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

>> TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT'S POSSIBLE WITH A BOG GARDEN IN YOUR BACKYARD AND CHECK OUT TWO TYPES OF TOMATOES.

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

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

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

YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH US BY DIALING 1-800-676-5446.

OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

WE LOVE TO GET YOUR PICTURES AND YOUR EMAILS SO SEND US WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE BYF@UNL.EDU.

AS ALWAYS, WE DO NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE.

GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR QUESTION.

"BACKYARD FARMER" IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE AS WELL AS ON FACEBOOK.

SO, LET'S START WITH SOME QUESTIONS.

AND, KATE, YOU GET THE FIRST ONES.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM ROCKPORT, MISSOURI.

HE SAYS HE KEEPS FINDING THESE WORM LIKE INSECTS AROUND THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE HOUSE.

THEY'RE ABOUT 1/4 OF AN INCH TO 1/2 INCH LONG.

HE WANTS TO KNOW HOW THEY ARE AND HOW WE GET RID OF THEM.

>> SURE.

THESE ARE REALLY, REALLY COMMON HOUSEHOLD PESTS.

THEY'RE CALLED CARPET BEETLE LARVAE.

THEY FEED ON ALL SORTS OF STUFF.

IT CAN BE DRIED GOODS, DRIED FOOD, ANIMAL FUR, RUGS, CARPETS, FABRICS.

THAT'S WHY WE SEE THEM INDOORS A LOT.

IF YOU ARE SEEING THEM INDOORS AND OUTDOORS, I WOULD CHECK FOR AN INFESTATION SOURCE, MAYBE A BIRD'S NEST AND GET RID OF IT IF YOU CAN.

OTHERWISE FOR INSIDE, THE KEY IS TO VACUUM, VACUUM, VACUUM.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> OKAY.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM ARTHUR IN WESTERN NEBRASKA.

HE SAID THESE LITTLE FLYING BUGS SHOWED UP IN THE THOUSANDS.

THEY'RE VERY ACTIVE.

THEY'RE ABOUT FOUR TO FIVE MILLIMETERS IN LENGTH.

HE ALSO WANTS AN IDENTIFICATION AND WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THEM.

>> SURE.

THIS ONE HAS A REALLY GREAT NAME.

IT'S CALLED A DIRT COLORED SEED BUG.

AND THEY OVER WINTER, IN CRACKS AND CREVICES AND IN LEAFLET OR TWO.

IT COULD BE THAT THEY'RE ALL COMING OUT EN MASSE.

THERE COULD ALSO BE A HOST PLANT NEARBY THAT THEY WERE ALL FEEDING ON.

THIS PARTICULAR SPECIES, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT HOST PLANT IS, BUT I SUSPECT THAT IT'S PROBABLY JUST A SEASONAL THING OR GOING TO HAPPEN PRETTY QUICKLY.

SO, YOU CAN WAIT IT OUT.

OTHERWISE, JUST BE SURE TO SEAL UP YOUR HOUSE SO THEY DON'T GET INDOORS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ROCH, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES FOR THIS QUESTION.

THIS COMES TO US FROM SEWARD.

IS THIS A WEED?

IF SO, WHAT IS IT?

AND HOW TO KILL IT DEAD.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YES, IT'S A WEED.

IT'S A THISTLE.

PROBABLY BOLAR SPEAR THISTLE.

ANYWAY, REGARDLESS, THESE ARE BIENNIALS.

SO RIGHT NOW IT'S IN ITS BOLT STAGE.

SO, LAST YEAR IT WAS DOWN AND CLOSE AND PROSTRATE TO THE GROUND.

THEN IT'S GONNA BOLT.

YOU WANT TO CUT OFF THE SEED BEFORE IT HEADS.

SO, CLIP THOSE BACK RIGHT NOW.

THERE REALLY IS NO SELECTIVE MEASURES, ESPECIALLY IN A GARDEN BED LIKE THAT.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EITHER SPOT SPRAY WITH ROUNDUP OR THEY CAN BE DUG UP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S THE NATIVE ONE OR NOT?

>> NO.

IF IT WAS THE NATIVE ONES, THEY HAVE POSITIVE CHARACTERISTICS, BUT I THINK ON THE THISTLE SIDE WE TEND TO ERR ON THE LET'S GET RID OF THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, ROCH.

LOREN, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES, ALL OF WHICH ARE THE SAME THING FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

THE FIRST ONE IS THIS ONE WHICH HE THINKS IS A SLIME MOLD OUT OF A LILAC BUSH TURNED INTO THIS HEART-SHAPED THING.

HE'S FROM COUNSEL BLUFFS.

HE JUST THINKS IT'S GORGEOUS.

THE SECOND ONE COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN, FOUND IT UNDER A BACKYARD BIRD FEEDER AFTER SOWING MINI CLOVER.

HE THINKS IT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLOVER.

THE THIRD ONE IS WHAT IS GROWING IN THE FLOWER BED?

DOES IT NEED TO BE REMOVED?

THEY ARE HERE IN LINCOLN.

>> THESE ARE ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF SLIME MOLDS AND THEY'RE REALLY FASCINATING ORGANISMS.

THEY COME IN ALL DIFFERENT COLORS.

THE MOST COMMON YOU SEE IS A WHITE ONE.

YOU'LL SEE EVEN BRIGHT YELLOW, THE PINK COLOR.

JUST A RANGE OF THOSE.

USUALLY THEY'LL DRY OUT AND BECOME KIND OF CRUSTY LIKE YOU SAW IN THE LAST PICTURE, AND WITH THOSE THEY'RE REALLY NOT HURTING ANYTHING.

THEY'RE JUST EXISTING ON THE SAPROPHYTIC, AS A SAPROPHYTES THERE ON THE MATERIAL.

YOU TEND TO SEE THEM REPEATEDLY IN THE SAME AREA.

SO, YOU'RE GOING TO SIMPLY TAKE A HOSE AND WASH THEM AWAY.

THE BIRD SEED OBSERVATION, IT COULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN WITH SOMETHING, BUT IT COULD HAVE AS EASILY BEEN BROUGHT IN WITH THE BIRDS OR SOMETHING ELSE.

PROBABLY NOT THE CLOVER SEED.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO EAT THEM?

>> NO.

[ LAUGHTER ] NOT GOING TO RECOMMEND THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ELIZABETH, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE, ONE QUESTION ON THIS ROUND.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER AND HE WANTS I.D.

HE -- HE -- IT'S BEEN HERE SINCE HE BOUGHT THE HOME.

IT'S SO COLORFUL THIS YEAR.

HE WONDERS, WHAT IS THIS EXACTLY?

>> I DON'T HAVE A SIMPLE ANSWER FOR THIS VIEWER BECAUSE HE HAS THREE OR FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT PLANT MATERIAL ALL MIXED TOGETHER.

SO FIRST WE HAVE THE BLOOMING WEIGELIA.

THAT HAS THE PURPLE FLOWERS ON IT.

THE THEN WE HAVE THE WINTER CREEPER, THE EUONYMUS.

SO THERE'S A VARIEGATED KIND IN THERE, A GREEN KIND IN THERE AND THEN THERE'S ALSO A HANDFUL OF VOLUNTEER TREES AS WELL.

IN TERMS OF HOW YOU WOULD CARE FOR IT, TO BE VERY HONEST WITH YOU, I WOULD JUST TAKE CARE OF THE TREE SEEDLINGS AND LEAVE THE REST OF IT TO KIND OF CO-MINGLE AND GROW TOGETHER LIKE IT'S BEEN DOING BECAUSE IT'S GORGEOUS AND BEAUTIFUL AND FULL.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> IT WAS.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

WELL, WE HAVE A REAL TREAT FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE TONIGHT.

DAVID HOLDING HAS WHAT MIGHT SEEM LIKE AN ORDINARY POND IN HIS BACKYARD.

IN REALITY IT USES A VERY SPECIAL FILTRATION SYSTEM THAT SETS IT APART.

TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HEAR FROM DAVID ABOUT HIS BOG FILTER ON HIS POND.

♪♪ >> UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DETERMINANT AND INDETERMINANT TOMATOES IS IMPORTANT WHEN YOU ARE CHOOSING PLANTS OR WHEN YOU ARE MANAGING PLANTS IN THE GARDEN.

DETERMINANT PLANTS GROW AS A BUSH AND OFTENTIMES YOU'LL FIND CULTIVARS WITH THAT -- THAT WORD IN THEIR NAME.

BUSH TOMATO, PATIO TOMATO, CELEBRITY, RUTGERS.

ALL COMMON DETERMINANT TOMATOES.

THEY GROW TO A SET HEIGHT.

USUALLY BETWEEN THREE TO FIVE FEET.

VERY -- VERY MINIMAL BRANCHING AND THEY PRODUCE THEIR CROPS IN ONE LARGE FLUSH WHICH MAY LAST FOR TWO OR THREE WEEKS.

DETERMINANT TOMATOES ARE GREAT IF YOU WANT A LOT OF TOMATOES ON HAND FOR PROCESSING OR TO FREEZE.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SALSA OR SPAGHETTI SAUCE, DETERMINANT TOMATOES ARE A GREAT CHOICE.

IF YOU WANT TOMATOES THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON, YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO MAKE SUCCESSIVE PLANTING SO THAT YOU HAVE MORE TOMATOES SO TO HARVEST LATER IN THE SEASON.

INDETERMINANT TOMATOES GROW AS A LONG VINE.

AND THAT VINE CONTINUES TO GROW ALL SUMMER LONG UNTIL IT DIES IN THE FALL FROM FROST.

DETERMINANT TOMATOES CONTINUE TO SET FRUITS -- NEW FRUITS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.

SO YOU HAVE A SMALLER HARVEST BUT THEY'RE EXTENDED THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON.

COMMON VARIETIES OF INDETERMINANT TOMATOES WOULD INCLUDE BRANDYWINE, CHEROKEE PURPLE, SUN GOLD AND MANY OTHERS.

SO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOMATO FOR YOUR GARDEN.

IF YOU HAVE LIMITED SPACE, A DETERMINANT TYPE OF TOMATO WOULD PROBABLY BE THE BEST CHOICE.

IF YOU HAVE A GOOD STRUCTURE FOR YOUR TOMATO TO GROW ON, THEN GO FOR THE INDETERMINANT.

>> WE DID A LITTLE BIT OF A GOOF.

WE REVERSED OUR SEGMENTS, SO YOU GOT TO SEE TOMATOES AND YOU'LL GET TO SEE THE BOG GARDEN ON OUR NEXT ONE.

THANKS TO SARAH FOR GIVING US ALL THAT INFORMATION ABOUT THOSE TOMATOES.

YOU KNOW, "BACKYARD FARMER" HAS ENJOYED A VERY LONG, LASTING RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR PARTNERS HERE AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

RIGHT NOW WE'D LIKE TO TELL YOU HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR VERY FAVORITE GARDENING PROGRAM.

>> KIM, IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE "BACKYARD FARMER" TEAM FOR BEING HERE FOR 72 YEARS RIGHT HERE ON NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S 72 YEARS.

IT'S THE LONGEST RUNNING PUBLIC TELEVISION -- LONGEST RUNNING PROGRAM ON TELEVISION.

THE LOCALLY PRODUCED PROGRAM AND THAT'S NOT JUST IN NEBRASKA, THAT IS NATIONALLY.

AND IT'S THANKS TO VIEWERS LIKE YOU WHO HELP MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MEMBERS WHO'VE MADE GIFTS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO KEEP "BACKYARD FARMER" GOING.

KIM, YOU HAVE STARTED THE SEASON ON OUR TEMPORARY SET HERE, BUT I HEAR THAT THERE ARE SOME REALLY BIG CHANGES COMING.

>> WELL, ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE CAN SEE THEM IN THE BACKGROUND.

OUR AUDIENCE CAN'T YET, BUT THE NEW SET AND THE NEW LIGHTING IS GOING TO GIVE US A LOT MORE OPTIONS TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY MOVE AROUND THE STUDIO A LITTLE BIT DURING THE SHOW.

WE USE THESE NEW TOOLS LIKE THE BIG MONITORS TO SHOW OFF VIEWER PICTURES A LOT MORE.

AND IT'S REALLY BEEN A BIG PROJECT TO RENOVATE THE RON HOLT STUDIO.

WE DO APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S SUPPORT.

AND OF COURSE, WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING A NEW SET FOR "BACKYARD FARMER."

>> IT'S VIEWERS LIKE YOU THAT HELP SHAPE THE CONTENT OF "BACKYARD FARMER" EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

THIS SHOW STILL REVOLVES AROUND YOUR QUESTIONS FOR KIM AND OUR EXPERT PANELISTS.

IT'S YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT MAKES SURE "BACKYARD FARMER" AND OTHER PROGRAMS ARE HERE FOR ALL NEBRASKANS.

IF YOU ARE NOT YET A MEMBER, NOW IS A GREAT TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN IN AND SUPPORT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA WITH YOUR CONTRIBUTION.

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

WHEN YOU DO, WE HAVE SOME GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS AVAILABLE.

WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR DONATION AT $6 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'D LOVE TO THANK YOU WITH THE NEW "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDENING GLOVES.

IF YOU HAVE EVER STARTED PULLING WEEDS OR VINES IN YOUR YARD ONLY TO DISCOVER YOU COULD REALLY USE A STURDY PAIR OF GLOVES TO PROTECT YOUR HANDS, "BACKYARD FARMER" HAS YOU COVERED.

WITH A DONATION OF $6 A MONTH OR FOR A ONE-TIME GIFT OF $72 WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THESE COMFORTABLE AND PROTECTIVE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDENING GLOVES.

$72 IS $1 FOR EACH OF THE 72 YEARS THAT "BACKYARD FARMER" HAS BEEN ON THE AIR.

THESE GLOVES HAVE A PIGSKIN PALM THAT'S CUT-PROOF AND PUNCTURE-PROOF AND A BREATHABLE MESH CLOTH BACKING.

ON THE BACK ARE BOTH THE NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND THE "BACKYARD FARMER" LOGOS SO YOU CAN SHOW THAT YOU SUPPORT "BACKYARD FARMER."

WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR DONATION OF $10 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER OR $120 ONE-TIME GIFT, THIS "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDENING FLAG IS A DECORATIVE WAY TO SHOW YOU LOVE "BACKYARD FARMER."

YOU CAN PUT IT IN YOUR GARDEN AND SHOW THE WHOLE WORLD THAT YOU LOVE "BACKYARD FARMER."

WE ONLY HAVE A FEW OF THESE FLAGS LEFT, SO DON'T WAIT TO MAKE YOUR DONATION.

CALL 800-989-8236 OR GO ONLINE TO NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

KIM, I HEAR "BACKYARD FARMER" IS GOING TO BE GOING ON THE ROAD PRETTY SOON.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, WE ARE GOING ACTUALLY ON JUNE 10th TO HASTINGS COLLEGE.

WE ARE GOING TO BE OUTSIDE.

HAVEN'T SEEN IT BUT I'M SURE IT WILL BE A BEAUTIFUL VENUE.

WE WILL BE ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM OUR VIEWERS AT 5:00.

WE WILL BE TAPED AT 6 TO AIR ON THE 13th.

SO, WE LOVE TO GO ON THE ROAD TO THOSE AUDIENCES.

AND THEN ON TUESDAY JUNE 18th WE'RE GOING TO BE TAPING A SHOW IN OUR OWN "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN ON UNL'S EAST CAMPUS.

AND WHAT WE CAN DO THERE IS YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR.

WE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS EXCEPT FOR THE ONES YOU ALL CAPTURE US BEFORE WE SIT DOWN.

BUT, THAT WILL BE A GREAT ONE, TOO.

>> IT'S ALWAYS A LOT OF FUN TO BE IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE GARDEN ON EAST CAMPUS, THERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK IT OUT THIS WEEKEND.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8th IS EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS.

AND IT'S A WONDERFUL TIME TO VISIT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

KIM, I THINK I'M PROBABLY GOING TO BE THERE WITH MY FAMILY.

>> PERFECT.

JUNE IS ALWAYS THE BEST TIME TO COME ON THE VERY FIRST DISCOVERY DAYS.

AND THE GARDEN LOOKS SPECTACULAR THIS YEAR.

MOTHER NATURE HAS DONE A BEAUTIFUL JOB OF BEING ABLE TO LET US GET THOSE PLANTS IN THE GROUND, GET THEM UP AND GOING AND WE HAVE A GOOD INTERN.

COME ONE, COME ALL, ENJOY IT.

IT'S REALLY A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

>> ANY TIME A PROGRAM SUCCEEDS FOR AS LONG AS "BACKYARD FARMER" HAS, THERE'S A VERY LOYAL BASE OF VIEWERS WHO ARE KEEPING IT GOING.

SO WE THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND FOR DONATING.

IT'S LOYAL VIEWERS LIKE YOU WHO HAVE KEPT THE PROGRAM ON AIR SINCE 1953.

>> YOU KNOW, EVERY WEEK "BACKYARD FARMER'S" EXPERTS ARE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS FROM YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS.

OUR EXPERTS HELP YOU CARE FOR THE GARDEN, THE LAWN, THE TREES, THE SHRUBS AND THOSE CRITTERS.

>> IF YOU ARE ALREADY A MEMBER, YOU ARE HELPING WITH THE COST OF PRODUCING "BACKYARD FARMER" AND OTHER IMPORTANT LOCAL PROGRAMMING.

DURING OUR MEMBERSHIP DRIVE, THIS THE IS A GREAT TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN IN AND SUPPORT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA'S LOCAL PRODUCTIONS WITH YOUR CONTRIBUTION.

AT A DONATION OF $6 A MONTH OR FOR A ONE-TIME GIFT OF $72, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THESE COMFORTABLE AND PROTECTIVE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDENING GLOVES.

IT'S PIGSKIN PALM, PUNCTURE-PROOF, MESH CLOTH ON THE BACK THAT MAKES IT BREATHABLE.

ON THE BACK ARE BOTH THE NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND "BACKYARD FARMER" LOGOS.

OR WITH A DONATION OF $10 A MONTH OR $120 ONE-TIME GIFT WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF THESE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN FLAGS.

BE SURE TO MAKE YOUR DONATION RIGHT NOW IF YOU WANT TO FLY THIS FLAG IN YOUR GARDEN.

CALL 800-989-8236.

OR GO ONLINE TO NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU KNOW, EVERY EPISODE OF "BACKYARD FARMER" FROM SPRING TO FALL BRINGS YOU ALL OF OUR GREAT ADVICE FROM OUR PANEL OF NEBRASKA EXTENSION EXPERTS AND LANDSCAPE SERVICES.

>> THANKS TO KIM AND THE EXPERTS, EVERYONE BEHIND THE SCENES, AND OUR LOYAL VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

"BACKYARD FARMER" IS HERE TO HELP YOU EVERY WEEK.

SUPPORT LOCAL PROGRAMMING LIKE "BACKYARD FARMER" NOW WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP.

AGAIN THAT NUMBER TO CALL 800-989-8236 OR GO ONLINE TO NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

>> WONDERFUL.

ALL RIGHT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GET TO MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS AFTER THE BREAK, BUT BEFORE THAT, LET'S HEAR FROM GANNON RUSH OF UNL'S HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER WITH THIS WEEK'S PERFECT WEATHER OUTLOOK.

>> THANKS, KIM.

SHOULD BE ANOTHER GREAT WEEK WITH PERFECT TEMPERATURES.

ON FRIDAY TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 90s OUT WEST AND 80s ACROSS A MAJORITY OF THE STATE, WHICH IS PERFECT FOR SITTING BY THE POOL.

AFTER THAT THINGS WILL COOL OFF ON SATURDAY AND GO INTO THE 70s AND WE'LL STAY THAT WAY FOR A MAJORITY OF THE WEEK.

THERE IS A CHANCE FOR THE HEAT RETURNING ON WEDNESDAY HOWEVER.

OUTSIDE OF A CHANCE OF STORMS ON FRIDAY, THIS WEEK WILL BE SPOTTY.

THE HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEASTERN PARTS OF THE STATES.

THE BULK OF THIS WILL OCCUR ON FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY WHEN STORMS WILL FORM INTO THE NORTH CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE AND MOVE TO THE SOUTHEAST.

THE BIGGEST STORE THIS YEAR HAS BEEN IN THE IMPROVING DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN NEBRASKA.

OUTSIDE OF A SMALL STRIP IN THE LINCOLN AREA, WHICH SHOULD SEE IMPROVEMENTS HERE IN THE COMING WEEKS, THE STATE IS IN PHENOMENAL SHAPE.

THE SPRINGTIME RAINFALL HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS AND HELPED IMPROVE CONDITIONS TO THE POINT WHERE NEBRASKA HAS HAD THE LOWEST PERCENTAGE OF DROUGHT IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEK OF WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU, KIM.

>> THANKS, GANNON.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GET BACK TO ANSWERING SOME QUESTIONS.

DO OUR LITTLE RAIN DANCE IF WE NEED IT.

LET'S SEE, KATE.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HARLAN, IOWA.

SHE WAS TOLD SHE SHOULD TRY TO IDENTIFY THE BUGS EATING HER PLANTS.

SHE WENT OUT AND TOOK THE PICTURES.

SHE'S WONDERING, AND SHE'S WONDERING THEN IS SEVEN SAFE AND WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> SURE.

WELL, I WASN'T ABLE TO SEE ANY OF THE ACTUAL INSECTS IN THIS PICTURE, SO IF YOU DON'T MIND DOING A LITTLE BIT MORE INVESTIGATING, MAYBE TURN THE LEAF'S OVER.

SEE IF YOU CAN FIND WHAT THE CULPRIT IS.

KNOWING WHAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH IS A REALLY GREAT FIRST STEP INTO KNOWING HOW TO MANAGE IT.

SEVEN IS A GREAT PRODUCT.

JUST BE SURE THAT YOU'RE READING THE LABEL TO MAKE SURE IT WORKS ON THE PLANT THAT YOU HAVE.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, THE INSECT YOU'RE TARGETING IS ALSO GOING TO BE ON THE LABEL.

SO BE SURE TO DO THAT FIRST.

>> AND YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE SEVEN IS USED AT THE RIGHT TIME OF DAY FOR YOUR FAVORITE INSECTS, IS THAT RIGHT?

POLLINATORS.

>> OH, YES, FOR THE POLLINATORS.

SO BE SURE TO DO IT -- [ LAUGHTER ] YES, THANK YOU!

I WAS LIKE, WHAT'S MY FAVORITE INSECT?

BE SURE TO DO IT IN THE EVENING OR TRY TO AVOID ANY FLOWERING BLOOMS, TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, KATE.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

IN ALL THE YEARS I'VE BEEN HOSTING I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS SO THIS IS REALLY COOL.

IT'S A SYRACUSE VIEWER.

GOOSEBERRIES STARTED TO GET A ROUGH SURFACE ON THE BERRY, THEN IT TURNS TO SPOTS THAT LOOK LIKE NEEDLE PRICKS.

THEN A WORM EATS THE BERRY.

THEN WEBS MAKE THE BERRY ROTTEN AND THEN SHE SEES SMALL MITES.

SHE'S WONDERING, SHOULD SHE SPRAY FOR A PEST BEFORE THEY BLOOM AND SET FRUIT OR IS THIS A DISEASE?

>> SO, THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS GOING ON HERE.

AND THE FIRST ONE IS REALLY COOL.

JUST LIKE KIM, I HAD NOT KNOWN ABOUT THIS OR NOT LOOKED INTO IT BEFORE, BUT WHAT'S CAUSING THE FRUIT -- WHAT'S EATING IT ARE GOOSEBERRY MAGGOTS.

SO THE FLY WILL ACTUALLY LAY THE EGG RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE SKIN OF THE FRUIT.

THE MAGGOTS HATCH, THEY BURROW INTO THE FRUIT AND THEN EVENTUALLY JUST EAT IT FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

SO, THERE'S A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN DO.

FIRST AND FOREMOST IS ANY INFESTED FRUIT, PICK THEM AND DESTROY THEM SO YOU DON'T HAVE THE SAME ISSUE NEXT YEAR.

ANOTHER REALLY INTERESTING TACTIC IS ABOUT THIS TIME OF YEAR OR INTO MID-JUNE YOU CAN TAKE A TARP AND PUT IT UNDER THE GOOSEBERRY PLANT.

BECAUSE AS THE FLIES DEVELOP, THEY'RE GOING TO PUPATE AND TRY TO GO DOWN INTO THE SOIL.

SO, YOU CAN STOP THEIR LIFE CYCLE RIGHT THERE.

AS FAR AS TREATING WITH A PESTICIDE, WE'RE KIND OF PAST THAT POINT IN TIME THIS YEAR.

APRIL AND MAY IS PROBABLY THE BEST.

AND YOU NEED TO CHOOSE SOMETHING THAT'S LABELED FOR GOOSEBERRY.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO TREAT AFTER FLOWERING IS DONE WHEN THOSE FRUITS START TO SET IN.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO THAT WILL BE INTERESTING.

REALLY INTERESTING TO FOLLOW.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, KATE.

>>> ROCH, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A LAWN AT LAKE WACONDA.

WHICH IS UNION, NEBRASKA.

WOULD PROBABLY APPLY ANYWHERE.

HIS QUESTION IS, CAN CLOVER AND TURF GRASS PEACEFULLY CO-EXIST IN A LAWN OR WILL THE CLOVER WANT TO TAKE OVER?

HE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE CLOVER FOR THE POLLINATORS BUT HE ALSO, PRINCIPALLY, WANTS TURF GRASS.

>> I UNDERSTAND AND THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION BUT, YOU KNOW, PRIOR TO THE 1950s, ALL GRASS SEED MIXES HAD WHITE CLOVER IN THEM.

THIS IS WHITE CLOVER IN THIS PARTICULAR PICTURE.

AND IT WAS VERY COMMON BECAUSE THEY FIX NITROGEN.

THEY'RE A LEGUME, THEY FIX NITROGEN AND THAT WOULD PROVIDE THE NITROGEN NEEDED BY THE LAWN.

WHEN WE SEE CLOVER DOMINATING A LAWN, THE LAWN IS USUALLY UNDER FERTILIZED.

WHEN WE SEE LAWNS THAT ARE DOMINATED BY TURF, THEN THEY'RE USUALLY FERTILIZED ADEQUATELY OR MAYBE EVEN EXCESSIVELY.

SO YOU CAN PLAY A LITTLE BALANCING ACT WITH NITROGEN FERTILIZER AND SHIFT THE POPULATION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

IF YOU WANT LESS CLOVER, PUT ON MORE NITROGEN WITHIN THE LIMITS OF WHAT WE RECOMMEND ON THE WEBSITE.

NOTHING MORE THAN TWO TO THREE POUNDS A YEAR.

AND IF YOU WANT TO SHIFT IT MORE TO THE POLLINATOR SPECIES, LIMIT THE NITROGEN BECAUSE WHITE CLOVER WILL PROLIFERATE IN THOSE -- SO, YES, THEY CAN LIVE TOGETHER.

>> AWESOME, EXCELLENT.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE ALSO.

THIS IS -- HE'S WONDERING WHAT THIS IS AND HOW TO GET RID OF IT.

HE SENT A NUMBER OF PICTURES EARLIER ON AND WE KIND OF HAD SOME BACK AND FORTH ON DOES THIS LAND IN YOUR LAP, LOREN'S LAP, OR DENNIS' LAP OR ALL THREE OF THEM?

>> WELL THIS IS -- I THINK THIS IS MORE LOREN'S -- IT'S POWDERY MILDEW BUT I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ANSWER IT, BECAUSE THERE'S SOME MANAGEMENT STUFF THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.

SO IF YOU DON'T MIND AND IF YOU WANT TO CHIME IN AFTER THIS BUT -- THE THIS IS POWDERY MILDEW.

IT'S A FUNGAL PATHOGEN.

IT'S NOT REALLY HARMFUL.

I MEAN, IT MAKES IT LOOK UGLY AND IN THIS ONE PICTURE HERE THAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW, WHAT'S INTRIGUING IS, THERE'S FESCUE IN THAT PICTURE AND ITS NOT EFFECTED BY THE POWDERY MILDEW.

SO IT'S MORE RESISTANT THAN THE KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS THAT'S THERE.

SO EVEN OVER SEEDING WITH MORE FESCUE WOULD -- WOULD MAKE THIS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE.

THE OTHER THING IS, THAT THERE IS NO FUNGICIDAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POWDERY MILDEW.

WE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT.

IT GOES AWAY ON IT'S OWN.

BUT THERE COULD BE SOME SURFACE MOISTURE ISSUES WITH THIS.

WE OFTEN SEE IT MORE IN THE SHADE.

SO, IF IT'S MORE IN THE SHADE, MAYBE THAT'S WHERE TURF SHOULDN'T BE GROWING.

MAYBE IT'S A LITTLE TOO CLOSE TO THE SHADE.

EVEN IF IT'S IN FULL SUN THOUGH, SOMETIMES JUST THE MOISTURE AT THE SURFACE AND NO FREE WATER AROUND THE LEAVES WILL MAKE IT PROLIFERATE.

MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF AIR MOVEMENT, SOMETHING ELOSE -- YOU KNOW, MOW FREQUENTLY.

NOT EXCESSIVELY BUT MOW FREQUENTLY AND SOME OTHER THINGS AND YOU CAN KIND OF SUPPRESS IT.

BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANY FUNGICIDES WE WOULD RECOMMEND FOR POWDERY MILDEW.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU , ROCH.

LOREN, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

IT COMES TO US FROM PARKER, COLORADO.

IN '23 THEY HAD FIVE EPISODES OF HAIL, HAD A PEAR TREE THAT WAS STRIPPED OF IT'S LEAVES.

THEN DISCOVERED THE NEW APPLE TREE NEXT DOOR HAD FIRE BLIGHT.

THE PEAR NEVER HAD IT.

HE TREATED THE PEAR, FERTILIZED IT, PRUNED, ETC.

BUT HE'S GOT THESE SUCKERS.

HE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP ONE TO SEE IF HE HAS A PEAR BUT HE'S REALLY WONDERING WILL THAT ONE GET FIRE BLIGHT, TOO, BECAUSE THE BIG PEAR HAD FIRE BLIGHT.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THERE MIGHT BE SOME FIRE BLIGHT EVEN IN THE PICTURE ON A COUPLE OF THE SUCKERS TO THE LEFT OF THE BETTER LOOKING ONE.

AND YES, IT WILL.

IT WILL GET FIRE BLIGHT.

MOST PEARS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE, THERE ARE A FEW THAT ARE LESS SUSCEPTIBLE.

SO IF YOU KEEP THAT, YOU WILL HAVE IT.

I JUST RECOMMEND USING SANITATION AND CLEANING UP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND THEN ANY TIME YOU SEE FIRE BLIGHT STARTING, MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE PRUNING THAT OUT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM SIOUX CITY.

HOLLYHOCKS LOOKED SO GOOD UNTIL A WEEK AGO AND THEN THEY DIDN'T AND IT STARTS ON THE LOWER LEAVES.

>> THAT IS BEAUTIFUL RIGHT THERE.

IF I HAVE A HOLLYHOCK, THAT'S WHAT I WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE, RIGHT THERE.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] IT'S HOLLYHOCK RUST.

AND HOLLYHOCK RUST IS UNIQUE BECAUSE MANY OF THE RUSTS WE TALK ABOUT GO THROUGH OTHER HOSTS SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CEDAR APPLE RUST, FOR EXAMPLE, AND WE TALK ABOUT THE APPLE TREE AND THE CEDAR CYCLE, WITH HOLLYHOCK RUST IT JUST STAYS ON HOLLYHOCK AND IT WILL OVER WINTER AND RESIDUE.

SO, THAT'S KEY FOR MANAGEMENT.

YOU CAN DO RESIDUE CONTROL IN OTHER YEARS, MAKING SURE YOU'RE CLEANING YOUR GARDEN SITE UP OF ANY DEBRIS.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE IT WILL TYPICALLY OVER WINTER AND I'M GUESSING YOU HAD HOLLYHOCKS HERE BEFORE OR YOUR NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE FENCE DID.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING.

IF YOU WANT TO GROW HOLLYHOCKS, MOST OF THE FUNGICIDES, IF YOU WANT TO TRY TO CONTROL IT, MOST OF THE FUNGICIDES ON THE HOMEOWNER MARKET WOULD DO A DECENT JOB OF MANAGING HOLLYHOCK RUST.

YOU COULD LOOK FOR A GENERAL USE FUNGICIDE AND MANCOZEB, EVEN CHLOROTHALONIL.

ANY OF THESE WOULD HAVE SOME ACTIVITY ON HOLLYHOCK RUST.

>> EARLY.

>> EARLY.

MUCH EARLIER.

ONCE YOU SEE IT, IT'S TOO LATE.

SO, IF YOU SEE ANY SPOTS AT ALL DEVELOPING, YOU REALLY NEED TO BE TREATING EVEN BEFORE THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> SO IT'S TOO LATE.

ENJOY IT.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> OF COURSE, SAYS THE PATHOLOGIST.

>> YEAH.

WHY NOT?

>> ELIZABETH, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

SHE HAS DISCOVERED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOMATOES AND THE GRAPES, SHE THINKS IT'S HERBICIDE OVERSPRAY FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE.

OR HAS THE SAME THING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.

SHE DID REPLACE HER TOMATO PLANTS.

SHE'S CONCERNED THAT EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE GARDEN -- IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN MIGHT BE AFFECTED.

SHOULD SHE EAT ANY OF THE VEGETABLES AND FRUITS THAT GROW ON THEM?

AND SINCE THE GRAPEVINE IS PERENNIAL, HOW LONG WILL IT BE AFFECTED?

SHOULD SHE PRUNE THAT BACK?

>> SO WHEN IT COMES TO HERBICIDES IN THE GARDEN, THERE IS NO PREHARVEST INTERVAL FROM WHEN THEY'RE APPLIED TO WHEN IT'S SAFE TO CONSUME.

THE MOST CAUTIOUS WE WOULD BE TO REMOVE ANY OF THOSE ANNUAL VEGETABLE CROPS, FOR SURE, THAT ARE SHOWING THOSE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF THAT HERBICIDE INJURY.

YOU KNOW, WE CAN DEDUCE THAT THERE WILL BE SOME BREAKDOWN OF THAT HERBICIDE WITH TIME, WITH SUNLIGHT, WITH WATER.

THE HARD PART IS, IS WE DON'T HAVE AN EXACT AMOUNT OF HERBICIDE THAT WAS APPLIED SO WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A GOOD ANSWER ON WHEN IT IS SAFE.

SO IF THEY WANTED TO PRUNE OUT THOSE PORTIONS OF THE GRAPE, THEY COULD.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY THOSE GARDEN CROPS THAT ARE SHOWING THE SYMPTOMS OF THE HERBICIDE INJURY, GO AHEAD AND TAKE THEM OUT.

BUT THE REST OF THE GARDEN, WE DON'T KNOW IF IT HAD DRIFT, IF IT DIDN'T.

BUT IF IT'S ONE OF THOSE THAT HAS A LONGER DAYS UNTIL HARVEST, MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL BREAK DOWN WITH SUNLIGHT, AND TIME, AND WATER.

SO NOT AN EASY ANSWER WHEN IT COMES TO ANY OF THIS.

>> NOT EXACT.

>> IF WE'RE MOST CAUTIOUS, IT WOULD BE REMOVAL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

YOUR NEXT ONE, HE HAS A RAISED BED AND IT'S KIND OF A FUN LITTLE RAISED BED.

THIS IS KIND OF A TURF QUESTION BUT NOT REALLY, WHICH IS HOW MANY GRASS CUTTINGS MUST HE WAIT UNTIL HE CAN USE THOSE CLIPPINGS IN HIS RAISED BED.

HE IS TRYING TO RAISE WORMS IN THEM.

HE HAS MOWED ABOUT FOUR TIMES SINCE HE PUT ON FERTILIZER AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

HE'S TRYING TO KEEP THE BED AS FREE OF CHEMICALS AS HE POSSIBLY CAN.

>> SO ROCH, I BELIEVE IT IS THREE MOWINGS, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> OKAY, GOOD!

SEE, I PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN ROCH TALKS.

[ LAUGHTER ] SO, WE WAIT THREE MOWINGS FROM WHEN WE MAKE THOSE APPLICATIONS BEFORE WE USE THOSE IN THE GARDEN.

IF WE ARE USING SOME OTHER PRODUCTS, THERE ARE SOME TIMES WHERE WE MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT SIX WEEKS BEFORE WE USE THOSE CLIPPINGS.

SO, IT CAN BE PRODUCT DEPENDENT.

SO BE SURE TO READ ON THAT LABEL OR DO SOME RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THAT.

BUT IN THE WORM BED, AT LEAST THREE MOWINGS.

SO I SAY, HE'S DONE FOUR, PROBABLY GO AHEAD AND USE THOSE GRASS CLIPPING AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

WELL, IT IS TIME FOR US TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK.

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

MUCH MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" RIGHT AFTER THESE MESSAGES.

♪♪ [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] >> IT'S YOUR DOPPELGANGER.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> IT'S MY DOPPEL-DINGER?

>> AUDIENCE THAT WAS -- >> THAT WAS A VIEWER WHO SENT IN A PICTURE OF HER HUSBAND THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU.

>> THAT'S FUNNY.

LOOK UP A PICTURE OF CHUCK PAGANO, IT'S LIKE SERIOUSLY SCARY HOW CLOSE IT IS.

>> OH THAT'S SO MUCH FUN.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WELCOME BACK TO "BACKYARD FARMER."

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'LL GET TO THAT BOG GARDEN VIDEO WE PROMISED YOU.

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

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

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] ALL RIGHT, ARE YOU READY, ELIZABETH?

>> I'M READY.

>> YOUR FIRST QUESTION IS THIS IS A SHENANDOAH VIEWER.

SHE PLANTED FIVE CUCUMBER SEEDS IN A SAUCER SIZED SPACE.

SHE'S WONDERING, SHOULD SHE THIN THEM?

AND IF SHE DOES, WILL SHE GET MORE CUKES?

>> SHE WILL WANT TO THIN THEM, YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO STRAIGHTEN A YOUNG TREE THAT IS LEANING?

>> NOT REALLY.

IF IT HAS ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF LIGHT, IT SHOULD START TO LEAN ON ITS OWN.

OTHERWISE, NOTHING YOU CAN REALLY DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO HAS OAK SEEDLINGS AND HE WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER HE CAN SAVE THEM, DIG THEM, PUT THEM IN POTS?

>> YES.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE A HAVE VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING WHETHER HE CAN CRUSH UP FOLIC ACID AND POTASSIUM GLUCONATE PILLS, THAT ARE HUMAN PILLS, CRUSH THEM AND THEN USE THEM ON HIS GARDEN?

>> I WOULD SAY PROBABLY NOT BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT'S ON THE LABEL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAYS THEIR SYCAMORES ARE NOT LEAFING OUT, THIS IS IN NORTHEAST NEBRASKA.

DEAD?

>> ALL WE CAN DO IS WATER, WATCH, AND WAIT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

THAT ONE I HAVEN'T HEARD BEFORE.

I'LL WRITE THAT ONE DOWN.

>> THAT ONE IS MY OWN.

I TRADEMARKED IT.

>> OKAY, ARE YOU READY, LOREN?

>> READY, WATER, WATCH AND WAIT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SURE.

OKAY, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO HAS WILTING BRANCHES IN A MAPLE TREE.

THEY THINK IT'S -- MIGHT BE VERTICILLIUM WILT.

WILL PRUNING UP THOSE BRANCHES SAVE THE TREE?

>> NO.

>> OKAY.

>> YOU COULD CHECK THAT.

YOU COULD CUT IT AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY BROWN STREAMING OR BROWN CIRCLES UNDERNEATH THE BARK.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE A POLK COUNTY VIEWER WHO WONDERS, IS IT OKAY TO LEAVE OLD PINE NEEDLES UNDER A TREE YEAR AFTER YEAR OR ARE THERE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH DISEASE?

>> THERE CAN BE IF YOU HAVE FOLIAR DISEASES.

BUT IN GENERAL, A HEALTHY PINE TREE THERE'S NOTHING THERE FOR DISEASE THAT'S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE AN ELK HORN VIEWER WHOSE TOMATOES HAVE CURLY TOPS ON THEM.

ARE THEY SAFE OR IS THIS A DISEASE?

>> IF ONE OF THE TOMATO PLANTS IS AFFECTED LIKE THIS, IT COULD BE A VIRUS AND I WOULD ROGUE IT OUT.

IF IT'S ALL THE PLANTS, IT COULD BE HERBICIDE INJURY LIKE ELIZABETH WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO'S WONDERING WHETHER THE SAME DISEASES THAT ATTACKS SPRUCES WOULD CAUSE CONCOLOR FIR TO GO INTO DECLINE?

>> GENERALLY NOT.

THERE ARE SOME CANKERS THOUGH THAT COULD GO ACROSS THOSE DIFFERENT SPECIES.

>> ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB.

OKAY, ARE YOU READY, ROCH?

>> LIKE REDI WHIP.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A PLATTSMOUTH VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHETHER IT IS OKAY TO WATER AT NIGHT, AND THIS IS BOTH THE GARDEN AND THE LAWN.

>> THE LAWN IS MUCH BETTER TO WATER, PRE-DAWN.

EARLY MORNING OR PRE-DAWN.

YOU DON'T WANT TO WATER IT LATE IN THE EVENING, I THINK THIS IS TRUE OF MOST PLANTS BECAUSE OF DISEASE ISSUES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HIS FOLLOW-UP QUESTION IS DO RAIN SHOWERS AT NIGHT DO DAMAGE TO THE TURF?

>> NO.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW -- FROM SEWARD WHO WANTS TO KNOW IS IT SAFE TO MULCH THE GARDEN WITH CLIPPINGS THAT ARE TREATED FOR WEEDS.

>> AFTER THE THIRD MOWING, IT CERTAINLY IS.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE A NATURAL OR BIOFRIENDLY WEED CONTROL FOR CREEPING CHARLIE?

>> FIESTA IS THE BRAND NAME.

IT'S ACTUALLY A KELATED IRON FORM, AND IT WILL BURN IT BACK.

BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS PROBABLY UP TO FIVE BEFORE YOU'RE GOING TO KILL GROUND IVY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS POKEWEED.

KNOWS IT'S TOXIC, WANTS TO KNOW CAN THEY PUT IT IN THE COMPOST AFTER THEY GET IT OUT OF THEIR LANDSCAPE.

>> IF THEY GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT, IT CERTAINLY WILL BREAK DOWN THE CONSTITUENTS THAT MAKE IT POISONOUS EVEN ALTHOUGH LOREN WOULD ARGUE THAT YOU SHOULD EAT THAT STUFF.

>> POKE SOLID ANNIE.

[ LAUGHTER ] EVEN SONGS ABOUT EATING POKE SALAD.

IT'S A REAL THING.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT.

ALL RIGHT, ARE YOU READY?

>> YES.

>> THIS IS A PLATTSMOUTH VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING ABOUT USING NEEM OIL FOR APHIDS WHICH WE RECOMMENDED ON RIVER BIRCH AND ON THE MULCH AND THE PERENNIALS UNDERNEATH THE TREE.

>> IF THERE'S APHIDS ON THOSE, THEN SURE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THAT SAME PERSON IS WONDERING HOW OFTEN YOU WOULD USE THE NEEM OIL.

>> NEEM OIL, YOU MIGHT WANT TO REAPPLY ABOUT EVERY WEEK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> YEAH.

>> WE HAVE A BROWNVILLE VIEWER WHO HAS LARGE BLACK ANTS HAVE CREATED MOUNDS IN HIS HALF ACRE LANDSCAPE.

THEY'RE NOT IN THE HOUSE.

ARE THEY AN ISSUE?

>> AS LONG AS THEY'RE NOT BOTHERING ANYTHING, THEN IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH IT, THEY'RE OKAY WITH IT.

YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE NORTHWEST CORNER OF HOWARD COUNTY VIEWER WHO HAS IDENTIFIED JUMPING WORMS, THREE PER SQUARE FEET.

IS THERE A GRANULAR NATURAL CONTROL?

>> NO, THERE IS NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IS THERE A SOIL TREATMENT FOR RAISED BEDS THAT HAVE BEEN DECIMATED BY WHITE FLIES AND CABBAGE WORMS IN THE PAST?

AND IF SO, COULD YOU PUT THAT ON BEFORE YOU REPLANT?

>> NOT AS A SOIL TREATMENT, NO.

I DON'T THINK I'VE HEARD OF THAT, SO NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

INTERESTING QUESTIONS FOR EVERYBODY THIS YEAR.

Y'ALL DID A NICE JOB.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> WELL, WE'VE GOT A SPECIAL EVENT THIS WEEKEND THAT WE'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO.

SO HERE'S TERRI OUT AT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN TO TELL US MORE.

♪♪ ♪♪ >>> THIS WEEK IN "THE BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, WE ARE INVITING YOU TO COME VISIT US THIS WEEKEND FOR OUR FIRST EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS.

WE'LL BE HERE IN THE GARDEN ALONG WITH MANY OF THE MASTER GARDENERS HERE TO ANSWER ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

THERE WILL BE LOTS GOING ON HERE ON EAST CAMPUS.

FOOD TRUCKS, VENDORS.

LOTS OF THINGS TO BE ABLE TO SEE AND DO AND LOTS OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OUT HERE TO KIND OF GET YOUR KIDDOS INVOLVED IN SOME OF THOSE SCIENCE ACTIVITIES THAT WE ALL DO HERE ON CAMPUS.

WE'LL HAVE ALL OF OUR PLANTS OUT.

THEY'LL BE ABLE TO VISIT, ASK QUESTIONS AND MAYBE GET AN IDEA OR TWO FOR YOUR OWN BACKYARD.

SO STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN THIS SATURDAY FOR EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS OPEN HOUSE FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

♪♪ ♪♪ >>> YOU KNOW, WE REALLY HOPE YOU'LL STOP BY AND TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THE SPECIAL PLANTS WE'VE GOT IN THE GARDEN THIS YEAR, AND OUR NEW PATIO, OF COURSE.

THAT'S THIS SATURDAY FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON EAST CAMPUS.

AND, OF COURSE, IT'S TIME FOR ELIZABETH TO TELL US ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

>> YES.

WE HAVE SOME REALLY NICE PLANTS OF THE WEEK THIS WEEK, AND THESE PLANTS, SO WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE WHITE ONE, THIS IS GOING TO BE A LARKSPUR.

NOW LARKSPURS HAVE VERY FINELY DISSECT FOLIAGE BACK HERE, KIND OF LOOKS A LITTLE BIT LIKE DILL.

IT ALSO HAS THE WHITE FLOWERS.

IT COULD BE PURPLE.

IT COULD BE PINK.

IT'S AN ANNUAL.

SO IT COMES UP FROM SEED.

IT COULD RECEDE ITSELF READILY.

COMES IN LIKE I SAID LOTS OF DIFFERENT COLORS.

FLOWER SPIKES WILL BE ANYWHERE FROM TWO TO THREE FEET OR LIKE THIS YEAR, FOUR FEET.

IT HAS A LOT OF HEIGHT TO IT.

ATTRACTS POLLINATORS.

A REALLY FUN PLANT.

AND LIKE I SAID, IT'S AN EASY ONE TO START FROM SEED.

THE OTHER ONE IS GOING TO BE THE YELLOW ONE.

THE YELLOW ONE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCIENTIFIC NAMES TO SAY BECAUSE IT'S ZIZIA, ALSO KNOWN AS GOLDEN ALEXANDER.

SO THIS IS OUT GROWING IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN RAIN CHAIN.

SO IT CAN HANDLE SOME OF THOSE WET/DRY KIND OF ENVIRONMENTS.

LIKES IT A LITTLE BIT WET.

IT ATTRACTS A WIDE RANGE OF POLLINATORS.

AND THEN, ALSO, IT WILL ALSO SEED ITSELF ABOUT TWO TO THREE FOOT TALL.

AND THIS YEAR, KIM SAYS THAT IT'S FLOWERING AGAIN.

SO NORMALLY, WE ONLY HAVE ONE FLESH OF FLOWERS, BUT THE VIEWERS GET TO SEE BOTH THE SEEDS AND THE FLOWERS ON ONE PLANT THIS WEEK.

SO SOME REALLY FUN PLANTS THAT WILL SPREAD BY SEED IN YOUR GARDEN.

>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

AND THE PURPLE MATCHES YOUR SHIRT.

ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS, OF COURSE, OF FUN THINGS IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

AND OUR VERY FIRST ONE IS YET AGAIN, EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS ON THE MALL, THERE'S ALL SORTS OF STUFF, BUT OF COURSE, YOU MUST COME TO THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

THE LINCOLN GARDEN CLUB FREE GARDEN TOUR SATURDAY, JUNE 8th FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 P.M.

THERE ARE FOUR LOCATIONS.

YOU CAN START AT ANY OF THEM.

THERE IS AN EMAIL IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT ONE.

AND I THINK THEN OUR VERY LAST ONE IS US AGAIN, "BACKYARD FARMER" LIVE AT HASTINGS COLLEGE, MONDAY, JUNE 10TH.

WE GO LIVE AT 6:00 P.M., COME AT 5:00 P.M. ON THE LIBRARY GREEN AND ASK US ALL YOUR QUESTIONS.

ALL RIGHT, SO, TALKING ABOUT QUESTIONS, WE HAVE KATE, ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

ALL HE'S SAYING IS GOOD BUGS OR BAD?

THIS IS ON HIS CONE FLOWERS.

>> YEAH, THESE ARE GOOD BUGS.

THESE ARE THE CATERPILLARS OF THE CHECKER SPOT BUTTERFLY.

SO IF YOU ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE THOSE PLANTS, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY LEAVE THOSE CATERPILLARS THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE BEAUTIFUL POLLINATORS.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

SHE HAS -- THIS IS FAIRBURY.

HAS NEVER HAD THIS IN ONIONS BEFORE.

AND SHE'S WONDERING WHETHER SHE COULD SPRAY SEVEN ON THE WHOLE PATCH SO THEY DON'T SPREAD?

>> YEAH, SO THESE ARE NOT BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES.

THESE ARE MOST LIKELY SOME OF THE ARMY WORMS, POSSIBLY THE BEE ARMY WORM.

IN THIS CASE, SINCE THE CATERPILLARS ARE STILL RELATIVELY SMALL, I WOULDN'T USE SEVEN, I WOULD LOOK FOR A PRODUCT THAT HAS BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS, OR BTK IN IT.

THAT WORKS REALLY WELL FOR CATERPILLARS.

SO I WOULD GO AHEAD AND START WITH THAT ONE AND GIVE THAT PRODUCT A TRY.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE PIC ON THIS ONE, AND SHE'S WONDERING WHAT SHOULD SHE DO, IF ANYTHING, ABOUT THIS LITTLE GUY THAT HAS BEEN EATING HOLES IN THE CEDUM PLANTS.

AND WE HAD TWO OR THREE PEOPLE SEND THIS THIS WEEK.

>> THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

THIS IS A LOOPER.

IT LOOKS REALLY SIMILAR TO A CABBAGE LOOPER, BUT IT'S OBVIOUSLY ON CEDUM.

IF THE CATERPILLARS ARE BIG ENOUGH AND YOU CAN SEE THEM LIKE YOU CAN IN THIS PICTURE, THE EASIEST THING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IS TO HAND PICK THEM OFF, FEED SOME BIRDS, THROW IT INTO SOAPY WATER.

BUT IF YOU DO USE A PRODUCT, JUST MAKE SURE CEDUM IS ON THE LABEL, AND OF COURSE, YOU WANT BE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THOSE FLOWERS AND AVOID APPLYING ANYTHING WHILE THE CEDUMS ARE FLOWERING.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU KATE.

TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE FOR YOU, ROCH.

THIS COMES TO US FROM COLORADO.

THESE GROW IN THE GARDEN.

SHE LET THEM GO TO SEE WHAT THEY WERE.

SHE THOUGHT THEY WERE GARLIC.

THEY DON'T GET CLOVES.

THE LEAVES ARE FLAT, NOT TUBULAR.

THEY SMELL LIKE GARLIC.

WHAT ARE THEY?

ARE THEY EDIBLE?

AND ARE THEY KILLABLE?

>> SO WILD GARLIC AND WILD ONION ARE OFTEN CONFUSED.

WILD GARLIC HAS A HOLLOW STEM, AND NOT A FLATTENED STEM LIKE THIS ONE.

SO I'M GOING TO SAY THIS IS WILD ONION.

YES, IT IS EDIBLE AND ACTUALLY EVERY PORTION OF IT IS EDIBLE.

AND IT CAN BE USED IN SALADS, YOU KNOW, FRESH AND AS A SEASONING LIKE AN ONION WOULD BE AS WELL.

AND ALSO, THE ONION BRANCHES FROM THE BASE WHEREAS WILD GARLIC BRANCHES ARE ALONG THE STEM.

SO THAT'S HOW WE TELL THEM APART BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T HAVE A HOLLOW STEM, IT'S PROBABLY A WILD ONION.

>> AND YOU KILL IT, IF SHE WANTS TO KILL IT, HOW?

>> IF YOU WANT TO KILL IT, THERE ARE PHENOXY HERBICIDES THAT ARE USED TO CONTROL BROAD LEAF WEEDS WORK MODERATELY WELL.

IN A LANDSCAPE BED, GRASS BE GONE AS LONG AS IT'S LABELED FOR WHATEVER ELSE YOU HAVE IN THERE.

ACTUALLY, IT DOES A REASONABLY GOOD JOB.

AND MOST OF THE SEDGE HERBICIDES WILL ALSO WORK ON WILD ONION AND WILD GARLIC.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

THREE PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM MAGNOLIA.

AND SHE HAS ALL THESE LITTLE GRASSES COMING UP IN THE SECOND YEAR GRAPES BETWEEN THE ASPARAGUS AND UNDER THE CHERRY TREE.

SHE'S WONDERING WHETHER SHE CAN SPRAY GRASS B GON ON THE WOOD CHIPS?

>> OKAY, SO GRASS B GON IS A NAME OF A HERBICIDE THAT ORTHO COMPANY, IT'S A BRAND NAME.

THERE'S A GRASS GETTER AND OTHERS, AND MOST OF THEM ARE FUSELATE OR FLUAZIFOP, IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE IN THE ROOM EXCEPT THAT SOME THINGS THAT ARE LABELED FOR EDIBLES -- FOR ORNAMENTALS, THEY'RE ALL LABELED FOR ORNAMENTALS AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH GRASS B GON, BUT GRASS B GON, DEPENDING UPON WHAT LABEL YOU GET AND WHERE YOU LIVE IS LABELED FOR EDIBLES.

AND THERE'S WHOLE INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT TO DO.

SO IF SHE'S GOT THE RIGHT PRODUCT, CERTAINLY SHE'S WELL WITHIN THE CONFINES OF RESTRICTIONS.

AND WILL IT KILL THE GRASSES?

YEAH, AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.

BUT LET'S JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE PROPERLY LABELED PRODUCT FOR THE WEED TARGET AND THE WEED LOCATION.

>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU.

TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE, LOREN.

COMES TO US FROM HOOPER.

OH ROCH, I'M SORRY, YOU'VE GOT ONE MORE QUESTION.

SO YOUR NEXT QUESTION IS A REMINDER HERE, THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO HAS THIS CLOVER, MICRO CLOVER IN IT AND WANTS TO GET RID OF IT, NOT KEEP IT.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE EARLIER, WE HAD SOMEBODY THAT WANTED TO KEEP IT, RIGHT.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND I BELIEVE THEY SAID THEY USEDA HERBICIDE LABELED.

MY CONCERN IS THAT THEY USED IT THREE TIMES AND THEY STILL DIDN'T GET IT SO I'M GUESSING THAT MAYBE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE LABEL CORRECT.

AND GO BACK AND CHECK BECAUSE IT PROBABLY WAS LABELED FOR 5,000 SQUARE FEET AND THEY HAVE A 15,000-SQUARE-FOOT LAWN.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT FOR SURE, BUT THAT PRODUCT GENERALLY WORKS AS LONG AS THEY FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AND ONE OF THE DIRECTIONS WITH THAT GRANULAR HERBICIDE ON BROAD LEAF WEEDS IS TO MAKE SURE YOU WET THE SURFACE BEFORE YOU PUT THE HERBICIDE, IT'S TWO HERBICIDES AND FERTILIZER, SO YOU WANT THE SURFACE TO BE WET.

SO IF THEY DIDN'T WET THE SURFACE, THAT MAY BE WHY THE EFFICACY WENT DOWN DRAMATICALLY.

OR IF THEY DIDN'T CALCULATE THEIR AREA CORRECTLY, IT MAY HAVE GONE DOWN TOO LIGHT.

BUT THAT PRODUCT SHOULD WORK GREAT ON MICRO CLOVER OR ANY OF THE CLOVERS.

BUT IF THEY'RE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT IT, I WOULD GET A READY TO USE BROAD LEAF HERBICIDE AND SPOT SPRAY THOSE AREAS THEY WANT TO GO AFTER.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ALL RIGHT, NOW IT'S YOUR TURN, LOREN.

THIS IS STILL HOOPER, THIS IS STILL THE TOPS OF TOMATO PLANTS AND THEY'RE STILL TURNING GRAY.

SO WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> YEAH, ON THESE, WHEN WE SEE THE TERMINAL GROWTH DYING, THE WAY THIS LOOKS, THE GRAY -- I'M INTERPRETING IT AS DEATH.

AND IF THEY'RE SEEING THAT ON JUST AN OCCASIONAL PLANT, NOT ALL OF THE PLANTS, WHICH IT WASN'T CLEAR, I DON'T THINK IN THE QUESTION, KIM.

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT'S VERY LIKELY TO BE A VIRUS.

SO SOME OF OUR VIRUSES WILL CAUSE TERMINAL DEATH.

AND SO, IF YOU SEE THOSE, I WOULD RECOMMEND ROGUEING THOSE PLANTS OUT.

NOW IF IT'S ALL THE PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT VARIETIES AND EVERYTHING, THEN WE'VE GOT ANOTHER ISSUE AND I WOULD SUGGEST SEND US A SAMPLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, LOREN.

YOU HAVE THREE PICS ON THIS ONE.

I THINK THIS IS MORE YOURS THAN KATE'S BUT THEY'RE CUKES.

SO BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU, YOU COULD FIGURE THIS OUT.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THESE PLANTS.

ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE SEASON EVERY YEAR THEY DO THIS.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AND HOW CAN IT BE PREVENTED?

>> SOME OF THE THINGS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PREVIOUS PICTURE, YOU CAN SEE THE LIGHTER SPOTS, SMALLER SIZE VARYING IN SIZE.

ON THE OLDER LEAVES, WE'RE SEEING LARGER SPOTS WITH THE SHUTTLE APPERANCE WHERE THE LESIONS ACTUALLY FALLS OUT.

THIS IS A SYMPTOM THAT WE SEE WITH ANTHRAXNOS ON CUCUMBERS.

AND I BELIEVE THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT IT IS.

PARTICULARLY WHERE THEY SAY IT'S HAPPENING EVERY YEAR.

THIS IS A SYMPTOM THAT WE SEE THIS IS A SYMPTOM THAT WE SEE >> RIGHT.

>> AND IF WE LOOK CLOSELY AT THIS THERE ARE SOME LEAVES THAT ARE DYING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PLANT, SO A FEW THINGS.

MANY TIMES WE SEE AN ORNAMENTAL PLANT, WHERE YOU'VE GOT DEAD LEAVES AT THE BASE IT'S MOST LIKELY SOME SORT OF CROWN AND ROOT ROT.

AND THEN IT'S WILTING SO WE KNOW THE ROOT SYSTEM'S BEEN COMPROMISED.

I WOULD SAY IN THIS CASE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO SAVE THIS PLANT PROBABLY, BUT THE REALITY IS LOOK AT WHERE IT'S AT.

IF THERE'S SOME SORT OF OVER WATERING.

IF THIS WAS A PLANT PURCHASED AND NOT FROM SEED, IT MAY BE PLANTED TOO DEEP THE WAY IT LOOKED IN THE PICTURE AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS LOREN.

TWO PICS FOR YOU ON THE FIRST ONE, ELIZABETH.

THIS COMES TO US FROM ELKHORN.

THEY'RE SAYING THEIR SPINACH TYPICALLY DOES WELL.

THIS YEAR IT ISN'T GROWING, STUNTED YELLOW LEAVES, COMPOST AND VEGETABLE FERTILIZER WERE ADDED WHEN IT WAS PLANTED THREE TO FOUR WEEKS AGO.

>> SO WE COULD BE HAVING SOME KIND OF CARRY OVER IN THE COMPOST.

I KNOW I'VE HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING.

BUT ALSO, IT'S BEEN KIND OF WARM.

AND SO IF WE TAKE A LOOK, A LOT OF THE YELLOWING OF THE LEAVES IS THE OLDER MOST LEAVES.

AND SO I'M THINKING WE'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING ENVIRONMENTAL WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE TEMPERATURE'S ARE WHAT'S CAUSING THE YELLOWING ON THAT.

SO YOU COULD PICK THEM OFF, BUT YOU KNOW BEFORE LONG IT'S GOING TO BE TOO HOT FOR SPINACH ANYWAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

SIMILAR, THIS COMES TO US FROM GRETNA.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE PEA PLANTS ON THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN -- OR NOT -- THEIR GARDEN.

OURS TOO.

>> YES, AND THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ACROSS THE STATE.

AS WE START TO GET WARMER THE PEAS ARE GOING TO START TO BE ON DECLINE.

SO IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE THOSE WARMER TEMPERATURES AND THOSE COOL SEASON CROPS ARE ENDING THEIR LIFE CYCLE.

JUST REMEMBER YOU CAN DO A FALL GARDEN WITH SOME OF THOSE COOL SEASON CROPS AGAIN ONCE WE GET TO JULY AND AUGUST.

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

SHE WANTS TO KNOW IF SHE CAN PRUNE THE SIDES OF HER SPRUCE TREES.

IF SO, HOW MUCH AND WILL IT HURT THE TREE.

>> TECHNICALLY YES YOU CAN CUT THE SPRUCE TREE.

BUT IT HURTS MY HEART TO TELL YOU THAT.

BECAUSE THE SPRUCE TREE LOOKS GORGEOUS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE GROUND.

NORMALLY WE DON'T RECOMMEND CUTTING MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CANOPY OFF AT ANY ONE POINT IN TIME.

YOU CAN KIND OF DO SELECTIVE FEATHER-CUTTING OR FEATHER PRUNING TO KIND OF TAKE SOME OF THOSE GROWTH POINTS OFF, IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT IT BEING TOO CLOSE TO THE HOUSE.

NOW, THE THING TO KEEP IN MIND, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REMOVE THOSE CANDLES EVERY YEAR WHILE IT PUTS NEW ONES ON TO KEEP IT TO A SMALLER SIZE.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT LIMBING IT UP, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IF WE MAKE CUTS BACK ONTO THE WOOD THAT HAS NO NEEDLES THAT WE'RE JUST GOING TO TAKE IT ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE TRUNK.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE THOSE NUBS OUT THERE.

SO YOU CAN PRUNE IT, BUT I THINK IT LOOKS GORGEOUS RIGHT NOW.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS ELISABETH.

WELL, WE DID HAVE A LITTLE MIXUP OF OUR VIDEO FEATURES EARLIER.

NOW WE'RE SHOW YOU THAT UNIQUE BOG FILTER IN DAVID HOLDINGS BACKYARD.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO A POND.

I KNEW IT WAS A BIG UNDERTAKING, ESPECIALLY IF I WAS PLANNING TO DO THE WHOLE THING MYSELF.

SO A BIT LATE ON IN THE SEASON LAST SEPTEMBER AFTER I GOT BACK FROM A TRIP TO CHINA I STARTED DIGGING AWAY.

DUG -- SO THIS IS OLD CLAY SOIL.

IT TOOK QUITE A WHILE TO GET IT DUG OUT.

AND THE RAISED AREA YOU SEE AT THE BACK IS ALL THE SPOILS FROM THAT.

IT'S ABOUT 3 1/2 FEET DEEP AT THE DEEPEST POINT AND 2 FEET DEEP AT THE FRONT.

IT'S COVERED WITH A -- HAS A PLASTIC LINER THAT I'VE DONE MY BEST TO COVER UP WITH BOULDERS.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS WITH THE POND, YOU NEED TO GET THE NITROGEN OUT OF THE WATER.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF RUNOFF FROM THE GRASS, FROM AROUND AND THE SURROUNDINGS GARDENS.

SO YOU NEED TO GET THE NITROGEN OFF.

AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE CHEMICALS IS TO HAVE AS MANY PLANTS AS YOU CAN GET.

SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE ALL THE AQUATIC PLANTS THAT ARE COMING ON, I'VE GOT THE LILIES COMING ON.

AND THE WATER HYACINTH, VARIOUS OTHER THINGS.

AND YOU CAN SEE I'M EXPERIMENTING WITH SOME VEGETABLES ON A FLOATING RAFT.

SO I THOUGHT, WHY NOT?

THEY'RE A LOT CHEAPER THAN AQUATIC PLANTS AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB OF SUCKING OUT THE NITROGEN.

THE FISH LIKE HANGING OUT UNDERNEATH THERE.

AND THE WATERS GOT CLEARER AND CLEARER SO IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING.

THAT'S IN PART DUE TO THE BOG FILTER THAT I'VE INSTALLED AT THE BACK.

I NEEDED AERATION IN THE WATER, OTHERWISE IT WAS GOING TO JUST BE A STAGNANT SWAMP.

AND I THOUGHT THAT THE STREAM WITH THE ROCKS WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR THAT AERATION, BUT AFTER SOME TIME THIS SPRING I REALIZED I WAS GOING TO NEED SOMETHING IN ADDITION.

SO I LOOKED INTO BOG FILTERS AND THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND THAT.

WHAT A BOG FILTER IS, IS AN AREA OF A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE VOLUME OF YOUR POND WHICH HAS GRAVEL IN IT, PEA GRAVEL.

IT HAS TO BE A FAIRLY SMALL GRADE OF GRAVEL, AND THE WATER GETS CIRCULATED UP QUITE SLOWLY THROUGH THAT GRAVEL AND YOU HAVE PLANTS, AQUATIC PLANTS THAT DON'T MIND BEING SUBMERGED IN THE TOP OF THE GRAVEL.

YOU HAVE BACTERIA AND OTHER MICROBES GROWING AND SURVIVING IN THE GRAVEL, AND THEY TAKE OUT THE NITROGEN.

THEY PURIFY THE WATER AND THE PLANTS THAT ARE IN THE TOP ALSO TAKE OUT THE NITROGEN AND WHAT COMES OUT OF THE TOP OF THE BOG FILTER IS MORE CLEAR WATER THAN WENT THROUGH.

SO, YOU NEED TO HAVE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF YOUR FLOW GOING THROUGH THE BOG FILTER.

SO I HAVE A PUMP THAT'S IN THE POND THAT PUMPS 1 GALLON PER SECOND.

IT GOES UP TO A MAIN PIPE AND THEN I SPLIT THE PIPE INTO TWO ADJUSTABLE VALVES.

SO I CAN REGULATE THE FLOW BETWEEN THE MAINSTREAM AND THE PIPE THAT GOES THROUGH THE FILTER.

AND THE IDEA IS THAT YOU WANT TO FIND YOUR SWEET SPOT.

YOU DON'T WANT THE WATER TO GO THROUGH THE BOG FILTER TOO FAST OTHERWISE THE BACTERIA CAN'T DO THEIR JOB.

AND YOU DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH IT TOO SLOWLY BECAUSE IT BECOMES STAGNANT AND YOU HAVE MOSQUITOES, AND ALL THE REST OF IT.

SO I'M JUST NOW FINDING THAT SWEET -- FINDING THAT SWEET SPOT.

IT'S JUST BASICALLY A SLOW TRICKLE THROUGH THE MAIN FILTER AND THEN OUT INTO THE SUB FILTER.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO DAVID FOR ALLOWING US TO CHECK OUT THAT REALLY WONDERFUL POND AND THE INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP IT CLEAN.

THAT'S PRETTY COOL.

ALL RIGHT, KATE, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE HERE.

SHE IS WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON WITH HER BRISTOL BLACK RASPBERRY PATCH.

SHE'S SEEING LITTLE WHITE FLYING INSECTS.

SHE SPRAYED WITH SEVIN.

IT'S AN OLD PATCH, AND SHE'S IN GRETNA.

>> SO THESE ARE ACTUALLY APHIDS, AND THESE LITTLE WHITE FLYING THINGS ARE ACTUALLY THE APHID EXOSKELETON.

BECAUSE THEY SHED THEIR EXOSKELETON AS THEY GROW, SO YOU'VE HAD A LOT OF APHIDS, PROBABLY FOR A WHILE.

TAKE A STRONG STREAM OF WATER AND TRY TO GET THAT DAILY, OTHERWISE YOU CAN USE A PRODUCT LIKE INSECTICIDAL SOAP.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

WHAT IS THIS GUY?

>> THIS IS A REDBUD BORER BEETLE.

BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT, NOT SO GREAT IF YOU HAVE REDBUDS.

>> OH BOY, OKAY.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, ALSO.

FOUND THIS CATERPILLAR -- THIS IS OMAHA.

CAMOUFLAGES VERY WELL.

WHAT IS IT, AND IS IT HELPFUL OR HARMFUL?

>> I REALLY LOVE THIS PICTURE.

I'M SO GLAD THEY WERE ABLE TO OT IT.

THIS IS THE CATERPILLAR OF AN UNDERWING MOTH.

AS THEIR NAME SUGGESTS, THEY'RE KIND OF LIKE A DRAB-BROWN MOTH.

BUT THEIR HIND-WGS ARE THES BEAUTIFUL ORANGE OR YELLOW COLORS, SO REALLY GREAT FIND.

>> AWESOME.

EXCELLENT.

ROCK, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS FROM HTINGS.

WHAT PLANT IS THIS?

AND HOW TO KILL IT IF IT'S NOT A KEEPER?

>> THIS IS BURDOCK.

I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT THIS IS BURDOCK WHICH IS A BIENNIAL.

IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN A BIT LONG BEFORE IT FLOWERS.

WHICH IS -- I'D SAY THIS MIGHT BE THE YEAR.

HARD TO SAY FROM JUST LOOKING AT IT.

IT'S A NOT WANT AND CERTAINLY IT CAN BE HAND DUG.

IT'S IN A LANDSCAPE BED I BELIEVE, RIGHT?

>> UH-HUH.

>> NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO EXCEPT SPOT SPRAY WITH GLYPHOSATE OR HAND DIG IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOUR NEXT ONE COMES TO US FROM OMAHA, AND THIS -- SHE'S SAYING THIS WEED IN THE CEDUM IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL TAKING OVER HER FLOWER BED.

>> YEAH.

THE THIS LOOKS LIKE WILD ONION.

WE'VE MENTIONED IT EARLIER IN THE CEDUM BED.

GRASS-BE-GONE WOULD BE RECOMMENDED.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO THE SAME THING BEFORE.

AND I THINK YOU HAVE ONE MORE PICTURE.

AND THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

THIS WAS A TREE THAT WAS REMOVED IN APRIL AND IT WAS RE-SEEDED.

THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AFTER ALMOST TWO MONTHS.

WILL IT EVER MATCH THE OTHER TURF?

>> THIS IS AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

I CAN SEE THE MOUND, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PROBABLY GROUND THE STUMP.

THIS WILL BE A GREAT PLACE FOR FAIRY RING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

BUT THAT ASIDE, I JUST DON'T THINK THEY GOT VERY GOOD SEED DISTRIBUTION.

AND THEY JUST NEED TO THROW SOME SEED BACK OVER THE TOP.

A LITTLE LATE IN THE SEASON TO BE DOING THAT NOW.

BUT I THINK YOU JUST NEED TO RE-SEED THAT AND BE PERSISTENT.

AND I DON'T THINK THEY GOT A GOOD TAKE OF THEIR SEED INITIALLY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, ROCH.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE AND SHE KNOWS WHAT IT IS.

WE KNOW WHAT IT IS.

WE'VE NEVER SEEN IT LIKE THIS.

SHE SAID IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF FASCIATION.

WHAT IS FASCIATION, LOREN?

>> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE LIKE THIS.

BUT IT'S BASICALLY THE DISTORTED GROWTH OF STEM TISSUE THAT THE DISTORTED GROWTH OF STEM TISSUE, IN THE MERISTEMATIC TISSUE AS IT DEVELOPS WHEN IT'S GOING THROUGH A LOT OF TIMES COLD AND HOT CYCLES EARLY IN THE YEAR.

SO, I DON'T KNOW.

VERY INTERESTING.

>> VERY INTERESTING.

ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE THREE PICS ON THIS NEXT ONE.

AND SHE COMES TO US -- THESE COME TO US FROM SUTTON.

WE'VE GOT SOME DYING BRANCHES.

WE'VE GOT SOME INTERIOR SHOTS HERE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW IS THERE ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING?

>> AND ON THESE PICTURES YOU CAN SEE SOME PITCH ON THE STEMS.

AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOME CANKER INJURY, AND WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND IN THIS CASE IS GO BACK ABOUT THREE TO FIVE INCHES FROM ANY OF THE BRANCHES IN THOSE AREAS WITH PITCH ON THEM WHERE THE CANKER IS.

IT -- IT COULD LIKELY BE CYTOSPORA CANKER.

AND JUST PRUNE THAT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU LOREN.

ONE PIC ON YOUR FIRST ONE HERE ELISABETH, COMES TO US FROM BLAIRE.

SEVERE STORM.

THE LIVING FENCE OF FORSYTHIA WAS SQUASHED.

FOUR TO FIVE FEET IN HEIGHT ORIGINALLY.

THEIR QUESTION IS, WILL IT FILL IN?

CAN THEY DO ANYTHING OR SHOULD THEY CUT THEIR LOSSES AND START OVER?

>> I'D GIVE IT A GOOD HAIRCUT.

TAKE IT BACK 2 FEET TO 18 INCHES TALL.

MAKE SURE AND TAKE ANYTHING BROKEN OFF, AND GIVE IT A GOOD HAIRCUT AND IT WILL COME RIGHT BACK.

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

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

THEY WANT AN I.D.

ON THIS TREE.

BUT THEY MOSTLY WONDER, IS IT HEALTHY OR SHOULD IT COME DOWN?

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT IT IS BECAUSE YOU NEED TO TAKE IT DOWN.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> BEFORE IT FALLS ON THE HOUSE.

>> BEFORE IT FALLS ON THE HOUSE.

IT'S DEEMING ALMOST A HAZARD RIGHT NOW.

>> EXACLTY.

ALL RIGHT.

THEN YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE AND THIS IS REALLY A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.

HE SENT THIS EARLIER IN THE SEASON.

THIS IS AN AUTUMN BLAZE MAPLE.

HE'S SAYING THAT NOW THIS CRACK ON THE TRUNK HAS GOTTEN EVEN WORSE.

HE'S WONDERING, IS THIS A SAVABLE THING OR IS THIS A TREATABLE THING OR IS THIS A START OVER?

>> ALLS WE CAN REALLY DO LIKE I SAID BEFORE IS WATER, WATCH AND WAIT.

YOU KNOW WE ARE GOING TO SEE IF IT CLOSES BACK UP, IF IT GETS THAT CALLOUSED TISSUE IN THAT AREA.

I WASN'T SEEING MUCH OF A ROOT FLAIR SO IT COULD BE SOMETHING RELATED TO WHY WE DON'T HAVE THAT ROOT FLAIR, TOO.

>> RIGHT.

EXACTLY.

AND IT'S AN AUTUMN BLAZE MAPLE.

SO, MAYBE WE COULD GET A DIFFERENT ONE.

AND DON'T FORGET, WE'RE IN OUR NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE.

YOUR DONATION HELPS SUPPORT ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING OF COURSE, US, "BACKYARD FARMER."

WITH YOUR DONATION YOU COULD CHOOSE FROM THE COMFORTABLE AND PROTECTIVE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDENING GLOVES OR A LIMITED NUMBER OF "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN FLAGS AVAILABLE TO DECORATE YOUR GARDEN.

YOUR SUPPORT DURING THIS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE DOES HELP US KEEP BRINGING YOU THE ANSWER TO YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT'S "BACKYARD FARMER" SHOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING AND SUBMITTING THOSE WONDERFUL PICTURES AND QUESTIONS.

THANKS AS ALWAYS TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES TONIGHT WE HAD MASTER GARDENERS, TIM DUNGAN, LINDA HELTON AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION EDUCATOR TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE HAVE A SPECIAL PROGRAM FROM THE CAMPUS OF HASTINGS COLLEGE.

WE'LL GET TO TOUR ONE OF THEIR GARDEN PROJECTS AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AT A LIVE EVENT.

SO, GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

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

♪♪ ♪♪