>>> "“BACKYARD FARMER"” IS THE CO-PRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

TONIGHT ON "“BACKYARD FARMER"” WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT SUFFRUTESCENTS IN SPRING AND HELP YOU PICK OUT A FIR TREE.

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

"” ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF "“BACKYARD FARMER.

"” I'M KIM TODD.

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SO WAYNE, THAT IS NOT A PRETTY ASPARAGUS.

>> NO, IT IS NOT.

SO I WAS OUT IN OUR GROWING TOGETHER NEBRASKA GARDEN THIS MORNING AND I STUMBLED ACROSS OUR ASPARAGUS NOT LOOKING SO GREAT.

AND WE HAVE ASPARAGUS BEETLES ON HERE.

THE ADULTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE FEEDING DAMAGE ON THE SAMPLE.

SO WE CAN GET IT ON CAMERA HERE, IT DOES NOT LOOK PRETTY ONCE THEY GET THAT UP THERE.

THERE IS EVEN A BEETLE CRAWLING AROUND ON IT RIGHT NOW.

THERE WE GO.

IT DOESN'T LOOK AS IT SHOULD.

WE'VE GOT THE BEETLE RIGHT HERE SO THIS IS AN ADULT.

ALL OF THESE FEEDING PITS THROUGH HERE AND THIS GNARLY LOOKING TOP ARE FROM ADULT FEEDING, AND ALL THEN OF THESE LITTLE BLACK SPOTS ALONG THE SPEAR HERE ARE THE EGGS.

NOW WHEN THE EGGS HATCH THE LARVAE WILL FEED ON THE ASPARAGUS.

THE EASIEST THING TO DO RIGHT NOW IS TO PRUNE OUT WHAT'S GOT THE EGGS ON IT AND YOU CAN REALLY KNOCK DOWN THE POPULATION.

THERE IS ANOTHER TYPE OF ASPARAGUS BEETLE CALLED THE SPOTTED ASPARAGUS BEETLE.

BUT THAT ONE THEY ACTUALLY LAY THE EGGS IN THE BERRIES AND THE LARVAE EAT INSIDE THE BERRIES.

SO YOU DON'T END UP WITH ANY REAL DAMAGE TO THOSE.

THESE CAN GET A LITTLE OUT OF HAND SO KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON IT AND PICK ACCORDINGLY.

>> AND DON'T EAT THAT.

>> HM, MAYBE A LITTLE EXTRA PROTEIN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DENNIS.

>> HI.

>> BRING HIM OUT.

[ LAUGHTER ] LOREN!

LOREN, YOU DO NOT LIKE SNAKES.

>> SO IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR FOR ALL SNAKES.

MOST LIKE GARTER SNAKES.

>> GOTTA BE A BIG ONE, TOO.

>> THIS IS A COMMON GARTER SNAKE, IT'S A FEMALE.

AVERAGE-SIZED FEMALE.

SO WE HAVE THE COMMON, THE PLAINS, AND THE RIBBON GARTER SNAKES ALL FOUND IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.

AND THEY CAN ALMOST BE ANY COLOR, THIS ONE HAS A LITTLE RED BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT A DIFFERENT SPECIES.

IT'S ALL SCALE COUNT.

BUT THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR -- LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET IT TO HOLD STILL.

THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR THAT THEY'RE MATING AND GARTER SNAKES, ESPECIALLY LIKE A LOT OF DIFFERENT SNAKES, THEY LIKE TO HAVE MATING BALLS.

IT HELPS WITH THEIR GENETIC EXCHANGE AND DIVERSITY, AND SO ONE FEMALE WILL GIVE OFF A PHEROMONE AND ABOUT 30 MALES WILL BE ALL OVER HER SO THAT SHE CAN MATE AND THAT'LL ALLOW FOR GENETIC DIVERSITY.

SHE WILL ACTUALLY HAVE YOUNG THAT WILL HAVE MAYBE THREE OR FOUR FATHERS AND THAT IS GREAT FOR THESE ANIMALS.

SO YOU WILL SEE THOSE A BIG BUNCHES.

BUT THEY ARE A GOOD THING BECAUSE ONCE ALL OF THESE LITTLE BABY GARTER SNAKES GROW, THEY WILL EITHER BE FOOD FOR SOMETHING OR THEY WILL EAT A LOT OF INSECTS AND WORMS.

AND THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH BENIGN.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY GERMS OR VIRUSES THAT WE CAN GET.

WE'VE TESTED THEM AND WE'RE NOT EVEN FINDING SALMONELLA ON THOSE IN THE WILD.

SO AGAIN, ENJOY THEM.

>> YEAH, THERE YOU GO.

>> LOREN?

>> NO, IT'S ALL RIGHT.

IS THAT A FEMALE?

DO WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A BUNCH OF MALE SNAKES COMING IN HERE NOW, DENNIS?

>> YES, THIS IS A FEMALE.

>> OH, THAT'S GREAT.

>> OPEN THE DOOR.

LET THE MALES IN.

>> IF ANYBODY SEES ME SCREAMING AND RUNNING, IT MEANS I SAW A SNAKE BALL.

>> YOU WANT A DRINK?

>> AT LEAST THAT ONE WASN'T CHEWING ON YOUR FINGER LIKE IT DID A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> ALL RIGHT, LOREN, WHAT DID YOU BRING?

IF YOU CAN SPEAK.

>> I REALLY HAVE NO IDEA AT THIS POINT.

ANYWAY, NO.

YEAH, I HAVE A -- GOT THE KNOT?

>> YEAH.

>> I BROUGHT ALONG A GROUND COVER TONIGHT THAT ACTUALLY MY FRIEND HAS, PACHYSANDRA.

IT'S HERE IN FRONT OF ME AND IT HAS VOLUTELLA BLIGHT.

NOW I SENT A PICTURE, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE THAT OR NOT, OF THE YARD WITH IT.

BUT THAT'S OKAY, WE WILL SHOW THE LEAF LESIONS.

SO THIS IS A FUNGAL DISEASE THAT THIS GROUND COVER IS INFECTED BY.

YOU CAN SEE HERE, YEAH, THERE'S THE PICTURE.

DO YOU SEE HOW THIN THE STAND IS?

A LOT OF OBVIOUS DISEASE.

IT'S FAVORED BY STRESS CONDITIONS.

SO, YOU KNOW, DRIER CONDITIONS, IF IT'S ON A ROADSIDE AND YOU HAVE SOME WINTER SALT.

THESE TYPES OF THINGS WOULD CAUSE SOME MORE OF IT.

THE REASON IT GETS THIN LIKE THIS IS THAT IT ACTUALLY HAS LESIONS LIKE WE CAN SEE ON THE STEM HERE THAT KILL THE INDIVIDUAL STEM.

SO IF WE FLIP TO THIS LIVE PICTURE, IF IT'S POSSIBLE, YOU CAN KIND OF SEE THIS STEM.

IT'S GOT A REAL DARK AREA HERE AND THEN THE REST DIES.

THAT IS HOW YOU GET THE WHOLE PATCH THINNING OUT AND DYING.

AND IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE IT'S PRETTY MUCH KILLING OUT THE WHOLE PLANTING OF IT.

SO A FEW THINGS TO DO IF YOU EXPERIENCE THIS.

YOU CAN TRY TO NOT OVERHEAD IRRIGATE AS MUCH, MOISTURE WILL FAVOR IT THAT WAY.

THERE ARE FUNGICIDE SPRAYS YOU CAN USE BUT PROBABLY THE BETTER OPTION WOULD BE TO RENOVATE THE BED AND MAYBE GO TO A DIFFERENT TYPE OF GROUND COVER.

KIM, YOU MENTIONED ONE THAT'S MORE COMMON AND IRRIGATED.

>> ALLEGHENY.

ALLEGHENY PACHYSANDRA IS NOT AS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS DISEASE AS THIS ONE.

JUST ANOTHER ONE YOU MIGHT RUN INTO.

>> THANK YOU, LOREN.

A GOOD HABITAT FOR A SNAKE.

>> I'M JUST KIND OF GLAD TO SEE IT THIN OUT, NOT AS MUCH HABITAT FOR THE SNAKE IN THE YARD.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> JOHN, WHAT DID YOU BRING?

>> WELL, I DECIDED TO COLOR COORDINATE WITH MY SHIRT HERE.

THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING TREE.

I SNAGGED THIS FROM THE ARBORETUM HERE ON CAMPUS.

THIS IS A HORSE CHESTNUT AND IT'S A CULTIVAR CALLED O'NEILL'S RED BECAUSE USUALLY THEY ARE WHITE FLOWERS.

THIS ONE HAS THIS REALLY INTERESTING PINK FLOWER.

AND I THINK THEY ARE AN INTERESTING TREE.

THEY ARE RELATED TO BUCKEYES.

PEOPLE CONFUSE THEM WITH CHESTNUTS BUT THE NUT IS TOXIC SO YOU CAN'T EAT IT.

AND IT MAKES IT JUST LIKE A BUCKEYE, IT'S ANOTHER WORTHLESS NUT.

WELL, BEING FROM AN AREA CLOSE TO OHIO WE MAKE THOSE JOKES EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE ABOUT BUCKEYES, RIGHT?

IT'S AN INTERESTING TREE FOR THE LANDSCAPE.

SORRY FOR ANY OHIO VIEWERS OUT THERE.

50 TO 75 FEET TALL, SO IT COULD BE AN INTERESTING LANDSCAPE PLANT AS WELL.

AND THIS PINK ONE, THE FLOWERS WERE ALL OVER THE TREE, IT'S A VERY ATTRACTIVE TREE.

>> BEAUTIFUL BIG LEAVES, AN EXCELLENT TREE.

ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

FIRST ONES ARE FOR YOU, WAYNE, TWO PICTURES ON THIS.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WITH RADISHES AND SOMETHING IS EATING THE RADISHES.

THEY HAVE A COUPLE PICTURES AND THEY THOUGHT MAYBE AN INSECT.

HAD A PICTURE ALSO OF THE INSECT THAT MIGHT BE NIBBLING ON IT AND THEY ARE WONDERING WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT IT.

SO THAT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S ON THE ROOT AND I THINK WE -- YEP.

>> THERE IT IS.

>> YEP.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO THAT IS A PILL BUG OR AN ISOPOD.

AND THEY DO OCCASIONALLY GET INTO OUR VEGETABLES THAT ARE IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.

NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT OTHER THAN HARVEST AND MAYBE CUT OUT THE AFFECTED SPOTS.

THEY DO TEND TO FAVOR MOIST, ORGANIC SOIL.

THEY DO REPRODUCE VERY WELL IN THERE.

THAT'S THEIR HABITAT.

AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY CRUSTACEANS.

>> OKAY.

>> SO LIGHTEN UP ON THE WATERING.

YOU MAY BE WATERING TOO MUCH.

IN THAT CASE IT MIGHT HELP DECREASE THE PROBLEMS.

>> AND YOU DO HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A SIX-YEAR-OLD GARDENER AND SHE IS FASCINATED BY THESE AND SHE DOES THINK THEY'RE ROLY-POLIES.

SHE MADE A HABITAT FOR THEM.

SHE'S WONDERING -- AND IT WAS IN A LITTLE JAR.

SHE WONDERS IS SHE RIGHT AND WHAT DO THEY EAT?

>> WELL, I GUESS I ALREADY ANSWERED PART OF THAT THEN.

THEY EAT ORGANIC MATERIAL IN THE SOIL AND SO IF YOU HAVE A BAG OF POTTING SOIL, PUT A LITTLE IN YOUR HABITAT.

THEY'LL BE HAPPY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE MORE PICTURE FOR YOU ON THIS ROUND.

THIS IS A GOTHENBURG VIEWER.

THIS SPIDER WAS HANGING OUT IN A CORNER OF THE WALKOUT BY THE PATIO DOORS.

WHAT IS IT?

AND THE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION IS DO BLACK WIDOWS LIVE THAT FAR WEST?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW, THAT IS A WHOLE CAN OF SPIDERS I AM NOT SURE WE WANT TO OPEN UP.

BUT THIS IS A PARSON'S SPIDER.

YOU CAN TELL BY LOOKING AT THE ABDOMEN, IT HAS A SILVER, ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A CAT IF YOU SQUINT AT IT RIGHT.

WITH A HEAD SITTING THERE WITH THE EARS COMING OUT WITH THAT SILVER WHITE MARKINGS.

THEY HAVE THIS ALL THE WAY FROM THE YOUNGER STAGES TO THE MATURE ADULTS.

>> DOES HE HAVE HIS TONGUE STUCK OUT?

DOES THE CAT HAVE ITS TONGUE STUCK OUT WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT?

>> NO, THAT'S ITS EARS.

>> IT'S ITS EARS.

OKAY, WRONG SPOT.

>> AND AS FAR AS THE BLACK WIDOWS, THERE ARE THREE SPECIES, THERE'S THE SOUTHERN, THE NORTHERN, AND THE WESTERN BLACK WIDOW.

TOWARD THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE STATE, WE DO SEE WESTERN BLACK WIDOWS.

SO, YES, THEY ARE AROUND.

I HAVE HAD A NORTHERN ONE BROUGHT INTO MY OFFICE UP IN NORFOLK, SO THEY ARE AROUND.

JUST GIVE THEM THEIR SPACE AND YOU WILL BE FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT, DENNIS, YOUR FIRST PICTURE.

THIS IS A NORTH BEND, NEBRASKA VIEWER.

WHAT IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE YARD?

SHE HAS PREVIOUSLY HAD MOLES OR VOLES LEAVING SMALL BUMPS BUT NOTHING TO THIS EXTENT.

>> SO IF THIS WAS DONE AFTER IT WAS GREEN, THEN IT HAD TO BE RACCOONS OR SKUNKS TO DIG IT UP.

BUT IF THIS OCCURRED AFTER SNOW COVER, SAY IT STARTED OCCURRING IN THE FALL, IT COULD HAVE BEEN JUST MAYBE MOLES AND GOPHERS UPHEAVING IT AND THEN THE SNOW UNDERNEATH IT AND BROUGHT IT UP.

SO IT DEPENDS.

IF IT LOOKS LIKE THAT AFTER THE LAWN WAS GREEN, THEN IT'S RACCOONS OR SKUNKS LOOKING FOR WORMS AND INSECTS.

>> RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE, THIS IS A REMBRANDT, IOWA, VIEWER.

WONDERS WHAT IS THE DIGGER OF THE HOLE AND HOW TO ERADICATE IT.

>> OKAY, IT'S A WOODCHUCK MOST LIKELY WITH BEING THAT SIZE AND THAT MUCH DIRT.

IN NEBRASKA YOU CAN'T USE ANY TOXINS, BUT YOU CAN TRAP IT.

THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO USE A TRAP WITH SOMETHING OVER IT AND KIND OF PRE-BAIT IT WITH CUCUMBERS OR ZUCCHINI.

AND ONCE YOU TRAP IT, YOU CAN BRING IT TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES TO HAVE IT EUTHANIZED.

YOU CANNOT TRANSLOCATE WOODCHUCKS.

SO YOU CAN'T BRING IT TO YOUR NEIGHBOR DOWN THE STREET AND LET GO.

THAT'S NOT LEGAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH GROUND SQUIRRELS DIGGING OR BURROWING.

SHE HAS TRIED ROCKS, ALUMINUM FOIL, MOTHBALLS, EXPANDING FOAM.

THEY MOVED TO THE ENTRANCE A LITTLE FURTHER.

>> IT'S NOT A THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL.

SO THIS COULD BE A FRANKLIN GROUND SQUIRREL OR SOMETHING ELSE.

MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW IF A WOODCHUCK.

FIRST OF ALL, REMEMBER, MOTHBALLS ARE NOT LABELED FOR OUTDOOR USE.

THAT'S FEDERALLY AGAINST REGULATION TO PUT MOTHBALLS OUTSIDE.

THEY DON'T WORK ON ANYTHING, BUT IT'S ALSO FEDERALLY ILLEGAL TO USE MOTHBALLS OUTDOORS.

THE LABEL SAYS THEY ARE ONLY TO BE USED INDOORS.

OKAY, ABOUT THAT PART, I WOULD USE LAVA ROCK.

I KNOW IT IS NOT THE BEST LANDSCAPING BUT IF YOU ARE NOT GROWING ANYTHING INSTEAD OF USING ALUMINUM FOIL OR SOMETHING ELSE, PACK IN ABOUT TWO-FOOT WIDE BY SIX-INCHES DEEP OF LAVA ROCK.

SOMETHING AN ANIMAL CAN'T EASILY DIG IN AND CANNOT MOVE.

SO IT WORKS VERY WELL FOR THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, DENNIS.

LOREN, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY AN OMAHA VIEWER AND IT'S ASPARAGUS.

PHYTOPHTHORA SHE THINKS FROM EXTENSION.

COPPER-BASED FUNGICIDE, BUT SHE DOESN'T THINK IT IS LABELED FOR PHYTOPHTHORA IN ASPARAGUS.

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO TREAT IT AND WHAT SPECIFIC PRODUCTS DO YOU THINK SHE SHOULD USE?

>> YEAH, SO A COUPLE THINGS WITH PHYTOPHTHORA WITH ASPARAGUS.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS FAVORED BY SITUATIONS WHERE THE SOIL NOT WELL-DRAINED.

AS FAR AS MANAGEMENT, THE FIRST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP IMPROVE SOIL DRAINAGE IF IT IS AN AREA -- I COULDN'T TELL FROM THE PHOTOS, BUT IF IT'S WHERE WATER WOULD POOL FOR EXAMPLE.

IF YOU CAN CREATE SOME SORT DRAINAGE TO MAKE SURE IT'S DRAINED WELL.

AVOID ANYTHING THAT'S STRESSING IT.

AND THEN HIGHER PH CAN ALSO INFLUENCE THIS AND MAKE IT MORE SEVERE.

SO I WOULD LOOK AT WHAT YOUR SOIL CONDITIONS ARE, DO A TEST AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DRAINAGE.

THERE ARE PRODUCTS THAT ARE FOSETYL ALUMINUM THAT ARE LABELED.

BUT THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND IT WOULD BE HARD TO WANT TO MANAGE THAT IN BACKYARD GARDEN WITH THEM SO BUT CAN LOOK AT THAT.

SO IT'S FOSETYL ALUMINUM THAT YOU CAN LOOK THAT THERE ARE SOME PRODUCTS OUT THERE.

BUT AGAIN, IT WILL BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND I WOULD TRY TO TAKE THE APPROACH OF DRAINAGE AND OTHER WAYS TO MANAGE IT.

>> GREAT, THANKS, LOREN.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS SPRINGFIELD.

TWO DOZEN RHUBARB PLANTS, 20 YEARS AGO TRANSPLANTED.

THEY HAD COMPOST.

ONE PLANT IS SHOWING THESE YELLOW COLORED SPOTS.

SO -- >> YEAH, A COUPLE THINGS ON THIS.

I REALLY COULDN'T TELL FROM THE PHOTO EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

AND I WOULD TEND TO JUST WATCH IT.

THERE ARE SOME LEAF DISEASES OF RHUBARB THAT CAN BECOME MORE PREVALENT AND THIN THE STAND.

IF YOU HAVE JUST A LITTLE BIT, THOUGH, I WOULD WATCH IT.

IF IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS EXPANDING, TRY TO AVOID ANY OVER-IRRIGATION IF YOU HAVE IT IN A GARDEN SETTING.

BUT OVERALL I THINK YOU SHOULD BE FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, LOREN.

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

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

HIS ONLY QUESTION ON THIS APPLE TREE -- I AM SORRY, THIS IS THE RHODODENDRON.

SO THIS IS MANHATTAN, KANSAS.

AND SHE GOT THIS RHODODENDRON LAST SPRING.

PLANTED IT, NORTHWEST SIDE OF THE HOUSE, DRY LEAVES BUT SHE'S ALSO SHE SEES SOME GREEN LEAVES AT THE BASE.

SHE'S WONDERING IS THIS GOING TO COME BACK?

>> YEAH SO WITH THE OLD LEAVES BEING BROWN AND SOME NEWER GREEN LEAVES COMING UP, I AM LEANING TOWARD PROBABLY WINTER DAMAGE.

WE GET THIS ON A LOT OF OUR PLANTS THAT RETAIN THEIR LEAVES THROUGH THE WINTER IN OUR AREA BECAUSE IT HAS JUST BEEN SO DRY IN THE WINTER THAT IT DRIES THINGS OUT.

YOU KNOW THERE COULD BE SOME TEMPERATURE THINGS, BUT IT'S MOSTLY THE DRYNESS AND DESICCATING DURING WINTER.

AND ALSO THINGS LIKE RHODODENDRONS AND AZALEAS, THEY STRUGGLE IN OUR AREA BECAUSE USUALLY THE SOIL PH IS USUALLY TOO HIGH.

AND RHODODENDRONS AND AZALEAS THEY LIKE SOIL PH AROUND 5.5.

AND WE'RE JUST NOWHERE NEAR THAT.

SO YOU KNOW IT'S ALREADY SET UP FOR FAILURE.

I WOULD JUST MAKE SURE TO WATER IT ESPECIALLY IN THE FALL AND ANYTIME THE GROUND IS THAWED IN THE WINTER TO TRY TO AVOID SOME OF THAT WINTER DAMAGE AND GET IT THROUGH.

>> ALRIGHT.

THREE PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS WISTERIA OVER THE PERGOLA, BLOOMED FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THEY WERE THRILLED.

BUT THEY HAD DARK CENTERS NOW AND IN SOME OF THE ONES THAT THEY CUT BACK.

DISEASE?

WE THINK NOT, PROBABLY.

JUST IT'S WISTERIA, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, WISTERIA, THEY GROW KINDA SLOWLY AND THEY PRODUCE SLOWLY.

WE CAN GET A LOT OF WINTER DAMAGE IN THEM, AS WELL.

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK OF ANYTHING WITH THOSE DARK CENTERS THAT WOULD CAUSE THAT.

SO I THINK IT'S JUST WISTERIA BEING WISTERIA.

>> ALRIGHT.

ONE MORE PICTURE.

AND THIS IS A WALTON VIEWER.

A LITTLE OAK AND SOMETHING TOOK THE TOP OUT OF IT.

AND HE WONDERS IF HE CAN RETRAIN THIS TO A NEW LEADER.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS IT AN IDEAL SITUATION.

WHENEVER WE LOSE THE LEADER OF THE TREE WE HAVE SOME UNUSUAL GROWTH PATTERNS.

BUT SINCE IT IS SO YOUNG YOU CAN SELECT ONE OF THOSE BRANCHES TO SORT OF TRAIN IT UPWARD.

WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET IT A GOOD START.

GET IT TRAINED UPWARDS.

MAYBE PRUNE OUT SOME OF THOSE OTHER ONES SO YOU DON'T HAVE COMPETITION AND GET YOU AN UPWARD LEADER STARTED IN THAT TREE.

BUT IT IS POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS SO YOUNG.

>> ALRIGHT, THANK YOU JOHN.

WELL, WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT SUFFRUTESCENT PLANTS TONIGHT.

THEY MIGHT LOOK LIKE A WOODY SHRUB BUT THEY REALLY AREN'T.

WHAT YOU MIGHT THINK IS DAMAGE FROM WINTER KILL OR DROUGHT MIGHT BE SOMETHING ELSE ALTOGETHER.

WE RECENTLY TOOK A WALK AROUND EAST CAMPUS TO CHECK OUT THE CONDITION OF OUR SUFFRUTESCENT PLANTS.

EY AREN'T.

WHAT YOU ♪ >> WE GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS THIS TIME OF YEAR ABOUT PLANTS THAT LOOK LIKE THEY ARE DEAD OVER THE WINTER AND OF COURSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PLANTS THAT DID DIE OR AT LEAST DIED BACK A LONG WAYS.

BUT THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLANTS THAT GOT WINTER KILL AND PLANTS THAT ARE WHAT WE CALL SUFFRUTESCENT.

IT SOUNDS LIKE A BIG WORD.

BUT WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS IS YOU HAVE A WOODY BASE AND A SEMI-WOODY TOP.

AND IN WINTER IS WHERE CONDITIONS ARE REALLY SEVERE.

WHETHER IT IS DROUGHT, WIND, ALL SORTS OF THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE COULD HAVE ALL OF THOSE SUFFRUTESCENT PLANTS SIMPLY FAIL TO LEAF OUT.

BEAUTYBERRY IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE.

THIS IS ONE THAT HAS BEEN USED EXTENSIVELY BECAUSE PEOPLE LOVE THE SIZE AND THEY LOVE THAT AMETHYST COLORED FRUITS.

THIS IS ONE CALLED PEARL GLAM.

LAST YEAR IT WAS GORGEOUS.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE TWO LITTLE SHOOTS FROM THE BASE.

SO THE ISSUE REALLY WITH THE SUFFRUTESCENT PLANTS IS YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU GET THEM, THEY'RE NOT REALLY A WOODY SHRUB.

SO WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT A COUPLE OF OTHER EXAMPLES AND TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IF YOU WANT TO USE THESE IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

A COUPLE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH SUFFRUTESCENT PLANTS ARE THE CULTIVAR VARIETY AND WHEN YOU PLANT THEM.

OFTEN TIMES FALL PLANTING REALLY BECOMES AN ISSUE IF WE HAVE WEIRD WINTERS.

AND CULTIVARS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE CHOSEN FOR BEAUTIFUL THINGS LIKE PURPLE FOLIAGE, MAY NOT BE WELL TESTED IN OUR UP-AND-DOWN CLIMATE.

THAT PEARL GLAM IS AN EXAMPLE.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO COME OUT OF THE GROUND WITH PURPLE FOLIAGE AND YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS IS BRIGHT GREEN.

THAT IS NO LONGER THE PEARL GLAM.

AND THIS IS BLUE MIST SPIREA.

THIS IS ANOTHER CLASSIC.

IT BLOOMS IN AUGUST.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

AND YOU'LL NOTICE WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF LIVE FOLIAGE AT THE VERY TOP.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PRUNING CUTS AND WE HAVE A LOT OF DEAD BLUE MIST SPIREA.

SO AGAIN, THE SAME ISSUES IS THAT WHAT IS THE CULTIVAR?

WHEN WAS THIS PLANTED?

THE TOP IS SEMI-WOODY, THE BOTTOM IS NOT.

ROSES KIND OF FALL INTO THE SAME CATEGORY.

BUT OF COURSE, PEOPLE WHO GROW ROSES DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE TOP OF A ROSE BUSH IS REALLY NOT SUPPOSED TO LIVE THROUGH THE WINTER IN MOST INSTANCES ANYWAY.

BUTTERFLY BUSH IS ANOTHER CLASSIC SUFFRUTESCENT PLANT AND THIS A REALLY OLD STAND OF A BUTTERFLY BUSH.

YOU'LL NOTICE WE HAVE SOME THAT HAVE A LOT OF FOLIAGE FROM THE BASE AND THEY LOOK PRETTY ROBUST AND OTHERS ARE MOSTLY TWIG.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT MOST SUFFRUTESCENT PLANTS IS THEY FLOWER ON WHAT WE CALL NEW WOOD.

SO AS LONG AS THEY ARE ALIVE NOW YOU ARE LIKELY TO STILL HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS LATER IN THE SEASON.

PEOPLE LOVE WEIGELA, ESPECIALLY THE NEWER ONES WHICH ARE SMALLER AND BLOOM LONGER.

AND THEY MAY HAVE VARIEGATED FOLIAGE AND THEY DO THIS.

THIS IS CLASSIC WEIGELA.

IT WANTS TO BE SUFFRUTESCENT.

YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE WHOLE TOP ON THIS ONE MAY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF GREEN LEFT BUT NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

AND THEY ARE BEGINNING TO TRY TO FLOWER ON SOME OF THE WOOD.

SO HERE IS THE DEAL ON SUFFRUTESCENT PLANTS.

MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT YOU ARE BUYING ISN'T THE SHRUB THAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO SLOWLY GET BIGGER, SLOWLY STAY WELL THROUGH THE WINTER AND GIVE YOU THAT CONTRIBUTION FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS WITHOUT OCCASIONALLY DECIDING THAT THE NON-WOODY TOP DOES NOT WANT TO LIVE THROUGH THE WINTER.

>> SUFFRUTESCENTS CAN REALLY ADD A LOT OF THAT COLOR AND TEXTURE.

BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THOSE ARE NOT REALLY SHRUBS AND THEY NEED A LOT OF ATTENTION.

ALRIGHT, WAYNE.

YOU HAVE TWO MOTH PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE AND THIS COMES FROM McCOOK, SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA.

AND SO CUTE AND SO VERY BUSY SAYS THE VIEWER.

WHAT IS THIS ONE?

>> IT IS A WHITE LION SPHINX MOTH.

VERY COMMON SPHINX MOTH -- OR HAWK MOTH.

AND YEAH, THEY ARE DAY ACTIVE TYPICALLY IN THE LATE AFTERNOON OR EARLY EVENING.

>> ALRIGHT.

AND THEN YOU HAVE ONE MORE PICTURE FROM A LINCOLN VIEWER AND THIS IS A MOTH THAT WAS ON THE NORTH FACING WINDOW SILL INSIDE THE GARAGE AND IT WAS DECEASED.

>> YEAH IT PROBABLY BEAT ITSELF TO DEATH AGAINST THE WINDOW UNFORTUNATELY BUT IT'S THE SAME THING.

IT IS A WHITE LION SPHINX MOTH.

>> ALRIGHT, SAME THING.

EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT DENNIS, YOUR FIRST PICTURE HERE -- ONE MORE FOR WAYNE.

SORRY.

OH, THIS IS A GRUB.

HOW CAN I FORGET THE GRUB?

I PROBABLY DID THAT ON PURPOSE.

SO, THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WAS PLANTING THE GARDEN AND DIGGING THESE UP EVERYWHERE.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT DO YOU USE IN THE GARDEN TO GET RID OF THEM, OR DOES HE NEED TO?

>> MY SUSPICION IS THEY WATERED THEIR GARDEN LAST YEAR AND A LOT OF THINGS MOVED FROM UN-WATERED TO WATERED AREAS WITH THE DROUGHT.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, AT THIS POINT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE PUPATING SOON SO THERE IS NOT MUCH YOU CAN REALLY DO.

LET THEM BE AND HOPE THEY DON'T GET INTO THE POTATOES.

>> OR PICK AND DIG.

>> THEY CAN, BUT YOU GOT TO DIG TO PICK THEM.

>> ALRIGHT.

NOW, DENNIS, THIS IS A YANKTON VIEWER.

THEY PLANTED ONION PLANTS AND A COUPLE DAYS LATER WALKING IN THE GARDEN MOST OF THE PLANTS WERE PULLED OUT OF THE GROUND.

THE GREEN END WAS STILL IN THE SOIL.

THEY REPLANTED THE NEXT DAY AND THEY STILL GOT PULLED OUT.

>> DEFINITELY GROUND SQUIRRELS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR GOING DOWN ON NEWLY PLANTED THINGS OR WHEN LITTLE TINY SMALL CORN PLANTS.

THAT ARE JUST STARTING TO COME OUT, THEY'LL GO RIGHT DOWN AND PICK THEM.

SO IT'S USUALLY 13 GROUND SQUIRRELS AND THEY ARE IN YANKTON.

IT IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> ALRIGHT.

TWO PICS ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HOLDREGE.

AND THIS IS A VIEWER WHO PLANTED SEEDLINGS LAST MAY.

THE NEXT MORNING THEY HAD BEEN DUG OUT AND LYING NEXT TO THEIR HOLES NO VISIBLE DAMAGE.

REPLANTED.

SECOND TIME HE PUT WIRE CAGES AROUND THEM AND STILL VARMINT DIGGING.

WHAT IS DOING THIS?

HE SAID THIS IS BEGINNING TO RESEMBLE AN ELMER FUDD VERSUS BUGS BUNNY CARTOON.

>> IT COULD BE RABBITS AFTER THE ROOTS BUT SOMETHING WANTS TO DIG THERE FOR SOME REASON.

IT COULD BE A SQUIRREL THAT BURIED ITS NUTS THERE.

AND THEN YOU PUT THE TARP AND SOMETHING DOWN.

BUT IT IS A LARGER MAMMAL.

IT'S NOT A MOLE OR A GOPHER, IT'S SOMETHING LIKE A SQUIRREL OR A RABBIT THAT FOR SOME REASON WANTS TO DIG IN THAT LOCATION.

IT LOOKS LITTLE DEEP FOR RABBITS SO MORE LIKELY ONE OF THE SQUIRRELS, OR GROUND SQUIRRELS.

>> ALRIGHT.

ONE PIC ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

LAST WEEK HIS WIFE SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING BURIED IN THE RAISED BED.

HE DUG AND FOUND A DEAD CHICKEN.

HE DIDN'T KNOW IF THE ANIMAL WOULD COME BACK AND OBVIOUSLY HE TOOK THE CHICKEN TO THE GARBAGE.

BUT THEN HE FOUND SOMETHING THAT HAD DUG IN THE SAME SPOT.

THE YARD IS FENCED.

HE WONDERS WHAT WOULD HAVE JUMPED THE FENCE AND BURIED SOMETHING IN HIS RAISED BED.

>> WEASELS OR MINX CAN JUMP A FENCE OR DIG UNDER A FENCE.

AND THEY LOVE TO BURY THEIR FOOD AND HIDE IT.

THEY KILL MORE FOOD THAN THEY'LL EAT SO LIKELY A WEASEL OR MINK.

>> IN LINCOLN?

>> THEY'RE AROUND LINCOLN, YEP.

BOTH OF THEM ARE.

>> ALRIGHT.

LOREN, THIS IS A VIEWER -- TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE AND THIS IS BLACK HILLS SPRUCE.

PLANTED THEM LAST YEAR AND THEN HE'S GOT THIS BLACK STUFF GOING ON.

WHAT DO WE THINK THIS IS?

>> IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE I REALLY DON'T THINK WE ARE DEALING WITH A DISEASE.

IT COULDN'T GET ZOOMED IN ENOUGH.

IT COULD BE THERE ARE SOME LITTLE SAPROPHYTIC FUNGI THAT JUST GROW ON THE SURFACES AND LITTLE NICHES LIKE THAT AND THE LITTLE JOINT AREAS ON THOSE MAIN STEMS.

SO IT COULD JUST BE THAT.

I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT AS IT BEING A DISEASE.

>> ALRIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE AND THIS IS A MALCOLM VIEWER.

ALSO A SPRUCE.

THIS IS A BLUE SPRUCE.

THE TOP DIED AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS AN OPENING AND THEN THERE'S SAP.

OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE.

SO THE SAME SAP OUT OF ANOTHER ONE CLOSE.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> YEAH SO A LOT OF TREES -- CANKERS ARE FAVORED BY DRIER CONDITIONS PARTICULARLY IF -- EVEN IF IT'S WATERED, THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WE HAVE HAD HAVE BEEN REALLY CONDUCIVE FOR CANKERS.

SO IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO GO DOWN THE TREE.

ABOUT THREE TO FOUR INCHES BELOW THE AFFECTED AREA AND CUT AND STILL HAVE A REASONABLE LOOKING TREE OR ONE YOU CAN RETRAIN A LEADER IN.

THAT'S WHAT WOULD BE RECOMMENDED THERE.

AND IT WOULD PROBABLY KILL THAT PART OF THE TREE OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, LOREN.

OKAY.

YOU HAVE, JOHN, TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A VIEWER IN COZAD AND THIS IS A BIG DRACAENA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> LOOKS LIKE A DRACAENA.

>> YEAH AND SHE SAID YOU CAN SEE THE SPOT IN THE CENTER AND THEN IT'S KIND OF DOING THIS.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT DOES SHE DO TO SAVE THE THING?

>> I WOULD TRY TO ZOOM IN TO SEE IF THAT IS SOME SORT OF DAMAGE THAT KILLED THE TOP OR IF IT IS JUST GROWING LIKE THAT.

SO IF IT'S JUST GROWING LIKE THAT.

IF YOU WANTED TO SORT OF SALVAGE THE TOP AND TURN IT INTO A NEW PLANT, YOU CAN DO A GRAFTING METHOD WHERE YOU SORT OF SLICE INTO THE STEM AND YOU SORT OF PUT SOMETHING IN THERE TO GIVE IT A SPACE AND PACK SOME LIKE MOIST PEAT MOSS OR SPHAGNUM MOSS AND WRAP IT UP.

SO YOU CAN DO -- STARTING THAT WAY.

THESE PLANTS, YOU CAN SEE THERE IS NEW GROWTH COMING FROM THE BASE SO YOU CAN ALSO JUST CUT THE TOP OF IT OFF AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE NEW PLANT COMING OUT AS WELL.

SO THERE IS A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS THAT YOU CAN DO THIS.

>> ALRIGHT.

AND ONE PIC ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING IF THIS ONE HOSTA IS GOING TO SURVIVE.

IT'S IN A ROW ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

THE ONES ON THE OTHER SIDE LOOK NORMAL.

>> YEAH SO, I THINK THERE'S A FEW THINGS GOING ON WITH THIS.

FIRST OFF, THERE IS ROCK MULCH.

WHICH WE SORT OF RECOMMEND AGAINST ROCK MULCH.

IT HEATS UP A LOT.

SO WHENEVER THE SUN POPS OUT, IT HEATS UP AND IT CAN COOK PLANTS.

SO WE CAN HAVE THAT GOING ON.

I ALSO THINK THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THERE IS A VIRAL DISEASE WITH THIS.

WE HAVE ONE CALLED HOSTA VIRUS X, WHICH IS LIKE -- I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CALL IT HOSTA VIRUS X.

BUT WE HAVE THAT.

AND WE GET THAT CRINKLING.

AND, LOREN, IF YOU WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT DOES A VIRUS LOOK LIKE IN A PLANT.

>> AND THAT LOOKS LIKE A LOT WHAT YOU SEE THERE.

THERE ARE SOME CULTIVARS THAT LOOK LIKE THAT AND HAVE WHAT WE'D SAY RUGOSE, OR ROUGH LEAVES.

BUT IN THAT CASE, JUST SOME OF THE LEAVES ARE LIKE THAT, JOHN, AND SOME OF THE NEWER LEAVES ARE -- IT IS MORE PRONOUNCED THAT THOSE.

AND THAT'S A GOOD INDICATION OF A VIRAL INFECTION.

>> AND SO YOU WANT TO GET RID OF IT BECAUSE IT WILL SPREAD TO ALL OF THE OTHER PLANTS.

SO POP THAT ONE OUT AND THAT CAN KEEP IT FROM SPREADING TO THE OTHER PLANTS.

>> OR IF THEY JUST HAVE ONE HOSTA.

>> THEY'RE SURROUNDED BY HOSTAS.

>> WELL THEN THEY NEED TO GET RID OF IT, YES.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO LISTEN -- .

>> SPREAD TO ALL OF THEM.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO LISTEN TO THE QUESTION.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I'M A PATHOLOGIST, I WON'T ENCOURAGE -- .

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALRIGHT.

WELL, OUR GARDEN IS JUST ABOUT READY TO BE PLANTED AND ALL OF THE POTTED PLANTS ARE OUT OF THE GREENHOUSE HARDENING OFF.

TERRI JAMES TELLS US MORE OUT AT THE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” GARDEN.

♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” GARDEN, AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE EVERYTHING OUT OF THE GREENHOUSE.

THE GREENHOUSE IS COMPLETELY EMPTY.

PORT CLUB HAD A FANTASTIC SALE AND ALL OF OUR PLANTS ARE OUTSIDE.

THEY'RE HARDENING OFF AND THEY'RE READY TO GET INTO THE GROUND.

SO THURSDAY, IF IT'S NOT RAINING HERE IN LINCOLN, IT'S GOING TO BE OUR FIRST PLANTING DAY.

WE ARE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT BEING ABLE TO DESIGN ALL OF OUR BEDS FOR THIS YEAR.

WE ALSO HAVE OUR RAISED BEDS GETTING FILLED AND THE ONE THE RAISED BED THAT WE STARTED OUR EARLY COOL CROP PLANTS IN IS REALLY STARTING TO COME AROUND.

THIS WARM WEATHER IS REALLY HELPING THOSE LETTUCES AND RADISHES AND STUFF GET UP AND GOING.

WE'VE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN HERE.

WE ARE HOPING FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE WE ARE SUPER DRY HERE IN LINCOLN.

AND OUR PERENNIAL BEDS, OUR RAIN CHAIN ARE ALL LOOKING REALLY GREAT FOR THIS SUMMER.

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

♪ >>> SO, BY NEXT WEEK YOU WILL SEE MOST OF OUR GARDEN PLANTS IN THE GROUND AND WE ARE OF COURSE THRILLED TO GET GOING ON ANOTHER SEASON IN THE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” GARDEN.

AND IT IS TIME FOR US TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK AND COMING UP IS THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

STAY TUNED FOR MUCH MORE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

"” COMING UP, LATER IN THE SHOW, WE WILL HEAR FROM TODD FOWLER ABOUT DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF FIR TREES.

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

SEND US PICTURES AND EMAIL TO BYF@UNL.EDU FOR A FUTURE SHOW, BUT RIGHT NOW OF COURSE IT IS TIME FOR LIGHTNING.

ARE YOU READY, JOHN?

>> I WAS BORN READY.

AND I LIKE MY ODDS.

>> OKAY, THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

LINCOLN VIEWER.

THEY HAD THREE TAYLOR JUNIPERS THAT BENT OVER IN AN ICE STORM, THE ONE ICE STORM WE HAD, APPARENTLY.

AND NOW SHE'S SEEING BROWN TOPS IN THEM.

ARE THEY GOING TO SURVIVE?

>> SO IF THE TOP IS BROWNED, IT'S NOT GOING TO GROW GO BACK.

SO IT WILL SURVIVE, BUT PROBABLY WON'T LOOK RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS AN UNDERWOOD, IOWA VIEWER WHO HAS GLOW BLUE SPRUCE ON STANDARD AND THEY ARE GETTING A LITTLE BIGGER THAN THEY THOUGHT.

CAN THEY BE PRUNED REALLY HARD OR NOT?

>> I WOULDN'T DO HARD PRUNING.

YOU CAN DO SOME LIGHT PRUNING.

BUT IF YOU PRUNE OUT ALL THE GREEN PART, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANYTHING LEFT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER IN WESTPOINT WHO HAD A LITTLE LIME HYDRANGEA AND PULLED THE OLD MULCH BACK AND FOUND ALL SORTS OF ROOTS AND COVER THEM WITH COMPOST AND WAS THAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO?

>> YOU MAY WANT TO PRUNE THOSE OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER YOU COULD USE GRASS BE GONE IN STRAWBERRY BEDS?

>> I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE LABEL, BUT I DON'T THINK MOST OF THOSE THINGS ARE LABELED FOR FOOD CROPS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER ANYBODY HAS SEEN SWEET ANNIE ARTEMISIA AROUND LATELY AND SHE IS HAVING A HARD TIME TRYING TO FIND THAT PLANT.

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

SO THERE WE GO.

>> NICE JOB.

ARE YOU READY, LOREN ?

>> ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT ARE SNAKE BALLS.

I WILL TRY.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER FROM OMAHA WHO FOUND SORT OF BLUE-GREEN ALGAE AND OTHER THINGS THAT LOOKED PATHOLOGICAL IN THEIR STOCK TANK.

IS THIS TOXIC, AND HOW CAN YOU CONTROL IT?

>> IT IS EXISTING THERE FROM THE WATER.

THERE IS SOME NUTRIENT LEVEL IN THE WATER AND MANY TIMES YOU GET SOME ALGAE GROWTH.

DEPENDING ON WHAT IS IN IT, JUST CLEANING IT UP REALLY GOOD CAN REMOVE IT AND BLEACH WILL MANY TIMES BE USED TO STERILIZE CONTAINERS AND THINGS TO GET IT OUT.

A LITTLE BIT OF COPPER WOULD ALSO HELP.

>> THAT WAS NOT LIGHTNING.

THAT WAS HEAT LIGHTNING.

WE HAVE NO CEDAR APPLE RUST IN THIS PART OF THE STATE.

DOES THAT MEAN IT WILL BE REDUCED NEXT YEAR?

>> THERE MAY BE SOME LESS BECAUSE IF IT IS DRY ENOUGH FOR WE DON'T HAVE THE INFECTION OF THE APPLE TREES, AND THEY ARE NOT INFECTED, AND THERE YOU WOULDN'T HAVE MUCH INFECTION OF THE JUNIPER IN THE FALL SO IT IS POSSIBLE IT WILL REDUCE SOME.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER WANTING TO KNOW IF HER PEACHES SHOULD BE TREATED FOR RUST.

>> NOT USUALLY.

NOT RUST.

OTHER DISEASES CAN BE ON A PEACH BUT I USUALLY DON'T SEE RUST AT LEAST ON ANY HERE.

>> CLEARLY WE KNOW HOW TO MAKE LOREN CLEARLY LOSE HIS FOCUS.

>> ALL I CAN THINK OF ARE SNAKES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> IT IS LIKE WINNING THE LIGHTNING ROUND IS EASY WHEN THE OTHER CONTESTANTS FORGET THEY ARE IN THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> DENNIS, YOU ARE IN THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

>> GOOD LUCK.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAYS HE HAS SEEN 30+ SQUIRRELS ALL RUNNING AROUND IN HIS YARD AT THE SAME TIME AND HIS NEIGHBORS HAVE SEEN THE SAME THING.

WHAT IS UP WITH 30+ SQUIRRELS RUNNING AROUND?

>> IT'S A SQUIRREL BALL.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> IT IS MATING SEASON, SECOND LITTER.

>> REALLY?

OKAY, THAT WAS EASY.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS LILACS -- OLD LILACS AND HAS SEEN BARK DAMAGE UP 18 TO 24 INCHES.

WHAT CRITTER MIGHT THAT BE?

>> DEER, MAYBE.

THAT BE ABOUT IT, THAT HIGH.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER RACCOON PEE WILL KILL HER TURF.

>> PROBABLY IF IT IS ALWAYS IN ONE PLACE AND THEY DO HAVE LATRINES.

SO, YES.

>> SO NOT SPOTS ALL OVER THE YARD?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, SPOTS WHERE THEY PEE.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS VOLE HOLES IN THE FLOWERBEDS.

AND ARE THEY STILL THERE OR DO VOLES MOVE AWAY IN THE SPRING?

>> THEY DON'T MOVE AWAY, BUT THEY'RE VERY CYCLIC SO YOU GET HIGH POPULATIONS AND SMALL POPULATIONS.

>> THIS IS ANOTHER SQUIRREL VIEWER WHO SAID SHE'S SEEN SQUIRRELS JUMPING STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN ON THE TRUNK OF THE TREE.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> PROBABLY TERRITORIAL MARKING OR DOING SOME KIND OF TERRITORIAL MOVE TO OTHER SQUIRRELS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, WAYNE.

YOU READY?

>> SURE.

I WILL GO FOR BEATING LOREN.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO ALSO HAS LILACS.

SHE CUT SOME TO BRING SOME INTO THE HOUSE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE ARE LITTLE RED INSECTS ALL OVER THE HOUSE.

WHAT MIGHT THOSE BE?

>> LITTLE RED INSECTS?

THEY COULD BE A MITE THAT WAS ON THERE AND THAT WOULD BE ABOUT THE ONLY THING I COULD THINK OF THAT WOULD BE ON THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAD 1/16th INCH ORANGE, YELLOW, TANNISH LITTLE INSECTS IN THE WATER TANK.

HUNDREDS OF THEM AND HE THOUGHT THEY WERE APHIDS.

IS THAT A POSSIBILITY?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WATER TANK THEY WERE AND IF IT WAS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.

>> OUTSIDE.

>> IT COULD BE A LOT OF THINGS WITH THAT COLOR COMBO.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE AN OXFORD VIEWER WHO SAID THEY HAVE AN UNUSUAL NUMBER OF MOTHS IN THE HOUSE.

HOW TO PREVENT THEM OR GET RID OF THEM?

>> SHADES.

MAKE SURE YOUR WINDOWS ARE NOT WIDE OPEN OR YOUR DOORS OPEN WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE OUT.

>> WE HAVE A BEATRICE VIEWER WHO SAID SHE HAD AT LEAST 20 AT ONE TIME IN THE HOUSE?

SAME ANSWER?

>> SAME ANSWER.

CAT'S LIKE TO EAT THEM TOO.

>> THIS IS A GEARING VIEWER WHO SAID SHE HAS HAD WHITE FLIES ALL OVER IN THE GARDEN OR IN POTS.

>> ALREADY IN THE GARDEN?

WELL, IT'S GOING TO BE A ROUGH YEAR THEN IF SHE ALREADY HAD WHITE FLIES THIS EARLY AND THAT THICK.

THEY ARE TOUGH TO GET RID OF AND A LOT OF HOSE WASHING TO GET THE LARVAE OFF BEFORE THEY GET SETTLED DOWN AND IN PLACE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB, ALL.

OKAY, THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK, JOHN.

TWO THAT WE ARE TALKING AND ONE THAT'S JUST IN THERE.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TONIGHT?

>> SO WE HAVE THIS LITTLE BEAUTY HERE.

THIS IS COLUMBINE, THIS IS OUR NATIVE COLUMBINE, AN AMERICAN COLUMBINE.

IT RECEEDS AND IS SHORT-LIVED LIKE SHADE OR PART SHADE.

SO JUST LIKE THE GARTER SNAKES, IT LOVES TO SPREAD ITS DNA AROUND.

SO IT WILL POP UP EVERYWHERE.

IF YOU HAVE OTHER COLUMBINES THEY WILL CROSS AND IT IS REALLY INTERESTING.

IT CAN BE A FUN LITTLE EXPERIMENT TO SEE ALL THESE COLUMBINES POPPING UP IN THE GARDEN.

THEN THIS LITTLE BLUE NUMBER HERE.

A STORM CLOUD AMSONIA.

IT IS UP RIGHT AND I WILL TRY TO PULL IT OUT SO YOU CAN SEE IT.

SO ALMOST BLACK BUDS BEFORE THEY OPENED TO THESE PALE BLUE FLOWERS.

AND THAT IS FULL SON TO PART % SHADE AND CAN TAKE SOME DRIED AVERAGE SOIL MOISTURE.

SO THERE WE GO, THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALL RIGHT, WAYNE.

THESE ARE TWO PICTURES THEY'RE KIND OF THE SAME ONE.

THIS IS IMPERIAL NEBRASKA, THIS IS A HOUSE PLANT.

SHE HAS HAD IT FOR THREE YEARS.

THIS YEAR IN JUST A COUPLE WEEKS.

SHE IS SEEING -- SHE IS CALLING THEM SNAIL LIKE THINGS ALL OVER IT.

SHE TAKES THEM OFF BUT THE PLANT IS LOSING ITS LEAVES.

>> WELL, YOU'RE NOT TAKING THEM OFF FAST ENOUGH IF THEY ARE CONTINUING TO MULTIPLY.

AND INSECTICIDAL SOAP WILL WORK ON THE CRAWLERS BEFORE THEY GET INTO THE HARD SCALE.

YOU WILL HAVE TO MOVE PRETTY QUICK THE AND WASH THEM OFF TO GET THEM GOING.

>> YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE AND THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER AND THESE CHOKE CHERRIES WERE BROUGHT BY A BIRD OVERNIGHT AND THE NEW END GROWTH ON EVERY SINGLE BRANCH LOOKED LIKE THIS.

AND INSIDE WERE THESE THINGS.

WHAT ARE THEY, AND WHAT TO DO?

>> THEY ARE APHIDS AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF OTHER INSECTS COMING ALONG TO EAT THOSE PRETTY QUICK.

IF THEY ARE THAT HIGH OF A POPULATION.

IF THE ANTS ARE PROTECTING THEM IT WON'T HAPPEN SO READILY.

AGAIN I LIKE WASHING APHIDS OFF WITH HOSES.

A NICE, STRONG BLAST OF WATER WORKS REALLY WELL FOR THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DENNIS, THIS IS A VIEWER WHO SAW THESE TWO BEAVERS SWIMMING UPSTREAM IN ONE OF THE DRAINAGE LAKES IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA.

STAYED THIS FAR APART AND ONE WOULD DIVE AND THE OTHER WOULD CONTINUE ON AND AFTER A WHILE THERE WAS ONLY ONE.

ARE THEY A PAIR?

>> I DON'T KNOW -- I WAS LOOKING AT IT.

TO ME THEY LOOK LIKE OTTERS.

RIVER OTTERS, AND NOT BEAVERS TO ME.

THE WAY THEIR HEADS ARE AND THE LIGHT COLOR UNDER THEIR NECK AND THE LENGTH OF THE BODY.

I THINK THEY ARE RIVER OTTERS WHICH IS GREAT BECAUSE THEY ARE COMING BACK.

>> NICE.

ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A SIBERIAN ELM BY THE EDGE OF THE SEAWALL.

THEY HAD A LOT OF SNOW AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED.

WAS THIS A BEAVER AND WILL IT SURVIVE?

>> THAT IS DEFINITELY A BEAVER.

WILL IT SURVIVE?

I DOUBT IT.

IT'S AROUND THE WHOLE THING.

I WOULD SAY IT'S DONE FOR.

>> ALL RIGHT, LOREN.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS.

I AM SORRY.

WE HAVE ONE MORE FOR DENNIS AND THIS IS A FUN ONE.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE.

IF IT WAS JUST TAKEN RECENTLY, THEY LEAVE THE WATER TO LAY THEIR EGGS THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT AND YOU HAVE YET ONE MORE.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> THAT IS A JUVENILE YELLOW BELLY OR NORTH AMERICAN RACER.

THEY BECOME FULL GREEN WHEN THEY BECOME ADULTS BUT AS JUVENILES THEY ARE LIKE THIS.

THEY'RE MAINLY INSECT EATERS.

SO THEY ARE FOUND STATEWIDE.

THE RACER IS FOUND STATE WIDE.

>> AWESOME.

>> OKAY.

NOW IT IS YOUR TURN, LOREN.

>> AFTER THE SNAKE PICTURE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER.

MUSHROOMS -- CUT DOWN THE TREE A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND THESE ARE GROWING LIKE ALL GET OUT.

WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> I WOULD JUST ENJOY THEM AND THEY WILL BE THERE FOR LONGER.

THEY ARE DECOMPOSING THE ROOTS IN THE SOIL FROM I THINK THEY SAID THERE WAS A TREE REMOVED IN THE NOTE.

AND THEY WILL GRADUALLY GO AWAY.

BUT THERE IS NOTHING REALLY YOU CAN DO.

THEY HAVE TO DECOMPOSE THAT STRUCTURE AND GO ON.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A COLORADO VIEWER AND -- PASTURE NOT IRRIGATED -- WHATEVER THIS IS IT SEEMS TO KILL ALL OF THE TURF.

SHE THINKS MAYBE THIS IS ALL A WINTER INJURY?

>> WELL IF IT CAME OUT OF WINTER, OR IT'S IN A LARGE PATCH LIKE THAT I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT THE TURF IS AND SUCH.

BUT DEPENDING ON WHERE IT WAS IF THERE WAS SNOW OR SNOW COVER YOU COULD HAVE PATCHES THAT DO THAT.

THERE ARE OTHER -- A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF TURF DISEASES.

SO I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE WITHOUT A SAMPLE ON THAT ONE.

>> ALL RIGHT AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A NEBRASKA VIEWER WHO SAID THE GRASS TIPS ARE TURNING BRIGHT YELLOW AND IT SEEMS TO START AT THE TIP AND WORK DOWN THE BLADE.

ANY IDEAS?

>> LEAF BLIGHT IS ONE ONE THAT WE SEE IN TURF AND WITH THE DRY CONDITIONS, IT'S FAVORED BY DROUGHT.

IF IT IS A NON-IRRIGATED LAWN OR MAYBE AN AREA THAT DOESN'T GET AS MUCH MOISTURE.

THAT IS WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IS.

I WOULDN'T TREAT IT, BUT JUST TRY TO MANAGEMENT WITH GOOD MOISTURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JOHN, TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

IT IS PRETTY SIMPLE.

THIS ISAN APPLE IN OMAHA AND HE IS WONDERING WHETHER HE SHOULD PRUNE IT OR DO YOU JUST LET IT GO?

>> SO ONCE IT GETS TO THAT SIZE, IT IS A LITTLE HARD TO MANAGE.

'‘CAUSE YOU CAN'T PRUNE MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE TREE AT A TIME.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD TRY TO TRIM IT UP A LITTLE BIT.

BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET THAT SIZE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE LOWER QUALITY AND LOWER SIZED APPLES.

BUT TO REALLY PRUNE IT LIKE AN APPLE TREE SHOULD BE, YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO REALLY GET TO THAT POINT.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN PRUNE IT UP A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT'S REALLY GONE TOO FAR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE MORE APPLE TREE PICTURE.

THIS IS FALL OF '‘21.

LAST YEAR IT HAD ONE APPLE BUT THEN HAS THIS THING GOING ON.

SHOULD THIS BE PRUNED OUT OR STAKED UP?

>> SO I WOULD DEFINITELY CATCH SOME PRUNING ON THIS BEFORE IT GETS TOO MUCH BIGGER.

PICK ONE OF THOSE TOP BRANCHES FOR THE LEADER, GET RID OF THE OTHER ONE.

AND CLEAN UP AROUND THE BASE.

SO PEOPLE MISTAKENLY THINK YOU JUST GO AND BUY AN APPLE TREE OR A FRUIT TREE AND YOU PLANT IT.

BUT YOU REALLY SHOULD DO A PRUNING CUT WHEN YOU PLANT IT, WHICH GIVES MOST PEOPLE HEART PALPITATIONS BECAUSE YOU TOP THE TREE.

AND THAT MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED HERE.

SO I WOULD GET RID OF ONE OF THE LEADERS, CLEAN UP, PICK MAYBE THREE OR FOUR OF THOSE BOTTOM BRANCHES AND THEN DO THAT AGAIN.

AS THAT LEADER GROWS IT'LL HAVE SOME BRANCHES POP OUT, AND PICK THREE OR FOUR A FEW FEET UP FROM THAT.

>> PERFECT.

>> AND YOU'LL BE GOOD TO GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A FRANKLIN VIEWER.

THEY GOT HAILED ON TERRIBLY.

AND THIS IS THE REMAINS OF HER HONEYSUCKLE, ALL OF HER 60-YEAR-OLD TREES, THE VEGETABLE GARDEN, LOTS OF PERENNIALS.

ALL WE CAN DO IS -- >> YOU CAN CLEAN IT UP AND PRUNE IT OUT.

HONEYSUCKLE IS PRETTY, A VIVACIOUS PLANT.

IT MIGHT COME BACK.

YOU CAN PRUNE OUT THE DAMAGE AND SEE WHAT IT'LL DO.

IT'S NOT LIKE A TREE WHERE IF YOU LOSE THE LEADER, YOU'RE KIND OF LOST.

IT'LL JUST SORT OF GROW BACK, AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT GROWS BACK, GET RID OF IT.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN THIS IS A 4-YEAR-OLD CRIMSON MAPLE SHOT UP 2 LONG SHOOTS.

SHALL THESE JUST BE PRUNED OFF?

>> YEAH, IF THEY DON'T HAVE LEAVES ON THEM, I WOULD GO AHEAD AND PRUNE THEM OUT.

BECAUSE COULD'VE BEEN SOME WINTER DAMAGE ON THOSE TO KILL THEM OUT, SO, PRUNE THOSE OUT.

>> OKAY, WELL, HAVING A DIVERSITY OF PLANT MATERIAL AROUND YOUR HOME IS A REALLY GOOD WAY TO GO TO AVOID SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THOSE DISEASE AND INSECT PESTS.

IT'S ALSO A GREAT WAY TO EXPERIENCE NEW PLANTS.

MAKE YOUR SURROUNDINGS BEAUTIFUL.

TODD FALLER FROM FALLER LANDSCAPES TALKS ABOUT SEVERAL VARIETIES OF FIR YOU MIGHT TRY.

♪ >> WITH A LOT OF THE DISEASE AND INSECT ISSUES WE'RE SEEING ON CONIFERS, WE'RE TRYING TO FIND NEW OPTIONS.

THE BEST THING ALWAYS IS TO DIVERSIFY.

SO NEVER GO WITH ONE VARIETY ONLY.

BUT ONE SPECIES AND ONE GENUS HERE AND THERE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO LOOK AT ARE THE ABIES, WHICH ARE THE TRUE FIRS.

AND IT'S HARD TO GET A LOT OF THE FIR VARIETIES.

IT'S BAD ENOUGH TRYING TO FIND JUST CONCOLOR FOR THE ONES WE'RE USED TO.

BUT TODAY I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU SOME OTHERS THAT YOU MAY WANT TO PLAY WITH IN YOUR LANDSCAPE OR IN THE WINDBREAK OR JUST AS A SCREEN.

THE FIRST ONE IS NORDMAN FIR.

THAT ONE IS MAYBE THE MOST READILY AVAILABLE OF THE SEVEN OR EIGHT THAT WE'RE PLAYING WITH OTHER THAN CONCOLOR FIR.

THE NORDMAN FIR HAS VERY DARK GREEN WAXY NEEDLES, HAS THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE SHAPE, IN FACT A LOT OF THESE FIR DO.

NOT THAT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE AFTER, BUT THEY HAVE THAT PYRAMIDAL SHAPE KIND OF LIKE A SPRUCE DOES.

NORDMAN FIR, NATIVE TO THE CAUCASIANS OR RUSSIA.

ONE THAT IS VERY SIMILAR IS THE TURKISH FIR, ABIES BORNMUELLERIANA.

AND THAT ONE IS ALMOST IDENTICAL OTHER THAN THE NEEDLES RADIATE AROUND THE STEMS INSTEAD OF FLAT LIKE ON THE NORDMAN.

SO IT'S PRETTY HARD TO TELL THEM APART OTHER WHEN I LOOK AT THE TAG.

THAT SEEMS TO BE MY EASIEST WAY.

THE SILVER FIR IS MAYBE MY FAVORITE OF THE NEW ONES.

I HAD A 20 FOOTER UNTIL 2 WINTERS AGO.

SO IT HAD GOTTEN IN THE WIDE OPEN SPACES.

IT GOT THROUGH THE WINTERS JUST FINE.

BUT THAT WINTER OF '‘21-'‘22 WHERE THE WIND BLEW ALL WINTER FROM DECEMBER TO APRIL DID A NUMBER ON A LOT OF CONIFERS INCLUDING EVEN PONDEROSA PINE.

AND MY SILVER FIR DIED ABOUT THREE-FOURTHS OF THE WAY DOWN, SO WE TOOK IT OUT.

BUT IT GAVE ME THE EXPERIENCE OF KNOWING THAT IT IS POSSIBLE.

AND IF WE DON'T PUT IT IN THE WIDE OPEN AREA, IT'D PROBABLY DO EVEN A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

THE CANAAN FIR IS ONE WE'RE RELATIVELY FAMILIAR WITH.

THAT ONE, AND ALL FIR IN GENERAL, WE DON'T WANT TO PUT IN HEAVY CLAY SOILS.

THEY DROWN RELATIVELY EASY AS DO A LOT OF CONIFERS FOR THAT MATTER.

BUT THE CANAAN FIR IS A CROSS BETWEEN THE BALSAM AND THE FRASER.

SMELLS LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE IF YOU BREAK THE NEEDLE.

SO IT'S KIND OF MULTIPURPOSE THERE.

YOU CAN RUB THROUGH THEM AND THEY SMELL LIKE CHRISTMAS.

THE KING BORIS FIR IS ANOTHER FIR SIMILAR TO THE NORDMAN AND THE TURKISH, AS IS THE CILICIAN FIR.

I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH BOTH OF THOSE.

IT'S PROBABLY BEEN ABOUT 20 YEARS SINCE I GOT A COUPLE IN TO PLAY WITH.

AND WE SOLD THEM SO I DIDN'T GET TO PLANT THEM MYSELF.

BUT I LIKE TO HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THEM.

AND THEN FINALLY, THE KOREAN FIR, IT'S CALLED THE GARDEN CONIFER.

IT DOESN'T GET QUITE AS LARGE.

IT GROWS A LITTLE BIT SLOWER.

LIKE, A LOT OF THE FIR HAS A BICOLOR UNDERSIDE ON THE NEEDLE WITH WHITE BANDING.

THE CONES ARE PURPLE, WHICH IS ALSO ATTRACTIVE.

PROBABLY GETS AROUND 20 TO 25 FOOT TALL, AND MAYBE ABOUT 12 FOOT WIDE, MAYBE 15 FOOT WIDE, AND DOESN'T GET QUITE AS LARGE.

SO, JUST SOME OTHER TREES IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOME EVERGREENS TO DIVERSIFY IN THE LANDSCAPE, GIVE THE FIR FAMILY A CONSIDERATION.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S AMAZING HOW MANY CHOICES YOU HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO A SIMPLE FIR TREE.

ONCE AGAIN, WE REALLY APPRECIATE TODD'S HELP IN PRODUCING THE FEATURE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PLANT SELECTIONS, TAKE A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW TO VISIT THE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

WE'VE BEEN UPLOADING OUR FEATURES AND PROGRAMS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

IT'S A GREAT RESOURCE TO HELP YOU GROW PLANTS THE RIGHT WAY AND PICK OUT BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTALS FOR YOUR HOME, AND ALL SORTS OF OTHER GOOD INFORMATION.

CHECK IT OUT AFTER THE SHOW.

MAKE SURE TO HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON.

ALRIGHT WAYNE, ONE PICTURE.

OH, ANNOUNCEMENTS, SORRY.

I AM NOT ON MY GAME TONIGHT.

THIS IS THE GARDEN CLUB OF LINCOLN PLANT SALE, SATURDAY THE 13th FROM 10:00 TO 1:00 AT THE FOOD FORT, WHICH IS SOUTHERN HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

AND WE HAVE ONE MORE, WHICH IS THE FREE COMPOSTING DEMONSTRATION BY NEBRASKA EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERS, SATURDAY, MAY 20th AT PIONEERS PARK.

SO COUPLE FUN THINGS ALSO IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

ALL RIGHT, NOW, WAYNE.

>> ARE YOU SURE?

>> NO.

BUT, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A QUESTION.

SO, THIS IS A NEAT ONE.

THIS IS ONE PICTURE.

IT'S A FARM IN SALINE COUNTY.

YOU CAN SEE THE LITTLE BLACK THING IN THERE.

THIS HIVE SHOWED UP RECENTLY IN THE PASTURE.

IT'S 12 x 12.

IS THIS A HONEYBEE HIVE OR SOMETHING ELSE?

>> WELL, IT'S PROBABLY NOT ACTUALLY A HIVE.

IT'S -- WE'LL CALL IT A B-BALL, SINCE WE'RE ON BALLS TONIGHT.

AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT WILL BE A QUEEN BEE, AT LEAST ONE, HAS LEFT THE ORIGINAL COLONY AND TAKEN A NUMBER OF WORKERS WITH HER.

SO THEY ARE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER CAVITY TO SET UP SHOP IN AND START A NEW COLONY IN.

>> NEAT.

ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

AND THIS WAS IN NORFOLK AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

THEY WERE THICK ON HER MARIGOLDS AND SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THEY WERE.

AND WE LOVE TO HAVE PEOPLE SEND US PICS FROM LAST YEAR.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS ONE, I WENT THROUGH THE EFFORT TO I.D.

THIS ONE OUT.

YOU CAN SEE ENOUGH OF THE YELLOW AND BLACK STRUCTURE OF THE HAIRS AND EVERYTHING ON IT.

I BELIEVE THIS IS A SOUTHERN PLAINS BUMBLEBEE.

AND YES, THEY DO GET AS FAR UP AS SOUTH DAKOTA SO IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO SEE THEM UP IN NORFOLK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> IT'S LIKELY A QUEEN.

>> LIKELY A QUEEN.

VERY NICE.

ALL RIGHT.

DENNIS, THIS IS FOUND OUTSIDE A CEMETERY IN HADDAM, KANSAS.

HE SAYS NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THIS IS.

HE WAS TOLD BY A FRIEND IT'S A PACK RAT NEST.

AND, IS THAT WHAT IT IS?

AND HE WAS TOLD NOT TO PARK ANY FARM EQUIPMENT BY IT BECAUSE IT WOULD DAMAGE THE VEHICLE.

>> WELL, YES IT IS A PACK RAT NEST, AND WE HAVE SEVERAL IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF NEBRASKA.

AND I'VE NEVER SEEN PACK RATS GET ON A TRACTOR AND GO JOYRIDING SO I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

THEY WILL GET INTO THE FABRIC IF YOU HAVE CUSHIONINGS, THAT'S ALL.

>> OKAY, PACK RAT NEST.

OKAY, SO TWO PICS ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

BAT HOUSE WAS EMPTY AND THEY FINALLY HAVE INHABITANTS.

AND NOW THEY HAVE A LOT OF THEM.

THE HOUSE -- THEY DON'T WANT THEM ON THE PATIO.

SHE'S WONDERING, CAN SHE MOVE THE BAT HOUSE NOW WITH THE BATS IN IT?

>> NOT A GOOD THING.

THEY'LL PROBABLY LEAVE.

AND THEY MAY COME BACK, AND THEY MAY NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN, SORT OF THE FOLLOW-UP ON THAT ALSO IS, SHE'S WONDERING, CAN SHE PUT SOMETHING UNDER A BAT HOUSE IF SHE DOESN'T MOVE IT TO CATCH THE GUANO?

AND THEN, DOES SHE NEED TO WEAR GLOVES TO CLEAN IT UP?

>> IT'D BE BETTER, I MEAN, IN THE SOIL, GUANO IS A GREAT FERTILIZER.

SO IF IT'S DROPPING ON SOIL, THAT'S GOOD.

IF IT'S DROPPING ON THE PATIO, IF YOU COULD JUST WASH IT OFF THE PATIO EVERY MORNING, THAT'D BE SUFFICIENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU DON'T NEED TO COLLECT IT, BECAUSE THE YOU'D BE CONCENTRATING IT.

JUST WASH IT OFF.

>> OKAY.

ONE MORE QUESTION, AND THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

APPARENTLY HER CAT IS USING THIS PEACH AS A SCRATCHING POST.

ANY WAY TO KEEP THE CAT FROM DOING THAT?

>> WELL IF YOU STILL WANT TO KEEP THE CAT AND HAVE IT DO IT, USE SOME DRAIN TILE OR SOME PROTECTION THAT IS ABOUT AN INCH WIDER DIAMETER AND PUT IT AROUND THE TREE SO THE CAT HITS THE PLASTIC DRAIN TILE, LIKE 4-INCH DRAIN TILE, CUT A SLIT IN IT, AND IT'LL WORK.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, LOREN, TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SO, LAST FALL WE ADDRESSED A PROBLEM WITH LILACS WHERE THE LEAVES GOT SPOTTED, TURNED BROWN, CURLED UP.

AND WE ADVISED A FUNGICIDE IN THE SPRING.

WHAT TYPE OF FUNGICIDE AND HOW EARLY?

>> YEAH, SO A COUPLE THINGS ON THIS.

WITH ALL THE DRY LEAVES IN THIS PICTURE, I THINK A LOT OF THIS IS DUE TO POWDERED MILDEW, ACTUALLY, KIM.

AND WE SEE THAT VERY COMMON LATE IN THE SEASON.

SO YOU CAN USE SULFUR-BASED FUNGICIDES TO HELP WITH THAT.

ALTHOUGH IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO MANAGE.

IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY HARD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO MORE PICTURES.

AND THIS IS ALSO A LILAC.

THIS IS A GRETNA VIEWER.

ANY IDEA WHY THE LEAVES ARE LIKE THIS?

>> YEAH, CUPPING AND CURVED LEAVES, A LOT OF TIMES SOME SORT OF GROWTH REGULATOR HERBICIDE DRIFT WOULD BE A THOUGHT HERE.

AND IT'S ALL NEWER GROWTH.

THE BLACK TIPS, I THINK, IN ONE OF THE NOTES HE MENTIONED COVERING IT.

I THINK MAY HAVE FROSTED ON THE EDGE.

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT GROWTH REGULATOR HERBICIDE DRIFT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO MORE HERE.

THIS IS A WITCH'S BROOM AND WEIGELA, AND IS WONDERING, WHAT DO WE DO HERE?

>> WELL, WITCH'S BROOMS, IF THIS IS TRULY A SYSTEMIC INFECTION, I WOULD LET IT GROW FOR A LITTLE BIT AND WATCH IT.

BUT IF YOU DECIDE TO REPLACE IT, YOU CAN JUST TAKE THAT OUT.

IF YOU CUT IT, IT'S GOING TO GROW BACK AS WELL.

SO A NEW PLANT CAN BE PLANTED BACK IN THE SAME AREA.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND JOHN, END OF THE LINE.

AND WE HAVE ONE MINUTE, TWO PICTURES.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER, WONDERS WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE PRUNING THE KNOCK OUT ROSES.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT KNOCK OUT ROSE LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BE A GONER.

IT COULD STILL BE COMING OUT FROM THE WINTER, SO GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME.

BUT IF YOU DON'T SEE LEAVES ON THAT SOON, YOU'D PROBABLY JUST WANT TO PRUNE THAT OUT.

I SEE SOME GROWTH FROM THE BASE.

FROM MY KNOWLEDGE, MOST KNOCK OUT ROSES ARE ON THEIR OWN ROOTS, THEY AREN'T GRAFTED, SO THAT SHOULD STILL BE THE KNOCK OUT.

SO YOU COULD ALSO SEE WHAT COMES UP AND LEAVE THAT IN PLACE AS WELL.

JUST PRUNE OUT WHATEVER IS DEAD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND, THIS IS IN NORTHWEST HALL COUNTY THAT HAS ALL THESE ROSES IN IT.

THEY WONDER HOW TO KILL THEM.

>> YEAH, SO WE HAVE SORT OF A WILD ROSE HERE.

I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHICH ONE IT IS.

YOU COULD USE AN HERBICIDE WITH 2,4-D, OR YOU CAN DO MOWING THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU CAN MOW IT DOWN A FEW TIMES TO WEAKEN IT AND IN THE FALL DO A TREATMENT WITH A 2,4-D OR A DICAMBA.

OR YOU CAN FIND A PRODUCT WITH BOTH 2,4-D AND TRICLOPYR, WHICH WOULD PROBABLY BE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU JOHN.

WELL, THAT IS ALL WE HAVE GOING ON TONIGHT FOR "“BACKYARD FARMER.

"” WE HAD A GREAT TIME, OF COURSE, WITH OUR PANEL.

THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED A QUESTION FOR THE SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES THIS EVENING WE HAD GEORGE MALY, LINDA HILTON AND EXTENSION EDUCATOR TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'LL HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT MULCH FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE.

WE'LL ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT CARPENTER ANTS AND HOW YOU CAN CONTROL THEM.

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

"” ♪ ♪