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

>> TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN HELP YOU CONTROL GRASSHOPPERS AND KEEP YOU AWAY FROM LONE STAR TICKS.

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

♪ ♪ ♪ >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "BACKYARD FARMER."

I'M KIM TODD AND WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU INCLUDING ANSWERING ALL YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

TONIGHT IS A TAPED PROGRAM THOUGH SO WE CANNOT TAKE YOUR PHONE CALLS.

YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT THOSE EMAILS AND PICTURES FOR A FUTURE SHOW TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

WE DO NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE PLEASE AND GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN SO WE CAN GIVE YOU A GOOD ANSWER.

WE'D ALSO LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO FEATURES ON THE "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

SO, WE'LL START WITH SOME SAMPLES.

KYLE, THAT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE AN ACORN ON AN OAK.

>> IT'S -- IT'S NOT.

SO THIS IS KIND OF JUST A INTERESTING CURIOSITY I THINK.

THIS PARTICULAR SAMPLE IS A GALL CAUSED BY A CYNIPS GALL WASP AND THESE ARE COMMONLY CALLED OAK APPLE GALLS SO I -- I SUPPOSE SOMEBODY THOUGHT THAT IT KIND OF LOOKED LIKE AN APPLE.

BUT -- SO HERE'S -- HERE'S KIND OF THE GALL WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE ON THE LEAF.

THEY FORM THOSE ON THE LEAF AND THEN HERE'S ONE I CUT OPEN EARLIER, IF WE CAN -- IF I CAN HOLD IT HERE.

SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT -- KIND OF NOT IN THE GREATEST SHAPE NOW.

BUT JUST IN THAT VERY CENTER THERE'S KIND OF THIS -- ALMOST LIKE A SEED AND THAT'S WHERE THE LARVAE DEVELOPS INSIDE.

AND SO THESE GALL WASPS REALLY HAVE VERY INTERESTING BIOLOGY SO THEY -- THEY'RE BASICALLY ABLE TO MANIPULATE THE PLANT INTO PRODUCING THIS GALL THAT GROWS AROUND IT.

THEY PRODUCE THESE CHEMICALS AND THEY AFFECT UNDIFFERENTIATED CELLS IN THE PLANT AS THEY LEAVES ARE -- ARE DEVELOPING AND THEY DO THAT BY -- YOU KNOW, THEY MANIPULATE IT BY TURNING GENES ON AND OFF AT SPECIFIC TIMES IN DEVELOPMENT AND -- SO JUST HAVE THIS REALLY COOL BIOLOGY.

SO THEN NOT ONLY DOES IT PRODUCE THIS GALL THAT PROTECTS THE INSECT INSIDE, BUT IT ALSO ACTUALLY THEN IN THAT KIND OF SEED-LIKE PORTION THERE IT'S BASICALLY PROVIDING THIS NUTRITIVE TISSUE THAT THE LARVAE IS CONSTANTLY FEEDING FROM.

AND AS IT FEEDS FROM IT, THE PLANT JUST PRODUCES MORE AND REPLACES IT.

SO IT'S JUST CONSTANTLY BEING FED AND SUPPORTED BY THE PLANT.

SO LIKE MOST GALL INSECTS, THESE REALLY DON'T CAUSE ANY HARM TO THE TREE.

THEY'RE REALLY JUST MORE KIND OF A -- A CURIOSITY.

IT'S NOT ANYTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

SOMETIMES THEY CAN LOOK REALLY CONCERNING WHEN WE SEE THOSE ON OUR TREES, BUT NOTHING TO BE TOO ALARMED ABOUT, JUST KIND OF SOMETHING INTERESTING TO APPRECIATE WHEN YOU SEE THOSE OUT IN YOUR -- YOUR LANDSCAPE.

>> THEY LOOK LIKE GREEN BUBBLEGUM.

>> YEAH.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT, ROCH, YOU BROUGHT THE EVIL WEED AGAIN.

>> AND -- AND -- >> ON PURPOSE.

>> ON PURPOSE.

SO THIS IS A FIELD BINDWEED AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT FROM THE HEART-SHAPED LEAF AND THE WHITE TRUMPET FLOWERS.

AND THIS ONE'S PRETTY WILTED.

THAT'S ON ME BECAUSE I PULLED IT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, BUT THE AMAZING THING ABOUT THIS PLANT IN PARTICULAR AND ABOUT A COUPLE HUNDRED OF ITS FRIENDS, IS IT'S UNDERNEATH A RAINOUT SHELTER AT OUR RESEARCH SITE, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE A RAINOUT SHELTER THAT WE PULL OFF THE PLOTS, BUT THAT PROJECT QUIT ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO.

SO THIS SITE HAS NOT SEEN RAIN FOR FOUR YEARS AND THEN WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF DROUGHT YEARS.

SO YOU THINK ABOUT -- IT'S NOT TENACIOUS D THE JACK BLACK GROUP, IT'S JUST TENACIOUS AND PLUS IT PRODUCE SUCH COPIOUS AMOUNT OF SEEDS AND THEY CAN STAY DORMANT IN THE SOIL FOR UP TO 30 YEARS.

SO THIS ONE IS PRODUCING SEED.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET UP UNDERNEATH THERE AND GET IT CLEANED UP SO IT DOESN'T SPREAD IN THE WIND AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS IS THERE USED TO BE NO REAL GOOD CONTROL FOR IT -- SELECTIVE CONTROL, BUT THERE IS -- A QUINCLORAC OR DRIVE IS A REALLY GOOD PRODUCT FOR THAT PARTICULAR -- THIS PARTICULAR WEED.

PEOPLE SPRAY IT WITH ROUNDUP ALL THE TIME, DON'T HAVE MUCH RESULTS, BUT THERE IS A HERBICIDE CONTROL.

YOU CAN PULL IT.

YOU WANT TO PULL IT BEFORE THIS SEED SETS SO THAT YOU'RE NOT SPREADING FURTHER SEED, BUT BE SURE YOU GET EVERY PIECE OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, ROCH.

AMY, THAT'S NOT A REAL PRETTY ONE EITHER.

>> NO, IT'S NOT PRETTY.

SO KYLE WAS NICE ENOUGH AND GAVE THIS SAMPLE.

IT CAME IN FROM THE CLINIC AND HERE'S THE TRICK, IT'S A JUNIPER SAMPLE AND IF WE TAKE A REALLY CLOSE LOOK AT THE STEMS AND THE BRANCHES, YOU'RE SEEING ALL THIS ORANGE STUFF ON THERE.

AND THIS IS CEDAR-QUINCE RUST.

YOU HEAR US TALK ABOUT CEDAR-APPLE RUST, THIS IS CEDAR-QUINCE ON JUNIPER.

THIS ONE'S UNIQUE BECAUSE IT FORMS THESE GALLS JUST LIKE CEDAR-APPLE ON THE BRANCHES OF THE JUNIPER SPECIES.

BUT THIS DOES NOT FORM THOSE BIG GALLS AND THOSE MUMMY HEADS AND GELATINOUS ORANGE TENTACLES COMING OUT.

THIS STAYS VERY CLOSE TO THE BRANCHES, AND IT'S STILL EXUDING ALL THOSE SPORES THAT ARE NOW FLYING TO OUR QUINCE AND OUR APPLE AND ALL THOSE SPECIES, TO ACTUALLY CAUSE THAT FOLIAR DISEASE.

NOW, THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS SAMPLE IS, THIS IS A SAMPLE FROM LINCOLN, HOWEVER THESE ARE NEW JUNIPERS THAT WERE SHIPPED IN.

AND SO THIS IS ONE THING FOR YOU GUYS TO TAKE A LOOK AT.

WHEN YOU'RE BUYING NEW TREES AND NEW PLANT MATERIAL FOR YOUR YARDS OR FOR YOUR GARDENS, MAKE SURE YOU TAKE A LOOK AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING LOOKS HEALTHY, SO YOU DON'T TAKE SOMETHING HOME WITH YOU BY MISTAKE.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SAMPLES.

IT -- CEDAR QUINCE IS VERY COMMON, IT ISN'T QUARANTINABLE.

AND SO, IT JUST MADE IT THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

BUT AS A HOMEOWNER, I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY WANT TO BUY THIS AND THEN BRING IT TO MY HOME, KNOWING THAT, EH, I'M NOT GOING TO LIKE THE LOOKS OF IT.

SO MAKE SURE YOU'RE LOOKING AT THOSE NEW PLANTS BEFORE YOU TAKE 'EM HOME AND PUT 'EM IN THE GROUND.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANKS, AMY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT IS THAT EXACTLY, JOHN?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WELL, I BROUGHT SOMETHING THAT CAN MAYBE HELP AVOID SOME PROBLEMS IN THE GARDEN.

SO THIS IS A ROW COVER FABRIC.

YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN THIS.

MOST PEOPLE ASSOCIATE IT WITH, LIKE, FALL AND WINTER, WHERE WE'RE GOING TO PROTECT CROPS FROM FALL -- FROM FROST, BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE IT IN SPRING AND SUMMER AS INTEGRATIVE PEST MANAGEMENT TO KEEP SOME INSECTS AWAY.

SO YOU CAN USE IT AS A FLOATING ROW COVER.

IT CAN FLOAT RIGHT OVER THE PLANTS, AND THEN YOU TAKE THE EDGES AND PUT ROCKS OR EVEN SOIL OVER IT TO SEAL THE PLANTS IN, AND THAT KEEPS CERTAIN INSECT PESTS AWAY FROM YOUR CROPS.

IT'S VERY HELPFUL FOR THINGS LIKE LEAFY GREENS, OR BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, THINGS THAT DON'T NEED A POLLINATOR, YOU CAN JUST KEEP THEM COVERED THROUGHOUT THE GROWING AND IT CAN KEEP ALL THOSE LITTLE, LIKE, THE CABBAGE LOOPER CATERPILLARS, ET CETERA, OFF.

YOU CAN USE IT ON THINGS LIKE CUCUMBER AND SQUASH TO KEEP SQUASH BUGS AND CUCUMBER BEETLES OFF.

AND THEN, THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEY NEED BEES TO POLLINATE THEM, SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT OFF WHEN THE FLOWERS FORM, BUT THAT GIVES YOU A LITTLE MORE TIME BEFORE THE INSECTS GET ON THERE AND CAUSE DAMAGE, OR GIVE THEM DISEASES, WHICH WE HAVE IN SOME CASES, LIKE WITH THE -- THE WILT ON CUCUMBERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO, THAT CAN BUY YOU A LITTLE TIME, EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT OFF.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU, JOHN.

ALL RIGHT, FIRST ROUND OF PICTURES IS YOURS, KYLE.

OH, GOSH.

"“WHAT IS THIS GROWING ON MY CEDAR TREES AND HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF THEM?

I LIVE IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA."

>> OKAY.

THOSE ARE EVERGREEN BAGWORMS, AND THEY'RE -- THEY'RE A FAMILIAR FOE.

AND SO THEY, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE REALLY HERE IN LINCOLN, EASTERN NEBRASKA, VERY SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA, THEY WOULD BE EMERGING ANY TIME NOW.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT -- ABOUT CONTROL FOR THOSE NOW.

CENTRAL NEBRASKA YOU HAVE MAYBE ANOTHER -- ANOTHER WEEK OR TWO BEFORE THOSE ARE FORECASTED TO START EMERGING.

SO, UM, IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA, YOU MIGHT STILL BE ABLE TO PULL OFF THOSE BAGS BEFORE THE EGGS HATCH AND THE LARVAE START EMERGING.

OTHERWISE, ONCE THE LARVAE HAVE EMERGED, THEY CAN BE TREATED UP UNTIL THEY REACH ABOUT HALF OF AN INCH IN SIZE.

AND SO THERE'S A NUMBER OF TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

B.T.

IS REALLY GOOD, ESPECIALLY ON YOUNG CATERPILLARS.

UM, YOU CAN USE AN INSECTICIDAL SOAP, OR, THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER OF SYNTHETIC INSECTICIDES THAT ARE MAYBE BETTER FOR IF THOSE CATERPILLARS ARE GETTING A LITTLE BIT LARGER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE HERE, AND THEN ONE FOLLOWING THAT, AND I THINK WE'VE HAD, AT LEAST LAST WEEK, ALL SORTS OF THESE ALL OVER AT LEAST EASTERN NEBRASKA.

WHAT ARE THESE?

ARE THEY STILL AROUND?

>> THEY ARE STILL AROUND, YEAH.

THEY'RE ASH SAWFLIES, THIS IS BROWN HEADED ASH SAWFLY.

AND THEY ARE EXTREMELY ABUNDANT, AT LEAST HERE IN LINCOLN THIS YEAR.

I THINK MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF REAL HEAVY RAIN, THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE REALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO GETTING DISLODGED FROM THE TREE.

AND SO, THAT'S ONE THING WE CAN USE TO OUR ADVANTAGE, IS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU CAN, YOU ARE SEEING THOSE IN YOUR LANDSCAPE AROUND YOUR ASH, IF YOU CAN GIVE IT A REAL FORCEFUL SORT OF SPRAY WITH WATER, THAT CAN DISLODGE A LOT OF THOSE LARVAE AND THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO GET BACK UP.

THAT CAN CONTROL QUITE A FEW OF THEM.

OTHERWISE, THERE'S NOT REALLY A LOT OF PRACTICAL INSECTICIDAL OPTIONS FOR 'EM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A KEARNEY VIEWER.

ASPARAGUS IN A FEW DIFFERENT LOCATION, STALKS HAVE STARTED TO CURL, AND THEN THE PRIMARY -- THEY'RE ACTUALLY BRANCHING.

IT'S PRETTY INTERESTING.

DOESN'T NOTICE ANY INSECTS BUT WHAT ARE WE THINKING HERE?

>> WELL, IN THE FIRST IMAGE I DEFINITELY SEE SOME EGGS THERE FOR THE ASPARAGUS BEETLE.

SO, FOR SURE THERE'S AT LEAST A LITTLE BIT OF AN ISSUE THERE WITH THAT.

AND ASPARAGUS BEETLE FEEDING, THEY WILL CAUSE THE STALKS TO KIND OF CURL AND BEND LIKE THAT.

SO I SUSPECT -- WELL, CERTAINLY THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT THAT SHOULD BE MONITORED SO YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, REMOVE ANY HEAVILY INFESTED BRANCHES.

ALSO, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN JUST KIND OF GO IN AND HANDPICK -- IN RELATIVELY SMALL PLANTINGS, HANDPICK BEETLES IF YOU IDENTIFY 'EM.

UM, ESPECIALLY UP AROUND THE TOPS THEY LIKE TO CONCENTRATE, AND THEN REMOVE THOSE EGGS AS YOU'RE SEEING 'EM.

USUALLY, THAT'S -- THAT'S, YOU KNOW, SUFFICIENT IN A SMALL PLANTING.

THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON IF IT'S HAPPENED CONTINUOUSLY OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

BUT I WOULD TRY JUST, YOU KNOW, SEEING IF YOU CAN MONITOR FOR THOSE BEETLES AND KEEP THOSE IN CONTROL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KYLE.

ROCH, THIS IS A REALLY INTERESTING ONE, THESE TWO PICTURES.

THIS VIEWER ACTUALLY HAD A SOIL TEST DONE AND IS WONDERING, ACTUALLY, ABOUT THE pH, WHICH IS CLOSE TO NORMAL.

HE'S WONDERING ABOUT ADDING LIME TO INCREASE THE pH, SULFUR TO GET INTO THE OPTIMAL RANGE.

HE KNOWS HE DOESN'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING -- OR KNOWS WHAT TO DO TO INCREASE NITROGEN AND IRON.

SO, WHAT ARE WE THINKING HERE?

>> WELL, GOOD FOR HIM -- WAS IT A HIM?

-- FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SEND IN A SAMPLE AND HAVING IT ANALYZED AND EVERYTHING.

COUPLE OF THINGS HERE -- THAT pH IS WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT IN EASTERN NEBRASKA.

WE TEND TO BE SLIGHTLY ON THE ACIDIC SIDE, AND THEN AS WE MOVE WEST AND GET INTO LOWER RAINFALL, WE START GOING TO THE MORE BASIC SIDE.

SO THAT pH IS NOT ANYTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT, IT'S NOT IN THE ZONE WHERE WE WOULD SEE NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES.

IT'S -- IF YOU CAN BE BETWEEN 6.0 AND 7.5, 7.6, YOU'RE FINE TO GO.

SO I WOULDN'T MESS WITH TRYING TO ALTER THE pH, PLUS OUR SOILS IN EASTERN NEBRASKA DON'T -- THAT YOU CAN CHANGE THE pH RELATIVELY QUICKLY FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS, RIGHT?

IT LITERALLY REVERTS BACK AND HAS THIS GREAT BUFFERING CAPACITY.

UM, AND THEN SULFUR IS A TRANSIENT ELEMENT.

SO, IF THEY DID THAT TEST THE NEXT DAY IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE LOW.

AND WE RARELY SEE -- UNLESS THE PLANTS ARE SHOWING YELLOWING, WHICH WOULD BE A SULFUR DEFICIENCY, I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

SO I WOULDN'T MODIFY THE SOIL.

EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKED IN LINE, AND I WOULD BE PLEASED WITH A SOIL THAT WAS THAT HEALTHY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A "WHAT IS THIS, AND HOW DOES SHE GET RID OF IT?"

IT'S ON THE EAST-FACING SIDE OF A HOUSE AND IS SPREADING.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

>> WELL, KIM, AS YOU AND I DISCUSSED, WE BOUNCED A COUPLE IDEAS AROUND.

IT LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE YELLOW NUTSEDGE, ONLY A LITTLE MORE ROBUST THAN IT SHOULD BE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

AND AFTER LOOKING CLOSER AND SEEING SOME RHIZOME GROWTH ON THE SURFACE, I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN ORNAMENTAL CAREX THAT'S KINDA GOTTEN AWAY FROM 'EM.

AND, YOU KNOW, ANY OF THE, UM, SEDGE HERBICIDES, LIKE -- LIKE, SEDGEHAMMER AND OTHERS, WOULD PROBABLY DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB ON THAT.

BUT IT'S PRETTY -- I MEAN, IT'S PRETTY WELL ESTABLISHED, SO IT'S NOT GONNA JUST HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

AND YOU CAN -- YOU CAN PULL THE CAREX, BUT IT'S GOT AN EXTENSIVE ROOT AND RHIZOME SYSTEM ON IT, SO YOU'RE GONNA BE PULLING UP FOR A LONG -- SO I WOULD TRY THE -- TRY TO CLEAR AS MUCH AS YOU CAN WITH -- BY MANUALLY, AND THEN IF YOU DON'T SEE MUCH RESULTS WITH THAT, CONSIDER GOING TO ONE OF THE SEDGE HERBICIDES AND SPRAYING IT COUPLE OF TIMES WITHIN THREE WEEKS OF EACH OTHER IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, ROCH.

AMY, TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE, ON YOUR FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A BLAIR, NEBRASKA VIEWER.

TWO 25-YEAR-OLD HONEY LOCUST TREES.

THEY HAVE THESE OFF-WHITE MARKINGS IN THE BARK.

THEY'RE WONDERING IF THIS IS A DISEASE OR A CRITTER, AND IF IT IS A DISEASE, WHAT?

AND IF IT'S A CRITTER, WOULD DISEASE FOLLOW THE CRITTER CHEW?

>> SO THIS IS ACTUALLY REALLY A DENTIST QUESTION.

IT'S A CRITTER.

THIS IS ACTUALLY SQUIRREL DAMAGE.

WITH THE WINTER AND HOW DRY IT WAS, THE SQUIRRELS WERE ACTUALLY AFTER WATER.

AND SO THEY'VE DONE THIS GIRDLING OF THE BRANCHES.

NOW, ON THE DISEASE STANDPOINT, WHERE I LIKE TO TALK, IT IS AN OPENING.

IT IS PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FUNGI AND BACTERIA TO COME IN THERE, AND WE CAN HAVE CANKER DEVELOPMENT.

LIKE, ON THIS PICTURE IT'S A BRANCH, YOU COULD EASILY PRUNE THAT OUT, BUT THE ONE PREVIOUS LOOKED LIKE MORE IT WAS ON THE TRUNK.

AND WITH THAT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PRUNE IT OUT.

SO, YOU'RE JUST GOING TO NEED TO WATCH IT AND MONITOR IT.

DO NOT PAINT IT.

DO NOT ADD ANYTHING, 'CAUSE ALL YOU'RE GONNA DO IS TRAP THE MOISTURE INSIDE AND ALLOW THOSE PATHOGENS TO MOVE IN.

SO, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE'LL LEAVE IT ALONE.

IT IS THOSE SQUIRRELS.

MAYBE NEXT YEAR, I DUNNO, PUT SOME WATER OUT FOR THE SQUIRRELS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO CHEW ON YOUR TREES.

I DUNNO IF THAT WORKS OR NOT.

I'LL HAVE TO ASK DENNIS SOMETIME.

>> DEPENDS ON THE SQUIRREL.

[ LAUGHTER ] ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS ALSO A BLAIR VIEWER.

THIS IS A SILVER MAPLE, AND WE -- THE PICTURES ON THIS SHOW THE MAPLE ITSELF, AND THEN WE HAVE MAYBE EVEN A THIRD PICTURE ON THIS ONE, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.

>> YES.

>> YEP.

AND OH, MY GOODNESS.

>> THERE IS A LOT GOING ON HERE.

>> YEAH.

>> UM, SO WITH THIS PICTURE, IN ALL REALITY, IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT IT, YOU HAVE THAT WET SPOT THAT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A NOSE.

YOU CAN ADD EYES AND A BIG TONGUE HANGING OUT, SO YOU CAN HAVE A BIG SCARY MAPLE TREE.

BUT WHAT THIS REALLY IS, IS WE HAVE WEEPING OCCURRING AND YOU SEE WHERE THAT BEARD OR THAT TONGUE WOULD BE COMING OUT OF THAT FACE?

THIS IS -- THIS ISN'T A DISEASE.

TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE THAT THE TREE WAS DAMAGED AT SOME POINT IN TIME AND THIS IS THE TREE TRYING TO CLOSE OFF THAT DAMAGE.

AND SO IT'S DONE A LOT OF WOODY GROWTH.

THE ONE THING WITH THIS TREE, WITH HOW LARGE THAT IS AND HOW LOW THAT DAMAGE IS, I WILL START BEING CONCERNED ABOUT LOOKING AT THE UPPER PART OF THE TREE, LOOKING FOR -- MAKING SURE THE TREE'S STAYING DENSE AND NOT GETTING THIN.

IF IT'S STARTING TO GET THIN, THEN I'M GOING TO START WONDERING ABOUT INTEGRITY OF THE TREE AS A WHOLE.

MOST LIKELY WITH THAT WEEPING -- MAPLES DO WEEP NATURALLY, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN WE HAVE THAT MUCH INJURY IN THERE, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO GET WET ROTS ON THE INSIDE OF THAT HEARTWOOD AND SO THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE INTEGRITY.

SO ONE THING THAT YOU CAN DO, YES, IT'S GOING TO CAUSE A WOUND, IS YOU CAN TAKE A LONG DRILL BIT AND DRILL INTO THE TRUNK AND IF IT'S SOLID, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR IT GOING THE ENTIRE WAY.

IF WE'RE GETTING A -- IT HEART ROT AND IT'S HOLLOWING OUT, ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT DRILL BIT IS GOING TO GO, "ZWOOP" RIGHT THROUGH -- JUST THINK ABOUT GOING THROUGH LIKE SHEETROCK AND YOU MISS THE STUD, IT JUST GOES, "ZIP" RIGHT IN.

EXACT SAME THING WILL HAPPEN THERE AND THAT WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA.

AND IF IT'S GOING TO ZIP RIGHT IN, DEPENDING ON WHERE THAT TREE IS AT, YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER REMOVING IT BECAUSE WHEN WE GET THOSE STRONG WINDS WITH OUR -- WINTER -- OUR -- NOT OUR WINTER, SORRY, SUMMER STORM SERIES, THAT TREE WILL BE AT A HIGHER RISK OF FALLING.

AND IF IT'S GOING TO POTENTIALLY FALL ON YOUR HOME OR ON OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY, YOU'RE BETTER OFF TAKING IT OUT EARLY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, AMY.

ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE, JOHN.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS A STRING OF HEARTS HOUSEPLANT.

SHE THINKS THESE ARE LITTLE SEED PODS.

THEY'RE FLESHY INSIDE, EVEN IF THE OUTSIDE LOOKS DRY.

>> RIGHT, SO, YOU'RE ALMOST RIGHT.

SO THESE ARE INTERESTING.

THEY'RE AERIAL TUBERS SO THEY ARE A REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURE, BUT THEY COME FROM THE STEMS.

THEY ARISE AFTER THAT LITTLE STRING OF HEARTS HAS BLOOMED AND THEN THOSE LITTLE TUBERS FORM.

SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY POP THOSE OFF AND STICK THEM IN SOIL AND THEY WILL GROW INTO NEW PLANTS.

OR YOU CAN DO CUTTINGS AND THEN STICK THOSE IN AND THEY ROOT VERY EASILY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A RAYMOND VIEWER.

PLANTED A BAG OF TULIPS LAST FALL AND THIS CAME UP.

SHE WONDERS IS THIS A WEIRD TULIP OR SOMETHING ELSE?

>> WELL IT DEFINITELY ISN'T A TULIP.

IT IS AN ALLIUM.

I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHICH SPECIES OF ALLIUM IT IS, BUT IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THEY'RE -- AN ALLIUM IS BASICALLY AN ONION.

THIS IS AN ORNAMENTAL ONION.

AND WE HAVE ALL DIFFERENT KINDS WITH ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF BIG POOFY HEADS ON THE TOP.

AND SO THAT'S AN ALLIUM, YOU CAN ENJOY IT.

THERE ARE NATIVE -- SORT OF NATIVE ONES, THERE ARE NOT NATIVE ONES, BUT THEY ARE ATTRACTIVE FLOWERS.

AND HOPEFULLY YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SORT OF SEPARATE THAT OUT IN YEARS TO COME AND HAVE MORE OF THEM THAN JUST ONE.

THEY'RE -- THEY'RE MUCH PRETTIER WHEN THERE'S MORE THAN ONE OF THEM.

[ LAUGHTER ] SO, YEAH, ENJOY YOUR ALLIUM.

>> GREAT, THANKS, JOHN.

WELL, YOU KNOW IT MIGHT SEEM STRANGE TO TALK ABOUT GRASSHOPPER CONTROL WHEN WE HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN THEM YET, BUT WAYNE IS HERE TO TELL YOU THAT RIGHT NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO SCOUT FOR GRASSHOPPERS AND START A FEW OF THOSE CONTROL MEASURES.

♪ ♪ >> SO, FOR GRASSHOPPERS, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTING FACTORS AS TO WHETHER THEY'RE IN HIGH POPULATIONS OR IN LOW POPULATIONS.

THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IS AN ELONGATED EGG LAYING PERIOD IN THE FALL.

SO WHEN WE GET CONDITIONS THAT ARE CONDUCIVE, SO WARMER TEMPERATURES OR A LATER TIME UNTIL WE GET OUR FIRST FROST AND FREEZES IN OCTOBER.

THAT JUST LENGTHENS THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THOSE GRASSHOPPER FEMALES CAN LAY EGGS IN THE FALL.

SO THAT'S THE FIRST BIG ONE.

AND THEN ANOTHER BIG CONTRIBUTING FACTOR, IS IN THE SPRING WHEN THE EGGS ARE HATCHING.

YOUNG GRASSHOPPERS ARE INCREDIBLY SUSCEPTIBLE HEAVY RAINDROP IMPACT.

SO REALLY HARD, HEAVY RAINS RIGHT AFTER HATCH WILL REALLY KNOCK DOWN THAT GRASSHOPPER POPULATION.

ALSO, JUST PLAIN DAMP CONDITIONS RIGHT AFTER HATCH MAKES THEM SUSCEPTIBLE TO THEIR PATHOGENS THAT NATURALLY OCCUR.

SO THAT'S ONE WAY WE CAN DECREASE THOSE POPULATIONS IS WITH THAT MOISTURE THAT'S GOING ON.

IN TERMS OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR YARD, IF YOU HAD HIGH POPULATIONS LAST FALL, YOU WANT TO BE SCOUTING THIS SPRING DURING THAT LATE MAY AND INTO JUNE TIMEFRAME WHEN THOSE EGGS ARE GOING TO BE HATCHING.

THOSE EGGS WILL PRODUCE TINY LITTLE GRASSHOPPERS.

THE BEST THING ABOUT GRASSHOPPERS IS YOU'RE NOT TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE ADULT LOOKS LIKE.

THE NYMPHS LOOK JUST LIKE THE ADULTS -- SMALLER, THEY MIGHT BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT COLORED COMPARED TO THE ADULT FORM, BUT STILL, THEY'RE GONNA LOOK LIKE A GRASSHOPPER TO YOU.

CHECK AREAS ADJACENT TO UNMANAGED SITES.

SO UNMANAGED SITES WHERE THEY WEREN'T WATERED LAST YEAR, THEY WOULD HAVE SUFFERED FROM THE DROUGHT.

THOSE GRASSHOPPERS WOULD HAVE MOVED INTO WATERED LAWNS, GARDENS, THOSE TYPES OF AREAS ARE WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO SCOUT FOR THOSE LITTLE GRASSHOPPERS WHEN THEY START HATCHING.

AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SCOUTING NOW, IS THEY'RE REALLY EASY TO CONTROL WHEN THEY'RE SMALL, COMPARED TO WHEN THEY ARE ADULTS, OR THOSE LATE INSTAR NYMPHS WHERE THEY'RE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, OR TAKE MORE CHEMICAL, IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO THE CHEMICAL ROUTE TO CONTROL THEM.

FOR CULTURAL PRACTICES, SURPRISINGLY, ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO IS MOW YOUR YARD.

WHEN YOU'RE MOWING THOSE AREAS, THOSE GRASSHOPPERS DO GET CAUGHT BY THE BLADES, THEY GET BAGGED IF YOU'RE BAGGING.

THAT'S JUST A GREAT WAY TO KNOCK DOWN SOME OF THE POPULATIONS WITHOUT HAVING TO DO ANYTHING EXTRA.

SO IF YOUR LAWN IS HEALTHY AND GROWING, THAT'LL HELP YOU KNOCK DOWN THOSE GRASSHOPPERS.

ALSO, IN TERMS OF WHEN YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT USING AN INSECTICIDE, PAY REALLY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE LABEL, MAKE SURE YOU'RE APPLYING IT TO THE CORRECT LOCATION WHERE IT'S LABELED FOR USE.

SO IF IT'S A GARDEN PRODUCT, MAKE SURE IT'S GOING IN THE GARDEN.

IF IT'S A LAWN PRODUCT, MAKE SURE IT'S GOING ON THE LAWN.

TARGET THOSE AREAS APPROPRIATELY.

BEST THINGS ABOUT SMALL GRASSHOPPERS IS THEY ARE FAIRLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO OUR COMMON HOMEOWNER PRODUCTS.

SO LIKE THOSE PERMETHRINS, PYRETHRINS, AND THOSE TYPES OF PRODUCTS WILL WORK WELL FOR THOSE.

>> IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO KEEP THAT GRASSHOPPER POPULATION DOWN IF YOU START USING THOSE TIPS NOW.

ONCE THEY GET PAST THAT CERTAIN STAGE, THEY ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET RID OF UNLESS YOU HAVE CHICKENS OR BRICKS.

ALL RIGHT, SO KYLE, WE HAVE THREE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS AN O'NEILL VIEWER, AMY.

BLACK DOTS AND CURLED LEAVES.

THIS TREE IS IN THE FRONT YARD.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TREE IS.

LOTS OF BLACK SPECKS, AND THEN THE FLIES LOVE THEM.

THIS IS A EUONYMUS, NOT A TREE, TECHNICALLY.

BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YEAH, SO, IT'S -- THE BLACK THINGS ARE BLACK BEAN APHIDS.

AND SO EUONYMUS IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY HOSTS FOR -- BLACK BEAN APHIDS.

APHIDS HAVE KIND OF A COMPLICATED LIFE CYCLE.

THEY HAVE A PRIMARY HOST THAT THEY SPEND THE WINTER ON, AND THEN IN THE SUMMER THEY MOVE TO -- THEY MIGRATE TO HERBACEOUS HOSTS.

SO, THIS WOULD BE THE PRIMARY OVERWINTERING HOSTS.

SO THESE WOULD BE INDIVIDUALS THAT EMERGE FROM EGGS.

SO USUALLY AS THE YEAR KIND OF -- THE SUMMER GOES ON, THOSE WILL NATURALLY KIND OF GO DOWN.

ALSO, PREDATORS DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF KEEPING APHIDS IN CONTROL.

IF YOU ARE -- IF YOU WANT TO KNOCK 'EM BACK STILL, IT'S FINE TO JUST SPRAY 'EM WITH SOME SOAPY WATER OR INSECTICIDAL SOAP, THAT'S REALLY EFFECTIVE FOR APHIDS.

I ALSO SEE WHAT I THINK MIGHT BE EUONYMUS SCALE ON THERE THOUGH, AND THAT WOULD BE THE MORE CONCERNING THING.

SO, EUONYMUS SCALE, THAT CAN CERTAINLY CAUSE DIE BACK, AND BE A REALLY BIG PROBLEM IN EUONYMUS, SO, THAT'S SOMETHING I WOULD THINK ABOUT CONTROLLING REALLY RIGHT NOW.

THOSE CRAWLERS SHOULD BE EMERGING.

YOU CAN USE SOME DOUBLE SIDED TAPE OR SOMETHING AROUND INFESTED BRANCHES, SEE WHEN THE CRAWLERS ARE OUT, BECAUSE THAT'S THE -- THE STAGE THAT WE REALLY WANT TO TARGET FOR CONTROL, IT'S THE SUSCEPTIBLE STAGE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR THE CRAWLERS.

YOU CAN USE AN INSECTICIDAL SOAP.

A LOT OF YOUR GARDEN, INSECTICIDES ARE EFFECTIVE AS WELL.

AND THEN YOU CAN ALSO TREAT WITH A SYSTEMIC LIKE IMIDACLOPRID, AND THAT CAN PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR THE FULL YEAR.

IT WON'T GET RID OF THEM, THE SYSTEMIC ALONE, BUT COMBINING THAT WITH, LIKE, AN INSECTICIDAL SOAP CAN BE REALLY GOOD.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KYLE.

TWO PICS ON THIS NEXT ONE.

WE HAD THE SAME ISSUE LAST WEEK, BUT THESE ARE BACK.

THIS IS LINCOLN, LITTLE BUGS ALL OVER THE PHLOX.

SO, WHAT IS THIS?

>> YEAH, THESE ARE PHLOX PLANT BUGS.

SO, UM, THEY, YOU KNOW -- >> -- NATIVE.

>> THEY'RE -- THEY'RE -- CAN AGAIN, CAUSE SOME PRETTY CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO PHLOX.

THEY CAN CAUSE WILTING, DEATH OF THE PLANT.

CONTROL OF THESE, REALLY ONE OF THE EASIEST THINGS YOU CAN DO IS THEY OVERWINTER AS EGGS IN DEAD -- THE DEAD PHLOX STEMS, SO JUST REMOVING THOSE IN THE WINTER BEFORE SPRING, SO THAT THEY CAN EMERGE FROM THAT, THAT CAN JUST BE REALLY EFFECTIVE AT KIND OF KEEPING THE POPULATION DOWN.

UM, OTHERWISE, YOU CAN TREAT THEM WITH, LIKE, A PYRETHROID INSECTICIDE.

MOST, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, KIND OF GARDEN INSECTICIDES ARE EFFECTIVE FOR PHLOX BUGS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THREE PICS ON THIS ONE, ROCH.

THIS IS A SCOTT'S BLUFF VIEWER, AND HAS THIS PATCH OF GRASS IN A SIDE YARD.

HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER TO CONTROL IT, AND WILL PULLING AND/OR -- WHAT SHOULD HE DO WITH THIS?

>> SO, I'M FAIRLY CONFIDENT -- AND AT FIRST I WASN'T, BUT I SHOWED IT TO A NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE OFFICE TODAY, AND HE AGREED WITH ME WITHOUT ME PROMPTING HIM, SO I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT IT'S BROMEGRASS.

IT TENDS TO BE MORE PROSTRATE IN GROWTH WHEN IT'S BEEN MOWED, OR YOU DO THINGS YOU WOULD NORMALLY DO WITH A LAWN.

IT'S NOT A DESIRABLE FOR A LAWN -- DOESN'T CUT WELL, IT IS SOMEWHAT INVASIVE.

SEED PROBABLY BLEW IN FROM THE ROADSIDE, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THE UNFORTUNATE THING, THERE'S NOTHING HE CAN DO FOR IT.

BECAUSE -- >> OTHER THAN ROUNDUP.

>> HE CAN'T SELECTIVE -- YEAH, OTHER THAN ROUNDUP AND RESEED.

AND THE LAWN ITSELF AROUND THERE, I DON'T -- I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS EITHER BUFFALO GRASS OR A DEAD LAWN.

SO I'M NOT SURE WHETHER HE NEEDS TO RENOVATE COMPLETELY, OR WHAT HE DECIDES TO DO.

BUT IF HE SEES, YOU KNOW, THAT'S EITHER PLANTED WITHIN BUFFALO GRASS, WHICH WOULD MEAN NEXT FALL AFTER THE SECOND KILLING FROST, THEY COULD SPRAY IT WITH ROUNDUP, 'CAUSE IT'D STILL BE ACTIVELY GROWING.

BUT THEY WANT TO ERADICATE THAT, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PIC ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A BENKELMAN VIEWER.

WHAT IS THIS WEED?

IT HAS A LONG ORANGE TAPROOT.

>> SO IT'S WILD FOUR O'CLOCK.

UM, BUT THEY NORMALLY HAVE A BLACK ROOT, WHICH, IT'S INTRIGUING TO ME THAT SHE SAID -- SHE SAID ORANGE, OR HE SAID ORANGE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE HAIRY FOR O'CLOCK, WHICH IS AN ACTUALLY DESIRABLE ORNAMENTAL, DIFFERENT SPECIES NAME.

THEY ARE -- CAN BE SOMEWHAT INVASIVE.

SO, SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE 'EM TOO MUCH.

AND THEY GET THEIR NAME FROM THE FACT THAT THEY FLOWER LATE AFTERNOON.

AND THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A FRAGRANCE THAT I DON'T FIND -- I ACTUALLY HAVE A FOUR O'CLOCK IN MY YARD.

AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO IT, YOU CAN GET THIS NICE LITTLE FRAGRANCE FROM IT.

SO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE TRY TO PUSH IT BACK IF IT'S REALLY INVADING, BUT, UM, IT'S KIND OF A PLEASANT LITTLE PLANT.

IT'S A NATIVE, SO LET'S TRY TO KEEP IT PROPAGATED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES FOR YOU, AMY.

THIS IS BRULE AT LAKE McCONAUGHY.

WILL THIS TREE MAKE IT?

THEY DON'T SEE ANY INSECTS, THEY THINK IT MIGHT BE WINTER-KILL.

>> THEY'RE ON THE RIGHT PATH HERE.

THIS NEXT PICTURE REALLY SHOWS IT.

YOU CAN SEE IT'S REALLY ON ONE SIDE.

I WOULD ASSUME THIS IS THE NORTH SIDE.

THIS IS DEFINITELY WINTER-KILL, AND AT THIS POINT IN TIME WITH IT AFFECTING SO MUCH OF THE UPPER CANOPY, THAT -- IT'S NOT GOING TO COME BACK.

SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL CUT DOWN THE TREE AND LOOK AT REPLANTING.

DEPENDING ON YOUR RAINFALL, IN BRULE I KNOW YOU'VE RECEIVED SOME RAIN, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO GO AHEAD AND REPLANT NOW.

OTHERWISE, IF WE'RE CONCERNED, WAIT UNTIL THIS FALL TO REPLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

PONDEROSA PINES ARE ALL SHOWING SIGNS OF THIS.

AND THE TOPS LOOK LIKE THEY'RE DYING.

THEY'RE OLD TREES.

IS IT TIME TO SPRAY OR IS IT HOPELESS?

>> WELL, FOR THESE IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE HOPELESS.

SO THIS IS BROWN SPOT.

YEAH, BROWN SPOT ON PINE.

THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT THE OLDER NEEDLES, SO THIS IS GONNA BE TWO YEARS AND OLDER.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT -- THIS PICTURE'S REALLY GOOD -- IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOP NEEDLE, YOU'VE GOT THAT BROWN WITH THE WHITE ON IT, AND THEN YOU KEEP GOING UP TO YOUR RIGHT-HAND SIDE, AND YOU'VE GOT THAT BROWN AND THAT REALLY DARK BLACK SPOT, THAT'S ACTUALLY THE FRUITING STRUCTURE OF THAT.

THIS IS VERY COMMON IN OLDER TREES.

IT STARTS WITH THE LOWER CANOPY AND THEN IT KEEPS WORKING ITS WAY UP.

YOU CAN SPRAY IT, BUT IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO SPRAY THOSE OLDER PINES, 'CAUSE YOU NEED TO DRIP ALL THE WAY TOP TO BOTTOM.

AND SO TRYING TO SPRAY A 50 FOOT PINE TREE OR LARGER IS PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE, UM, UNLESS YOU WANT TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY.

SO ONE THING YOU CAN DO AS THOSE BRANCHES START TO DIE, PRUNING 'EM BACK, REMOVING THAT DEAD TISSUE IS PROBABLY THE BEST OPTION YOU CAN HAVE.

IT IS A SLOW PROGRESSING DISEASE.

IF WE CONTINUE IN THE DROUGHT THAT YOU ARE RIGHT NOW IN THIS LINCOLN AREA, THE DISEASE ISN'T GOING TO PROGRESS VERY FAST.

THEN WE GET YEARS THAT IT'S WET, WE'LL SEE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I REALLY WOULDN'T TOO MUCH.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, AMY.

ALL RIGHT, JOHN, ONE PICTURE -- >> SORRY, CAN I -- I JUST WANT TO INTERJECT THAT ON MY -- NOT ON THAT ONE BUT ON THE BROME ANSWER EARLIER, I DON'T THINK I MENTIONED THAT IT'S SMOOTH BROME, WHICH IS A PERENNIAL, AND NOT CHEATGRASS OR DOWNY BROME, WHICH IS A WINTER ANNUAL.

SO, IF I FORGOT TO DO THAT, SORRY, BUT I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME GRASS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

SORRY TO INTERRUPT, JOHN.

>> OKAY, JOHN, WINTER-KILL ON THIS SPIREA.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW IF SHE CAN TRIM IT TO THE BASE NOW.

AND THIS IS A SYRACUSE VIEWER.

>> YEAH, I WOULD GO AHEAD AND JUST TRIM THAT DOWN TO THE BASE AND LET IT REGROW, AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS LINCOLN.

"LAST YEAR MY BUTTERFLY BUSH WAS THRIVING.

PRUNED IT IN EARLY FALL.

IT LOOKS DEAD."

DID SHE KILL IT?

>> UH, POSSIBLY, THOUGH THEY'RE KIND OF SLOW TO COME BACK.

SO, IF THERE'S DEAD MATERIAL, PRUNE THAT OUT AND GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO SEE IF IT COMES BACK.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE PICTURE.

AND THIS IS ACTUALLY A BELLEVUE VIEWER WHO HAS ONE OF THE ITOH TREE PEONIES.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW, IS THERE ANYTHING SHE CAN DO TO HOLD THOSE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS UPRIGHT, RATHER THAN DOWN?

>> WELL, YOU CAN STAND OUT IN THE GARDEN AND HOLD 'EM UP, OR YOU CAN USE A PROP, OR LIKE A BAMBOO POLE OR SOMETHING TO GET THEM UPRIGHT.

THERE'S REALLY NOTHING ELSE YOU CAN DO.

>> THANKS, JOHN.

WELL, LAST WEEK WE GOT MOST OF OUR GARDEN PLANTED AND ANOTHER PART OF OUR GARDEN IS OUR CONTAINERS.

TERRI JAMES SAYS THEY ALSO GOT PLANTED FOR THE SEASON.

LET'S TAKE A MINUTE TO SEE WHAT'S NEW OUT AT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

♪ >>> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

WE'RE FINALIZING CONTAINERS.

AND AS YOU KNOW WE LOVE TO MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD.

SO A FEW TIPS ON WHAT WE'VE DONE SO YOU CAN MAKE SURE YOUR CONTAINERS LOOK REALLY GOOD IS WE STARTED WITH BRAND-NEW POTTING MIX.

WE ADDED THAT SLOW-RELEASE FERTILIZER TO MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD AND WE DID REMEMBER THE THRILLER, FILLER AND SPILLER.

SO THAT BIG KIND OF WOW FACTOR.

DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE TALL, DON'T HAVE TO BE IN THE MIDDLE, IT CAN BE OFFSET SO YOU CAN MAKE IT ASYMMETRICAL, MAKE IT FUN.

ADD SOME DIFFERENT COLORS AND TEXTURES TO MAKE THAT FILL-IN AND MAKE SURE YOU GET SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO GO OVER THE EDGE AND KIND OF SOFTEN THOSE EDGES.

AND THE ONE TRICK IS FILL THE CONTAINER AND ADD ONE MORE.

YOU'RE GONNA HAVE THAT BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS LOOK ON YOUR CONTAINERS THIS YEAR.

SO STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND CHECK OUT OUR CONTAINERS.

♪ >>> OF COURSE WE HAVE SOME DIFFERENT PLANTS IN OUR CONTAINERS THIS YEAR AND IT WILL REALLY BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY DO THIS SEASON.

TIME FOR US TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

COMING UP ON THE SHOW IS THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

STAY TUNED FOR MUCH MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, JODY GREEN WILL SHOW US A TICK YOU NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS SPRING.

BECAUSE THIS IS A TAPED PROGRAM, WE CAN'T TAKE YOUR CALLS TONIGHT.

BUT YOU CAN SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR A FUTURE SHOW.

EMAIL US AT BYF@UNL.EDU, AND RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

ARE YOU READY, JOHN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS A PONCA HILLS VIEWER WHO HAS ALL SORTS OF BROWN, FUZZY THINGS HANGING ON THE ENDS OF THEIR SPRUCE TREES AND IS WONDERING WHAT THOSE ARE.

>> BROWN FUZZY THINGS COULD BE CONES, COULD BE NEW GROWTH.

IT COULD BE -- I DON'T KNOW.

GO ON.

>> THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW, HAS A BUNCH OF ASPARAGUS SEEDLINGS.

WANTS TO KNOW IF THEY'RE TRUE TO THE PARENTS OR SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

>> THEY'LL BE BASICALLY LIKE THE PARENTS, YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO KNOWS THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO THIN THE FRUIT ON THE FRUIT TREES.

SHE'S WONDERING IS THERE A FRUIT TREE ELIMINATOR OTHER THAN A HUMAN BEING?

>> UM, NO.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO HAS ROOTS ABOVE THE GROUND ON A TREE.

A LOT OF ROOTS, IT'S IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.

WAS WONDERING, IS IT OKAY TO CUT THEM OFF?

>> NO, YOU DON'T WANT TO CUT ROOTS OFF OF A TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO HAS OLD OAKS, PIN OAKS PROBABLY.

HUGE VERTICAL CRACKS IN THOSE OAKS AND IS WONDERING IS THAT -- WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

WHY IS THAT HAPPENING?

>> YOU KNOW, COULD BE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

I WOULD MONITOR IT.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO BE READY TO REMOVE THOSE TREES.

>> ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB.

ALL RIGHT, AMY, IT'S A REALLY LIGHT PATH SO I'M GOING TO TALK REAL SLOW.

>> OR YOU CAN LET ME TALK A LONG TIME.

>> RIGHT, OKAY.

[ LAUGHTER ] THIS IS FROM A YORK VIEWER AND THEY HAVE FUNGUS IN THEIR FESCUE THAT APPEARS IN AUGUST AND THEY'RE WONDERING WHETHER THEY SHOULD ALTER THE PH NOW TO BE ABLE TO FIX THAT FUNGUS.

>> NO, YOU DON'T WANT TO ALTER IT.

IT DEPENDS ON WHICH ONE IT IS IN FESCUE.

A LOT OF TIMES IT ENDS UP BEING A NITROGEN MANAGEMENT ISSUE.

SOMETIMES NITROGEN IS TOO HEAVY IN THE SPRING.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING IT IN THE FALL.

AND THE OTHER ONE IS ADJUSTING YOUR SPRINKLERS.

SO WE'RE ALLOWING THAT DEW TO COME OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS A SEWARD VIEWER WHO HAS SUMMER FUNGUS IN THE TURF.

IS WONDERING IF THAT SHOULD BE TREATED WITH FUNGICIDES.

>> SUMMER SPOTS.

WE COULD BE LOOKING AT SUMMER PATCH, WHICH IS A ROOT DISEASE.

THERE ARE SOME FUNGICIDES AVAILABLE, BEST IF WE'RE LOOKING AT A SUMMER PATCH IS ACTUALLY OVER SEEDING AND PUTTING IN RESISTANT VARIETIES THAT ARE GOING TO HANDLE IT A LOT BETTER.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO SAID THEIR MAGNOLIA BLOOMED BEAUTIFULLY AND NOW IT IS WILTING, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT?

>> DEPENDING WHERE IT WAS IN THE STATE, DID IT GET A FROST?

>> OMAHA.

>> OMAHA, SO POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE FROST INJURY.

YOU'RE ALSO LOOKING AT DROUGHT ISSUES ALSO.

SO GIVE THAT MAGNOLIA SOME WATER.

>> NICE JOB.

YOU GET TO WIN BECAUSE -- >> WOO-HOO!

I GET THE WIN FOR BEING LONG-WINDED.

>> ARE YOU READY, ROCH?

>> SURE.

>> THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING IS THERE A DOG-SAFE WAY TO ELIMINATE BINDWEED?

>> A DOG-SAFE WAY TO REMOVING A BINDWEED?

WELL, IF THEY CAN KEEP THE DOG OFF OF IT FOR 24 HOURS AFTER SPRAYING, THEN CERTAINLY I WOULD USE QUINCLORAC OR DRIVE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WAS WONDERING SINCE IT'S SO DRY IN SO MANY PARTS OF THE STATE RIGHT NOW, IS AERATION NOW GOING TO HELP WITH THAT?

IS THERE ANY REASON TO DO THAT NOW?

>> CERTAINLY NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME, SPRING OR FALL IS FINE.

BUT THEY CAN OPEN UP THE TURF AND IT CAN TAKE WATER BETTER IF WE DO FINALLY GET SOME RAINFALL.

SO YOU WANT TO IRRIGATE BEFORE YOU DO IT SO THE TINE GOES IN DEEP ENOUGH AND FIRE AWAY.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO SAID REED CANARY GRASS IS ENCROACHING INTO HIS KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS FESCUE LAWN.

IS THERE A CONTROL?

>> IT SHOULDN'T TOLERATE MOWING.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS A DECATUR VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT USING WEED AND FEED AROUND BRAND NEW TREES.

>> I WOULD NOT DO THAT.

>> THIS IS A LA VISTA VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THEY CAN USE EITHER ROUNDUP OR THE GLOVE OF DEATH ON WEEDS IN ASPARAGUS AFTER YOU HARVEST IT?

>> YEAH, THAT WOULD BE FINE.

>> OKAY, NICE JOB.

INSECTS FOR YOU, KYLE.

>> OKAY.

>> THE FIRST ONE HERE IS -- LET'S SEE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM A LINCOLN VIEWER.

THEY HAVE APPARENTLY HUGE ANTS THAT ARE -- NOT HUGE ANTS BUT THEY'RE MAKING HUGE NESTS ALONG THE SIDEWALK AND THEY THINK THEY'RE KILLING THE GRASS.

ARE THESE FIELD ANTS?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY.

ALONG THE SIDEWALK I WOULD NOT THINK THEY'RE FIELD ANTS.

IF IT'S IN THE GRASS AND IT HAS A REAL LARGE MOUND, IT CERTAINLY COULD BE FIELD ANTS, YEAH.

>> THEIR FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, OF COURSE, IS HOW DO THEY KILL THEM?

>> WELL, THAT'S -- YEAH, IF IT'S FIELD ANTS THAT IS -- THAT IS KIND OF TRICKY.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME BAITS THAT YOU CAN USE IN THAT THAT HAVE AN INSECTICIDE WITH THEM.

OTHERWISE, YOU CAN KIND OF POKE BIG HOLES DOWN AND USE AN INSECTICIDE TO TRY TO GET IT DOWN INSIDE OF THAT.

BUT SUCCESS WITH THAT I THINK CAN BE CHALLENGING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER IN SEWARD SAYING WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH CLOVER MITES STILL?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER VIEWER WHO IS SAYING THE WORMS THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT, THE SOFT FLY WORMS, IS THERE ANOTHER GENERATION OR IS ONE AND DONE?

>> NO, IT'S ONE AND DONE.

SO THEY'LL DROP FROM THE TREES AND THEY'RE GONNA BASICALLY JUST STAY IN THE SOIL AND PUPATE AND A NEW GENERATION NEXT YEAR.

>> SO YEAH, THEY'RE NOT ONE AND DONE, YOU GET MORE NEXT YEAR, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JOHN, PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

NICE JOB, ALL, BY THE WAY.

>> PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

SO WE HAVE TWO THIS WEEK.

SO WE HAVE THIS GREEN NUMBER HERE.

IT IS AN ORNAMENTAL SEDGE.

IT CAREX SPRENGELII, OR SPRENGEL'S SEDGE.

NICE SORT OF -- IT CAN BE WET AREAS.

IT WON'T SPREAD LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER SEDGES.

SO THAT'S A NICE SEDGE THERE.

AND THEN WE HAVE A PENSTEMON.

AND THIS IS THE NEWER CULTIVAR, THIS IS DARK TOWERS.

YOU SEE THE REALLY DARK FOLIAGE ON THERE, VERY NICE.

AND THEN THESE REALLY NICE SORT OF PURPLY PINK FLOWERS.

THEY ARE GREAT FOR POLLINATORS.

THEY ARE A FAVORITE FOR MANY OF OUR POLLINATORS.

>> GREAT, THANKS, JOHN.

ALL RIGHT, KYLE, FIRST ONE PICTURE HERE.

THIS IS LINCOLN VIEWER ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO HAD A MOTH AND SIX.

WHAT IS THIS?

SO THEY CAN HOPEFULLY GET RID OF THE MOTH.

>> WELL, IT'S PROBABLY ARMY CUT WORM AND THEY'LL GO AWAY ON THEIR OWN.

THEY'LL MIGRATE TO THE ROCKIES AND OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND NOT BE A PROBLEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A WHITE BIRCH.

DOESN'T HAVE ANY LEAVES.

TREATED IT WITH INSECT CONTROL IN MAY.

>> IT COULD BE BRONZE -- SORRY, BRONZE BIRCH BORER WHICH IS RELATED TO EMERALD ASH BORER.

SAME GENUS, AND THEY CAN KILL BIRCH.

WHITE BIRCH IS PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE WITH THAT.

IF THAT'S WHAT IT IS, YOU KNOW, AT THAT STAGE IT'S PROBABLY A TREE OR TREES BEYOND RECOVERY.

SO EVEN THOUGH THEY TREATED IT, PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HELP AT THAT STAGE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THEN WE HAVE A SUTTON VIEWER WHO HAS A RIVER BIRCH ONLY LEAFING OUT AT THE BOTTOM.

IS THIS BRONZE BIRCH BORER OR IS THIS JUST WINTER INJURY?

>> YEAH, WINTER INJURY MOST LIKELY BECAUSE RIVER BIRCH IS VERY RESISTANT TO BRONZE BIRCH BORER.

NOT REALLY A PROBLEM FOR IT.

>> OKAY, THEN WE HAVE TWO PICTURES FROM A LINCOLN VIEWER.

HACKBERRY HAS THESE SEEDS, THESE BLUE THINGS.

BUT THE BUMPS -- WHAT ARE THE BUMPS?

>> THE BUMPS ARE A GALL CAUSED BY HACKBERRY GALL PSYLLIDS.

THEY'RE LIKE THESE LITTLE CICADAS, PRODUCE GALL SIMILAR TO THE SAMPLE EARLIER.

NOT A PROBLEM.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KYLE.

THREE PICS FOR YOU ON THIS ONE, ROCH.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

FIRST TIME HOMEOWNER.

CONDITION OF THE LAWN DOESN'T LOOK GREAT.

BIG DIRT PATCHES.

SHE WANTS TO USE NATURAL METHODS.

WHAT'S OUR REAL SIMPLE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR HER GOING INTO THE SUMMER?

>> THE LAWN NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY RENOVATED AND WE COULD ANSWER THIS QUESTION, IT'D TAKE 20 MINUTES.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF TIME.

BUT THERE ARE SOME NATURAL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE.

THEY CAN CHECK TURF.UNL.EDU OR IF THEY SEND SOMETHING DIRECTLY TO THE BYF, I WILL RESPOND PERSONALLY.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A MORE ELABORATE PLAN THAN I HAVE TIME FOR.

>> THANK YOU, ROCH.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE HERE.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THATCH ON THIS ONE.

>> MY ANSWER WOULD BE WOW.

SO -- BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT THATCH MORE THAN HALF AN INCH AND THAT'S CLEARLY AN INCH AND A HALF, MAYBE MORE THAN THAT.

SO THEY NEED TO GET IN THERE AND VERTICUT BECAUSE IT'S SO FAR THATCHED.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY NEED TO GET THAT MODIFIED OR CONTROLLED.

THEY CAN VERTICUT.

IT'S REALLY ROUGH ON THE LAWN, BUT ULTIMATELY THE LAWN WILL BE HEALTHIER.

IT WILL TAKE WATER BETTER.

THEY WON'T HAVE A PLACE FOR THE UGLY INSECTS AND DISEASES TO HANG OUT IN THAT THATCH LAYER.

LET'S GET THAT THATCH TAKEN DOWN TO OUR RECOMMENDED HALF AN INCH.

>> ALL, RIGHT AMY, TWO PICTURES ON THIS.

THIS IS A LEWIS FIELD, NEBRASKA VIEWER.

CEDAR APPLE RUST AND THEY'RE WONDERING IS THERE A WAY FOR HER TO ACTUALLY CONTROL?

AND THEN YOU HAVE CRAB APPLE LEAVES TURNING YELLOW FOR THE NEXT TWO PICTURES.

THEN YOU HAVE ONE FROM LEXINGTON THAT IS ALSO THE GALL.

>> OKAY.

SO CEDAR APPLE RUST ON THE CEDARS THEMSELVES, THERE'S NOTHING WE'RE GOING TO DO FOR MANAGEMENT WISE TO CONTROL THAT.

THE TRICK IS YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO TREAT YOUR CRAB APPLES AND YOUR APPLES.

AND WE'RE PAST THAT WINDOW BECAUSE WE'RE AT FULL LEAF EMERGENCE.

NOW THE CRAB APPLE, THIS WAS A RECENT PICTURE, RIGHT?

>> THESE ARE RECENT.

>> I WAS REALLY STUMPED ON WHAT WOULD BE CAUSING IT TO YELLOW BESIDES ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

THERE ISN'T ANY DISEASES OUT THERE RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD BE CAUSING THAT YELLOWING.

I'D BE LOOKING AT PROBABLY MOST LIKELY DROUGHT CONDITIONS RIGHT NOW AND WINTER DESICCATION ISSUES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN WE HAVE JUST THE ONE -- I THINK A GALL ON ONE OF THEM.

ONE MORE PICTURE, I DO BELIEVE.

THIS IS MOON GLOW PARE LEAVES.

THEY WERE SPRAYED WITH A COPPER DORMANT OIL SPRAY.

LITTLE TINY DOTS, THERE'S ALSO A HARROW DELIGHT.

SHE DID SAY THERE ARE NOT MANY SPOTS ON VERY MANY LEAVES.

>> I WAS REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THIS PICTURE, I'LL BE HONEST, TO REALLY DETERMINE WHAT IT IS.

THERE ARE LEAF SPOTS ON PEAR BUT IT SEEMS A LITTLE EARLY FOR THEM.

THERE IS A SCAB SO I WOULD RECOMMEND A CLOSER PICTURE OR THE BEST THING, TAKE A SAMPLE INTO YOUR LOCAL EXTENSION OFFICE AND LET THEM TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT IT.

>> GREAT.

THANKS, AMY.

ALL RIGHT, TWO FOR YOU, JOHN, ON THIS FIRST ONE THEY'RE KIND OF THE SAME PICTURE.

THIS IS A PAPILLION VIEWER.

PLANTED A GRAPEVINE.

WONDERED WHETHER IT MADE IT THROUGH THE WINTER?

SHE SAID THE GROWING SEASON IS 20 DAYS BEHIND.

IS THAT A FORMER GRAPEVINE?

>> I THINK IT'S A FORMER GRAPEVINE.

I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEAFED OUT BY NOW.

I'M WONDERING ABOUT PUTTING IT IN THAT RAISED BED BECAUSE THE SOIL CAN GET COLDER IN THE WINTER AND WE COULD HAVE KILLED OUT THE ROOTS.

I WOULD JUST PUT IT IN THE GROUND IF YOU REPLACED IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE HERE.

THIS IS A GRETNA VIEWER.

7-YEAR-OLD PEACHTREE IS CRACKING ALONG THE ONE BRANCH.

THAT SORT OF HORIZONTAL-ISH BRANCH AND WONDERING IS THAT A FIXABLE ISSUE?

>> NOT REALLY.

PEACHES DON'T GROW WELL IN MOST OF NEBRASKA.

THAT'S USUALLY A WINTER TYPE INJURY.

USUALLY DIFFERENTIAL IN TEMPERATURES WHERE THE SUN HITS IT WHEN IT'S COLD AND IT CRACKS OPEN AND THEN WE GET DISEASES.

YOU COULD TRY TO PRUNE THAT WHOLE THING OUT BUT IT'S NOT -- I MEAN, YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP HAVING THAT ISSUE WITH THAT PEACHTREE IN THAT LOCATION.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A GLENWOOD, IOWA VIEWER.

PLANTED THIS HONEY CRISP.

IT WAS DOING WELL AND THEN IT GOT HIT WITH HERBICIDE.

KILLED THE TOP.

TINY LITTLE SIGNS OF LIFE.

WHAT DO WE THINK?

>> OUR RECOMMENDATION IS USUALLY TO REMOVE IT BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, IT COULD BE A GONER.

EVEN IF IT'S NOT A GONER, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HERBICIDE IS OR WHAT THE SAFETY IS AROUND USING THOSE ON EDIBLE CROPS.

SO BECAUSE WE CAN'T PROVE THAT, I WOULD TAKE THAT OUT AND REPLACE IT.

>> GREAT, THANKS, JOHN.

WELL, MOST NEBRASKANS ARE FAMILIAR WITH TICKS AS WE ALL SPEND TIME OUTDOORS AND AROUND OUR GARDENS.

IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO COME IN WITH A FEW TICKS.

JODY GREENE SAYS ONE PARTICULAR SPECIES, THE LONE STAR TICK, CARRIES THE RISK OF A SERIOUS DISEASE.

HERE'S JODY TO TELL US MORE.

♪ ♪ >>> WE'VE DONE A COUPLE TICK VIDEOS ON HOW TO PREVENT TICK BITES IN THE PAST, BUT TODAY WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A SPECIFIC TICK CALLED THE LONE STAR TICK.

WE HAVE SEVERAL SPECIES HERE IN NEBRASKA, BUT ONE YOU MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH IS THAT LONE STAR TICK.

THE REASON WE WANT TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH IT IS BECAUSE IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SOME HARM TO HUMAN HEALTH.

INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TICK BITES AND THE RED MEAT ALLERGY.

THE RED MEAT ALLERGY IS ALSO CALLED THE ALPHA-GAL SYNDROME.

IT IS A DELAYED ALLERGIC REACTION TO RED MEAT.

THIS INCLUDES WHEN A HUMAN EATS BEEF, PORK, VENISON, LAMB OR RABBIT.

AND ALPHA-GAL IS ALSO FOUND IN THE SALIVA OF THE LONE STAR TICK.

WHEN THE LONE STAR TICK BITES A HUMAN, THAT ALPHA-GAL MOLECULE STAYS IN THE BODY AND AFTER SOMEONE EATS RED MEAT MAY HAVE A MILD OR SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION.

AND THIS OCCURS ABOUT FOUR TO SIX HOURS AFTER THE RED MEAT IS CONSUMED.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NO CURE FOR THE RED MEAT ALLERGY OR ALPHA-GAL SYNDROME.

AND THE PERSON WHO IS ALLERGIC HAS TO STOP EATING RED MEAT.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THIS TICK LOOKS LIKE.

THE LONE STAR TICK AS A FEMALE ADULT HAS A WHITE SPOT ON ITS BACK, WHICH IS WHY IT'S CALLED THE LONE STAR TICK.

THE MALE DOES NOT HAVE THIS BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THESE GOLDEN HORSESHOES AT ITS BOTTOM END.

THEY HAVE VERY ROUNDED BODIES SO THEY'RE MORE LIKE A CIRCLE THAN AN OVAL COMPARED TO SOME OF OUR DOG TICKS AND THEY HAVE REALLY LONG MOUTH PARTS.

WE ALSO NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THAT TICKS HAVE VARIOUS LIFE STAGES.

SO THEY CAN BE A LOT SMALLER AND WE CALL THOSE LARVAE SEED TICKS WHICH ARE LIKE PEPPER FLAKES AND THEY CAN BE A LITTLE BIGGER IN THE NYMPH STAGES.

BUT ALL OF THESE STAGES CAN BITE.

THESE LONE STAR TICKS ARE COMMONLY FOUND IN WOODLAND AREAS WHERE THERE'S DENSE VEGETATION VERY SIMILAR TO SOME OF OUR STATE PARKS, OUR BACKYARDS AND SOME OTHER WOODED AREAS.

THESE ARE VERY AGGRESSIVE BITERS SO UNLIKE SOME OF OUR DOG TICKS THAT WILL CRAWL UP OUR BODY AND TRY TO EMBED IN OUR SCALP, THESE ONES WILL START BITING AS SOON AS THEY GET TO SKIN.

SO WE'RE TALKING ANKLES, LEGS, GROIN AREA, KNEE PITS.

SO YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO CHECK YOURSELF FULLY AFTER YOU COME IN FROM OUTDOOR ACTIVITY.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO LEARN MORE AND GET A REFRESHER ABOUT TICK SAFETY, WE'VE GOT SOME EXCELLENT VIDEOS THAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST SO GO TO THE "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND CHECK THOSE OUT.

>> SO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

KEEP A SHARP EYE OUT FOR THOSE TICKS DURING AND AFTER ANY OF THOSE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

JODY MENTIONED THE VIDEO ABOUT AVOIDING TICKS AND YOU CAN WATCH IT ON THE "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THERE ARE ALSO PLENTY OF GREAT VIDEOS ON SEVERAL TOPICS WE TALK ABOUT ON THE SHOW.

YOU CAN EVEN WATCH HUNDREDS OF THOSE PAST PROGRAMS SO CHECK IT OUT AFTER THE SHOW.

MAKE SURE YOU HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS, I THINK.

THE FIRST ONE IS THE ANNUAL MONROE MEIER GARDEN WALK.

NOT MUCH ELSE GOING ON BECAUSE WE'RE ALL GETTING READY FOR SUMMER.

LAST ROUND OF QUESTIONS.

YOUR FIRST ONE HERE COMES FROM SEWARD.

KYLE, THEY SAY THEY'RE JUST CURIOUS.

IS THIS A LADY BUG OR AN ASIAN LADY BEETLE AND IS ONE BETTER THAN THE OTHER?

>>WELL, AN ASIAN LADY BEETLE IS A LADY BUG.

BUT AN INVASIVE ONE, OR NON-NATIVE.

THIS IS A NATIVE CONVERGENT LADY BUG.

I GUESS IT'S BETTER.

I MEAN -- THEY'RE BOTH -- >> SUBJECTIVELY BETTER.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS YOUR SECOND PICTURE.

A GRAND ISLAND VIEWER.

SHE SAYS SEEING A FEW OF THESE AND THEY HIDE IN THE SOIL SORT OF AND THEN THEY COME UP AND THEY SLOWLY WALK.

THEY DON'T REALLY RUN AWAY.

ARE THESE GOOD GUYS OR BAD GUYS?

>> YEAH THAT'S GOOD.

THIS IS A WOOD LOUSE HUNTER.

IT SPECIALIZES ON ROLY-POLYS AND PILL BUGS.

THEY'LL EAT OTHER THINGS, BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY REALLY LIKE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS A CARNEY VIEWER WHO IS SAYING IN HIS LIFE SPAN, HE'S FISHED FOR A LONG TIME, ASKING WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NIGHT CRAWLERS?

THE SIDEWALKS USED TO BE COVERED WITH THEM AND NOW IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THERE AREN'T ANY NIGHT CRAWLERS AROUND.

>> WELL, I REALLY DON'T KNOW, BUT I WOULD SAY THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD THING BECAUSE NIGHT CRAWLERS ARE ALSO NON-NATIVES.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY FROM EUROPE AND CAN HAVE SOME PRETTY DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON SOIL HEALTH.

SO IT'S PROBABLY GOOD THAT THEY'RE NOT AS COMMON, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THEM.

>> AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE NO MORE PICTURES FOR YOU IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN AND THREE FOR YOU, ROCH.

SO THIS IS A VIEWER FROM LINCOLN.

WHO IS SAYING, WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THESE DEAD SPOTS IN MY LAWN?

THE REST LOOKS GOOD.

>> YEAH, I AM GOING TO SAY THAT'S PROBABLY WINTER KILL OR SOME CARRY OUT FROM DROUGHT INJURY.

A LOT OF THE LAWNS HAVE THINNED OUT A LOT.

SOMETHING'S BEEN DIGGING AROUND AND EATING SOME ROOTS OR MAYBE SOME GRUBS.

IT'S NOT GRUBS CAUSING THAT.

THERE ARE NO PATHOGENS REALLY THAT ACTIVE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

SO I'M GOING TO SAY PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE RE-SEEDED AND KEEP WATER ON IT.

>> AND THAT ROUND HOLE IS A CRITTER PROBABLY.

>> YEAH, OF SOME KIND.

>> OKAY.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A MILLER VIEWER.

SHE'S WONDERING, IS THIS A PLANT OR A WEED?

SHE'S THINKING BLACK SNAKE ROOT?

>> I DON'T THINK THIS IS BLACK SNAKE ROOT.

I CAN'T TELL HER IT'S NOT.

I NEED TO SEE A FLOWER OR CLOSER PICTURE OF IT.

I'M GOING TO SAY PASS ON THIS ONE UNFORTUNATELY.

>> AND SEND US A PICTURE -- >> ESPECIALLY WHEN IT STARTS TO FLOWER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE MORE PICTURE FOR YOU AND THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THIS COMES UP IN THE GARDEN EVERY SPRING.

EVERY YEAR THERE ARE MORE OF THEM AND THIS YEAR THEY'VE ENCROACHED INTO THE LAWN.

SHE ALWAYS TRIES TO PULL IT UP WHICH IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF IT.

SHE DOESN'T WANT TO USE CHEMICALS.

>> YEAH THIS ONE -- I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT.

SOME PEOPLE CALL IT PALM GRASS.

IT'S NOT PALM GRASS, BECAUSE PALM GRASS IS TROPICAL.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT GETS A BIG, WIDE LEAVE AND BIG FAT RHIZOMES.

THAT ARE JUST IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL UP.

IT HAS TO BE AN AGGRESSIVE HERBICIDE PROGRAM TO GET RID OF THAT.

IF IT GETS A SEED HEAD, TAKE A PICTURE AND WE CAN POSITIVELY ID IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, OR I CAN BRING IT IN FROM MY YARD.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> AMY, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM EAST LINCOLN.

WONDERING ABOUT THE STRANGE LIGHT GREEN COLOR ON THIS ASTILBE.

IT'S THE SECOND YEAR.

IT'S ALSO THREE WEEKS LATER THAN THE OTHER ONE IN THE SHADE GARDEN.

>> IT'S ALL LATE.

I DIDN'T CATCH THAT PART EARLIER.

WE MIGHT BE DEALING WITH A VIRUS.

I WOULD CONSIDER REPLACING THIS SINCE IT'S SO FAR BEHIND AND WITH THE SYMPTOMOLOGY IT'S SHOWING.

>> YEAH, THAT'S NOT -- >> AT FIRST I WAS GOING NUTRIENT BUT SINCE IT'S SO DELAYED I'M GOING TO LEAN TOWARDS VIRAL.

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

THIS IS A WATERLOO, NEBRASKA VIEWER.

JUST PURCHASED AND PLANTED THESE HOSTAS FROM AN OMAHA NURSERY WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

THEY STARTED SHOWING THESE WHITISH YELLOW SPOTS WHERE IT APPEARS THE LEAVES ARE DYING.

THE PLANTS ARE IN THE GROUND SURROUNDING A PLUG.

WHAT'S CAUSING THIS?

>> TO ME THIS LOOKS LIKE SUN SCALD.

SO EITHER IT HAPPENED IN THE NURSERY WHEN WE HAD HOT DAYS AND YOU WATERED FROM ABOVE OR EVEN AFTER YOU PLANTED IT WE HAD HOT DAYS.

IT CAUSED A SUN SCALD.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT YOUR HOSTA.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE PICTURE.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO THE INDOOR PLANT.

SHE SAID SHE USED BOTTLED WATER.

>> THE SALTS ARE NOT AN ISSUE.

>> I KNOW YOU WERE GOING THAT DIRECTION.

>> YEAH, I WAS GOING THAT DIRECTION.

HOUSE PLANTS ARE SO DIFFICULT.

THEY'RE FROM OMAHA?

>> UH-HUH.

>> I'M GOING TO SUGGEST GO TALK TO JOHN.

BRING THE SAMPLE IN TO HIM AND LET HIM TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

BECAUSE I KNOW HE LIKES HOUSE PLANTS.

>> AND I'LL HAND IT OFF TO SCOTT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE, JOHN.

THIS IS A BLAIRE VIEWER.

ASPARAGUS BED WITH MARY WASHINGTON.

FIFTH YEAR HE'S PLANTED IT.

THIS SPRING HAS AN ASPARAGUS STALK THEY'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

SHE'S NOT GOING TO HARVEST THIS.

WHAT IS THIS?

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> RIGHT.

IT'S REALLY FUN.

I LOVE THIS.

IT'S A TYPE OF A PHENOMENON CALLED FASCIATION.

IT'S A BUNCH OF THE STEMS ALL TOGETHER OR FLATTENING OUT OF THE STEM.

LOTS OF DIFFERENT CAUSES FOR IT.

THE IT COULD BE PHYSICAL DAMAGE.

COULD BE INSECT FEEDING.

COULD BE VIRAL.

I WOULD POP IT OFF AND IF IT KEEPS COMING BACK, MAYBE REPLACE THAT PLANT.

OTHERWISE, IT JUST HAPPENS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THEY GROW VARIOUS HOT PEPPERS AND DIFFERENT BELLS.

THE HOT ONES ALL PRODUCE A LOT OF FRUIT AND THE BELLS DON'T.

THEY TRY TO ROTATE.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

>> SOME PEPPERS PRODUCE A LOT OF FRUITS AND SOME PEPPERS DON'T.

REALLY, IT'S PROBABLY A CULTIVAR THING, A GENETIC THING.

SOME PEPPERS ARE VERY PRODUCTIVE AND SOME NOT SO MUCH.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BELLS, TRY AROUND FROM DIFFERENT CULTIVARS TO SEE.

JUST LIKE TOMATOES, WE HAVE DETERMINANT AND INDETERMINANT.

WHERE SOME KEEP PRODUCING AND SOME STOP PRODUCING.

PEPPERS CAN HAVE THE SAME THING.

I WOULD SHOP AROUND AND LOOK FOR DIFFERENT CULTIVARS TO TEST THEM OUT.

IT'S NOT ANYTHING GOING WRONG.

IT'S JUST HOW PEPPERS ARE.

>> ALL RIGHT AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS LAST ONE.

THIS IS A RHIZOME GROWING WILD PLANT IN AN OMAHA GARDEN.

TEN INCHES TALL, LINED LEAVES.

NOT PLANTED INTENTIONALLY.

THIS IS A FUN ONE.

>> RIGHT, THIS ONE IS A FUN ONE.

THIS IS A WILD PLANT CALLED GREEN DRAGON AND IT'S RELATED TO ARAMS SO IT'S AN AROID PLANT.

YOU GET THE SPATHES THAT ARE UP ON TOP.

SO THOSE WILL ACTUALLY PRODUCE BERRIES THAT WILL FEED A LOT OF WILDLIFE.

BUT THEY'RE REALLY FUN.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY WHAT WE WOULD CALL A SEMI-RARE TYPE OF WILD PLANT.

ENJOY OR BRING ME SOME.

I'M FINE.

>> OR COME SEE OURS IN THE COURTYARD ON EAST CAMPUS.

AND THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR "BACKYARD FARMER" TONIGHT.

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

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL BE HEARING FROM SCOTT EVANS ABOUT A DISEASE MOST OF US ARE FAMILIAR WITH.

SCOTT FOCUSES BLOSSOM ROT AND HE GIVES US USEFUL TIPS THAT MIGHT HELP PLANTS AVOID IT.

SO GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD GARDENING.

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

"” ♪