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

TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'VE GOT SOME IMPORTANT TIPS FOR WIND-DAMAGED TREES, AS WELL AS HAIL-DAMAGED LANDSCAPE PLANTS.

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

♪ ♪ >> "BACKYARD FARMER," I'M KIM TODD AND I'M HERE WITH OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS FROM NEBRASKA EXTENSION AND UNIVERSITY LANDSCAPE SERVICES, ALL READY TO ANSWER THOSE GARDENING QUESTIONS.

OUR PHONE LINES ARE OPEN, SO YOU CAN CALL US AT 1-800-676-5446.

OUR VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

IF THAT QUESTION CAN WAIT A WHILE, OR YOU'D LIKE TO SEND US PICTURES, YOU CAN EMAIL THEM TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

DON'T FORGET TO TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE.

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STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK.

AND WE'RE GONNA START RIGHT OFF, JODY, WITH QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

THE FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM SIOUX CITY.

HIS QUESTION IS, "CAN BORER DAMAGE BE TREATED IN A BLUE SPRUCE?"

THE TREE IS 25-EARS-OLD.

IT'S PART OF A WINDBREAK.

THE DAMAGE IS ABOUT 8 BRANCHES, 6 FEET FROM THE TOP, AND THE TREE IS ABOUT 25 FEET TALL.

SO WHAT DID WE DISCOVER ON THIS ONE?

>> UM, I DISCOVERED THAT I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TYPE OF BORER IT IS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TREE IN THE WINDBREAK LOOKS LIKE, THE FULL TREE.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A PITCH MASS, OR IF THERE WAS PACKED FRASS IN THOSE GALLERIES, BUT IT DOES LOOK LIKE THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE THAT THAT TREE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE TREATED.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE WHOLE WINDBREAK LOOKS LIKE, BECAUSE YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE TREES ARE NOT STRESSED, BECAUSE THAT WOULD INCREASE THE CHANCES OF HAVING A BORER OF SOME KIND.

BUT IF THERE -- WE ALSO CAN'T SEE IF THERE WAS MAYBE A CANKER LOWER DOWN, THAT THOSE BRANCHES SUFFERED, AND THEN WE'VE GOT A LOT OF NATIVE BORERS THAT DO -- WILL ATTACH THOSE STRESSED OR DYING TREES.

SO, YEAH, NOT THE BEST FOR THAT TREE, BUT TRY TO SAVE THE OTHER TREES THAT ARE THERE.

>> SO HAVE HIM SEND US A PICTURE OF THE WHOLE WINDBREAK?

>> YEAH, IN THAT ENVIRONMENT OF WHERE THAT TREE IS.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT, AND WE'LL PROBABLY GET BACK TO IT.

AND STILL MAY NOT KNOW THE ANSWER.

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

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS PICS OF INSECTS IN HER YARDS.

AND SHE SAYS, "IS THIS ONE GOOD OR BAD?"

AND SHE SAYS, "HE IS A STINGER," AND SHE SAYS THIS IS THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE.

>> SO, THIS IS A CRANE FLY.

AND CRANE FLIES DON'T HAVE STINGERS.

AND THEY DON'T ALSO FEED ON BLOOD.

SO A LOT OF TIMES CRANE FLIES GET CONFUSED FOR GIANT MOSQUITOS.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE ACTUALLY CALLED MOSQUITO HAWKS, BUT THEY DON'T HUNT OR KILL MOSQUITOS EITHER.

THEY'RE PRETTY HARMLESS AS ADULTS LIKE THAT.

AS LARVAE THEY MAY BE TURF PESTS.

BUT NOT A PEST.

SO I WOULD SAY IT'S GOOD OR NEUTRAL.

>> GOOD OR NEUTRAL.

AND NOT VERY MANY OF THEM?

JUST -- I MEAN, THEY'RE NOT LIKE MAYFLIES, WHERE THERE'S -- >> NO.

PROBABLY JUST ATTRACTED TO THE LIGHT.

THEY FEED ON NECTAR.

>> OKAY, AWESOME.

ALL RIGHT, ROCH, YOU HAVE SEVERAL THAT ARE GRASS.

BUT YOU'VE GOT ONE THAT'S NOT.

IN THIS VERY FIRST ONE, THERE ARE TWO PICTURES.

THE ISSUE HERE IS HE HAS RAISED GARDEN BEDS, AND THEN HE'S GOT ALL OF THE WEEDS AROUND ABOUT 20 BY 20 SURROUNDING THESE THREE BOXES.

HE WANTS TO GET RID OF THE WEEDS.

AND HE DOES SAY THAT THEY ARE UP ALONG THE EDGES OF THE GARDEN BOXES.

HE DOESN'T WANT TO HURT THE VEGETABLES OR THE HERBS.

>> SO CERTAINLY, THAT'S GOOD THAT HE'S KIND OF GIVING US AN EXPLANATION OF WHY, BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT SEEMS TO ME THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD BE HAND-WEEDED ONCE AND THEN MULCHED.

AND RIGHT UP AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE BED, AND THEN YOU'RE WALKING ABOUT THAT BED ANYWAY, SO YOU CERTAINLY DON'T WANT IT TO BE MUDDY, BUT I WOULD JUST CLEAN UP THAT EDGE.

IF THEY REALLY WANT TO USE SOMETHING NON-SELECTIVE WITH A LOW -- LIKE A GLYPHOSATE, THAT CERTAINLY WOULD ACCELERATE THE PROCESS, BUT I THINK THIS IS CONTROLLED WITH SOME GOOD ORGANIC MULCH.

>> OKAY, AND THAT IS THAT'S CREEPING CHARLIE.

>> YEAH, THAT'S CREEPING CHARLIE, IT'S A PERENNIAL.

BUT STILL, YOU COULD KNOCK IT BACK WITH ROUNDUP IF YOU NEED BE.

AND YOU CAN AGGRESSIVELY HAND-WEED IT AS WELL.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS -- WE HAD THIS QUESTION I THINK LAST WEEK WITHOUT PICTURES.

AND THIS IS ANOTHER ONE.

THIS IS SIBERIAN SQUILL.

A HANDFUL OF IT APPEARED IN A FRONT FLOWERBED AND NOW THEY'RE TAKING OVER THE BED, GOING INTO THE YARD.

SHE'S FINDING THEM IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN, WAY IN THE BACKYARD.

SHE CAN DIG UP THE LITTLE BULBS, BUT IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DIG THEM ALL UP.

>> YEAH, SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A REALLY INTERESTING PLANT IN THAT PEOPLE LOVE TO PLANT IT, BECAUSE IT IS PRETTY MUCH A DEER AND ANY ANIMAL DETERRENT.

BECAUSE IT'S GOT A LITTLE MECHANISM IN IT THAT'S GOT SOME AROMATICS THAT KEEPS ANIMALS AWAY, PRIMARILY BECAUSE IT IS FAIRLY TOXIC TO MAMMALS.

BUT THAT SAID, NOTHING WILL EAT IT.

SO, KIND OF A UNIQUE THING OF THIS PLANT THAT I KIND OF GET A HUGE KICK OUT IT.

IT'S A PROLIFIC SEEDER, AND IT'S A PROLIFIC BULB PRODUCER.

YOU CAN SMOTHER 'EM WITH A HEAVY -- ONCE AGAIN WE'LL GO BACK TO THE MULCH -- YOU CAN SMOTHER 'EM WITH ABOUT TWO OR THREE INCHES OF MULCH ON TOP, IN AND AROUND, AND, YOU KNOW, FOLLOW GOOD MULCHING PRACTICES.

IN TURF, IT'S ACTUALLY RELATIVELY EASY TO CONTROL WITH ANYTHING CONTAINING 2,4-D. OR -- AVOID DICAMBA, BUT ANYTHING WITH 2,4-D OR TRICLOPYR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WILL PRETTY MUCH KNOCK IT BACK.

BUT THEY DO HAVE TO BE AGGRESSIVE WHEN IT GETS -- IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD STAND.

BUT I THINK THIS PLANT IS REALLY UNIQUE.

AND SOME PEOPLE DON'T PLANT IT BECAUSE OF ITS AGGRESSIVE NATURE.

I'D AVOID IT ALONG WOODLANDS IF SOMEBODY REALLY LIKES IT.

BUT IT CAN MAKE A REALLY -- A HILLSIDE LOOK AMAZING.

>> RIGHT.

AND I KNOW IN SOME STATES IT'S CONSIDERED INVASIVE.

NOT HERE, IT'S JUST -- >> 17 STATES, IT'S INVASIVE, BUT NOT US.

>> NOT US YET.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LOREN, YOUR FIRST QUESTIONS, OR QUESTION.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

SHE CALLS THIS A TUMOR-LIKE GROWTH ON HER URBAN APPLES, WHICH ARE THE REAL NARROW APPLE TREES.

SHE SAYS, THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE THEY'RE FROM PRUNING WOUNDS, AND THEY'RE SORT OF SOFT.

>> YEAH, SO I REALLY DON'T THINK THIS IS ANY TYPE OF A GALL OR A DISEASE ON THIS, KIM.

IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE IT'S RELATED TO WHERE SOME PRUNING WAS DONE IN THE PAST.

SO I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT A DISEASE ISSUE WITH THIS ONE.

AND REALLY THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO JUST CONTINUE AND NOT HURT THE TREE, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL.

>> AND IF THEY OPEN AND OOZE -- >> WELL, IF THEY OPEN OR OOZE OR SOMETHING, THEN WE CAN BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

BUT THE WAY THEY LOOK, THEY REALLY DO LOOK LIKE THEY'RE ALL ASSOCIATED, FROM WHAT I COULD TELL, WITH A BRANCH.

AND I JUST DON'T SEE THEM AS A CANKER, NO.

IF SOMETHING CHANGES, IF THEY TURN DARK, IF THEY OOZE, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THEN WE'VE GOT A SITUATION.

WHERE THEY'RE LOCATED, IT REALLY GONNA TAKE THE TREE OUT.

SO I WOULD REALLY JUST KIND OF OBSERVE THIS OVER THE SUMMER AND SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, LOREN.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A 3-YEAR-OLD SUMAC.

AND A DOG WITH THE ZOOMIES IN THE BACKGROUND, WHICH IS FUN.

AND SOMETHING STRANGE GOING ON WITH THE TRUNK ON THIS ONE.

>> YEAH, AND SO ACTUALLY, I HAVE SOME SUMACS IN MY LANDSCAPE AS WELL.

AND A LOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU PRUNE THEM -- I THINK WE NEED TO GO BACK A PICTURE HERE.

YEAH, THAT'S THE NEXT ONE.

BUT A LOT OF TIMES WITH SUMACS, WHEN YOU PRUNE THEM WHERE THAT BRANCH WAS AT, YOU'LL SEE THAT DEAD AREA AND IT'LL KIND OF GET TRAPPED IN THERE IN THE BARK.

SO, I THINK IT'S JUST NORMAL.

I HAVE NO CONCERN ABOUT A DISEASE WITH THAT EITHER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE, AND THIS IS THE DWARF APPLE TREE, NORTHWEST IOWA, WESTFIELD, THAT'S THA -- YOUR LAST PICTURE.

THE LIMBS ARE TURNING BLACK WITH NO LEAVES.

OR ONCE THEY START, THE BLACK LEAVES DIE.

CAN IT BE SAVED?

TWO OF THE -- TWO OF HIS TREES HAVE IT.

AND THE DWARF APPLE IN THE MIDDLE DOESN'T.

THEY'RE ALL DIFFERENT VARIETIES.

>> WELL, AND BECAUSE THEY'RE DIFFERENT VARIETIES AND THE SYMPTOM -- IF YOU LOOK AT THIS, YOU'VE GOTA THAT BLACK -- BLACK DISCOLORATION.

NOW, ONE THING THAT CAN CAUSE THIS IS FIRE BLIGHT.

SO IF -- AS THINGS EMERGE, IF YOU'RE SEEING BLACK LEAVES, IF YOU'RE SEEING ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS ON SMALL STEMS AS THEY EMERGE -- AND A CLASSIC SYMPTOM OF FIRE BLIGHT IS A SHEPHERD'S CROOK TYPE SCENARIO WHERE THAT STEM JUST WILTS AND FORMS A CROOK AND TURNS BLACK, IF YOU'RE SEEING THOSE SYMPTOMS ALONG WITH THIS, IT'S MOST LIKELY FIRE BLIGHT.

NOW, EITHER WAY, IF IT'S A FUNGAL CANKER, WHICH THERE ARE SOME FUNGAL DISEASES OF APPLE THAT CAN FORM A CANKER THAT WOULD TURN BLACK AS WELL, YOU'RE GONNA PRUNE THAT OUT.

SO, YOU KNOW, REALISTICALLY, GOING INTO THAT AREA AND PRUNING IT BACK SEVEN TO TEN, IF IT'S BACTERIAL, THREE TO FOUR IF IT'S FUNGAL.

>> AND HOW WOULD THEY KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL?

>> WELL, I'M SORRY, IF IT'S FIRE BLIGHT, IT'S BACTERIAL, SO YOU GO SEVEN TO TEN INCHES, IF YOU'RE SEEING OTHER SYMPTOMS.

IF IT'S FUNGAL, YOU CAN GO THREE TO FOUR INCHES BACK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> I WOULD START CONSERVATIVELY, IF YOU DON'T SEE OTHER SYMPTOMS, AND GO THREE TO FOUR INCHES BACK.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, LOREN.

ALL RIGHT, JEFF, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS COLORADO SPRINGS, SO IT FOUND US ALL THE WAY FROM COLORADO.

HE HAS A QUESTION ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TREE.

IT LOOKS LIKE A DOUG FIR.

>> RIGHT.

>> BENT OVER FROM HEAVY SNOW, HE'S WONDERING IF IT CAN BE STAKED TO STRAIGHTEN IT BACK UP.

AND SHOULD HE SAVE THIS TREE OR START OVER?

>> WELL, I THINK MY INITIAL RESPONSE WOULD BE TO START OVER.

HOWEVER, IF -- YOU KNOW, I CERTAINLY -- I THINK WE'VE PROBABLY ALL TRIED TO SAVE SOME TREES IN THE PAST.

SO I WOULDN'T BE OPPOSED TO TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN IT UP AND SAVE IT.

I'D LOOK AT REMOVING SOME OF THE TURF AROUND THE TREES, THAT MIGHT HELP AS WELL.

SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY THAT.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE LOWER PART OF THE TRUNK NEAR THE BASE THERE, SO THAT WOULD BE MY CONCERN WITH THAT, THAT IT'S -- YOU KNOW.

BUT, YOU CAN GO FOR IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND IF HE WERE TO STRAIGHTEN IT UP, YOU DON'T TIE IT DOWN SO HARD THAT IT CAN'T RUN AWAY, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT, YEAH.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

YOU'RE GONNA WANT TO HAVE -- LITERALLY, SOME WIGGLE ROOM IN IT, SO IT CAN MOVE A LITTLE BIT.

RIGHT.

>> OKAY.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS RURAL THAYER COUNTY.

THIS IS AN ASH, PROBABLY OVER 20-YEARS-OLD.

THE BASE IS DAMAGED, SHOWS SOME PEELING, SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE.

SHE'S WONDERING, IS IT WISE TO REMOVE THIS TREE, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS CLOSE TO THE HOUSE?

>> YEAH, WE ACTUALLY HAD A SIMILAR SORT OF THING OCCUR WITH SOME OF OUR GREEN ASH ON CAMPUS, ON EAST CAMPUS IN PARTICULAR.

AND WE WATCHED IT.

THEY WEREN'T IN AN AREA WHERE THERE WAS ANY PARTICULAR TARGET, SO WE WERE ABLE TO WATCH 'EM FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT IT DID CONTINUE.

AND SO THAT BASE IS -- THAT TRUNK THERE IS DECAYING.

SO I THINK I WOULD GO AHEAD AND HAVE THAT REMOVED SOONER THAN LATER.

>> RIGHT, BEFORE THE WIND DOES IT AND TAKES THE HOUSE WITH IT.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

>> RIGHT, ABSOLUTELY.

ALL RIGHT, TWO MORE FOR YOU, JEFF.

THIS IS A DE WITT, NEBRASKA, VIEWER.

15 TO 20-YEAR-OLD GINGKO, AND THE LEADER SNAPPED OFF IN A WINDSTORM.

SHOULD THEY PRUNE ANYTHING OUT OR LET IT BE AT THIS POINT, OR --?

>> WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE THE TREE IS HEALED FROM THAT INITIAL DAMAGE.

IF THEY WANTED TO DO ANY KIND OF PRUNING, THEY COULD -- IF THERE'S SOME CROSSING BRANCHES, THAT SORT OF THING FROM HAVING THE MAIN LEADER REMOVED.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M GUESSING IT'S SOME UPRIGHT VARIETY -- A PRINCETON SENTRY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WE PROMISED YOU THAT JODY WOULD BE SHOWING YOU SOME WORMS TONIGHT.

BUT WE HAD SOME PRETTY DEVASTATING WEATHER COME THROUGH OUR AREA LAST WEEK.

WE FEEL REALLY BAD FOR PEOPLE.

BUT SEVERAL EASTERN NEBRASKA TOWNS WERE AFFECTED.

SO WE THOUGHT WE'D HAVE JEFF TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ANY TREES ON YOUR PROPERTY, AND DO THAT IN A SAFE WAY.

♪ >> LAST SPRING, WE TALKED ABOUT PRUNING OUR STORM-DAMAGED TREES.

WELL, HERE WE ARE, ANOTHER ROUND OF STORMS HAVE COME THROUGH THE STATE, AND SO WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO REVIEW THAT ONE MORE TIME.

IF YOU HAVE LARGER TREES ON YOUR PROPERTY, IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET OUT SOON AFTER THE STORM TO EVALUATE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ANY SAFETY CONCERNS IN YOUR LAWN.

YOU MAY NEED TO USE BINOCULARS OR CERTAINLY YOUR CELLPHONE TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF ANY POTENTIAL CRACKED OR BROKEN BRANCHES THAT ARE HIGH UP IN A TREE.

IF YOU DO HAVE SOMETHING THAT'S VERY HIGH UP, AND THAT CAN'T REALLY BE HANDLED FROM YOU STANDING ON THE GROUND, IT'S IMPORTANT TO CALL A CERTIFIED ARBORIST TO HAVE THEM COME IN AND EVALUATE THAT TREE, AND THEN THEY'LL BE ABLE TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS OF EITHER REMOVAL OR PRUNING.

IF YOU HAVE SMALLER TREES OR SHRUBS, THEN YOU CERTAINLY CAN GO OUT AND DO SOME OF THAT PRUNING NOW.

I SUGGEST THAT AT THIS POINT, WE DON'T GO THROUGH AND DO EXTENSIVE PRUNING, WE JUST REMOVE THE DAMAGED BRANCHES, OR CLEAN UP ANY TORN BARK THAT MAY BE ON THE TRUNK OF THE TREE.

TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THAT NOW, AND THEN AS WE GO THROUGH THE YEAR AND INTO THE FALL, YOU CAN THEN RE-EVALUATE THAT TREE AND SEE IF MORE PRUNING IS REQUIRED.

IF THE TREE HAS A DAMAGED OR BROKEN LEADER -- AND AGAIN, IF IT'S A FAIRLY SMALL TREE, YOU MAY CONSIDER JUST GOING AHEAD AND REPLACING THAT TREE.

USUALLY, HAVING A BROKEN LEADER IN A SMALL TREE WILL SIGNAL THAT THE TREE WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY AS IT GOES INTO THE FUTURE, SO PROBABLY A GOOD TIME JUST TO RESTART THE WHOLE PROCESS.

IF IT'S A LARGER TREE WITH A BROKEN LEADER, AGAIN, WE WORRY ABOUT SOME OF THAT NEW WOOD, SOME OF THE NEW BRANCHES THAT WILL OCCUR DOWN THE ROAD THAT'S WEAKER, HAS WEAKER ATTACHMENTS, AND THEN THEY ALSO BECOME PROBLEMS GOING INTO THE FUTURE.

SO THAT'S A DISCUSSION YOU WOULD HAVE WITH YOUR CERTIFIED ARBORIST IS MAYBE WE NEED TO REMOVE THE TREE BECAUSE OF THAT BROKEN LEADER.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT, AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE HIGH BRANCHES, HEAVY WOOD THAT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE, THAT YOU CALL A CERTIFIED ARBORIST AND HAVE THEM EVALUATE THAT TREE FOR YOU.

IF IT'S SMALLER STUFF, THEN YOU COULD LOOK AT TAKING SOME OF THOSE BRANCHES OFF THE TRUNK OF THE TREE, CLEANING THAT UP RIGHT NOW, AND AGAIN, CONTINUOUSLY EVALUATE YOUR TREES AS WE GO THROUGH THIS STORMY SPRING OF OURS.

>> AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE DID A SIMILAR VIDEO LAST YEAR DURING THIS TIME.

THERE ARE ALSO MANY OTHER VIDEOS LIKE THIS ON OUR "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

IF IT'S SMALLER STUFF, THEN YOU COULD LOOK AT TAKING SOME OF THOSE BRANCHES OFF THE TRUNK OF THE TREE, CLEANING THAT UP RIGHT NOW, AND AGAIN, CONTINUOUSLY EVALUATE YOUR TREES AS WE GO THROUGH THE STORMY SPRING OF OURS.

>> AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE DID A SIMILAR VIDEO LAST YEAR DURING THIS TIME.

THERE ARE ALSO MANY OTHER VIDEOS LIKE THIS ON OUR "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THERE'S DETAILED INFORMATION ON SAFE REMOVAL OR PRUNING OF YOUR TREES THAT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THESE KINDS OF STORMS.

HOPEFULLY, THAT'S THE LAST ONE FOR A LONG TIME IN OUR STATE.

ALL RIGHT, JODY, TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN ADAMS VIEWER.

BUGS ON BAPTISIA.

THEY ARE WONDERING IF THEY ARE APHIDS.

SHE SPRAYED WITH WATER, SHE TREATED WITH NEEM OIL, DUSTED WITH SEVIN, NOTHING SEEMED TO PHASE THEM.

>> OKAY, SO THESE ARE CALLED WILD INDIGO WEEVILS OR SEED POD WEEVILS, BECAUSE THE FEMALE LAYS HER EGGS IN THE SEED PODS AND SO THE LARVAE DEVELOP IN THERE AND THAT'S HOW THEY OVERWINTER.

AND THEY EMERGE AS ADULTS THIS TIME OF YEAR AND THEY START EATING THE FOLIAGE AND THE FLOWERS.

SO WHAT YOU CAN DO, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO TRY SPINOSAD OR YOU CAN THINK ABOUT PLANTING SOMETHING ELSE, 'CAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S PRETTY DAMAGED AND IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY KIND OF SMALL PLANT.

AND THEN MAYBE, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE THAT MAYBE IF YOU DON'T WANT THOSE PODS ON THERE FOR NEXT YEAR, SO THAT NOTHING IS OVERWINTERING IN THERE.

>> YEAH, I THINK WE'VE HAD THEM ON CAMPUS ONCE OR TWICE BUT WE STILL HAVE THE BAPTISIA, SO, THAT'S A GREAT PLANT.

>> I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM BEFORE.

>> OH YEAH, YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, JODY, SINCE YOU ARE MISS TICK.

TICKS, TICKS, TICKS, ARE OUT AND ABOUT.

THIS PERSON IN GRETNA IS WONDERING THE SPECIES, GENDER AND BREEDING CAPABILITIES FROM THESE PARTICULAR PHOTOS IN, APPARENTLY, A TREE STAND FREQUENTED BY DEER AND COYOTES.

AND THIS IS CAME HOME WITH A COUPLE DOZEN FRIENDS.

>> YEAH, TICKS ARE OUT.

THEY'VE BEEN OUT FOR ABOUT EIGHT OR NINE WEEKS NOW.

THESE ARE AMERICAN DOG TICKS.

SO THESE ARE ONE OF OUR MOST COMMON.

THE ONE THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S WEARING A BIB, THE BIGGER ONE, THAT'S A FEMALE ADULT.

AND THE OTHER ONE THAT'S GOT WAVY PATTERNS, THAT IS A MALE ADULT.

AND I'VE GOT SOME SAMPLES HERE THAT HAVE BEEN IN MY OFFICE SINCE LIKE -- ONE OF THEM -- THERE'S ACTUALLY TWO CAME IN TODAY AND THERE ARE COUPLE THAT HAVE BEEN IN MY OFFICE FOR -- SINCE THE 21st.

SO THEY JUST LIVE IN -- I'M NOT FEEDING THEM.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO CRAWL UP AND THAT'S HOW THEY GET TO YOUR SCALP, WHICH IS WHERE MOST PEOPLE FIND THEM.

SO I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE TO HAVE YOUR PETS TREATED, TO CHECK YOURSELF, YOUR PETS AND YOUR CHILDREN AFTER OUTDOOR ACTIVITY, WHICH INCLUDES FIELD TRIPS AND RECESS.

AND TO REMOVE IT SAFELY WITH SOME POINTY TWEEZERS AND KEEP IT FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES SO YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM.

THESE TICKS WILL PRETTY MUCH BE AROUND FOR ALL OF SUMMER.

AND WHEN THEY ARE NOT AROUND, WE WILL HAVE OTHER TICKS.

SO ALL YEAR ROUND.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE ARE CHECKING OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES.

>> WHICH ONE'S ARE MOST CONCERN FOR TRANSMISSION OF LYME DISEASE AND THINGS?

>> SO FOR LYME DISEASE, IT'S GOING TO BE THE BLACK LEGGED TICK.

THESE ONES CAN TRANSMIT ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER AND ALSO TULAREMIA.

SO JUST BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE ONE THAT CAN TRANSMIT LYME DISEASE DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT IMPORTANT.

ALL OF THE TICKS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN NEBRASKA HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRANSMIT SOMETHING NASTY TO HUMANS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THAT REALLY TICKS ME OFF.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YOU HAVE ONE MORE PICTURE, JODY.

AND THIS ONE IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

AND IT'S -- THEY ARE SAYING THIS SPIDER-LIKE THING WAS CRAWLING UNDER THE FLAGSTONE PATIO.

WHAT IS IT.

>> YEAH, SO THIS IS A SPIDER.

IT'S ONE OF OUR GROUND SPIDERS.

WE CALL THIS THE WOODLOUSE HUNTER.

MY NICKNAME FOR THIS IS THE LIKE THE STATE FARM SPIDER, 'CAUSE IT HAS A KHAKI ABDOMEN AND A RED CEPHALOTHORAX.

BUT THEY LIVE AND FEED UNDER STONES AND ROCKS.

AND THEY'RE CALLED WOODLOUSE HUNTERS BECAUSE THEY FEED ON SOW BUGS AND PILL BUGS, WHICH WE CALL ROLY-POLIES.

>> ALL RIGHT, FUN.

OKAY, ROCH, TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS -- THEY'RE IN HOOPER.

AND A NEW SHOP, THE CONTRACTOR HAULED IN FILL AND IT'S MOSTLY CLAY.

THEY'RE WONDERING OF THEY SHOULD BRING IN SOME TOPSOIL BEFORE THEY SEED.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD BOTHER WITH THE TOPSOIL, ONLY BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF WORK TO GET IT IN.

I THINK JUST A LITTLE BIT OF ORGANIC MATTER OF SOME KIND, COMPOST OR SOMETHING ELSE, AND LIGHTLY INCORPORATE IT INTO THE SURFACE.

SINCE THEY'RE GOING TO BE SEEDING SOON, AND IT'S SPRING AND WE DON'T -- WE STRUGGLE WITH SPRING SEEDINGS, I WOULD CONSIDER A STARTER FERTILIZER.

YOU MUST USE A STARTED FERTILIZER BUT I'D CONSIDER A STARTER FERTILIZER THAT HAS MESOTRIONE IN IT.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF PRODUCTS THAT HAVE MESOTRIONE AS A SEED STARTER ALONG WITH THE FERTILIZER.

A LITTLE BIT OF ORGANIC MATTER AND IT LOOKS THAT SEEDBED IS VERY WELL PREPARED.

SO KUDOS TO THE CONTRACTOR FOR GETTING THE GROUND READY.

IT JUST PROBABLY NEEDS A LITTLE BIT OF NUTRITIONAL BOOST WITH THE COMPOST AND THE STARTER FERTILIZER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

AND THIS GRASS IS MOVING RAPIDLY INTO THEIR YARD.

HE WONDERS WHAT IT IS AND HOW DO YOU CONTROL IT.

HE THOUGHT IT WAS EARLY RYE OR A GRAIN RYE.

>> THIS IS NOT A RYE.

THIS IS SMOOTH BROME.

WE SEE IT GREEN UP A LOT SOONER THAN ANY OF THE COMMON TURF GRASS SPECIES AS WELL AS OTHER COOL SEASON GRASSES.

SO WE CALL IT A COOL, COOL SEASON, NOT THAT IT'S NEAT BUT THAT IT'S GOING TO GREEN OUT A LITTLE BIT QUICKER.

IT HAS A REAL AGGRESSIVE RHIZOME SYSTEM.

TENDS TO FADE OUT WHEN WE GET INTO SOME SUMMER MONTHS.

BUT IT WILL BE BACK WITH A VENGEANCE IN THE SPRING AND -- EXCUSE ME, IN THE FALL, AND THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NOTHING YOU CAN SELECTIVELY DO TO CONTROL THEM.

SO IT'S SPOT TREAT WITH GLYPHOSATE AND RESEED.

BUT REALIZE YOU'VE GOT TO GET THE ENTIRE PLANT BEFORE THEN.

MOST PEOPLE THAT GET IT JUST KEEP IT MOWED SHORTER AND HOPEFULLY SUPPRESS IT ENOUGH THAT IT DOESN'T TAKE OVER THE YARD.

>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE.

LOREN, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES, I THINK, FOR YOUR -- OH, ONE MORE FOR ROCH.

YEAH, SO THIS IS ALSO AN I.D., ROCH.

>> AND IT'S ALSO SMOOTH BROME.

AND KUDOS TO THE VIEWERS BECAUSE THEY DID A NICE JOB SPREADING IT ALL OUT AND THEN I COULD BLOW IT UP AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE LIGULE AND THE ORACLE AND ALL THE THINGS THAT WE LOOK AT AS GRASS I.D.

PEOPLE.

SO GOOD FOR THEM FOR GETTING A GOOD PICTURE TO US FOR BOTH, BUT BOTH OF THESE ARE SMOOTH BROME.

SO I DON'T HAVE TO REPEAT WHAT I JUST SAID.

>> AND REALLY HARD TO CONTROL.

>> AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

>> IN OTHER WORDS, MOVE.

RIGHT?

>> THEY COULD MOVE OR THEY CAN -- THEY CAN MOVE.

[ LAUGHTER ] I SUGGEST THEY MOVE.

>> MAYBE, GOATS.

>> GOATS WON'T SELECTIVELY FEED ON BROME OVER THE OTHER TURF GRASSES.

>> THEY DO NEED TO MOVE.

>> OH, BROTHER.

>> THAT'S HORRIBLE ADVICE FROM ALL OF US.

JUST IGNORE WHAT WE ARE SAYING.

BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE REALLY HAVE A SOLUTION FOR YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LOREN, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE NOW.

THIS IS A BARBARIAN.

OMAHA, EAST SIDE.

BEGAN DYING LATE LAST SUMMER.

THEY'RE WONDERING, CAN YOU TELL ON THIS ONE.

BECAUSE I KNOW WE'VE HAD THIS IN PAST SEASONS AS WELL.

>> A LOT OF TIMES WITH OUR SHRUBS, WHEN WE HAVE A PORTION OF THAT SHRUB DYING, NOT REALLY MUCH THAT WE CAN TELL FROM A PHOTO.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE VIEWER TO FOLLOW THE INJURY DOWN INTO THE CROWN OF THE SHRUB.

THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE A CERTAIN BRANCH OR BRANCH CLUSTER THAT IS BEING AFFECTED.

IT'S MOST LIKELY SOME SORT OF PHYSICAL INJURY.

SOMETIMES WE EVEN SEE SOMETHING GIRDLING THE STEM.

BUT THE OTHER THING IT COULD BE IS SOME SORT OF A FUNGAL CANKER IN A SHRUB LIKE THAT, PARTICULARLY LATE SUMMER WHEN WE GET STRESS.

SO I WOULD JUST FOLLOW THAT DOWN.

IF IT'S NOT GREENING UP, YOU CAN WAIT SOME TIME IF IT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS IS OCCURRING AND LET IT GREEN UP.

IF IT DOESN'T, I WOULD PRUNE THAT OUT AND START WORKING ON RESHAPING IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S SEE, YOUR NEXT ONE -- THIS IS FROM CASS COUNTY.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

40-YEAR-OLD TREE IS DAMAGED FROM TWO YEARS AGO.

THEY HAVE FIVE TREES.

AND IT WAS A LOT TO TREAT THEM.

THEY ARE WONDERING ABOUT THIS DAMAGE.

AND THEY THINK THIS IS, LIKE, ONE OF THE -- >> NEEDLE CAST, MAYBE?

>> YEAH, NEEDLE CAST.

RIGHT.

>> SO IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IT IS REALLY UNUSUAL THAT ONE TREE WOULD BE AFFECTED BY NEEDLE CAST THIS SEVERELY.

THAT'S NOT A DISEASE IF THESE ARE ALL THE SAME SPRUCE.

WE'D EXPECT TO SEE SOME GENERAL INJURY ACROSS AN AREA, USUALLY A NORTH-FACING AREA, AN AREA THAT GETS HIT BY IRRIGATION OR SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT'S KEEPING IT WET.

THE WAY THAT WHOLE TREE IS THINNED OUT IN THE MIDDLE, IT MAKES ME THINK THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON.

THERE MAY BE NEEDLE CAST THERE, BUT I TEND TO THINK THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S AFFECTING THE TREE MORE SEVERELY THAN THAT.

THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER CASE WHERE JODY INDICATED A PICTURE OF THE WINDBREAK OR GROUP OF TREES THAT YOU HAVE.

IF IT'S JUST ONE INDIVIDUAL TREE AND IT'S -- AND ALL THE OTHERS WE WOULD EXPECT INJURY ACROSS AN AREA, USUALLY A NORTH-FACING AREA, AN AREA THAT GETS HIT BY IRRIGATION OR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

THE WAY THAT TREE IS THINNED OUT IN THE MIDDLE, IT MAKES ME THINK THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON.

I TEND TO THINK THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S AFFECTING THE TREE MORE SEVERELY THAN THAT.

THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER CASE WHERE JODY INDICATED A PICTU O IF IT'S JUST ONE INDIVIDUAL TREE AND IT'S -- AND ALL THE OTHERS AROUND IT ARE FINE, I REALLY WOULDN'T RECOMMEND TREATMENT IN THIS CASE.

I THINK THIS IS ONE THAT MAY BE ON ITS WAY OUT.

>> RIGHT, THAT'S AN AWFUL LOT OF DAMAGE.

>> YEAH, FOR NEEDLE CAST, THAT'S VERY UNUSUAL, AND FOR A SINGLE TREE IN A LANDSCAPE COMPARED TO ALL THE OTHERS.

>> ALL RIGHT, OKAY.

I THINK JEFF, YOU ARE UP NEXT.

THIS IS INTERESTING.

THIS IS VOLUNTEER IN THE HOSTA BEDS IN THE BENSON/OMAHA AREA UNDER AN ASH.

HE WANTS TO ERADICATE THEM WITHOUT TAKING THE HOSTA OUT.

DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THIS IS?

>> YOU KNOW, TO ME, INITIALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS SALVIA OR SOMETHING THAT SEEDED ITSELF IN.

AND THAT'S WHAT I KIND OF -- TO ME, IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING HE MAY HAVE IN THE GARDEN THAT JUST, YOU KNOW, WE HAD A GOOD YEAR AND IT WAS ABLE TO PRODUCE A LOT OF SEED.

THE SEED MADE IT THROUGH.

I'LL KIND OF ECHO WHAT ROCH WAS SAYING.

I THINK MY INITIAL SOLUTION WOULD BE DOING SOMETHING MECHANICAL.

GETTING YOUR HOE AND GOING IN THERE AND JUST TAKING THE PLANTS OUT THAT WAY.

YOU CAN, AGAIN, PUT A COUPLE INCHES OF MULCH AND TAKE CARE OF IT LIKE THAT.

AS A LAST SOLUTION, YOU COULD LOOK AT USING SOME SORT OF NON-SELECTIVE HERBICIDE TO TAKE IT OUT.

>> OR GLOVE OF DEATH.

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

YES.

>> LET'S SEE.

YOUR NEXT ONE, WE HAD A QUESTION ABOUT GETTING RID OF LILY OF THE VALLEY LAST WEEK WITHOUT PICTURES, AND NOT A GREAT SOLUTION.

SO SHE WANTS TO GET RID OF LILY OF THE VALLEY.

AND THEN WE HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THEY CAN MOVE AND RELOCATE IT RIGHT NOW.

>> SURE.

>> SO HOW DO WE GET RID OF IT?

>> WE NEED TO GET THESE TWO PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> I KNOW.

>> AS FAR AS GETTING RID OF IT, IT'S A PERSISTENT PLANT.

YOU CAN DIG IT UP.

YOU MAY HAVE TO DO IT A COUPLE OF TIMES.

THAT WILL WORK.

AGAIN, NON-SELECTIVE HERBICIDE WILL HANDLE THAT.

I THINK YOU CAN JUST NEED TO BE PERSISTENT.

IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT I WOULD CONSIDER CUTTING IT BACK AND LETTING THE NEW PLANT AS IT EMERGES AS NEW STUFF COMES UP, THEN GO AHEAD AND TREATING THAT.

AS FAR AS MOVING IT, I THINK, AGAIN, IT'S A TOUGH PLANT.

GET YOUR SPADE OUT THERE AND GET A NICE BIG CHUNK OF SOIL OUT OF THE GROUND AND MOVE IT AND YOU'LL PROBABLY BE JUST FINE.

>> WHENEVER YOU WANT.

>> YES, ANYTIME.

>> YOU COULD PROBABLY ALMOST JUST THROW IT ACROSS THE YARD AND IT WILL STILL LIVE.

>> THAT'S PROBABLY RIGHT.

>> JUST TO ADD A LITTLE SOMETHING TO THAT, AND I KNOW IT WAS IN A BED WITH OTHER BROAD LEAFS, BUT IF YOU'RE REAL CAREFUL WITH IT, BUT IF YOU ADD TRICLOPYR TO GLYPHOSATE IT DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB ON IT.

>> IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF IT.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WE'VE GOT A BREAK COMING UP, BUT LET'S TAKE A MINUTE TO HEAR THIS WEEK'S WEATHER FORECAST FROM GANNON RUSH AT UNL'S HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER.

>> THANKS, KIM.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE FAIRLY MILD THIS WEEKEND WITH HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60s INTO THE LOW 70s.

ON SUNDAY, PARTS OF THE PANHANDLE COULD REACH THE UPPER 70s.

THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE STATE WILL WARM UP ON MONDAY AND WILL LIKELY REMAIN THAT WAY INTO THE WEEK.

AFTER THE CRAZY STORMS THIS PAST WEEK, THINGS SHOULD BE CALMER.

THERE IS A HEAVY BAND OF PRECIPITATION EXPECTED IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

THIS WILL OCCUR IN TWO ROUNDS OF STORMS.

ONE ON FRIDAY AND THE OTHER ON MONDAY.

OVER TWO INCHES OF PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED WITH ANY THUNDERSTORMS THAT DO OCCUR.

SOIL TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE 50s AND INTO THE 60s IN SOME LOCATIONS.

THEY WILL LIKELY NOT FLUCTUATE MUCH OUT WEST DUE TO COOLER TEMPERATURES, BUT THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE COULD SEE A MODERATE INCREASE.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEKLY WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU, KIM.

>> THANKS, GANNON.

NOW IT'S TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK BUT DO STAY TUNED.

WE'LL HAVE THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK RIGHT AFTER THESE SHORT MESSAGES.

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

COMING UP LATER, SCOTT WILL TELL YOU DETAILS ABOUT HAIL-DAMAGED PLANTS IN THE LANDSCAPE.

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

SEND US PICTURES AND EMAILTO SEND US THOSE PICTURES AND EMAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

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

ALL RIGHT, JEFF, HERE IS YOUR FIRST ONE.

THIS IS AN ELKHORN VIEWER.

AND THEY ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE HAIL-DAMAGED FOLIAGE OF ALLIUMS AND HOSTAS.

DO THEY PULL THAT FOLIAGE OFF, DO THEY LEAVE THAT FOLIAGE ON?

>> I THINK IF IT WAS BADLY DAMAGED, I WOULD PRUNE IT BACK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> YEAH, SO YOU HAVE A NICE CLEAN CUT.

YOU DON'T HAVE A ROUGH SURFACE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A BRADSHAW VIEWER WHO HAS HEALTHY PEONIES THAT ARE BUDDING OUT.

KIND OF NEEDS TO TRANSPLANT THEM.

WILL IT HURT TO TRANSPLANT NOW?

>> YOU KNOW, I WOULD SAY I WOULDN'T TRANSPLANT THEM NOW.

I THINK I WOULD WAIT UNTIL LATER IN THE YEAR.

IF YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO, THEN, YOU KNOW, DO THE BEST YOU CAN.

KEEP THINGS MOIST.

PUT THEM IN GOOD SOIL.

BUT I WOULD PREFER TO WAIT UNTIL LATER IN THE YEAR, UNTIL AUGUST.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHETHER A CHICKEN MANURE MIXED WITH PINE SHAVINGS AS A MULCH WOULD HURT THE ROSES.

>> I WOULDN'T USE FRESH MANURE ON ROSES OR THE PINE SHAVINGS.

I THINK SOME SORT OF COMPOST MATERIAL WOULD WORK FINE BUT I WOULD AVOID ANY KIND OF MANURE WITH ROSES.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO DUG THEIR TULIP BULBS WITH ALL THE FOLIAGE STILL ATTACHED.

SHOULD THEY REPLANT IMMEDIATELY, CUT OFF THE FOLIAGE OR HOLD THEM?

>> THEY COULD DO ANY OF THOSE.

THEY COULD REPLANT, IT MAY WORK JUST FINE.

YOU COULD HOLD THEM AND LET THEM DRY AND THEN PLANT THEM LATER IN THE YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

OKAY, LOREN, READY?

>> I'M READY.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE INTERIORS OF ARBORVITAE ARE DYING BUT NOT THE EXTERIOR.

IS THIS A POSSIBLE DISEASE, A CANKER, IS THERE A TREATMENT?

>> MAY JUST BE NATURAL LEAF DROP.

FOLLOW BRANCHES DOWN IF THEY ARE AFFECTED AND THEN PRUNE IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS A HOLDREGE VIEWER.

THERE ARE LITTLE CRABAPPLES FORMING ON THEIR CRABAPPLE TREES, BUT THERE'S ORANGE ON THE BLOSSOM END.

WHAT IS THAT, AND IS THERE A TREATMENT?

>> IT COULD BE A RUST, WHICH THE WAY YOU ARE DESCRIBING IT, ON THE CRABAPPLE.

NO TREATMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THERE WAS A MAPLE DIAGNOSED BY THIS VIEWER WITH BACTERIAL SCORCH LAST YEAR, IS THERE A TREATMENT FOR THAT?

>> I WOULD NOT TREAT BACTERIAL SCORCH.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER IN LINCOLN WHO SAID THEY HAD A SMALL PATCH OF WHITE IN THEIR LAWN RECENTLY.

WOULD YOU TREAT THAT?

>> POWDERY MILDEW, IT WOULD BE BETTER TO TRY TO GO AFTER IF THEY CAN OPEN THE CANOPY, TRY TO GET MORE LIGHT PENETRATION INTO THAT AREA, IT'S GOING TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM IN SHADED TURF AREAS.

>> ALL RIGHT, SHROOMS ARE FORMING IN A TREE WOUND.

IS THAT ALWAYS A SIGN OF DECAY AND DEATH?

>> YES.

>> OKAY, NICE JOB.

>> VARYING DEGREES THOUGH, TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, THE TREE COULD STILL HAVE SOME LIFE, BUT USUALLY WHEN SOMETHING FRUITS, THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF INJURY AND BUILDUP INSIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT, NOT VARYING DEGREES OF DEATH.

>> YEAH.

>> THERE'S JUST DEAD.

>> EITHER YOU'RE DEAD OR YOU ARE NOT.

>> DID I SAY VARYING DEGREES OF DEATH?

>> NO.

ALL RIGHT, ROCH, ARE YOU READY?

>> SURE.

I HAVE VARYING DEGREES OF DEATH GOING ON OVER HERE.

>> JUST YOU INSIDE THE TREE, HOW ABOUT THAT?

VARYING DEGREES OF DEAD.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WONDERS IF THERE'S A GOOD PRE-EMERGENT THAT CAN BE APPLIED DRY.

>> THERE'S PLENTY OF GRANULAR PRE-EMERGENT THAT WILL WORK FINE.

>> OKAY, WE HAVE A RURAL CREIGHTON VIEWER WHO WONDERS, IS IT TOO LATE TO START A FESCUE LAWN?

>> NO, YOU'VE STILL GOT PLENTY OF TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT, THE SAME VIEWER SAID THEY PLANTED ANNUAL RYEGRASS LAWN LAST FALL.

SHOULD THEY TILL IT BEFORE THEY PLANT THE FESCUE?

>> YEAH, THEY PROBABLY OUGHT TO NEED TO KNOCK IT BACK, BECAUSE IT WILL STILL -- IF IT OVERWINTERS, IT'S GOING TO GROW ALL SUMMER LONG NOW AND IMPEDE THE GROWTH OF THE TALL FESCUE YOU ARE TRYING TO PLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT, WILL A NATURAL PLUS ORGANIC 20 PERCENT VINEGAR WEED AND GRASS KILLER WORK UNDER ARONIA WITHOUT AFFECTING THE BERRIES?

THIS IS A NORFOLK VIEWER.

>> ANY GREEN TISSUE IT HITS, IT'S GOING TO SCORCH, BUT IT'S NOT SYSTEMIC SO IT WON'T MOVE THROUGH THE PLANT.

SO IF YOU'RE CAREFUL, IT PROBABLY SHOULD BE FINE.

BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO KILL ANYTHING.

IT'S JUST GOING TO BURN LEAVES.

>> ALL RIGHT, IS BARRICADE THE CORRECT PRE FOR PURSLANE AND PROSTRATE KNOTWEED?

>> IT WILL WORK ON BOTH.

THE PROSTRATE KNOTWEED, YOU'RE TOO LATE.

>> OKAY, NICE JOB.

>> JODY, READY?

>> MM-HMM.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO FOUND TODAY WHICH SHE THOUGHT WAS A JUNE BUG, ONE OF THE BROWN ONES.

WOULD THAT BE POSSIBLE OR ARE THEY THAT EARLY?

>> YOU KNOW, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN THIS WEATHER.

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED.

IT COULD BE ONE OF THE MAY BEETLES.

WE CALL THEM MAY BEETLES BECAUSE -- >> IT'S MAY.

>> -- THEY'RE SHOOTING UP EARLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A KEARNEY VIEWER, ELIZABETH DIAGNOSED THRIPS ON HIS 100 PLUS YEARS OLD PRIVET HEDGE.

HE IS WONDERING ABOUT THE TIMING FOR TREATMENT.

>> OKAY, THRIPS GET -- IT'S PRETTY TOUGH BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT NOW.

>> TOO LATE?

>> MAYBE.

ISN'T THAT A BIG SHRUB?

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

>> IT MIGHT NOT BE ECONOMICALLY EFFECTIVE.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE A STAPLETON VIEWER WHO WONDERS IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WILL REDUCE THE NUMBERS OF ROSE CHAFFERS.

LIKE BENEFICIAL NEMATODES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO IF YOU PUT IT AROUND THE -- FOR THE ROSES?

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH, IT WOULD BE THE SAME THING FOR JAPANESE BEETLES IF THEY WANTED TO DO A SYSTEMIC OR IF THEY WANTED TO DO NEMATODES AROUND THERE WHEN THEY ARE LARVAE OR GRUBS IN THE SOIL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL YOU KNOW, WE ARE A FEW WEEKS AWAY FROM GETTING ALL PLANTED UP AT OUR GARDEN.

SO FOR NOW, WE STILL HAVE GOT THINGS IN THE GREENHOUSE AND IN THE RAISED BEDS.

HERE IS TERRI OUT AT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN TO TELL US MORE.

♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, WE ARE IN A HOLDING PATTERN.

BUT I'M NOT GOING TO COMPLAIN.

WE HAVE HAD AN INCH AND A HALF OF RAIN HERE IN LINCOLN.

WELL NEEDED.

AND WE ARE JUST GOING TO KIND OF WAIT FOR THAT RAIN TO KIND OF SUBSIDE.

LOOKS LIKE WE WILL HAVE A COUPLE MORE DAYS.

AND THEN MAYBE A FEW NICE DAYS NEXT WEEK.

SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE GARDEN AND GET IT GOING.

WE HAVE SOME RADISHES COMING UP IN OUR RAISED BEDS.

THOSE ARE THE EARLY SPRING SEEDS THAT WE STARTED.

WE ARE ORGANIZING ALL OF OUR DIRECT SEED PLANTS.

SO OUR CUCUMBERS, OUR GREEN BEANS, ALL OF THOSE ARE GETTING READY TO COME OUT AS SOON AS OUR BEDS ARE READY, AND WE CAN START WORKING THIS SOIL.

WE HAVE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF INSECT PROBLEM WITH SOME OF OUR PLANTS INSIDE THE GREENHOUSE.

SO WE HAVE HAD TO USE SOME NEEM OIL AND STUFF ON THEM.

BUT THEY ARE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.

WE ARE READY TO KIND OF CUT THINGS BACK, DO A LITTLE BIT OF TRIMMING SO THEY ARE NOT TOO LEGGY WHEN THEY COME OUT.

AND WE START HARDENING THEM OFF HERE IN ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF.

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

♪ >> YOU KNOW, WE JUST NEED A COUPLE MORE WEEKS OF THAT CONSISTENT WEATHER.

GOOD LUCK.

TO GET EVERYTHING HARDENED OFF AND INTO THE GROUND.

CAN'T WAIT FOR ANOTHER GREAT SEASON IN THE GARDEN.

SO NOW LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE END OF THE TABLE.

JEFF, AND HERE ARE THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

>> YEAH, WE HAVE A COUPLE UNUSUAL PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

THIS FIRST ONE I'LL POINT OUT WITH THE LONG FLOWER STEMS HERE, SO THIS IS SILVER FOUNTAIN ALTERNATE LEAF BUTTERFLY BUSH.

SO IT IS UNUSUAL, IT'S PRETTY FRAGRANT.

I THINK LOREN HAS BEEN COMMENTING.

THAT WASN'T ME, THAT WAS THE PLANT.

I KNOW YOU WERE WONDERING WHAT SMELLS SO GOOD OVER HERE.

BUT -- SO THIS GETS QUITE LARGE, FIVE TO EIGHT FEET TALL.

DOESN'T DIE BACK LIKE MOST BUTTERFLY BUSHES.

SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN PRUNE INTO A LARGER PLANT OVER TIME.

BUT IT'S PRETTY COOL.

HAS NICE FOLIAGE, NICE SILVERISH GREEN FOLIAGE, SO VERY UNUSUAL.

AND THEN, THE FOLIAGE PLANT WE HAVE HERE IS A JAPANESE PAINTED ARUM.

SO IT'S RELATED TO OUR JACK-IN-THE-PULPITS.

IT'S A SHADE PLANT.

IT HAS BIG LEAVES THAT EMERGE IN THE FALL, AND THEY'LL LAST THROUGH THE WINTER, AND THEN GO DORMANT.

SO DOES THIS PRODUCE FRUIT -- >> IT'S A -- IT'S A VERY WEIRD STRANGE ONE.

IT LASTS ABOUT THREE DAYS AND THEN THE BERRIES LOOK AN AWFUL LOT LIKE JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT.

>> OKAY, COOL.

>> YEAH, VERY COOL PLANTS.

>> YEAH, VERY NICE PLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> GOOD CHOICES.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

>> AND BY THE WAY, THE BIGGEST OF THOSE PAINTED ARUM LEAVES THIS YEAR IS ALMOST 30 INCHES TALL AND ABOUT 12 TO 15 INCHES LONG.

>> WOW.

>> THEY'RE HUMONGOUS.

YEAH, AWESOME.

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

THIS IS AN AURORA VIEWER.

THE COLUMBINE IS COVERED WITH THE INSECTS.

ARE THEY APHIDS, HOW DO THEY GET RID OF THEM BEFORE THEY DO MORE DAMAGE?

AND A SPRAY OF WATER HAS NOT WORKED.

>> WELL, THAT'S USUALLY WHAT I SAY FOR APHIDS.

AND THESE ARE APHIDS.

SO THEY CAN REPRODUCE WITHOUT MATING.

SO YOU'VE GOT TO SPRAY LIKE A STRONG STREAM OF WATER.

AND YOU HAVE TO DO THAT REGULARLY, EVERY COUPLE DAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE KNOCKED BACK.

IF YOU WANT TO CUT IT DOWN AND WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR, YOU JUST WANT TO START SCOUTING VERY EARLY.

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

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SHE SAYS, QUICK LITTLE GUYS, ABOUT ONE TO TWO INCHES, COLORFUL WHEN OPEN AND THEY SAW SEVERAL OF THESE IN THE ENCAMPMENT.

>> YES, I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THESE.

THESE ARE CLOUDED SULFURS, SO IT'S A TYPE OF SULFUR BUTTERFLY, ALL THOSE YELLOW ONES.

I DON'T KNOW.

THEY ARE PRETTY CUTE.

THEIR HOUSE PLANTS ARE LIKE ALFALFA AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLANTS AROUND.

>> COOL.

AND THEN YOU HAVE ONE HERE.

AGAIN, AND THE QUESTION IS, WHAT IS THIS ONE?

>> THIS IS A COMMON CHECKERED SKIPPER.

SO SKIPPERS ARE KIND OF LIKE IN BETWEEN THE MOTH AND THE BUTTERFLY.

BUT SKIPPERS ARE -- THEY ALWAYS HAVE THOSE KIND OF CURVED ANTENNA WITH THE LITTLE KNOB AT THE END AND BIG EYES AND THEN THEY FLY ERRATICALLY.

>> OKAY, SO GOOD GUYS.

>> YEAH.

FUN GUYS.

>> THEY'RE FUN GUYS.

ALL RIGHT, THANKS, JODY.

ROCH, YOU HAVE ONE, TWO, THREE PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A BATTLE CREEK VIEWER.

HE'S GOT THIS PARTICULAR GRASS.

HE STUCK A SCREWDRIVER IN THE GROUND SO WE CAN SEE IT.

AND HE SENT US A WHOLE BUNCH OF PICTURES, THREE OF THEM I THINK, OR TWO OR THREE ANYWAY.

WHAT IS THIS GRASS?

>> SO THIS IS SMOOTH BROME.

AGAIN, SO WE'RE ON OUR THIRD CLIENT SENDING IN SMOOTH BROME, OR THIRD VIEWER SENDING IN SMOOTH BROME.

AND WE CAN REPEAT WHAT WE SAID PRIOR TO THE BREAK.

IT'S JUST NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL.

NO SELECTIVE MANAGEMENT.

SO IT'S NONE SELECTIVE SPOT SPRAYS AND KEEP IT OFF OF THE DESIRABLE PLANTS.

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

THIS IS ALSO A LINCOLN VIEWER.

WHAT IS THIS PARTICULAR GRASS ON THIS NEXT ONE?

>> WELL THANK GOSH IT'S NOT SMOOTH BROME.

THIS IS ORCHARD GRASS.

AND WE TYPICALLY SEE IT WHEN SOMEBODY USES -- AND I'M NOT SAYING THIS IS WHAT THE VIEWER DID.

BUT WE TYPICALLY SEE IT WHEN SOMEBODY USES A LESS REPUTABLE SEED BAG.

IT'S A COMMON CONTAMINANT BECAUSE WHERE THEY GROW THE CHEAPER SEEDS, OFTEN ORCHARD GRASS IS GROWN THERE.

IT'S ALSO A PERENNIAL, BUNCHGRASS.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO CONTROL WITH A NON-SELECTIVE HERBICIDE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE RIBOSOMES LIKE THE SMOOTH BROME.

BUT STILL, IT'S THE SAME APPROACH.

SO IT'S -- THIS ONE IS A LITTLE EASIER TO CONTROL THOUGH.

THIS IS ORCHARD GRASS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU ROCH.

TWO PICS ON THIS FIRST ONE FOR YOU, LOREN.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO IS FAIRLY CERTAIN THIS IS EVIDENCE OF CEDAR APPLE RUST.

SHE'S WONDERING, DOES IT POSE ANY DANGER TO HER FLOWERING CRABAPPLE, WHICH IS ONLY 15 FEET AWAY FROM THE JUNIPERS AND IS THERE ANY WAY TO CONTROL IT?

>> YEAH, SO WHEN WE SEE BRANCH INFECTIONS LIKE THAT, IT COULD BE CEDAR APPLE RUST OR IT COULD BE QUINCE RUST.

WITH THIS, IT'S CEDAR APPLE BECAUSE IT'S PRODUCING MORE MASS AROUND THE INJURY SITE, SO THOSE ARE TILIA JUST LIKE WE SEE WHEN WE SEE THE GLOBE STRUCTURES ON CEDARS.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, I WOULD PRUNE THOSE OUT JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO KILL THE TWIGS ON THE JUNIPER.

AS FAR AS CONTROL, YOUR FLOWERING CRAB APPLES MAY NOT BE SUSCEPTIBLE.

SO I WOULDN'T GO AND SPRAY BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF RESISTANCE AND A LOT OF OUR FLOWERING CRABS FOR CEDAR APPLE RUST.

SO I WOULD WAIT AND SEE.

IF YOU DO HAVE THAT AS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM, IT WILL NOT KILL THE TREE IF IT'S AN ESTABLISHED TREE, BUT YOU MAY WANT TO USE A FUNGICIDE AT THE TIME RIGHT BEFORE WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ON THE JUNIPER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A MILLARD, OMAHA VIEWER.

THE SHROOMS ARE GROWING FASTER THAN SHE CAN GET RID OF THEM.

SHE'S AFRAID HER DOG WILL EAT THEM BECAUSE IT WILL EAT ANYTHING.

AND HOW CAN YOU GET RID OF THEM?

>> SO IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THERE'S REALLY NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO GET RID OF THEM.

THIS IS I BELIEVE ONE OF THE CAPRINUS SPECIES.

IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY DIFFICULT.

IT'S BREAKING DOWN MATERIAL DOWN IN THE SOIL.

AND UNTIL THAT FOOD SOURCE IS GONE, IT'S GOING TO KEEP GOING.

SO MAYBE WHERE A TREE WAS REMOVED, THERE MAY BE SOME OTHER BURIED DEBRIS THERE.

NOW AS FAR AS TOXICITY FOR THE PET, IN GENERAL, THAT GROUP, IF THAT IS WHAT IT IS, AND IT COULD BE SOMETHING ELSE, BUT I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT IS, IT'S GENERALLY NOT TOXIC TO THE PET.

THERE IS A CAPRINUS SPECIES THAT IF THE PET WOULD DRINK ALCOHOL 72 HOURS -- WITHIN 72 HOURS OF EATING THEM, HE COULD GET SICK.

BUT I THINK AS LONG AS YOU KEEP YOUR DOG AWAY FROM THAT AND THE MUSHROOM, PROBABLY GOING TO BE OKAY.

BUT I WOULD NOT ENCOURAGE ALLOWING THE PET TO EAT THEM JUST IN CASE THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> YOU HAVE SOME SHROOMS IN FRONT OF YOU.

>> I DO.

AND ACTUALLY I BROUGHT A SAMPLE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT MORELS RIGHT NOW, AND SO, THIS IS A MOREL.

BUT THE ONE REASON I WANTED TO SHOW IT IS TO COMPARE IT WITH WHAT IS A FALSE MOREL.

SO FALSE MORELS, THEY'RE NOT NEAR AS ATTRACTIVE.

BUT A NOVICE COLLECTOR MAY SEE THIS AND -- I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT YOU COULD CONFUSE IT, RIGHT?

IF YOU HAD NEVER SEEN A MOREL.

IT DOES HAVE THAT BRAINY LOOK, BUT IT'S NOT -- THE SPONGE APPEARANCE AS THE MOREL.

THESE CAN GET REALLY LARGE.

THEY'LL RANGE FROM THE SIZE OF THE MOREL UP TO -- I'VE SEEN THEM FIVE POUNDS.

SO, A LARGE RANGE IN SIZE.

THE THING THAT IS ALWAYS CLEAR ABOUT THESE IS WHEN YOU CUT THE STEM, THEY WILL BE SOLID IN THE MIDDLE.

WHEN YOU CUT THE MOREL, IT WILL BE HOLLOW IN THE MIDDLE.

SO, QUITE EASY TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

THESE, THE FALSE MORELS ARE CONSIDERED POISONOUS.

I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND EATING THEM.

I WON'T EVEN TELL YOU TO EAT MORELS.

THESE ARE DEFINITELY EDIBLE OF COURSE, RIGHT?

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] IF YOU HAVE, AND YOU'RE QUESTIONING, AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING ME 20 MORELS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE OKAY, I COULD DO THAT.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] BUT, I'M JUST KIDDING.

>> NO.

>> YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE THOSE UP.

BUT I HOPE YOU -- IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE IT YET, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET OUT.

WE ARE TOWARDS THE END OF MOREL SEASON.

AND BRAD AND I DID SHOOT A VIDEO THIS WEEK THAT WILL AIR NEXT THURSDAY.

LITTLE BIT LATE, BUT WE WILL HELP YOU NEXT SEASON ON MOREL HUNTING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TWO MORE PICTURES, TOO.

LOREN, THIS IS A WEST POINT VIEWER.

FOUND THESE WEIRD BLACK SPOTS ON THE TRUNK OF THIS OAK WHEN IT GOT CUT DOWN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> THIS IS REALLY INTERESTING AND I'M NOT REALLY CERTAIN.

LOOKING AT IT -- AND THIS CAN HAPPEN.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE A PIN OAK, AND IN THAT WHITE OAK GROUP, VERTICILLIUM ON LARGE TREES COULD DO THIS.

THAT SAID, I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S A REALLY IRREGULAR PATTERN.

I THINK IT'S SOME SORT OF FUNGAL GROWTH THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE TREE.

IF IT'S THROUGH ALL THE RINGS WHEN THEY ARE CUTTING IT, IT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT'S IN THE VASCULAR TISSUE OF THE TREE.

OTHERWISE, IT MAY JUST BE ON THE SURFACE.

I DON'T --IT'S HARD TO SAY.

>> ITS PRETTY COOL.

>> IT'S VERY UNIQUE, YEAH.

I WOULD MAKE SOME REALLY COOL TABLES OUT OF THAT.

>> RIGHT.

JEFF, YOU TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO BOUGHT TOPSOIL AND COMPOST.

FILLED THE GARDEN BEDS AND NOW IT'S MAJOR WEEDS.

HOW DO THEY TREAT THE WEEDS WITHOUT KILLING THE VEGETABLES?

THEY'VE TRIED PREEN.

>> OKAY.

WELL, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A MAJOR WEED PROBLEM, QUITE HONESTLY.

SO, I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE TOO CONCERNED.

AGAIN, I THINK I WOULD -- YOU CAN DO, AGAIN, GO IN AND JUST HOE THE WEEDS AND YOU CAN BE MULCHING THROUGH THAT AREA SO YOU'RE NOT HAVING JUST BARE SOIL THERE.

SO, YOU COULD MULCH THAT.

IT WILL HELP WITH YOUR WATERING AS THE YEAR GOES ON.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A BLAIR VIEWER.

THE HOSTA'S HAD THIS UNUSUAL GROWTH AT THE BASE.

AND NONE OF THE OTHERS IN THE OTHER BEDS HAVE IT.

JUST A COUPLE.

WHAT IS THIS AND SHOULD THEY ROGUE IT OUT?

>> WELL LOREN --I ASKED LOREN ABOUT THIS AS WELL TO MAKE SURE IT ISN'T SOME DISEASE OR FUNGUS OR SOMETHING GOING ON.

AND HE DIDN'T RELLY THINK IT WAS ANYTHING EITHER.

I THINK WE BOTH AGREE IT LOOKED LIKE THE VASCULAR ISSUE IS WHAT'S LEFT.

THE REST OF THE LEAVE HAS DISINTEGRATED.

IT APPEARS THAT THE CROWNS OF THE PLANTS ARE NOT -- THEY HAVEN'T BEEN BACKFILLED.

SO IT'S LIKE THE CROWNS ARE BARE.

THEY NEED SOIL OR COMPOST IN THERE.

SO I THINK, SHORT-TERM, I WOULD PRUNE THAT MATERIAL OUT.

ADD SOME TOPSOIL, SOME COMPOST IN THERE AROUND THE CROWNS OF THE PLANTS AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> OKAY, AND YOU HAVE ONE MORE PICTURE.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT PRUNING OUT THE DEAD IN A BOXWOOD.

IS IT TIME?

>> YEAH, IT'S TIME.

I WAS LOOKING AT SOME BOXWOOD ON CAMPUS TODAY.

BEFORE I WOULD PRUNE ANYTHING OUT, I WOULD SEE IF I CAN KNOCK SOME OF THE LEAVES OFF AND SEE IF THAT MATERIAL IS ALIVE.

IT MAY PUSH SOME LEAVES.

SO I THINK -- YOU CAN PRUNE IT OUT.

I'M SURE IT WILL RECOVER FROM IT JUST FINE, OR YOU CAN WAIT A LITTLE BIT AND SEE IF IT STARTS TO GREEN UP A LITTLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, JEFF.

WELL, EARLIER IN THE SHOW, WE FOCUSED ON STORM-DAMAGED TREES, BUT WHEN THOSE STRONG WINDS COME AROUND, EVERYTHING ELSE IN YOUR LANDSCAPE IS ALSO AFFECTED.

HERE IS SCOTT TO TALK ABOUT STORM-DAMAGED LANDSCAPE PLANTS.

♪ >> PORTIONS OF NEBRASKA AND IOWA WERE HIT HARD FROM EXTREME WEATHER THIS PAST WEEK.

WE JUST HEARD FROM JEFF ON WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR TREES AND SHRUBS, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT THE REST OF THE LANDSCAPE.

OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP AS MUCH PHOTOSYNTHETIC TISSUE IN PLACE ON OUR PLANTS.

WE WANT TO BE LIGHT WITH THE PRUNING.

WE COULD GO IN AND REMOVE ANY OF THOSE BROKEN STEMS OR LEAVES.

WE WANT TO TRY TO KEEP AS MUCH OF THE PLANT INTACT SO THAT WAY IT CAN CONTINUE TO RECOVER.

AS THE SUMMER PROGRESSES, WE COULD GO IN AND REMOVE SOME OF THOSE STORM-DAMAGED LEAVES.

BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, LEAVE THE PLANT AS IS IF YOU ARE ABLE TO.

WE SHOULD TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT SOME OF OUR IRIS.

THEY ARE PRONE TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF BACTERIAL ROTS THAT CAN ENTER IN THROUGH STORM-DAMAGED POINTS.

WE MIGHT NEED TO CUT THOSE HALFWAY BACK TO HELP PRESERVE THE PLANT, WHICH COULD BE PAINFUL BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THEY HAVE STARTED TO FLOWER.

AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE REST OF THE GROWING SEASON, WE SHOULD PROVIDE GOOD PLANT HEALTH CARE PRACTICES.

WATER IF WE GO INTO ANY TYPE OF DROUGHT.

AVOID THE USE OF ANY TYPE OF FERTILIZERS, BECAUSE FERTILIZERS CAN MAKE STORM-DAMAGED PLANTS A LITTLE BIT MORE STRESSED.

AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE GOOD PLANT HEALTH CARE.

NEBRASKA'S WEATHER IS DYNAMIC.

IT'S ALWAYS CHANGING, BUT HOPEFULLY WITH SOME OF THESE TIPS, WE CAN GET OUR PLANTS TO RECOVER AND CONTINUE TO THRIVE.

>> A LOT OF CARING FOR DAMAGED PLANTS INVOLVES BEING PATIENT AND IT CAN REALLY BE A WAIT AND SEE SITUATION.

SO DO GIVE IT SOME TIME.

HOPEFULLY, THINGS WILL FILL BACK IN AND COME BACK.

ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF ANNOUNCEMENTS.

OUR 1st ONE IS MAY MUSEUM'S 25th ANNUAL SALE ON SATURDAY, MAY 4th IN FREEMONT.

OUR SECOND ONE IS THE UNL HORT CLUB SALE AND IT IS ONLY GOING TO BE TOMORROW BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST ABOUT OUT OF PLANTS.

NO MORE ON SATURDAY.

OUR THIRD ONE IS THE MEN'S GARDEN CLUB OF OMAHA.

FRIDAY 3 TO 7, SATURDAY 8 TO NOON AND THAT'S MILITARY AVENUE IN OMAHA.

OUR NEXT ONE IS A-TISKET A-TASKET, IRIS IN MY BASKET.

WHICH IS VERY FUN AND THAT'S ALSO IN OMAHA 12:30 TO 4 ON SATURDAY, MAY 11th.

AND OUR FINAL ONE IS THE HOLY TRINITY ARTS FESTIVAL.

MAY 18th, 9 TO 4 HERE IN LINCOLN.

SO, WAY TOO MANY, LOTS OF FUN, CAN'T BE IN ALL THOSE PLACES AS ONCE.

ALL RIGHT.

JODY, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A SOUTH BEND VIEWER.

AFTER THE RECENT RAIN, THESE VERY LARGE WORMS WERE IN THE DRIVEWAY.

WHAT KIND ARE THEY?

WILL THEY LIVE AFTER BEING ON THE PAVEMENT?

>> WELL, IF THEY ARE IN THE SUN, NO.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] BUT THESE ARE A TYPE OF EUROPEAN EARTHWORM.

>> JUST EARTHWORMS?

SO, GO FISHING OR PUT THEM BACK IN THE -- >> YEAH, JUST TOSS THEM BACK IN THE GARDEN.

>> TOSS THEM BACK, ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A MILFORD VIEWER WHO SAYS, WHAT IS THIS INSECT?

IT WAS ON AN OUTSIDE DOOR.

>> YEAH, SO THIS IS A ICHNEUMONID WASP.

IT'S A PARASITOID WASP OF CATERPILLARS.

THEY GO TO LIGHT.

THEY ARE NOCTURNAL.

NOT A STING HAZARD.

>> JUST KIND OF A COOL WEIRD THING?

>> YEAH.

GOOD GUY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THIS IS A CERESCO VIEWER FOR YOUR NEXT ONE.

THEY'RE SAYING THIS LITTLE SPIDER HITCHED A RIDE ON THEIR COAT IN FROM THE GARDEN.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> SUPER CUTE CRAB SPIDER.

LOOKS LIKE A CRAB.

AND IT'S LIKE ONE OF THOSE AMBUSH PREDATORS THAT SITS ON THE FLOWER.

WAITS FOR A LITTLE FLY OR BEE TO COME BY.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> BUT IT'S SO CUTE.

>> IT IS REALLY CUTE.

>> IT'S AND THEN IT AMBUSHES.

>> CIRCLE OF LIFE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ROCH, LET'S SEE, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON YOUR FIRST ONE HERE.

SHE'S IN SHUBERT NEBRASKA.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT THESE WEEDS ARE AND HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO CONTROL THEM.

>> THIS IS HOARY CRESS.

IT'S A WINTER ANNUAL OR AN EARLY SUMMER ANNUAL.

A PROLIFIC SEED PRODUCER UNDER CONTROL, JUST DON'T LET THEM GO TO HEAD AND MOSTLY HAND PULL AND GET AS MUCH AS YOU CAN OUT OF THERE.

'CAUSE THERE'S NO SELECTIVE MEASURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IN OTHER WORDS, THEY'VE ALREADY FLOWERED, DON'T LET THEM GO TO SEED.

>> DON'T LET THEM GOT TO SEED.

>> PULL THEM UP NOW.

ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS VIEWER IS SAYING, WHAT IS THIS PLANT?

IT WENT FROM ZERO TO THIS AND NOW IT'S IN FLOWER IN A LAWN.

HOW DO YOU CONTROL THIS?

>> THIS IS BLACK MEDIC.

IT'S A LEGUME SO, IT FIXES ITS OWN NITROGEN.

GENERALLY WE SEE IT IN LOW FERTILITY SITES, EITHER GARDEN BEDS OR LAWNS.

USUALLY A LITTLE BIT OF FERTILIZER WORKS REALLY WELL.

IF THEY REALLY NEED TO, THEY CAN USE A PREMIUM TRIM, BUT NORMALLY JUST THROW FERTILIZER DOWN ON THE LAWN OR IN THE GARDEN BED AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

LOREN, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS.

THIS IS ALMOST A STUMPER.

THIS IS AN OSMOND, NEBRASKA VIEWER.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE TOMATOES?

THE LEAVES CURL UP AND FALL OFF.

NEW LEAVES FORM AND FALL OFF.

I ASKED FOR MORE INFORMATION.

SHE SAID THEY ARE NOT WET.

SHE ALSO SAID HER BROTHER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS PLANTS IN A DIFFERENT SPOT.

THEY ARE A VARIETY CALLED FOURTH OF JULY.

THE BETTER BOYS, BEST BOYS, AND EVERYBODY ELSE IS NOT AFFECTED.

>> I HONESTLY CAN NOT TELL FROM THE PHOTO WHAT'S HAPPENING.

THE THINGS I WOULD TALK ABOUT ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CLEAN MEDIA.

YOUR POTS ARE CLEAN.

ALL THOSE THINGS.

IF YOU HAVE DONE ALL THAT, YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

I WOULD SURE SEPARATE THOSE PLANTS FROM THE OTHERS JUST IN CASE IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S IN THE CONTAINER THAT'S GOING TO SPREAD.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A PRAIRIE GOLD ASPEN.

SMALL BLACK SPOTS FORMING THROUGHOUT THE TREE.

SOME YEARS THEY HAVE TURNED BLACK BUT NOT UNTIL LATE SUMMER.

SO IS THIS YET AGAIN ONE OF THOSE MOTHER NATURE SAYING -- >> I THINK THE BLACK SPOTS ARE SOMETHING WITH MOTHER NATURE OR SOME SORT OF INJURY THAT'S NOT DISEASE RELATED.

THE LATE SEASON BLACK LEAVES CAN BE RELATED TO POOR MOISTURE AVAILABILITY.

SO, IF THE GRASS LOOKS GREAT NOW IF IT'S IN AN IRRIGATED LAWN, THAT'S FINE.

BUT IF IT'S DRY, COME LATE SEASON, YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK AT MAKING SURE YOU HAVE SOME MOISTURE FOR IT CAUSE THAT CAN MAKE THEM CAUSE BLACK LEAVES.

>> YEAH, AND I KNOW WE -- I THINK WE HAVE SOME OF THOSE EVEN ON OCCASION ON OUR ONE ON CAMPUS.

BUT WE GET THAT ALL THE TIME WITH ASPEN LATE IN THE SUMMER.

ALL RIGHT.

JEFF, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE HOUSE, VARIEGATED DOGWOOD IN NORFOLK.

HAS A FEW LEAVES ON ONE TIP.

SHOULD THEY CUT IT BACK?

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON WITH THIS?

IT WAS FULL OF HEALTHY LEAVES LAST YEAR.

>> I THINK THIS IS -- WELL, YOU COULD CUT IT BACK.

I THINK I WOULD CONSIDER RESTARTING.

IF YOU LIKE THE PLANT, SEE IF YOU CAN FIND THE SAME SORT OF THING, MAYBE PUT IT IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

>> ALL RIGHT, 'CAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S WAY MORE GOING ON THAN JUST THE -- >> YEAH.

YEAH, YOU KNOW YOU WANT -- YOU KNOW, DOGWOODS WANT GOOD LIGHT, SO.

>> RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FOR THE FINAL ONE OF THE NIGHT.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THEY HAVE A FLAMETHROWER RED BUD LAST FALL.

IT'S PROTECTED, SUSTAINED SOME WINTER KILL AND THEY ARE WONDERING, CAN THEY TURN ONE OF THE SIDE BRANCHES INTO A LEADER IF THEY WANT MORE HEIGHT.

>> THEY COULD, YOU KNOW, IF -- RED BUDS IS A PLANT THAT IS FOUND IN A LOT OF LOCATIONS IN THE U.S.

THIS PARTICULAR ONE CAME FROM NORTH CAROLINA WHERE THIS IS DEVELOPED.

SO, I THINK HARDINESS IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR ONE.

YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF THE COLORED ONES COMING OUT OF OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS.

SO, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE RELIABLY HEARTY FOR US.

>> RIGHT, SO SHE MIGHT RETRAIN THAT LEADER THIS YEAR -- >> YEAH, IT MIGHT DO THE SAME THING NEXT REAR.

>> -- AND RETRAIN THAT LEADER NEXT YEAR.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH, I KNOW YOU ALSO HAVE -- I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE VARIETY, IT'S ON THE NORTH SIDE OF OUR UNION.

IT'S ONE OF THE PURPLE ONES.

>> FOREST PANSY IT SOUNDS?

>> ONE OF THOSE.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH, AND SAME THING.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF THE TIP DIE BACK ON IT.

SO, NORTH CAROLINA IS NOT HERE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY.

WELL, THAT IS ALL WE HAVE GOING ON FOR TONIGHT'S SHOW ON "BACKYARD FARMER."

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

HELPING US THIS EVENING, WE HAD TIM DUNGAN, GEORGE MALY AND AND NEBRASKAN EXTENSION EDUCATOR TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER," LOREN TAKES US ON THAT MOREL MUSHROOM HUNT.

WE WILL BE TRACKING DOWN SOME OF THE DELICIOUS MORELS AND HE'LL HELP YOU WITH TIPS ON WHERE YOU MIGHT FIND THEM.

HE WILL NOT REVEAL WHERE HE DOES.

SO, GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD GARDENING.

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

♪ ♪