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

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

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

I'M KILL TODD.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR HOMELAND SCAPE OR YOUR GARDEN, YOU CAN GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-676-5446.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A PICTURE, SEND IT TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO ANSWER EVERYBODY'S QUESTION ON THE AIR.

CHECK US OUT ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

LIKE OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.

LET'S START WITH SOME QUESTIONS.

JODY, YOU ARE THE FIRST ONE UP.

THIS ONE ACTUALLY COMES TO US FROM CAMPUS.

THEY DISCOVERED THIS FIRST.

THIS IS THE ROSES ON CAMPUS.

THEY WEREN'T DOING TOO WELL.

SHE ATTACHED SOME PHOTOS.

SHE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER IT'S TIME TO TREAT THESE ROSES OR HOLD OFF BECAUSE OF POLLINATORS.

WHAT IS IT -- SHE STARTED WITH SUPERIOR OIL.

IS THIS RIGHT?

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> THIS IS ROSE SLUG.

IS THAT BETTER OIL THAN MOST?

>> IT'S A HORTICULTURAL OIL.

>> IT'S THE BRAND NAME.

>> YOU CAN TREAT FOR THESE.

THEY WILL LIKELY BE AROUND FOR ANOTHER FEW WEEKS.

THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE ON THE UNDERSIDE.

YOU WANT TO TREAT THOROUGHLY ON THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM, MOSTLY THE LEAVES.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE SUPERIOR OIL.

INSECTICIDE SOAP WILL WORK.

IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE POLLINATORS, I DON'T KNOW IF CAMPUS TREATS LATER IN THE EVENING, AFTER THE POLLINATORS ARE AWAY.

THAT WOULD PROTECT THEM.

>> I KNOW WE WILL HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS QUESTION.

>> IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

SCOUTING EARLY IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

IF YOU CAN GET THEM BEFORE THEY DO THAT DAMAGE, BECAUSE IF YOU TREAT NOW, IT WILL GET RID OF THE ONES FEEDING.

THE DAMAGE IS DONE TO A LOT OF THOSE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SEE.

>> YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

SHE SAYS, THIS LITTLE GUY WAS MUNCHING FLOWER BUDS.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT HE IS.

>> IT TURNS INTO A POLLINATOR.

THIS IS A MOTH.

WE GET A LOT OF THESE.

THEIR HOST PLANTS WITH EVENING PRIMROSE.

WE GET A LOT OF THOSE.

AS MOTHS, THEY ARE DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME FLYING.

THEY LOOK LIKE A HUMMINGBIRD.

IT'S PRETTY COOL.

GOOD POLLINATOR.

>> EXCELLENT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS COULD COME FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

SMALL RED BUGS ON THE FLOCKS.

THEY HAVE LIGHT COLORED SPOTS.

HOW DOES SHE TREAT OR SHOULD SHE REMOVE?

>> I LIKE TO REMOVE.

IT DOES COME BACK.

I DO WANT TO SAY THIS IS A PLANT BUG.

IT'S A NYMPH.

THEY GET BIGGER.

SCOUTING EARLY SO YOU CAN TREAT EARLIER.

IT WOULD BE -- >> IT'S HARD.

>> IT'S VERY HARD.

THEY MAKE THE PLANT LOOK REALLY BAD.

IT CAN GET PRETTY BAD PRETTY FAST.

AS SOON AS THEY GROW, START SCOUTING FOR THOSE NYMPHS.

THEY WINTER IN THE PLANT LITTER AND STEMS WE LEAVE FOR POLLINATORS.

IT GETS TRICKY.

>> THANKS, JODY.

MATT, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PAXTON, NEBRASKA.

GRASS TAKING OVER, WHICH IS WHY YOU GET IT INSTEAD OF SARAH.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT TYPE OR TYPES OF GRASS AND GRASSES AND HOW DOES SHE GET RID OF THEM WITHOUT KILLING THE SEDUM.

>> GET RID OF PLANTS AND GET GRASS THERE.

I CAN'T TELL EXACTLY, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A COMMON BLUE BY THE LOOKS OF IT.

I WAS ABLE TO ZOOM IN.

THAT'S TYPICAL FOR ENCROACHING INTO THE FLOWER BEDS.

CONTROL IT TO LET THE GRASS GROW UP TALL AND WIPE IT WITH ROUNDUP.

ANOTHER ONE IS TO USE A GRASS HERBICIDE THAT DOESN'T KILL BROAD LEAVES.

THAT ONE IS GRASS B GON MADE BY ORTHO.

YOU CAN SPRAY IT OVER MOST OF THOSE THINGS WITHOUT INJURING THEM AND JUST KILLING THE GRASS.

IT DOES HAVE A LIST OF ORNAMENTALS IT'S SAFE ON.

>> YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A FUN AND DANGEROUS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM JUANITA.

THEY HAVE A CACTUS GROWING IN THE CEMETERY OF THEIR CHURCH.

THE GRASS IS NATIVE SOD.

WHAT WILL KILL THE CACTUS AND NOT THE SOD?

>> THERE'S NOT MANY THINGS.

THERE'S A COUPLE THAT WILL DO.

YOU MIGHT HAVE ISSUES.

TORDON RTU CAN BE USED IF YOU SPOT TREAT.

MAKE SURE YOU SOAK THE ACTUAL CACTUS ITSELF.

SOMETIMES YOU CAN PUT DYES SO YOU KNOW WHICH ONES YOU HIT.

ONE THING THAT HELPS IS TO USE A CROP OIL SO IT CAN GET THROUGH THE CUTICLE OF THE CACTUS.

THEY ARE TOUGH TO KILL.

CHEMICALS DON'T TRANSLOCATE EASILY.

THAT'S ONE OPTION.

YOU COULD SPRAY OVER ALL THE NATIVE GRASS.

I'M NOT SURE THAT'S THE CASE.

>> THANKS, MATT.

ONE MORE.

THIS IS A GRASS INVADING THE LAWN, GETTING INTO THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

HOW DOES HE FIGHT IT?

THIS IS SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA.

>> THIS ONE, I'M NOT 100% SURE.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S WINDMILL GRASS.

THAT WOULD BE A PERENNIAL GRASSY WEED.

IT USUALLY STARTS IN CLUMPS AND STARTS SPREADING OUT BIGGER AND BIGGER AS TIME GOES ON.

CONTROL METHODS IS LIMITED.

ROUNDUP IS ONLY THE ONE THAT WORKS FOR KILLING IT.f TENACITY IS ANOTHER PRODUCT THAT TAKES MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS.

I MIGHT NEED A SAMPLE TO FURTHER LOOK INTO THAT.

THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

AMY, THIS IS A FUN ONE.

HE SENT US THIS PICTURE.

HE FOUND THIS IN LATE MARCH IN THE EARLY FOREST JAUNT.

HE IS WONDERING WHAT THESE LITTLE RED THINGS ARE.

>> PRIOR TO THE SHOW, IT LOOKS LIKE ROBIN BABIES WITH THEIR MOUTHS OPEN WANTING FOOD.

WHAT THIS IS IS BIRD NEST FUNGUS.

I HAD NOT SEEN THEM RED ON THE INSIDE.

IT COME IN THE RED INTERIOR.

IT'S A FUNGI.

THERE ARE EGGS IN THERE.

THAT'S WHERE THE SPORES ARE PRODUCED.

BIRD NEST FUNGUS.

>> NICE.

THIS ONE IS ALSO FUN.

YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

HE IS IN LINCOLN.

HE FOUND THE FUNGI AT THE BASE OF TWO TREES.

ONE WAS A CANADA RED CHOKE CHERRY.

THE LAST TWO WAS A RED BUD.

HE IS CURIOUS ABOUT THE FINDING AND IF IT MAY BE HARMFUL TO THE TREE.

>> IT'S SAD WE'RE AT THE END OF MAY INSTEAD OF OCTOBER.

END OF OCTOBER FOR HALLOWEEN.

THESE ARE CALLED DEAD MAN FINGERS.

THEY ARE BLACK AND THE TIPS TURN WHITE TO LOOK LIKE ZOMBIE FINGERS.

IT'S A FUNGI.

MAYBE WE HAD A TREE THAT WAS THERE THAT DIED AND IT'S EATING AWAY AT THE ROOTS.

OR IT CAN BE AN INDICATION, IF YOU HAVE PLANT MATERIAL THERE, THAT MAYBE THAT PLANT OR THAT TREE OR BUSH IS STARTING TO DECLINE AND WE ARE SEEING DECAY ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU LOOK AT THOSE BUSHES AND THOSE TREES, MAKING SURE EVERYTHING LOOKS HEALTHY.

IF THINGS ARE STARTING TO LOOK A LITTLE IFFY ON THE BASE, THEN WE WANT TO CONSIDER WHETHER IT'S STABLE ENOUGH OR IF WE NEED TO REMOVE IT, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A LARGE TREE, IF IT COULD LAND ON SOMETHING.

>> YOU DON'T THINK THOSE WILL PULL IT -- >> MAYBE NOT YET.

MAYBE EVENTUALLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TO PICTURES ON THIS ONE ALSO.

THIS IS FUN.

IT'S A 60-YEAR-OLD MAPLE.

THEY FOUND IT GROWING ON THE TREE.

THEY NEVER HAD IT BEFORE.

THEY ARE WONDERING WHETHER IT WILL DAMAGE THE TREE AND SHOULD IT BE TREATED.

OUR AUDIENCE CAN SEE THE TREE AND WHAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT HERE.

>> THAT'S A GORGEOUS -- IF YOU LOOK WHERE THE MUSHROOM IS AT, IT'S IN THE CROTCH.

THAT'S WHERE WE GET ROT AND DECAY BECAUSE WATERS SITS IN THERE.

IT EATS AWAY.

THE FACT THAT YOU ARE SEEING A MUSHROOM THERE IS NOT A GOOD SIGN.

WE HAVE A ROT THAT'S OCCURRING.

WE HAVE DECAY OF THE TREE.

THAT'S GOING TO REDUCE THE STANDABILITY OF THE TREE.

IF WE GET A HIGH WIND, IT WILL BREAK OFF BECAUSE THE INSIDE IS HOLLOW.

WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE TIME AND LOOK IF IT POTENTIALLY -- IT WOULD FALL, WOULD IT FALL ON A HOUSE, ON A PARTICULAR BUILDING?

IF IT DOES LOOK LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A THREAT TO A HOME OR MAJOR LARGE STRUCTURE, THIS WOULD BE A TREE THAT WE WOULD WANT TO CONSIDER REMOVING FROM THE LANDSCAPE, BECAUSE IT'S SHOWING MAJOR DEGRADING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREE.

>> THANKS.

SARAH, YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM MANHATTAN, KANSAS.

THIS IS KIND OF TOGETHER.

THIS IS A GRAFTED LILAC.

IT'S SHRUB FORM.

WE HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

SHE'S WONDERING WHETHER IT'S A GONER.

THIS IS WHAT THE GRAFT UNION LOOKS LIKE ON THAT.

>> YEAH, IT DOESN'T LOOK GREAT.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S FAILING.

THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A LOT YOU CAN DO OTHER THAN GOOD GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF THE TREE, WHICH IS MULCH AND WATER AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND SEE HOW LONG THE PLANT CAN LIVE.

I IMAGINE YOU WILL PROBABLY START TO SEE BRANCH DIE AND EVENTUALLY PROBABLY THAT WHOLE UPPER GRAFTED SECTION WILL DIE.

>> YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A 16-YEAR-OLD LOLLIPOP LILAC.

GOTTEN TOP HEAVY.

YOU CAN SEE THE GROWTH BETWEEN THE TRUNK AND BRANCHS, WHICH SEEMS TO BE CUTTING OFF THE NUTRIENTS.

FEWER AND FEWER LEAVES.

FEWER AND FEWER FLOWERS.

IS ITS TIME UP?

THIS IS FROM FREMONT.

>> IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A SIMILAR SITUATION TO ME HERE WHERE THE GRAFT UNION MAY BE FAILING.

THE OTHER THING THAT BOTHERS ME ABOUT THIS TREE IS THAT IT IS TETHERED TO THE HOUSE.

THEY ARE HOLDING IT UP WITH A CABLE, WHICH IS INDICATING TO ME THAT THERE ARE ROOT ISSUES THAT THIS PLANT IS NOT STABLE ENOUGH TO HOLD ITSELF UP, WHICH IT SHOULD BE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ONE IS ANOTHER GONER.

>> THANKS, SARAH.

STAYING IN THE LILAC WORLD, THIS IS A VIEWER, SHE'S WONDERING WHAT'S CAUSING THE LEAVES ON THIS JAPANESE TREE LILAC TO LOOK TORN OR WHAT IS EATING THEM.

WHETHER THIS IS INSECTS OR HAIL.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE THE LEAVE TO LOOK LIKE THIS IN THE EARLY PART OF SPRING.

IT COULD BE WEATHER RELATED.

COLD NIGHTS WHEN THE LEAVE WERE FIRST EMERGING.

MAYBE THERE ARE CATERPILLARS OR SOMETHING DOING FEEDING DAMAGE.

COULD BE WIND DAMAGE OR HAIL IF YOU HAVE HAD HAIL.

I WOULDN'T BE TERRIBLY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

THE LEAVES ARE FUNCTIONING.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR THE TREE.

>> THANKS, SARAH.

>>> THIS TIME OF YEAR, OUR GARDEN CENTERS ARE BUSTLING WITH CUSTOMERS LOOKING TO GET STARTED ON PROJECTS.

WE TOOK OUR CAMERAS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ASKED THEM WHAT'S TRENDING AND WE GOT SOME PRACTICAL ADVICE.

♪♪ >> THIS YEAR, EVERYTHING THAT IS HOT IS -- PEOPLE ARE COMING IN, THEY WANT NATIVE PERENNIALS.

NATIVE GRASSES.

NATIVE SHRUBS.

EVEN NATIVE TREES.

WE ARE RE-THINKING SOME OF THE OPTIONS FOR LANDSCAPE, ADDING MORE NATIVES.

WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF CHALLENGES WITH CLIMATE, GOING BACK AND FORTH, HOT AND COLD, WET AND DRY.

MOSTLY DRY.

A LOT OF DROUGHT-TOLERANT THINGS.

FRUIT TREES HAVE BEEN VERY HOT.

EDIBLES, A LOT OF PEOPLE BUYING VEGETABLES.

MORE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GROW VEGETABLES AT HOME.

>> ONE BIG ONE IS BLACK PETUNIAS.

PERENNIALS, HEARTY HIBISCUS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING TO GET JALAPENOS.

I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT MY GRANDPA SAID.

A FEW HUNDRED.

THEY ARE ALL GONE NOW.

>> SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF LUCK WITH THIS YEAR HAS BEEN THE SMALL FRUITS, SMALLER EDIBLES LIKE RASPBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES.

THERE'S ALWAYS A DEMAND FOR BLUEBERRIES.

WE ARE ALWAYS LIKE, MAYBE IT'S NOT THE BEST OPTION.

WE HAVE SERVICE BERRY, SIMILAR.

THAT'S A REALLY COOL PLANT.

GREAT FLOWERS, BERRIES IN THE SUMMER.

>> GOING TO WATCH YOUR WATERING WITH STUFF OUTSIDE, FOR SURE.

AS MUCH RAIN AS WE GET, DON'T KEEP IT SOAKING WET.

YOU DON'T WANT TO SAY IT RAINED AND FORGET ABOUT IT FOR FOUR DAYS AND IT'S DEAD BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T WATER IT.

THAT'S ONE BIG ONE.

WITH THE AMOUNT OF STORMS AND WIND AND EVERYTHING WE KEEP GETTING, IF THERE'S SOMETHING COMING, COVER IT.

>> MOST PEOPLE HAVEN'T REALLY HAD TO WATER A LOT.

CUSTOMERS THAT COME IN ARE BUYING PLANTS.

WE ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT WATERING.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WATERING.

WHEN TO WATER, WHEN NOT TO WATER.

DON'T OVERWATER YOUR PLANTS.

IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WE FACE, TREES OR SHRUBS OR PERENNIALS OR ANYTHING.

IT'S GIVING THEM TOO MUCH WATER.

A LOT OF TREES AND SHRUBS GO TO THE NEWER PARTS OF TOWN, THE NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMES.

VERY HEAVY CLAY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WATER AS MUCH THERE, BECAUSE THE CLAY IS SO HEAVY.

IT HOLDS A LOT OF WATER.

>> WE KNOW NEBRASKA WEATHER, WHAT WAS ONCE DRY IS SOAKED, MAYBE FLOODED.

KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN YOU FINISH UP SHOPPING.

DON'T FINISH THAT SHOPPING.

JUST DO IT ALL SEASON.

>>> PICTURES.

JODY, THIS COMES TO US FROM CARSON, IOWA.

WE HAVE TWO PICTURES.

WE HAVE THE WORDS PIN OAK WORM.

THIS IS THE TWIG.

I THINK THE NEXT ONE IS WHAT IS FALLING OUT OF THE TREE.

>> OUT OF THE TWIG, I THINK WHEN I ZOOMED IN I COULD SEE A PUPIL CASE.

THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE, IF THIS IS A BORE IN AN OAK, IT'S CATERPILLAR.

IF IT'S CATERPILLAR, IT WOULD BE A CLEAR WING.

THAT WOULD BE A DAYTIME FLYING MOTH.

IT DEPENDS WHAT THE REST OF THE TREE LOOKS LIKE.

IF YOU WANT TO TREAT FOR IT, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE WHETHER THE LARVAE IS ACTUALLY OUT, TRYING TO GET INTO THE BARK.

THE ADULT MOTH WILL FLY IN LATE JUNE.

LAY EGGS ON THE BARK.

THEN THE LARVAE WILL HATCH AND YOU WANT TO SPRAY THE BOTTOM PART OF THE TRUNK.

IT WILL BE LATE JUNE AND GO TO LATE JULY.

THEY WILL EMERGE FOR ONE TO FOUR WEEKS.

>> MAYBE A PICTURE OF THE WHOLE TREE WOULD HELP A LITTLE BIT.

>> MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF THE TREE.

THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IF IT'S A STRESSED TREE.

>> YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS TICK ATTACHED ITSELF TO SISTER-IN-LAW.

YOU CAN JUST BARELY SEE IT.

>> I CAN SEE IT.

I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS IN THE LAST LITTLE BIT.

THIS IS A LONE STAR TICK, ADULT FEMALE.

IT'S GOT THE WHITE SPOT.

THEY ARE VERY PREVALENT.

THEY ARE IN ALL THE STAGES.

YOU WILL SEE MALES AND NYMPHS, WHICH ARE REALLY SMALL.

IT'S GOOD YOU KEPT IT.

IF SHE HAS ANY SYMPTOMS, A FEVER OR RASH, MAKE SURE THAT SHE CAN TELL A DOCTOR THAT SHE HAS BEEN BITTEN BY A TICK AND IT'S A LONE STAR TICK.

THEY COULD SEE WHAT POTENTIAL PATHOGENS THAT IT COULD HAVE FOR THOSE POTENTIAL DISEASES TO NARROW IT DOWN.

IT HELPS A LOT.

>> THANKS, JODY.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM NEBRASKA CITY.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RID THESE INSECTS FROM THE PLUM.

THEY HAVE A GOOD CROP THIS YEAR.

LOTS OF GREEN FRUIT.

THEY ARE HOPING THIS DOESN'T AFFECT THE FRUIT.

>> THESE ARE APHIDS.

A STRONG BLAST OF WATER AND SPRAY THAT DOWN.

I WOULD RECOMMEND DOING THAT A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK TO KNOCK THEM DOWN.

APHIDS CAN MULTIPLY BY CLONING WITHOUT MATING.

THEY WILL COME BACK.

JUST KEEP SPRAYING THAT DOWN.

IF YOU WANT IT USE SOMETHING LIKE INSECTICIDAL SOAP, READ THE LABEL.

>> ONE MORE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LAVISTA.

THE TINY WHITE BUGS ON THE ROSE BUDS.

>> THEY ARE APHIDS.

IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND, BUT IT'S THE SAME TREATMENT.

SPRAY THOSE OFF AND TREAT IF YOU NEED TO.

THE HOSE WATER IS CHEAPER.

>> THANKS, JODY.

MATT, THIS IS AN INTERESTING BUFFALO GRASS QUESTION.

THIS COMES TO US FROM CURTIS.

LAST SUMMER, HE PLANTED 5,000 SQUARE FEET OF THE NEWEST VARIETY OF CODY.

HE SPRAYED, TILLED.

DID AN OOPS BECAUSE HE FORGOT TO SHAKE THE SPRAYER AND DID A BIG KILL.

THIS IS A YEAR LATER.

HE DIDN'T GET A GOOD STAND LAST YEAR.

HE IS WONDERING, SHOULD HE BE ABLE TO TRY AGAIN NOW AND SHOULD HE SPRAY WITH TENACITY BEFORE HE TRIES TO RE-ESTABLISH?

>> THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

TENACITY IS A LOW USE PRODUCT.

THE HIGH RATE IS EIGHT OUNCES PER ACRE.

IF YOU MIX IN A SMALL JUG FOR 1,000 SQUARE FEET, IT'S TWO-TENTHS OF AN OUNCE.

BE CAREFUL.

MAKE SURE YOU AGITATE IT.

YOU FOUND THAT OUT.

GENERALLY, WITH THAT RATE, YOU GET FOUR TO SIX WEEKS THAT'S ACTIVE IN THE SOIL.

THEN IT DISSIPATES.

DEPENDING WHAT RATE YOU WENT AT, A YEAR'S TIME SHOULD GIVE IT ENOUGH.

UNLESS YOU WERE WAY, WAY HIGH, TO BE ABLE TO RESEED.

I WOULD ALSO SUGGEST MAYBE TILLING THAT AREA TO INCORPORATE THAT WITHIN THE SOIL.

YOU WOULD BRING UP SOME FRESH SOIL THAT WOULDN'T BE BINDED TO THE TENACITY ON THE TOP LAYER.

WAIT TO APPLY THE SECOND TIME AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS FIRST.

IF IT STARTS GROWING, APPLY IT AFTER THE EMERGENCE OF BUFFALO GRASS.

>> THANKS, MATT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES FROM OMAHA.

CAN WE IDENTIFY THIS WEED?

PROLIFIC LONG SKINNY ROOTS.

SOMEBODY SAID IT'S POISON IVY BUT IT'S NOT.

>> I HAD HELP.

GOUT WEED.

IT IS A PERENNIAL.

IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO TAKE A HOLD OF.

THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO TRY TO PULL IT OUT AND GET THOSE.

DIG IT OUT.

THE OTHER OPTION WOULD BE TO TREAT IF YOU CUT IT, TREAT IT WITH ROUNDUP AND MAYBE THAT WILL TRANSLOCATE.

THAT'S A LONG PROCESS IF IT'S WOVEN INTO SOME OF YOUR ESTABLISHED PLANTS.

>> ONE PICTURE ON NEXT ONE.

A FOLLOW-UP, WHICH IS THE SAME PLANT, ONE IS -- WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE FIRST IS FROM.

THE SECOND IS MEAD.

IT'S IN A GROUND COVER.

IT SPROUTED.

HOW CAN SHE KILL IT BUT NOT THE GROUND COVER OR HURT THE TREE?

THE SECOND IS A GOOD PICTURE OF THE SAME PLANT.

>> I THINK THE FIRST ONE DIDN'T HAVE THORNS ON IT.

IT'S A TYPE OF GREEN BRIER.

THE NEXT HAS THORNS.

SAME FAMILY, JUST DIFFERENT WAYS THEY GROW.

ONE HAD THORNS AND THE OTHER DOESN'T.

FOR CONTROLLING THIS, CUTTING IT OFF AT THE BASE, FINDING WHERE IT'S GOING INTO THE GROUND.

SAME THING, THEY CAN SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE GROUND.

IT'S A WOODY VINE.

IT'S GOING TO SPREAD.

MAYBE TREATING THOSE CUT MARKS, YOU CAN'T REALLY SPRAY NEXT TO YOUR TREES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO GET IN THE SOIL.

I WOULD SUGGEST EITHER FINALI, BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T TRANSLOCATE.

THAT WOULD BE THE DIFFERENCE.

TREAT THOSE CUT AREAS WITH IT.

IT SHOULD WORK.

>> THANKS, MATT.

TWO PICTURES FOR YOU, AMY.

SHE HAS WHITE PATIO CHAIRS.

ALONG THE EDGES AND ON THE WALL, THESE LITTLE TINY DOTS THAT ARE KIND OF RAISED.

SHE IS WONDERING, IS IT POLLEN OR WHAT -- >> YOU ARE IN A BATTLE ZONE.

THESE ARE ARTILLERY FUNGUS THAT ARE BEING CATAPULTED TO YOUR HOUSE.

A NEED FUNGI.

IT GROWS UP AND SHOOTS BACK AND FLINGS THE SPORES SEVERAL FEET AWAY FROM IT.

THAT WAY IT'S ABLE TO SPREAD.

IF YOU HAVE A WHITE SURFACE, THE SPORES STICK TO THEM.

THEY ARE STICKY.

IT'S HARD TO WASH THEM OFF.

IT'S ARTILLERY FUNGUS.

YOU HAVE A BATTLE GOING ON.

>> YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM ELGIN.

ALMOST ALL THE LEAVES ON THE AUTUMN PURPLE ASH LOOK LIKE THIS.

THE TREE IS 30 YEARS OLD.

THE LEAVES CRUMBLE LIKE BURNT PAPER.

>> THE AMAZING THING IS, I WENT AND VISITED A LOCATION LAST WEEK NORTH OF EWING WITH THE SAME SITUATION.

WE ARE IN THE SAME BALLPARK.

THE ONLY THING I COULD COME UP WITH IS, IT'S FROST DAMAGE.

WE HAD COLD WEATHER PROBABLY A WEEK AND A HALF TO ALMOST TWO WEEKS.

THE TEMPERATURE DID DROP DOWN TO RIGHT AROUND THAT 32 DEGREES.

THE ASH LEAVES WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY STARTING TO EMERGE OUT.

THAT'S WHERE I'M LEANING ON THE ASH RIGHT NOW IS THAT IT'S FROST DAMAGE.

WE SHOULD GET A SECOND FLUSH.

LOOK AT THE OTHER TREES, I HAD OAKS THAT SHOWED NO DAMAGE.

THE LEAVES WERE NOT EXPANDED AT THAT POINT THIS TIME, WHICH IS GIVING ME AN INDICATION IT'S PROBABLY ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> THANKS.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THESE PICTURES OF THIS PARTICULAR TREE, WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT?

IS THERE ANYTHING HE CAN DO TO HELP IT?

>> THESE PICTURES ACTUALLY KIND OF STUMPED ME ON WHAT'S GOING ON.

IT ISN'T A MUSHROOM.

IT'S KIND OF WEEPY.

I WOULD SAY AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IT'S THE TREE JUST -- NATURAL OCCURRENCE GOING ON.

WATCH THE TREE.

I WOULDN'T BE CONCERNED.

OVER THE SUMMER, MAKE SURE YOU WATER IT PROPERLY.

IF YOU SEE SOME MAJOR DIE AND DECLINE IN THE UPPER CANOPY, SEND ANOTHER PICTURE.

THAT COULD BE AN INDICATION OF SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON.

THIS IMAGE ON THE TRUNK ISN'T OF ANYTHING OF MAJOR CONCERN FOR ME AT THIS TIME.

IT ISN'T POINTING TO ANY PARTICULAR DISEASE.

>> THANKS, AMY.

TWO PICTURES FOR YOU, SARAH.

THIS COMES FROM COLUMBUS.

THIS IS -- HE WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO PRUNE THESE PARTICULAR SMOKE BUSHES.

>> SMOKE BUSH BLOOM EARLY IN THE SUMMER.

NORMALLY, WE WOULD DO PRUNING IN THE DORMANT PERIOD.

IF YOU HAD TO DO SHAPING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO DID A LOT OF PRUNING.

YOU COULD POTENTIALLY CUT OFF FLOWER BUDS.

THE OTHER OPTION IS TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER IT HAS BLOOMED AND THE LITTLE SMOKE KIND OF FLOWERS ARE MAYBE FADING A LITTLE BIT.

THEN YOU COULD DO PRUNING LATER IN THE SEASON.

>> THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, SARAH.

THIS COMES TO US FROM CLARKSON.

SHE HAS A LYNDON.

A THIRD OF THE TREE STARTED TO LOSE LEAVES.

THE BACK LOOKS WILTED.

SHE DOESN'T KNOW IF IT'S THE ROOTS, THE SPRAY OR THE CENTER OF THE TREE.

I THINK WE HAVE PICTURES THAT SHOW -- YEAH.

THE CENTER OF THE TREE AND THE HALF THAT'S SEMIDEAD.

20 YEARS OLD.

IT'S BEEN IN GOOD CONDITION.

>> THE THINGS I WOULD CONSIDER FIRST WHEN I TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS TREE IS WHAT HAS BEEN THE CARE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, TWO AND A HALF YEARS OF DROUGHT.

HAS THE TREE BEEN WATERS?

HAS THERE BEEN ROOT DAMAGE OR TRENCHING IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS?

HAS THERE BEEN ANY HERBICIDE USAGE NEAR THIS TREE?

WEED CONTROL IS NOTORIOUSLY A CULPRIT IN MOVING OFF SITE AND PICKED UP BY TREES.

THOSE WOULD BE THE THINGS I WOULD WANT TO HAVE SOME ANSWERS TO TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS TREE.

THE TREE DIDN'T APPEAR TO HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT TRUNK DAMAGE.

THAT'S ANOTHER THING TO LOOK FOR.

THOSE WOULD BE THE THINGS I WOULD CONSIDER.

>> ONE MORE QUESTION.

ONE MORE PICTURE.

THIS IS FROM COLUMBUS.

HE FOUND THIS AQUATIC PLANT.

>> IT'S A TYPE OF IRIS.

IT'S NOT NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA.

IT IS PLANTED A LOT, AND IT DOES LOVE WET AREAS.

>> IT'S INVASIVE.

>> YES.

>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL, UNFORTUNATELY.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO GET MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS AFTER THE BREAK.

BEFORE THAT, LET'S HEAR FROM GANNON RUSH WITH THIS WEEK'S WEATHER OUTLOOK.

>> THANKS.

BEGINNING OF JUNE SHOULD BRING SUMMERTIME FEEL WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES EXPECTED.

FRIDAY WILL BE IN THE 70s.

THE REST OF THE WEEK IS IN THE 80s.

PLACES OUT WEST COULD REACH THE 90s.

THIS WEEK COULD BE SOGGY WITH UP TO THREE INCHES OF RAIN EXPECTED IN SOME PLACES.

THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN PARTS OF THE STATE HAVE CHANCES OF RAIN NEARLY EVERY DAY WITH CONCERNS ABOUT FLOODING DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF HEAVY RAINFALL.

TEMPERATURES ARE IN GREAT STATE FOR THE STATE, BUT A FEW PLACES REMAIN IN THE 60s FOR THE SOIL.

THE HEAT SHOULD BRING THE PLACES UP INTO THE 70s.

THAT'S YOUR WEEK OF WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS, GANNON.

>>> WE NEED TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

WE HOPE YOU WILL STAY WITH US.

WE HAVE THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANT OF THE WEEK.

THERE'S MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" COMING RIGHT AFTER THESE MESSAGES.

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

LATER IN THE SHOW, WE WILL CHECK OUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DEADHEADING, PINCHING AND PRUNING.

DIAL 1-800-676-5446.

IS GARDEN PRODUCE SAFE AFTER THE TORNADO?

>> AS LONG AS THE PRODUCE DIDN'T GET FLOODED.

IT SHOULD BE SAFE.

>> THE SAME VIEWER WONDERS WHETHER THE FORCE OF THE WIND COULD DRIVE DEBRIS INTO ROOT VEGETABLES.

>> MAYBE.

I THINK IT'S UNLIKELY.

I WOULDN'T BE TERRIBLY WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

>> WE HAVE A HOWELLS VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHETHER TOMATOES SHOULD BE PRUNED.

>> DO WHATEVER FEELS BEST TO YOU.

>> PERFECT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WONDERING WHEN TO REMOVE THE STAKE.

>> NOT MORE THAN A YEAR.

>> A GRASS CAME UP MOSTLY GREEN.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO RESTORE THE GREEN?

>> NO.

ONCE THE GREEN PORTION TAKES OVER, THE VARIEGATION IS LOST.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT WAS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

NICE JOB.

READY?

THIS IS LINCOLN.

WHAT ARE ALL THOSE SPOTS ON THE LEAVES OF THE PENSTEMON?

>> RUST.

IT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

>> EXACTLY.

WE HAVE A VIEWER -- I'M NOT SURE WHERE IT'S FROM -- THAT HAS BANDS OF PURPLE ON THE STEMS OF A PAGODA DOGWOOD.

>> IT COULD BE CANKER.

>> IS THERE A DISEASE OF OLD COTTONWOODS THAT WOULD CAUSE SHRIVELED LEAVES?

>> WE SEE A LOT OF THAT AND THE DROUGHT THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>> WE HAVE A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO SAYS ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY GET BLACK WILTED LEAVES ON THE CLEMATIS.

>> CHECK AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT OVERWATERING.

>> ORANGE HARD TINY LITTLE THINGS ON FINE LINE BUCK THORN.

>> THAT WOULD BE ALSO RUST.

CEDAR BUCK THORN RUST.

NOTHING YOU CAN DO.

>> PERFECT.

YOU READY?

>> IF YOU HAVE SEVEN QUESTIONS.

>> I DO.

OKAY.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WONDERS, IS IT IMPORTANT TO MOW THE LAWN IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS?

>> YES.

CHANGING WHEEL PATTERN HELPS WITH COMPASSION.

>> A WEST POINT VIEWER WHO HAS NEWLY INSTALLED SPRINKLERS.

THE PERSON SAID, RUN THEM AT 5:00 IN THE MORNING.

IS THAT OKAY?

>> YES.

EARLY IS BETTER.

THAT WAY IT'S NOT WET THROUGH THE NIGHT AND CAUSING DISEASE.

>> THE SAME VIEWER SAYS, THE AMOUNT OF TIME ON THAT IS ACTUALLY PUTTING ON A QUARTER OF AN INCH EVERY SINGLE MORNING.

THEY HAVE SANDY SOIL.

>> YOU MAY NEED IT IN SANDY SOIL, ESPECIALLY IN DRY THE SPELLS.

IF RAIN OR SOMETHING COMES, SKIP A DAY OR SKIP A DAY AND TRY IT EVERY OTHER DAY.

>> OMAHA VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW -- THIS IS YOURS -- GIVEN THE WEATHER, IS THIS THE BEST TIME FOR GRUB CONTROL?

>> GENERALLY, MERIT IS AROUND THAT JULY 4th.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IS THERE A GOOD GRASS TO USE NEAR FLOWER BEDS THAT WON'T SPREAD BY ROOTS?

>> FESCUE.

>> NICE.

I HAD SEVEN.

YOU DIDN'T GET IT.

JODY.

READY?

>> NO.

BUT GIVE IT TO ME ANYWAY.

>> FIRST COMES TO US FROM BLAIR.

IS THERE A RELIABLE BAIT OR DETECTION SYSTEM FOR TERMITES?

>> WELL, VISUAL INSPECTION IS REALLY GOOD.

THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE THINGS COVERING UP THE FOUNDATION LIKE MULCH INTO YOUR SIDING.

>> WE HAVE ADS FOR KILLING CICADAS.

>> DON'T DO THAT.

>> IS IT NORMAL TO SEE MORNING CLOAK BUTTERFLIES IN THIS AREA?

>> YES.

>> WE HAD A YOUTUBE AD FOR A BUG ZAPPER TO KILL MOSQUITOS.

IS THAT A GOOD IDEA?

>> NO.

THEY KILL MORE OTHER THINGS.

DUMP YOUR WATER.

>> DO WE HAVE GLOWWORMS IN NEBRASKA?

>> YES.

>> CAN YOU GET RID OF CHIGGERS IN THE LAWN?

>> IT HAS HELPED.

>> WE HAVE A TIE BETWEEN BOTH ENDS OF THE TABLE.

>> I NEVER EVEN GET CLOSE.

>> YOU HAVE TO PASS THIS AROUND AND DOWN.

>> MY GOAL WAS TWO.

>> WE PRETEND.

>> OUR QUESTIONS WERE HARDER.

>>> PLANTING TIME IS HERE.

WE GOT EVERYTHING IN OUR GARDEN.

LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HEAR FROM TERRI AT THE GARDEN.

>> THIS WEEK, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE ALMOST EVERYTHING PLANTED.

OUR RAISED BEDS, THE GROUND AND OUR CONTAINERS.

IT'S REALLY LOOKING LIKE SUMMER NOW.

WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE HOW OUR PLANTS WILL PERFORM THIS YEAR.

AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN OUR MULCH DOWN WEEKEND OUR LANDSCAPE BEDS.

THAT'S THE NEXT PROJECT.

WE HAD ALL THOSE OATS FROM OUR COVER CROP THAT WE SAVED BACK.

WE WILL CUT THOSE UP AND THOSE WILL BECOME PART OF OUR MULCH.

WE WILL HAVE LEAVES AND STUFF THAT WILL GO DOWN.

THEN WE USUALLY USE OLD STRAW OR HAY AS PART OF OUR MULCH TO KEEP THE GROUND MOIST AND PRESERVE A LOT OF THE WATER THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER SEASON WHEN IT GETS HOT.

AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE GREAT COLORS GOING ON.

WE HAVE REALLY GREAT ALL AMERICA SELECTIONS THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.

STOP BY THE GARDEN AND CHECK IT OUT.

>> IT'S SO EXCITING TO SEE EVERYTHING PLANTED.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW YOU MORE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>>> IT'S TIME FOR SARAH TO TELL US ABOUT THE PLANT OF THE WEEK.

>> THIS IS A GREAT TIME OF YEAR FOR PENSTEMONS.

WE HAVE SHELL LEAVE, LEAVES THAT CLASP THE STEPS.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE HYBRID.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SPECIES.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY IN YOUR GARDEN, THINK ABOUT ADDING SOME TO ADD COLOR IN LATE MAY, EARLY JUNE.

COMMON NAME, IF YOU DIDN'T REMEMBER, IS BEARD TONGUE.

THEY ARE GREAT PERENNIALS THAT WILL GIVE YOU NICE, RELIABLE COLOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THE FLOWER COLORS ARE WHITE, PINK, LAVENDER, MAROON, IN THAT COLOR RANGE.

YOU CAN GET VARYING HEIGHTS.

SOME CAN BE SHORTER, MORE IN THE TWO, TWO AND A HALF FOOT, SOME CLOSE TO THREE FEET.

THEY ARE WONDERFUL -- THEY MAKE GREAT CUT FLOWERS.

>> ALL OF THOSE ARE EITHER IN THE GARDEN OR SOMEWHERE ON CAMPUS.

YOU CAN SEE THOSE.

>>> WE HAVE FOR YOU, JODY, YOUR FIRST QUESTION HERE.

ONE PICTURE.

SHE COMES TO US FROM DESCHLER.

IS MILKY SPORE EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING JAPANESE BEETLES?

HER YARD WAS INUNDATED.

THIS IS ONE OF HER DAHLIAS LAST YEAR.

IT'S CLEARLY INUNDATED.

>> IT ALMOST GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK.

IN UNIVERSITY TRIALS, I DON'T THINK MILKY SPORE WAS THAT EFFECTIVE.

READING MORE ABOUT IT, IT TAKES TWO TO FIVE YEARS TO BECOME EFFECTIVE, BECAUSE IT NEEDS THE GRUB TO EAT IT AND IT NEEDS TO REPRODUCE IN THE GRUBS TO BE ABLE TO BE IN THE SOIL FOR THAT LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

IT MAY WORK.

READ THE LABEL.

IT'S A SOIL-DWELLING BACTERIA.

IT HAS TO HAVE THE GRUBS THERE.

IT HAS -- IT'S VERY PICKY.

IT NEEDS TO BE APPLIED WHEN THERE'S GRUBS.

IT HAS TO BE WATERED IN.

IT HAS TO BE THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE, ALL OF THAT.

WEIGH THE OPTIONS AND HOW MUCH WORK IT'S GOING TO BE.

>> ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

THEY HAVE HAD YEARS OF THEIR CHOKE CHERRY, THEN THE FRUIT GOES BAD.

THEY OPENED ONE UP AND FOUND THESE THINGS SQUIRMING INSIDE.

WHAT ARE THEY?

HOW DO YOU PROTECT AGAINST THEM OR ARE THEY A NATIVE INSECT?

>> THESE ARE CHOKE CHERRY FRUIT MIDGES.

THESE ARE FORMED BY A SMALL FLY.

WE HAVE SOME SAMPLES HERE.

WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN THERE'S A MIDGE.

WITH THE FRUIT, IT WILL -- THE MIDGE GOES TO THE FRUIT AND LAYS THE EGGS IN THE FRUIT.

MULTIPLE MIDGES, LARVAE, WILL DEVELOP.

THERE'S ONE -- MATT CUT THIS OPEN.

YOU CAN SEE THESE BRIGHT COLORED MIDGES IN HERE.

THOSE ARE THE LARVAE.

THEY DEVELOP IN HERE.

THEN THEY FALL TO THE GROUND AND PUPATE THERE.

THEY WILL EMERGE IN EARLY MAY AND DO THAT THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO WAY TO REALLY TREAT FOR THEM.

PREVENTION IS THE KEY.

WHEN YOU SEE THESE, YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FRUIT AND -- CLIP THOSE OFF AND GET RID OF THEM SO THAT THE FLY ISN'T GOING TO EMERGE AND THE LARVAE WON'T DEVELOP AND TURN INTO ADULTS TO KEEP CONTINUING THIS LIFECYCLE.

THERE'S NOTHING LABELED TO PREVENT OR TREAT IT.

>> ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM UNDERWOOD, IOWA.

HE IS WONDERING WHAT THESE TINY BEES ARE.

PROBABLY 50 OF THEM.

HE SAID THEY ARE A QUARTER OF AN INCH LONG.

>> WE CALL THEM SYRPHID FLIES OR FLOWER FLIES.

THEY ARE POLLINATING.

AS LARVAE, THEY ARE PREDATORS OF APHIDS.

YOU CAN SEE THEM ON ANYTHING THAT HAS APHIDS.

>> PERFECT.

THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

HE IS WONDERING WHAT THESE GARDEN WEEDS ARE.

HOW CAN HE TREAT THEM?

HE TRIED WEED B GON.

>> THOSE ARE POPPING UP EVERYWHERE.

THAT'S FROM LAST YEAR'S PLANT.

THIS IS A FIELD BIND WEED.

IT STAYS IN THE GROUND.

IT WILL SPREAD INTO THE LANDSCAPE.

THERE'S NOT -- WEED B GON DOESN'T CONTROL IT VERY WELL.

IT CAN DING IT.

DRIVE EXCELER IS ONE OF THE COMMON NAMES FOR THAT PRODUCT.

THERE'S A FEW.

IT'S VERY EFFECTIVE ON THAT.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM CAROL, IOWA.

HE IS WONDERING, IS THIS CREEPING CHARLIE OR SOME OTHER CREEPING GROUND COVER?

HOW DOES HE GET RID OF IT?

HE DOES WANT SOMETHING SAFE FOR PETS AND HUMANS.

>> THIS LOOKS LIKE CREEPING CHARLIE.

IT'S IN MINT FAMILY.

YES, CONTROLLING THIS ONE GENERALLY, USE A PRODUCT CONTAINING TRICLOPYR.

IF YOU LOOK FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT ONE OF THOSE, FIESTA, AN IRON PRODUCT.

THERE'S A FEW OTHER THAT WORK.

THEY DO A GOOD JOB OF BURNING THESE BACK.

MIGHT TAKE MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS.

IT WILL HELP GET RID OF IT.

>> THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE, THEN TWO AFTER THAT.

THEY ARE ALL THE SAME DEAL.

WE HAVE OLD APPLE TREES.

THE FIRST ONES COME TO US FROM MACEDONIA, IOWA.

THE SECOND FROM COURTLAND, NEBRASKA.

>> AS YOU LOOK AT THE PICTURE ON THIS ONE HERE, THE VIEWER SAID THEY HAVEN'T PRUNED THE TREE.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIE ON THIS TREE.

THE QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH OF THE TREE IS THERE?

TYPICALLY IF WE ARE LOOKING AT HALF TO TWO-THIRDS OF THE TREE BEING PRUNED OUT, IT'S PROBABLY A VERY GOOD INDICATION THAT WE ARE IN A LOT OF DECLINE AND WHETHER WE SHOULD REMOVE THAT TREE.

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO TELL FROM THE PICTURE HOW MUCH OF THE TREE IS DECLINED.

THIS PICTURE HERE IS SHOWING THE UNDERSIDE OF A BRANCH.

LIKE THE MAPLE TREE, WE GOT A LOT OF FUNGUS, MUSHROOMS COMING OUT OF THE BOTTOM.

ONCE AGAIN, INDICATING WE HAVE A ROT THAT'S OCCURRING.

THE INSIDE OF THE BRANCH IS COMPLETELY DEAD.

ONCE AGAIN, INDICATING THE DECLINE OF THE TREE.

YOU PROBABLY ARE IN THE STANDPOINT ON THIS TREE, IT'S PROBABLY ON ITS LAST LEG.

YOU COULD PROBABLY BABY IT ALONG THIS YEAR.

IT'S TIME TO THINK ABOUT REPLACEMENT OF THAT TREE.

PLANTING THAT THIS SPRING OR THIS FALL.

>> THANKS.

LET'S SEE.

YOU HAVE -- >> THE OTHER.

>> THOSE ARE THE OTHER TWO.

IT'S BASICALLY -- >> THE SAME THING.

THIS HAS MORE FOLIAGE IN IT.

WE SEE THE NEXT ONE, WE SEE A LOT OF WEEPING AND OOZING FROM THAT TREE.

THAT COULD BE AN INDICATION OF SUNKEN AREAS.

IT'S AN OLDER TREE.

IT'S GETTING TO THE END OF ITS LIFESPAN.

WE CAN BABY IT ALONG.

IT'S COMING TO THE END OF ITS LIFETIME.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT REPLACEMENT SOON.

>> THANKS.

TO PICTURES FOR YOU, SARAH.

THIS COMES TO US FROM BLAIR.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL NORWAY MAPLE.

THEY THINK THE TRUNK IS WASTING AWAY.

IS THERE ANYTHING THEY CAN DO?

>> THIS IS A MASSIVE INJURY TO THE TRUNK OF THE TREE.

IT'S THE -- THE BARK HAS DIED.

MAPLES IN PARTICULAR ARE PRONE TO BARK DAMAGE.

I THINK THIS TREE IS A GONER FOR SURE.

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S LESS THAN A THIRD OR SO LEFT IN THAT TRUNK TO MOVE WATER AND NUTRIENTS.

THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO MAKE THIS HEAL.

YOU JUST NEED TO TAKE THIS OUT AND START OVER.

>> YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

IT COMES TO US FROM ROGERS, ARKANSAS.

A LARGE PUSSY WILLOW WAS REMOVED.

THEY CUT IT OFF AND CUT OUT A CHUNK OF THE MAIN ROOTS.

KEEPS COMING UP.

IS THERE A WAY TO GET RID OF THE CHUTES?

>> YOU HAVE TO KILL THE ROOT SYSTEM.

WHEN YOU TAKE A WOODY TREE DOWN, YOU WILL DO A STUMP TREATMENT THAT'S WITH A HERBICIDE MEANT TO KILL THEM SO THEY DON'T SEND UP CHUTES LIKE THIS.

THEY CAN DO THAT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

SINCE THESE ARE STILL -- ARE RELATIVELY THIN, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO DO A STUMP TREATMENT.

I WOULD USE ROUNDUP.

SPRAY IT.

WHENEVER THEY REAPPEAR, SPRAY THEM AGAIN.

EVENTUALLY, THAT TRUNK AND THAT ROOT SYSTEM WILL TAKE IN ENOUGH THAT IT WILL KILL THE WHOLE THING AND STOP DOING THIS.

>> THANKS.

>>> FOR OUR SECOND FEATURE TONIGHT, WE WILL DEMONSTRATE A TECHNIQUE TO HELP LANDSCAPE PLANTS BLOOM.

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN TECHNIQUES DEPENDING ON THE PLANT.

HERE IS CORY SCHUMACHER TO TELL US MORE.

>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT PINCHING, PRUNING AND DEADHEADS.

DEADHEADING IS WHEN YOU REMOVE THE SPRINT FLOWERS WHICH CAN HELP IT REFLOWER LATER ON INTO THE SEASON.

YOU WANT TO KNOW WHICH PLANT YOU ARE WORKING WITH.

SOME PLANTS WON'T ACTUALLY REFLOWER.

THEY WILL FLOWER THAT ONE TIME.

PRUNING AND PINCHING IS WHEN THE PLANT HASN'T FLOWERED YET.

TODAY WE WILL TALK ABOUT ASTOR.

WHEN YOU PRUNE A PLANT, REMOVE AT LEAST A THIRD OF THE HEIGHT OF THE PLANT.

THIS ALLOWS FOR THE PLANT TO FLOWER LATER INTO THE SEASON.

IT WILL PREVENT THE STEMS FROM FLOPPING OVER DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE FLOWERS.

THERE ARE A COUPLE TECHNIQUES.

FIRST, YOU CAN USE LARGE PRUNING SHEERS.

THIS IS RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR ASTORS, SINCE THERE ARE A LOT OF STEMS.

IT WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME TO USE A HAND PRUNER.

FOR SMALLER PLANTS, YOU CAN EITHER USE YOUR FINGERS OR A SMART HAND PRUNER TO KEEP THE SHAPE OF THE PLANT.

MAIN THING TO KNOW IS WHAT TYPE OF PLANT YOU ARE WORKING WITH.

THAT WILL HELP DETERMINE WHETHER YOU ACTUALLY GO AHEAD AND DEADHEAD THE PLANT OR IF YOU ARE JUST PRUNING AND PINCHING THE PLANT.

>> THIS IS A MATTER OF KNOWING YOUR PLANTS AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT KIND OF PRUNING TECHNIQUE YOU NEED.

YOU WILL BE REWARDED LATER WITH INCREDIBLE FLOWERS AND NO FLOPPING.

>>> WE HAVE A LOT OF ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT.

>>> JODY, FIRST QUESTION.

THIS COMES TO US FROM WEST DES MOINES, IOWA.

IT WAS IN HER SISTER'S GARDEN.

SHE'S WONDERING IF WE CAN IDENTIFY THIS.

>> THIS IS A VIRGINIA CREEPER SPHINX MOTH.

>> HE THINKS THIS IS A GONER.

HIS REAL QUESTION IS, IS THE MAPLE IN DANGER FROM WHATEVER KILLED THE CHERRY TREE?

>> NO.

THAT LOOKS LIKE A DEAD CHERRY TREE.

THAT'S A STRESSED TREE.

IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM FOR THE MAPLE TREE.

>> THEN FROM LINCOLN, WHAT IS THIS STRANGE INSECT?

>> A NESSUS SPHINX.

>> WHAT IS THIS?

>> IT'S TALL FESCUE.

IT GETS CLUMPY.

>> THIS VIEWER LIVES BY SHRAM PARK.

THIS WEED GROWS EVERY YEAR.

THE HORSES WON'T EAT IT.

IT GETS THREE FEET TALL.

A NETTLE-LIKE APPEARANCE.

THEY HAVE NOT TRIED SPRAYING.

DO WE KNOW WHAT THIS IS?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE MOTHER WART.

IT'S A POLLINATOR FOR BUMBLEBEES.

I THINK YOU CAN SPRAY IT WITH MOST BROAD LEAF HERBICIDES.

>> THEY COULD SPRAY IT?

>> YES.

IT WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.

IT WOULD BE BETTER IN THE SPRING WHEN IT'S YOUNGER.

NOW IT'S MATURE.

>> ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

SHE'S ASKING, WHAT IS THIS PLANT AND HOW DO YOU GET RID OF IT?

>> MY FAVORITE.

I THROW IT AT THE KIDS.

IT STICKS TO THEIR BACK.

IT'S CATCH WEED.

WE HAVE FIGHTS WITH IT.

IT'S FUN.

IT'S SCRATCHY.

IT STICKS LIKE VELCRO.

IT CAN ABRASE YOUR SKIN.

>> YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

IT'S SIMILAR TO YOUR THIRD PICTURE.

A GROWTH ON A BRANCH.

WHAT SHOULD SHE DO?

THAT'S WHAT FELL OFF ON THE GROUND.

>> THIS IS ACTUALLY A JELLY FUNGUS.

IT'S GOING TO BREAK DOWN THE DEAD ORGANIC MATTER.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT THE TREE.

YOU CAN FIND IT IN VARIOUS CUISINE OUT THERE.

LOOK AT THOSE.

THIS IS ON A LILAC.

IT APPEARS TO BE ON THE SAME LINE THAT IT'S A JELLY FUNGUS.

>> SHE FOUND THAT ON ONE BRANCH.

>> I WOULDN'T BE WORRIED ABOUT IT.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT.

THIS IS OMAHA.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME YELLOWING ON IT.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE'S A CAUSE AND TREATMENT?

>> THIS IS MOST LIKELY ENVIRONMENTAL.

IT'S ON THE INNER PART.

IT COULD BE NATURAL NEEDLE DROP.

THEY ARE SENSITIVE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

HOT, DRY, NOW IT'S TOO WET.

THEY ARE FINICKY.

THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO COMBAT THIS.

>> IT'S OLD.

>> YEAH.

IT'S OLD.

>> THINK OF IT AS GRAY.

SARAH, YOU HAVE SOME TIME.

YOUR FIRST ONE IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SHE HAS 11 JUNIPERS.

WHAT'S THE CAUSE AND WHAT CAN SHE DO?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO NAIL DOWN THE EXACT CAUSE FROM A DISTANCE PICTURE LIKE THIS.

THE THINGS I WOULD THINK ABOUT FIRST OF ALL WOULD BE, WATERING.

UNDER OR OVER.

THE LAWN HERE IN THIS PICTURE IS GREEN.

IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW OFTEN THEY ARE RUNNING THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM TO KEEP THE LAWN THAT GREEN.

EASTERN RED CEDAR LIKES DRY CONDITIONS.

IT COULD BE THAT THESE PLANTS ARE SUFFERING FROM ROOT ROT FROM OVER WATERING.

ON THE FLIP SIDE IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE DROUGHT DAMAGE FROM THE LAST FEW YEARS.

I QUESTION THAT GIVEN HOW GREEN THE LAWN IS.

A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS COULD BE BAG WORM DAMAGE.

I COULDN'T SEE ANY IN THAT PICTURE WITH DISTANCE.

IT COULD BE SPIDER MITES.

THIS COULD CAUSE DAMAGE.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS I WOULD LOOK OUT TO RULE OUT.

>> YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS.

SHE WANTS AN IDENTIFICATION AND TELL HER THINGS ABOUT THIS PLANT.

>> THIS IS AN HERB.

IT'S COMMON RUE.

IT'S NATIVE TO THE BALKANS.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GROW IT IN THE EASTERN NEBRASKA AREA.

IN WARMER PARTS OF THE U.S., IT CAN BE AN EVERGREEN, A SUBSHRUB.

STEMS GET WOODY AND COME BACK YEAR TO YEAR.

EACH PLANT MAY ONLY LIVE FOR THREE OR FOUR YEARS.

THEY CAN POTENTIALLY THEN RESEED.

YOU CAN GET IT COMING BACK.

IT'S COMMON RUE.

>> IT'S ONE WE USED TO HAVE A LITTLE ON CAMPUS.

IT DOESN'T LIVE VERY LONG.

IT'S FUN WHEN YOU HAVE IT.

>> THESE PICTURES, THE FOLIAGE WAS A MEDIUM GREEN.

THE FOLIAGE CAN BE BLUEISH.

IT WILL GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF AN UNUSUAL COLOR.

>> THANKS.

>>> UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT'S "BACKYARD FARMER."

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND SUBMITTING THE WONDERFUL PICTURES AND QUESTIONS.

THANKS TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES TONIGHT, CAROL, LINDA AND TERRI.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE WILL LOOK AT A BOG GARDEN.

IF YOU HAVE AREAS THAT SEEM PERMANENTLY DAMP AND SOGGY, SEE HOW YOU CAN USE MOISTURE-LOVING PLANTS TO MAKE THAT AREA THRIVE.

GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK RIGHT HERE ON "BACKYARD FARMER."

♪♪ ♪♪