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

>>> TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT PLANTS THAT ATTRACT AND FEED BUTTERFLIES AND A GREEN ROOF PROJECT HERE IN LINCOLN.

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

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

I'M ELIZABETH EXSTROM FILLING IN FOR KIM AS WE TAKE THE NEXT HOUR TO ANSWER YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

IF YOU HAVE GARDEN QUESTIONS, PLEASE GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-676-5446.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US WITH PICTURES AND EMAILS FOR A FUTURE SHOW AND THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

WE NEED TO KNOW AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE.

WHERE YOU LIVE AND AS MUCH AS YOU CAN PROVIDE US ABOUT THAT QUESTION.

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

KYLE, YOU'RE FIRST.

>> YEAH, TONIGHT I HAVE WITH ME SOME ZEBRA SWALLOW TAIL CATERPILLARS FOR EVERYONE.

THESE ARE FIRST, MAYBE SECOND END STAR.

JUST VERY YOUNG CATERPILLARS.

GOT A COUPLE ON THESE LEAVES.

WHEN THEY START OUT, THEY'RE THIS KIND SOLID BLACK WITH VERY LIGHT BANDING.

KIND OF A WHITE AND YELLOW BANDING.

THEN AS THEY MATURE THEY'LL EVENTUALLY TURN KIND OF A GREEN COLOR WITH THAT SIMILAR BANDING.

THEY'LL REACH MAYBE AN INCH AND A HALF, TWO INCHES OR SO IN SIZE.

ULTIMATELY WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BECOME IS A BUTTERFLY LIKE I HAVE RIGHT HERE.

SO THIS IS A PINNED EXAMPLE OF THE ADULT.

SO THIS IS REALLY ONE OF OUR MOST STRIKING BUTTERFLIES IN THE STATE.

YOU CAN SEE WHERE THEY GET THE NAME ZEBRA SWALLOW TAIL FROM, FROM THAT BLACK AND WHITE STRIPING.

THEY'RE REALLY SPECIALIZED ON ONE PARTICULAR PLANT.

SO THESE CATERPILLARS ONLY FEED ON PAWPAW TREES.

AND SO LIKE ALL BUTTERFLIES, THE WAY WE ATTRACT THEM -- YOU NEED THE LARVA HOST AS WELL AS GOOD NECTAR SOURCES FOR ADULTS.

BUT YOU KNOW, IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN YOUR LANDSCAPE, I WOULD SUGGEST CONSIDERING PLANTING A PAWPAW TREE.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING.

>> AWESOME.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

ALL RIGHT DENNIS, YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING INTERESTING PROPS THERE.

>> YES.

SURE DO.

WELL IT'S JULY.

THE TIME THAT BATS GO TO FLY.

THIS IS WHEN YOU CAN CONTROL THEM.

WE ALWAYS SAY WAIT UNTIL JULY.

LET THEM FLY UNTIL JULY.

NOW YOU CAN EXCLUDE THEM.

IF YOU HAVE A SLIT THEY'RE COMING OUT OF, HANG SOME NETTING THERE.

THEY CAN COME OUT, GET BELOW IT, BUT CAN'T GET BACK.

IF THEY'RE COMING OUT OF A CORNER, YOU HAVE THESE CONE DEVICES OR A JUST A HOLE YOU HAVE THIS DEVICE.

THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR YOU'LL SEE THE YOUNG BATS.

THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR TO EXCLUDE THEM.

IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION GO TO WILDLIFE@UNL.EDU AND A WHOLE VIDEO ON HOW TO EXCLUDE THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, DENNIS.

AMY, WHAT DO YOU WE HAVE THERE?

>> MY VERY SAD AND PATHETIC PEPPERS FROM MY OWN PERSONAL GARDEN.

SO I NEED TO LEARN WHERE TO BUY MY PLANTS FROM EVERY YEAR.

SO THESE -- WHAT I HAVE GOING ON TODAY IS BACTERIAL BLIGHT.

AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE ALL THAT DEATH AND NASTINESS.

IT STARTED OFF AS A WATER SOAKED LESION WHERE IT LOOKS YET AND THEN IT PROGRESSES INTO THESE REALLY DARK BROWN WATER WET LESIONS.

THEN AS IT CONTINUES TO GO, YOU'LL HAVE THE LEAF BLIGHTING AND THE SLOW DEATH OF THAT PLANT.

NOW THE REASON WHY I SAID I NEED TO LEARN WHERE I GET MY PLANTS FROM.

THIS IS A DISEASE THAT WE TYPICALLY BRING IN WITH OUR TRANSPLANTS.

AND SO THIS IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE BUYING PLANTS FROM A VERY GOOD GREENHOUSE.

I BOUGHT MY FROM A LOCAL BOX STORE.

THEY WERE CHEAP.

BUT WITH DECREASED OR DISCOUNTED PRICE, I ALSO BROUGHT DISEASE IN.

SO THE TRICK WITH THESE -- IT'S EARLY IN THE SEASON WITH IT BEING IN JULY.

MOST LIKELY I WON'T GET THE FRUIT PRODUCTION THAT I WANT.

YOU CAN TRY PINCHING OFF THE LEAVES.

BUT IF YOU'RE IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS, WHERE WE'VE BEEN GETTING RAINED IT IS RAIN SPLASHING AND MOVING VERY QUICKLY UP THE PLANT.

SO I'M ACTUALLY IN A SITUATION WHERE I NEED TO ROGUE OUT THE PLANTS.

TO KEEP THE ONES THAT I DO HAVE THAT ARE NOT INFECTED HEALTHY, SO I DO GET SOME PEPPER PRODUCTION FOR THIS YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT, AMY.

TERRI, LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A SAMPLE THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT.

>> I DO.

I'M ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN EVERY WEEK.

SO I THOUGHT I WOULD BRING MY LITTLE CORNUCOPIA.

LAST WEEK WAS OUR FIRST BIG HARVEST WEEK OUT OF THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND WE GOT SHALLOTS AND, IF YOU REMEMBER, WE TALKED ABOUT GARLIC PLANTING LAST FALL.

HERE'S A PEPPER.

AMY, YOU CAN TAKE THAT HOME SINCE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY GOOD ONES.

WE HAVE SUMMER SQUASH GOING AND SOME OF OUR JAPANESE EGGPLANTS ARE READY.

SO THIS IS WHAT WE HARVESTED LAST WEEK OUT OF THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, TERRI.

MOVING ON, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO OUR PICTURE QUESTIONS.

KYLE, YOUR FIRST ONE IS FROM AN OMAHA VIEWER AND THEY HAVE BUTTERFLY WEED AND RHODODENDRON AND THEY'RE HAVING THESE SIMILAR SYMPTOMS.

THE PLANTS ARE SIX FEET APART.

AND THEY'RE JUST WONDERING KIND OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEM?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW BUTTERFLY BUSH OR PLANT OR MILK WEED.

APHIDS ARE REALLY COMMON ON THEM.

I DON'T REALLY SEE ANY APHIDS ON THIS.

USUALLY WE SEE THOSE CONCENTRATED ON THE TOP OF THE PLANT.

ESPECIALLY AROUND WHERE THOSE FLOWERS ARE.

AND THEY'RE BRIGHT YELLOW.

AND THOSE APHIDS, THEY WOULDN'T AFFECT THE OTHER PLANTS.

THEY'RE PRETTY SPECIFIC.

SO I DON'T SEE ANY INSECT RELATED ISSUE THAT I CAN IDENTIFY IN THESE.

I'M WONDERING IF IT'S ENVIRONMENTAL OR A WATER ISSUE.

I DON'T KNOW, TERRI, IF YOU HAVE ANY -- >> YEAH, SO -- DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY'RE AT, IF THEY'RE GETTING A LOT OF RAIN AND IT'S SITTING IN WET THAT COULD BE -- THAT LOOKED LIKE AN ENVIRONMENTAL, LIKE IT WAS TOO WET.

>> OKAY.

>> AND SO WE HAVE SOME FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS.

KYLE, THERE'S AN OMAHA VIEWER THEY HAVE A VERY LARGE COTTONWOOD TREE.

THEY'RE STARTING TO GET THESE SHAVINGS.

INITIALLY THEY THOUGHT IT COULD BE SQUIRRELS, BUT THEN THEY SAID THEY HAVE A LOT OF LARGE BLACK ANTS AROUND THE TREE.

THEY DO SAY THAT THEY HAVE THE OCCASIONAL WOODPECKER EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

AND THEY'RE JUST KIND OF WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS LARGE COTTONWOOD?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, THE SHAVINGS DON'T LOOK LIKE THEY'RE CARPENTER ANT RELATED.

BUT THERE CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE CARPENTER ANTS IN THE TREE.

SO YOU KNOW, THAT'S OBVIOUSLY A SIGN TO ME THAT THE TREE DOES HAVE SOME DECAY, SOME ROT THAT'S SET IN.

CARPENTER ANTS AREN'T FEEDING ON HEALTHY TISSUE.

THEY'RE BASICALLY FEEDING ON SOFT, KIND OF ROTTING WOOD.

THEY DON'T FEED ON IT, BUT THEY EXCAVATE THAT OUT.

THAT TELLS ME THERE IS AN ISSUE.

I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S FROM ANTS OR IF THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON.

I WOULD SUGGEST IT MIGHT NOT BE A BAD IDEA TO HAVE THAT TREE CHECKED OUT BY AN ARBORIST.

TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND YOU KNOW IF THERE ARE CARPENTER ANTS IN THERE, MAYBE CONSIDER A PEST CONTROL COMPANY TO TREAT THOSE.

I DON'T RECOMMEND DOING THAT YOURSELF.

BUT IF IT'S CLOSE TO THE HOUSE AND THERE'S AN ISSUE WHERE THEY COULD COME IN, SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

>> ALL RIGHT SO THEY NEED SOMEBODY TO JUST TAKE A LOOK AT IT?

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY DENNIS, WE HAVE A GOOD QUESTION FOR YOU.

THIS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THEY USUALLY KEEP BAGS OF BIRD FOOD UNDER THE DECK IN A BUCKET.

WHEN THEY CAME HOME FROM MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND THEY FOUND THIS DAMAGE.

THEY WERE WONDERING WHO DONE IT?

>> THIS IS USUALLY, IT LOOKS LIKE A GROUND SQUIRREL OR EVEN FIELD MICE.

AND PLASTIC DOES NOT STOP THEM.

THEIR TEETH AND DENTITION CAN GO RIGHT THROUGH PLASTIC.

YOU HAVE TO USE A METAL TYPE OF CONTAINER.

AND THEY'RE GRANIVORES AND THEY LOVE SEED.

>> AND WE HAVE ANOTHER HUNGRY CRITTER FROM RURAL CASS COUNTY.

THEY WERE HUNGRY ENOUGH TO EAT THEIR FIBROUS DOOR MAT.

THEY WERE WONDERING WHAT COULD HAVE DONE THAT.

>> AGAIN, PROBABLY GROUND SQUIRRELS ARE ONES THAT WOULD DO THIS.

THEY'RE USING IT FOR NESTING MATERIAL.

IT'S PROBABLY MORE DEER MICE THAT ALSO USE THIS AS -- IT SAYS WELCOME ON IT.

AND THEY JUST THOUGHT IT MEANT THEM.

AND SO THEY'RE WELCOMING THEMSELVES TO THIS MATERIAL.

THEY'RE NOT EATING IT.

THEY'RE USING IT AS NESTING MATERIAL.

>> THANK YOU, DENNIS.

AMY, WE'VE GOT A COUPLE PHOTOS HERE.

THEY WERE A DOGWOOD.

THEY'VE DONE THEIR SOIL SAMPLES AND THEIR PH.

THEY'RE TRYING TO FIX THE PH ISSUE.

THEY HAVE SOME SLOW-DRIP DONUTS AROUND THEM.

SO THE TREES GET ENOUGH MOISTURE.

BUT THEY'RE JUST WONDERING IF IT POSSIBLY COULD IT BE FUNGAL?

COULD IT BE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON WITH THESE DOGWOODS?

>> SO THE THIRD PICTURE ACTUALLY GIVES YOU THE BEST PICTURE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

YOU SEE THOSE BROWN LESIONS IN THERE.

THIS REALLY LOOKS LIKE ANTHRACNOSE ON DOGWOOD.

AND THIS IS A FLOWERING DOGWOOD.

THE TRICK WITH ANTHRACNOSE IS IT'S TYPICALLY NOT A MAJOR ISSUE WE'LL WORRY ABOUT ON THE LEAVES, BUT IT CAN MOVE INTO THE STEMS, WHICH ISN'T REAL COMING.

IN FLOWERING DOGWOODS -- IF IT WAS LIKE A RED TWIG DOGWOOD KILL OUT THE BRANCHES AND THE -- >> STEMS.

>> STEMS.

THANK YOU.

I CAN'T THINK TONIGHT.

SO MOST OF THE TIME I DON'T RECOMMEND TREATMENT.

I CAN'T REMEMBER DID THEY SAY THEY WERE AROUND GAUGE COUNTY AREA?

>> THEY WERE AROUND GAUGE COUNTY AREA.

>> SO THE TRICK IS GAUGE COUNTY IS YOU'VE BEEN GETTING SOME RAINS.

IF YOU CONTINUE GETTING RAINS, AND SINCE THESE ARE A NEW ESTABLISHMENT, YOU MAY WANT TO COME IN WITH A COPPER TREATMENT JUST TO PROTECT THAT MAIN STEM OF THAT DOGWOOD.

SINCE IT'S SUCH A NEW PLANTING.

BUT THIS IS ANTHRACNOSE OF DOGWOOD.

>> AND WE HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION FOR YOU.

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LEAVES ON THEIR 30-FOOT TALL RED OAK STARTED TO GO BROWN.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE OAK?

>> WOW.

IT'S ANTHRACNOSE ONCE AGAIN.

OTHERWISE BY LOOKING AT IT, IT COULD BE -- BY LOOKING AT IT ANOTHER FUNGAL DISEASE.

BUT I TYPICALLY DON'T SEE THAT UNTIL THE FALL OR LATE SUMMER.

I'M GOING TO LEAN TOWARD ANTHRACNOSE.

ONCE AGAIN WITH ANTHRACNOSE I AM NOT GOING TO RECOMMEND A TREATMENT ON YOUR OAK.

BUT WHAT WE DO WANT TO DO IS GOOD SANITATION IN THE FALL.

AND THE OTHER TRICK IS IF WE HAVE GOOD AIR CIRCULATION, IT WILL REDUCE IT.

SO MAYBE CALLING AN ARBORIST AND SEE IF YOU NEED TO DO ANY PRUNING.

TO INCREASE AIR FLOW WITHIN THAT RED OAK.

THAT WOULD DEFINITELY BE SOMETHING TO LOOK IN TO.

>> THANK YOU, AMY.

TERRI, WE HAVE A GIBBON VIEWER THAT HAS HARVESTED THEIR GOOSE BERRY CROP AND THEY HAVE A QUESTION ON HOW TO PROPERLY PRUNE GOOSEBERRIES.

>> WELL SO -- GOOSEBERRIES YOU WANT TO ACTUALLY TAKE THAT CENTER PIECE OUT.

SO THAT WAY YOU GET GOOD AIR CIRCULATION AND LIGHT IN THERE.

BECAUSE YOU WANT TO PRODUCE FRUIT.

BUT FRUIT IS ACTUALLY PRODUCED ON OLD WOOD.

SO YOU NEED TO KIND OF KEEP AN EYE ON ALL THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE PRUNING BACK THE OLDER -- NOT PRUNING BACK THE OLDER WOOD SO THE FLOWER SETS ON IT.

SO KEEP AN EYE ON -- YOU WANT ONE-YEAR WOOD, TWO-YEAR WOOD AND THREE-YEAR WOOD.

SO YOU'RE PROBABLY HAVE TO MARK THEM OR SOMETHING SO YOU KNOW.

BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED TO IN ORDER TO GET GOOD GOOSEBERRY.

AND THEN WE ALL EXPECT A PIE.

>> AND WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION, IF WE DON'T GET OUR PIE.

THIS IS ROSE OF SHARON.

THERE'S ONE BRANCH WITH A GROWTH THAT'S LARGER THAN ANOTHER.

IT HASN'T DONE ANYTHING THIS YEAR.

BUT IT'S NOT WEAK AND IT CANNOT BE EASILY REMOVED BY HAND.

THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS.

THIS IS A GRISWOLD, IOWA, VIEWER.

>> SO THIS IS JUST ENVIRONMENTAL.

THIS IS WHAT MINE LOOKED LIKE THIS TWO YEARS AGO.

SO I ACTUALLY DID GO AHEAD AND CUT OUT THE DEAD AND TRIED TO SEE IF I COULD SURVIVE IT.

BUT IT REALLY DIDN'T.

SO I ENDED UP TAKING THE WHOLE THING OUT.

SO THAT'S JUST ENVIRONMENTAL.

IT'S GETTING OLDER.

IT'S AN OLDER PLANT.

YOU CAN CUT THAT DEAD PIECE OUT.

MAKE SURE IT'S WELL WATERED IF YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANY OF THE RAIN AND SEE WHAT IT DOES FOR NEXT YEAR.

BUT IT WILL COME OUT OF IT, BUT IT MIGHT END UP DYING.

THAT'S WHAT MINE ENDED UP DOING.

>> THANK YOU, TERRI, FOR SHARING.

SO ONE OF THE NICE THINGS ABOUT COLOR AND ORNAMENTALS IN YOUR GARDEN IS ALL THE BUTTERFLIES THEY ATTRACT.

SO FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE TONIGHT, KAIT CHAPMAN WILL FOCUS ON PLANTS THAT HELP CATERPILLARS AND THE ADULT BUTTERFLIES.

♪ ♪ >>> SPENDING QUALITY TIME OUTDOORS OFTEN MEANS SPENDING TIME WITH INSECTS.

ALTHOUGH THESE CREEPY CRAWLIES MAY NOT BE EVERYONE'S CUP OF TEA, THERE'S ALMOST ALWAYS AN EXCEPTION FOR BUTTERFLIES.

BUTTERFLIES CAN COME IN ALL DIFFERENT SHAPES, SIZES AND COLORS.

BRINGING JOY AND BEAUTY TO ANY LANDSCAPE.

WE OFTEN GET TO SEE BUTTERFLIES LIKE SULPHURS, SWALLOWTAILS, MONARCHS AND SKIPPERS.

AND IF WE'RE LUCKY, MAYBE YOU'LL EVEN ENCOUNTER A DAY FLYING HUMMINGBIRD MOTH.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ATTRACTING AND KEEPING BUTTERFLIES IN YOUR LANDSCAPE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO CATER TO ALL OF ITS LIFE STAGES.

THIS INCLUDES HAVING HOST PLANTS AVAILABLE FOR THE CATERPILLARS TO EAT AS WELL AS SEASON-LONG BLOOMS AVAILABLE FOR THE ADULTS.

ALMOST ALL BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS FEED ON LEAVES AND HAVE A LIMITED RANGE OF HOST PLANTS THEY CAN EAT.

OFTENTIMES WE INTENTIONALLY PLANT THESE HOST PLANTS FOR THAT EXACT USE.

AN EXAMPLE OF THIS WOULD BE PLANTING MILK WEED IN A POLLINATOR GARDEN TO ENSURE THAT MONARCH BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS HAVE HABITAT AND FOOD TO EAT.

OTHER TIMES WE GET AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE OF CATERPILLARS FEEDING ON PLANTS THAT WE WEREN'T ORIGINALLY INTENDING TO SHARE.

THIS COULD LOOK LIKE BLACK SWALLOWTAIL CATERPILLARS FEEDING ON DILL AND PARSLEY IN AN HERB GARDEN.

AS WELL AS CHECKER SPOT BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS THAT WILL FEED IN GROUPS AND QUICKLY SKELETONIZE AND DEFOLIATE PLANTS LIKE BLACK-EYED SUSANS.

IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CATERPILLARS CAUSING TOO MUCH DAMAGE ON THESE PLANTS.

YOU CAN PLAN AHEAD AND PLANT SOME EXTRA EARLY ON IN THE GROWING SEASON OR YOU CAN CAREFULLY MOVE THE CATERPILLARS TO ONE OR TWO SACRIFICIAL PLANTS THAT YOU DON'T MIND SHARING WITH THEM WHILE YOU KEEP THE OTHERS NICE AND HEALTHY.

WHILE DIFFERENT CATERPILLARS CAN ONLY EAT SPECIFIC TYPES OF PLANTS, ADULT BUTTERFLIES ARE LESS PICKY.

THEY DO PREFER FLOWERS THAT PROVIDE LANDING SITES FOR THEM WHERE THEY CAN REST WHILE THEY EAT NECTAR.

EXAMPLES OF THIS WOULD BE LARGE BLOOMS LIKE CONE FLOWERS OR CLUSTERS OF SMALL FLORETS AS WELL SUCH AS BUTTERFLY WEED OR FAUX.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CREATING HABITATS FOR BUTTERFLIES ARE TO GROW PLANTS IN SUNNY AREAS WITH SOME WIND PROTECTIONS AND PRACTICING INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF INSECTICIDES WE PUT INTO THE ENVIRONMENT.

SO, AS WE GO ON LATER IN THE SEASON AND YOU SPEND TIME OUTDOORS, BE SURE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THESE PEOPLE-PLEASING INSECTS.

>> SO HAVING A DIVERSITY OF ORNAMENTALS AS WELL AS FOOD SOURCES FOR THE CATERPILLARS WILL BE A BIG HELP IN PRESERVING OUR BUTTERFLIES.

TALKING ABOUT MORE INSECTS, KYLE -- >> YEAH.

>> WE'RE ON ANOTHER ROUND OF PICTURE QUESTIONS.

SO, THIS VIEWER IS WEST NIOBRARA ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER.

THEY HAVE A MAPLE TREE AND IT'S STARTING TO DROP LEAVES.

AND THEY KIND OF WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> SURE.

THESE ARE MAPLE BLADDER GALLS.

SO THESE ARE CAUSED BY A VERY, VERY SMALL ERIOPHYID MITES.

THEY'RE MICROSCOPIC.

AND YOU CAN'T SEE THEM WITH THE NAKED EYE.

AND BASICALLY, AS THE LEAVES ARE DEVELOPING IN THE SPRING THAT'S WHEN THEY COME OUT AND THEY START FEEDING AND THEY MANIPULATE THE PLANT INTO PRODUCING THESE GROWTHS AROUND THEM.

SO, AT THIS POINT, THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO.

THEY'RE PROTECTED IN THAT GALL.

THERE'S JUST REALLY NOTHING TO BE DONE.

THEY DON'T REALLY HARM THE TREE.

IN MOST CASES ONLY I WOULD SAY VERY, VERY HEAVILY INFESTED LEAVES THEY CAN START TO DROP AROUND THIS TIME OF YEAR.

BUT EVEN AT THAT, IT'S REALLY NOT HARMING THE TREE EVEN UNDER REAL HEAVY INFESTATION.

SO, I WOULD SAY FOR THE MOST PART IT'S NOT ANYTHING YOU NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT UNLESS IT'S A REALLY YOUNG TREE THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE A LITTLE BIT MORE SUSCEPTIBLE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE TO TIME THAT TREATMENT WITH WINDOWS MITES WOULD BE BECOMING ACTIVE AS THOSE LEAVES JUST COMING OUT.

SO, WHEN THEY ARE MAYBE ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH IN SIZE.

>> OKAY.

WE'VE GOT TWO MORE PICTURES FOR YOU FROM OMAHA.

THEY HAVE A TAILOR SUNBURST JACKPINE.

AND THEY WERE CURIOUS BECAUSE THEY SAW A LOT OF WASPS ON THEIR PINETREE AND WHEN THEY LOOKED CLOSER THEY FOUND A LOT OF WHITE AND BROWN SPOTS.

THEY'RE WONDERED IF THERE'S ANY THEY NEEDED TO TREAT.

>> YEAH, IT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

SO, IT LOOKS LIKE HERE IN THIS SECOND IMAGE THAT THESE ARE BLACK PINELEAF SCALES.

THERE MIGHT ALSO BE PINE NEEDLE SCALES WHICH WOULD BE A WHITE SCALE.

THEY OFTEN OCCUR TOGETHER.

THE BLACK PINELEAF SCALES CAN BE A PROBLEM.

THEY'RE USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH A TREE THAT IS STRESSED.

YOU KNOW, COULD BE WATER DEFICIT, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT THEY CAN CAUSE A PROBLEM, THOUGH, THEY'RE NOT USUALLY THAT MUCH OF AN ISSUE IN THE MIDWEST.

MORE OUT WEST WHERE THEY'RE A BIGGER PROBLEM.

SO, IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

WE PROBABLY MISSED THE WINDOW FOR TREATING THOSE CRAWLERS NOW.

THAT'S PROBABLY MORE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, MAYBE JUNE OR SO WHEN THOSE CRAWLERS ARE ACTIVE.

SO I WOULD SUGGEST WATCHING FOR THOSE NEXT SPRING.

YOU CAN USE LIKE SOME DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE OR SOMETHING.

TRY TO WATCH FOR THOSE TINY LITTLE CRAWLERS.

AS THEY BECOME ACTIVE, THEY'LL BE KIND OF A RED OR REDDISH BROWN AND THEN YOU CAN GIVE A TREATMENT WITH AN INSECTICIDAL SOAP OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO TREAT THOSE CRAWLERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

OKAY DENNIS, YOUR FIRST PHOTO HERE IS FROM DAWSON COUNTY.

AND THERE IS A CRITTER DIGGING IN THE DIRT.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHO CAUSED IT.

>> IT'S THIS GUY.

IT'S A PLAINS POCKET GOPHER.

AND GOPHERS ARE COMMON ACROSS THE WHOLE STATE.

AND YOU CAN TRAP THEM OR USE A POISON.

>> OKAY.

THE NEXT QUESTION THAT WE HAVE IS FROM PAPILLION.

THEY SEE THESE TWO LITTLE CHIPMUNKS IS WHAT THEY CALL THEM PLAYING ON THEIR PATIO AND BY THEIR DECK STEPS.

THEY'RE WONDERING IF THESE LITTLE CRITTERS WILL CAUSE ANY DAMAGE OR SHOULD THEY TRY TO TRAP AND REMOVE THEM.

>> THESE ARE THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRRELS.

WE VIRTUALLY DON'T HAVE CHIPMUNKS IN NEBRASKA 'CAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE TREES AND WE'RE NOT A TREE STATE.

BUT THESE GUYS DIG SMALL HOLES ABOUT THE SIZE OF A GOLF BALL.

SO UNLESS YOU HAVE GOLF IN YOUR YARD THEY'RE NOT GONNA CAUSE MUCH DAMAGE.

THEY WILL EAT SMALL THINGS LIKE ZUCCHINI AND SMALL BLOSSOMS OF PLANTS LIKE PEPPERS AND STUFF, BUT THEY DON'T EAT THAT MUCH.

I MEAN, THEY'LL EAT LESS THAN ONE OF YOUR KIDS.

SO GO AHEAD AND HAVE FUN WITH THEM.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ONLY YOU WOULD SAY THAT DENNIS.

OKAY, FOR THIS LAST PHOTO FOR THIS ROUND, WE HAVE A HASTINGS VIEWER.

AND THEY HAVE A CREATURE THAT TENDS TO BRING ANIMAL CARCASSES AND HIDE THEM UNDER THEIR GRILL.

THE PICTURE THAT THEY SENT TO US IS OF THE SCAT THEY FOUND IN AN AREA NEARBY AND THEY WERE WONDERING WHAT KIND OF CREATURE WOULD DRAG CARCASSES AND HIDE THEM UNDER THEIR GRILL.

>> WELL, THE THING THAT WOULD DRAG CARCASSES IS A WEASEL OR A MINK.

THIS LOOKS MORE LIKE BECAUSE OF THE FUR COLOR AND THE SEED MATERIAL IN THIS SCAT, IT LOOKS LIKE AN OPOSSUM SCAT.

SO YOU MAY HAVE TWO THINGS.

YOU MAY HAVE A WEASEL STASHING ITS FOOD UNDER YOUR GRILL AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SPICES AND GREASE THAT FALL FROM THE GRILL TO KIND OF ENHANCE THE FLAVOR OF THAT ROADKILL.

SOMETHING I WOULD PROBABLY DO.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT WITH THE FUR IN THERE IN THIS ONE, DEFINITELY IS DEFECATION.

LOOKS LIKE A SMALL OPOSSUM.

>> AND CONTROL ON WEASELS?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO CONTROL A WEASEL?

>> I WOULDN'T.

>> YOU WOULDN'T.

THE HOMEOWNER WOULD LIKE TO CONTROL THE WEASEL.

I FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T LIKE THE CARCASSES UNDER THEIR GRILL.

SO WHAT COULD THEY DO TO PREVENT THAT?

>> PUT A SCREEN AROUND UNDER THE GRILL OR YOU CAN JUST CLEAN UP SO THERE'S NO GREASE AND CLEAN YOUR GRILL AFTER YOU USE IT INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL THE NEXT TIME YOU USE IT.

>> OKAY, AND THAT'S GONNA HELP TO KEEP THE WEASEL AWAY?

>> RIGHT.

>> AND ANYTHING TO DO FOR THE OPOSSUM, AS YOU SAY?

>> NO.

>> OKAY.

HOW ABOUT IF THE HOMEOWNER CHOSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE OPOSSUM?

>> OPOSSUMS ARE FINE.

>> OKAY, I TRIED.

AMY, FOR YOUR QUESTION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THIS VIEWER THINKS THAT THEY POSSIBLY COULD HAVE SOME FUNGUS IN THEIR YARD.

THEY'RE NOT REALLY SURE WHETHER OR NOT IT IS.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON?

>> SO I'M LEANING, WHEN I LOOK AT THESE PICTURES YOU HAVE SOME BRIGHT TURF AND THEN A BUNCH OF BROWN DEAD STUFF.

I'M LEANING TOWARDS SUMMER PATCH WHICH IS A SOIL-BORNE FUNGUS.

IT IMPACTS THE RUTS.

YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU'RE AT IN THE STATE, WE CAN BE EXTREMELY DRY.

AND SO WE'LL SEE SUMMER PATCH ONCE WE GET THE DROUGHT-LIKE CONDITIONS BECAUSE THERE'S NO RUTS.

THE ONE BIG THING AS YOUR NOTICING IS HE SEE SOME OF IT GREEN AND SOME OF IT'S NOT.

AND SO, I WOULD LEAN TOWARDS YOU PROBABLY HAVE A MIXED VARIETY OF TURF IN HERE.

AND SO ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO MANAGE SUMMER PATCHES IS ACTUALLY OVERSEEDING THIS FALL WITH A RESISTANT VARIETY OF BLUE GRASS IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOUR LAWN AND THAT WILL HELP FILL IN THOSE BROWN SPOTS AND THAT WILL TAKE OVER AND YOU SHOULD HAVE A GREEN LAWN EVENTUALLY.

>> SO IN TERMS OF TREATMENTS, IS THERE ANY TREATMENTS THAT THEY NEED TO DO OR COULD DO TO PREVENT IT?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

THERE ARE SOIL-APPLY TREATMENTS.

BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE THOSE APPLICATIONS EARLY IN THE SPRING.

SO ACTUALLY, WAY BACK IN APRIL.

AND SO, WE'RE PAST THAT WINDOW.

IN ALL REALITY, WHEN YOU LOOK FOR YOUR BANG FOR YOUR BUCK, YOU'RE BETTER OFF JUST OVERSEEDING WITH A RESISTANT VARIETY THAN TRYING TO PUT FUNGICIDES DOWN BECAUSE THOSE ROOTS ARE SO IMPACTING TO GET THAT REGROWTH OF THOSE RUTS IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF TIME.

OVERSEEDING'S A LOT EASIER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO, FOR YOUR NEXT PHOTO, WE HAVE A LINCOLN VIEWER.

AND THEY HAVE A KNOCK-OUT ROSE.

THEY WERE WONDERING WHY THE KNOCK-OUT ROSE ON THAT ONE SIDE HAS SOME STRINGY, NOT SO NICE-LOOKING LEAVES.

>> WELL, I FIND IT VERY PRETTY.

SO THE STRINGY LEAVES, IF YOU ALSO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK, I BET YOU'RE ALSO HAVING A LOT OF EXCESS THORNS.

THIS IS ROSE ROSETTE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A VIRAL DISEASE.

AND WHEN WE LOOK AT KNOCK-OUT ROSES IN GENERAL THEY'RE GRAFTED.

AND SO SOMETIMES ONE PART OF THE PLANT CAN BE INFECTED VERSUS THE OTHER DEPENDING ON HOW THAT GRAFT IS.

NOW THIS IS INSECT TRANSMITTED AND YOU CAN TRANSMIT IT FROM OTHER ROSES WITH YOUR PRUNERS.

SO TYPICALLY, WHEN WE HAVE A PLANT THAT HAS ROSE ROSETTE WE'RE GONNA WANT TO REMOVE IT FROM THE LANDSCAPE TO ENSURE WE DON'T GIVE MOVEMENT TO THE OTHER ROSES IN THE LANDSCAPE.

LONG TERM THE PLANT WILL SURVIVE.

IT JUST NOT GONNA THRIVE AS WELL.

IT'S GOING TO GET STUNTED.

IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO LIVE OVER WINTER WELL AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE BLOSSOMS THAT YOU'RE AFTER.

SO, REMOVE IT AND THEN REPLACE IT THIS FALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, AMY.

OKAY TERRI, WE HAVE A FUN I.D.

FOR YOUR NEXT ONE.

THIS FROM PALMYRA.

AND THEY WERE WONDERING WHAT THIS LARGE TREE IS.

IT GROWS TO ABOUT 12 FEET TALL.

IT'S GOT VERY SOFT WOOD AND ONCE IT DROPS ITS LEAVES THE STOCK NEVER LEAFS OUT AGAIN.

THEY NOTE THAT IT TENDS TO BE RATHER INVASIVE, BUT MAKES SUCH A NICE PRIVACY FENCE THAT THEY DON'T MIND IT BUT THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS.

>> SO THIS IS NOT NATIVE, OBVIOUSLY.

THIS IS ROYAL PAULOWNIA BARELY HEARTY HERE.

THIS ACTUALLY CAME FROM CHINA.

SO THE ROOT BASICALLY STAYS ALIVE UNDERGROUND, BUT IT WILL SEND UP NEW CHUTES.

SO THAT'S WHY IT DROPS ITS LEAVES.

WHEN IT DROP THE LEAVES, IT DROPS THEM ALL AT ONCE.

IF YOU WERE FURTHER EAST, YOU'D ACTUALLY GET THESE PRETTY PURPLE FLOWERS THAT COME ON IT, BUT WE NORMALLY NEVER SEE THEM HERE.

YOU USUALLY FIND THESE IN KIND OF THOSE MAIL-ORDER CATALOGS THAT SAY, "FAST-GROWING TREES."

THAT'S USUALLY WHAT THIS IS.

>> AND THEY'RE NOT LYING THAT IT IS A FAST-GROWING TREE.

>> IT IS VERY FAST GROWING.

YOUR NEXT PHOTO IS FROM NORTH OF BRANCH OAK LAKE.

THEY HAVE FIVE DAPPLE WILLOWS THAT ARE ALL ABOUT 9 YEARS OLD.

THE DIEBACK THAT THEY'RE NOTICING HAPPENED WITHIN A DAY OR TWO WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS OF EACH OTHER.

AND SO THEY WERE WONDERING WHAT THE CAUSE OF THIS DIEBACK COULD POSSIBLY BE.

THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE SOME BROWN GROWN GRASS AROUND THE BASE.

THEY UNDERSTAND THAT'S NOT THE BEST FOR COMPETITION BUT THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING THE DEATH OF THEIR SHRUBS.

>> SO THIS ONE I'M GOING TO KIND OF LEAN TOWARDS PROBABLY SOME KIND OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE.

AND IT COULD BE POTENTIALLY A ROOT ISSUE.

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN GIVING IT ANY EXTRA WATER, THEN EVEN THOUGH WILLOWS LIKE WATER.

SO IT BEING VERY DRY THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY WHAT IT IS.

AND THE OTHER ONES AREN'T DYING BECAUSE THEIR ROOTS ARE PROBABLY MUCH MORE OPEN AND ABLE TO MOVE OUT TO GO SEEK MORE WATER.

WITH THIS WILLOW WHAT I WOULD DO IS I WOULD PROBABLY JUST LEAVE IT SIT.

CUT IT BACK THIS FALL AND SEE IF IT WON'T COME BACK UP FROM THE ROOT NEXT SPRING.

BUT THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT I WOULD DO FOR THIS ONE.

>> THANK YOU, TERRI.

SO IT'S TIME TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON OUT AT OUR GARDEN.

AND TERRI JAMES HAS ANOTHER ALL-AMERICAN SELECTION FOR US TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUT IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARDS FARMER" GARDEN, WE'RE CONTINUING LOOKING AT OUR NEW 2023 ALL-AMERICAN SELECTION WINNERS.

WE HAVE SOME REALLY GREAT ONES THIS YEAR.

AND ONE OF THEM IS A NEW COLEUS THAT YOU CAN START FROM SEED.

IT IS A PREMIUM SUN CORAL CANDY.

THIS ONE IS REALLY CUTE.

IT HAS SOME GREAT FANTASTIC KIND OF DARKER MAUVE, PINK, ALMOST WEIRD COLOR PURPLE ON IT THAT WILL REALLY BLEND WITH A LOT OF PLANTS IN YOUR PLANT PALLET.

SO THIS IS ONE THAT YOU CAN ADD THIS AND GET A LOT OF WORK OUT OF.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE VERY TALL.

SO IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE ABOUT 10 OR 16 INCHES.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE KIND OF ONE OF THOSE SHORTER COLEUS, BUT IT WILL LOOK GREAT IN CONTAINERS AS THAT FILLER PIECE.

LIKE I SAID, YOU CAN BLEND A LOT OF COLORS WITH THIS ONE.

IT WILL TAKE SUN AND PART SHADE.

NOTHING BUT GREAT COMMENTS FROM THE JUDGES ON THIS ONE.

AND IN THE GARDEN HERE WE'VE NOT SEEN THIS ONE START TO FLOWER.

AND REMEMBER, WE'RE ALWAYS PINCHING OFF FLOWERS ON COLEUS BECAUSE WE'RE GROWING THEM FOR THE FOLIAGE, AND NOT FOR THE FLOWER.

SO, OF ALL OF OUR OTHER COLEUSES, THIS ONE IS REALLY THE LAST ONE THAT WE'VE SEEN GO TO FLOWER.

SO CHECK OUT THE NEW COLEUS SUN CORAL CANDY AT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

♪ >> COLEUS IS ALWAYS A CROWD PLEASER AND THERE ARE SO MANY COLORFUL OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM.

IT'S TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK.

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

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

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

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW WE'RE GOING TO GO SEE A GREEN ROOF PROJECT RIGHT HERE IN LINCOLN.

YOU CAN STILL PHONE IN YOUR QUESTIONS AT 1-800-676-5446 OR SEND US PICTURES VIA EMAIL TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

UP FIRST IS TERRI.

ARE YOU READY?

>> SURE.

>> SO MUCH ENTHUSIASM.

ALL RIGHT.

SO FOR YOUR FIRST QUESTION, CAN I MOW AND USE ALFALFA AS MULCH IN STRAWBERRIES?

>> YES.

>> WHERE CAN PEOPLE TAKE COMPOST TO HAVE IT TESTED FOR CHEMICALS AND OTHER THINGS THAT WOULD KEEP GARDEN PLANTS FROM GROWING?

>> THERE ARE CERTAIN LABS THAT WILL DO THAT.

THERE'S ONE SPECIFIC ONE UP IN SOUTH DAKOTA THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO SEND IT TO.

>> IS THERE ANYWHERE LOCAL?

>> I BELIEVE THERE'S ONE IN LINCOLN THAT MIGHT DO CHEMICAL TESTS IN SOILS, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK ON THAT.

I KNOW THEY'LL DO, LIKE, NUTRIENT TESTING, BUT NOT CHEMICAL TESTING.

>> THE VIEWERS' GRAPES ARE SPLITTING AND A LOT DID NOT SET.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHY?

>> THAT'S THE WEATHER.

THAT WAS PROBABLY NOT ENOUGH RAIN.

THEN TOO MUCH RAIN.

TOO HOT.

SO, WEATHER.

>> THE VIEWER SAW SOMETHING ON THE INTERNET ABOUT SLICING POOL NOODLES AND USING THEM FOR A TREE WRAP.

WOULD THIS WORK OR WOULD IT HARM THE TREE?

>> NO, DON'T DO THAT.

>> 28 ARMSTRONG MAPLE TREES ON BOTH SIDE OF THEIR LANE, SOME ARE BARE HALFWAY UP AND SOME ABOUT A QUARTER OR THIRD OF A WAY.

DO THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED?

>> YES.

DOES THAT COUNT?

>> I'M COUNTING IT.

I'M NOT KEEPING TRACK OF THE SCOREBOARD BUT WE'RE COUNTING IT.

>> THINK YOU CAN TOP THAT, AMY?

>> NO, NEVER.

I'LL GIVE IT A SHOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO, AMY, IS THERE A DISEASE OF LILACS STARTING NOW AFTER THEY FLOWERED THAT WOULD MAKE THE LEAVES TURN BROWN?

>> THERE'S SOME BACTERIAL DISEASES THAT CAN MOVE IN AFTER FLOWERING.

BUT WE'VE BEEN SO DRY I REALLY DOUBT IT.

I WOULD LEAN TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> SO THERE IS SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LIKE BLOSSOM END ROT ON THE END OF CELEBRITY TOMATOES.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY CULTIVARS THAT ARE NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS DISEASE?

>> THERE ARE SOME AVAILABLE BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.

CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL EXTENSION OFFICE.

I BET YOUR HORTICULTURIST MIGHT HAVE SOME IDEAS FOR YOU.

>> WHAT WOULD CAUSE YELLOWING AROUND THE EDGES OF HOLLYHOCK LEAVES?

>> HOLLYHOCKS CAN GET RUST AND SO THAT CAN CAUSE A LOT OF YELLOWING.

OTHERWISE TOO MUCH WATER CAN ALSO CAUSE YELLOWING ON THE LEAF MARGINS.

>> WHAT WOULD CAUSE LEAVES TO FALL OFF OF AN OTHERWISE HEALTHY SYCAMORE?

THEY SUDDENLY TURNED BLACK WITH DOTS AND TURNED OFF.

>> ANTHRACNOSE.

SYCAMORE ANTHRACNOSE IS VERY COMMON.

>> IS IT FATAL?

>> NO, IT IS NOT FATAL FOR YOUR TREE.

JUST CLEAN UP THOSE LEAVES AND HOPE FOR THE WEATHER TO CHANGE AND YOU SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO.

>> OKAY, DENNIS.

>> HIT ME.

>> THIS IS JUST A QUESTION.

HOW CAN I KEEP GARTER SNAKES FROM GOING UNDER OUR OUTSIDE CRAWL SPACE COVER, GETTING UNDER THE HOUSE, AND EVENTUALLY INTO OUR LIVING SPACE?

>> SIX INCHES DEEP AND SIX INCHES WIDE OF LAVA ROCK.

>> PRODUCT MADE FROM BOVINE OR PORCINE DRIED BLOOD THAT CLAIMS TO REPEL DEER AND -- >> DOESN'T WORK.

>> OKAY.

WONDERING IF SOMEONE IS POISONING THE SQUIRRELS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE BOTTOM OF THE STOMACH LOOKS CHEWED AND ALL THE INNARDS HAVE GONE.

>> COULD BE A BIRD OF PREY.

IT MAY NOT BE POISON.

PROBABLY A BIRD OF PREY.

>> TWO HYSSOP PLANTS, THE NEXT MORNING BOTH OF THEM WERE DUG OUT AND ONE HAD ALL OF ITS ROOTS EATEN OFF.

THE TOP WAS FINE.

WHAT ANIMAL?

>> THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL MOST LIKELY.

>> I LIKE TO BURY MY KITCHEN SCRAPS IN MY GARDEN.

IS THIS VIEWER INVITING MOLES, VOLES, POSSUMS, RACCOONS INTO THEIR BACKYARD?

>> PROBABLY RACCOONS OR OPOSSUMS WOULD BE THE TWO YOU'RE INVITING.

NOT THE OTHERS.

>> WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET RID OF MOLES?

>> THERE'S SEVERAL DEVICES.

THE ONES THAT PROBABLY WORK THE BEST ARE THE HARPOON TRAPS.

OR IF YOU WANNA GO WITH THE TOXICANT, THE GUMMY WORMS THAT HAVE A SPECIAL POISON JUST FOR MOLES.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, KYLE, BRING IT ON HOME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> NEW ENGLAND ASTERS HAVE DRIED UP FROM THE BOTTOM.

THEY LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE SOME KIND OF INSECT AND CURLING LEAVES.

THEY CUT THEM BACK IN MID JUNE AND THEN THEY CUT THEM DOWN OR DO THEY DIG THEM UP?

WHAT KIND OF SPRAY DO THEY USE FOR IF THEY HAVE THESE INSECTS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SURE.

IF IT'S -- CURLING LEAVES MAKES ME THINK OF APHIDS.

IF IT'S APHIDS I WOULD GO WITH INSECTICIDAL SOAP BUT -- >> OKAY.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO COVER THE SUNFLOWER BLOOMS BEING EATEN BY CRITTERS, BIRDS, AND ESPECIALLY JAPANESE BEETLES?

>> COVER THE SUNFLOWER BLOOMS?

>> COVER THE BLOOMS.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT.

PASS.

>> THOUSANDS OF SMALL ANTS SWARMING OUTSIDE.

ARE THEY HARMFUL?

>> NO.

>> SNAILS ARE NOT AN INSECT, BUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF TINY ONES OUTSIDE FOLLOWING A HEAVY RAIN.

WHAT AND WHY?

>> WELL, THEY NEED MOISTURE.

SO THEY TEND TO BE IN HIGH-MOISTURE AREAS.

YOU SEE THEM MORE AFTER A RAIN.

>> AND A GOOD PLACE TO IDENTIFY TICKS?

>> THERE'S SEVERAL PLACES HERE AT UNL WHERE YOU CAN GET THOSE IDENTIFIED INCLUDING THE PLANT AND PEST DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I DIDN'T TAKE A LOOK AT THE SCORES.

>> DENNIS WON.

>> OH, OF COURSE DENNIS WON.

>> OH, DENNIS.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> YEAH, THANKS.

>> WAY TO GO.

>> SO TERRI, WE HAVE A FEW PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THEM?

>> SO, YES.

SO THIS IS -- SINCE I'M SITTING IN THIS CHAIR, IT'S BEEN ALL "BACKYARD FARMER" DAY TODAY.

SO THESE CAME OUT OF THE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” GARDEN.

THESE ARE MY ANNUALS THAT DON'T GET SEEN VERY OFTEN ON TV.

SO THIS ONE HERE IS A HELICHRYSUM, THIS IS STRAW FLOWER.

SO THIS IS ONE THAT WILL DO REALLY WELL AND THEN IT WILL ACTUALLY DRY SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY TAKE IT IN AND USE IT IN THE FALL.

AND THEN THIS ONE HERE IS LANTANA.

SO THIS IS ACTUALLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE SERIES.

IT'S CALLED LUCKY SERIES.

SO IT'S ONE THAT'S A LITTLE BIT SHORTER.

THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT COLORS.

THERE'S LIKE SUNSET RED AND PINK AND WHITE AND STUFF.

THESE ARE A FANTASTIC POLLINATOR.

AND THEN MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE ACTUALLY GOT KNOCKED OUT BY ITS SISTER.

THIS IS VERBENA BONARIENSIS, THIS IS VANITY.

SO THIS WAS A NEW VARIETY FROM ALL-AMERICAN SELECTION LAST YEAR.

SO THIS ONE, VERBENA BONARIENSIS IS A STRAIGHT SPECIES.

IT WAS ALWAYS MY FAVORITE.

THIS ONE HAS KNOCKED IT OUT SO I LIKE THIS ONE BETTER.

BUT THIS IS A FANTASTIC PLANT.

IT'S KIND OF A SCRIM PLANT SO YOU CAN PLANT IT AND BE ABLE TO STILL SEE BEHIND AND CREATE THAT ILLUSION THAT YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO GO BEHIND THAT.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF MY ANNUALS OUT OF THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

>> THANK YOU, TERRI.

KYLE, BACK TO SOME OF YOUR I.D.

QUESTIONS.

YOU HAVE QUITE A FEW IDs.

THE FIRST ONE, FLOWERS SEEM TO BE CHEWED FROM INSIDE THE CENTER.

THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY INSECTS.

BUT THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW TO TREAT WITHOUT HARMING POLLINATORS.

>> YEAH, THIS ONE COULD BE REALLY JUST A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO, IT COULD BE JAPANESE BEETLES.

BUT I THINK -- SINCE I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING MAYBE VARIEGATED CUT WORMS WOULD BE A GUESS ON THIS.

THERE'S NOT A TON OF OPTIONS TO NOT AFFECT POLLINATORS IF IT IS A CUT WORM, SO THAT'S A CATERPILLAR.

YOU COULD TRY BT.

THAT IS EFFECTIVE AND WON'T HARM POLLINATORS.

OTHERWISE, HAND PICK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE, THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF BEETLE THIS IS ON THEIR PLANT.

>> JAPANESE BEETLES.

>> THEY'RE OUT IN FORCE, THAT'S FOR SURE.

THIS IS A HASTINGS VIEWER.

THEY HAVE KNOCK-OUT ROSES AND SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE EATING THEM.

>> YEAH, SO REALLY THE BIG THING IS THE ROSE SAWFLIES, SLUG SAWFLIES.

THOSE AREN'T GOING TO BE A PROBLEM NOW.

AND THEN JAPANESE BEETLES.

SO SOME OF THAT FEEDING LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE NEWER, THAT WOULD BE JAPANESE BEETLE.

OLDER FEEDING MIGHT BE THE SAWFLIES.

BUT I THINK THE BIGGER THING IS THERE'S A LOT OF CORRODED TISSUE ON THIS.

NONE OF THAT -- THAT DOESN'T LOOK INSECT RELATED TO ME.

I'M ALSO WONDERING IF THERE'S A PATH ISSUE HERE.

SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST INSECTS FEEDING ON IT.

>> YOUR LAST PHOTO, THEY HAVE THIS HOUSE PLANT.

IT KEEPS CONTINUING TO DEVELOP WHAT THEY CALL A FUNGUS BUT IT'S THESE WHITE MASSES ON THERE.

THEY'RE JUST KIND OF WONDERING WHAT IT IS AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO GET RID OF IT.

>> MEALY BUGS.

YOU HAVE TO REALLY BE TENACIOUS WITH THEM.

SO FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS SCRAPE THEM OFF WITH YOUR HAND.

YOU CAN KIND OF SMASH THEM OR RUB THEM OFF.

OTHERWISE YOU CAN USE INSECTICIDAL SOAP.

YOU'LL HAVE TO DO THAT REPEATEDLY.

AND THEN THERE'S SOME SYSTEMICS THAT CAN BE USED FOR HOUSE PLANTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DENNIS, OUR FIRST VIEWER HERE WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO TRAP WOOD CHUCKS, BUT THEY'RE FROM MOUNT HOLLY, NEW JERSEY.

>> I WOULD CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL REGULATIONS.

IN NEBRASKA WE CAN LIVE TRAP THEM AND THEN WE PROPERLY, ETHICALLY EUTHANIZE THEM.

AND WE HAVE TO USE A TRAP WITH A TARP OVER IT.

WIRE THE TRAP OPEN, ENTICE THEM FOR A WEEK AND THEN UNWIRE THE TRAP SO THEY GO IN THERE FASTER AND GET CAUGHT.

BUT AGAIN, CHECK YOUR LOCAL REGULATIONS BECAUSE IN SOME STATES WOODCHUCKS, GROUNDHOGS ARE PROTECTED.

>> OKAY, YOUR NEXT TWO PHOTOS ARE FROM WASHINGTON, NEBRASKA.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT ANIMAL HAS DUG THESE HOLES.

>> THIS LOOKS LIKE A FAST DIG BY SOMETHING LIKE MAYBE A FOX OR A BADGER.

IF YOU LOOKED AT THAT FIRST PICTURE, YOU SAW A LOT OF SMALL HOLES AROUND.

THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRRELS ARE THE FAVORITE FOOD OF BADGERS.

THE BADGER IS DIGGING AFTER THE THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRRELS.

SO YOU'RE SEEING SOME PREDATION GOING ON.

>> YOUR NEXT QUESTION ACTUALLY HAS TO DO WITH HOW DO THEY KEEP BADGERS FROM DESTROYING THEIR GARDEN.

>> AGAIN, LIVE TRAPPING IS THE ONLY LEGAL AND ETHICAL WAY YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF THEM.

YOU HAVE TO TRAP THEM AND YOU CAN USE -- THEY'RE KIND OF HARD TO TRAP.

AGAIN, A TARP TRAP WHERE IT'S GOING IN A DARK TUNNEL, AND YOU MAY HAVE TO USE A DEAD GROUND SQUIRREL AS BAIT.

OR DEAD KANGAROO RAT.

THEY LOVE KANGAROO RATS AS WELL.

>> AND THEN YOUR LAST PHOTO, IT'S FROM HARTINGTON, NEBRASKA.

THEY NEED HELP IDENTIFYING THE ANIMAL THAT HAS DUG THIS HOLE.

>> YEAH, I WAS LOOKING AT THIS.

IT'S KIND OF TOUGH.

I THINK IT'S PROBABLY A FRANKLIN GROUND SQUIRREL OR THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL.

IT'S A LITTLE OFF TO THE SIDE.

THE SIZE OF IT COULD BE A SMALLER WOODCHUCK AS WELL.

I WOULD PUT POWDER AROUND IT AND GET SOME FOOTPRINTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, DENNIS.

OKAY, AMY, THIS VIEWER IS FROM GRISWOLD, IOWA, AND THEY WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH HOLLYHOCKS.

IT'S HAPPENED FOR THE LAST TWO TO FIVE YEARS.

THE HOLLYHOCKS LOOK NORMAL AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LEAVES START TURNING YELLOW AND THEN WE HAVE THESE SPOTS.

>> SO MY ADVANTAGE IS I COULD BLOW UP THE PICTURE EARLIER.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE LEAVES, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SEE THESE YELLOW SPOTS.

THIS IS ACTUALLY HOLLYHOCK RUST.

AND SO IF YOU WOULD FLIP THE LEAVE OVER, YOU WOULD ACTUALLY SEE PUSTULES ON THE BOTTOM AND YOU CAN RUB THE RUST SPORES OFF.

HOLLYHOCK RUST IS ONE OF THOSE THAT WILL COME BACK EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

YOUR HOLLYHOCKS LOOK GREAT AND THEN, BANG, IT HITS AND YOU CAN SEE THAT MAJOR YELLOWING OF THE PLANT AND THE PLANTS DECLINE AFTER THAT.

MANAGEMENT-WISE YOU CAN USE A FUNGICIDE, TYPICALLY NOT RECOMMENDED.

MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN IT UP REALLY WELL BECAUSE THESE SPORES ARE ABLE TO OVERWINTER.

YOU'LL WANT TO GET RID OF ALL THAT DEBRIS BEFORE NEXT SPRING.

>> OKAY, FOR YOUR NEXT PHOTO IT'S FROM ASHLAND, NEBRASKA.

THEY HAVE THESE BROWN SPOTS THAT SHOWED UP ON THEIR CUCUMBERS.

THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> SO THIS ACTUALLY ANTHRACNOSE OF CUCUMBERS OR CUCURBITS.

IT'S A VERY COMMON DISEASE.

THIS ONE IS GOING TO BE MOVED BY WATER AND SO WE WANT TO AVOID OVERHEAD WATERING IF WE CAN.

SO MAKE SURE WE'RE USING SOAKER HOSES.

IF YOU'RE IN THE LUCKY PART OF THE STATE WHERE YOU'RE GETTING SOME RAIN, YOU CAN'T REALLY CONTROL THAT AND YOU'RE HAPPY THAT MOTHER NATURE IS GIVING US SOME RAIN.

TYPICALLY WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANY APPLICATION FOR IT.

IF IT CONTINUES TO PROGRESS AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF RAIN EVENTS OR WATERING FROM ABOVE YOU CAN COME IN WITH A COPPER TREATMENT TO MANAGE THAT.

MAKE SURE YOU READ THE LABEL VERY CAREFULLY WITH THOSE FOR PRE-HARVEST INTERVALS TO ENSURE YOU'RE ABLE TO PICK THE CUCUMBERS AND CONSUME THEM SAFELY.

>> YOUR NEXT PHOTO IS FROM ELGIN, AND THEY WONDER WHAT'S KIND OF GOING ON WITH THEIR ZUCCHINIS.

>> SO THIS ONE STUMPED ME FOR A LITTLE BIT AND I ACTUALLY LOOKED AT A BUNCH OF ARTICLES AND OTHER PICTURES.

I'M LEANING TOWARD NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY HERE, MAYBE SOME OF THOSE MACRO -- OR MICRO/MACRONUTRIENTS, SO GIVE IT A SHOT OF FERTILIZER, SEE IF THAT'S GOING TO HELP IT COME BACK.

BECAUSE IT'S ALL INTERVEINAL -- THE VEINS ARE NICE AND GREEN, BUT THEN EVERYTHING'S BROWNING.

SO I WOULD LEAN TOWARD A NUTRIENT, SO GIVE IT SOME FERTILIZER AND SEE IF IT'LL HELP IT OUT.

>> AND THEN YOUR LAST PHOTO -- PHOTOS THAT YOU HAVE HERE, THEY HAVE SOME HIBISCUS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING, SOME BEEBALM, SOME CONEFLOWERS.

THEY'RE WONDER IF IT COULD POSSIBLY BE ASTER YELLOWS.

>> SO THE FIRST PICTURE IS A CLASSIC SYMPTOM OF ASTER YELLOWS.

YOU'RE SEEING THAT CLUSTER OF LEAF-LIKE STRUCTURES GOING ON.

THE SECOND PICTURE, HOWEVER, IS NOT ASTER YELLOWS.

THE PLANTS ARE VERY, VERY YELLOW.

I WOULD LEAN TO ENVIRONMENTAL OR NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY AT THIS POINT IN TIME WITH THAT.

WITH ASTER YELLOWS, THAT IS LEAFHOPPER TRANSMITTED.

YOU WILL WANT TO REMOVE THOSE, OTHERWISE IT WILL KEEP MOVING THROUGHOUT YOUR BEEBALM AND THE OTHER PLANTS IN THE AREA.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, AMY.

OKAY, TERRI, WE HAVE A MAPLE.

THE BARK IS PEELING OFF ON THE LOWER FOUR FEET, IT'S BEGUN TO CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE TRUNK.

THEY'RE FROM LINCOLN AND IT SEEMS LIKE THEY HAVE A NEW CONSTRUCTION SITE.

THEY'RE WONDERING IF THERE'S ANYTHING THEY CAN DO FOR THAT.

>> NOW UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S NOT A LOT YOU CAN DO FOR THIS.

THIS HAPPENS ON THESE REALLY FINE, BARKED WOOD.

IT HAPPENS OVER THE WINTER.

JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE -- IF WE DON'T -- IF WE GET SUB-GAIN RAIN, MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE GIVING IT GOOD WATER, SEE HOW IT DOES.

IF IT'S BIG ENOUGH THAT IT WILL FALL ON SOMETHING, THEN I WOULD PROBABLY SUGGEST GETTING RID OF IT AND STARTING OVER.

>> AND IN YOUR NEXT PHOTO WE HAVE ANOTHER MAPLE, IT'S ABOUT 14 YEARS OLD.

AGAIN, SPLIT TRUNK, WONDERING IF THERE'S ANYTHING THEY CAN DO.

>> YEP, SAME THING.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN YOUR NEXT PHOTO IS A GRISWOLD, IOWA, VIEWER.

THEY HAVE A CRANBERRY BUSH VIBURNUM, ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD.

THEY'VE HAD SOME BRANCHES THAT START SNAPPING OFF AND BREAKING OFF.

THEY KIND OF WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS SHRUB.

>> SO THERE IS -- THERE IS ACTUALLY A BORE THAT WILL GET INTO THESE, SO THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE PROBLEM.

RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE GOOD MANAGEMENT OF THESE.

YOU NEED TO KIND OF GO IN THERE ABOUT EVERY OTHER YEAR OR SO, AND KIND OF JUST CUT BACK THOSE BIGGER, UM, BRANCHES, AND -- JUST TO KIND OF MAKE SURE THAT JUST -- YOU'RE GETTING ALL THOSE NEWER SMALLER ONES UP AND GOING.

SO THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.

IT ALSO LOOKS VERY WET, SO IF YOU CAN SOMEHOW MAYBE DRY THAT OUT, THERE COULD BE A LITTLE ROT GOING ON DOWN THERE TOO.

>> AND YOUR THE LAST PHOTO, THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEIR EVERGREEN.

>> UM, SO, I LOOKED AT THIS AND, LIKE AMY SAID, WE GET TO SEE THESE EARLIER, AND I CANNOT SEE ANY DISEASE ON THIS.

BUT THE BOTTOM, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE PUTTING ALL OF THEIR LEAF CLIPPINGS DOWN THERE, SO I THINK THAT THIS IS WAY TOO WET.

THESE TREES DO NOT LIKE TO BE WET, THEY LIKE TO HAVE DRY FEET.

SO PULL ALL OF THAT MULCH BACK OUT OF THERE, AND TRY TO DRY IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, TERRI.

SO GREEN ROOFS HAVE HAD A SPIKE IN POPULARITY IN RECENT YEARS.

AND FORMER UNL HORTICULTURE PROFESSOR RICHARD SUTTON CREATED A GREEN ROOF ON TOP OF HIS WORK SHED AT HIS HOME.

AND HE TALKS ABOUT WHAT IT TOOK TO GET IT INSTALLED, HOW IT HAS MATURED INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL FEATURE IN HIS BACKYARD.

♪ ♪ >>> SO THE GREEN ROOF UP ABOVE US HERE IS MADE UP OF A SPECIAL MIX THAT I CREATED WHEN I WAS AT UNL, OF CRUMB RUBBER, BIOCHAR, AND COMPOST -- ALL RECYCLED PRODUCTS AND ALL VERY LIGHTWEIGHT WHEN COMPARED WITH YOUR TYPICAL HEAT-EXPANDED SHALE AND CLAY.

THAT ALLOWS US, IN THIS PARTICULAR ROOF, TO HAVE A DEEP PROFILE THAT IS PERFECT FOR SOME OF OUR NATIVE PLANTS.

AND THE ROOF HAS BEEN PLANTED TOTALLY TO NATIVE GRASSES, FORBS, AND SEDGES.

THE GREEN ROOF HAS BEEN BUILT IN TANDEM, OR IN TRIPLET WITH A GREEN WALL AND RAINWATER GARDEN.

THE GREEN WALL DRAINS INTO A GUTTERING SYSTEM THAT THEN IS TAKEN DOWN AND FLOWS INTO THE RAINWATER GARDEN.

THE GREEN WALL IS DRIP IRRIGATED, AND EXCESS MOISTURE ALSO FLOWS INTO THE RAINWATER GARDEN.

THE GREEN ROOF IS A TYPICAL GREEN ROOF, IN THAT IT ALLOWS MOISTURE TO MOVE -- OR WATER TO MOVE THROUGH IT VERTICALLY FAIRLY QUICKLY.

IF YOU DON'T DO THAT, THE WEIGHT BUILDS UP AND IT CAN IMPOSE WEIGHT LIMITS ON THE STRUCTURE.

THE WATER IS THEN PICKED UP BY A HORIZONTAL DRAINAGE SYSTEM, AND THEN TAKEN TO THE EDGE.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE SLOTS IN THE END THERE THAT ALLOWS WATER TO DRAIN INTO THE GUTTERS.

THIS PARTICULAR GREEN ROOF HAS SUFFERED A LITTLE BIT IN THE DROUGHT THIS SUMMER, AND THAT'S WHY WE IRRIGATE IT.

GREEN ROOFS ARE LIMITED IN WHERE THEY CAN GET MOISTURE.

UNLIKE OUR NATIVE PRAIRIES THAT HAVE DEEP ROOTS, THIS HAS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF WATER THAT'S AVAILABLE, SO WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPLEMENT IT.

DOESN'T HAVE TO BE VERY -- WATERED EVERY DAY, BUT IN A DRY PERIOD, MAYBE EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS.

SO THE PLANTS THAT WE USED UP HERE ARE ALL NATIVE PLANTS, NATIVE GRASSES, AND FORBS, BUT THE WAY THAT THEY WERE PUT IN WAS RATHER UNIQUE.

FIRST OF ALL, THE GRASSES WERE SEEDED IN, AND THEN THE FORBS WERE PLUGGED IN AS 32s.

AND THAT'S WORKED VERY WELL BECAUSE THE GRASSES GERMINATES VERY QUICKLY.

WE ALSO TRIED A FEW WITH LITTLE LESS SUCCESS OF SEEDING IN OF FORBS.

BUT WHAT WE SEE UP HERE IS REALLY TWO YEARS GROWTH.

IT'S BEEN THROUGH TWO GROWTH SEASONS, INCLUDING THIS ONE.

SO IT'S DOING QUITE WELL.

AND WE HAVE SOME TALL GRASSES AS WELL AS SOME SHORTER ONES, AND -- AND IT'S REALLY WORKED QUITE EFFECTIVELY.

FOR THOSE THAT MIGHT BE THINKING ABOUT GREEN ROOF, WE HAD THE LUXURY OF STARTED FROM THE GETGO ON THE WORKSHOP, AND WE COULD BUILD THE STRUCTURE FOR IT.

USING THE LIGHT-WEIGHT MIX, WE COULD ANTICIPATE DOING A RETROFIT ON EXISTING ROOFS.

A LOT OF THINGS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THOUGH.

AND THE FIRST THING IS LOADING.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE STRUCTURE AND THE FOUNDATION THAT'S ABLE TO TAKE ADDITIONAL LOADING, BECAUSE WHEN IT GETS WET, EVEN THOUGH IT DRAINS QUICKLY, IT DOES WEIGH MORE THAN YOUR TYPICAL ROOF.

>>> STAY TUNED FOR UPCOMING "BACKYARD FARMER" PROGRAMS AS DR. SUTTON WILL ALSO SHOW US HIS GREEN WALL AND HIS RAIN GARDEN.

AND SO WE HAVE A COUPLE ANNOUNCEMENTS REALLY QUICK.

DAYLILY DAYS, THE INFORMATION IS UP ON YOUR SCREEN.

AND THE NEXT ONE IS "BACKYARD FARMER" IS AT CITY CAMPUS NEXT WEEK, SO COME OUT AND JOIN US FOR A LIVE Q&A AND THE SHOW AT 6:00.

AND MOVING ON TO OUR LAST SET OF QUESTIONS, KYLE.

THE POLLINATORS LOVE THIS PLANT, AND THE VIEWER WOULD LIKE YOU TO IDENTIFY WHAT THESE TWO CREATURES ARE.

>> THERE'S THREE HERE.

BUT THE MAIN ONE THERE IS A CUCKOO WASP, THAT'S THE METALLIC GREEN WASP.

>> OKAY.

THE NEXT ONE IS FROM SERGEANT BLUFF, IOWA, AND THEY FOUND THESE ON THEIR MAPLE.

THEY WERE WONDERING WHAT THEY WERE.

>> IT'S A PAIR OF MATING MYDAS FLIES.

>> THE NEXT ONE IS FROM LINCOLN, AND THESE INSECTS ARE ON THEIR MILKWEED.

>> YEP, RED MILKWEED BEETLE.

THEY -- THEY'RE HARMLESS, THEY DON'T HURT THE MILKWEED OR ANYTHING ELSE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND LASTLY, THESE ARE FROM RURAL OTOE COUNTY.

THEY FOUND THIS LITTLE FELLA ON ONE OF THE LEAVES.

HE WAS ONLY ABOUT AN INCH LONG.

THEY DIDN'T SEE ANY LEAF DAMAGE.

THEY WERE WONDERING KIND OF WHAT HE WAS.

>> LOOKS LIKE A CABBAGE LOOPER.

SO THEY CAN BE A PEST OF CROPS, SO YOU CAN HAND PICK IF THERE'S, YOU KNOW, NOT TOO MUCH GOING ON.

IF YOU SEE ANY SIGNS OF DAMAGE OTHERWISE, SOMETHING LIKE BT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

DENNIS, THEY FOUND THIS SNAKE RESTING ON THE MARBLE DOOR SILL AT THEIR DAUGHTER'S HOUSE IN BIRCH COUNTY.

THEY WERE WONDERING WHAT IT WAS, AND THE PROS AND CONS OF KEEPING THEM AROUND.

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR WATERING IT, BECAUSE IT'S DRINKING.

I CAN TELL IT'S DRINKING, IT MUST'VE BEEN VERY DRY, SO I APPLAUD YOU FOR GIVING IT WATER.

IT'S A WESTERN FOX SNAKE, 100% HARMLESS, AND EATS RODENTS.

>> OKAY.

THE NEXT ONE IS NEAR DALTON, NEBRASKA.

THEY FOUND SOMETHING VERY INTERESTING.

THEY WERE GOING DOWN THEIR LANE WHEN THEY SAW THIS BOX TURTLE EATING A SNAKE.

>> IT'S AN ORNATE BOX TURTLE, WHICH ARE COMMON IN THE WESTERN HALF OF THE STATE, AND IT'S A YELLOWBELLY RACER.

PROBABLY A HAWK OR BIRD OF PREY KILLED THE RACER, 'CAUSE THE TURTLE CAN'T, AND THE TURTLE IS -- THEY DO EAT CARRION -- AND IT'S JUST FINISHING UP THE MEAL.

>> OKAY.

THE NEXT PHOTO IS OF A TURTLE THEY SAW IN LINCOLN, AND THEY WANTED TO IDENTIFY IT.

THEY THINK THAT SHE MAY BE LAYING EGGS.

>> YEP, IT IS.

IT'S A COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE.

THEY'RE LAY 40 ROUND, PING-PONG-SIZED EGGS.

90% OF THEIR EGGS GET EATEN BY RACCOONS, SO THEY NEED TO LAY 40 PER TURTLE.

AND WHEN THEY'RE IN THIS STATE YOU CAN GO RIGHT UP AND TOUCH 'EM AND THEY DON'T CARE.

>> OKAY.

NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO DO.

YOUR LAST QUESTION IS FROM GRAND ISLAND.

THEY HAVE SOMETHING CHEWING ON THEIR ZUCCHINI.

>> OKAY, THAT'S A BIRD.

REPTILE GONE BAD.

SOME KIND OF BIRD.

>> SOME KIND OF BIRD.

ANY WAY TO KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING?

>> YEAH, BIRD NETTING OVER THE GARDEN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, DENNIS.

AND AMY, WE HAVE A VIEWER THAT THEY WERE WONDERING IF THIS BROWNING ON THIS EVERGREEN IS CAUSED BY LACK OF WATER.

>> I WOULD LEAN TOWARD ENVIRONMENTAL WITH THE COLOR OF THE BROWN.

TRY TO GIVE IT SOME MORE WATER AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> SEE WHAT HAPPENS, OKAY.

NEXT ONE IS PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA.

THEY FOUND THESE MUSHROOMS ON THE EDGE OF THEIR YARD.

THEY'RE WONDERING ARE THEY GOOD GUYS, ARE THEY BAD GUYS?

>> SO THIS IS BREAKING DOWN SOME DEAD WOOD.

THIS IS ACTUALLY AN OYSTER MUSHROOM.

DOESN'T HURT ANYTHING, JUST BREAKING DOWN ORGANIC MATTER.

AND THEN THIS LAST ONE IS A TYPE OF CONK MUSHROOM, I COULDN'T IDENTIFY IT COMPLETELY.

ONCE AGAIN, IT'S BREAKING DOWN DEAD ORGANIC MATTER, IT FEEDS ON THAT HEARTWOOD OF THE TREE, AND THE BRANCHES ARE ALREADY OFF SO IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT ANYTHING AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

KIND OF PRETTY TO LOOK AT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

OKAY TERRI, WE'VE GOT A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

THE FIRST ONE IS FROM GUIDE ROCK, AND THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEIR TOMATOES.

>> THIS LOOKS LIKE SUNBURN.

SO, IF YOU ARE PRUNING BACK YOUR TOMATOES, MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE LEAVING SOME OVER TO PROTECT THAT FRUIT.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO SAVE THESE?

>> NOT REALLY, NO.

JUST CLIP THEM OFF NOW SO THAT IT DOESN'T CONTINUE TO RIPEN, AND THEN IT -- YOUR PLANT SHOULD FLUSH SOME MORE FLOWERS.

>> OKAY.

THIS NEXT ONE IS FROM HICKMAN.

IT'S A POTATO PLANT, AND THEY WERE WONDERING WHAT THOSE LITTLE BALLS WERE ON THE TOP OF THEIR PLANT.

>> SO POTATOES, TOMATOES, EGGPLANT, THEY'RE ALL RELATED, THEY'RE IN THE SOLANACEAE FAMILY, AND THIS IS WHAT SOLANACEAE SEEDS LOOK LIKE.

SO AFTER IT FLOWERED, THESE ARE THE SEEDS.

DON'T EAT THEM.

>> VERY COOL.

THE NEXT ONE, A VIEWER HAD MENTIONED AND WATCHED WHEN JOHN HAD BROUGHT UP THE PEPPERS AND THEY HAD TO SHARE WITH US THAT THEY THOUGHT JOHN HAD THEIR PEPPERS, BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN GROWING THEM FOR YEARS, AND THEN THEY'VE GOT THESE LOVELY LIGHT-COLORED ONES RIGHT NOW.

>> SO I THAT'S FANTASTIC.

I THINK THERE'S LIKE A SANTA FE CHILI.

I JUST KNOW THAT THERE WAS THIS BIG KIND OF MESS UP NATIONWIDE WITH SOME JALAPENO SEEDS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE GROWING DIFFERENT PEPPERS THAN WHAT THEY HAD ORIGINALLY PLANTED, BUT I SAY THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY, AND JUST GO WITH IT.

IF YOU NEED EXTRA PEPPERS, GO TO YOUR FARMER'S MARKET AND BUY PEPPERS FROM YOUR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET.

>> THERE YOU GO.

AND WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS FOR THIS LAST ONE, TERRI.

BUT THE VIEWER IS WONDERING, WHAT IS THIS?

>> UH, THIS IS IN THE BRASSICACEAE FAMILY, THIS IS THE MUSTARD.

THIS IS THE SEED -- OR THE FLOWER FROM THAT PLANT.

>> OKAY, VERY COOL TO HAVE THAT BLOOMING FLOWER GOING.

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

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED THE QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW, AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING WAS LINDA HELTON, JOHN CARIOTTO, AND CYNTHIA CONNER.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'LL HAVE A SPECIAL PROGRAM COMING TO YOU FROM UNL'S CITY CAMPUS.

WE'LL HAVE OUR PANEL ANSWER QUESTIONS IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE.

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

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