAN AREAS ARE MOVING INTO THEIR TERRITORY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> SO, YES, PEOPLE ARE SEEING THEM MORE IN THE PERIPHERY BECAUSE WE'RE PUSHING THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT, A CHADRON VIEWER IS WONDERING WHERE ARE THE HUMMINGBIRDS?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

I'VE SEEN A BUNCH OF THEM, SO IT MIGHT BE JUST THE ONE AREA WHERE A LOT OF INSECTICIDE MAY BE USED, OR THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FOOD FOR THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WOULD RABBITS STAND ON THEIR BACK LEGS TO CHEW THE TOPS OFF PLANTS?

>> SURE.

[ THUNDER ] >> OKAY.

>> HOP RIGHT TO IT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> OH.

>> GOSH, DENNIS.

OKAY, ROCH.

ARE YOU READY?

>> NO, 'CAUSE I HAVE TO GIGGLE AT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

YEAH, WE'RE GOOD.

>> OKAY, THIS IS AN AUBURN VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING WHETHER A 12-5-7 FERTILIZER IS A GOOD STARTER FOR NEW GRASS.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IS SEPTEMBER TOO LATE -- OR 23rd, EXCUSE ME -- TOO LATE TO AERATE AND OVERSEED IN THE OMAHA AREA?

>> NO.

>> WE HAVE A SCOTTS BLUFF VIEWER WHO HAS KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS THAT HAS SPREAD OVER THE METAL EDGING.

HE'S USED GLYPHOSATE BUT THEN IT JUST FILLS BACK IN AGAIN.

WHAT IS THE PERMANENT SOLUTION?

>> THEY DON'T HAVE THAT DEEP ENOUGH BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, BLUEGRASS SPREADS BY RHIZOMES, SO THAT EDGE IS NOT DEEP ENOUGH AND IT'S GROWING UP UNDERNEATH IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A SYRACUSE VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS THE FALL FERTILIZING SCHEDULE?

>> USUALLY AROUND SEPTEMBER, AND THEN NO LATER THAN THE FIRST OR SECOND WEEKEND OF OCTOBER, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO PUT IT ON TOO LATE IN THE SEASON, OR JUST DON'T DO THAT SECOND APPLICATION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

CAN YOU USE PREEN ON WEEDS IN THE FALL, AND IF SO, WHEN?

THIS IS A DE WITT VIEWER.

>> SO, I WOULD BE WAITING ABOUT TWO WEEKS FROM NOW, BUT THAT'S DEFINITELY A GREAT IDEA AND YOU'D GET YOUR, YOU KNOW, YOU'D GET YOUR HENBIT AND YOUR CHICKWEED AND SOME OF THE OTHER WINTER ANNUALS THAT COULD BE PROBLEMATIC.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AMMONIATED FATTY ACID AS A WEEK KILLER -- [ THUNDER ] IS IT SAFE AT ANY TEMP?

>> UM, WHEN YOU GET A LITTLE HOTTER, IT'S GOING TO BURN MAYBE MORE THAN YOU WANT IT TO, BUT YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL THAT PLANT, SO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

THEY WANT IT, IT'S NON-SELECTIVE, SO, CERTAINLY.

>> OKAY.

>> YEAH.

>> COOL, THAT ONE DOESN'T COUNT.

ALL RIGHT.

>> IT SHOULD COUNT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT, KAIT.

WE HAVE AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHEN DOES THE MONARCH EGG LAYING STOP?

>> SOON-ISH.

[ LAUGHTER ] I DON'T REMEMBER, I'LL PASS, OH GOSH.

IT'S STARTING OFF TERRIBLE.

OKAY, LET'S KEEP GOING.

>> WE HAVE -- WE HAVE A WAKEFIELD VIEWER WHO HAS HONEYBEES BY THE 50s, AND THEIR HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER -- IS THE HUMMINGBIRD FOOD HARMFUL TO HONEYBEES?

>> UM, ASSUMING IT'S JUST SUGAR WATER OR NECTAR, NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AN ELM CREEK VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO KILL THE BOXELDER BUGS BY THE THOUSANDS, AND HOW TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE.

>> UM, KEEP THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE THE EXACT WAY DENNIS JUST SHOWED US FOR HIS SAMPLE.

KILLING THEM, YOU HAVE TO DO LIKE, A TIMELY PERIMETER OUTSIDE HOUSE TREATMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS NOW FROM BOYS TOWN AND OTHER AREAS ABOUT PEOPLE SEEING BIG BAGWORM BAGS.

WHAT TO DO?

>> WHEN E SEASON'S KIND OF DONE, THEIR ACTIVITY HAS ENDED -- OCTOBER, THROUGHOUT THE WINTER -- JUST PULL AS MANY OF THOSE BAGS OFF AS YOU CAN BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF EGGS IN THOSE.

>> ALL RIGHT, DOUGLAS COUNTY VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS THE-- [ THUNDER ] -- INSECTICIDE THAT YOU CAN USE ON HOUSE PLANTS BEFORE YOU BRING THEM IN?

SOMETHING?

>> SOMETHING.

>> OKAY.

>> INSECTICIDAL SOAP.

WE'LL GO WITH THAT ANSWER.

>> PLANT SYSTEMIC.

>> A SYSTEMIC!

[ LAUGHTER ] CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN USE IT ON THAT PLANT THOUGH.

>> YES.

>> YES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YEAH, THE PANEL DOES HELP ONE ANOTHER.

SO WHAT ARE THE -- >> I THINK IT'S THE FIRST TIME EVER, BECAUSE HE'S ALWAYS CHATTY.

>> MAYBE.

>> I'M GONNA GET OUT OF THE WAY.

>> I ALSO HAVE THE RECORD OF GETTING EIGHT, SO, HEY.

>> THERE WE GO.

>> OOH.

>> THERE WE GO.

>> PLANT OF THE WEEK!

BOYS, STOP.

[ LAUGHTER ] OKAY, WHAT ARE OUR PLANTS OF THE WEEK?

>> OUR PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

SO WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL, UH, GRASS HERE, THIS IS DALLAS BLUES SWITCH GRASS.

IT'S A HUGE CULTIVAR OF OUR NATIVE SWITCH GRASS.

YOU CAN'T TELL IT FROM THIS SAMPLE, BUT THIS GRASS CAN GROW UP TO EIGHT FEET TALL.

SO, A WONDERFUL GRASS FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE.

AND THEN WE'VE PAIRED THAT THIS EVENING, WITH THIS ORANGE PEACH DWARF CELOSIA.

SOME PEOPLE CALL THIS VARIETY -- FORM COCKSCOMB.

BUT THIS IS A CELOSIA, THEY'RE RELATED TO LOTS OF OTHER THINGS.

18 INCHES OR SHORTER, AND FULL SUN.

>> AWESOME.

THANK YOU, JOHN.

>> ALL RIGHT, KAIT, FIRST QUESTION HERE.

SHE FOUND THIS ONE ON HER REDBUD TREE IN ELKHORN.

WHAT IS IT?

>> IT'S AN AMERICAN DAGGER MOTH CATERPILLAR.

IT'S A PRETTY UNREMARKABLE MOTH, IN MY OPINION.

THOUGH THE CATERPILLAR'S COOL, SO -- >> WE HAVE ANOTHER CATERPILLAR QUESTION.

THIS IS AURORA.

THESE ARE EATING HOLES IN THE RHUBARB LEAVES.

WHAT ARE THEY?

>> THESE ARE YELLOW WOOLLY BEARS, WHICH WILL TURN INTO THE VIRGINIAN TIGER MOTH, AND THEY'RE QUITE PRETTY.

IF THEY BOTHER YOU, YOU CAN JUST PICK THEM OFF AND THROW THEM SOMEWHERE.

>> OKAY.

>> YEAH.

>> THEN WE HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

SUPER NEAT CATERPILLAR FROM OMAHA.

WHAT IS THIS ONE, AND WHAT ARE THE FOUR LARGE THINGS ON THE BACK?

>> SO, THIS IS A WHITE-MARKED TUSSOCK MOTH CATERPILLAR.

AND TUSSOCK MOTH CATERPILLARS ARE ALSO ONE OF THOSE "LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH," BECAUSE THEY HAVE VENOM GLANDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HAIRS ON THEIR BODIES, AND SO, IF YOU TOUCH THEM, YOU'LL GET REALLY RASHY, REALLY IRRITATED, REALLY HURT.

SO, UM, AND THOSE TUFTS OF HAIRS ARE JUST KIND OF CHARACTERISTIC FOR THE TUSSOCK MOTHS.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE, AND THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER WHO FOUND THIS ON THE TOMATO PLANT.

LOOKS LIKE A PARASITE TOOK OVER THE CATERPILLAR.

>> YEAH, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I SHOWED FOR MY SAMPLE, JUST A DIFFERENT CATERPILLAR.

SO BIOCONTROL, THOSE ARE THE WASPS' COCOONS, AND WHEN THE WASPS COME OUT, THE CATERPILLAR WILL DIE.

>> OKAY.

ROCH, THREE PICS ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A TORRINGTON, WYOMING, VIEWER.

IT'S A PASTURE GRASS, SHE THINKS IT'S SOME KIND OF A BROME, AND IF IT IS, SHE WONDER HOW TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE FLOWER BEDS.

>> YEAH, THIS IS SMOOTH BROME, AND THE ONLY REALLY WAY TO -- IT'S GOT RHIZOMES, BUT THEY'RE NOT VERY LONG, SO EXTEND YOUR BED OUT ABOUT TWO FEET, BUT DON'T PLANT ANYTHING THAT CAN MOVE INTO IT.

AND THEN YOU CATCH THE RHIZOMES AS IT COMES UP THROUGH THE MULCH WITH AN ORGANIC MULCH BED, RIGHT?

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO REALLY KEEP BROME FROM INVADING A FLOWERBED.

SO THEY'RE GOTTA EXTEND THEIR BED TWO FEET.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A TALL FESCUE LAWN, FOUND THIS INVASIVE SOMETHING BY RUNNERS.

HE DUG IT OUT, BUT HERE IT IS BACK AGAIN, AND I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE FROM ANOTHER VIEWER, AND THEY ALL SAY IT SPREADS LIKE CRAZY.

>> YEAH, THIS IS NIMBLEWILL AND IT'S A VERY AGGRESSIVE PERENNIAL, WARM SEASON GRASS.

LUCKILY, WE NOW HAVE A CONTROL FOR IT WITH MESOTRIONE OR TENACITY -- USUALLY, THREE APPLICATIONS AT ABOUT FIVE OUNCES IN THE SPRING.

UNLIKE MOST PERENNIALS, AS I SAID EARLIER, MOST PERENNIALS ARE BETTER IN THE FALL, BUT THIS IS BETTER CONTROLLED IN THE SPRING.

THREE APPLICATIONS, ABOUT TWO, TWO AND A HALF WEEKS APART SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> PERFECT.

AND ONE PICTURE FROM BURWELL, NEAR CALAMUS.

WHAT IS THIS GRASS, AND HOW DO YOU GET RID OF IT?

>> I'M NOT SURE.

IT'S -- YOU KNOW, I CAN'T REALLY SEE A SEEDHEAD ON IT.

IT COULD BE TUMBLE WINDMILL GRASS, BUT IT MIGHT ALSO BE PERENNIAL RYEGRASS BASED ON ITS GROWTH HABIT, AND THE WAY IT LOOKS.

BUT, SO, WE NEED A LITTLE BIT CLOSER PICTURE OF THE SEEDHEAD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DENNIS, ONE PIC ON THIS ONE.

THEY WERE LOOKING THROUGH THE WINTER -- OR -- I'M SORRY, THIS IS THE WRONG PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS ONE -- >> WELL, THIS IS WOODHOUSE TOAD.

A COMMON TOAD.

>> THIS IS WOODHOUSE TOAD.

>> YEP.

>> SO, THIS WAS FOUND IN DAWSON COUNTY.

>> YEP, THEY'RE THERE.

>> SO, VERY COOL.

ALL RIGHT, THEN WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MORE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

SO, THIS IS THE OTOE COUNTY, LITTLE GUY, TINY.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS COPE'S TREEFROG, VERY COMMON IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE, BUT NOW EXPANDING ALONG THE PLAT.

>> LITTLE TINY THING LIKE THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY, THEN WE HAVE A PICTURE HERE OF -- >> OH.

>> -- THIS, TWO PICS.

I KNEW YOU'D BE HAPPY ABOUT THIS.

>> TOO BEAUTIFUL.

YEAH, THIS IS A PRAIRIE RATTLESNAKE.

I LOVE 'EM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THAT WAS FOUND BY -- JUST LIKE KAIT SAID, YOU KNOW, DON'T TOUCH.

JUST WATCH.

[ LAUGHTER ] IF YOU TOUCH 'EM, IT CAN BE VERY PAINFUL, SO JUST WATCH AND WALK THE OTHER WAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THEN WE HAVE A SWEDEBURG VIEWER WHO WAS VISITED BY A VERY DOCILE DOVE.

AND HE DID FIND A BAND ON IT.

>> YEAH, I CAN -- >> SO IS THIS A PART OF A STUDY?

>> IT'S SOMEONE'S PIGEON, NO.

THIS IS -- PEOPLE HAVE FANCY PIGEONS FOR, YOU KNOW, SHOW, AND THAT'S ONE THAT GOT AWAY.

>> OKAY, SO THAT'S -- OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

NOT A GAME AND PARKS BAND.

>> NO.

>> SOME PEOPLE WILL SHOW ANYTHING AT A FAIR.

>> YEAH.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S A PERSONAL BAND, IT'S NOT A RESEARCH BAND.

>> OKAY.

TWO PICS ON THE FIRST ONE, JOHN.

THIS COMES TO US FROM JUANITA.

SHE THOUGHT SHE PLANTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH, BUT SHE GOT THIS.

WHAT IS IT?

>> SO THAT, I BELIEVE, SO IT COULD EITHER BE A CINDERELLA PUMPKIN, WHICH ARE SQUASHED FLAT, OR IT'S A NEW JERSEY CHEESE GOURD OR SQUASH.

EITHER WAY IT'S EDIBLE.

THEY ARE RELATED TO BUTTERNUT, SO, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A MIX UP WITH THE SEED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM BELLEVUE.

ALL THE TOMATOES SHE GREW TURNED RED, HAD YELLOW VEINS.

THE HARD VEINS NEVER RIPEN, AND THEY DON'T TASTE LIKE TOMATOES.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> SO THOSE HARD PARTS, THE WHITISH OR YELLOW IN THE CENTER, THAT'S ACTUALLY A REACTION TO EXCESSIVE HEAT.

SO WHEN TOMATOES HAVE REALLY EXCESSIVE HEAT, THEY GET THOSE HARD PARTS IN IT, THEY DON'T TASTE AS GOOD.

SO, THE ONE THING YOU CAN DO -- YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE, BUT YOU COULD USE SHADE CLOTH TO COOL THE TOMATO PLANTS DOWN A LITTLE BIT TO TRY TO AVOID THAT.

SOME CULTIVARS ALSO ARE MORE LIKELY TO DO IT THAN OTHERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PIC ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS ONE COMES FROM ALLIANCE.

ABSOLUTELY LOADED.

HE DID NOT THIN THOSE TREES.

SO -- IS THAT WHAT WE HAVE JUST GOING ON, DO YOU THINK?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

SO, ONCE FRUIT STARTS TO RIPEN, THEY TAKE A LOT OF WATER.

AND I THINK THAT THE FRUIT ARE JUST SUCKING THE WATER OUT OF THE TREE, AND IT IS CAUSING THE LEAVES TO DRY UP AND DIE.

>> OKAY.

AND TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA.

15-YEAR-OLD CHERRY TREE DID NOT PRODUCE CHERRIES.

DOES IT LOOK LIKE IT'S DYING?

>> IT COULD -- IT COULD ALSO JUST BE A TEMPORARY THING, AN ENVIRONMENTAL THING WITH ALL THE DRY GOING ON.

I WOULD JUST WAIT AND SEE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, JOHN.

WELL, WE HAVE HAD ANOTHER GREAT SEASON OUT IN OUR GARDEN THIS YEAR.

FOR OUR LAST FEATURE OF THE SEASON, LET'S LOOK BACK AT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN FROM BARE SOIL TO FULL BLOOM.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> WE DO HOPE YOU ENJOY THAT TIME LAPSE AS MUCH AS WE DO.

DO KEEP IN MIND OUR SHOW MIGHT BE ENDING, BUT YOU CAN STILL VISIT THAT GARDEN ANY OLD TIME.

ALL RIGHT, A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT.

THE FIRST IS YES, WE ARE STILL DOING OUR GROW-A -- GROW-A-ROW TUESDAYS, 4:30 TO 7:00.

BRING YOUR PRODUCE DONATIONS, WE WILL DONATE THEM.

OUR SECOND ONE IS A NEBRASKA EXTENSION COMPOSTING DEMONSTRATION, SEPTEMBER 23rd IN PIONEERS PARK.

SO, LEARN HOW TO MAKE DO WITH ALL THOSE GREAT THINGS.

ALL RIGHT, KAIT, THREE PICS ON THE FIRST ONE, THIS IS SO COOL.

THIS CAME TO US FROM SYDNEY.

SHE WONDERS WHAT THIS MANTIS IS DOING.

>> THIS MANTIS IS LAYING HER EGG SACK, WHICH IS CALLED AN OOTHECA, SO, COME NEXT SPRING, EARLY SUMMER, THAT'LL HATCH OUT MANY, MANY LITTLE BABY MANTIDS.

>> ISN'T THAT COOL?

>> MM-HM.

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

THIS COMES TO US, UH, LET'S SEE, NOT SURE WHERE -- OH, WAYNE.

SEVERAL OF THESE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

IS THIS A GRASSHOPPER OR A KATYDID?

>> IT IS A KATYDID.

I'M NOT 100% POSITIVE, BUT I THINK IT'S A SHORT-WINGED MEADOW KATDID, AND THIS ONE'S A LADY.

SHE'D GOT A NICE LITTLE OVIPOSITOR, AND SHE'LL LAY HER EGGS IN PLANT STEMS.

PRETTY COOL.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE.

AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE OF THE SEASON.

SAW THIS BEAUTIFUL SPIDER HANGING OUT IN KEARNEY.

THE WEB IS ABOUT THREE FEET ACROSS.

SO, WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS A YELLOW GARDEN SPIDER, AND THEY'RE VERY STRIKING.

IT'S DEFINITELY ORB WEAVER SEASON RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE ORB WEAVERS EVERYWHERE.

I WAS AT A STATE PARK, THEY WERE EVERYWHERE.

THEY'RE EVERYWHERE IN MY BACKYARD.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE ORB WEAVERS.

AND SO ORB WEAVERS MAKE THESE REALLY BEAUTIFUL INTRICATE WEBS.

AND THE YELLOW GARDEN SPIDER IS PROBABLY THE MOST NOTICEABLE ONE BECAUSE OF THAT BEAUTIFUL COLOR.

>> AND SHE'S SO BIG.

>> AND SHE'S SO BIG, YES.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, KAIT.

ROCH, YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM KEARNEY.

THEY MOVED INTO THEIR HOME ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

THEY CUT OUT A TRUMPET VINE THAT WAS OVERGROWN.

NOW IT IS COMING UP ALL OVER THE LAWN.

HOW CAN THEY KILL IT?

>> SO, THIS IS -- YOU KNOW, YOU GO BACK TO THE MAIN TRUNK OF IT -- AND I KNOW THERE'S GONNA BE TRUMPET VINE STUMPS EVERYWHERE.

YOU CUT IT AND IMMEDIATELY TREAT IT WITH GLYPHOSATE, AND THAT'LL TRANSLOCATE BACK THROUGH.

AND THEY'RE PROBABLY GONNA HAVE TO DO THIS MULTIPLE TIMES OVER MULTIPLE SEASONS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND IT IS COMING UP ALL OVER IN OUR "BACKYARD FARMER" -- >> "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AS WELL.

>> YEP.

OKAY, TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

SHE IS WONDERING WHAT KIND OF WEED THIS IS, AND WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GET RID OF IT?

>> SO, THIS IS FOUR O'CLOCK, AND THAT'S THE FLESHY TAPROOT THAT IS VERY TYPICAL OF FOUR O'CLOCK.

IT FLOWERS AT 4:00.

NO, IT FLOWERS IN EARLY AFTERNOON, BUT IT'S REALLY COOL BECAUSE IT'S A NIGHT BLOOMER, WHICH IS VERY RARE.

OR RELATIVELY RARE, AT THE END OF THE DAY.

BUT, SO, THESE -- THESE ARE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WITH LIKE ANY KIND OF CONVENTIONAL -- YOU TRY TO USE GLYPHOSATE, DOESN'T WORK.

BUT IF YOU MIX GLYPHOSATE AND TRICLOPYR TOGETHER, OR SPRAY ONE AND THEN THE OTHER, YOU CAN DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

REALIZING, THAT, OF COURSE, YOU'RE USING A NON-SELECTIVE PLUS A BROADLEAF ONE, SO KEEP IT OFF YOUR SENSITIVE ORNAMENTALS.

>> AND DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED.

>> AND DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED.

>> WHICH OURS DID IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

OKAY, ONE MORE PICTURE.

THIS VIEWER WONDERS, IS THIS MULBERRY WEED THAT IS SHOWING UP DOWNTOWN LINCOLN, AND HOW DO THEY CONTROL IT?

>> THIS IS MULBERRY WEED, AND IT'S INTERTING BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SAME FAMILY AS THE MULBERRY TREE, BUT IT'S AN ANNUAL, AND A PROLIFIC SEED PRODUCER.

YOU CAN CONTROL IT PREEMERGENT, RELATIVELY EASY.

IT SAID IT WAS IN A LANDSCAPE BED, SO USE A STANDARD LANDSCAPE PREEMERGENT HERBICIDE.

AND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN IS THAT YOU CAN SPRAY IT WITH PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING BROADLEAF, LIKE -- UP UNTIL IT GETS TO ABOUT FOUR INCHES, AND THEN AFTER THAT, YOU'RE JUST WASTING YOUR TIME AND ENERGY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DENNIS, THIS IS AN INTERESTING ONE.

SO, THIS IS A VIEWER WHO SAW SOMETHING THAT LOOKED LIKE THIS, THEY THOUGHT, COME RUNNING OUT OF A BEAN FIELD IN SARPY COUNTY.

AND THEY DID SAY IT WAS HAIRLESS, GRAY, MEDIUM SIZE, AND HAD ROUNDED EARS.

AND OBVIOUSLY IT WAS NOT THIS.

>> NO, THIS IS A PAINTED DOG FROM SOUTHERN AFRICA THAT HAS MANGE.

WHAT THEY PROBABLY SAW WAS A COYOTE WITH MANGE, OR A FERAL DOG WITH MANGE.

>> OKAY.

>> SO, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE.

AND THE EARS STICK UP MORE DEPENDING ON THE VARIETY OF COYOTE OR A DOG, BECAUSE OF THE MANGE.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

THREE PICS ON THE NEXT ONE, AND THIS IS ACTUALLY STUDENTS WHO SENT THESE PICTURES IN.

FOUND THESE HOLES ALL AROUND NEWER TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE ROSE GARDEN AND SUNKEN GARDEN HERE IN LINCOLN.

THE PLANTS WERE NOT DOING VERY WELL.

WHAT'S GOING ON AND IS IT EATING THE ROOTS?

>> NO, THIS IS A SQUIRREL BURYING HIS NUTS OR BURYING ROSEHIPS.

AND SQUIRRELS WILL DIG THREE TIMES AS MANY HOLES AS THEY ACTUALLY BURY STUFF, JUST TO FOOL EVERYBODY.

[ LIGHT LAUGTHER ] >> REALLY?

>> YEAH.

>> SO, THAT'S ALL JUST SQUIRRELS?

>> YEAH.

>> AND THE DAMAGE THAT THEY'RE DOING TO THE ROOTS REALLY HAS LITTLE TO DO -- >> WELL, THEY DIG LIKE THIS.

>> RIGHT, THEY'RE JUST -- >> YEAH.

YEAH.

>> THEY'RE JUST DOING TREE RAT THINGS?

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

YEAH, I KNOW.

[ LAUGHTER ] THEY ARE TREE RATS.

>> OKAY.

>> OKAY, JOHN, WE ACTUALLY HAVE TIME FOR YOU TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR ONCE.

>> OH, GOOD.

THANK YOU, PEOPLE.

>> NOW WE DON'T HAVE VERY GOOD QUESTIONS, BUT -- [ LAUGHTER ] THE FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM HOLDREDGE.

I LOVE THIS ONE.

THIS IS "PLEASE SETTLE A MARITAL DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS."

SHE DOES NOT ALLOW HER HUSBAND TO THROW THE COALS OFF THE CHARCOAL GRILL ON THE PLANTS, BECAUSE SHE THINKS IT HURTS THE PLANTS.

HE SAYS IT'S GOOD FOR THEM.

WHAT DO WE SAY?

>> I AM -- I HATE TO GET INTO THE MIDDLE OF ARGUMENTS LIKE THIS, BUT I'M GOING TO SIDE WITH THE WIFE HERE.

SO, THERE ARE NUTRIENTS IN ASHES, THERE'S LIKE PHOSPHOROUS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

BUT YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU NEED UNLESS YOU HAVE A SOIL TEST, AND YOU HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHAT'S ACTUALLY IN HERE.

THERE'S ALSO, USUALLY, LOTS OF LIKE, HEAVY METALS IN ASHES AS WELL.

SO, I WOULD NOT PUT IT IN THE GARDEN.

>> AND THE REAL BIG DEAL ON CHARCOAL FROM THE GRILL, IS DID THEY USE CHARCOAL LIGHTER?

>> RIGHT.

IT'S THE LIGHTER FLUID.

>> YEAH.

>> LIKE, WHAT IS IN THERE?

IT IS -- IT'S NOT GOOD.

DON'T DO IT.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN WE HAVE AN IDENTIFICATION ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM A BLAIR VIEWER.

SHE DOES WANT TO KNOW, CAN WE IDENTIFY IT, AND THEN IS IT BENEFICIAL TO WILDLIFE OR SHOULD WE GET RID OF IT?

>> THAT IS BITTERSWEET.

AND IT'S REALLY INTERESTING LATER IN THE SEASON THOSE, WHAT LOOK LIKE YELLOW, THEY'LL, LIKE, POP OPEN AND THEY'LL BE VIBRANT RED.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT BITTERSWEETS.

AND I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE MORE INVASIVE ONE.

IT'S NOT, THIS IS THE MORE -- >> AMERICAN.

>> THE AMERICAN, NOT THE -- THE -- I THINK IT'S, UH, IT'S AN ORIENT JAPANESE.

>> ORIENTAL -- >> JAPANESE BITTERSWEET.

SO, THIS ONE IS A NATIVE.

BENEFICIAL, I'M NOT SURE, BUT IT'S VERY PRETTY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IT'LL BE SPREAD BY BIRDS, AND IT IS WORTH A FORTUNE AT FARMERS MARKETS.

>> YES.

>> FOR THE -- >> FOR FALL DECOR, PEOPLE PUT IT IN WREATHS.

PEOPLE PUT IT IN, LIKE, A HOLIDAY GREENERY STUFF, THAT KIND OF STUFF.

SO, YEAH.

SO, MAKE A LITTLE MONEY ON IT.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> OKAY, AND TWO PICS ON THIS LAST ONE, WHICH IS A PRETTY SIMPLE QUESTION.

HE ASKED "IS THIS LETTUCE?"

>> THAT IS ACTUALLY LETTUCE.

THAT'S PROBABLY A ROMAINE LETTUCE THAT HAS BOLTED.

AND SO, IT'S GONE TO FLOWER.

LETTUCES DO THAT WHEN IT'S IN HEAT, WHEN THERE'S A LOT OF HEAT AND -- AND IT'S HOT.

AND SO, THAT IS PROBABLY A ROMAINE LETTUCE.

ONCE IT DOES THAT, IT IS NOT TASTY EDIBLE, IT'S VERY BITTER, AND VERY HARSH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE ONE MINUTE, SO I'M GOING TO ASK ONE QUESTION, WHICH IS FALL TIPS FROM ANIMOLOGY FOR THE FALL.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO?

>> OH.

INTERESTING.

WELL, IF YOU HAVE A GARDEN WHERE YOU'VE HAD, LIKE, ISSUES WITH OVERWINTERING PESTS, YOU KNOW, SQUASH BUGS, FOX BUGS, THINGS THAT'LL SPEND THEIR TIME IN LEAF LITTER, FALL IS A REALLY GOOD TIME TO CLEAN UP THAT LEAF LITTER OR ANY OTHER HIDING SPACES THAT YOU CAN HELP PREVENT POPULATIONS NEXT YEAR.

ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT, WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LEAVING SOME HABITAT FOR BENEFICIAL INSECTS LIKE BEES AND PREDATORS THAT ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING THEIR TIME THERE.

SO, IF YOU'VE HAD ISSUES IN THE PAST, CLEAN THAT GARDEN UP.

AND IF NOT, JUST LEAVE THE LEAF LITTER FOR THE BEES.

>> SO LEAVE THE LEAVES?

>> LEAVE THE LEAVES, YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND NOBODY ELSE GETS A QUESTION BECAUSE THAT WAS NOT LIGHTNING AND SHE GAVE A REALLY, REALLY, REALLY GOOD ANSWER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU CAN HAVE THE TROPHY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> WELL, SO, UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE OUT OF TIME FOR THIS SEASON OF "BACKYARD FARMER."

IT'S BEEN ANOTHER GREAT EXPERIENCE HEARING FROM OUR LOYAL AUDIENCE, HELPING THEM WITH ALL THE GREAT QUESTIONS THEY SEND US EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

ALONG WITH THAT, WE, OF COURSE, WANT TO THANK OUR EXPERT PANELISTS FROM NEBRASKA EXTENSION AND THE UNIVERSITY FOR THEIR HARD WORK RESEARCHING THOSE QUESTIONS, FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO THE SHOW.

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEER PHONE PANEL.

THEY SHOW UP EVERY WEEK.

THEY HELP WITH YOUR CALLS.

WE ALSO, OF COURSE, WANT TO GIVE GREAT THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS HERE AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PRODUCTION OF "BACKYARD FARMER."

WE HAVE COME TO THE END OF ANOTHER SEASON.

WE CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING -- OH YEAH, WE KIND OF CAN -- TO COME DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING AND SUPPORTING US.

GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

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

♪ ♪