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

>>> TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL SEE WHAT ORNAMENTALS MAKE THIS PLAZA BEAUTIFUL AND WE'LL CHECK OUT A GREENHOUSE GROWING TROPICAL PLANTS.

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

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

I'M KIM TODD AND I'LL BE YOUR HOST FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF GOOD GARDENING.

YOU CAN CALL US WITH YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS AT 1-800-676-5446.

YOU CAN SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS.

IF YOU'D RATHER SEND US AN EMAIL WITH PICTURES FOR A FUTURE SHOW, THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

PLEASE TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE.

GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN SO WE CAN GIVE YOU THE BEST SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM.

SO WITH THAT OUT OF THE WAY, LET'S START WITH SOME SAMPLES.

KAIT, YOURS WERE TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE DESK EARLIER.

>> YES.

AND THERE'S A SPIDER TRYING TO ESCAPE NOW TOO.

SO HOPEFULLY HE DOESN'T JUMP AROUND.

BUT WE OFTEN PLANT MILK WEED.

BECAUSE WE KNOW IT'S A GREAT HOST PLANT FOR MONARCH CATERPILLARS.

BUT IT'S ALSO A GREAT HOST PLANT FOR A LOT OF OTHER INSECTS AS WELL.

THESE ONES ARE LARGE MILK WEED BUGS BECAUSE ENTOMOLOGISTS ARE VERY LITERAL WITH THE NAMES YOU GIVE THINGS.

YOU CAN SEE THEM CRAWLING ALL AROUND.

IT'S ON MY CUP.

BUT, THESE DO FEED ON THE MILK WEED PLANTS.

WE OFTEN SEE THEM AGGREGATING ON THE PODS.

IN PARTICULAR THEY MIGHT GET INSIDE THE PODS.

IF YOU START TO SEE THAT CRACKING AS IT DRIES OUT, BUT THEY DON'T HARM THE PLANT MUCH.

THEY'RE ONE OF THE GREAT INSECTS WE FIND ON MILK WEED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE POOR LITTLE SPIDER IS OUT NUMBERED.

>> YES.

>> TERRI, WHAT DO WE HAVE TONIGHT?

>> MATT AND ROCH HAVE BEEN BRINGING SOME NOT VERY NICE ATTRACTIVE THINGS.

I THOUGHT I WOULD BRING SOMETHING THAT WAS PRETTY.

SO THIS IS A PENNISETUM.

THIS IS CALLED RED HEAD.

IT'S JUST STARTING TO SHOW OFF RIGHT NOW.

IT'S IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

IF YOU VISIT US, YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THIS.

IT'S ONE OF THE NATIONAL ARBORITUM CHOICES.

SO THIS IS ONE THAT'S BEEN TRIED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

IT GETS TO BE 36 TO 40 INCHES TALL.

IT HAS A NICE DOMED LOOK TO IT.

BUT THE ONE THING I'LL TELL YOU IS, IT WILL SEED ITSELF ABOUT.

SO IF YOU CAN PUT IT SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU DON'T CARE IF IT MOVES ABOUT, THAT'S FINE.

OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT BE DIGGING IT UP HERE AND THERE.

>> JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE FOUNTAIN GRASSES.

>> OKAY, DENNIS -- >> SURE.

>> YOU HAVE A PIECE OF FURNITURE.

>> YES.

THIS IS A FLYING SQUIRREL HOUSE.

FLYING SQUIRRELS IN NEBRASKA ARE VERY MUCH A THREATENED SPECIES, ALMOST ENDANGERED.

NEBRASKA, THE EXTREME SOUTHEAST CORNER OF NEBRASKA IS THE EXTREME NORTHWEST CORNER OF THEIR NORTH AMERICAN RANGE OF THE SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL.

BUT IN THE LAST TEN YEARS, WE'VE BEEN SEEING THEM AROUND LANCASTER COUNTY.

IN FACT, IN DECEMBER OF 2021 WE FOUND FOUR OF THEM RIGHT HERE ON EAST CAMPUS.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BUILD HOUSES.

ON YOUR SCREEN YOU'LL SEE THE URL WHERE YOU CAN GET THE PLANS TO BUILD A FLYING SQUIRREL HOUSE.

AND YOU CAN PUT THEM UP.

WE HAVE 25 HERE ON EAST CAMPUS.

NOW THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT PREVENTS BIGGER SQUIRRELS OTHER THAN FLYING SQUIRRLES TO USE IT.

THIS TOP PART YOU WON'T BUILD.

THIS IS A CAMERA IN HERE.

WE CAN PLAY BIG BROTHER WITH ALL OUR FLYING SQUIRRELS AND WATCH THEM ALL THE TIME.

THE HOUSES ARE HERE.

THE FLYING SQUIRRELS ARE HERE.

EMBRACE THEM.

LOVE THEM AND BUILD A HOUSE FOR THEM.

>> I LOVE IT, DENNIS.

ALL RIGHT, SARAH, LET'S SEE IF YOU CAN TOP THAT ONE.

>> NOT AS ACTIVE AT LEAST.

DURING OUR PLANT OF THE WEEK LAST WEEK I MADE A COMMENT THAT THE BIG LEAF HYDRANGEAS, THE HYDRANGEAS MACROPHYLLA -- SOMETIMES DON'T DO GREAT IN NEBRASKA.

IN FACT, MORE THAN SOMETIMES.

AND IT'S NOT SURPRISING WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHERE THEY'RE NATIVE.

THE BIG LEAF HYDRANGEAS ARE NATIVE TO JAPAN.

JAPAN HAS ACIDIC SOIL.

THEY HAVE HUMID CONDITIONS, THEY HAVE MODERATE TEMPERATURES.

WINTERS ARE DOWN TO LIKE 23, SUMMERS MAYBE UP TO 95.

THEY HAVE 67 INCHES OF RAIN PER YEAR.

NOW THINK ABOUT NEBRASKA.

WE HAVE CLAY SOIL THAT'S OFTEN HIGHLY ACIDIC -- OR HIGHLY ALKALINE.

WE HAVE DRY CONDITIONS.

OUR TEMPERATURES CAN GO INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS IN THE WINTER AND WAY UP INTO THE 90s OR 100s DURING THE SUMMER.

MUCH DRIER THAN WHAT THEY EXPERIENCE IN JAPAN.

WHAT I SUGGESTED LAST WEEK WAS THE PANICLED HYDRANGEAS.

WHICH WE HAD A SAMPLE OF LAST WEEK, THE SILVER DOLLAR PANICLED HYDRANGEA.

I BROUGHT A COUPLE MORE.

THESE ARE ALSO NATIVE TO ASIA, JAPAN AND EASTERN CHINA, SOUTHERN CHINA.

THEY HAVE A WIDER HOST RANGE.

THEY'RE ADAPTED TO A LARGER AREA.

PANICLED HYDRANGEAS IN GENERAL ARE HARDY TO ABOUT ZONE THREE, WHICH IS MUCH MORE COLD HARDY THAN WE NEED THEM TO BE FOR US IN ZONE FIVE.

AND THEY'RE ADAPTED TO A WIDER RANGE OF SOILS.

THIS ONE IN FRONT IS A CULTIVAR CALLED LITTLE QUICK FIRE.

THIS ONE WILL GET ABOUT THREE TO FOUR FEET TALL.

IT HAS A BEAUTIFUL COMBINATION OF -- THERE'S FERTILE FLOWERS AND THE STERILE FLOWER BRACKS.

THIS FLOWER THAT'S WHITE IS A YOUNG ONE.

AS THEY AGE THE BRACKS TURN PINK.

AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE SECOND FLOWER.

THIS OTHER SAMPLE IS A TALLER CULTIVAR OF PANICLED HYDRANGEA CALLED THE PHANTOM.

IT GETS TO BE ABOUT UPPER HEIGHT RANGE IS ABOUT TEN FEET.

IN NEBRASKA IT WILL PROBABLY BE MORE LIKE EIGHT.

THIS ONE I'M USING AS A SCREEN IN MY BACKYARD.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PANICLED HYNDRANGEAS, A GREAT PLACE TO GO WOULD BE THE PROVEN WINNERS WEBSITE.

SO JUST GOOGLE PROVEN WINNERS.

SEARCH FOR PANICLED HYDRANGEAS.

THERE ARE MANY MORE TO CHOOSE FROM.

LIMELIGHT IS A POPULAR ONE IN THE TRADE RIGHT NOW.

BUT THERE ARE LOTS AND LOTS OF OTHERS AND THEY'RE MUCH EASIER TO GROW.

>> THANKS, SARAH.

FIRST SET OF QUESTIONS GO TO YOU, KAIT.

THE FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM THE FORT CALHOUN AREA.

THE QUESTION IS HE'S NOTICED ALL THESE BUMPS ON THE LEAVES OF HIS OAK.

WHAT ARE THEY AND ARE THEY HARMFUL?

>> THESE ARE GALLS, CAUSED BY A MIDGE, A SMALL FLY.

JODI LIKES TO CALL THEM COFFEE BEAN GALLS, BECAUSE THEY LOOK LIKE COFFEE BEANS.

BUT GALLS ON TREES IN GENERAL, THEY'RE MORE OF JUST AN AESTHETIC THING.

THEY'RE KIND OF UNSIGHTLY.

BUT MOST OF THE TIME THEY DON'T CAUSE OVERALL HARM TO THE TREE.

IF YOU REALLY DON'T LIKE THEM, TRY TO PRUNE HEAVILY INFESTED TWIGS OR LEAVES.

OTHERWISE, YOU CAN LEAVE IT BE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM PAPILLION.

HE SAYS LITTLE BITS OF WHITE FLUFF ON THE GRASS BLADES.

THEN HE REALIZED IT WAS COMING FROM A 20-YEAR-OLD OAK.

ARE THESE WOOLLY APHIDS?

AND IF SO WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?

>> YES, THEY ARE WOOLLY APHIDS.

SINCE THE OAK TREE IS OLDER, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO TREAT.

IF THE TREE LOOKS HEALTHY, YOU DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING.

THE FIRST PICTURE, THOSE LITTLE BLACK INSECTS ARE LADY BEETLE LARVAE.

THEY'RE PROVIDING A SERVICE EATING THE APHIDS.

OTHERWISE AS FAR AS TREATMENT, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO GET UP IN THE FOLIAGE, BUT THERE ARE SYSTEMIC OPTIONS AS WELL IF IT GETS PRETTY BAD AND CAUSES DAMAGE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

TERRI, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE FOR THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM THAYER COUNTY.

PLEASE IDENTIFY THIS WEED AND HOW YOU CAN KILL IT WITHOUT HURTING THE JUNIPER.

I KNOW WE'VE HAD A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH IN EMAILS ON THIS SARA.

I THINK YOU WEIGHED IN ON THIS ONE TOO.

>> SO, THIS IS BIRD CUCUMBER.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A CHALLENGE.

ESPECIALLY WHERE IT IS AT.

BIRD CUMCUMBER HAS ONE OF THE LARGER SEEDS THAT WE NORMALLY TALK ABOUT A BIG SEED BANK FROM WEEDS.

THIS DOESN'T HAVE A HUGE SEED BANK, BUT THE SEEDS CAN GO DOWN AND STAY DOWN FOR ABOUT FOUR AND A HALF YEARS FOR AT LEAST SIX INCHES AND GERMINATE FROM THAT DEEP.

IF YOU CAN PULL THAT OFF AS BEST YOU CAN, THAT WOULD BE BEST TO BE ABLE TO SAVE THAT JUNIPER.

YOU MOST LIKELY WILL NEED TO DO TWO PREEMERGENTS AND THEN MOST LIKELY A POST-EMERGENT.

ONCE YOU START SEEING THOSE COMING UP.

THAT'S REALLY GOING TO BE THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU.

>> KUDZU OF THE NORTH.

>> SURE.

>> YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PLATTSMOUTH.

SHE HAS A COUPLE VINES TAKING OVER THE LILAC.

SHE DOES THINK ONE IS WILDER GRAPE, AND WONDERS HOW TO GET RID OF THAT ONE.

>> SO YEAH -- YOU HAVE ACTUALLY THREE HERE.

THE WILD GRAPE WAS THE FIRST PICTURE.

THEN YOU HAVE HONEYVINE MILKWEED.

WHICH IS KIND OF THAT LIGHTER, LIME GREEN ONE WITH THE HEART SHAPED LEAVES.

THEN YOU HAVE VIRGINIA CREEPER.

THE VIRGINIA CREEPER, IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF THAT AND THE GRAPE, WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO DO IS CUT THEM -- THEY'RE GOING TO BE MORE OF A WOOD.

SO, YOU'LL NEED TO CUT THEM AT THE BASE AND PAINT THAT WITH A STUMP KILLER OF SOME KIND.

MOST LIKELY IT'S GOING TO TAKE YOU A COUPLE TREATMENTS.

AND THEN THE HONEY VINE MILK WEED JUST PULL AND DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED.

MAKE SURE YOU GET AS MUCH OUT OF THE AREA AS POSSIBLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

DENNIS.

>> YES.

>> YOUR FIRST QUESTION HAS TWO PICTURES.

AND THIS IS -- SOMETHING IS TAKING THE TOMATOES OFF THE VINE.

THIS IS FROM CROFTON.

A NEIGHBOR DOES FEED THE WILD LIFE.

HE'S WONDERING ABOUT THIS ONE.

HE'S USED HAIR, HE'S USED SOME OTHER THINGS.

AND THEN THIS SECOND ONE ALSO, BETWEEN THE TWO HE HAS TOMATO EATERS AND HE'S GOT PEAR EATERS.

ALL THE PEARS ARE BEING PICKED AWAY.

AND THEN THEY LEAVE THE KEEFER PEARS ALONE APPARENTLY.

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE PEARS.

BUT THE TOMATOES -- NOT ONLY IS YOUR NEIGHBOR FEEDING THE WILDLIFE, BUT YOU ARE TOO.

WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT.

IT'S A SQUIRREL MOST LIKELY.

IT COULD BE A GROUND SQUIRREL OR TREE SQUIRREL IF THEY'RE STASHING OR MOVING THE FOOD.

THINGS LIKE VOLES AND SMALL RODENTS LIKE MICE THEY WILL EAT IT IN PLACE.

BUT IF IT'S BEING STASHED -- AND BY THE MOUTH PART HERE, IT'S MOST LIKELY A GROUND SQUIRREL.

MOST REPELLANTS DO NOT WORK.

IT'S A MATTER OF EXCLUSION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EXCLUDE AND YOU CAN DO THAT WITH WIRE OR NETTING OVER IT BEFORE THEY RIPEN.

THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.

>> ALL RIGHT AND THIS IS YOUR NEXT ONE.

IT COMES TO US FROM OMAHA WONDERING WHAT IS EATING THE HOSTA.

AND IS THERE ANYTHING THEY CAN DO?

>> SURE.

IT'S SLUGS AND SNAILS.

SO WE HAVE ONE SNAKE THAT EATS SLUGS AND SNAILS.

THAT'S THE BROWN SNAKE.

YOU CAN ENCOURAGE THE BROWN SNAKE TO ENTER YOUR PROPERTY AND IT WILL EAT THE SLUGS AND SNAILS THAT ARE EATING YOUR HOSTAS.

>> I AM NOT SURE THAT'S A GOOD TRADE-OFF.

>> I THINK IT IS.

>> SARAH, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES FROM KIMBLETON, IOWA.

TWO SUGAR MAPLES, SIX YEARS OLD, THE LEAVES ARE DYING ON THE TOP.

STARTS ON THE TOP AND NEW LEAVES COME OUT AND DIE.

SO CAN WE EXPLAIN WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?

AND I THINK WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE PICS IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.

>> IT'S HARD TO BE REAL EXACT WITHOUT MORE INFORMATION.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW HOW THE LOWER PARTS OF THE TRUNKS OF THESE TREES LOOK.

THERE COULD BE PLANTING ISSUES.

I'M JUST GOING TO SAY PROBABLY DROUGHT IS ONE OF THE MAIN EFFECTS ON THESE TREES.

BUT I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S THE ONLY THING.

YOU MIGHT LOOK AT YOUR WATERING.

I NOTICE IN THE FIRST PICTURE THAT TREE WAS GROWING IN A FIELD OF BROHM.

BROHM IS EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE.

IT CAN MAKE IT HARD FOR TREES TO GROW IN BROHM TURF.

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

THIS COMES TO US FROM FREEMONT.

THIS VIEWER WHO HAD AN IRIS THAT FINISHED FLOWERING AND THEN HERE CAME THE SEEDS.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW CAN YOU START IRIS FROM SEEDS?

>> YOU CAN GROW THEM FROM SEEDS.

THESE WOULD BE CONSIDERED RIPE SEEDS NOW, SINCE THE PODS HAVE DRIED AND OPENED.

SO PUT THOSE ON A GROWING MEDIA.

PUT THEM SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY'LL BE COOL IN THE WINTER.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT TEMPERATURES DOWN INTO THE 50s, 55.

YOU DON'T WANT TO KEEP THEM AT ROOM TEMPERATURE.

KEEP THEM MOIST.

THEY TAKE A LONG TIME TO GERMINATE.

IT MAY BE UP TO A YEAR.

YOU HAVE TO BE A LONG-TERM PLAN >> ALL RIGHT, THANKS SARAH.

WELL, FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE TONIGHT WE'RE GOING TO RETURN TO WESTERN NEBRASKA.

CHRISSY LAND FROM THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE SHOWS US SOME BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTALS IN THE GERING PLAZA.

♪ ♪ >>> HERE WE ARE IN GERING NEBRASKA AT THE GERING PLAZA.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT PLANTS WE PUT IN THIS GARDEN.

ALL THE PLANTS ARE LABELED SO HOMEOWNERS CAN LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT PLANTS AND SEE WHAT THEY MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN INCORPORATING IN THEIR GARDEN AT HOME.

HERE I HAVE NEXT TO ME WHAT IS CALLED A GWEN'S BUFFALO CURRENT.

AND IT PRODUCES A NICE LITTLE FRUIT.

IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE SWEET FOR A CURRENT.

OF COURSE, THEY CAN STILL BE A LITTLE BIT TART.

ONE OF THE REASONS I LOVE THIS PLANT IS BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU ALL SEASONS OF INTEREST.

IT HAS THE NICE, PRETTY BLOOMS IN THE SPRING, FRUIT IN THE SUMMER AND TOWARDS THE END OF THE SUMMER AND INTO THE FALL THE LEAVES WILL START TURNING THIS REALLY PRETTY BURGUNDY COLOR.

AND MAN, DO THEY HAVE A NICE POP SHOW OF COLOR IN THE FALL.

NEXT TO IT WE HAVE A SPRING MAGNOLIA.

AND FOR WESTERN NEBRASKA MAGNOLIAS ARE RARE TO FIND.

THIS IS A PLANT THAT WAS BROUGHT TO US BY ONE OF OUR FRIENDS AT THE SOUTH PLATT NRD.

IT'S A TRIAL IN THIS GARDEN.

IT'S A ZONE THREE MAGNOLIA.

IT'S SUPPOSE TO GET ABOUT 20 FEET TALL AND 20 FEET WIDE.

THIS PLANT IS ONLY ABOUT FOUR YEARS OLD, BUT, MAN, IT'S SURVIVED SOME REALLY TOUGH WINTERS.

WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THIS PLANT IS TO BECOME.

AND HERE WE HAVE ALLIUM MILLENNIUM.

IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLANTS.

IT BLOOMS FOR A VERY LONG TIME IT'S GOT A BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURAL FLOWER TO IT.

WHEN IT DRIES OUT IT'S STILL ACTUALLY HAS A LOT OF INTEREST.

THEY'RE GREAT TO LET STAND OVER THE WINTER AND LET THE SNOW FALL ON THEM AND GET A LITTLE BIT OF WINTER INTEREST OUT OF THEM.

THEY ACTUALLY STAY A LITTLE BIT EVERGREEN AND BOY DO THE POLLINATORS ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LONG BLOOM PERIOD ALSO.

AND ANOTHER PLANT THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE PLAZA THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE PASK FLOWER.

THIS IS A NEBRASKA NATIVE FLOWER.

AND IT IS THE FIRST FLOWER TO BLOOM IN THE SPRING HERE IN THE PLAZA.

AND IT IS A SHOW STOPPER.

BIG BEAUTIFUL POP OF PURPLE IN THE SPRING.

EVERYBODY LOVES IT.

WHEN IT DRIES IN THE SEED HEAD, IT LOOKS A LOT LIKE A CLEMATIS SEED HEAD.

AND IT HAS A LOT OF INTEREST.

AND THEN THE REST OF THE YEAR IT LOOKS JUST LIKE A NICE LITTLE GREEN MOUND OF FERN-LIKE MATERIAL.

AND FINALLY, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT ONE OF OUR OTHER SHRUBS AND ANOTHER TREE.

THE SHRUB NEXT TO ME IS A SEVEN-SONS FLOWER.

AND THEY'RE NOT VERY COMMONLY FOUND IN THE FAR PANHANDLE OF NEBRASKA.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PLANT.

IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE SHOW STOPPER.

IT BLOOMS REALLY LATE IN THE SEASON AND IT'S GOT BEAUTIFUL PEELY BARK ON THAT YOU CAN ENJOY ALL WINTER LONG.

AND THE TREE THAT WE HAVE IS A ROCKY MOUNTAIN GLOW BIG TOOTH MAPLE.

AND FOR WESTERN NEBRASKA MAPLES CAN BE KIND OF TOUGH TO GROW.

AND SO PICKING A MAPLE THAT US NATIVE TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION WHAT'S IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST.

THIS TREE IS PROVING TO DO VERY WELL IN THIS HEAVY CLAY SOILING GERING.

AND WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT BECOMES OF IT.

SO NEXT TIME YOU'RE OUT IN WESTERN NEBRASKA MAKE SURE THAT YOU CHECK OUT THE GERING PLAZA AND ALL THE DIFFERENT PLANTS WE HAVE AND ALK THE PLANT LABELS THAT WE HAVE ON THEM SO THAT WAY YOU CAN LOOK AT WHAT MIGHT FIT BEST IN YOUR GARDEN AT HOME.

♪ >> REALLY BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE.

WE DO HOPE IF YOU LIVE IN THAT AREA YOU WILL ALSO VISIT THE PLAZA FOR SOME GREAT IDEAS FOR YOUR OWN GARDEN.

>> NOW LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HEAR ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT US, YOUR FAVORITE GARDENING PROGRAM.

THANKS KIM.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH "BACKYARD FARMER" IN A MOMENT.

BUT FIRST, WE WANT TO THANK YOU.

I'M IAN VOSBURG, DIRECTOR OF ANNUAL GIVING HERE AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

WE'RE IN A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE RIGHT NOW.

THAT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT YOU PROVIDE ALL YEAR LONG.

MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDE MUCH OF THE FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAMS YOU SEE AND LOVE RIGHT HERE ON NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA, INCLUDING "BACKYARD FARMER."

BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN ON THE AIR LONGER THAN ANY OTHER LOCALLY PRODUCED TELEVISION PROGRAM IN HISTORY.

THAT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING YOU HEARD US SAY BEFORE AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ARE VERY PROUD OF.

SO, THANK YOU FOR HELPING MAKE IT HAPPEN.

THIS SHORT BREAK IS ALSO A CHANCE TO ASK YOU TO CONTINUE THAT TREMENDOUS SUPPORT.

WHEN YOU DO, SELECT ONE OF THE GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

GIVE US A CALL RIGHT NOW 800-989-8236 OR ONLINE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION OF $12.50 A MONTH AS SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE COMBO OF "BACKYARD FARMER" T-SHIRT AND BUCKET HAT.

YOU SEE I'M WEARING THE BUCKET HAT NOW AND I ASLO HAVE THE T-SHIRT WITH ME.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON YOUR SCREEN.

IF YOU'RE A BIG FAN OF "BACKYARD FARMER," SHOW IT OFF FOR THE SHIRT AND HAT.

AND YOU CAN KEEP ONE FOR YOURSELF AND GIVE ONE AS A GIFT.

WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION OF $7 A MONTH, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH JUST THAT T-SHIRT AND YOU CAN REPRESENT THE FIVE AREAS YOU LOVE EACH WEEK ENTOMOLOGY, WILDLIFE, PATHOLOGY, LANDSCAPE, AND TURF WITH THIS GREY HEATHER T-SHIRT.

WITH $7 A MONTH DONATION, WE CAN ALSO THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" BUCKET HAT.

YOU CAN WEAR IT WHILE GARDENING DOING WHATEVER YOU DO IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE.

GIVE US A CALL RIGHT NOW 800-989-8236 OR ONLINE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

I HAVE KIM TODD HERE WITH ME RIGHT NOW.

KIM, THANK YOU FOR SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR YOU AND THE TEAM TO CONNECT WITH THE VIEWERS SO MUCH ON "BACKYARD FARMER"?

>> WELL, WE'RE STATEWIDE, IAN.

THE COOL THING ABOUT THAT IS EXTENSION IS STATEWIDE.

OUR AUDIENCE WANTS TO CONNECT.

AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM THE GOOD ANSWERS.

AND IT'S WAY MORE FUN IF WE CAN DO IT LIKE THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS MADE "BACKYARD FARMER" A FAN FAVORITE FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

SO, IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR 71 YEARS.

RIGHT?

>> MM-HMM.

>> HOW HAS IT REMAINED RELEVANT?

>> WE DO A REALLY GOOD JOB, THE PANEL IN PARTICULAR, OF ACTUALLY RESEARCHING, STAYING CURRENT, TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE STATE THAT HAS ANYTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH ANY OF THE SUBJECT MATTER, THAT WE GIVE PEOPLE THE BEST INFORMATION RATHER THAN KIND OF BEING OLD AND TIRED.

>> THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR.

THAT WE'RE ALWAYS STAYING UP TO DATE.

NOW WE HEAR OCCASIONALLY FROM OUR VIEWERS AND FROM OUR MEMBERS, WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY LIKE TO GROW IN YOUR OWN GARDEN?

>> WHAT I LIKE TO GROW AND WHAT I CAN GROW ARE NOT THE SAME THING.

I WOULD LOVE TO GROW THINGS THAT LIVE IN THE SUN AND I LIVE IN FULL SHADE.

SO, I GROW TREES AND WHAT GROWS UNDER THE TREES.

AND THAT'S THE END OF IT.

I CAN'T GROW A TOMATO TO SAVE MY SOUL.

>> WELL, YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST THAT EVEN THOUGH KIM TODD, "BACKYARD FARMER," SHE STILL NEEDS A LITTLE HELP SOMETIMES OR MAYBE IT'S JUST HER ENVIRONMENT.

BUT WE'VE LEARNED ALL ABOUT THAT WITH "BACKYARD FARMER."

>> EXACTLY.

>> THANKS SO MUCH, KIM.

>> YOU BET.

>> ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR GIFT OF SUPPORT RIGHT NOW 800-989-8236 OR ONLINE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

WHEN YOU DONTATE $12.50 A MONTH AS SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'D LOVE TO THANK YOU WITH THAT "BACKYARD FARMER" COMBO.

WE HAVE THE T-SHIRT FOR "BACKYARD FARMER" AS WELL AS THE BUCKET HAT.

IT SHOWS YOU'RE A HUGE FAN OF THE SHOW.

AND YOU CAN SHOW IT OFF TO EVERYONE AROUND.

OR MAYBE YOU CAN GIVE ONE AS A GIFT.

WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION OF $7 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THAT T-SHIRT THAT YOU CAN SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

IT REPRESENTS THE FIVE AREAS YOU LOVE EACH WEEK: ENTOMOLOGY, WILDLIFE, PATHOLOGY, LANDSCAPE AND TURF ON THAT GREY HEATHER T-SHIRT.

OR AT $7 A MONTH WE HAVE THE "BACKYARD FARMER" BUCKET HAT.

IT KEEPS YOU COOL WITH THE KHAKI HAT.

I WORE THIS ALL AROUND ON MY VACATION.

HAS THIS NICE LITTLE CHIN CORD METAL AND IT STAYS ON WITH THE WIND BECAUSE OF THAT CHIN STRAP.

GIVE US A CALL RIGHT NOW 800-989-8236 OR ONLINE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING US.

AND NOW BACK TO "BACKYARD FARMER."

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, IAN.

AND YOU'RE UP NEXT, KAIT.

YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM RURAL TACOMA.

30-FOOT LEAF LYNDON IS COVERED WITH THESE APHIDS.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

THAT'S PRETTY BLACK.

>> YEAH, SO THE APHIDS ARE CAUSING A SECONDARY ISSUE.

THAT'S SOOTY MOLD THAT'S GROWING ON THEIR HONEYDEW.

AND WHILE SOOTY MOLD ITSELF ISN'T HARMFUL TO THE TREE, IT CAN KIND OF BLOCK PHOTOSYNTHESIS THAT'S GOING ON TOO.

BECAUSE THE TREE IS LARGE AND BECAUSE IT'S A LYNDON, YOU CAN'T DO SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDES.

IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY DIFFICULT TO DO ANY INSECTICIDLE TREATMENT.

SO IF IT'S SOMETHING WHERE THE TREE LOOKS HEALTHY AND IT'S NOT AN ISSUE YEAR AFTER YEAR, MAYBE IT'S JUST SOMETHING YOU KEEP AN EYE ON.

BUT IF YOU CONTINUE TO SEE APHIDS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ARBORIST TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PIC ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS FROM BURRWELL.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT ARE ON THOSE ON THE BASE OF THE LOCUST.

>> YEAH.

SO THESE ARE THE LARVAE AND THE PUPI OF RETICULATED NET-WINGED BEETLES.

THE BEETLES ARE A VERY BEAUTIFUL STRIKING ORANGE AND BLACK COLOR.

AS ADULTS, SOMETIMES THEY'RE CONFUSED FOR FIREFLIES.

BUT AS THEY GET READY TO PUPATE FROM LARVAE, THEY'LL ACTUALLY AGGREGATE IN AREAS JUST LIKE WE SEE ON THIS TREE.

AND THERE'S NOT ACTUALLY A LOT KNOWN ABOUT THEM.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY EAT.

YOU KNOW, KIND OF GOES BACK AND FORTH.

BUT A VERY COOL PHENOMENON TO SEE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE PICTURE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM BENNINGTON.

HE THINKS THAT THIS IS YOUR CICADA KILLER.

>> YEAH.

>> AND HE SAYS, "GOOD GARDENING AND GOOD DAY."

SO IS HE RIGHT?

>> YES.

HE'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

GREAT JOB.

IT IS A CICADA KILLER WASP.

AND BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT AGGRESSIVE YOU CAN KIND OF JUST LET IT BE IF YOU CAN TOLERATE THEM.

IF YOU'RE LIKE MY NEIGHBOR YOU CAN GET OUT THE WIFFLE BALL BAT OR THE SALT GUN AND TRY TO GET RID OF THEM THAT WAY.

PROBABLY NOT RECOMMENDED.

OTHERWISE, IF YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT STAND THEM AND WANT TO GET RID OF THEM, YOU CAN TRY A DUST INSECTICIDE DIRECTLY INTO THAT HOLE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

TERRI, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE HERE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

WHAT IS THIS UNWANTED GRASS IN HER YARD AND HOW CAN IT BE TREATED?

I THINK -- YEP, THERE'S THE CLOSEUP.

>> SO THIS IS NOT A GRASS.

IT'S ACTUALLY A SEDGE.

WE'RE REALLY KIND OF PAST THE REAL GOOD TREATMENT TIME.

YOU NEED TO ACTUALLY TREAT THIS IN YOUR TURF A LITTLE BIT EARLIER IN THE SEASON.

YOU WOULD USE SULFENTRAZONE TO TREAT IT.

BUT WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST YOU DO NOW FOR THE COMING, THE GOING INTO FALL IS JUST KEEP MOWING IT.

DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED BECAUSE THE LITTLE NUTLETS, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT, IN THE GROUND THOSE ARE GONNA SPREAD OUT A LITTLE BIT.

BUT IF YOU LET IT GO TO SEED, THEN YOU'RE GONNA HAVE MORE ISSUES IN THE NEXT YEAR.

AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TREAT IT NEXT SPRING OR MIDSUMMER, BEFORE THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR.

>> OKAY.

TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM WEST POINT.

LAWN IS SHOWING YELLOWING.

DO WE THINK THIS IS AN IRON DEFICIENCY?

>> WELL, IT COULD BE.

BUT IT COULD BE LOTS OF OTHER THINGS.

IT COULD ACTUALLY BE A NITROGEN DEFICIENCY.

ALSO, IT COULD ALSO BE TOO WET OR TOO DRY.

SO I WOULD REALLY SUGGEST GETTING DOWN THERE AND KIND OF INVESTIGATING IT.

IT COULD ALSO BE A COMPACTION ISSUE.

SO, YOU NEED TO KIND OF SEE WHAT YOUR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ARE IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

AND YOU COULD POTENTIALLY GO AHEAD AND DO SOME AERATION THIS FALL AND A LITTLE BIT OF OVERSEEDING.

I PROBABLY WOULDN'T RECOMMEND PUTTING ANY KIND OF FERTILIZER DOWN NOW.

IT'S JUST REALLY TOO HOT.

>> OKAY, THANKS TERRI.

ONE PIC ON THE FIRST ONE FOR YOU, DENNIS.

THIS IS OUT SOUTHWEST OMAHA.

AND HE'S QUESTIONING ARE OWLS KNOWN TO INSERT THEIR PELLETS INTO A WALL?

WHY WOULD THEY DO IT AND WHAT DID IT EAT?

>> THAT'S NOT AN OWL PELLET.

THAT IS A DEAD BAT.

AND THE BAT DIED IN LOCATION.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS A LASIURUS, A RED BAT.

ALL THE FEATURES, THE FINGERS AND EVERYTHING ARE STILL ARTICULATED.

SO THE BAT GOT STUCK IN THERE OR GOT IN THERE AND DIED.

SO THAT'S THE WHOLE BAT AND THE DEATH IS JUST THE BAT.

>> OKAY.

SECOND ONE COMES TO US FROM NEAR TWO RIVERS.

RECREATION CAME ACROSS THIS UNKNOWN THING IN A HOLLOW TREE.

IT'S ABOUT THREE INCHES IN DIAMETER OR IN LENGTH.

>> YEAH.

SO NO VERTEBRATE ANIMAL I KNOW OF WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

OR MAYBE A HOBBIT.

BUT IT'S PROBABLY MORE OF A FUNGAL THING.

AND I'M SITTING IN THE FUNGAL SEAT TODAY.

I CAN FEEL IT ON MY BUTT.

BUT I COULDN'T TELL YOU.

THAT'S -- IT'D BE MORE OF A PATHOLOGY FUNGUS TYPE THING.

AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A SNAIL.

BUT THEN I LOOKED CLOSER AND IT'S NO SNAIL I KNOW ABOUT.

AND I DON'T KNOW MOLLUSKS THAT WELL AS WELL.

SO, I COULDN'T TELL YOU WHAT IT IS.

>> OKAY.

THEN WE HAVE JUST A SIMPLE QUESTION HERE.

>> MM-HMM.

>> THIS IS SOMEBODY IN THE DUNDEE AREA.

HE HAS A KETTLE OF FIVE HAWKS LIVING IN HIS TREE.

IS IT COMMON FOR FIVE HAWKS TO HANG TOGETHER?

>> PROBABLY, IF THEY'RE RELATED.

IT COULD BE FIVE FROM ONE OR TWO CLUTCHES OR GROUPS OF EGGS.

SO ESPECIALLY IN AN AREA WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF FOOD, MICE, YOU COULD HAVE THEM HANGING OUT TOGETHER.

AND THEY'LL SPREAD OUT AS NECESSARY DURING MATING SEASON.

>> COOL.

ALL RIGHT.

SARAH, WE KIND OF MISSED THIS ONE LAST WEEK.

SO YOUR FIRST PICTURE WAS SENT TO US FROM SCOTT AND THIS IS WHAT AND JUST DESCRIBE IT REAL QUICKLY BECAUSE WE'RE KIND OF COMING UP ON BREAK.

>> SO THE PLANT ON THE LEFT HAS A CONDITION CALLED FASCIATION WHICH IS-- CAN BE CAUSED BY A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

BUT IT CAUSES AN ABNORMAL FORMATION OF THE STEM.

IT'S VERY FLATTENED AND HAS MANY, MANY BUDS FOR LEAVES AND FLOWERS.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SEEING THE BIG CLUSTER OF FLOWERS AT THE TIP OF THE STEM.

>> AND HE COUNTED 65.

>> AMAZING.

>> YEAH, SECOND PICTURE HERE IS LAST WEEK.

THEY LISTENED TO WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT TOMATOES TURNING.

HE'S WONDERING IS THIS TRUE THAT CHEROKEE PURPLE TOMATOES WILL ALREADY HAVE ALL THE SUGAR THEY NEED AS WELL?

HE'S IN FREMONT.

>> SO WHAT I SAID LAST WEEK IS WHEN YOU SEE THE FIRST FLUSH OF COLOR ON A TOMATO IT HAS ALL THE SUGAR AND FLAVOR COMPONENTS THAT IT NEEDS TO DEVELOP AND HAVE A GOOD FLAVOR.

AND THAT'S TRUE FOR ANY TOMATO; MODERN, HYBRID, HEIRLOOM, RED, YELLOW, DOESN'T MATTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

PERFECT.

AND ONE MORE.

AND THIS IS A HASTINGS VIEWER.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT THIS PLANT IS.

AND IS IT A FLOWER?

IT IS A KEEPER?

>> THIS LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THE SPECIES OF FLOWERING TOBACCO.

SO, IT COULD BE CONSIDERED A FLOWER OR WILD FLOWER.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL ONE.

THANKS, SARAH.

WELL, YOU KNOW, ONCE AGAIN, OUR GARDEN IS PUTTING ON A SHOW.

THE ORNAMENTALS ARE IN FULL BLOOM AND THE PRODUCE IS PEAKING THANKS TO THIS COOLER WEATHER AT LEAST FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

LET'S TAKE A MINUTE HERE TO HEAR FROM TERRI OUT IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

♪ ♪ >>> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, STILL KIND OF IN THAT HOLDING MODE OF MIDSUMMER, SO PICKING A LOT OF PRODUCE.

ALMOST 60 POUNDS LAST WEEK.

SO, MORE TOMATOES COMING UP AND, AS MOST OF YOU PROBABLY KNOW, OUR TOMATOES ARE REALLY RIPENING VERY SLOWLY BECAUSE OF ALL THE HEAT ANDS STUFF.

HOPEFULLY THIS COOL WEATHER WILL SPEED THEM UP A LITTLE BIT.

BUT NOTHING LIKE A NICE GREEN FRIED TOMATO IF YOU CAN'T WAIT FOR THOSE TOMATOES TO RIPEN.

DON'T FORGET, WE HAVE TUESDAY NIGHTS WHERE YOU CAN BRING YOUR EXTRA PRODUCE TO THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN FROM 4:30 TO 7:00.

AND WE'RE JUST TAKING NOTES AND LOOKING AT ALL OF THE GORGEOUS FLOWERS THAT ARE BLOOMING.

WE ALSO ARE SEEING A LOT OF POLLINATORS.

LOTS OF BEES AND BUTTERFLIES AND SUCH ALL OVER OUR FLOWERS.

SO, STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND CHECK IT OUT.

♪ >> DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR EXTRA PRODUCE TO THE GARDEN TUESDAY NIGHTS FROM 4:30 TO 7:00.

WE'LL BE DONATE WHAT YOU GROW AND WHAT YOU BRING TO LOCAL FOOD PANTRY.

ALL RIGHT IT'S TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK.

COMING UP LATER, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE "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 IN THE SHOW, WE'RE GOING TO VISIT A GREENHOUSE IN SCOTTSBLUFF THAT HAS A UNIQUE WAY OF GROWING TROPICAL PLANTS.

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

SEND US PICTURES AND EMAILS FOR A FUTURE SHOW TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

AND OF COURSE RIGHT NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

SARAH, YOU'RE IN THE HOT SEAT.

YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES TO US FROM NORTH PLATTE.

THE LEAVES OF HIS POTATOES GOT FUNGUS AND DIED.

SOME OF THEM HAVE NEW GROWTH.

SHOULD HE LET THE NEW GROWTH GO OR JUST DIG THEM UP AND EAT THEM?

>> I WOULD DIG UP A COUPLE OF PLANTS.

SEE IF THE POTATOES ARE A GOOD SIZE, AND IF THEY ARE I WOULD GO AHEAD AND HARVEST, NOT LET THEM REGROW.

>>ALL RIGHT WE HAVE A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO HAD THE CRAB APPLE WITH A LARGE LIMB REMOVED.

AN ARBORIST SAID TO GO AHEAD AND FILL THAT HOLE WITH FOAM AND FOAM CRACK FILLER.

YES, NO?

>> NO.

NEVER FILL ANY KIND CAVITY OR GAP IN A TREE WITH ANYTHING.

CEMENT, FOAM, NOTHING.

>>ALL RIGHT WE HAVE A UTICA VIEWER WHO HAD SOME TREES REMOVED.

AND HE WANTS TO KNOW HOW CLOSE HE CAN PLANT NEW TREES NEAR THAT REMOVED TREE STUMP?

>> AS LONG AS THE OLDER TREES DIDN'T DIE FROM A SOIL-BORN DISEASE, LIKE VERTICILLIUM WILT OR FUSARIUM WILT THEN YOUR ONLY CONSTRICTION IS THE PLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING ROOTS FROM THE TREE AND WHERE YOU CAN PHYSICALLY GET A TREE BACK INTO GROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS A 10-YEAR-OLD STRAWBERRY BED IN WAHOO.

AND SHE'S NEVER FERTILIZED.

SHOULD SHE AND IF SO WHEN?

>> A 10-YEAR-OLD STRAWBERRY BED IS IN BAD NEED OF RENOVATION.

SO YES, FERTILIZER IS A COMPONENT, TILLING IS A COMPONENT, THINNING OUT THE MATURE PLANT.

SOUNDS LIKE IT NEEDS A REDO.

>>EXACTLY, ALL RIGHT THANKS, NICE JOB.

OKAY DENNIS, YOU READY?

>> YOU BET YA.

>>ALL RIGHT OUR FIRST VIEWER SAYS IS DOG FUR AND HUMAN HAIR EFFECTIVE FOR KEEPING ANIMALS AWAY FROM THE GARDEN?

>> NOT VERY MUCH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER SAYING THEY'RE SEEING LOTS OF BATS AT DUSK FLYING AROUND.

IS IT TIME TO SEAL THE OPENING STILL, OR SHOULD THAT NOT BE HAPPENING?

>> YES IT'S JULY.

SO YOU LET THEM FLY TOJULY.

NOW'S THE TIME TO EXCLUDE THEM WITH ONE-WAY DOORS.

>>OKAY WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO GROWS PUMPKINS AND PICKS THEM AND TWO HOURS LATER THE SQUIRRELS HAVE EATEN THEM.

HOW CAN YOU KEEP THE SQUIRRELS FROM EATING HER PUMPKINS?

>> PUT WIRE OVER THEM, MESH.

>>ALL RIGHT WE HAVE A BELLEVUE VIEWER WHO SAYS WHAT ANIMAL CAN DRAG A HALF EATEN CHICKEN OVER TWO FOUR-FOOT FENCES?

>> IT COULD ACTUALLY BE A MINK OR WEASEL.

>>OKAY THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO KEEP RACCOONS OUT OF THE GARDEN.

>> IT'S A TOUGH ONE.

FENCE IS THE ONLY WAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND WE HAVE A VIEWER WHOSE DOG ATE THE LEG OF A LIVE FROG AND THEN FOAMED AT THE MOUTH.

IS THAT A POISONED FROG?

>> NO.

ANY MAMMAL WOULD FOAM AT THE MOUTH IF THEY ATE THE THIGH OF ANY AMPHIBIAN.

IT'S THE MUCUSE GLANDS.

>>OKAY, THANKS DENNIS.

ALL RIGHT TERRI, ARE YOU READY?

>> NO.

>> YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW DENNIS.

THIS IS A GOOD QUESTION WITH THESE PROJECTED 100-DEGREE TEMPERATURES NEXT WEEK.

SHOULD PEOPLE DELAY THE FALL FERTILIZER AND OR WEED TREATMENT?

OR GO AHEAD?

>> YES.

>> YES DELAY?

>> YES, DELAY.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS THE OLD-FASHIONED DITCH LILIES.

SHE'S TRYING TO GET RID OF THEM.

THEY LAUGHED AT THE ROUND-UP.

HOW DO YOU GET RID OF THEM?

>>SO IF WANT TO REALLY GET RID OF THEM YOU CAN USE ROUND-UP, BUT WEED EAT THEM DOWN AND CUT OPEN THAT SLICK -- THE SLICKNESS OF THE LEAVES AND THEN THAT CHEMICAL WILL GET DOWN IN THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO HAS WILD ONIONS.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WEATHER AGAIN GLYPHOSATE WILL WORK OR WEED FABRIC WITH MULCH OVER THE TOP OF IT TO SMOTHER.

>> WEED FABRIC WON'T WORK.

THEY'LL COME UP THROUGH THAT.

SAME THING AS THE DAY LILLIES.

THEY HAVE THAT KIND OF WAXY SURFACE.

SO YOU NEED TO CUT THOSE OPEN AND GET THAT CHEMICAL DOWN INSIDE THAT PLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

COUPLE VIEWERS WONDER IS IT TIME TO TREAT FOR WILD VIOLETS OR IS IT A LITTLE TOO EARLY?

>> IT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE TOO EARLY.

WE'RE JUST TOO HOT.

SO I WOULD PROBABLY WAIT UNTIL THE 1st OF SEPTEMBER.

>>ALL RIGHT NICE JOB.

OKAY KAIT, ROUNDING OUT THE PANEL.

YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM CRETE.

THERE ARE TAN-COLORED MOTHS COMING OUT OF THE GRASS.

WHAT ARE THEY, SHOULD YOU GET RID OF THEM?

>> IT DEPENDS.

THERE ARE SOME MOTHS THAT EAT TURF-GRASS, BUT IF YOU DON'T SEE DAMAGE YOU CAN JUST LEAVE THEM.

>> THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

WHAT ARE THE TINY BLACK BUGS THAT GO STRAIGHT FOR YOUR EYES WHEN YOU'RE OUTSIDE?

>> TINY BLACK BUGS?

A MIDGE, A FLY, SOMETHING.

>> SOME TINY BLACK BUG.

>> SOME TINY BLACK BUG.

YEAH.

>>ALL RIGHT WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAYS AN ARBORIST SAW ANT HOLES IN THE TRUNK OF A CRAP APPLE TREE AND WANTS TO SPRAY FOR THEM.

IS THAT A GOOD IDEA?

>> WE DON'T RECOMMEND TREATING TREES FOR ANTS.

>>ALL RIGHT WE HAVE VIEWERS WANTING TO BRING IN THEIR HOUSE PLANTS.

IS THERE A SOIL DREDGE YOU CAN WORK FOR POTENTIAL INSECTS?

>> YES, BUT YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THE PLANT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE APPLYING IT TO IS ON THE LABEL.

>>ALL RIGHT A COUPLE PEOPLE ARE WONDERING SHOULD THEY SPRAY THEIR YARD FOR MOSQUITOS SINCE WEST NILE VIRUS NUMBERS ARE SO HIGH?

>> I DON'T RECOMMEND IT.

DOING A LARVACIDE IS MORE EFFECTIVE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB ALL.

WHO WON?

>> DENNIS.

>> OF COURSE.

>>OKAY SARAH, PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TONIGHT?

>>SO THIS LITTLE PURPLE FLOWER DOWN HERE IN THE FRONT, THIS ONE RIGHT HERE, IT'S CALLED TURTLE HEAD.

AND THIS IS A CULTIVAR CALLED HOT LIPS WHICH IS A REALLY GREAT PERFORMER.

BEAUTIFUL COLOR ON THE FLOWERS.

THE TURTLE HEAD LIKES PARTIAL SHADE.

THEY ALSO LIKE LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA MOISTURE.

SO IF YOU GOT A PLACE IN THE GARDEN THAT TENDS TO STAY A LITTLE MORE MOIST THEY'LL DO WELL.

ONCE THE PLANTS ARE ESTABLISHED, THEY'LL TOLERATE SOME DROUGHT ALSO.

THERE'S A CLUMP OF THESE OR SEVERAL CLUMPS OF THESE IN THE YUETTER GARDEN JUST EAST OF THE DAIRY STORE AND HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A LONG LONG TIME.

THEN THE FLOWER -- THE TALLER FLOWER HERE, THIS IS ONE RIGHT HERE OF OUR TALL GARDEN SEEDUMS.

THIS IS A CULTIVAR CALLED AUTUMN FIRE.

AND IT'S AN UPDATED VERSION OF AUTUMN JOY.

LOTS AND LOTS OF LITTLE FLOWERS.

THE TALL GARDEN SEEDUMS WHEN THEY'RE BLOOMING, ARE JUST MAGNETS FOR BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS AND ALL SORTS OF POLLINATORS.

THEY'LL BE COVERED WITH ALL SORTS OF INSECTS EATING THE POLLEN.

THEY REALLY DO THEIR BEST IN VERY HOT, DRY, SUNNY LOCATIONS.

SO DON'T WATER THEM.

DON'T FERTILIZE THEM.

LET THEM GROW IN A LEAN SOIL.

LET THEM BE DRY AND THEY'LL DO THEIR BEST.

>>GREAT.

THANKS, SARAH.

ALL RIGHT KAIT, FIRST QUESTION HERE, THIS IS A CARNEY VIEWER.

SAYS THE PUMPKIN PATCH WAS DESTROYED BY SQUASHED VINE BORERS.

FOUND THIS LEAF COVERED WITH WHAT SHE THINKS ARE FUTURE BORERS, BUT WHY ARE THEY ALL DIFFERENT COLORS?

>>SO THIS IS ANOTHER SQUASH PEST.

THESE ARE SQUASH BUG EGGS WHICH ARE ALSO PRETTY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE SOMETIMES.

THEY'RE PROBABLY DIFFERENT COLORS, MAYBE SOME HAVE HATCHED, MAYBE THEY WERE LAYING AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

IF YOU FIND THE EGGS, BEST THING IS TO GET RID OF THEM, SQUISH THEM, SAME WITH THE VINE BORE TOO.

THAT EARLY CONTROL IS REALLY KEY HERE.

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

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE LEAVES OF THESE GREEN BEANS?

>> THESE IS EITHER SPIDER MITE OR APHID DAMAGE.

IF YOU DON'T SEE ANY APHIDS IT'S MOST LIKELY GOING TO BE SPIDER MITES.

THEY REALLY LIKE THE HOT WEATHER.

THEY THRIVE IN THAT.

YOU CAN SPRAY WITH A STRONG JET OF WATER, A LOT.

IT'S NOT A ONE AND DONE.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO STAY ON IT.

OTHERWISE INSECTICIDAL SOAPS.

THIS SEEMS LIKE IT ALREADY GOT QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE.

YOU MIGHT BE PAST THE POINT OF TREATMENT.

>>ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS MORNING GLORYS.

THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY'RE SPECLY AND BLOTCHY AND IT THINK IN ONE OF THE PICTURES HE'S TALKING ABOUT SORT OF SOME BROWNING IN THE STEMS ON THIS.

>> YEAH.

THIS COULD ALSO BE SPIDER MITES.

WE COULD SEE APHIDS AS WELL ESPECIALLY WITH THE LEAF CURLING WE SEE THERE.

BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO UNCURL THE LEAF AND TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

BUT I SUSPECT SPIDER MITES ARE THE CAUSE OF THIS TOO.

>>ALL RIGHT, TERRY ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS IN IDENTIFICATION.

IT'S A FOOT TO FOOT AND A HALF TALL AND TWO AND A HALF FEET WIDE AT PRESENT.

IS THIS VALUED OR SHOULD IT BE ROGUED OUT?

>> I WOULD ROGUE THIS OUT.

THESE ARE FOUR O' CLOCKS.

THEY WILL GROW BOTH FROM THE ROOT.

THEY'RE A PERENNIAL AND THEY DO HAVE LOTS OF SEEDS.

SO ROGUE THEM OUT BEFORE THEY START FLOWERING.

>>ALL RIGHT YOUR SECOND ONE WE'VE HAD BEFORE.

BUT THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE.

POPS UP ALL OVER THE FLOWER BED.

IT'S PRETTY, BUT IS IT A WEED?

>> I CONSIDER IT A WEED.

IT'S DAY FLOWER.

THIS ONE YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE, THAT WHEN YOU ROGUE THEM OUT, YOU GET THE WHOLE PLANT BECAUSE IT CAN ROOT JUST FROM ONE LITTLE PIECE OF THE STEM.

IT ALSO WILL HAVE LOTS OF SEEDS.

THE SEEDS WILL SET IN THE GROUND FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

SO THE BEST TIME TO PULL THEM OUT IS WHEN THE SOIL IS A LITTLE MOIST AND THEY'LL COME OUT PRETTY EASILY FOR YOU.

OR JUST GET THAT SOIL KNIFE OUT.

>> YOUR SECOND ONE, TWO PICTURES.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

BUFFALO GRASS IN THE CRACKS OF THE SIDEWALK.

AND THEY'RE WONDERING WOULD IT BE A GOOD IDEA IN BETWEEN THE FLAG STONES ON THE PATIO?

>> SURE, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

THAT WOULD BE FANTASIC.

THEY HAVE RISEMS.

IF YOU CAN GET THEM TO MOVE AND MOVE THEM AROUND AND THEY SHOULD ROOT VERY WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS.

ALL RIGHT DENNIS, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES HERE ARE CRITTER DIGGING HOLES WHERE A LARGE OAK TREE ONCE WAS.

WHAT IS IT?

SHE'S NEVER HAD THESE HOLES IN 30 YEARS.

>>WELL IT'S VOLS.

AND THEY COULD BE EXPANDING THEIR RANGE.

PLUS IF THERE'S A TREE ROTTING, IT GIVES THEM A BETTER CAVITY.

AND VOLS THE POPULATIONS GO REALLY HIGH AND THEN GO REALLY LOW.

AND SO IT'S VOLS.

AND YOU CAN TRAP VOLS.

THERE ARE TOXICAN BAITS FOR VOLS.

MAKE SURE VOLS ARE ON THE LABEL.

>>ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE AS WELL.

THIS IS FROM DONIPHAN.

ANY IDEA WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE?

AND IT STARTED ON LILIES AND THEN STARTED EATING PEONIES AND DOING ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

>> IT'S ALSO VOLS.

THEY ARE A GRANAVOR, BUT THEY WILL EAT NICE FLESHY PLANT MATERIAL AS WELL.

I CAN SEE BY THE TEETH MARKS IT'S DEFINITELY VOLS.

>>ALL RIGHT THANKS.

SARAH, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A NORTH OMAHA VIEWER.

THAT'S YOUR VOL PICTURE BY THE WAY, DENNIS.

OKAY YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, SARAH.

IT IS A NEW PROPERTY, NORTH OMAHA, LARGE MULBERRY TREE, LOTS OF SAP SEEPING.

DO THEY NEED TO HAVE AN ARBORIST ASSESS IT?

IT'S NOT CLOSE TO THE HOUSE.

SHE GAVE US THAT.

>>SO THIS IS A CONDITION CALLED BACTERIAL WET WOOD.

IT'S PRETTY COMMON.

WE SEE IT IN TREES PRETTY REGULARLY.

IT CAN AFFECT ALMOST ANY SPECIES OF TREES.

IT'S NOT REALLY A HUGE SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR THE TREE THOUGH.

TREES CAN LIVE WITH THIS WET WOOD SEEPAGE FOR THE LONG, LONG TIME.

THE WET WOOD ITSELF DOESN'T DO ANYTHING TO MAKE THE WOOD LESS STRONG.

IT DOESN'T DECAY IT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

SO IT'S A SITUATION OF REALLY JUST DOING NOTHING.

THERE'S NO REASON YOU NEED TO TAKE THAT BRANCH OUT OR TAKE THE TREE OUT JUST BECAUSE OF THE INFECTION.

>>ALL RIGHT, NICE.

YOUR SECOND ONE AND YOUR NEXT PICTURE IS A MAPLE IN ARLINGTON.

NOW IT GETS YELLOW.

ANY WAY TO CORRECT IT?

AND I THINK YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ARE A LINCOLN VIEWER THAT'S ALSO A MAPLE WITH SOME YELLOW.

SO WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON HERE?

>>SO IT DOES LOOKS LIKE A NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY.

GIVEN THE FACT THAT UNDERLYING LAWN IS SO GREEN, I'M ASSUMING THE HOME OWNER MUST FERTILIZES THE LAWN A FEW TIMES A YEAR.

SO ITS PROBABLY NOT NITROGE.

IT COULD BE IRON OR MANGNESE.

WHICH ARE OTHER COMMON DEFICIENTCIES THAT WE SEE IN MAPLES.

SO THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN GO ABOUT TREATING THIS.

SO WHAT I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO IS TO GOOGLE CLORROSIVE OF TREES IN EASTERN NEBRASKA.

AND THERES A GREAT PUBLICATION FROM THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE THAT OUTLINES ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN GO ABOUT TREATING CLORROSIS.

THE FIRST ONE THAT COMES TO MIND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IS TRUNK INJECTIONS.

BUT THAT'S DAMAGING TO THE TREE.

THERE ARE OTHER WAYS YOU CAN GO ABOUT TREATING IT WITH SULFUR APPLICATIONS TO THE SOIL OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU PUT IN THE SOIL THAT THE TREE PULLS UP.

SO CHECK OUT THAT PUBLICATION AND SEE WHICH IS THE BEST TREATMENT METHOD THAT YOU WANT TO TRY FOR YOUR TREE.

>> ALRIGHT, THANKS, SARAH.

WELL, WE HAVE ANOTHER FEATURE FROM OUR TRIP TO WESTERN NEBRASKA.

THIS TIME WE TAKE A TOUR OF A GREENHOUSE THAT'S DESIGNED TO STAY WARM ENOUGH TO GROW TROPICAL PLANTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

♪ ♪ >> THIS IS THE GREENER GARDENS GREENHOUSE.

IT IS A KIT GREENHOUSE FROM THE GREENHOUSE IN THE SNOW OUT OF ALLIANCE, NEBRASKA.

IT IS A GEOTHERMAL GREENHOUSE THAT IS BUILT FOUR FEET INTO THE GROUND.

AND IT UTILIZES PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GEO-AIR SYSTEM.

THE GEOTHERMAL TUBING SYSTEM RUNS IN A 250 FOOT LOOP, FOUR FEET BENEATH THE GROUND.

EACH TUBE IS FOUR FOOT IN DIAMETER AND IT'S RUN WITH A TEN-INCH SQUIRREL CAGE FAN THAT SUCKS THE AIR FROM INSIDE OF THE GREENHOUSE AND PUSHES IT THROUGH THOSE TUBES.

AND WHEN IT COMES UP, IT COMES UP AT A STEADY TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 32 DEGREES.

THIS IS DONE BY ALLOWING THAT HEAT TO RUN THROUGH THE EARTH UNDER OUR FROST LINE.

WE GROW A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS IN HERE FROM TROPICAL TREES TO TROPICAL FRUITS.

WE HAVE VALENCIA ORANGE, MANDARIN ORANGES, CARA CARA ORANGE, MEYER LEMONS, PAPAYA TREES, DRAGON FRUIT AND PASSION FRUIT.

WE ALSO HAVE POMEGRANATES IN OUR FRONT ROOM WHICH IS OUR COLD ROOM.

AND IT'S LIKE A BUFFER BETWEEN WHAT OUR CLIMATE REALLY IS IN WINTER AND WHAT THE CLIMATE BECOMES IN THE GROWING ROOM.

THIS LAST WINTER WAS PRETTY COLD.

ABOUT NEGATIVE 35 DEGREES.

AND THE LOWEST THIS FRONT ROOM GOT WAS 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

AND INSIDE THE GROWING ROOM, THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 40 DEGREES.

WE DISCOVERED A TROPICAL ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE.

SO IT'S NOT NATIVE TO OUR SOIL OR OUR CLIMATE.

IT'S FREQUENTLY FOUND IN FLORIDA OR THE MORE TROPICAL, SUBTROPICAL REGIONS.

SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE WORKING ON ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE ORGANICALLY.

WE ARE PREPARING FOR AN ANAEROBIC SOIL DISINFESTATION.

ANAEROBIC SOIL DISINFESTATION IS SIMILAR TO SOIL SOLARIZATION.

HOWEVER, IN THE ANAEROBIC SOIL DISINFESTATION YOU SEND THE SOIL INTO A STATE OF ANAEROBICITY BY INCORPORATING HIGH AMOUNTS OF CARBON SOURCE.

THE CARBON SOURCE WE WILL BE USING ARE WHEAT MIDDS AND MOLASSES.

IT'S THEN TARPED AND SEALED WITH SOIL AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE BED THAT WILL BE PLANTED IN.

AND WE'LL LET THAT BED REST FOR ABOUT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS.

OUR GOAL IS TO ENCOURAGE ALTERNATE AND ORGANIC GREENHOUSE GROWING METHODS.

ALL OF OUR PRODUCE AND FRUIT IS DONATED TO LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES.

AND WE STAND AS A FREE RESOURCE TO HELP TROUBLESHOOT ANY ISSUES THAT OTHER GROWERS OR GREENHOUSE OWNERS HAVE.

AND WE TRY TO DO SO AS ORGANICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO KIRSTEE FOR SHOWING US THIS AMAZING GREENHOUSE AND ALL OF THE THINGS THEY ARE GROWING IN IT.

SO IF YOU ENJOY SEGMENTS LIKE THESE ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE DO HOPE YOU'LL SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS AND NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

HERE'S IAN VOSBURG, ONCE AGAIN, TO TELL US MORE.

>> THANKS SO MUCH, KIM.

REMEMBER, WE ARE IN OUR MEMBERSHIP DRIVE RIGHT NOW TO SUPPORT GREAT PROGRAMS RIGHT HERE ON NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH NEBRASKA EXTENSION ON "BACKYARD FARMER" BECAUSE IT FITS OUR MISSION AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

AND YOU CAN SUPPORT THAT BY GIVING US A CALL US RIGHT NOW.

THE NUMBER IS 800-989-8236 OR GO TO OUR SECURE WEBSITE, NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

AND WHEN YOU DONATE, YOU CAN SELECT ONE OF THESE GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR DONATION OF $150 OR A $12.50 A MONTH DONATION, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" COMBO.

IT'S A T-SHIRT AND IT'S THE "BACKYARD FARMER" BUCKET HAT TO SHOW OFF YOUR FANDOM OF BACKYARD FARMER.

WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION OF $7 A MONTH, AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" T-SHIRT THAT FEATURES THE FIVE AREAS WE LOVE ON "BACKYARD FARMER."

ENTOMOLOGY, WILDLIFE, PATHOLOGY, LANDSCAPE AND TURF.

OR AT $7 A MONTH WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" BUCKET HAT.

YOU'LL LOOK SHARP AND YOU WILL STAY COOL WITH THIS NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA "BACKYARD FARMER" KHAKI CAP.

GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR DONATION RIGHT NOW.

THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 800-989-8236 OR ONLINE, NEBRASKPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

NOW, YOU NEED TO REMEMBER TO JOIN US MONDAY, AUGUST 28th, AT THE NEBRASKA STATE FAIR IN GRAND ISLAND.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BE IN THE LIVE AUDIENCE AS WE RECORD AN EPISODE OF "BACKYARD FARMER."

I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US.

NOW, KIM TODD IS BACK WITH ME AGAIN.

KIM, WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT IF THEY COME TO THIS TAPING AT THE STATE FAIR?

>> IT'S SO MUCH FUN, IAN, BECAUSE THE LIVE AUDIENCE JUST GETS US ALL ENERGIZED.

WE DO TRY TO ANSWER AS MANY QUESTIONS AS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING WHAT FOODS WE LIKE TO EAT AT THE FAIR.

>> IT'S A LOT OF FUN BEING AT THE STATE FAIR.

I'VE BEEN THERE A FEW TIMES BEFORE.

BUT HOW DOES THE LIVE AUDIENCE AFFECT THE PROGRAM FOR YOU ALL?

>> WE GET ALL RAMPED UP.

TRUTHFULLY.

WE JUST PLAY TO THE AUDIENCE AS YOU WOULD EXPECT.

WE GET ALL ENERGIZED FOR IT.

AND MAKE GOOD EYE CONTACT AND ALL THOSE GOOD THINGS.

>> THAT'S GREAT.

THANKS SO MUCH, KIM.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE STATE FAIR.

>> GREAT, EVERYBODY COME.

>> ALRIGHT.

GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR DONATION.

SUPPORT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA, RIGHT NOW.

GIVE US A CALL US AT 800-989-8236 OR ONLINE, NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

WHEN YOU DONATE $12.50 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER WE'D LOVE TO THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" COMBO.

IT'S A T-SHIRT AND THE IT'S A T-SHIRT AND THE "BACKYARD FARMER" HAT TO SHOW THAT YOU'RE A FAN OF "BACKYARD FARMER."

OR YOU CAN MAKE A DONATION OF $7 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER AND WE WOULD THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" T-SHIRT.

IT FEATURES THE FIVE AREAS FEATURED ON THE SHOW, ENTOMOLOGY, WILDLIFE, PATHOLOGY, LANDSCAPE AND TURF ON THIS HEATHER GRAY SHIRT.

ALSO AT $7 A MONTH WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" BUCKET HAT.

YOU CAN KEEP COOL WITH THE NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND "BACKYARD FARMER" KHAKI HAT.

GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR DONATION RIGHT NOW.

THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 800-989-8236 OR GO ONLINE TO OUR SECURE WEBSITE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

NOW LET'S TOSS IT BACK TO KIM TODD WITH A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS.

>> SO, OF COURSE, WE ALWAYS HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COOL STUFF THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.

AND I THINK OUR VERY FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT IS US AT "GROW-A-ROW" WHICH IS TUESDAY 4:30 TO 7:00.

WE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE.

WONDERFUL FOR THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

BRING YOUR PRODUCE.

ALL THOSE DONATIONS, IT'S A FABULOUS THING TO DO.

AND WE'VE ALREADY HAD THE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT STATE FAIR.

AND, YES, INDEED, PLEASE COME JOIN US.

IT WILL BE SO MUCH FUN.

4:15 AND THEN 5:00 P.M.

THE SHOW BEGINS.

ONE MORE ROUND OF QUESTIONS.

KAIT, THIS VERY FIRST ONE IS ONE TO PASS ALONG.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THESE BUGS ARE AND THEN DO SPIDER MITES DESTROY THE STALKS?

WHAT'S GOING ON ON THIS SUNFLOWER?

>> THESE ARE NORTHERN CORN ROOTWORM BEETLES.

SO AS THEIR NAMES SUGGEST, THEY COME FROM CORN.

IT'S PRETTY DIFFICULT TO AVOID IN NEBRASKA.

AND EVEN THOUGH THE ADULTS DO SOMETIMES FEED AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FLOWER, WE REALLY DON'T RECOMMEND ANY INSECTICIDAL TREATMENTS HERE BECAUSE WE WANT TO CONSERVE POLLINATORS.

SO IF YOU CAN, TRY TO BAT THEM IN SOME SOAPY WATER.

OTHERWISE THAT'S PROBABLY YOUR ONLY OPTION.

>> THANKS, KAIT.

WE ACTUALLY HAD TWO OR THREE PEOPLE SEND US PICTURES OF THIS GUY.

THIS ONE WAS UNDER A GRILL COVER IN SIOUX CITY, IOWA.

APPARENTLY WANTED TO BE PART OF THE STEAK.

SO, WHAT IS THIS AND ARE THEY COMMON?

>> THIS IS A HERMIT BEETLE.

IT'S ONE OF OUR LARGER SCARAB BEETLES.

IT'S DEFINITELY LESS COMMON THAN A LOT OF THE OTHER SCARABS WE GET LIKE JAPANESE BEETLES OR JUNE BUGS.

AND, TO ME, THEY ALWAYS SHOW UP IN THE ODDEST OF PLACES.

SO, NOT SURPRISED YOU FOUND IT ON THE GRILL.

BUT, THEY'RE VERY COOL.

THEY FEED ON DECAYING WOOD AND OTHER DECAYING ORGANIC MATTER.

>> ALRIGHT.

ONE MORE, I BELIEVE FOR YOU, KAIT.

HE IS CURIOUS ABOUT THIS UNIQUE CREATURE.

IS IT A DRAGONFLY?

IS IT GOOD OR IS IT BAD?

>> IT IS A DRAGONFLY.

IT'S A BLACK SADDLEBAGS DRAGONFLY.

AND DRAGONFLIES ARE GOOD, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T LIKE MOSQUITOS.

BECAUSE THEY ARE PREDATORS AND MOSQUITOS IS ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE SNACKS.

>> LOVE IT.

ALRIGHT.

TERRI, YOU HAVE YOU'RE FIRST ON HERE IS, A QUESTION ABOUT WEEDS REQUIRING PRE-EMERGENT IN THE FALL AND THEN IT SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED WHEN SOIL REACHED 55 DEGREES.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHEN THE PRE-EMERGENT SHOULD BE APPLIED?

BUT THEN HIS REAL QUESTION HERE IS, WHAT CAUSES MOSS TO GROW IN THE CRACKS?

>> SO, ONE OF THE REASONS WE RECOMMEND WAITING UNTIL SOIL IS A SPECIFIC TEMPERATURE IN THE SPRING IS BECAUSE WE WANT -- FOR PRE-EMERGENT TO WORK THAT SEED NEEDS TO START GERMINATING.

AND THAT'S WHEN THE CRABGRASS STARTS GERMINATING, WHEN THAT SOIL GETS TO BE THAT SPECIFIC TEMPERATURE.

SO YOU DON'T NEED TO REALLY WORRY ABOUT IT IN THE FALL.

SO, THIS IS MOSS.

THIS IS WHAT -- YOU CAN CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH IT.

YOU CAN LEAVE IT IN THERE.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE IT IN OUR COURTYARD IN AND AMONGST SOME OF THE PATIO AREA ON OUR COURTYARD AND THE BIRDS COME AND KIND OF PECK IT OUT AND THEN IT GROWS BACK.

BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO A LOT OF WALKING AND IT'S WET, THEN YOU MIGHT MAYBE CONSIDER GETTING RID OF IT.

THE BEST WAY TO GET RID OF IT WOULD BE TO KIND OF JUST CHANGE SOME OF THE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

BECAUSE THAT'S USUALLY -- MEANS THERE'S TOO MUCH WATER SITTING THERE.

>> ALRIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS FROM WESTON.

HE THINKS THIS IS A TROPICAL TREE.

BUT WE THINK IT'S NOT.

>> THIS IS A HONEY LOCUST.

SO MOST LIKELY YOU PROBABLY HAVE A HONEY LOCUST SOMEWHERE OR YOUR NEIGHBOR PROBABLY HAS IT AND IT'S JUST SEEDED ITSELF.

CUT IT DOWN AND THEN USE A STUMP KILLER TO KIND OF PAINT IT ONCE YOU CUT IT.

>> ALRIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

DENNIS, THE FIRST ONE HERE COMES TO US FROM BRULE, AT LAKE MAC ACTUALLY.

SO THEY NOTICED SOMETHING MOVING ON THE TREE IN FRONT OF THEM WHEN THEY WERE ON THE PATIO.

>> THIS IS AMAZING.

THIS AN AXANTHIC BULLSNAKE.

I WOULD GIVE -- I CAN'T PAY FOR IT.

BUT I WOULD GIVE $1,000 TO HAVE THAT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET.

THIS IS -- I MEAN, I'VE ONLY SEEN TWO OTHER AXANTHIC BULLSNAKES IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA AND THEY BOTH WERE IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER.

YOU ARE SO LUCKY.

I'LL BUY YOU DINNER.

I'M JUST AMAZED.

I CAN'T SPEAK ANYMORE.

>> NEITHER CAN TERRI BECAUSE SHE HATES SNAKES.

OKAY SO, YOUR SECOND PICTURE, DENNIS, IS THIS HOLE HERE.

THEY THINK A BULLSNAKE HAS SLITHERED UP BEHIND THIS SIDING.

AND THEN, IS THIS HOLE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT?

>> NO.

THIS IS A RODENT HOLE.

>> OKAY.

>> I CAN TELL BY THE LITTLE SEED PIECES.

>> OKAY, SO RODENTS.

AND IF A BULLSNAKE WENT UP THERE, IT WAS LOST.

>> YEAH.

>> ALRIGHT.

SARAH, ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES FROM SIDNEY.

HE SAID HE HAS LOTS OF DAMAGED PEPPERS.

YOU CAN SEE THE PLANTS.

THIS WAS HAIL DAMAGE UNFORTUNATELY.

HE WANTS TO KNOW, IS THERE ANY PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES HE SHOULD TAKE BEFORE DOING ANYTHING WITH THE PEPPERS THEMSELVES?

>> NORMALLY WE WOULD TELL YOU NOT TO PRESERVE ANY FRUITS OR VEGETABLES THAT DAMAGED BECAUSE THE CHANCES FOR PATHOGEN OR, YOU KNOW, PROBLEMS OF FOOD SAFETY COULD GET INTO THOSE WOUNDED AREAS IS HIGH.

YOU KNOW, SO IT'S UP TO YOU.

IF YOU WANT TO TRY TO CUT OUT THE DAMAGED SECTIONS AND JUST WORK WITH THE GOOD PARTS OF THE PEPPER.

I WOULD USE THESE PEPPERS IN SOMETHING WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COOK IT, WHERE THERE'S GOING TO BE A KILL STEP.

>> ALRIGHT.

AND THEN WE HAVE, WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE HOSTAS.

IS IT ENVIRONMENTAL -- >> THAT LOOKS LIKE LEAF SCORCH ON THAT PLANT.

AND THE SECOND PLANT, I CAN'T TELL IF THIS IS HOSTA VIRUS A.

SEND A SAMPLE TO KYLE AND LET HIM DIAGNOSE.

>> EXCELLET, THANKS SARAH.

WELL, UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR "BACKYARD FARMER" TONIGHT.

THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED A QUESTION FOR THE SHOW.

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS HERE AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES THIS EVENING WE HAD CYNTHIA CONNER, TIM DUNGAN AND GARY BELL.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM EXTENSION ENTOMOLOGIST JULIE PETERSON ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT THE GOOD ONES WHILE FIGHTING THE BAD ONES.

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

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