>>> BACKYARD FARMER IS A COPRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA PUBLIC EXTENSION.

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

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

"” ♪ >>> HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO "BACKYARD FARMER.

"” COMING TO YOU FROM THE NEBRASKA STATE FAIR!

WE ARE SO GLAD TO HAVE A GREAT AUDIENCE HERE, AND WE ARE GOING TO SPEND THE NEXT HOUR ANSWERING ALL THOSE GARDENING QUESTIONING.

REMEMBER THIS IS A TAPED SHOW SO WE CANNOT TAKE YOUR PHONE CALLS.

YOU CAN STILL SEND US THOSE EMAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU FOR A FUTURE SHOW.

GIVE US ALL THAT INFORMATION, SEND US GOOD PICTURES, WE'LL GIVE YOU A GOOD ANSWER.

AND AS ALWAYS WE START WITH SAMPLES, AND JODY HAS A VERY INTERESTING ONE TONIGHT IN MULTIPLE BOXES.

WHAT IS IT?

>> SO I BROUGHT EVIDENCE AND OR THE CULPRIT OF THOSE WINDOW WASPS.

SO WE HAD A COUPLE COOLER DAYS, PEOPLE WERE OPENING WINDOWS, AND THEY FOUND SOME STUFF.

SO, HERE, I HAVE GOT SOME GRASS.

AND THESE ARE FROM THE GRASS CARRYING WASP.

AND SO, IT'S KIND OF A MESS.

>> SO WHAT THE WASPS -- WE HAVE SOCIAL WASPS AND SOLITARY WASPS.

THESE ARE ALL SOLITARY.

THE DIFFERENCE IS WHERE THEY BUILD THEIR NEST AND WHAT THEY USE TO PROVISION THAT NEST.

SO THESE GRASS CARRYING WASPS, THEY LOVE TO USE WINDOW WELLS AND WINDOW TRACKS OF BEDROOM WINDOWS, BATHROOM WINDOWS.

AND THEY PROVISION THOSE NESTS WITH TREE CRICKETS.

SO IF YOU SEE THIS, THAT'S WHAT THAT IS.

IN THIS HAND HERE, I HAVE GOT SOMETHING THAT MAKES THESE MUD NESTS.

AND IT IS ACTUALLY CALLED AN ASIAN MUD DOBBER.

THESE ONES ARE ALSO BUILT IN THE WINDOW.

AND THEY CAN BE SEPARATED, AND I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING COOL IN A SECOND.

WHEN YOU FIND THESE, AND THERE'S A HOLE THAT MEANS THE WASP HAS EMERGED.

AND WHAT IS IN THESE, THEY ARE PROVISIONED WITH SPIDERS.

AND I OPENED UP, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT ENTOMOLOGISTS DO IN THEIR FREE TIME.

ONE OF THOSE MUD TUBES OR NESTS, AND THESE ARE ALL DIFFERENT SPIDERS.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THERE IS 20, 30, 40 SPIDERS.

SO WHEN WE DON'T LIKE WASPS THEY ARE DOING BENEFICIAL THINGS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T LIKE SPIDERS.

BUT IF YOU OPEN UP YOUR WINDOWS AND FIND THESE NESTS IT IS A SOLITARY WASP THAT DID THAT.

>> AWESOME, JODY.

AND I DON'T LIKE SPIDERS, THAT'S A LOT OF SPIDERS.

ALL RIGHT.

ROCH, WHAT DO WE HAVE TODAY?

>> SO TODAY I BROUGHT IN HONEY VINE MILKWEED.

WHICH IS VERY SIMILAR TO COMMON MILKWEED, WHICH IS VERY DESIRABLE FOR POLLINATORS.

AND ACTUALLY HONEY VINE MILKWEED IS VERY DESIRABLE FOR POLLINATORS AS WELL.

BUT THESE PODS CAN PRODUCE A LOT SEEDS, PLUS IT IS A PERENNIAL.

THE TROUBLE WITH THE VINING TYPE MILKWEED, IS ALTHOUGH IT HAS DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS, IT'S NATIVE, IT'S PERENNIAL, IT ATTRACTS POLLINATORS.

IT WILL SMOTHER SMALL BUSHES AND PLANTS AND TOMATO PLANTS IN A GARDEN IF IT HAPPENS TO BE IN YOUR GARDEN.

AND CAN ACTUALLY KEEP THEM FROM GROWING, BECAUSE THE LEAVES CAN'T SEE THE SUN AND THEN THEY CAN'T DO THE THING THAT PRODUCES FOOD AND TOMATOES AND THAT SORT OF THING.

WE RECOMMEND YOU TRY TO CONTROL OR ERADICATE THESE.

THERE'S REALLY NO SUGGESTED RECOMMENDATION FOR HERBICIDE.

BUT, THERE IS, YOU CAN PULL THEM UP AND REALIZE THEY ARE PERENNIALS, SO THERE COULD BE MORE, AND MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LET IT GO TO FLOWER.

COMMON MILKWEED IS A MUCH BETTER POLLINATOR.

PLUS THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER POLLINATORS THAT WILL NOT LITERALLY SMOTHER YOUR SMALL SHRUBS AND YOUR TOMATOES, AND POTATOES IN YOUR GARDEN.

BECAUSE, THEY CAN GO SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 6-10 FEET IN TWO TO THREE DAYS.

SO BE AWARE OF THAT.

THIS IS NOT HONEY VINE MILKWEED.

I DON'T CONSIDER IT DESIRABLE.

PEOPLE THAT ARE BONA FIDE POLLINATOR PEOPLE LOVE IT, BECAUSE IT DOES DO A GOOD JOB FOR MONARCH BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER THINGS.

BUT WE HAVE OTHER BETTER SPECIES THAT ARE LESS INVASIVE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS ROCH.

AND IT WILL ALSO YOU KNOW -- SMOTHER YOUR CHILDREN IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL.

>> SO, AMY WHAT DID YOU BRING?

>> SO I BROUGHT A PEONY FROM MY GARDEN AND THIS HAS PEONY LEAF SPOT.

IT'S A FUNGAL DISEASE IT'S CAUSED CLADOSPORIUM.

THIS IS A DISEASE WE TYPICALLY SEE EARLY IN THE SEASON.

WE'VE GOT THESE NICE BIG BROWN SPOTS.

USUALLY BACK IN MAY IS WHEN WE SEE IT.

FOR ME THIS YEAR THIS ACTUALLY CAME IN A LITTLE BIT LATER DUE TO THE FACT I DIDN'T HAVE RAIN IN MAY AND JUNE, AND I FINALLY GOT RAIN IN JULY.

SO IT'S A LITTLE LATER ONSET.

BUT EVEN NOW IN AUGUST IT IS STARTING TO GO GANGBUSTERS.

THE TEMPERATURES WERE COOL THIS WEEK.

SO I HAVE LEAVES LOOKING REALLY SCORCHED FOR IT.

SO HOW AM I GOING TO MANAGE THIS?

THIS IS NOT ONE I'M GOING TO USE A FUNGICIDE FOR.

THIS IS ALL RESIDUE-BORN.

SO THE BIG THING IS CUTTING IT DOWN PEONIES, CLEANING IT UP, GETTING RID OF AS MUCH RESIDUE AS POSSIBLE.

EITHER THIS FALL OR THIS SPRING BEFORE THEY COME UP, AND YOU SHOULD REALLY REDUCE YOUR INCIDENCE OF PEONY LEAF SPOT.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU, AMY.

ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH -- WE DON'T KNOW, DO WE?

BUT WE -- >> WE DON'T KNOW, BUT THIS IS YOUR FRIENDLY PSA.

SO, WALKING AROUND THE FAIRGROUNDS OUT HERE WE FOUND THIS SAMPLE.

WHAT IT IS, IT IS A SYCAMORE.

OR YOU KNOW, THERE IS LONDON PLANE TREE.

BUT MORE THAN LIKELY, A SYCAMORE.

THIS IS A HEALTHY ONE.

SO AS YOU CAN TELL, THIS IS NOT QUITE RIGHT.

AND SO THE THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS IF WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T LOOK QUITE RIGHT WE HAVE TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE DIGGING.

WE ARE SUSPECTING THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE CAUSED BY SOME TYPE OF GROWTH REGULATOR HERBICIDE.

THE HARD PART IS, IT IS PRETTY MUCH THE ONLY PLANT IN THE AREA THAT IS SHOWING THESE SYMPTOMS.

AND THIS PLANT WAS TAKEN ON A FEW FEET AWAY IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA OF THE KIDS' ZONE OUT HERE AT THE STATE FAIR.

SO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU GIVE US A SAMPLE, IT DOESN'T TELL THE WHOLE PICTURE.

SO WE HAVE TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA DIGGING AROUND TO SEE WHAT COULD BE THE ISSUE.

WE SAW THERE WAS A HYDRANT NEAR THIS GUY.

WE ARE WONDERING IF IT COULD BE RELATED TO SOMETHING SOMEONE MIXED UP THERE, BUT WE DON'T KNOW, SO WE NEED TO GET THE FULL STORY BEFORE WE CAN MAKE A TRUE DIAGNOSIS FOR SOME OF THESE.

>> ALL RIGHT AND HER POINT OF COURSE, IF IT DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT IT'S NOT RIGHT.

>> IT'S NOT RIGHT.

>> PRETTY MUCH.

ALL RIGHT.

ELIZABETH, OR SORRY -- JODY.

WE ARE GOING TO START BACKWARDS, BECAUSE WE ALWAYS SLIDE THE HORT CHAIR.

JODY, YOUR FIRST ONE IS, WHAT IS THIS FLYING INSECT DIGGING IN THE GARDEN?

>> THIS IS A CICADA KILLER WASP.

THEY PREY ON THE CICADAS WHICH ARE OUT IN FULL FORCE, SCREAMING IN THE TREES.

>> AND THEY WON'T BOTHER YOU IF YOU DON'T BOTHER THEM?

>> CORRECT.

THEY MAY BOTHER YOUR GARDEN, THOUGH.

BECAUSE THEY DO LIKE THE FULL SUN AND WELL-DRAINED SOIL, SO WATER THAT AREA, AND YOU CAN SHOO THEM AWAY, OR, HIT THEM WITH A RACKET IF YOU WANT TO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ANOTHER STINGING INSECT THIS TIME.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM PLEASANTDALE.

SHE PUTS OUT GRAPE JELLY FOR THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES, AND INSTEAD SHE GOT THESE CRITTERS.

AND SHE WANTS TO KNOW, SHOULD SHE LEAVE THE JELLY OUT TO ENCOURAGE, WILL THAT ENCOURAGE THEM TO OVER WINTER HERE?

>> NO.

SO THESE ARE YELLOW JACKETS.

THERE ARE ACTUALLY SEVERAL THINGS ON THERE, BUT I THINK SHE'S WORRIED ABOUT THE YELLOW JACKETS.

THEY ARE NESTING IN THE GROUND SOMEWHERE MAYBE NEARBY, BUT THEY WILL COME BACK EVERY YEAR.

IF YOU WANT TO FEED THE ORIOLES YOU CAN'T LET THE BIRDS EAT WITHOUT LETTING THE WASPS.

BECAUSE THEY'RE SO SMALL.

THEY'LL GET THROUGH ANY KIND OF MESH.

SO, IT'S NOT ENCOURAGING THEM, THEY'RE GOING FIND SOMETHING SWEET ANYWAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE, JODY, HAS THREE PICTURES ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

IT COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

THIS IS A RED OAK.

AND THEY ARE SEEING SOME PROGRESSIVE WORSENING.

IT STARTED OUT WITH THESE HOLES IN THE TRUNK.

THE VIEWER SAID SHE TOOK THE TURF AWAY FROM THE BASE, SO YOU DON'T HAVE THE TURF AGAINST IT.

IT'S GETTING WORSE AND WORSE, AND WORSE.

SO, WHAT DO WE THINK.

>> OKAY, SO THERE ARE SOME INSECTS THAT DO BORE INTO RED OAK.

THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT RED OAK BORERS.

ONE IS A BEETLE, AND ONE IS A CLEAR WING MOSS.

UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT TELL FROM THESE WOUNDS IF THESE ARE BORER MARKS.

USUALLY BORER MARKS ARE VERY CLEAN HOLES.

SO IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE A BETTER SAMPLE.

BUT THIS TREE OVERALL LOOKS VERY UNHEALTHY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS JODY.

AND YOU HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION.

AND THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

SHE SENT A PICTURE, SHE THOUGHT THIS LOOKED LIKE A DRAGONFLY OR BABY DRAGONFLY.

IS SHE RIGHT?

>> SHE'S CLOSE.

THIS ONE IS A DAMSEL FLY.

SO DAMSEL FLIES AND DRAGONFLIES, ARE IN THE SAME ORDER.

DAMSEL FLIES ARE MORE DELICATE AND HOLD THEIR WINGS TOGETHER WHEN THEY ARE AT REST.

>> ALL RIGHT, PERFECT.

ROCH, YOU ARE NEXT IN HOT SEAT.

YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE -- AND, NO, THIS IS NOT KUDZU.

WE'RE NOT IN THE SOUTH.

BUT THIS COMES TO US FROM LITTLE SIOUX, IOWA.

THIS IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM THEIR HOUSE.

SO, THEY LOOK AT THIS.

IT IS THIS VINY WEED, IT'S ATTACHED ITSELF TO EVERYTHING IN SIGHT.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IT IS.

AND I THINK THE PICTURES SHOW US, WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS.

>> YEAH, THIS IS Bur-CUCUMBER, WHICH IS NATIVE, BUT IT'S ALSO AN ANNUAL.

BUT THE AMAZING THING IS IT HAS A GREATER RATE THAN THE HONEY VINE MILKWEED WE SHOWED YOU EARLIER.

AND IT REALLY CAN -- YOU CAN SEE HOW THAT WOULD SMOTHER A TREE OR SHRUB, OR ANYTHING IT CAME IN CONTACT WITH, INCLUDING THE YOUNG CHILDREN, THAT KIM MENTIONED EARLIER.

AND IT IS A PROLIFIC SEED PRODUCER, THE CUCUMBER-LOOKING LIKE THINGS APPARENTLY ARE EDIBLE.

I TASTED THEM, THEY'RE REALLY BITTER.

NOT A BIG FAN, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY SHE DOESN'T WANT THEM IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD.

I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD ALREADY HAS THEM.

SO SHE'S GOING TO HAVE SHE WILL HAVE TO KEEP HER EYE ON POTENTIAL ENCROACHMENT INTO HER YARD AND THEN THINK ABOUT WHAT TO DO TO CONTROL THAT.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDE.

PENDIMETHALIN BASED PRODUCTS AND YOU KNOW SCOTTS' OR THE PREEN PRODUCT THAT WE USE IN YOUR VEGETABLE GARDENS.

THEY'LL ACTUALLY DO A REASONABLE JOB AS LONG AS YOU PUT ON AT LEAST TWO APPLICATIONS IN THE FALL -- EXCUSE ME IN THE SPRING.

THEN YOU WILL CONTROL THIS BUR-CUCUMBER.

BUT ONCE IT GETS UP, YOU CAN GENERALLY TELL IT BY THE SHAPE OF THE LEAF.

IT'S A VERY CHARACTERISTIC LEAF SHAPE.

THEN YOU CAN HAND PULL THEM OUT AND GET THEM OUT OF THERE BUT THAT IS A VERY HEALTHY INFESTATION, AND BY HEALTHY I DON'T MEAN GOOD -- ON THAT HOUSE.

BECAUSE THEY ARE SMOTHERING THOSE PLANTS.

>> THANKS, ROCH.

AND YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM COZAD.

IT SAYS THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO REMOVE THESE BURS FROM THE LAWN.

THEY'VE GOTTEN THEM OUT OF THE SIDES OF THE DRIVEWAY.

BUT NOW THEY ARE SEEING LITTLE BITTY ONES ABOUT AN INCH OR TWO, AND THEY STILL HAVE THESE BURS ON THEM.

WHAT ARE THESE?

AND HOW TO GET RID OF THEM?

>> SO THIS IS GRASSY SAND BUR, AND THEY DESCRIBE PERFECTLY IN THAT YOU KNOW LATER IN THE SEASON IT WILL GROW UP AND ONLY GET ABOUT AND INCH AND HALF TALL AND IT WILL STILL PRODUCE A SEED HEAD.

IT'S CALLED GRASSY SAND BUR FOR A REASON.

THAT'S A PRICKLY KIND OF THING, THEY ARE VERY ADVENTUROUS TO BE TRYING TO ERADICATE IT WITHOUT CHEMICAL APPLICATION.

BUT THE BEST WAY TO CONTROL GRASSY SAND BUR IS ONCE AGAIN WITH THE PRE-EMERGENT IN THE SPRING.

BUT UNLIKE CRABGRASS, WHICH WE SAY PUT ON AT THE TAIL END OF APRIL OR EARLY PART OF MAY -- IT GERMINATES LATER, SO YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR APPLICATIONS ON A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE SEASON, IF YOU WANT TO TARGET THOSE.

BUT ONCE AGAIN SHE HAD DESCRIBED IT PERFECTLY.

IT IS GRASSY SAND BUR AND IT'S NOT DESIRABLE WEED SPECIES IN YOUR GARDEN OR LAWN.

>> THANKS, ROCH.

AMY, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES FOR THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM WAVERLEY, IOWA.

THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THESE KINDS OF SPOTS ON TOMATOES BEFORE.

THEY ARE HARD IN SPOTS WHERE YOU CUT THEM UP.

ONLY ONE PLANT IN THE ROW IS AFFECTED.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT CAUSES THIS.

>> SO, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS CLASSIC TOMATO RING SPOT.

IT IS A VIRUS.

YOU CAN STILL EAT THOSE TOMATOES.

THEY DON'T -- SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY HARD, BUT YOU CAN EAT THEM WITH NO PROBLEMS.

MOST LIKELY THE PLANT WAS INFECTED, AND YOU DIDN'T SEE THE SYMPTOMS WHEN YOU BOUGHT IT.

TYPICALLY EARLIER IN THE SEASON I WOULD TELL YOU TO ROGUE IT OUT.

SO YOU DIDN'T SPREAD TO YOUR OTHER TOMATOES.

BUT WITH IT BEING THE END OF AUGUST YOU ARE PROBABLY GOOD TO GO.

BECAUSE THE REST OF YOUR TOMATOES ARE LOOKING GOOD.

BUT, IT IS TOMATO RING SPOT VIRUS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AMY, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES FROM SHENANDOAH, IOWA.

SPEAKING OF PEONIES.

SHE SAID THESE ARE SEVERAL YEARS OLD AND THEY HAVEN'T REALLY GROWN MUCH.

THEY HAVEN'T LOOKED GREAT THIS SUMMER AT ALL.

AND, SHE'S WONDERING, IS THIS A FUNGUS AMONG US?

AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> SO ONCE AGAIN ON THIS LEAF SPOT, JUST LIKE THE SAMPLE I BROUGHT TODAY, THIS IS A PEONY LEAF SPOT, IT'S A FUNGAL INFECTION.

BUT IN GENERAL, YOU SEE THE PEONIES DON'T LOOK REAL HEALTHY.

THEY ARE KIND OF YELLOW IN COLORATION.

YOU KNOW, SHE SAID IT'S FAIRLY -- THEY HAVE ONLY BEEN IN THE GROUND A COUPLE YEARS, RIGHT, KIM?

>> RIGHT.

>> SO ONE THING I WOULD BE LOOKING AT IS WITH IT BEING SUCH A YOUNG PLANTING.

WERE THEY PLANTED TO DEEP.

PEONIES ARE VERY SENSITIVE ON HOW DEEP THEY ARE PLANTED.

I WOULD CHECK PLANTING DEPTH, BUT ALSO PROBABLY WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO ALSO DO A SOIL ANALYSIS TO SEE IF WE ARE MISSING ANY NUTRIENTS.

TO POTENTIALLY ADD FERTILIZER IN THE FALL OR NEXT SPRING.

BUT THE LEAF SPOT ISN'T GOING TO KILL IT.

IT WILL NOT EVEN CAUSE PREMATURE DEFOLIATION.

IT JUST MAKES YOUR PEONIES LOOK AWFUL UNTIL YOU GET THAT FIRST KILLING FROST.

>> THANKS, AMY.

ELIZABETH, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST QUESTION HERE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM MURDOCH.

THE TREE WAS PLANTED FOUR YEARS AGO.

IT'S ALWAYS HAD THIS CURLED LEAF PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE HOLES IN THE TRUNK OF THE TREE.

AND SHE'S WONDERING, IS THIS ENVIRONMENTAL, OR INSECTS, OR FUNGAL?

OR BOTH?

AND SHOULD SHE REPLACE THIS TREE?

>> AT THIS POINT IN TIME I WOULD GO AHEAD AND LEAVE THAT TREE IN THAT LOCATION.

DEPENDING UPON HOW IT PROGRESSES, AND WHAT KIND OF WAY THAT TREE WAS BROUGHT IN, IF IT WAS A CONTAINERIZED TREE, A BALDEN BURLAP TREE, THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

YOU KNOW IF WE ARE NOT SEEING THE ROOT FLARE UP WHERE THE TRUNK ENTERS THE GROUND WE COULD HAVE A PLANTING DEPTH ISSUE, AND THE PROBLEM WITH A PLANTING DEPTH ISSUE IS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T ALWAYS KILL THE TREE RIGHT AWAY, OR IF WE HAVE A STEM GIRDLING ROOT, IT CAN COMPOUND.

THERE ARE A FEW INSECTS LIKE JODY MENTIONED, LIKE THE CARPENTER WORM, THAT CAN GET INTO THESE TREES.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE THE PUPIL CASE OR THE HOLE FOR POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION.

I WOULD NOT WRITE OFF THIS TREE, HOWEVER I WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE LOCATION OF THAT TREE AND IF THAT TREE DOES DECLINE AND DIE.

I BELIEVE WE ARE UNDER A POWER LINE SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE PICK A TREE THAT'S GOING TO BE SMALLER AND NOT GROW UP INTO THAT POWER LINE.

>> THANKS, ELIZABETH.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES FOR THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM SPRINGFIELD.

HE PLANTED EIGHT SMALL TREES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

ALL OF THEM HAVE SORT OF THIS WEIRD DAMAGE, PEARS, CHERRIES, PEACHES, MAPLES.

HE DOES COVER WITH WHITE PLASTIC PROTECTORS IN THE WINTER AND KEEPS THEM WATERED.

WHAT DO WE THINK IS GOING ON HERE?

>> A LOT OF THOSE TREES HAPPEN TO BE THIN BARK.

I THINK BECAUSE WE HAVE IT ON MULTIPLE SPECIES WE COULD HAVE IT AS A RESULT OF PUTTING THAT WHITE DRAIN TILE OR SOMETHING AROUND IT.

AND IF WE GET AN ANIMAL OR WIND THAT MOVES IT, SOMETIMES WE CAN GET THAT RUBBING UP AND DOWN ON THE TRUNK OF THE TREE WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE THAT WAY.

SO THAT'S A POSSIBILITY OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING ACROSS THE BOARD THERE.

>> AND WHAT TO DO?

>> NOTHING REALLY TO DO AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

THE MAIN THING IS MAKE SURE THEY ARE ADEQUATELY WATERED, SO THEY ARE NOT DROUGHT STRESSED ON TOP OF IT.

WE WANT TO LEAVE THEM OPEN TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

UNFORTUNATELY ONCE WE START TO SEE THAT OOZING AND WEEPING COMING OUT OF THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, ON SOME OF OUR SPECIES IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE HE WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED.

>> THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

GARDENING IS A UNIVERSAL ACTIVITY THAT CAN BRING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER.

FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE TONIGHT, WE VISITED A GARDENER IN DAVID CITY, WHO CAME TO US FROM BRAZIL TO DO JUST THAT.

>>> IN BRAZIL, WE HAVE LIKE 12 HOURS IN BRAZIL, 12 HOURS OF RAIN, 12 HOURS OF LIGHT, AND THEN BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE CANOPY, IT DOESN'T GO THROUGH, 30% OR 40% OF THE LIGHT GO TO THE RAINFOREST.

THAT'S WHAT I TRIED TO DO OVER THERE WITH THE TARP.

THE TARP JUST ALLOWS LIKE 30% TO 40% OF THE SUNLIGHT, WHAT'S HAPPENING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LETTUCE.

IF THERE IS MORE THAN 12 HOURS OF SUNLIGHT PER DAY THE PLANT IS GOING TO TAKE THAT TIME TO REPRODUCE.

THEY'RE GOING TO GROW.

FLOWERS GOING TO COME UP, THAT'S NOT WHAT I REALLY WANT.

I WANT TO EAT THE LEAVES, I DON'T WANT TO EAT THE FLOWERS IN THAT PARTICULAR CASE.

SO THAT'S WHY I HAVE THE TARP OVER THERE.

AND THEN IT'S BECAUSE WE CAN HAVE THE POSSIBILITY TO GROW TWICE.

USUALLY I DON'T DISTURB THE SOIL.

SO WHAT I TRY TO BRING IS SOME TOPSOIL AND SOME COMPOST, BECAUSE I HAVE A COMPOST PILE HERE AND A COMPOST BIN.

I TRY TO USE THE RESOURCE HERE TO BE MY SOIL, AND WE REGENERATE, BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT I HAVE ON THE SOIL.

SO, BASICALLY, I HAVE THE MOBILE SYSTEM, THAT IT'S LIKE A COVER.

IT'S NOT, EXACTLY, BUT IT'S MOBILE.

EVERY TIME I GO RAISE A BED I TRIED TO REPLICATE THE SAME TARP I HAVE THERE IN HERE, BECAUSE WHEN THE KIDS COME HERE AND PUT THE SEEDS IN THE GROUND THEY NEED SOME SHADE LIKE IN THE BEGINNING.

THE SEED IS UNDER THE GROUND.

IT NEEDS SHADE LIKE TO INITIATE, TO START THE PROCESS OF GROWING.

SO THAT'S THE BIG TARP, THAT'S THAT MEDIUM TARP, AND THAT'S THE WAY I'M GOING TO MOVE ONE BED HERE AND ANOTHER BED HERE.

AND THIS IS THE PROCESS THAT WE GO.

AND THE NEXT YEAR WE ARE GOING TO HAVE COVER CROP.

DEPENDS ON THE PURPOSE OF THE COVER CROP.

IT IS GOING TO MAINTAIN THE SOIL COVER.

THAT'S THE WAY WE DO IN BRAZIL.

WE TRY TO TAKE ALL THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE INSIDE THE FOREST, LIKE ROOTS AND BRANCHES, AND THE MULCH WE HAVE ON THE TOPSOIL.

THEN WE CAN GENERATE LIKE A SPECIAL ENVIRONMENT TO GROW.

HERE IN NEBRASKA IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO TO CONTROL THE WEATHER.

IN BRAZIL WE CANNOT CONTROL THE WEATHER.

OF COURSE WE CANNOT CONTROL THE WEATHER.

WE KNOW EVERY DAY AT FOUR CLOCK IT'S GOING TO BE RAINING.

AND THE TEMPERATURE IS GOING TO BE AROUND 95 DEGREES, 96 DEGREES.

AND THAT HUMIDITY IS SO HIGH, LIKE 100% EVERYDAY BUT, IN NEBRASKA, SOME DAYS IT'S 45 DEGREES IN THE MORNING, AND IN THE AFTERNOON IT'S 90 OR MAYBE 95 DEGREES.

SO WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO IS LIKE ADAPT ALL THE TECHNIQUES THAT WE USED TO HAVE THERE.

AND FOR MANY GENERATIONS HERE, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY WE HAVE IN BRAZIL.

IN BRAZIL WHEN PEOPLE GOING TO START A GARDEN IT IS LIKE THE NEIGHBORS COME TO JOIN YOU.

IN NEBRASKA THERE IS TOO, BUT PERSONS LIKE IN THE COMMUNITY, LIKE A LOCAL LEADER, TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

>> A BIG THANK YOU TO SANDRO FOR SHARING THAT BEAUTIFUL GARDEN WITH US, AND HIS PHILOSOPHY ON THE FACT GARDENING DOES BRING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER.

AND THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

ALL RIGHT, INSECTS.

NEXT, JODY, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HARTINGTON.

SMALL, IRIDESCENT DARK BLUE BEETLE FEEDING ON SMALL WILLOWS EVERY FALL FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW, IDENTIFICATION, AND, DOES SHE NEED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?

>> OKAY, DEPENDING UPON WHAT THAT WILLOW MEANS TO HER, USUALLY THEY ARE JUST A REALLY BIG PEST FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT IT'S A TYPE OF FLEA BEETLE.

THERE ARE QUITE A FEW METALLIC, REALLY PRETTY BLUE FLEA BEETLES AROUND, AND MANY WILL FEED ON WILLOW.

IT'S AN ALTICUS SPECIES OR GENUS, AND THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT ONES.

BUT THERE'S NOT REALLY MUCH TO DO.

IF YOU WANT TO TAP THEM INTO SOAPY WATER, THAT PLANT IS PRETTY DAMAGED ANYWAY, SO IT WON'T SAVE THAT PARTICULAR ONE.

>> BUT THEY ARE AWFULLY PRETTY.

>> YEAH, THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL.

>> OKAY, TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

HE SAW THESE CRITTERS ON A YELLOW MAGNOLIA SAPLING, IN LINCOLN.

AND WONDERS WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS BEAST?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE BIRD POO, DOESN'T IT?

IT DOES, AND THAT'S ITS DEFENSE MECHANISM.

BUT, THEY TURN INTO EASTERN SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLIES.

SO THOSE YELLOW ONES WITH THE BLACK STRIPES THAT IS AN EARLY INSTAR.

AND SWEET MAGNOLIA AND TULIP TREE IS ONE OF THEIR HOST PLANTS.

SO YEAH, DON'T WORRY, IT'S GOING TO BE BEAUTIFUL.

>> OH MY GOODNESS, IT DOES LOOK LIKE BIRD POOP.

>> IT'S A DEFENSE MECHANISM.

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

AND FIRST OF ALL, THEY APOLOGIZED FOR KILLING THESE CREATURES.

HE SET OUT STICKY TRAPS TRYING TO CATCH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WAS EATING AND AND GOT THESE TWO SPIDERS.

HE THINKS THEY ARE WOLF SPIDERS.

HE KNOWS THEY ARE GOOD, BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THEY BOTH ARE AND WANTS YOUR OPINION.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE APOLOGY.

I DO LOVE THESE SPIDERS, THEY ARE WOLF SPIDERS, SO HE IS CORRECT.

THEY ARE IN TIGROSA SPECIES, I THINK THAT MEANS TIGER, WOLF.

AND THEY ARENG TO GET CAUGHT ON GLUE BOARDS BECAUSE THEY ARE ACTIVE HUNTERS, SO THEY ARE WANDERING AROUND.

THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET STUCK IN GLUE BOARDS THAN ANY OTHER SPIDERS, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WAS BOTHERING HIS PLANT I BELIEVE.

>> NO, IT WAS NOT THE SPIDERS.

I JUST DON'T LIKE WOLF SPIDERS.

>> YOU DON'T LIKE ANY SPIDERS, IT'S OKAY.

>> I LIKE CHARLOTTE, "CHARLOTTE'S WEB.

"” ALL RIGHT, ROCH.

YOU HAVE A PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

AND YES AMY HE GETS THIS, BECAUSE CORN IS A GRASS.

THIS COMES TO US FROM NORTH KEARNY, IN BUFFALO COUNTY, AND IT'S NOT WHAT HE EXPECTED.

THIS IS GLASS GEM, IT'S A VERY BEAUTIFUL AND VERY HEIRLOOM CORN.

WHAT IS THIS ROCH?

>> YEAH, AND IT'S NOT SURPRISING YOU SEE IT ON CORN FLINT CORN LIKE YOU DO, BUT IT'S CORN SMUT.

WHICH MOST PEOPLE WOULD PITCH THAT EAR.

BUT THE AMAZING THING IS IT IS EXTREMELY EDIBLE.

IT IS A FUNGUS IN THE USTILAGO FAMILY -- GENUS EXCUSE ME.

AND IT IS IN THAT STAGE, WHEN IT IS WHITE LIKE THAT YOU CAN SLICE IT UP AND PUT IT IN A SALAD, OR ON YOUR PIZZA, OR WAIT UNTIL IT GETS TO THE MORE UGLY DARK BLACK STAGE, AND PUT IT IN GRAVIES AND I PERSONALLY LIKE IT IN A COUPLE OF MEXICAN DISHES MY WIFE MAKES.

IT'S AN AMAZINGLY EARTHY MUSHROOM FLAVOR.

I KNOW KIM GAVE IT TO ME, BECAUSE I TALK ABOUT EATING CORN SMUT ALL THE TIME.

ITS GOT ANOTHER NAME FOR IT, THE CULINARY EXPERTS CALL IT HUITLACOCHE.

AND THEY'RE SERVING IT IN FINER RESTAURANTS ALL OVER AS A DELICACY AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE HARVESTING THESE ON PURPOSE, BECAUSE THEY CAN GET FIVE TIMES THE PRICE FOR POUNDS OF THE CORN SMUT THEY GET, THAN THE CORN ITSELF.

>> WHICH IS REALLY COOL.

YEAH.

REALLY COOL AND REALLY STRANGE.

>> AND VERY TASTY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, ROCH.

THIS IS TO US FROM TRENTON, NEBRASKA.

WHAT IS THIS STUFF?

IT IS TAKING OVER HER BUFFALO GRASS LAWN?

>> YEAH, THIS IS YELLOW NUTSEDGE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT A LOT ON PREVIOUS SHOWS.

IT IS A PERENNIAL, IT REGROWS BY TUBERS, VERY AGGRESSIVE.

THERE ARE FAIRLY, YOU CAN HAND PULL IT EARLY IN THE SEASON WHEN YOU FIRST SEE IT THAT'S WHEN IT'S NOT AS OBVIOUS AS IT IS BECAUSE IT IS OUTGROWING THE GRASS IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE.

YOU CAN HAND PULL IT, OR THERE ARE HERBICIDES LIKE SEDGE ENDER AND SEDGE AWAY THAT DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF ERADICATING IT, BUT YOU HAVE TO GET THOSE FIRST OF TWO APPLICATIONS IN EARLY JUNE.

>> ALL RIGHT THANKS, ROCH.

YOU HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, THIS COMES TO US FROM LEXINGTON, IT SAYS THERE WAS A CAR SHOW IN THEIR PARK OVER THE WEEKEND WHEN IT WAS OVER 100 DEGREES.

SEVERAL CARS WERE PARKED IN THE GRASS.

WHEN THEY LEFT THESE WERE THE DEAD SPOTS.

THEIR QUESTION IS, WILL THEY RECOVER?

OR IS IT TIME TO START OVER?

>> THAT IS A MAYBE.

I WISH I COULD GIVE A MORE DEFINITIVE ANSWER.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT IF IT'S GREEN IN A MONTH, IT RECOVERED.

HOW'S THAT?

AND IF IT'S NOT, IT DIDN'T.

BUT, IT LOOKS DAMAGED ENOUGH TO ME, AND I DON'T REALLY SEE -- ANY KIND OF GREEN TISSUE DOWN BELOW, WHEN I BLOW THAT PICTURE UP, WHEN I LOOK AT IT.

SO I'M GOING TO SAY THEY PROBABLY NEED TO CONSIDER OVERSEEDING OR RESEEDING THOSE AREAS.

I THINK THE HEAT COMBINED WITH THE TRAFFIC AND EVERYTHING ELSE, AND IT'S TOAST.

RE-SEED IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

AMY, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WITH PRAIRIE GOLD ASPEN.

THE LEAVES HAVE BEEN TURNING BLACK AND SHRIVELING STARTING AT THE TOP, NOW IT IS SHOWING ON THE LOWER LEAVES AS WELL.

THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE GROUND FOR A COUPLE YEARS.

THESE ARE ON A SLOPE WITH HEAVY CLAY SOILS.

>> OKAY, SO THIS ONE I TOOK A LONG TIME TO LOOK AT THERE'S ARE MULTIPLE THINGS THAT COULD BE GOING ON.

NUMBER ONE.

I WOULD WANT YOU TO GO AND LOOK AT THE TRUNK AND MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE A CANKER ANYWHERE ON THAT THAT IS INHIBITING THAT MOVEMENTF WATER.

YOU ARE ALSO IN LINCOLN IN HEAVY CLAY SOIL, ON A SLOPE, SO MY QUESTION IS GOING TO BE WHAT IS YOUR PLANTING DEPTH OF THAT TREE AND HOW WILL ARE YOU WATERING IT OVERALL?

HEAVY CLAY SOILS WILL HOLD YOUR WATER, BUT THEY ALSO GET REALLY HARD, FAST.

AND SO WITH IT BEING ON A SLOPE IT MAKES IT MORE OF A CHALLENGE TO MAKE SURE YOUR TREE GETS THE APPROPRIATE WATER IT NEEDS.

AND THEN THE LAST THING, ELIZABETH LIKES TO TALK ABOUT THIS ONE.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE BASE OF THE TREE AND MAKING SURE YOU ARE NOT HAVING ROOTS CURDLING IT THAT COULD BE SUFFOCATING IT AS A WHOLE.

YOU NEED TO GO BACK, TAKE A FULL LOOK AT THAT TREE AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE ROOTS AND THE FLARE, AND ALSO THE TRUNK TO SEE IF YOU ARE SEEING ANYTHING OCCURRING THERE.

>> THANKS, AMY.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER SAID THESE DOGWOODS, DOESN'T SAY WHICH PROBABLY RED TWIG, ARE ON A SLOPE.

THEY GET MORNING SUN AND ARE IRRIGATED.

THEY ARE WONDERING WHAT ARE THE SPOTS THAT ARE SHOWING UP AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.

>> OKAY, THIS IS ANOTHER FUNGAL LEAF SPOT THAT WE'LL FIND ON DOGWOODS.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE IT IN DOGWOODS THAT ARE DEFINITELY VERY FULL OR ARE NOT GETTING A LOT OF AMPLE AIR CIRCULATION THROUGH THERE, AND SO IT DOESN'T TYPICALLY CAUSE THE TREE TO DIE AND IT WON'T CAUSE TO PREMATURE EARLY OR DEFOLIATE.

SANITATION IS GOING TO BE KEY, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO OVERWINTER AND THOSE DEAD LEAVES SO SANITATION AND IF YOU REALLY DON'T LIKE IT, MAYBE YOU NEED TO PRUNE OUT YOUR DOGWOODS THIS FALL OR NEXT SPRING BEFORE THEY BUD OUT JUST TO INCREASE THE AIRFLOW, BECAUSE DOGWOODS CAN GET PRETTY DENSE.

AND PREVENT THAT AIR FROM MOVING THROUGH IT PROPERLY.

>> OKAY, THANKS AMY.

TWO MORE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS ONE COMES TO US, LET'S SEE, I DON'T MEMBER WHERE HERE, BUT ELDERBERRY, THE LEAVES ARE TURNING BLACK.

THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL PLANTS.

ALL THE OTHERS ARE FINE.

>> THERE ARE A FEW LEAF SPOTS.

BUT THEY'RE NOT MATCHING UP TO THIS PICTURE, AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE THEY WERE FROM.

>> NEMAHA COUNTY.

>> OKAY.

I WOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT A WATER ISSUE, MAYBE.

MAYBE PLANTING DEPTH ON THOSE ELDERBERRY, JUST BECAUSE IT'S BROWN ON THE TIPS, ON THE EDGES.

THERE ISN'T AN ANTHRACNOSE OR, THAT WE WOULD SEE IN A LOT OF OUR OTHER TREES AND BUSHES.

SO I WOULD LOOK AT WATER, IS PROBABLY MY MAIN CULPRIT FOR THIS ONE.

MAKE SURE YOU WATER THEM REALLY GOOD THIS FALL IF WE DON'T GET ANY GREAT FALL RAINS.

JUST TO HELP THOSE PLANTS TO GET THROUGH THE WINTER AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR.

>> ALRIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

ELIZABETH, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THREE-YEAR-OLD PEACH TREE THAT NEEDS TO BE TRIMMED, SHE KNOWS NOT NOW, BUT SHE DOES WANT TO KNOW HOW TO PRUNE IT, AND WHETHER, IN FACT, SHE SHOULD PRUNE DIFFERENTLY ON THE SIDE TOWARD THE HOUSE.

AND ALSO BECAUSE IT IS SHADED BY SOME LARGER TREES.

>> SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR FRUIT TREES WE REALLY WANT TO AVOID PRUNING THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS, BECAUSE WE WANT IT TO BECOME ESTABLISHED.

AFTER THAT WE WANT ONE THIRD TRUNK TO TWO THIRDS CANOPY.

AND ALSO WITH PEACHES WE USUALLY WAIT FOR EARLY SPRING AS BEING THAT IDEAL TIME FRAME SO WE CAN SEE THE OVERALL BRANCHING STRUCTURE.

NOW, THOSE THAT ARE IN THE PEACH FAMILY, WE WANT THEM TO PRUNE THEM A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DO OUR SHADE TREES.

WE WANT THEM TO LOOK LIKE A STARFISH.

WE WANT THEM TO HAVE MULTIPLE LEADERS THAT COME UP, AND WE WANT THEM TO LOOK LIKE A STARFISH.

WE DO HAVE A NUB GUIDE, I BELIEVE, ON PRUNING FRUIT TREES, AND I'D TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

IF NOT, WE DO HAVE SEVERAL OTHER PUBLICATIONS THAT WILL HELP THEM OUT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET IT PRUNED IT PROPERLY WHILE IT'S YOUNG SO YOU CAN HAVE A PEACH TREE FOR AT LEAST FIVE MORE YEARS.

>> YEAH, I KNOW YOU ARE NOT A FAN OF PEACHES BECAUSE YOU THINK THEY DON'T LIVE.

>> I THINK THEY ARE SHORT-LIVED IN PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> ALRIGHT.

THREE PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A CRABAPPLE, THIS COMES TO US FROM CERESCO.

SHE SAID IT WAS PLANTED PROFESSIONALLY, ABOUT 2021, BEEN WATERED CONSISTENTLY, BUT IT'S SHOWING THIS.

>> YEP, ANYTIME WE HAVE THE CANOPY THINNING OR CANOPY DIE-BACK THAT'S USUALLY A GOOD INDICATION TO TAKE A LOOK A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO THE GROUND.

WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK CLOSER TO THE GROUND WE'VE GOT SOME CRACKS.

WE'VE GOT SOME OTHER CANKER TYPE THINGS POPPING UP HERE.

AND I AM NOT SEEING A LOT OF ROOT FLARE.

SO I AM SUSPECTING IT COULD POSSIBLY BE PLANTED A LITTLE BIT TOO DEEP.

THE ONE WAY TO REALLY KNOW IS DIG AROUND THE BASE OF THE TREE AND SEE IF WE CAN FIND THOSE FLARE ROOTS.

IT ALSO DEPENDS ON WHAT YOUR SOIL TYPE IS LIKE.

IF YOU'VE GOT A HEAVIER CLAY SOIL YOU'RE GOING TO WANT THOSE FIRST SET OF FLARE ROOTS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER UP COMPARED TO THOSE OF US IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA.

WE WOULD HAVE THEM AT GRADE.

SO, I'D DO A LITTLE INVESTIGATING, A LITTLE DIGGING TO FIGURE OUT KIND OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT TREE.

>> ALRIGHT, THANKS ELIZABETH.

AND YOU HAVE ONE MORE.

THIS COMES TO US AS AN ASH.

HE'S WONDERING WHAT THIS WET SPOT IS, BUT WE ARE A LITTLE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT CAUSED IT.

>> YOU KNOW, I AM.

BECAUSE I BELIEVE HE'S FROM LINCOLN, CORRECT?

>> RIGHT.

>> AND SO EMERALD ASH BORE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN LINCOLN, FOR ONE.

FOR TWO, THE WAY THAT THE TREE HAS CO-DOMINANT LEADERS OR IT HAS TWO STEMS THAT ARE COMING OUT.

AND WE ARE SEEING THE INCLUDED BARK IN BETWEEN THOSE CO-DOMINANT LEADERS, AND THEN WE ADD THE CRACK ON TOP OF IT WHERE WE CAN SEE THE CRACK DOWN INTO THE TRUNK OF THE TREE.

SO, YOU KNOW, MY RECOMMENDATION JUST BASED ON THE SPECIES AND THE LOCATION, AND THE DAMAGE THAT WE HAVE GOING ON, PROBABLY REMOVAL IS GOING TO BE YOUR BEST BET WITH THIS KIND OF TREE.

I KNOW IT'S NOT WHAT ANYBODY WANTS TO HEAR, BUT I THINK LONG TERM THAT'S GOING TO BE THE SAFEST OPTION.

>> ALRIGHT, THANKS, ELIZABETH.

WELL IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL YEAR IN OUR GARDEN.

AND DESPITE THE HEAT, IT'S LOOKING GREAT.

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

♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, OUR TEMPS HAVE REALLY LOWERED A BIT, SO WE ARE LOOKING AT THE GARDEN AND SEEING IT REALLY FLOURISH STILL IN THIS WONDERFUL EARLY FALL TIME OF THE YEAR.

WE'RE ALSO TAKING A LOOK AT OUR NEW RAISED BEDS.

REMEMBER WE PUT ALL THESE NEW RAISED BEDS IN THIS YEAR AND WE'RE REALLY LIKING THEM.

OUR BIGGER, TALLER RAISED BEDS, WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO MAKE AT LEAST ONE OF THEM INTO A LOW TUNNEL.

SO WE ARE GOING TO EXTEND OUR SEASON IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, AT LEAST FOR OUR VEGGIES AND SEE HOW LONG WE CAN KEEP SOME OF THOSE COOLER SEASON CROPS.

SO WE HAVE SOME METAL SUPPORTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT UP.

AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT SOME PLASTIC OVER IT, AND WE'RE GOING TO START PLANTING SOME OF THOSE LETTUCES, RADISHES, A LOT OF THOSE COOL CROPS.

AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE SOME FRESH LETTUCE AND RADISHES WELL INTO OUR THANKSGIVING SEASON.

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

>> AND MAKE SURE THAT THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH YOU CAN ACTUALLY BRING IN YOUR PRODU ON TUESDAYS FROM 4:30-7:00, WE DONATE THAT.

IT'S A REALLY GREAT IDEA.

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

YOU CANNOT CALL IN, SO AFTER THE SHOW WE HAVE PLANT OF THE WEEK.

AND WE WILL GET BACK AND ANSWER MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS.

♪ [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] ♪ [ APPLAUSE ] >>> THANKS FOR STICKING WITH US FOR "BACKYARD FARMER," COMING TO YOU FROM THE NEBRASKA STATE FAIR.

LATER ON WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT MULTIGENERATIONAL SEGMENT ABOUT RAISING MONARCHS.

RIGHT NOW, OF COURSE, IT IS TIME FOR THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

>> THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

SO, A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE ARE SELECTING PLANT MATERIAL, EVERYBODY CARES ABOUT WHAT THE FLOWERS LOOK LIKE.

WELL THIS IS YOUR REMINDER TO SELECT THOSE PLANTS FOR MULTIPLE SEASONS OF INTEREST.

SO WHAT WE HAVE IS, WE'VE GOT A GRAY DOGWOOD HERE WITH WHITE BERRIES.

YOU KNOW, IT DOES BLOOM IN THE SPRING.

IT'S GOT GOOD FALL COLOR AND THEN IT HAS THESE BERRIES IN THE FALL.

THE OTHER ONE IS THE AMERICAN CRANBERRY BUSH VIBURNUM THAT HAS THOSE RED BERRIES.

AND THIS IS ANOTHER GOOD, HEARTY SHRUB ACROSS THE STATE.

IT DOES REALLY WELL.

BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE SELECT THOSE SHRUBS FOR MULTIPLE SEASONS OF INTEREST, NOT JUST FOR THEIR FLOWERS.

>> PERFECT, THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

ALRIGHT, JODY.

THREE PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM FURNACE COUNTY.

THESE INSECTS ARE ON MOST OF HER TOMATOES.

ARE THEY HARMFUL AND ARE THEY CAUSING THE DAMAGE?

AND SHE SENT US THREE REALLY BEAUTIFUL PICTURES HERE.

>> THESE ARE GOOD PICTURES.

THESE ARE STILT BUGS, AND THEY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE ON STILTS.

THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE A PEST IN GREENHOUSE TOMATOES, BUT THEY AREN'T USUALLY DOING TOO MUCH DAMAGE THAT WOULD PREVENT A GOOD HARVEST OF TOMATOES.

AND IN THE PICTURE THAT WAS SHOWN THERE, THEY ARE NOT THE CULPRIT, DOING THOSE HOLES.

THAT IS PROBABLY A CATERPILLAR IF IT IS AN INSECT.

SO NOT THE STILT BUGS.

>> ALRIGHT.

AND THAT'S THE DAMAGE THAT'S KIND OF BEING SHOWN.

SO.

>> YEAH, THOSE ARE NOT FROM THE STILT BUGS.

>> OTHER CREATURES.

>> YES.

>> OKAY, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A BEANS QUESTION.

AND THE BEANS ON THIS ONE, WE'VE HAD THIS BEFORE.

WE COULDN'T QUITE FIGURE OUT WHAT THIS WAS.

TWO PICS ON IT.

HE SAID THE CRUD WAS SPREADING TO HIS POLE BEANS, AND HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET US SOME REALLY GOOD PICTURES OF THE CULPRIT.

SO WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON, ON THE BEANS HERE.

>> SO IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE MY FIRST THOUGHTS WERE FLEA BEETLES, BUT THESE ARE ACTUALLY CALLED GARDEN FLEA HOPPERS.

SO THEY ARE IN THE TRUE BUG FAMILY SO THEY ARE SUCKING THE PLANT SAP OUT OF THOSE LEAVES.

I DON'T KNOW HOW HIS BEAN HARVEST IS DOING BUT IN THE FUTURE IF HE SEES THESE AGAIN EARLIER ON THEN HE COULD PRETTY MUCH TREAT WITH ANY PYRETHROID.

>> ALRIGHT.

ONE PIC ON THE NEXT ONE.

HE SAYS THIS IS A HALF DOLLAR SIZE.

WHAT IS IT?

>> OH YES.

THIS IS A WHEEL BUG.

SO IT'S A PREDATOR AND HAS A REALLY POINTY, THICK BEAK.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE PIERCED BY THAT.

BUT IT'S A REALLY GREAT PREDATOR OF OUR OTHER INSECTS, ESPECIALLY JAPANESE BEETLES.

>> ALRIGHT.

AND ANOTHER ONE.

THIS IS A BELLEVUE VIEWER, WHO SAID, WAS AWAY FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND CAME BACK AND FOUND THESE CATERPILLARS THAT ARE DECIMATING HIS LANDSCAPE.

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT PLANT THIS IS, BUT THESE ARE SAWFLIES.

SO THEY'RE NOT CATERPILLARS.

THEY ARE THE LARVAE OF STINGLESS WASP.

SO NEXT TIME YOU SEE THEM, IF YOU SEE THEM EARLY ENOUGH TO SAVE THE PLANT JUST PICK THEM OFF AND DUMP THEM IN SOAPY WATER.

>> ALRIGHT, THANKS, JODY.

ROCH, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A SHELBY, IOWA VIEWER.

WHAT IS THIS WEED?

ROUNDUP AND 24D WON'T DO A THING.

>> THIS IS DAYFLOWER.

IT'S A PERENNIAL.

IT'S GOT AN INCONSPICUOUS BLUE FLOWER.

SOME PEOPLE THINK IT'S PRETTY.

I THINK YOU CAN BARELY SEE IT.

IT IS FAIRLY INVASIVE IN THE GARDEN OR AT THE VERY LEAST INTRUSIVE.

MOST OF THE HERBICIDES DON'T DO MUCH TO IT.

YOU CAN PINCH IT BACK WITH GLYPHOSATE AND SOME OF THE OTHER PRODUCTS.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, THERE'S A PRODUCT CALLED SULFENTRAZONE, ALSO KNOWN AS SEDGE ENDER, THAT WHEN YOU COMBINE THAT WITH A BROADLEAF HERBICIDE HAS PROVEN TO BE FAIRLY EFFECTIVE IN GIVING YOU ABOUT 60 TO 70% CONTROL.

SO THEN, MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS IN A YEAR.

AND THEN MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS OVER MULTIPLE YEARS.

>> ALRIGHT, THANKS, ROCH.

YOU HAVE TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM ELM CREEK.

FOUND THIS IN A CROWDED FLOWER BED NEAR THE STREET.

SHE LET IT GROW, BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING SHE WANTED.

NOW SHE THINKS SHE MADE A MISTAKE.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS THE MAPLE-LEAF GOOSEFOOT.

YOU CAN TELL THE LEAF KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A MAPLE.

AND IT IS AN ANNUAL.

I DON'T THINK IT HAS ANY VALUE.

IT'S A CHENOPODIUM.

IT DOES PRODUCE A PROLIFIC AMOUNT OF SEEDS.

SO I SUGGEST SHE PULL IT.

DOESN'T REALLY HAVE A SHOWY FLOWER.

SHOULD PULL IT BEFORE IT SHOOTS SEEDS OUT.

>> ALRIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM REPUBLICAN CITY.

WHAT IS THIS WEED AND HOW DO WE CONTROL IN THE FLOWER BED?

>> THIS IS ONE -- I'M NOT SURE OF THE SPECIES, AND SO UNFORTUNATELY -- IT'S A SOLANACEAE OF SOME KIND AND THERE'S ONLY LIKE 10,000 IN NATURE SO I DIDN'T REALLY GET VERY EXACT ON THAT ONE.

THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAND-PULL IT BECAUSE IT IS AN ANNUAL.

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IN THE LANDSCAPE GARDEN, BECAUSE MOST OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE IN THERE ARE ALSO BROADLEAF.

SO I WOULD AVOID ANY HERBICIDES AND SIMPLY HAND-PULL IT.

>> ALRIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, I THINK.

THIS IS ALL OVER ON THE EDGES OF A NEW SPORTS FIELD THAT HAS NOT BEEN SEEDED.

WHAT IS THIS?

AND HOW DO WE CONTROL IT?

>> THIS IS PUNCTURE VINE OR GOAT HEAD, EVERYONE'S LEAST FAVORITE WEED.

IT'S CALLED PUNCTURE VINE BECAUSE IT CAN PUNCTURE TIRES ON BIKES AND EVEN SMALL MOTORCYCLE TIRES IT'S BEEN KNOWN TO DO.

SCOOTERS.

THAT SORT OF THING.

SO IT CAN BE A PROBLEM WITH THE INFLATED THINGS.

BUT BEYOND THAT ON A SPORTS FIELD, WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE PLAYING BALL ON IT, THEY NEED TO GET THIS OUT OF THERE.

THEY NEED TO SCRAPE THAT OFF, SPRAY AND SCRAPE IT OFF AND GET AS MUCH OF THAT GOAT HEAD SEED OUT OF THERE.

ONCE THEY GET THE SPORTS FIELD ESTABLISHED IT SHOULD BE FINE, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T DO WELL WHEN YOU'VE GOT A REALLY GOOD, THICK DENSE STAND.

BUT I WOULD KEEP AN EYE ON THAT AS THAT FIELD MATURES.

MAKE SURE ESPECIALLY IN THOSE HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS THAT IT DOESN'T RETURN VIA SEED.

IT'S AN ANNUAL, SO YOU CAN PUT A PRE-EMERGENT NEXT SPRING DOWN.

PENDIMETHALIN-BASED PRODUCTS WORK FINE.

PRODIAMINE OR BARRICADE-BASED PRODUCTS WORK FINE AS WELL.

BUT JUST KEEP YOUR EYE ON IT BECAUSE YOU CERTAINLY DON'T WANT PEOPLE ROLLING AROUND IN THAT, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A YOUTH FIELD.

BECAUSE IT CAN HURT.

>> ALRIGHT.

YOU HAVE THREE ON THIS FIRST ONE, AMY.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LANCASTER COUNTY.

PITCH MASSES ON PONDEROSA PINE.

AND I KNOW IT COULD HAVE PERHAPS BEEN CAUSED BY ONE OF JODY'S CREATURES.

BUT THIS IS PONDEROSA SO IS THIS CANKER, OR WHAT IS THIS?

>> I WOULD LEAN TOWARD CANKER.

MAYBE NOT RIGHT WHERE YOU'RE SEEING THAT GUMMING.

I WOULD LOOK UP A LITTLE BIT HIGHER AND IT WILL WORK ITS WAY DOWN.

JUST TAKE A LOOK.

IF YOU HAVE ANY SUNKEN IN AREAS OR BULL'S-EYE TARGETS ON IT, THAT WOULD BE CANKER, AND THERE ISN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN DO FOR A CANKER.

>> ALRIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, THIS IS OMAHA VIEWERS.

THEY HAVE A FLAMING FURY PEACH THAT HAS SORT OF THIS BLACKISH GUNK, THEY'RE ARE CALLING IT, ON THE TRUNK.

AND THEY ARE WONDERING HOW THEY TREAT IT IF NEEDED.

>> SO THAT BLACK GUMMY GUNK ACTUALLY, TO ME, LOOKS LIKE SOOTY MOLD THAT IT OOZED OUT SOME SAP AND THE SAP HAS LOTS OF SUGAR, SO IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE SAPROPHYTIC FUNGI TO MOVE IN AND CAUSE SOOTY MOLD.

AT THIS TIME IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT IT, I WOULD NOT TREAT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

HE SAYS THIS ROSE IS 10 YEARS OLD.

IT'S BEEN IN A MEDIAN, AND THE COUPLE NEXT TO IT DON'T LOOK NEARLY THIS BAD, BUT THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE THIS.

>> THIS ONE ACTUALLY MADE ME SCRATCH MY HEAD.

THIS ROSE LOOKS PRETTY ROTTEN, I WILL BE HONEST.

IT'S REALLY YELLOW, SO I WANT TO GO TOWARD A VIRUS SIDE, BUT THEN IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS NUTRITIONAL, OR ENVIRONMENTAL, AND HE SAID IT'S IN THE MEDIAN RIGHT.

I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF HEAT, STRESS, AND DROUGHT.

AND PROBABLY LACK OF NUTRIENTS AND ROOT BOUND TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

IT'S BEEN THERE FOR 10 YEARS, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO REPLACE THAT ONE.

JUST INCASE IT IS A VIRUS, WHICH I CAN'T TELL, TO PREVENT POTENTIAL MOVEMENT TO THE OTHER ROSEBUSHES IN THAT MEDIAN.

>> ALL RIGHT THANKS AMY, AND ONE MORE, THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER SAYS THESE PUFF MUSHROOMS APPEARED LITERALLY OVERNIGHT IN LINCOLN AND FLATTENED OUT LIKE PANCAKES GOOD ANY IDEA WHAT THEY ARE?

>> I DO, AND THE FAIRIES LOVE THESE, THEY ARE CALLED PARASOL MUSHROOMS.

GREEN SPORE PARASOLS, SO THEY CAN TWIRL THEM AROUND WHEN THEY ARE CREATING FAIRY RINGS IN YOUR LAWN.

THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO FOR THEM.

DO NOT EAT THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT THANKS.

ELIZABETH, THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM FREMONT.

THIS IS GREAT.

THEY SHOW US THE ENVIRONMENT TO THE NORTH, THE BURNING BUSH IS DRYING UP TO TO THE SOUTH IT'S FINE.

DROUGHT IS THE ASSUMPTION.

THEY ARE WONDERING ABOUT EXTRA WATER, SUPER THRIVE, OR SHARPEN THE AXE?

>> SHARPEN THE AXE, IT'S DEAD AND NOT COMING BACK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE DOWNSPOUT ON THE ONE THAT IS ALIVE.

>> YEP THE ONE WITH THE DOWNSPOUT IS ALIVE THE OTHER ONE POSSIBLY HAS DROUGHT AND IN ADDITION TO THE REFLECTIVE HEAT, SO YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE OF THE DOWNSIDES TO THIS ONE, BUT YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO RIP IT OUT.

THE HARD PART IS IT THROWS OFF YOUR BALANCE, BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY YOU ARE GOING TO GET A BIGGER PLANT AT THE NURSERY THAT WILL MATCH THE ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE.

SO I'D GO MAYBE WITH A DIFFERENT PLANT, SO IT LOOKS LIKE YOU DID IT ON PURPOSE.

>> ALL RIGHT THANKS.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN ASHLAND VIEWER.

HE HAD AN ASH TREE REMOVED, THIS IS THE RESULT.

ASH SUCKERS WANTS TO KNOW HOW DO YOU GET RID OF THESE?

AND THEN WANTS A SUGGESTION FOR A NEW TREE?

PROBABLY A LITTLE LONGER DISCUSSION THAN WE CAN HAVE TODAY.

>> YEP.

SO IT IS AN ASH, AND SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS, WE PROBABLY WANT TO REMOVE IT, BECAUSE IT IS COMING UP FROM THE ROOT SYSTEM.

WE WANT TO TAKE IT OUT OF THERE, ROCH HAS GIVEN SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS ON WAYS WE CAN KILL IT WITH HERBICIDES, BUT THERE'S A GREAT PUBLICATION CALLED TREES FOR EASTERN NEBRASKA THAT I WOULD WANT YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT BASED ON THE SIZE.

>> ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS PLANT, FRIEND OR FOE?

>> DEPENDS.

CYPRESS SPURGE IN SOME INSTANCES CAN BE OVERLY AGGRESSIVE.

BUT IF YOU LIKE IT AND IT'S NOT TAKING OVER, I WOULD GO AHEAD LEAVE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT AND ONE MORE AND THIS IS AN ASHLAND VIEWER, WHO HAS ECO- PODIUM, AND THERE IS ONE GREEN ONE COMING UP IN THE MIDDLE.

SHE CALLED IT SNOW IN THE MOUNTAIN.

WHAT DOES SHE DO ABOUT REVERSION?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT, IF YOU CAN SELECTIVELY REMOVE THAT GREEN ONE THAT WILL BE YOUR BEST BET, BECAUSE THIS PLANT IS FAIRLY AGGRESSIVE TO BEGIN WITH, AND THEN WHEN WE REVERT TO GREEN WE'RE ALSO AGGRESSIVE, SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, TAKE IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT THANKS ELIZABETH WE ARE GOING TO SWITCH GEARS NOW AND SEE A GREAT SEGMENT WITH A GRANDMA AND GRANDSON WHO STARTED RAISING MONARCHS.

>>> 8-YEAR-OLD BECKETT JOHNSON LOVES MONARCH BUTTERFLIES.

>> I LIKE ALL KINDS OF COLORED ONES.

I LOVE ALL THE PATTERNS THEY HAVE.

THEY HAVE SO MANY PATTERNS AND COLORS, RED, ALL KINDS.

>> HE LOVES LEARNING ABOUT THEM, CATCHING THEM, EVEN GIVING EACH ONE A NAME OF THEIR OWN.

>> LONNIE, LILY, ALL KINDS.

>> BECKETT FOUND MONARCHS LIKE LONNIE AND LILY OUT IN THE GARDEN A PLACE HE DISCOVERED A PASSION FOR WITH HIS GRANDMA, CHERYL.

>> EVER SINCE HE WAS LITTLE GRANDMA HAS BABYSAT HIM.

SO THEY HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER, SO ONCE HE GOT TO BE A TODDLER, AND HE COULD START TO TODDLE AROUND AND WALK THEY HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE EXPLORING.

>> WITH OUR OWN BOYS, BEING A TEACHER, I DID NOT WANT THEM GOING TO SCHOOL THINKING WHERE DOES A POTATO GROW?

SO, I ALWAYS HAD THEM HELP ME, SO THEY KNEW, GREW IN THE GROUND AND JUST REALIZE WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM, AND THESE LITTLE ONES TOO, THEY ETTY MUCH KNOW WHERE IT COMES FROM.

>> OBVIOUSLY GRANDMA IS NOT JUST TEACHING BECKETT, BUT ALSO PIPER, AND THEIR SPENDING COUNTLESS HOURS OUT EXPLORING TOGETHER.

WHEN THEY FOUND THE MILKWEED OUTSIDE, AND HE WAS ABLE TO FIND THOSE CATERPILLARS UNDER THE MILKWEED FROM LOOKING UP UNDERNEATH THEM.

>> WE LOOK ON THE MILKWEED TO LOOK FOR CATERPILLARS.

>> ONE CATERPILLAR TURNED INTO RAISING THAT ONE IN A JAR AND LETTING IT OUT AND WATCHING IT TAKE OFF.

>> I THINK IT WAS THE FIRST ONE.

WE ACTUALLY SAT BY THE GARAGE FOR HOURS, AND WE HAD TWO CHAIRS.

WE HAD POP, AND WE SNACKED.

AND THAT FIRST ONE DID NOT LEAVE.

IT JUST SAT ON THE FLOWER.

>>ONCE THEY DID ONE, ONE GREW TO TWO, TWO GREW TO THREE, THEN FOUR, THEN WE HAD A WHOLE COUNTER FULL OF CATERPILLARS IN JARS.

>> THEY HAVE FOUR STAGES THAT THEY START, AS AN EGG, AND THEY GO TO A CATERPILLAR, AND THEN THEY GROW INTO A CHRYSALIS.

>> AND THEN AFTER THE CHRYSALIS, THEY START TO COME OUT, AND THEY POP OUT AS A BUTTERFLIES.

WHEN WE FIRST STARTED WE JUST LOOKED HERE AT GRANDMA'S HOUSE.

THEN WE STARTED TO LOOK IN OUR BACKYARD, SINCE THERE IS MILKWEED BACK THERE.

WE KEPT FINDING MORE AND MORE IN OUR BACKYARD.

>> IF ONE WAS COMING OUT OF A CHRYSALIS, YOU KNOW, QUICK, COME OVER, GOT TO SEE IT, OR THAT WE WOULD GO UP THERE AND SHARE THAT TIME.

>> THEY ALWAYS ARE CALLING EACH OTHER BACK AND FORTH AND GOING BETWEEN OUR HOUSES.

IT IS FUN TO WATCH THEM BOND OVER SOMETHING SO BEAUTIFUL.

JUST LIKE THEIR RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN.

>> THAT IS WHY THEY ARE LITTLE.

>> THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO AND THE BOND THEY SHARED OVER MONARCHS BECAME EVEN MORE IMPORTANT EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> BECKETT WAS IN THE HOSPITAL HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PSEUDOHYPOPARATHYROIDISM 1-B WHICH IS VERY RARE WE FIND, SO ESSENTIALLY HE CAN'T CONTROL THE CALCIUM IN HIS BODY ON HIS OWN WITHOUT SOME MEDICATIONS.

>> HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL 17 DAYS, AND THAT WAS VERY SCARY.

FOR ME, THINKING, WHAT'S GOING THROUGH HIS MIND, BECAUSE CHILDREN CAN SENSE THINGS THAT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY CAN SENSE.

>> THANKFULLY MEDICATIONS ARE OUT THERE, AND THEY CAN HELP HIM CONTROL THAT, BUT IT WAS A TOUGH TIME IN HIS LIFE TO BE COOPED UP, TAKEN FROM HIS ENVIRONMENT OF HIS GRANDMA, SCHOOL, FRIENDS.

>> HE WAS ON ME, GRANDMA HE WAS ON ME.

>> YES, I SAW THAT.

>> WHEN WE FINALLY GOT TO BE BACK HOME IT WAS SO NICE FOR BECKETT TO BE OUTSIDE TO BE ABLE TO BE WITH GRANDMA IN THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENT, BACK TO EXPLORING AND GETTING BACK TO BEING A NORMAL KID AGAIN.

THEY LOVE TO EXPLORE TOGETHER, THEY ARE TRULY EACH OTHER'S BEST FRIENDS.

>> LET'S GO.

>> BECKETT NOT SO FAST.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> WHAT A SPECIAL STORY!

AND WE ARE HAPPY TO SHARE ALSO THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER HATCHED JUST A COUPLE DAYS AGO.

SO THAT'S JUST GREAT.

ALL RIGHT ONE ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT, THAT ANNOUNCEMENT IS, WE ARE STILL DOING THE GROW ROW PRODUCE, TUESDAYS, 4:30-7:00.

BRING THAT PRODUCE WE DONATE IT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS WE'RE GOING FAST NOW, SO JODY TWO ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS, IS THIS A CARPENTER ANT, AND IF SO, SHOULD SHE TREAT IT?

SHE FOUND FOUR OR FIVE ON THE DRIVEWAY.

>> YES THIS IS A CARPENTER ANT WORKER, NO, DO NOT TREAT OUTSIDE FOR FIVE ANTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THEN TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF A SPIDER THIS IS, THIS IS THE EARLY IN THE DAY, AND THE SECOND PICTURE IS A BUNCH.

>> THIS IS A WHITE BANDED CRAB SPIDER, AND THEIR SPECIALISTS AND CATCHING POLLINATORS, SO IT'S THE CIRCLE OF LIFE.

THIS LAST PICTURE HAS GOT A BEE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND THE WE HAVE TWO PICTURES NEXT ONE THIS COMES TO US FROM NORTH PLATTE.

SHE HAS HOSTAS SHE IS WONDERING, IS THIS SLUG DAMAGE?

HOW TO TREAT IT IF IT IS?

>> SLUGS AND SNAILS ARE COMMON PESTS OF HOSTAS, BUT THIS DOESN'T QUITE LOOK LIKE THAT.

IT COULD BE ENVIRONMENTAL.

IT WILL BE FINE NEXT YEAR.

>> YOU WOULD SEE SLIME TRAILS.

>> YEAH YOU MIGHT.

IF IT IS WET THEN YOU WANT TO DECREASE THE MOISTURE OR SET TRAPS IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, ROCH, YOU HAVE ONE PIC ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS AN AURORA VIEWER.

THEY LIVE IN A NEW SUBDIVISION IN AURORA, AND THIS IS WHAT THE SOIL LOOKS LIKE THIS WEEK.

IT IS SUPPED TO BE SEATED BEFORE LABOR DAY.

WHAT BE DONE SO THE SEED WILL COME UP?

>> I DON'T THINK THIS IS AS BAD AS IT LOOKS.

A LIGHT CULTIVATION AND THE SEED GOING DOWN.

IF THEY'RE REALLY THAT WORRIED ABOUT IT TAKE A SCREWDRIVER AND PUSH IT INTO THE GROUND WHEN THE SOIL IS A LITTLE BIT MOIST.

IF IT DOES NOT GO IN VERY READILY THEY MIGHT CONSIDER A MORE AGGRESSIVE CULTIVATION, BUT IT'S NOT AS BAD AS IT LOOKS.

>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD TO KNOW.

TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A SEWARD VIEWER TRYING TO GET A BUFFALO GRASS LAWN ESTABLISHED.

PLUGGED A SECTION ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, HE'S WONDERING HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO FILL IN, AND, IS THERE ANYTHING HE SHOULD DO?

>> YEAH, IT WON'T FILL IN THIS YEAR, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN BUFFALO GRASS ISN'T ACTIVELY GROWING.

IT MIGHT BENEFIT FROM A HALF RATE OF STARTER FERTILIZER YET THIS FALL, OR IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS AND AGAIN IN THE SPRING, FINISH OFF THAT STARTER FERTILIZER, THEN FINISH IT OUT WITH THE STANDARD TWO POUNDS FOR, ESPECIALLY GROWING POST-JUNE AND JULY.

HALF, AND HALF, AND POUND, POUND, FOR THE NEXT SIX TO 10 MONTHS.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES THESE ARE LINCOLN, THEY SEEDED THESE TWO STRIPS AFTER SOME GRADING ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO.

PUT THIS MAT STUFF DOWN AND NOW THE TURF IS COMING UP THROUGH IT.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WILL IT HURT TO PULL THAT OFF?

AND WILL THAT MAT DEGRADE?

>> THIS IS NOT A BIODEGRADABLE MAT.

YOU COULD JUST TELL.

THERE ARE BIODEGRADABLE ONES THAT JUST TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

PULL IT UP BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU DO.

IT'S GOING TO PULL UP SOME SEEDLINGS, BUT IF YOU CAN MOW IT ONE TIME BEFORE YOU DO THAT WILL CERTAINLY NOT PULL UP AS MUCH UP, AND THEN THE MOWING, BUT DON'T LEAVE IT THERE BECAUSE IT IS A GREAT TRIP HAZARD.

I CAN TELL BECAUSE I'VE DONE IT IN MY YARD.

>> ALL RIGHT, AMY, THIS IS A GRISWOLD IOWA VIEWER SENT A PIC EARLIER ABOUT HOLLYHOCK REST.

HIS FOLLOW-UP QUESTION HERE IS THE FUNGUS WILT OVER WINTER, HE'S WONDERING IF THE HOLLYHOCK'S COME BACK UP NEXT YEAR, WILL THEY HAVE THE FUNGUS?

>> SO HOLLYHOCKS WILL COME BACK UP, BUT ONLY IF WE HAVE THE SPORES AND RIGHT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

YOU MIGHT BE LUCKY AND NOT HAVE ANY NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE THIS IS A SHROOM, HE JUST WANTS TO SHARE THE PICTURE.

THIS, THIS, AND WHAT YOU THINK?

>> I HAVE NO IDEA, I COULDN'T IDENTIFY IT.

>> ALL RIGHT TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

BATTLE CREEK, NEBRASKA, MOSTLY PURPLE CONE FLOWERS, ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE THIS?

>> IT IS IF YOU'RE A PLANT PATHOLOGIST BECAUSE IT'S JASPER YELLOW, AND IT'S SUPER SUPER PRETTY.

NOT WHAT YOU WANT IN YOUR GARDEN ROGUE IT OUT.

>>ALL RIGHT ELIZABETH, TWO PICS.

WHAT WOULD CAUSE CARROTS TO GO TO SEED LIKE THIS AND BE LONG AND WHITE?

AND THIS IS NEMAHA COUNTY.

>> CULTIVAR WILL DETERMINE THE COLOR.

AND IT'S TWO YEARS OLD BECAUSE IT GOES TO SEED.

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

ALL THE TOMATOES ARE RIPENING LIKE THIS, IS IT TOO MUCH RAIN, OR DIRECT SUN?

>> ENVIRONMENTAL, WHICH IS EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN.

SO TO SPEAK.

>> AND ONE MORE.

THIS IS OMAHA, AND THIS TOMATO A GREW A NOSE.

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

>> AGAIN, ENVIRONMENTAL.

WE COULDN'T PREDICT THAT EVEN IF WE TRIED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

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

WE WANT TO SAY THANKS TO OUR AUDIENCE FOR JOINING US.

THANKS TO OUR PANEL FOR A GREAT SHOW.

THANKS TO NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA FOR ALL THE WORK THEY PUT ON TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN FOR US.

SO, THANKS, AUDIENCE!

WE LOVE YOU DEARLY.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER.

"” WE WILL SHOW YOU THE NEXT STEP IN LAWN RENOVATION, STEPS THAT ARE COMING NEXT.

SO GOOD NIGHT!

GOOD GARDENING!

WE WILL SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK, ON "BACKYARD FARMER.

"” ♪