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

TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'VE GOT A SPECIAL PROGRAM AT RAISING NEBRASKA FROM THE NEBRASKA STATE FAIR.

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

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

"” I'M KIM TODD, AND WE HOPE YOU'VE SURVIVED THE HEAT AND ARE COOLING OFF INSIDE WITH US AS WE ANSWER YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE STANDING BY TO TAKE YOUR CALL.

JUST DIAL 1-800-676-5446 WITH THOSE QUESTIONS.

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

DO TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE AND GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR PARTICULAR QUESTION.

DO NOT FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.

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

RIGHT NOW LET'S GET STARTED WITH SAMPLES.

KATE, YOU HAVE SUCH A LOVELY SAMPLE.

>> YES.

TODAY I BROUGHT SOME HANDSOME CATERPILLARS OF BLACK SWALLOW TAIL BUTTERFLIES.

WE CAN SEE THEM HERE.

WHEN THEY'RE A LOT YOUNGER, THEY ALMOST RESEMBLE BIRD DROPPINGS A LITTLE BIT.

BUT THESE CATERPILLARS FEED ON PLANTS IN THE CARROT FAMILY.

SO WE OFTEN SEE THEM ON PARSLEY.

DILL ESPECIALLY THEY SEEM TO LIKE.

BUT SWALLOWTAIL CATERPILLARS HAVE A REALLY COOL DEFENSE MECHANISM.

WERE THEY STICK OUT THIS KIND OF FORKED SHAPED ORGAN ON THEIR HEAD.

IT'S CALLED AN OSMETERIUM.

IT SMELLS REALLY, REALLY BAD.

SO I'M GOING TO TRY TO SEE IF I CAN GET THIS GUY TO DO IT.

BUT IT'S A LITTLE -- HE DOESN'T WANT TO COOPERATE.

IT'S TOO HOT OUTSIDE.

IF YOU EVER TRY TO PICK UP A SWALLOWTAIL CATERPILLAR AND YOU NOTICE A FOUL SMELL, THAT'S WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.

>> IT'S SO NICE TO SEE SO MANY OF THEM.

>> YES.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE CATERPILLARS THAT YOU DON'T MIND HAVING IN THE GARDEN.

>> EXACTLY.

SO AS WE TRANSITION TO YOU, JEFF, WE ARE NOT AT THE STATE FAIR THIS WEEK.

IT'S NEXT WEEK.

SO THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A GOOF, BUT A TEASER.

SO MAKE SURE YOU ALL COME TO THE FAIR AND EAT THAT CORN DOG.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE, JEFF?

>> IF YOU'RE AT THE STATE FAIR, YOU MIGHT SEE SOME OF THIS GROWING AROUND THERE ON THE GROUNDS OF THE STATE FAIR.

I HAVE SOME SIDEOATS GRAMA THAT I BROUGHT IN.

THE MAIN REASON I BROUGHT THIS IN, WE GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH HOT, DRY DAYS OF WHAT I CAN DO INSTEAD OF HAVING BLUEGRASS OR FESCUE IN MY LAWN IN A DIFFICULT SPOT.

AND SO THERE ARE MANY NATIVE GRASSES THAT DO VERY WELL, AND THAT CAN BE TREATED MUCH LIKE A TURFGRASS IN YOUR LAWN IF YOU'D LIKE.

SO ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A YOU A VERGE AREA BETWEEN THE CURB AND THE SIDEWALK, YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT USING SOMETHING LIKE A BUFFALO GRASS.

THIS IS SIDEOATS HERE, I'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF INDIAN GRASS MIXED IN.

BLUE GRAMA IS ANOTHER GOOD ONE.

THERE'S SOME GOOD MIXES OUT THERE FROM SOME OF OUR LOCAL STATE SEED PRODUCERS THAT CAN, YOU KNOW, GIVE YOU SOMETHING THAT MIGHT DO VERY WELL FOR YOU AND NOT REQUIRE A LOT OF EXTRA WATERING, NOT A LOT OF CARE, BUT STILL HAVE SOMETHING FUN IN THE FALL.

>> AND SO FUN TO PULL THOSE SEEDS OFF.

ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JEFF.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TONIGHT, KYLE?

THAT'S REALLY A BEAUTIFUL SORT OF VARIEGATION.

>> IF YOU ACCEPT THAT SOMETIMES PLANTS AREN'T PERFECTLY GREEN, LIFE IS A LOT BETTER.

ONE THING THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS HEAT THAT WE'VE HAD, IS GOING TO BE JUST SOME ABIOTIC LEAF SCORCH.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON, ON THIS BUCKEYE.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SOME DISEASES THAT CAN CAUSE SYMPTOMS LIKE THIS.

BUT ONE WAY TO KNOW THAT IT'S -- OR ONE INDICATION THAT IT'S CAUSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING IS THE ENTIRE TREE LOOKS LIKE THIS.

SO IF IT WAS A DISEASE, WE WOULD EXPECT IT KIND OF GOING FROM THE BOTTOM UP OR MAYBE FROM THE INSIDE, INSIDE BRANCHES OUT.

BUT THIS IS REALLY THE ENTIRE TREE, AND NO MATTER REALLY WHAT LEAF YOU'RE LOOKING AT, THEY HAVE ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL OF BURN ON THEM.

NOW, IS THIS HURTING THE TREE?

NOT REALLY.

YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVE THIS YEAR AFTER YEAR, WE CAN END UP HAVING SOME PROBLEMS.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF OUR TREES IN THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER AND JUST SOMETHING TO DEAL WITH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

TERRI, THAT'S GOING TO POKE YOUR EYE OUT IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL.

>> WELL, WE'LL TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS.

SO MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT I AM NICKNAMED THE CONTAINER QUEEN.

SO I THOUGHT I WOULD TALK ABOUT FALL CONTAINERS FOR THIS SAMPLE.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF OUR PLANTS LOOKING NOT SO GREAT IN OUR CONTAINERS, AND WE ARE ALMOST TO THE END OF OUR SUMMER GROWING FOR OUR SUMMER ANNUAL CONTAINERS.

SO I THOUGHT BRINGING SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU WHAT YOU COULD SWAP SOME OF THOSE PLANTS OUT WITH.

YOU CAN GO TO YOUR LOCAL NURSERY AND GET SOME OF THESE REALLY NICE CUSHION MUMS AND THEN ADDING SOME ADDITIONAL THINGS TO HELP FILL IN SOME OF THAT AREA, LIKE CURLY WILLOW.

YOU CAN ALSO GO AND GET LIKE THE FLOWER PICKS THAT LOOK LIKE COLORED LEAVES OR LITTLE SCARECROWS OR LITTLE STRAW BAILS.

SO JUST BEING ABLE TO KNOW THAW CAN TAKE SOME OF THOSE PLANTS THOSE DON'T LOOK ALL THAT GREAT OUT OF YOUR CONTAINER AND SWAP THEM OUT, AND YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT FALL CONTAINER FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

FIRST SET OF PICTURES GOES TO YOU, KATE.

AND THE FIRST ONE IS ONE PICTURE.

IT COMES TO US FROM LEXINGTON, AND IT'S SIMPLY WHAT TYPE OF INSECT IS THIS?

AND THEN YOU CAN SAY GOOD, BAD, UGLY, OR INDIFFERENT.

>> SO I THINK IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

BUT THIS IS A BEETLE LARVA, AND IT'S A GROUND BEETLE.

SO IT'S KIND OF A VERY GENERAL NAME, BUT IT'S A GROUP OF BEETLES.

THEY'RE PRETTY COMMON AROUND HERE, AND THEY'RE KIND OF -- THEY'RE GOOD.

YOU KNOW, AS LARVAE, THEY'RE PREDATORS.

MOST ADULTS ARE PREDATORS TOO, AND THEY LIVE ON THE SOIL, SO MAYBE THEY'LL FEET ON A WHITE GRUB, SO GOOD TO HAVE AROUND.

>> YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THEN YOU ACTUALLY HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE OF SORT OF THE SAME THING.

SO THIS IS COLUMBUS, AND HE SEES THESE FUNNEL SPIDER WEBS ON SHRUBS AND OCCASIONALLY IN THE LAWN.

THEY REALLY STAND OUT WITH THE MORNING DEW.

HE SAYS IF YOU TAP IT, THE SPIDER ITSELF GOES BACK DOWN IN THERE.

WHAT ARE THESE?

SO I THINK MAYBE ANOTHER ONE IN -- WE'RE SEEING THESE WEBS IN THE -- THERE WE GO.

THOSE LITTLE WHITE SPOTS IN THE LAWN THAT LOOK FROM A DISTANCE LIKE THEY BELONG TO KYLE.

>> YEAH.

SO THESE ARE THE WEBS OF THE GRASS SPIDER, OR THEY'RE ALL ALSO CALLED FUNNEL WEAVE SPIDERS -- EXCUSE ME.

BECAUSE OF THESE WEBS THAT THEY MAKE.

AND THEY'RE GETTING REALLY COMMON THIS TIME OF YEAR.

I OFTEN GET THEM IN LIKE THE CORNERS OF MY PORCH.

BUT THEY'RE LIE-IN-WAIT PREDATORS, SO THEIR WEB ISN'T REALLY STICKY, BUT THEY RELY ON INSECTS TO COME IN AND GET TANGLED.

SO THEY'RE ALWAYS AT THE END OF THAT FUNNEL.

THEY'RE KIND OF COOL, AND HOPEFULLY THEY STICK AROUND AS A NICE HALLOWEEN DECORATION.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KATE.

JEFF, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM LINCOLN.

SHE SAYS, THE GRASS IN THIS AREA LOOKS LIKE THE REST OF THE LAWN, BUT AFTER SHE MOWS, SHE NOTICES A FOUR-INCH AREA THAT LOOKS LIKE STRINGS ON THE TIPS OF THE BLADE.

>> MM-HMM.

>> IS THIS A WEED?

IS THIS A GRASS?

IS THIS A WEEDY GRASS?

WHAT SHOULD SHE DO ABOUT IT?

>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS A PARASITE.

THIS IS DODDER.

WE'VE HAD IT ON CAMPUS IN A FEW AREAS, AND IT'S KIND OF DIFFICULT TO GET RID OF ONCE YOU HAVE IT.

SO THE ONE THING I WOULD SUGGEST IS STOP MOWING WHERE YOU SEE THIS.

CLIP THESE AREAS OUT AND COLLECT THAT BECAUSE IT PRODUCES SEED, AND YOU'LL KIND OF KEEP SENDING IT OUT AND SPREADING IT.

AND THEN I WOULD LOOK AT DOING -- WE COULD DO A FALL PRE-EMERGE, SO HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AND THEN AGAIN IN THE SPRING TO CONTROL THAT.

BUT IT'S PERSISTENT, AND IT'S TOUGH TO GET RID OF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN ALLIANCE VIEWER.

THEY HAVE 12 ACRES.

THIS YEAR ABOUT 3 ACRES HAS CRABGRASS TAKING OVER.

AND WHAT MEASURES SHOULD THEY TAKE?

THEY DID SEED THIS LAWN IN 2020.

>> OKAY.

YOU KNOW, PERSONALLY WE'RE GETTING TO THAT TIME OF YEAR WHERE I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD BOTHER SPRAYING SOME OF THE ANNUAL GRASSES SO MUCH.

I THINK CONTINUE TO KEEP IT MOWED.

WE DON'T WANT IT TO PRODUCE ANY MORE SEED.

AGAIN, WE'RE KIND OF AT THAT TIME FOR SOME FALL PRE-EMERGE.

YOU MAY WANT TO DO ONE NOW AND THEN IN THE SPRING AND APRIL, EARLY MAY, THEN MAYBE ANOTHER ONE MIDSUMMER TO GET THIS UNDER CONTROL.

AFTER A COUPLE YEARS OF THAT, I THINK YOU CAN PROBABLY LAY OFF OF IT.

>> OKAY.

THERE'S SOME CRABGRASS THAT'S REALLY HAPPY THIS YEAR.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

KYLE, TWO PICS FOR YOU.

ON THE FIRST ONE, THIS IS SO MUCH FUN.

THIS IS A ROCA VIEWER.

THIS IS FROM KELLEN, AND KELLEN IS 12 YEARS OLD.

>> OH, GREAT.

>> HIS GRANDMA LIVES BY BIG BLUE STEM.

SHE HAS THIS BRANCH FROM HER COTTONWOOD TREE.

SHE WATCHES THE SHOW NOW TOO WITH HIM, AND HE WATCHES WITH HIS DAD.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS THIS, AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IF SHE FINDS MORE?

>> NOTHING.

REALLY NOTHING.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

THIS IS CROWN GALL AGROBACTERIUM.

IT'S VERY UBIQUITOUS IN THE SOIL.

WE CAN FIND IT ANYWHERE.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THIS BACTERIA, WHEN IT INFECTS THE PLANT, IT MIMICS THE PLANT GROWTH HORMONES AND ENDS UP MAKING THESE GALLS AROUND IT.

SO TYPICALLY THESE GALLS ARE GOING TO BE MORE TOWARDS THE BASE OF THE PLANT.

HENCE THE NAME CROWN.

BUT REALLY THEY CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE, ANYWHERE THROUGHOUT THE PLANT.

SO REALLY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

JUST ONE OF THOSE REALLY COOL DISEASES THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT ARE FUN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> GOOD EYE.

>> THANKS, KYLE.

ONE MORE HERE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM RAYMOND, AND WE ACTUALLY HAD ANOTHER VIEWER SEND IN SOMETHING SIMILAR.

WHAT CAUSES ROSES TO HAVE BLACK EDGES ON THE PETALS WHEN THEY OPEN?

>> THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT CAN.

SO, YOU KNOW, BOTRYTIS IS ONE OF THEM.

IT'S ONE OF OUR FUNGAL DISEASES.

BUT IF THIS WERE BOTRYTIS, THERE WOULD BE SOME KINF OF GRAYISH, MAYBE DUSTY APPEARANCE AS WELL.

I KIND OF THINK THIS IS JUST A HEAT ISSUE.

THAT THE ENDS OF THE PETALS GOT BURNED AS THEY WERE OPENING, AND THEY JUST KIND OF FRIED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TERRI, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THEY LOST SOME BLACK HILLS SPRUCE GROWING IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.

THEY LOST THEM.

THE STUMPS ARE GROUND DOWN TO ABOUT 10 INCHES.

THEY WANT IT KNOW IF THIS -- AND YOU CAN SEE THE OBVIOUSLY DEATH.

THEY WANT IT KNOW IS TAYLOR JUNIPER A GOOD CHOICE TO PLANT HERE?

THEY WANT TO LINE THEM UP ON THIS, AND APPARENTLY THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME CONCERN OR THE SAME RULES THAT WE HAVE IN THE URBAN AREAS THAT YOU CAN'T PLANT IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY LIKE THAT.

>> WELL, SO YES AND NO.

SO, YES, YOU COULD POTENTIALLY PUT TAYLOR JUNIPER THERE.

THE THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT THE TAYLOR JUNIPER IS GOING TO BLOCK YOUR VIEW OF THE STREET WHERE THERE THE SPRUCE WAS LIMBED UP.

SO YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH THAT.

I WOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND MAYBE GO WITH SOME SHRUBS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT WOULD BE ABLE A LITTLE MORE DECIDUOUS PLANT.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE UP AS MUCH ROOM.

I WOULD ALSO MAYBE WAIT AT LEAST A YEAR, MAYBE TWO, BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH ROOM IN THERE.

YES, IT DID GRIND IT DOWN, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO STILL HAVE A LOT OF ROOTS IN THERE, AND ALL THOSE PLANTS ARE GOING TO BE COMPETING WITH THE OLD TREE ROOTS.

SO I WOULD PROBABLY MAYBE WAIT.

JUST PUT IT DOWN INTO GRASS OR SOME COVER CROP OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR NOW, AND THEN MAYBE LOOK AT SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN A YEAR OR TWO.

>> ALL RIGHT THANKS, TERRI.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM FORDYCE, NEBRASKA.

FORSYTHIA WITH CUPPED LEAVES, WHICH SHE THINKS IS FROM DRIFT.

SHOULD SHE CUT IT BACK, AND IF SO, HOW FAR, OR LET IT BE?

>> YEAH, THIS LOOKS LIKE HERBICIDE DAMAGE OR DRIFT.

AND, NO, PLEASE DON'T CUT IT BACK, ESPECIALLY NOW.

TWO THINGS.

THE PLANT IS ACTUALLY USING THOSE LEAVES STILL FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS TO MAKE FOOD FOR THE PLANT.

AND THEN IF YOU CUT IT BACK NOW, THE PLANT KIND OF GOES INTO THIS KIND OF REGROWTH METHOD THIS TIME OF YEAR, AND IT MAY NOT BE HARDENING OFF BEFORE WE GO INTO THE WINTER.

SO JUST LEAVE IT AND THEN MAYBE DEAL WITH IT NEXT SPRING IF IT DOES HAVE SOME ISSUES AND SOME DEAD THAT YOU CAN CUT OUT OF IT.

>> THANKS, TERRI.

WELL, DEALING WITH INSECT PESTS IS PART OF GARDENING, AND IT CAN SOMETIMES BE A FULL-TIME JOB.

KEEP IN MIND, THOUGH, NOT ALL INSECTS ARE BAD.

SO FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE TONIGHT, EXTENSION ENTOMOLOGIST JULIE PETERSON TALKS ABOUT INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT WITHOUT HARMING THE BENEFICIALS.

♪ >> ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE MIGHT THINK OF WHEN WE THINK OF INSECTS IS WHAT ARE THE BAD ONES THAT ARE GOING TO EAT OUR GARDENS OR TREES OR CROP FIELDS?

BUT AS ENTOMOLOGISTS, WE WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE OF COURSE THE GOOD INSECTS OUT THERE AS WELL.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO MAYBE RECOGNIZE SOME OF THOSE GOOD INSECTS THAT ARE HELPING YOU OUT.

I THINK PEOPLE CAN THINK OF LADY BEETLES AS ONE OF THOSE CLASSIC GOOD INSECTS.

WE KNOW THEY CAN COME AND EAT APHIDS AND HELP US OUT.

BUT IT MIGHT BE TRICKY BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE LIFE STAGES.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE LADY BEETLES HAVE LARVAE.

SO I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WERE WHAT THE ADULT LADY BEETLE LOOKS LIKE.

NICE, RED, SHINY, SPOTTED BEETLE.

BUT MAYBE THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THE LARVAE OR THE IMMATURE STAGE OF THE LADY BEETLE LOOKS REALLY DIFFERENT.

IT LOOKS LIKE A SPIKY ALLIGATOR, AND IT CAN CRAWL AROUND ON THE LEAVES OF THE PLANT AND EAT APHIDS, EAT PEST EGGS, EAT ALL SORTS OF THOSE HARMFUL PESTS THAT MIGHT BE OUT THERE.

ONE REALLY GREAT THING ABOUT HAVING BENEFICIAL INSECTS OUT THERE AND BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THEM IS KNOWING THAT YOU WANT THEM IN YOUR FIELDS.

YOU WANT THEM IN YOUR GARDENS.

YOU DON'T WANT TO REMOVE THEM.

>> SO INSTEAD OF GOING OUT AND SPRAYING OR SQUISHING THOSE GUYS, YOU CAN ACTUALLY KEEP THEM THERE AND ALLOW THEM TO HELP YOU OUT BY EATING SOME PESTS.

BUT BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THEM AND NOT REMOVE THEM CAN BE GOOD.

I'VE HAD SOME UNFORTUNATE CONVERSATIONS SOMETIMES WITH PEOPLE WHO TELL ME THAT THEY FOUND SOMETHING LIKE LADY BEETLE LARVA.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, AND THEY SQUISHED THEM ALL AND REMOVED THEM FROM THEIR GARDEN, JUST NOT KNOWING THAT WAS ONE OF THOSE GOOD GUYS OUT THERE THAT WAS HELPING THEM AND MAYBE PREVENTING THEM FROM HAVING TO SPRAY A PESTICIDE IN THEIR GARDEN OR IN THEIR YARD.

THERE ARE TONS OF LOOK-ALIKES OUT IN THE INSECT WORLD.

SO THERE CAN BE A LOT OF REASONS WHY IT'S BENEFICIAL TO AN INSECT TO LOOK LIKE A DIFFERENT INSECT.

SOMETHING LIKE A HOVER FLY, FOR EXAMPLE.

IT'S A FLY.

IT'S HARMLESS.

IT CAN'T STING.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A BEE OR A WASP.

AND SO THAT CAN ACTUALLY GIVE IT PROTECTION FROM OTHER THINGS BY LOOKING LIKE SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY HAS A LITTLE MORE PUNCH TO IT, A LITTLE MORE STINGING OR BITING ABILITY TO IT.

ANOTHER KIND OF LOOK-ALIKE INSECT THAT'S OUT THERE RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE THE CICADA-KILLER WASP.

THESE ARE VERY LARGE WASPS.

THEY LOOK REALLY SCARY.

THEY LOOK LIKE MAYBE THOSE MURDER HORNETS THAT WERE KIND OF POPULARIZED A FEW YEARS BACK.

WE DON'T HAVE THOSE IN NEBRASKA.

THOSE ARE GOING TO BE A NATIVE CICADA KILLER.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY A BENEFICIAL WASP, VERY HARMLESS.

THEY HUNT CICADAS, CATCH THEM, AND BRING THEM BACK TO THEIR NESTS.

VERY LOW AGGRESSION.

VERY SMALL CHANCE THAT YOU WOULD ACTUALLY GET STUNG BY ONE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S EASY FOR US TO THINK OF KIND OF OFF THE TOP OF OUR MIND THOSE HARMFUL INSECTS OUT THERE, THOSE ONES WE HAVE TO FIGHT AGAINST.

BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND WHAT ARE THOSE GOOD GUYS, THOSE ALLIES THAT ARE HELPING YOU AGAINST THE PEST INSECTS?

AND ALSO JUST TO REALIZE A TON OF INSECTS OUT THERE AREN'T REALLY BAD OR GOOD.

THEY'RE JUST KIND OF DOING THEIR THING IN THE ECOSYSTEM, AND THEY'RE PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE.

SO WE'RE WANTING TO KIND OF KEEP THEM OUT THERE AS WELL.

>> YOU KNOW, PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY WANT TO GET RID OF WHATEVER INSECT IS EATING THEIR PLANTS, BUT THAT CAN LEAD TO A LOT OF VERY UNNECESSARY SPRAYING.

SO WE WANT YOU TO KEEP IN MIND THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD INSECTS OUT THERE THAT ARE ALREADY HELPING YOU OUT.

WE WANT YOU TO PROTECT THEM RATHER THAN SQUISH.

OKAY.

KATE, YOU HAVE JUST ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

CUCUMBERS ARE PRODUCING REALLY WELL, BUT THEY HAVE THESE NASTY MARKS ON THE PEEL.

DO WE KNOW WHAT THIS IS?

>> I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.

IF IT WAS AN INSECT, IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A CUCUMBER BEETLE, BUT WE GENERALLY SEE THAT FEEDING ON THE LEAVES.

SO IF THE LEAVES LOOK OKAY, IT'S POSSIBLY SOMETHING ELSE.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE ON THE PANEL HAS ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE ANSWER.

BUT CHECK THE LEAVES.

IF THERE WERE A LOT OF HOLES, IT COULD BE CUCUMBER BEETLES.

IF THAT'S THE CASE, FALL CLEANUP IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY'LL OVER-WINTER IN THAT LEAF-LITTER.

>> IT COULD ALSO BE HEAT.

AND IRREGULAR WATERING.

SO IT COULD BE EITHER ONE OF THOSE.

>> JUST USE A PEELER.

ALL RIGHT.

KATE, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE ALSO.

THIS IS FROM VALLEY, NEBRASKA.

IT'S A REALLY NEAT PICTURE IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IF OUR VIEWERS CAN SEE THE ACTUAL INSECT, WHICH IS A DRAGONFLY.

SHE'S WONDERING DO DRAGONFLIES SLEEP, AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO AT NIGHT.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

INSECTS DO KIND OF GO, LIKE, DORMANT PERIODS.

THEY REST, AND DRAGONFLIES, WE DO SEE THEM FLYING DURING THE DAY.

THEY ARE PREDATORS, SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE TRYING TO CATCH OTHER THINGS THAT ARE FLYING LIKE MOSQUITOS.

SO IT IS A REALLY COOL PICTURE.

IT'S GOT A NICE SILHOUETTE TO IT.

>> AND ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

SO HE IS STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS KILLING HIS GARDEN.

HE SAYS HIS GARDEN IS JUST ABOUT GONE.

SO WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?

>> YEAH.

SO I ASSUME THIS IS PROBABLY SOME SORT OF SQUASH PLANT.

THESE ARE SQUASH BUG EGGS, AND SQUASH BUGS ARE A TOUGH ONE TO GET RID OF.

SO WE REALLY PROMOTE SCOUTING EARLY ON IN THE SEASON.

SO STARTING JUNE, IF YOU PLANT SQUASH, WATERMELON, CUCUMBER NEXT YEAR, SCOUT EARLY.

ANY OF THE EGGS YOU SEE, YOU NEED TO SQUISH THEM.

IF YOU FIND ADULTS, HAND REMOVE THEM, PUT THEM IN SOAPY WATER.

TRY EVERYTHING YOU CAN BECAUSE THEY CAN BE A PRETTY DIFFICULT ONE.

THERE'S ALSO A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER INSECTS THAT CAN DEVASTATE SQUASH TOO, BUT THESE ARE THE SQUASH BUGS.

>> THANK YOU, KATE.

JEFF, THIS IS A VIEWER NEAR ST.PAUL ALONG THE MIDDLE LOOP.

SHE WANTS TO OVERSEED BUT SHE HAS A TON OF WEEDS IN THE TURF, AND YOU CAN SEE IT ESPECIALLY IN THE FOREGROUND HERE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW SHOULD THEY SPRAY FOR WEEDS BEFORE THEY SEED OR WAIT UNTIL SPRING TO WORK ON GETTING RID OF THE WEEDS AND THEN JUST OVERSEED?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK AT THIS POINT, FALL IS A GREAT TIME FOR SEEDING AND FOR OVERSEEDING JUST BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTROL OBVIOUSLY OF THE TEMPERATURE AND THE MOISTURE AND SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

SO I THINK WHAT I WOULD DO IS GO IN AND MOW THIS CLOSELY AND BAG IT.

YOU WANT TO KIND OF MAKE SURE WE PICK UP WHATEVER WEED SEED YOU MIGHT HAVE THERE RIGHT NOW.

YOU CAN COMPOST YOUR CLIPPINGS.

AND THEN GO AHEAD AND DO AN AERATING AND OVERSEEDING IN THERE.

THERE'S SOME GOOD PRODUCTS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, MESOTRIONE IS A VERY GOOD ONE THAT WILL HELP ALLOW YOUR TURF-TYPE GRASSES GERMINATE AND WILL HELP SUPPRESS THE WEED SEED.

SO I WOULD DO THAT.

THEN I MIGHT GO AHEAD AND TREAT THAT AGAIN IN THE SPRING WITH THE SAME PRODUCT AND SEE IF WE CAN KEEP THE WEED SEEDS FROM GERMINATING AND ALLOW THE TURFGRASS TO TAKE OFF.

BUT IT MIGHT TAKE A COUPLE YEARS OF THAT KIND OF PROCESS.

BUT I WOULD AVOID DOING LIKE APPENDAMETHLYN OR BARRICADE OR THAT SORT OF MORE, I GUESS, MORE VIGOROUS PRE-EMERGENT IN THE SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JEFF.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE ALSO.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HAMILTON COUNTY.

SHE WONDERS WHAT IT IS.

IT'S PRICKLY.

THEY DIDN'T LET IT BLOOM.

THEY CUT IT OFF BELOW THE GROUND, BUT THEY COULDN'T GET THE ROOTS.

>> OKAY.

IT'S A SOW THISTLE, AND IT'S AN EASILY KILLED ANNUAL WEED.

I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT TOO MUCH.

I MEAN IF THEY PULLED IT, THEY'LL PROBABLY BE FINE.

IF YOU TEND TO THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE OF THOSE OR IF YOU HAVE A FEW, AGAIN, YOU CAN USE A SIMPLE TURF PRE-EMERGENT IN THAT AREA, AND THAT SHOULD CONTROL IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM DENTON.

HE IS TWO YEARS INTO A NATIVE GRASS AND WILDFLOWER DRILLING.

SEEMS TO BE HOLDING THE SEEDLINGS BACK.

HE HAS A PLATEAU-FRIENDLY MIX, BUT HE WONDERS WHAT THIS IS, AND IS THERE ANY IDEA HOW TO TREAT IT BECAUSE HE THINKS THIS IS KIND OF AN ISSUE.

>> YEAH, I CAN SEE THAT.

IT'S GOTTEN IN THERE.

I DON'T KNOW.

LOOKING AT, THAT I WAS THINKING LIKE A NEEDLE AND THREAD, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AGAIN, KIND OF LIKE THE PREVIOUS ONE, I WOULD BE TEMPTED -- WE'VE HAD SOME SEEDINGS WE'VE DONE ON CAMPUS THIS YEAR.

IT TAKES A FEW YEARS FOR THEM TO REALLY TAKE HOLD.

I -- AGAIN, I WOULD BE IN THERE DOING SOME MOWING, CLEANING THAT UP, SO WE'RE NOT ALLOWING THAT PLANT TO CONTINUE TO THRIVE.

SOMETIMES MOWING IT BACK WILL ALLOW, IF THERE IS SOME REGROWTH, THEN YOU CAN GO IN AND MAYBE SPOT SPRAY WITH SOME GLYPHOSATE AND TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THOSE THINGS AS THEY COME UP.

IT WILL BE MORE KIND OF HAND WORK.

I THINK THAT WILL BE YOUR BEST CHANCE FOR SUCCESS.

>> OKAY.

OR HE COULD BAG UP A SAMPLE AND MAKE ROCH IDENTIFY IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE.

>> IT WOULD BE A BALE.

>> THANKS, JEFF.

KYLE, THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PAPILLION.

HE'S REALLY HAD A TIME WITH THIS.

BEAUTIFUL YARD, BUT THEY'RE SEEING THESE SPOTS DYING EVERYWHERE.

THIS WAS AUGUST 13th THIS STARTED.

IT'S NOT GRUBS BECAUSE THEY TREATED FOR GRUBS.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> NOT ENTIRELY SURE.

YOU KNOW, TURF DISEASES CAN BE TOUGH.

IT'S JUST A BROWN, NONDESCRIPT SPOT.

BUT THE WAY THIS TURF IS KIND OF SUNKEN AND KIND OF DEPRESSED ON THE GROUND, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S LYING FLAT, I WONDER IF IT'S PYTHIUM.

WE'VE ACTUALLY SEEN A LOT OF PYTHIUM THESE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

PYTHIUM IS ONE OF OUR WATER MOLDS.

SO WITH HOW WET JULY WAS, WE HAD A LOT OF -- PYTHIUM HAD A CHANCE TO KIND OF TAKE HOLD IN A LOT OF THE LAWNS.

THEN IT LOVES THE HEAT AS WELL.

SO THE HOT CONDITIONS THAT WE'VE HAD THIS WEEK, WE'VE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF PYTHIUM DAMAGE.

I WAS ACTUALLY OUT AT THE TURF FARM, I THINK IT WAS TUESDAY MORNING.

I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND IT SMELLED FISHY BECAUSE PYTHIUM SMELLS LIKE FISH.

SO IF YOU WANT TO PROVE ME WRONG, YOU CAN TAKE SOME OF THAT TURF, THROW IT IN A ZIPLOCK BAG, LEAVE IT ON THE COUNTER OVERNIGHT, THEN SNIFF IT.

IT SHOULD SMELL LIKE FISH IF IT'S PYTHIUM.

IF IT DOESN'T, YOU CAN SEND ME A SAMPLE.

>> YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE -- OR TWO, I THINK, MAYBE.

NO.

THIS IS JUST ONE.

THIS IS A GREEN BEAN, AND IT'S GREEN BEAN PLANTS THAT THEY PULLED UP.

THIS COMES TO US FROM McCOOK.

WHAT IS THIS, AND IS THIS A CONCERN?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S A CONCERN.

I THINK THIS IS CROWN GALL AGAIN.

SO CROWN GALL CAN AFFECT PRETTY MUCH EVERY PLANT THAT'S OUT THERE.

EVENTUALLY IT MAY GIRDLE THAT STEM, BUT REALLY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT ON ANNUALS FOR THE MOST PART.

>> THEN TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE FROM THE SAME VIEWER FROM McCOOK.

SHE HAS A CHERRY TREE.

LAST YEAR IT WAS FULL OF CHERRIES.

THEN THE CHERRIES WENT, BUT THIS IS HER REAL CONCERN.

WHAT IS BUBBLING UP ALL OVER THE TRUNK ON THIS ONE?

>> YEAH, AND I DON'T THINK THIS TREE LOOKS LIKE IT HAS A WHOLE LOT OF YEARS LEFT IN IT.

THIS IS GUMMOSIS.

IT CAN BE A FAIRLY COMMON SYMPTOM FOR STRESS THAT'S OCCURRING.

CHERRY TREES ALSO GET SOME BACTERIAL CANKERS.

ONE OF THOSE IS A PSEUDOMONAS CANKER.

BUT WE CAN GET THAT IN THE TRUNK AS WELL.

REALLY KEEP AN EYE ON THIS TREE.

WITH HOW DEFOLIATED IT WAS, IT REALLY DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S DOING TOO GREAT.

SO KEEP AN EYE ON IT THIS FALL, AND THEN NEXT YEAR, IF IT'S STILL HAVING THOSE PROBLEMS, MAYBE WANT TO START THINKING ABOUT A REPLACEMENT.

>> THANK YOU, KYLE.

TERRI, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE FIRST.

THIS IS A PROPERTY IN LINCOLN.

SHE WONDERS WHAT THIS IS AND HOW AND WHEN TO PRUNE.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE CRABAPPLES.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH ONE, BUT IT WILL BE PRETTY IN THE SPRING WHEN IT BLOOMS.

DO NOT PRUNE NOW.

JUST LIKE I SAID EARLIER WITH THE FORSYTHIA, IF YOU PRUNE PLANTS NOW, IT KIND OF PUTS THEM INTO THIS "I NEED TO START GROWING AGAIN" STAGE, AND WE REALLY DON'T WANT THAT GOING INTO FALL.

SO ACTUALLY THE BEST TIME TO PRUNE TREES WOULD BE -- ESPECIALLY FRUIT TREES -- IS GOING INTO SPRING, SO WHEN THEY'RE DORMANT, LIKE MARCH OR MAYBE THE FIRST OF APRIL, DEPENDING ON HOW OUR WINTERS GO, AND THAT WAY YOU CAN SEE ALL THE CROSSING BRANCHES AND STUFF, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED TO GET OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US -- SHE LIVES NEAR SPRING VIEW.

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITH THIS APPLE TREE?

IT'S ONLY PRODUCED ONE APPLE IN ITS TEN-YEAR LIFE SPAN.

>> I THINK THAT IT'S TIME TO BE LOOKING ONLINE FOR A NEW APPLE TREE.

>> OR GO TO YOUR LOCAL GARDEN CENTER.

>> OR YOUR FARMERS MARKET OR WHEREVER YOU'D LIKE TO GO TO FIND SOME APPLES.

BUT I THINK THAT ONE IS PRETTY MUCH DONE.

>> OKAY.

THREE PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN AUTUMN BLAZE MAPLE, YELLOW LEAVES WITH DARK BROWN TIPS AND SPOTS.

TREATED WITH IRON AND SULFUR ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

WHAT NOW?

>> SO NORMALLY WE DON'T RECOMMEND TREATING ANYTHING UNLESS YOU HAVE SOME KIND OF SOIL TEST OR SOMETHING TO KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO PUT IN IT.

I THINK THIS MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH SOME OF THE DROUGHT THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING TOO.

SO I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO TURN THIS OVER TO JEFF BECAUSE HE'S ACTUALLY DEALT WITH THIS STUFF ON CAMPUS.

I KNOW WHEN WE HAD OUR 2012 DROUGHT, JEFF, YOU SAID YOU HAD A LOT OF BALD CYPRESS AND MAPLES THAT LOOKED LIKE THIS AND THEY'VE STRUGGLED SINCE.

>> YEAH.

I THINK ESPECIALLY IN THIS AREA WITH OUR SOIL PH BEING SO HIGH, THEY'RE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS KIND OF CHLOROSIS.

IT'S HARD TO CHANGE THAT.

ROCH ALWAYS TALKS ABOUT THAT.

OUR SOIL IS AN OCEAN, AND YOU'RE GETTING YOUR EYE DROPPER TRYING TO CHANGE THE PH, AND YOU'RE JUST NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE TREE ISN'T DEAD YET.

YOU CAN GIVE IT ANOTHER YEAR.

BUT I THINK THAT AT SOME POINT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT REPLACING.

>> THANKS, GUYS.

WELL, BEFORE WE GO TO BREAK, LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HEAR FROM TERRI OUT IN THE GARDEN.

THE HEAT HAS FRIED A FEW PLANTS, BUT WE'RE STILL HAVING ANOTHER GREAT SEASON IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, THE GARDEN IS STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF THIS EXCESSIVE HEAT THAT WE'RE HAVING.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF FLOWERS DIE BACK AND A LOT OF KIND OF DEATH IN IT.

WE'RE HAVING TO TURN THE IRRIGATION ON A COUPLE EXTRA TIMES A WEEK JUST TO HELP THEM GET THROUGH THIS HEAT.

SO WE'RE JUST REALLY BABYING OUR PLANTS, AND YOU SHOULD REALLY BE MAKING SURE YOU'RE DOING THAT TOO.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING SOME OF THOSE SUMMER WEEDS POP UP.

WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PICKING THOSE OUT BEFORE THEY GO TO SEED SO THEY'RE NOT ADDING ANY EXTRA SEEDS TO OUR SEED BANK IN OUR SOIL.

WE'RE ALSO OPENING OUR SHED DOOR ON TUESDAY NIGHTS FOR YOU TO BRING YOUR EXTRA PRODUCE TO THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN TO DONATE TO THE HUSKER PANTRY.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN COMING TO DO THAT.

THIS WEEK, WE HAD ALMOST 200 POUNDS OF PRODUCE DONATED.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE'LL CONTINUE THAT THROUGH SEPTEMBER INTO THE FIRST TUESDAY IN OCTOBER.

SO IF YOU HAVE EXTRA PRODUCE, DROP IT BY.

AND TOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND CHECK IT OUT.

>> TERRI TELLS US THIS EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

WE WANT YOU TO VISIT.

WE WANT YOU TO SEE ALL THE INCREDIBLE COLORS, AND WE WANT TO SEE THAT PRODUCE THAT WE'VE BEEN DONATING.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO DO THAT FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.

SO IT IS TIME FOR US TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

COMING UP ON THE SHOW, WE HAVE THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THOSE 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] COMING UP ON THE SHOW, WE HAVE >>> WELCOME BACK TO "BACKYARD FARMER.

"” COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'RE GOING TO CHECK OUT A GIANT FIG TREE AT A GREENHOUSE IN GERING.

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

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

AND, OF COURSE, RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

TERRI, YOU ARE FIRST UP.

>> OKAY.

>> OKAY.

SO, WE HAVE QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KNOW ABOUT REPLACING THE CONTAINER SOIL IF THEY JUST DID IT THIS SPRING, BUT THEY WANT TO PLANT THOSE GREAT FALL PLANTS THAT YOU JUST SUGGESTED.

>> NOPE.

YOU CAN DO IT JUST ONCE A YEAR IN THE SPRING IS FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW THEY KILL THE CLUMPS -- THEY'RE CALLING THEM CLUMPS -- OF HONEY LOCUST SPROUTS WITHOUT KILLING THE MAIN TREE.

[ LAUGHTER ] PASS?

>> PASS.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THEY CAN SOLARIZE NOW WITH CLEAR PLASTIC AND LEAVE THAT PLASTIC ON TILL SPRING.

>> NO.

>> THE SAME VIEWER THEN WANTS TO KNOW, REGARDLESS OF OUR QUESTION, SHOULD THEY TAKE THE STRAW MULCH OFF THAT LANDSCAPE AREA BEFORE THEY DO THAT SOLARIZING?

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE TALKED ABOUT MILLENNIUM ALLIUM ON A SHOW, AND WE HAVE A COUPLE PEOPLE THINKING THEY HAVE SEEDLINGS OF THAT MILLENNIUM.

HAVE YOU SEEN SEEDLINGS ON THAT BEFORE, ON THAT PARTICULAR VARIETY?

>> YES.

IN MY OWN BACKYARD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE ONE PERSON WHO WANTS TO KNOW, IS IT TIME TO BRING TROPICAL HIBISCUS INTO THE HOUSE?

>> NO.

I WOULD WAIT A LITTLE BIT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB, EVEN IF YOU DID PASS ON ONE -- >> SORRY.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

ARE YOU READY, KYLE?

>> ALWAYS.

>> THIS IS A NEBRASKA CITY VIEWER WHO SAYS THE PEARS AND APPLES HAVE FALLEN, AND THEY'RE BRUISED AND ROTTING.

IS THAT ROT EDIBLE, OR SHOULD THEY LIKE, NO?

>> IF THERE'S ROTTED FRUIT ON THE GROUND, I PROBABLY WOULD NOT CONSUME IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A BEEMER VIEWER, WHO SAYS THEY HAVE BLIGHT IN THEIR GARDEN.

AND HE CHECKED AND THINKS HE NEEDS TO TREAT THE SOIL FOR THE BLIGHT.

>> FIRST, YOU NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT TYPE OF BLIGHT YOU'RE DEALING WITH.

DIFFERENT PLANTS HAVE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF BLIGHT.

PROBABLY DON'T NEED TO TREAT THE SOIL, MOST LIKELY.

SO, FALL SANITATION IS TYPICALLY ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YET AGAIN, PEOPLE ARE WONDERING HOW TO GET RID OF THE BOLETES IN THEIR LAWNS FOREVER.

>> DON'T.

JUST ENJOY THEM.

YOU CAN MOW, AND THEY'LL KIND OF BE CHOPPED UP.

BUT MUSHROOMS ARE GREAT.

THERE'S REALLY NO REASON TO.

MOST OF THE MUSHROOMS THAT WE HAVE IN NEBRASKA ARE NOT POISONOUS, SO JUST ENJOY THEM.

IT'LL GET HOT AGAIN, AND THEY'LL DISAPPEAR.

SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

>> AND ON THAT NOTE, YOU APPARENTLY THOUGHT THIS WAS HEAT LIGHTNING ROUND.

>> IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S TOO HOT TO MOVE FAST, SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO TAKE OUR TIME.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THANK YOU, KYLE.

OKAY, JEFF.

ARE YOU READY?

>> YEAH.

>> THIS IS A SUTTON VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IF THEY CAN SPRAY THIS WEEKEND SINCE IT'S 80-PLUS FOR WEEDS, AND IF SO, WHAT SHOULD THEY SPRAY WITH?

>> I SUPPOSE IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU'RE SPRAYING, OBVIOUSLY.

BUT, AGAIN, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD WORRY ABOUT DOING A LOT OF WEED SPRAYING THIS TIME OF YEAR.

AGAIN, I'M MOWING THINGS AND THINKING ABOUT USING PRE-EMERGE LATER IN THE YEAR IF I HAVE WEED PROBLEMS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A BEEMER VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHEN TO OVERSEED THE LAWN.

>> WE'RE GETTING THERE.

I THINK IT DEPENDS ON YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION.

BUT IF SOIL MOISTURE IS GOOD AND THE TEMPERATURES AREN'T 107, THEN YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE IN THE 80s, THIS WOULD BE THE TIME TO DO IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THEY'RE ALSO WANTING TO KNOW WHAT SORT OF SETTING ON THE SPREADER FOR KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS.

>> WELL, IT WOULD DEPEND ON YOUR SPREADER.

I MEAN WE'RE LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, I GUESS YOU'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SEED MIX YOU HAVE.

BUT IT'LL HAVE AN OVERSEEDING RATE ON THERE, SO JUST FOLLOW THE LABEL ON THE GRASS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HOW OFTEN AND HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU PUT DOWN ON A NEW SEEDING?

>> AGAIN, DEPENDS ON THE SOIL THAT YOU HAVE.

YOU WOULD HAVE TO MONITOR IT AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE MAINTAINING AN EVEN SOIL MOISTURE.

SO, YOU KNOW, AN ANSWER WITHOUT GIVING YOU AN ANSWER, BUT IT JUST DEPENDS.

YOU KNOW, CAMPUS IS LIKE THAT.

IT'S -- THEY'RE DIFFERENT EVERYWHERE, SO -- >> EXACTLY.

NO ONE AND DONE ON THE ANSWERS.

ALL RIGHT, KAIT, YOU'RE UP.

READY?

>> YES.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WONDERS, IF THE CENTER OF AN APPLE HAS BROWN STREAKS IN IT, IS THAT ROT, OR IS THAT INSECT FRASS?

>> IF IT'S STREAKS AND THERE'S NO HOLES ON THE OUTSIDE, IT'S PROBABLY ROT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHEN FLIES BITE, THOSE REGULAR BLACK ONES, DOES THAT MEAN RAIN?

THIS COMES FROM STUDENTS ON CAMPUS.

>> I HAVE NEVER HEARD THAT, NO.

>> REALLY?

OKAY.

THIS IS A JUNIATA VIEWER WHO WONDERS IF WE HAVE FIG BEETLES IN NEBRASKA, AND ARE THEY HARMFUL?

>> WE DON'T HAVE FIG BEETLES BUT WE HAVE THE CLOSELY RELATED GREEN JUNE BEETLE, AND SOMETIMES THEY ARE.

MOST OF THE TIME THEY'RE NOT.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A FORT CALHOUN VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THE EXTREME HEAT WILL AFFECT BUTTERFLIES, THEIR EGGS AND THEIR CHRYSALI FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> IT WILL SLOW THEIR DEVELOPMENT, POSSIBLY STOP IT.

THE CATERPILLARS WILL TRY TO FIND SHADE, BUT, YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO IS A BEEKEEPER.

THIS IS KIND OF THE BLUE RIVER AREA.

AND THEY WONDER WHETHER THE BEE BOXES CAN GET TOO HOT AND KILL THE BEES.

>> THEY CAN.

YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO SUPPLY SOME EXTRA WATER TO THE BEES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB, ALL.

WHO WON?

>> A TIE.

>> IT WAS A TIE.

>> YEAH, GOOD JOB, LADIES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT, TERRI, WHAT DO WE HAVE FOR PLANTS OF THE WEEK?

>> WELL, WE'RE GOING TO PLAY OFF OF JEFF'S SAMPLE.

SO WE HAVE SOME GRASSES HERE THAT ARE LOOKING FANTASTIC THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THE TALL ONE HERE IS AN INDIANGRASS, SO THIS IS JUST LIKE WHAT JEFF BROUGHT, OR A FROST GRASS.

THEN THE MIDDLE ONE THAT'S A LITTLE MORE LIGHT AND KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A FIREWORK IS A MAIDEN GRASS.

SO THESE ARE NATIVES.

AND THEN THIS ONE DOWN HERE THAT LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE MUSTACHE, THIS IS A BLONDE AMBITION.

SO IT'S A BLUE GRAMA.

AND, AGAIN, A REALLY FUN ONE TO HAVE IN THE GARDEN.

SO IT'S ONLY ABOUT 12 INCHES TALL.

>> AWESOME.

THANKS, TERRI.

OKAY, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES, YOU HAVE ONE PIC ON THE FIRST ONE, KAIT.

THIS COMES TO US, HE JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A COOL PICTURE.

IT'S ON PHANTOM HYDRANGEA.

HE'S WONDERING, IS IT A GOOD GUY?

>> IT IS A GOOD GUY.

THIS IS A GREAT BLACK DIGGER WASP.

IT'S A SOLITARY WASP, SO THEY'RE NOT AGGRESSIVE.

AND THEY WILL CATCH AND PARASITIZE CRICKETS AND GRASSHOPPERS TO FEED THEIR BABIES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PIC ON THE NEXT ONE, TOO.

AND AGAIN, HE'S JUST WANTING THIS BEAUTIFUL PICTURE AND WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS.

GLACIER CREEK PRESERVE NORTH OF OMAHA.

>> THIS IS A VERY CLOSELY RELATED, IT'S THE GOLD-MARKED THREAD-WAISTED WASP.

AND THEY WILL PARASITIZE MOTH CATERPILLARS.

>> PERFECT.

ONE MORE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A PAPILLION VIEWER.

THEY'VE BEEN SEEING THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF BEE, AND THEY'RE SO BEAUTIFUL.

WHAT IS IT?

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE LONGHORN BEES.

YOU CAN TELL BY THE LONG ANTENNAE.

SO IT'S A SOLITARY BEE, AND IT'LL NEST IN THE GROUND.

>> AND TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A SIOUX CITY, IOWA, VIEWER.

WHAT ARE THESE?

THEY'RE ON THE HYDRANGEAS.

ARE THEY GOOD OR BAD?

>> THEY'RE GOLDENROD SOLDIER BEETLES.

THEY DO FEED ON THE POLLEN AND THE NECTAR, BUT THEY ALSO POLLINATE, SO THEY'RE GOOD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

YOU HAVE FOUR PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, JEFF.

AND THIS IS A VIEWER WHO IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS GRASS IN THEIR TURF.

THEY'RE WONDERING WHETHER WE CAN IDENTIFY IT.

AND THEN HE'S GOT A PICTURE, I THINK, IN HERE ALSO.

CLOSE-UP ON IT.

AND THEN HE DID SPRAY FOUR ROUNDS OF ROUNDUP ON IT, AND GOT IT LIKE THIS, BUT IT STILL KEEPS COMING BACK.

>> YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE A FOXTAIL BARLEY TO ME, WHICH IS KIND OF A COMMON ANNUAL SEED.

AND ONCE IT GETS ESTABLISHED, IT CAN BE KIND OF HARD TO DEAL WITH.

SO, I THINK THEY DID FINE.

NOW YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO RESEED THIS.

AND AGAIN, THAT MESOTRIONE WITH THE NEW SEEDING.

AND THEN THINK ABOUT USING A PRE-EMERGE IN THE SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THEY HAVE AN AREA THEY'D LIKE TO RENOVATE AND PLANT WILDFLOWERS, SAND, NOT WATERED, AND CACTUS ALL OVER IT.

HOW DO THEY GET THAT CACTUS KILLED?

>> THAT'S A TOUGH ONE.

AND THERE'S SPECIALTY HERBICIDES OUT THERE.

ONE THAT MIGHT WORK FOR YOU, THERE'S TRICLOPYRS IN A LOT OF THE POISON IVY KILLER MIXES THAT YOU CAN GET AT YOUR NURSERY.

AND THAT MIGHT BE ONE TO TRY ON THAT TO HELP SEE IF WE CAN KNOCK THAT BACK.

BUT IT IS A TOUGH PLANT TO GET RID OF.

>> KYLE, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

HE THINKS THIS IS A VOLVARIELLA BOMBYCINA 'SHROOM, THREE FEET UP A DEAD BRANCH IN A SILVER MAPLE.

AND THIS IS NEAR GRETNA.

IT'S, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> POSSIBLY.

THOUGH, UNFORTUNATELY WITHOUT SEEING THE BOTTOM OF IT, IT'S REALLY HARD TO TELL.

TO ME, IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A LEPIOTA.

ONE OF OUR COMMON AGARICS.

I WOULD GUESS THERE'S GILLS ON THE BOTTOM.

BUT, UNFORTUNATELY FROM THE PICTURES, WE CAN'T REALLY GIVE A GOOD IDEA ON THIS ONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THESE FREAKY LITTLE FRIENDS ARE GROWING UNDERNEATH THEIR PERGOLA RIGHT HERE IN LINCOLN.

>> OH, SO COOL.

SO THESE ARE EARTHSTARS.

THEY'RE SOME OF OUR GASTEROMYCETE MUSHROOMS, SO BASICALLY STOMACH MUSHROOMS, BECAUSE THE PORES ARE IN A SAC THAT LOOKS LIKE A STOMACH.

KIND OF LOOK LIKE AN ONION BEFORE THEY MATURE AND OPEN UP LIKE THAT.

NOT TOXIC, NOT HARMFUL AT ALL SO, ENJOY THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PIC ON THE NEXT ONE.

IS THIS BENEFICIAL?

AND A JELLY EAR.

HE FOUND IT ON A BLACK WALNUT.

>> THIS DOES LOOK LIKE A JELLY EAR TO ME.

TYPICALLY IT'S A SIGN THAT THAT BRANCH IS DECLINING.

SO KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE.

FASCINATING MUSHROOM GROWING IN THE LANDSCAPE.

WHAT IS THIS ONE, AND IS IT POISONOUS?

>> YEAH, THIS LOOKS A LOT LIKE A GANODERMA MUSHROOM, WHICH WE TYPICALLY SEE KIND OF GROWING AS A SHELF MUSHROOM UP ON THE TREES.

AND SO, I'M CURIOUS IF IT'S GROWING OUT OF THE MULCH.

DON'T SEE IT ON THE GROUND VERY OFTEN, BUT WE CAN.

AND NOT POISONOUS, SO, SOMETHING TO SEE.

>> '‘SHROOM TIME ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KYLE.

TERRI, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE HERE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THIS VINING PLANT IS.

IT'S GROWING OVER HEDGES, ALONG FENCES, WITHIN A LARGE ORNAMENTAL GRASS.

WHAT IS THIS, SINCE WE HAVE THIS IN OUR GARDEN?

>> SO THIS IS SWEET AUTUMN CLEMATIS.

AND IT WILL MAKE A REALLY PRETTY FLOWER IN THE FALL, AND THEN IT WILL TURN INTO THESE FLUFFY THINGS THAT WILL FLY ALL OVER, AND THAT'S PROBABLY HOW YOU GOT IT.

THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO TRY TO PULL IT OFF THE PLANTS YOU WANT TO KEEP, AND THEN YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO USE LIKE, OH, A THREE-WAY STUMP KILLER OR SOMETHING TO KIND OF CUT IT BACK BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A WOODY VINE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE TOO.

THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO HAD A TOMATO, THREE SWEET 100s.

AND THIS CAME UP.

AND SHE THINKS THIS IS NOT A TOMATO?

>> NO.

THIS IS KIND OF COOL ACTUALLY.

SO THIS IS WATERHEMP.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS AN ANNUAL HERE.

JUST KIND OF PULL IT OUT OF THE GARDEN.

DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED.

SO YOU'LL HAVE A TON OF THEM NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM VERDON.

IT'S A THREE-YEAR-OLD LIMELIGHT, AND IT'S ON STANDARD.

PROTECTED AREA, FULL SUN.

SHE WONDERS IF THIS IS DYING AND SHOULD SHE REMOVE IT?

>> YEAH, THIS IS PRETTY MUCH DEAD.

MOST OF THOSE TIMES THEY'RE ON A STANDARD, AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE PRUNED BACK LIKE THAT.

BUT MOST OF THE TIME THEY'RE, THEY'RE PUT ON THERE BY GRAFTING.

SO IT'S DEAD, AND IT HAD SOME MOLD ON IT FOR KYLE SO -- BUT MOST OF THE TIME THEY'RE -- THEY'RE PUT ON THERE BY GRAFTING.

SO IT'S DEAD, AND IT HAD SOME MOLD ON IT FOR KYLE SO -- >> OKAY.

START OVER.

YOU KNOW, WE DON'T REALLY ASSOCIATE NEBRASKA AS A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GROW FIG TREES.

ON OUR TRIP OUT WEST THIS YEAR, WE DISCOVERED A TREE THAT'S BEEN GOING STRONG FOR YEARS.

WE'RE GOING TO WRAP UP TONIGHT'S FEATURES BY TAKING A LOOK AT A GREENHOUSE FIG TREE.

♪ >> THIS COMMUNITY GREENHOUSE IN GERING FEATURES PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING AND IS A HOST FOR A SEASONAL FARMERS MARKET.

BUT THERE'S ONE THING THAT THIS GREENHOUSE FEATURES THAT MIGHT NOT BE IN MANY OTHER GREENHOUSES.

VOLUNTEER TINA LUZ SAYS THIS FIG TREE HAS BEEN PART OF THE GREENHOUSE SINCE IT WAS CONSTRUCTED.

SHE SAYS PEOPLE FROM GERING COME FOR THE FARMERS MARKET, AND MOST OF THEM LEAVE WITH THEIR SHARE OF FIGS.

>> THIS IS THE COMMUNITY EVER-GREENHOUSE IN GERING, NEBRASKA.

WE HAVE A VERY LARGE FIG TREE.

IT WAS PLANTED IN THE EARLY '80s WHEN THIS BUILDING WAS MADE, AND SO WE HAVE TO CUT IT BACK EVERY YEAR BECAUSE IT GETS TOO TALL FOR HERE.

BUT IT'S POPULAR IN TOWN.

PEOPLE BUY FIGS FROM US FOR $5 A POUND.

WE START SEEING FIGS DEVELOP PROBABLY IN -- PROBABLY END OF MAY, FIRST OF JUNE, BUT WE DON'T HARVEST ANYTHING UNTIL MID-JULY.

BUT WE WILL HAVE THEM UNTIL OCTOBER IF IT'S A GOOD YEAR.

THE FIG TREE IS A DECIDUOUS TREE, AND SO IT LOSES ITS LEAVES, USUALLY LATE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER.

THEY START DROPPING, AND SO, YEAH, FIRST OF THE YEAR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THEREAFTER, OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM CLEANED UP.

THEN WE TRIM IT BACK.

THE CITY BRINGS THEIR PEOPLE IN, AND THEY DO THE PRUNING ON THE TREE IN THE EARLY SPRING.

AND USUALLY THERE'S ALREADY LEAVES ON THERE BY, OH, FEBRUARY, MARCH.

IT'S SETTING ITS LEAVES, AND THE FIGS, LIKE I SAID, THEY'LL START -- YOU'LL SEE THEIR LITTLE NUBS STARTING PRETTY DARN EARLY IN THE YEAR.

AND LIKE I SAID, THEY GO UNTIL JULY WHEN WE CAN START PICKING THEM.

THIS GREENHOUSE IS HEATED BY PASSIVE SOLAR.

SO THE BARRELS THAT WE HAVE AGAINST THE WALL ALL GET HEATED BY THE SUN.

AND USUALLY WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH LOSING PLANTS IN HERE.

THERE'S TIMES WHEN IT GETS TO 30 BELOW, WE NEED TO DO SOME SUPPLEMENTAL HEAT.

BUT IT'S HUNG IN THERE.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND IN A GOOD GREENHOUSE, AND WE DO THANK TINA FOR LETTING US TAKE A LOOK.

AND SOME OF US WHO LOVE FIGS ARE NOW HUNGRY AND JEALOUS.

SO, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT.

OF COURSE, OUR FIRST ONE IS OUR "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN GROWER ROW.

YOU CAN DONATE THAT PRODUCE TUESDAYS FROM 4:30 TO 7:00.

WE DO DONATE IT TO PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.

THE SECOND ONE, OF COURSE, IS US AT THE STATE FAIR THIS COMING MONDAY, AUGUST 28th, 4:15 LIVE Q&A.

5:00 P.M. THAT SHOW BEGINS, AND, YES, THE BUILDING IS AIR-CONDITIONED.

SO, ON THAT NOTE, KAIT, TWO PICTURES ON YOUR FIRST ONE HERE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM DULUTH, MINNESOTA.

THE PICS ARE A LITTLE HARD TO SEE.

BUT IF YOU LOOK IN THE EAVE UNDER THAT SATELLITE DISH ON PICTURE ONE.

PICTURE TWO ON THIS ONE IS WHAT THEY FOUND.

IT APPEARS TO BE WASPS GOING IN AND OUT, AND SHE WANTS TO KNOW BY THE NEST, IS THIS SEVERITY OF CONCERN AND SHOULD PROFESSIONALS BE CALLED TO REMOVE THE NEST?

>> SO IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A YELLOW JACKET WASP NEST.

YELLOW JACKETS ARE VERY STING-Y, YES.

THEY'LL GET AGGRESSIVE TRYING TO PROTECT THAT NEST.

AND WE USUALLY SEE THEM NESTING IN THE GROUND.

WE DON'T SEE AERIAL TOO OFTEN.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE RISK, I WOULD TRY CONTACTING A PROFESSIONAL FIRST.

AND IF YOU'RE AROUND THE NEST, TRY TO AVOID THE AREA.

BUT YOU SHOULD WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

EXCUSE ME.

THIS IS A LITTLE TRICKY TO SEE, BUT A LINCOLN VIEWER HAS A RAISED BED WHERE LETTUCES WERE GROWING.

SHE'S GOT ALL THESE BITTY BUGS.

THEY'RE NO LARGER THAN AN EIGHTH OF AN INCH, AND THEY'RE JUST EVERYWHERE.

>> SO IT'S A BIT HARD TO SEE FROM THIS PICTURE, BUT IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE IT'S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE GROUND BEETLES.

SO THAT FIRST PICTURE I HAD WAS A GROUND BEETLE LARVA.

WE GET ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT KINDS.

MOST ARE PREDATORS.

SOME DO FEED ON SEEDS, BUT IT'S REALLY HARD TO TELL FROM THE PICTURE.

BUT IT'S A BEETLE AT THE VERY LEAST.

>> ALRIGHT, AND ONE MORE.

AND, SHE WONDERS DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A FUNGUS GNAT OR ONE OF THOSE RED-EYED FRUIT FLIES OR IS IT SOME NEW STRAIN THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT?

>> IT'S MOST LIKELY A FRUIT FLY.

SO YOU NEED TO CHECK PLACES WITH ROTTING, DECAYING FRUIT, OVERRIPE THINGS, MAYBE EVEN TAKE THE TRASH OUT AND CLEAN OUT THE RECYCLING BIN.

>> ALRIGHT.

THANKS, KAIT.

JEFF, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

SHE SAYS THESE WEEDS HAVE BEEN TRIMMED DOWN, HILL CREEK IN OMAHA, AGAINST THE BACKYARD FENCE.

THEY'RE GROWING UP EVERYBODY'S FENCE AGAIN.

THEY'RE STARTING TO FLOWER.

IS THERE ANYTHING THEY CAN DO, AND WHAT ARE THEY?

SO YOUR SECOND PICTURE SHOWS US THESE HOPPY VINES.

>> YEAH.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE HOPS, THEN THEY'RE GOING TO BE PRETTY AGGRESSIVE.

AND ONCE YOU GET THEM STARTED, I'VE GROWN HOPS, AND THEY WERE GREAT.

THEN WHEN I DECIDED I DIDN'T WANT TO GROW HOPS ANYMORE, THEY KEPT COMING BACK.

SO, YOU'RE WANT TO GOING TO LOOK AT, AGAIN, TREATING WITH SOMETHING LIKE I HAD MENTIONED BEFORE, THE TRICLOPYR.

SOME SORT OF THREE-WAY MIX THAT YOU CAN GET.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE PERSISTENT WITH IT.

>> ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

AND YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE ALSO.

THIS COMES TO US FROM CHADRON, AND THEY SAW IT AT FORT ROBB.

THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN ACTUALLY CONTROL IT.

THIS IS SILVER LACE VINE.

>> YEAH, THIS IS GOING TO BE -- SO THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

I MEAN, THEY'RE BOTH VINY.

THE ONE, THE HOPS ARE GOING TO SPREAD MORE, YOU KNOW, UNDERGROUND, THROUGH RHIZOMES, AND THAT SORT OF THING.

THIS IS GOING TO BE MORE FROM SEED.

SO THIS IS PART OF THAT FAMILY.

SO I THINK I WOULD TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T CONTINUE TO FLOWER.

THAT WOULD BE THE ONE THING.

THEN AGAIN, TREATING WITH A THREE-WAY HERBICIDE, KIND OF A STUMP KILLER ON THOSE.

CUT THAT AND TREAT THE STUMPS.

>> ALRIGHT.

THANKS.

KYLE, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A NEW GROWTH ON THE PUMPKINS, BECAME LIGHTER GREEN WITH CURLY MOTTLING LEAVES.

GROWTH THEN CHANGED TO ALMOST ALL, SO YOU CAN SEE THAT SILVERY.

HIS CONCERN ON THIS ONE IS, IS THIS PUMPKIN VINE MOSAIC?

DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE NEW VINES.

>> MM-HMM.

IT CERTAINLY LOOKS VIRAL TO ME.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT VIRUSES THAT DIFFERENT CUCURBITS COULD GET.

COULD BE YELLOW VINE.

COULD BE SQUASH MOSAIC VIRUS.

COULD BE PUMPKIN MOSAIC VIRUS.

REALLY WITHOUT DOING A LAB TEST, THERE'S NO WAY TO CONFIRM.

BUT IT CERTAINLY LOOKS VIRAL, AND THERE'S REALLY NO CONTROLS FOR IT.

SO IT WOULD JUST BE A REMOVAL SITUATION.

>> OKAY.

YOU KNOW, ACTUALLY ANOTHER QUESTION ASSOCIATED WITH THAT IS, SHOULD HE EXPECT THAT NEXT YEAR, AND ARE THERE ANY RESISTANT VARIETIES?

>> THERE ARE LIKELY SOME -- WELL, YOU'D NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHICH VIRUS YOU'RE ACTUALLY DEALING WITH BEFORE WE CAN DO THE RESISTANT VARIETIES.

AND SO WE WOULD HAVE TO TEST THAT.

THERE ARE LIKELY SOME VARIETIES THAT ARE RESISTANT.

AS FAR AS NEXT YEAR, IF YOU AREN'T ROTATING YOUR PLANTS, THERE'S A CHANCE YOU WILL SEE IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR BECAUSE A LOT OF THOSE VIRUSES WILL -- THEY CAN SURVIVE IN OTHER WEEDY HOSTS.

AND SO ANYTHING ELSE AROUND THE GARDEN, IF YOU HAVE ANY WILD CUCUMBER, ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THAT CAN HARBOR A LOT OF THOSE TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DON'T PUT THOSE VINES IN THE COMPOST.

>> YES.

>> ALRIGHT.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

HASTINGS -- A HASTINGS VIEWER, KYLE.

>> OKAY.

SO, THIS HASTINGS VIEWER FOUND THIS IN THEIR LAWN UNDER A PIN OAK.

GOOD FOR SCALE.

GOOD FOR THE UNDERSIDE OF THE 'SHROOM ON THAT.

SHE WONDERS WHAT THIS IS AND WHAT SHOULD SHE DO ABOUT THIS ONE?

>> YEAH, SO I THINK IT'S ANOTHER ONE OF OUR BOLETES BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PORES UNDERNEATH.

I THINK THIS IS A SUEDE BOLETE.

AND SO WE HAVE A LOT OF BOLETES THAT HAVE KIND OF A REDDISH-ORANGE CAP BUT THEN THEY'LL BRUISE BLUE WHEN YOU PULL THEM.

AND SO I'M GUESSING WHEN SHE PULLED THOSE UP, THEY WERE YELLOW ON THE UNDERSIDE AND THEN THEY TURNED BLUE.

THEY'RE JUST FEEDING ON THE PIN OAK ROOTS MOST LIKELY.

SO THEY'RE NOT CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES.

AS LONG AS THE TREE IS THERE, YOU'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE MUSHROOMS POP UP.

YOU CAN JUST KICK THEM TO GET RID OF THEM.

>> ALRIGHT.

AND ONE MORE.

THIS IS A DESHLER VIEWER.

THIS HAPPENS EVERY SUMMER ON THESE PEONIES.

THEY'RE IN SHADE MOST OF THE DAY.

WHAT IS THIS AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH IT?

>> IT'S A NICE, LIGHT, WHITE VARIETY OF PEONY WITH POWDERY MILDEW.

SO POWDERY MILDEW THRIVES IN SHADY, WET CONDITIONS.

IF YOU'RE DEALING WITH IT EVERY YEAR, I WOULD MAYBE THINK ABOUT DOING SOME PRUNING TO INCREASE LIGHT IN THAT AREA.

THAT WILL DECREASE THE POWDERY MILDEW.

THERE ARE SOME FUNGICIDES OR COPPER PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE APPLIED, BUT GENERALLY THEY'RE NOT WARRANTED IN A HOME SITUATION.

>> ALRIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

TERRI, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

AND YOU MAY HAVE A LITTLE BACK-AND-FORTH WITH KYLE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A COTTONWOOD TREE NEAR THE CALAMUS.

25 YEARS AGO AS A SPRIG.

LAST FEW YEARS IT'S LOOKED LIKE THIS.

AND THE QUESTION HERE IS SHOULD THEY GO AHEAD AND CUT IT DOWN, AND WHAT IS THE "THIS."

>> WELL, I MEAN, THEY HAVE SOME INCLUDED BARK.

THEY HAVE SOME ISSUES WHERE THERE'S SOME ROT IN WHERE THE TWO LEADERS ARE COMING UP OUT OF THE TREE.

SHOULD HAVE BEEN CUT BACK WHEN THEY WERE SMALL, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

SO WE'VE COME TO THIS POSITION.

I WOULD PROBABLY RECOMMEND TAKING THIS DOWN.

KYLE CAN TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT.

>> YEAH.

IT EASILY COULD BE, ESPECIALLY THAT -- WHERE THE LOCATION OF THAT CANKER, THAT'S GOING TO BE A VERY WEAK POINT IN THE TREE FOREVER GOING FORWARD SO -- >> MY OTHER CONCERN WAS THAT IT WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE HOUSE.

>> ALRIGHT.

TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM FREMONT.

THIS IS NEW RED LEAVES ARE APPEARING BUT ARE TURNING BROWN AND FALLING OFF THIS JAPANESE MAPLE.

THIS LOOKS LIKE CRIMSON QUEEN.

SHE WATERS TWICE WEEKLY.

IT'S ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF A GARAGE.

>> YEAH, I THINK THIS IS A MANAGEMENT AND A HEAT ISSUE.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME REFLECTIVE HEAT OFF THAT BRICK WALL, AND YOU HAVE REFLECTIVE HEAT COMING OFF OF THE MULCH THAT IS ROCK.

SO MOST LIKELY THAT'S WHAT THAT IS.

IT'S ALSO PROBABLY GETTING WAY TOO MUCH HEAT RIGHT NOW, SO THEY'RE JUST REALLY NOT HAPPY.

THEY LIKE IT COOL AND SHADY.

>> THEY LIKE OUR COURTYARD.

>> THEY DO LIKE OUR COURTYARD.

>> ALRIGHT, AND YOU HAVE ONE FINAL PICTURE TONIGHT, TERRI.

THIS COMES TO US FROM A LINCOLN VIEWER.

HER QUESTION IS, HOW TALL DO MARIGOLDS GET BECAUSE I GUESS THAT'S PROBABLY A 5 OR 6 FOOT FENCE.

>> WELL, YEAH.

IT COULD BE MAYBE A 4 FOOT TOO.

BUT THEY CAN GET 4 FOOT, 5 FOOT.

IT DEPENDS ON WHICH VARIETY YOU CHOOSE.

>> HOW BIG ARE THE BIGGEST ONES WE'VE EVER HAD IN OUR GARDEN?

>> SO THE ONES IN OUR GARDEN, THE BIG DUCK AND ORANGE DUCK AND ALL THOSE, THEY GET TO BE, OH, 36 INCHES, SO 3 FOOT.

>> AS OPPOSED TO 6.

>> WELL, YEAH, NOT 6 BUT 3.

>> THREE.

HALF OF SIX.

ALRIGHT.

STILL FUN TO SEE IT HAPPEN LIKE THAT.

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

OF COURSE WE HAD A GREAT TIME.

WE ALWAYS DO.

THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED A QUESTION FOR THE SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES THIS EVENING, WE HAD JOHN CARIOTTO, CAROL ROSTAD, AND LINDA HELTON.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE WILL BE COMING TO YOU FROM OUR ANNUAL TRIP TO THE STATE FAIR.

WE DO HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US FOR A GREAT TIME AND HELP YOU ANSWER YOUR GARDEN QUESTIONS.

SO GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD GARDENING.

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

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