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

♪ ♪.

>>> TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE WILL GIVE YOU SPRING TURF TIPS AND SEE WHAT IS INSIDE A BAG OF POTTING SOIL FROM THE GARDEN CENTER.

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

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO "BACKYARD FARMER."

I'M KIM TODD.

WE ARE GLAD YOU COULD JOE BIDEN US FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF ANSWERING THOSE GARDENING QUESTIONS.

OUR PANEL OF VOLUNTEERS WILL BE GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU AS WELL.

DIAL 1-800-676-35446.

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DO NOT FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM.

SO, JODIE, YOU HAVE A LOVELY LINE OF DEAD ITEMS.

>> I DO.

IT IS SPRING, ALMOST, AND THAT MEANS CARPENTER BEES WILL BE OUT AND ABOUT.

WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE COMING SOON BECAUSE SOME OF THEM HAVE WOKEN UP AND THEY PUSH OUT ALL THE DEAD ONES THAT HAVE OVER WINTERED IN THE GALLERIES.

SO THESE I DID NOT KILL BUT I FOUND IN A PILE UNDER MY DECK.

MY DECK IS NOT INFESTED, BUT I DID DO SOME TRANSPLANTS.

SO THIS IS PART OF A DECK THAT I BORROWED FROM A FRIEND WHO GOT A NEW DECK.

SO THESE CARPENTER BEES ARE POLLINATORS AND WE GENERALLY CONSIDER THESE AS GREAT FOR THE ECOSYSTEM ENVIRONMENT.

BUT THIS, THE NEST IN SOLID WOOD AND IN OUR STRUCTURAL WOOD SO DECKS AND PERGOLAS AND GAZEBOS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS SO WE DON'T LIKE THESE TOO MUCH.

YOU CAN SEE THEY HAVE THESE AROUND HOLES AND THESE GALLERIES CAN BE REALLY DEEP.

I WILL TURN THE WOOD THIS WAY AND YOU CAN SEE THAT HOLE GOES PROBABLY ABOUT EIGHT INCHES.

SO WHAT WE CAN DO IS USUALLY IN THE FALL WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE SEAL UP THOSE HOLES.

YOU CAN CALL A PROFESSIONAL TO COME OUT AND TREAT THE HOLES INDIVIDUALLY, BUT YOU WANT TO SEAL THEM UP.

PUT SOME WOOD DOWEL IN THERE AND SEAL IT WITH WOOD PUTTIE SO THEY DON'T STAY IN THERE BECAUSE THEY TEND TO NEST THERE YEAR AFTER YEAR AND THEN THEY BRING THEIR FAMILIES, TOO.

>> THEY'RE REALLY BEAUTIFUL AND REALLY -- >> YEAH.

>> -- BAD.

>> THEY LOOK LIKE BUMBLEBEES BUT, AGAIN, THEY HAVE SHINY ABDOMENS COMPARED TO THE HAIRY, FURRY ABDOMENS.

>> OKAY.

MATT, YOU PULLED SOME PLUGS HERE.

>> YES, LIKE THE BEES TAKING A DIRT NAP, SOME OF THIS GRASS EVERYBODY HAS COMING OUT IN SPRING IS ALSO TAKING A DIRT NAP.

SO WHAT I BROUGHT IN TODAY WAS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT GRASSES, AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE A GREEN LAWN YOU CAN PROBABLY STOP LISTENING AND JUST WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT ONE.

SO LIKE MILAN IS ALL TURF-TYPE TALL FESCUE AND I DO NOT HAVE IRRIGATION.

SO IF WE GO TO, LET'S SAY THIS BROWN PLUG RIGHT HERE.

SO WE HAVE ONE PLANT THAT'S GROWING IN THERE AND THE REST OF THIS BROWN GRASS IS PROBABLY DEAD FROM LAST FALL AND THROUGH LAST SUMMER AS WELL.

IT JUST DID NOT GET ENOUGH WATER.

TALL FELLS CUE IS VERY DROUGHT TOLERANT AND A GOOD GRASS TO GROW, BUT WHEN WE RUN INTO SITUATIONS LIKE 2012 WHEN WE HAD A REALLY SEVERE DROUGHT I LOST TALL FESCUE AT THAT TIME, TOO.

TEN YEARS LATER I LOST IT AGAIN, AND ONE THING THAT I HAVE IN MILAN NOW IS SOME KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS.

SO THIS ONE HERE IS KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO IS TALL FESCUE IS MORE OF A TILLING GRASS.

SOME OF THE NEWER VARIETIES HAVE SHORT TILLERS THAT IT CAN SPREAD, BUT IF YOU HAVE ONE EVERY FOOT, TALL FESCUE OR TURF-TYPE TALL FESCUE IS NOT GOING TO COVER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR UNLESS YOU ARE REALLY HEAVY THROUGHOUT THE FERTILIZER AND IT MIGHT BUSH OUT AND GROW INTO THAT SPOT SWRAS KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS WILL FILL IN.

IF YOU HAVE ONE SQUARE FOOT OF BLUE GRASS IT WILL PROBABLY FILL IN IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS OR NOT EVEN.

THEN I HAVE ONE MORE PLANT HERE.

IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE GREEN GRASS, BUT IF YOU SEE IT IN YOUR LAWN, IT IS KIND OF A LIME GREEN OR A LITTLE DIFFERENT SHADE OF GREEN AND IT GROWS REALLY AGGRESSIVELY IN THE SPRING.

THIS IS QUACK GRASS.

YOU MIGHT THINK YOU HAVE A REALLY GREAT LAWN AND IT DOES LOOK GREEN AND GOOD BUT IT IS KIND OF SPARSE AND IT DOESN'T REALLY GET A THICK MAT LIKE A LOT OF THE BLUE GRASS OR TALL FESCUE DOES.

I WANTED TO SHOW THAT ONE WHERE IT MIGHT BE IN LIKE BIG PATCHES AND GROW YEAR AFTER YEAR, SIMILAR TO LIKE -- I'M TRYING TO THINK.

I LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT THERE, BUT ANYWAY IT IS ONE GRASS THAT YOU CAN KIND OF TELL BY ITS LIME GREEN APPEARANCE AND IT GROWS IN A CIRCLE AND IT WILL TAKE OVER A WEAK LAWN.

>> GREAT.

THANKS, MATT.

AMY.

>> WELL, I BROUGHT SOME WONDERFUL WILD PLUMS AND THE DOG DUTY LAWN.

THIS IS BLACK KNOT AND THIS IS A FUNGAL DISEASE WE SEE REALLY COMMON IN CERTAIN SPECIES.

WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU SEE A FUNGUS WILL GROW AND GET THIS BIG, BLACK KANKER ONCANKER.

THIS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND IT WILL START TO TAKE UP THE WHOLE BRANCH.

IT WILL GIRDLE THE WHOLE BRANCH.

WE WILL SEE PIECES OF OUR FAVORABLE SPECIES, OUR PLUMS, OUR CHERRIES WILL KIND UP GETTING THIS CANKER AND THE BRANCHES WILL SLOWLY DIE.

NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO PRUNE THESE OUT.

WE ARE KIND OF PAST, STARTING TO HIT THE WINDOW WHERE WE DON'T WANT TO BE PRUNING BUT THESE STAND OUT REALLY, REALLY EASY RIGHT NOW.

I PICKED THIS ONE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

I WAS DRIVING 60 MILES AN HOUR AND I WAS ABLE TO GO, OH, LOOK, THERE'S BLACK KNOT AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN AROUND.

REAL EASY TO SPOT, YOU DON'T WANT TO SPRAY FOR IT, PRUNING IS THE THING WE WANT TO DO TO CONTROL THE GIRDLING COMPONENT.

>> AND THEY'RE ALWAYS FUN BECAUSE PEOPLE THINK SOMEONE FLUNG DOG POO TO THE TREE.

>> I KNOW.

>> AND YOU HAVE A NASTY THING.

>> I DO.

THIS TIME OF THE YEAR WE ARE DRIVING AROUND SEEING THE FLOWERING TREES IN BLOOM.

ONE OF THE FLOWERING TREES WE SEE IN BLOOM WILL BE THE FLOWERING PARE OR ORNAMENTAL PARE.

DON'T BUY INTO IT.

DON'T THINK IT IS A PRETTY TREE AND TRY TO INSTALL IT.

THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS ON A WATCH LIST BECAUSE IT IS BECOMING INVASIVE AND IT IS STARTING TO SPREAD AND SPROUT FROM THE ROOT SYSTEM.

WHAT I HAVE HERE IS ONE THAT I TOOK FROM A PARKING LOT ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR PARKING LOT IN GRAND ISLAND, AND WE HAVE NO FLOWERING PEARS FOR 14U7BD00 FEET.

THIS GUY COMES UP FROM THE ROOT SYSTEM OR IT COMES UP FROM THE FRUIT THAT A BIRD HAS LEFT THE DROPPINGS AND IT HAS THESE LOVELY THORNS ALL OVER IT.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO KEEP IN MIND AS WELL.

THEY ARE A VERY PRETTY TREE AND THEY ARE REALLY NICE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, THERE IS A DOWNSIDE AND A DARK SIDE TO THEM, THAT THEY ARE ON THE INVASIVE SPECIES WATCH LIST SO WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE INSTALLING THESE FLOWERING PEARS IN OUR LANDSCAPE RIGHT NOW.

>> AND ALTERNATIVES THAT BLOOM WHITE MIGHT BE?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF FLOWERING CRAB APPLES THAT BLOOM WHITE.

I DON'T LIKE HAWTHORNES BECAUSE I THINK THEY DON'T SMELL VERY GOOD BUT THEY ARE ANOTHER ONE WITH A BLOOM TO THEM.

THERE'S LOTS OF OTHER OPTIONS OUT THERE.

VISIT YOUR LOCAL NURSERY AND GARDEN CENTER TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE THAT WILL FIT YOUR SPACE FIRST FOR YEAR-LONG BEAUTY, NOT JUST FOR THE FLEETING FLOWERS.

>> SERVICE BERRY.

>> SERVICE BERRY, TOO.

>> THERE YOU GO.

THANKS, ELIZABETH.

>>> FIRST ROUND OF QUESTIONS ARE YOURS, JODY.

THIS COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

THIS IS A VIEWER WITH A SWAMP WHITE OAK INSTALLED LAST AUGUST.

APPEARED TO DECLINE, DROPPED ITS LEAVES EARLY.

THEN JUST RECENTLY THEY FOUND THESE CLUMPS, I THINK ON OUR SECOND PICTURE HERE.

IT IS IN AN IRRIGATED LAWN.

HE HAS THESE WEIRD THINGS.

SHOULD THEY WORRY ABOUT IT?

WHAT IS THAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, THAT LOOKS LIKE A ROUGH BULLET GALL.

GALLS ARE USUALLY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

IT IS MORE OF AN AESTHETIC THING.

IT WON'T HARM THE PLANT, BUT SINCE IT IS A NEW TREE I WOULD -- I DO WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE OVERALL HEALTH OF IT IS.

SO I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT THE GALLS BUT THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE TREE.

>> RIGHT.

MAYBE PICK IT OFF AT LEAST?

>> YEAH, YOU CAN PICK THOSE OFF OR YOU CAN PRUNE OFF ANY OF THE TWIGS THAT HAVE A LOT OF THOSE GALLS.

THEY'RE STINGLESS WASPS THAT MAKE THOSE, BUT THAT WILL NOT KILL THE TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JODIE.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

JUST OF THE TRUNK UNFORTUNATELY ON THIS ONE, BUT HE THINKS THIS IS PINE IS ANNA AUSTRIAN AND IT HAS A SAP EXUDING.

HE IS WONDERING IS IT INSECTS OR SOMETHING IN BETWEEN?

>> UNFORTUNATELY I'M NOT ABLE TO SAY FOR SURE IF IT IS INSECT.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE MORE OF THE TREE, IF YOU CAN SEND A PICTURE OF THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE TREE.

IT COULD BE SOME KIND OF BORER THAT IS CAUSING THE TREE TO SAP OUT LIKE THAT.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT COULD BE A FUNGUS OR ANYTHING ELSE.

>> IT COULD BE, SEEING MORE OF THE TREE WOULD DEFINITELY BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO RULE OUT A CANKER THAT MAYBE IS UP FURTHER THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE IN THE PICTURE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE SAPPING TO COME OUT.

>> THANKS.

MATT, YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM A PAPILLION VIEWER.

SHE HAS SMALL PLANTS LIKE THIS COMING UP IN HER GARDEN.

SHE IS WONDERING IF THEY'RE POISON HEMLOCK OR ARE THEY ROGUE BABY CARROTS.

ONE HAD KIND OF A LONG TAP ROOT THAT WAS SORT OF A WHITISH COLOR.

SHE DIDN'T GET A PICTURE OF THE ROOT.

SHE IS WORRIED, YOU KNOW, THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT SHE DOESN'T WANT AND SHE HAS KIDS AND DOGS, AND WHAT CAN SHE DO TO PREVENT IT FROM COMING BACK?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A GOOD WAY TO PREVENT IT IF THERE IS POISON HEMLOCK IN THE AREA.

THAT SEED CAN TRAVEL.

IT IS PRETTY SMALL.

IT CAN SIT DOWN ONE YEAR AND YOU WILL SEE IT THE NEXT.

IT IS A BI ANNUAL.

USUALLY IT IS THE SMALL SIZE AT FIRST AND THEN IT WILL SHOOT UP THE NEXT YEAR AND BE A 10-FOOT-TALL PLANT.

IF YOU CATCH IT WHEN IT IS YOUNG LIKE THIS AND TRY TO KEEP IT CLEAN, A REALLY GOOD WAY IS JUST TO PULL IT.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY ISSUE.

IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE POISON PART OF IT, JUST WEAR GLOVES BECAUSE IF YOU GET IT ON YOUR SKIN IT CAN CAUSE IRRITATION, AND THEN JUST MAKE SURE YOU DON'T EAT IT.

THAT'S THE MAIN THING WITH THAT ONE.

>> AND WE ARE SEEING AN AWFUL LOT OF IT.

>> IT IS EVERYWHERE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN PREVENT THAT WEED FROM COMING IN.

JUST KEEP AN EYE OUT AND IF LOTS LIKE THAT ONE YOU HAVE THERE, JUST PULL IT OUT OR DIG IT UP SO YOU GET THE TAP ROOT SO IT KILLS IT OFF.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANKS, MATT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS ALSO A LINCOLN VIEWER.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS, ALREADY IN FLOWER, AND HOW DO YOU CONTROL THIS?

>> SO THIS LOOKS LIKE GROUND IVY.

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE THAT'S IN FLOWER RIGHT NOW WHICH IS HEN BIT, WHICH IS A WINTER ANNUAL.

THIS IS A PERENNIAL SO IT IS GOING TO STAY THERE AND FLOURISH THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE YEAR AND COME BACK NEXT YEAR, THROW A BUMP OF SEED AND JUST KEEP SPREADING.

SO ONE GOOD PRODUCT TO USE ON THIS ONE WOULD BE IN THE FALL.

MOST OF YOUR PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN 240, TRICLE PEAR IS THE ONE THAT WORKS THE BEST.

IT WOULD BE ONE TO INCLUDE IN ANY MIX.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT NOW I WOULD SAY DO IT SOONER THAN LATER IF IT IS UP AND GROWING ALREADY BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO SPREAD AND BE HARDER TO KILL AS YOU GET THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> AND HARD TO DIG AND GET RID OF.

>> IT IS NOT AN EASY ONE TO RIP OUT BECAUSE IT IS VINIE ANDY AND IT POPS UP EVERYWHERE.

>> THANKS, MATT.

>>> AMY, YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF FUN ONES BECAUSE THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT TOOK PICTURES LAST YEAR AND THEY WANT TO KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING THIS YEAR, IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS.

THIS FIRST ONE IS AN ASPEN, EIGHT TO TEN YEARS OLD, AND LAST FALL LOOKED HEALTHY.

THIS IS COUNCIL BLUFFS AND KIND OF DID THIS.

HE SENT US A LEAF ALSO.

THIS IS SWEDISH ASPEN, NOT QUAKING.

HE IS WONDERING IS IT DEAD, HE STILL HAS A LITTLE GREEN UNDERNEATH THE BARK.

>> I CAN'T SEE ANY DISEASE FROM THE LEAF.

A CLOSER UP PING TOURCTURE OF THE BARK WOULD BE HELPFUL, BUT WITH DISCUSSIONS WITH KIM AND THE PANEL BEFORE THE SHOW, THE BIGGEST THING THAT THEY'RE SEEING IS THAT THESE SWEDISH ASPENS, YOU NEED TO GIVE THEM MORE TIME.

THEY'RE HOLDING ON TO THEIR LEAVES, SO SINCE IT IS STILL A LITTLE GREEN, GIVE IT SOME MORE TIME.

LET'S GIVE IT SOME MORE TIME AND TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

WHY IT COULD BE BROWNING, LAST YEAR, I DON'T CARE WHERE YOU WERE AT IN NEBRASKA, IT WAS DRY.

LEAVES TURN BROWN, TREES ARE GOING TO NEED WATER.

YOUR LAWN SPRINKLER IS NOT ENOUGH WATER.

SO MAKING SURE YOU ARE GIVING PLENTY OF SUPPLEMENTAL WATER TO THOSE TREES, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE HAD A DRY FALL AND WE'RE GOING INTO THE SPRING DRY AGAIN.

GIVING THEM SOME SUPPLEMENTAL WATER AS THEY'RE STARTING TO GREEN UP IS GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR THEM AND JUST GIVE IT SOME TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS ALSO FROM LAST YEAR.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAD A VARIEGATED SWEET GUM WHICH IS UNUSUAL, HAD BLACK EDGES ON THE LEAVES THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS, THE SAME SORT OF THING, NOTHING ELSE, NO HERBICIDE.

HE IS WONDERING IS IT COLD, IS IT FROST.

THIS IS BELLEVUE.

>> THERE ARE A VIEW DISEASES WE WILL SEE ON SWEET GUM, BUT LOOKING AT THE PATTERN ON THESE LEAVES I'M GOING TO LEAN TOWARD MORE ENVIRONMENTAL INDESICATION BECAUSE IT IS ON THE TIPS.

BECAUSE WE WERE DRY, AS WE GO INTO THE YEAR ONCE AGAIN LIKE THE ASPEN, LET'S GIVE IT SOME SUPPLEMENTAL WATER.

MAKE SURE WE GIVE IT SUPPLEMENTAL WATER THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.

THE OTHER TRICK, I KNOW IT IS VARIEGATED BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT HAVE A LITTLE YELLOWNESS, MORE THAN I WOULD ANTICIPATE.

ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THAT, ADDING IRON AND OTHER COMPONENTS WOULD HELP IT TOO BUT THE BIG THING IS WATER.

WATER, WATER, WATER.

>> THANKS, AMY.

ELIZABETH, YOU HAVE THREE DIFFERENT PICTURES FROM THREE DIFFERENT VIEWERS OF THE EXACT SAME PLANT, BOX WOOD LAST SPRING.

TIPS ARE TURNING YELLOW.

THEY HAVE A SOAKER HOSE.

THE HOUSE FACES WEST.

THE SECOND ONE HERE IS DO THEY NEED TO CUT THIS BACK OR START OVER.

THE THIRD ONE IS ALSO BOX WOOD SHRUBS ON THE NORTH SIDE, A LOT OF DAMAGE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

SO WE HAVE ONE, TWO, THREE WITH CLASSIC BOXWOOD.

>> CLASSIC BOXWOOD WITH CLASSIC WINTER DESICCATION.

LIKE AMY SAID WE WERE REALLY DRY AND ALL OF THE BOXWOODS WERE OPEN ON THE NORTH OR THAT WEST SIDE AND THEY GOT WINTER DESICCATION.

ANYTHING THAT IS BROWN RIGHT NOW, GO AHEAD AND PRUNE IT OUT AND MAKE THAT DETERMINATION IF IT IS GOING TO BE A QUALITY SHRUB YOU WOULD BE HAPPY WITH IN THAT LOCATION.

IF NOT, CONSIDER REMOVAL.

>> AWESOME.

THEN YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A THREE TO FOUR-YEAR-OLD SERVICE BERRY.

LEAVES HAVE TURNED YELLOW AND IT HAS KIND OF GOT A PEELING BARK THING GOING ON THE SECOND ONE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HERE, GIVE IT UP OR KEEP IT?

>> IT IS KIND OF HARD TO TELL.

SERVICE BERRY CAN ALSO GET FIRE BLIGHT AND SO THAT WOULD MAKE ME, YOU KNOW, SEND A SAMPLE IN WOULD PROBABLY BE THEIR BEST BET WITH THAT JUST TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT IT IS.

IF IT IS, THEN WE ARE LOOKING AT PRUNING AT LEAST 12 INCHES INTO THE LIVE WOOD TO HELP SLOW THE SPREAD BUT A SAMPLE WOULD BE HELPFUL.

>> THANKS, ELIZABETH.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WITH A LAWN WANT TO GET THAT LAWN OFF TO A GREAT START IN THE SPRING, SO THERE ARE A FEW KEY THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND TO GET THAT TURF IN GOOD SHAPE FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON.

HERE'S MATT TO GIVE US THE RUNDOWN ON SPRING LAWN CARE.

♪ ♪ >>> ALL RIGHT.

THERE MAY BE SOME QUESTIONS COMING INTO OUR LAWNS THIS NEW YEAR.

LAST FALL WE HAD A PRETTY DRY -- WE HAD A DRY SUMMER AND FALL, BUT WE DID HAVE SOME DECENT MOISTURE GOING THROUGH THE WINTER.

SO THERE MIGHT BE SOME AREAS IN YOUR LAWN WHERE IT IS THIN.

IN THE FALL OF LAST YEAR OR THE SUMMER.

IF YOU DID NOT HAVE IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND LET'S SAY YOUR LAWN WENT TOTALLY DORM ANT AND IT IS BLUE GRASS MOST LIKELY IT WILL BE OKAY.

IF YOU HAD A TALL FESCUE AND IT WENT TOTALLY DORMANT OTHER ARE IT IS NOT COMING BACK.

LAWNS ARE STARTING TO GREEN UP HERE AND THERE DEPENDING ON WHAT TYPE OF GRASS YOU HAVE.

LOOKING AT THE AREA, KNOWING IF YOU HAVE TALL FESCUE OR BLUE GRASS, IF IT HASN'T COME BACK WE PROBABLY WANT TO TAKE STEPS AND DO SOME SEEDING, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS TALL FESCUE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW TALL FESCUE IS A GOOD WATER-SAVING GRASS AND IT IS, REQUIRES LESS WATER, BUT WHEN WE HAVE A DROUGHT -- LET'S SAY LAST WINTER INTO THE SUMMER, THAT GRASS STILL DOES NEED WATER AND WE DON'T GET IT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, IT DOESN'T GO DORMANT, IT ACTUALLY DIES.

THERE'S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT THERE WHEN YOU ARE CHOOSING GRASSES DEPENDING ON IF YOU HAVE AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM OR NOT.

COMING INTO THE SPRING WITH A THIN AREA, BE CAREFUL WHEN WE ARE PUTTING TREE EMERGENCE DOWN.

IF WE ARE SEEDING IN THE AREA, THERE ARE SEVERAL PRODUCTS.

SCOT'S MAKES ONE THAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR AREAS WE ARE SEEDING.

FOR OTHER AREAS WE ARE NOT SEEDING PREEMERGENT IS FINE UNLESS WE ARE DOING OVERSEEDING IN THAT AREA, THEN WE WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM THE PREEMERGENCE AND HERBICIDE.

ALSO PEOPLE WANT TO GET OUTSIDE AND MOWING AND WATERING.

NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME IF YOUR LAWN LAS GREENED UP, YOU HAVE LEAVES AND STUFF LIKE THAT TO GIVE IT A LIGHT RAKE OR EVEN TO MOWER WITH IT HIGH UP.

THERE'S NO REASON TO SCALP IT DOWN.

WE SHOULD BE TO THE POINT WE CAN START DOING A LITTLE BIT OF MAINTENANCE ON THE GRASS AND MAYBE THE FIRST OR SECOND MOWING, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU HAVE AND YOUR SITUATION WITH SHADE AND HEAT OFF THE STREETS OR IF IT IS OUT IN THE ACREAGE.

ALONG WITH THAT WATERING, WE HAVE HAD DECREPT WATERENT WATER THIS WINTER BUT IF WE STAY IN DRYER TIMES WHERE WE'RE NOT GETTING CONSISTENT RAINS, MAYBE GO OUT THERE AND MAYBE STICK A SCREWDRIVER IN THE SOIL TO SEE IF IT IS WET.

IF IT IS DRY AND HARD TO GET IT IN THERE, THAT'S AN INDICATION WHERE WE MIGHT NEED TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF SUPPLEMENTAL WATERING IF WE HAVE OUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM TURNED ON.

ALONG WITH THAT, FERTILIZER.

A LOT OF TIMES WE SAY DO NOT PUT FERTILIZER ON IN THE SPRING AND THAT'S BASICALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH A FLUSH OF GROWTH IN MAY WE DON'T NEED THAT FERTILIZER THAT FAR -- OR THAT EARLY IN THE SEASON.

WE TYPICALLY SAY TO HOLD OFF UNTIL LATE MAY OR JUNE TO FERTILIZE THE LAWNS BUT IF WE HAD A THIN AREA OR WEAK LAWN COMING OUT INTO THE SPRING NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO USE A FERTILIZER WITH PHOSPHOROUS IN IT TO HELP PROMOTE THICKENING THE LAWN AND FILLING IN THE BARE AREAS.

>>> THAFRMGTS,NKS, MATT.

THE TIPS SHOULD HELP PEOPLE WHO WANT A GREAT LAWN KEEP IT GREAT THIS SPRING.

OF COURSE, SOME PEOPLE DON'T.

I JUST MOW IT IF IT IS GREEN.

>> EXACTLY.

IT IS EASIER IF IT IS BROWN, RIGHT?

>> EASIER IF IT IS BROWN.

>>> JODIE, THIS COMES TO US FROM WESTERN OTO COUNTY.

FOUND THIS INTERESTING CRAWLER IN A BARE DIRT AREA.

HAD NO IDEA WHAT, ONLY ABOUT AN INCH AND A EIGHTH, SEGMENTED, NICE DESCRIPTION.

UTILIZED THE VERY BACK SEGMENT TO SCOOT AND PUSH, SO THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT THIS IS.

>> THIS IS VERY COOL.

I HAVE NEVER EVEN SEEN ONE.

IT IS CALLED A GLOW WORM.

>> OH.

>> YES.

THEY ALSO CALL THOSE RAILROAD WORMS BECAUSE WHEN THEY LIGHT UP, BECAUSE THEY BIOLUM NECESSARY AND THEY LOOK LIKE A TRAIN, LIKE A RAIL CAR.

SO AMAZE IN.

THAT SCOOTY THING, IT IS LIKE A LITTLE SHOVEL BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE BACK LEGS.

SO IT MOVES THAT WAY.

THAT IS A GREAT FIND.

THANKS FOR SENDING THAT.

>> WHAT DOES IT TURN INTO?

>> SO IF IT IS A MALET TURNS INTO A BEATLE WITH THE FEATHERY ANTENNA BUT THE FEMALES LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THAT.

THEY'RE LARVAL FORM.

THAT'S PROBABLY AN ADULT FEMALE.

>> THAT'S FUN.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE IN THIS NEXT ONE.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHATHESE ARE?

OBVIOUSLY THIS IS FROM LAST YEAR.

>> YEAH.

>> HE CALLS THEM SQUASH BUGS.

HE SAYS THEY COMPLETELY DESTROYED THINGS.

>> YES, THESE ARE SQUASH BUGS.

I COULD PROBABLY TALK FOR HALF AN HOUR ABOUT THEM.

I WOULD NOT USE A CHEMICAL ON THEM BECAUSE ONLY IF YOU ACTUALLY CONTACT THEM WILL THEY DIE.

SO THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY RESIDUAL.

THE EGGS ARE ON THE UNDERSIDE.

THIS IS LIKE INTEGRATED APPROACH.

SO AS SOON AS THE SQUASH PLANTS COME UP, START SCOUTING, LOOK UNDER THE LEAVES, LOOK FOR THE EGG CLUSTERS.

THEY WILL BE LIKE THESE ORANGE-ISH FOOTBALL-SHAPED CLUSTERS.

SQUISH THOSE OR PULL THE LEAF OFF WITH THE CLUSTERS AND DO IT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

>> THANKS, JODIE.

YOU HAVE TWO MORE AN THEY'RE BOTH INTERESTING.

FIRST ONE IS ON A BUTTERFLY BUSH.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> OKAY.

THIS IS -- WE CALL THOSE OFIKA.

IT IS AN EGG CASE FROM A CHINESE PRAYING MAN PRAYING MANTIS.

LEAVE THOSE OUT IN THE GARDEN.

IF YOU ARE LUCKY YOU WILL GET A COUPLE THAT LAST THROUGH THE SEASON, BUT THEY USUALLY FLY AWAY OR GET PREDATED ON THEMSELVES.

>> AWESOME.

THANKS.

>>> MATT, THIS IS AN ORD VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW FROM THIS PICTURE WHY CAN'T HE GET GRASS TO GROW AND NOT DIE EVERY YEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YARD.

>> ONE REASON ON THIS FIRST PICTURE IS THE TREE.

>> YEAH.

>> AND WITH LAST YEAR'S WEATHER DRYER, THAT TREE IS GOING TO SUCK A LOT OF MOISTURE AWAY FROM THE TURF.

SO IF IT IS NOT BEING WATERED ADEQUATELY THAT WOULD BE ONE REASON.

IF IT IS BEING WATERED ADEQUATELY IT COULD BE THE TYPE OF GRASS.

IF IT IS POA TRIVIALIS, THAT IS ROUGH BLUE GRASS, THAT TENDS TO GREEN UP AND GO DORM ANT IN THE SUMMER BECAUSE IT CAN'T HANDLE THE HEAT.

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE CASE WITH THIS ONE.

I WOULD SAY YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO END UP SEEDING IT.

TRY A MIXTURE OF DIFFERENT GRASSES AND HOPEFULLY YOU CAN GET SOMETHING TO TAKE.

SOME OF THE SHADE-TOLERANT VARIETIES WOULD BE BETTER.

>> YOUR NEXT ONE IS BROWN AREAS IN THE LAWN.

THIS IS CARNEY.

SO HE HAS ISSUES FOR ABOUT 18 YEARS, WONDERING -- THIS IS ACTUALLY BEST LOOKING IS THIS, AND THEN IT TURNS MORE BROWN AND LOOKS LIKE THIS.

>> THIS IS THE SAME THING.

MIGHT BE THE VARIETY AS WELL.

MIGHT BE THE GRASS LOOKS GOOD NOW BUT IN THE SUMMER IT GOES DOWNHILL IF IT IS ROUGH BLUE GRASS OR IF IT IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AREA, I CAN'T TELL IF IT IS A WATERWAY OR A FLAT AREA.

THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER INSTANCE.

IT WOULD BE GRUBS IN THAT SPOT CONSISTENTLY EVERY YEAR, IF THERE'S A YARD LIGHT.

BY LOOKING AT THE PICTURE IT IS HARD TO TELL.

YOU COULD SEED NEWER VARIETIES IN THERE AND GO FROM THERE AND THAT PROBABLY WOULD BE THE BEST STEP.

>> THANKS, MATT.

AMY, THIS COMES FROM OFF-AND-ONTANEL.

YOU HAVE 12 PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

>> OKAY.

>> 12 SPRUCES ON THEIR AGO RAJ DIED, STARTED HAPPENING LAST SUMMER AND CONTINUED UNTIL THEY'RE ALL DEAD.

THEY DIED FROM THE TOPS DOWN.

NO INSECTS.

TRIED TO SUFFICIENTLY WATER.

>> SO WE ARE PROBABLY LOOKING AT TWO THINGS.

ONE THING I WILL LEAN TOWARD WITH BE A CANKER.

YOU CAN SEE THE RESIN COMING OUT, WHITE, GRAY, STICKY.

THAT IS SYTOSPORA CANKER.

THE TRICK IS ONCE IT IS IN THE TRY THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO FOR IT AND IT IS GOING TO PREVENT THE MOVEMENT OF WATER AND NUTRIENTS INTO THE TREE.

THE BIG THING WITH IT IS THAT IT IS WORSE WHEN WE HAVE DROUGHT-LIKE CONDITIONS AND THAT'S WHERE WE'VE BEEN FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

WE WILL SEE MORE AND MORE OF THAT AND THAT'S WHY YOU ARE CONTINUING TO SEE THE DECLINE OF THOSE TREES EVEN WITH THE WATERING.

THE STRAWS ARE PLUGGED.

IT JUST CAN'T GET ANY WATER MOVING INTO IT.

IT IS A SLOW, PAINFUL DEATH.

I HATE TO SEE ALL OF THOSE BLUE SPRUCES GOING OUT, BUT AT THIS POINT IN TIME THERE ISN'T A LOT YOU CAN DO.

THE TREES THAT YOU DO HAVE STILL THERE, SUPPLEMENTAL WATER IS STILL GOING TO BE IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHENEVER THE TREE IS STRESSED, THE CANKER, THE FUNGUS IS MORE LIKELY TO GET INTO THE TREE.

WE WANT TO REDUCE THE STRESS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND KEEPING IT WATERED IS KEY FOR THAT.

>> YOU HAVE APICTURES ON THIS FATAL BERT.

FAT ALBERT.

WONDERING WHAT THE DEAL IS HERE, IS IT PINE MOTH.

>> NO, THIS IS SPRUCE.

ONCE AGAIN YOU SEE THE RESIN GOING DOWN.

I WILL LEAN TOWARD A CANKER AT THIS POINT IN TIME, NOT A LOT WE CAN DO.

THEN YOU LOOK AT THIS AND YOU SEE THE GIRDLING OF THE TRUNK, AND WHEN WE HAVE THE GIRDLING OF THE BASE OF THE TRUNK, ALL YOU WILL END UP DOING IS YOU'RE SQUEEZING THE TREE SLOWLY BUT SURELY.

IT IS A SLOW, PAINFUL DEATH.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME I WOULD RECOMMEND, THIS WOULD BE A TREE I WOULD CONSIDER REMOVING AND LOOKING AT REPLACING.

MOST LIKELY I WOULD WAIT UNTIL MAYBE THIS FALL.

LET'S SEE WHAT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE AT.

IF YOU DO REPLACE IT THIS SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER, WATER, WATER, WATER, THAT WILL BE MY THEME TODAY.

MAYBE ALL SUMMER, IS MAKE SURE YOU WATER IT.

THAT WAY YOU CAN GET ESTABLISHED.

>> THANKS, AMY.

ELIZABETH, THIS IS A BEATRICE VIEWER.

HAS A 30-PLUS-YEAR-OLD JADE PLANT REPOTTED A YEAR AGO.

THE ROOT BALL WAS ONLY THE SIZE OF A FIST.

IT HAS BEEN LEANING.

CAN IT BE PRUNED OFF AND BECOME A GOOD JADE AGAIN?

>> YOU CAN.

WHAT YOU COULD DO IS YOU COULD DO A LEAF CUTTING AND START SOME OF THE LEAVES AND GET THE PLANT GOING THAT WAY.

THE FIRST THOUGHT, THAT ROOT BALL LOOKS REALLY SPAULMALL SO MAYBE TRY A SHALLOW, DEEP, WIDER POT LIKE AN AZALEA POT TO GIVE IT MORE STABILITY AT THE BASE, BUT THAT IS WHEN THEY COULD IF THEY WANTED TO START SOME LEAF CUTTINGS AND MAKE SOME MORE PLANTS OUT OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE, IT IS A NORTH FORK VIEWER, RHUBARB PLANT IN A POT IN AN APARTMENT.

BOUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY, TOOK OFF, DOING REALLY WELL, AND THEN THE STALKS ALL STARTED TO DIE.

SO THIS IS INSIDE.

HE CUT IT BACK.

NOTHING WILL GROW NOW.

CAN HE SAVE IT OR DOES HE GET TO START OVER WITH A NEW RHUBARB PLANT.

>> MORE THAN LIKELY YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING TO START OVER WITH A NEW RHUBARB PLANT.

IF YOU ARE NOT SEEING ANY NEW GROWTH EVEN AFTER YOU HAVE CUT IT BACK THERE'S NOT A LOT YOU CAN DO.

MAYBE THIS SPRING TRY TO SET IT OUTSIDE, SEE IF IT WILL WARM BACK UP OUTSIDE AND GET SOME MORE GROWTH THAT WAY.

>> THANKS, ELIZABETH.

>>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE SPEND A LOT OF PLANTING TIME DECIDING WHAT WE'RE GOING TO PLANT IN OUR GARDEN BUT WE ALSO MAKE SURE OUR SOIL IS TAKEN CARE OF.

TERRY JAMES SAYS OUR SOIL IS EVERY BIT AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT WE'RE PLANTING.

LET'S TAKE A MINUTE OR TWO TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING OUT IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

♪ ♪ >>> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN WE WILL BEGIN GETTING THE SOIL READY IN OUR RAISED BEDS.

REMEMBER, LAST FALL WE TURNED EVERYTHING OVER BY HAND.

WE ADDED THAT GREEN MANURE OF THE OATS TO HELP HOLD THAT SOIL AND IT DID REALLY WELL.

THOSE OATS ARE NOW DEAD.

THEY'RE NOW GOING TO BECOME ORGANIC MATTER.

WE WILL ADD A COUPLE OF EXTRA INCHES OF ORGANIC MATTER OR COM POST-ON TO THE POST- POST ON TO THE TOP OF OUR RAISED BEDS AND WE WILL TURN THOSE OVER TO START PLANTING OUR TOMATOES AND PEPPERS AND THOSE KINDS OF PLANT ALONG WITH OUR SEEDS OF CUCUMBERS AND MELONS.

OUR SPRING CROPS ARE STARTING TO GROW AND GET BIG.

STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND CHECK OUT THE RAISED BEDS AND THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.

♪ ♪ >>> WE ARE ALREADY SEEING SOME COLOR POP UP AROUND THE GARDEN INCLUDING A FEW TULIPS, DAFFODILS AND A LOT OF THE PANSIES.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS TIME TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK, OR FORTUNATELY.

COMING UP TO SHOW WE HAVE THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

STAY TUNED FOR MUCH MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" AFTER THIS.

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

LATER IN THE SHOW WE WILL HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT BAG OF SOIL OR POTTING MIX.

YOU CAN PHONE IN THE QUESTIONS TO 1-800-676-5446 OR SEND IN E-MAILS AND PICTURES TO US.

RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

ELIZABETH, ARE YOU READY?

>> YOU BET.

>> OKAY.

THIS COMES TO US FROM A MALCOLM VIEWER WITH A DAMAGED SPRUCE THAT HAS A BROKEN BRANCH IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

WONDERS IF THE HOLE WILL FILL ITSELF BACK IN.

>> NOPE.

>> WE HAVE A BEAVER LAKE VIEWER THAT HAS THE THIRD YEAR WITH COLUMNER APPLES BUT NO FRUIT.

WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?

>> THEY MIGHT NEED A POLLENIZER.

>> WE HAVE A COUNCIL BLUFF VIEWER WHO WONDERS IF CHOPPED UP DRIED LEAVES ARE OKAY FOR GARDEN MULCH AND IF SO HOW SMALL?

>> WHATEVER YOUR LAWNMOWER DO IS FINE AND NO DEEPER THAN THREE INCHES.

>> THIS IS A PLATTSMOUTH VIEWER WHO WANTS SEED POTATOES FOR YUKON GOLD POTATOES BUT CAN'T FIND THEM IN NEBRASKA.

ANY IDEAS ON THAT ONE?

>> NO CLUE.

YOU MIGHT CHECK THE MAIL ORDER CATALOGUES.

>> THE TAYLOR JUNIPER A GOOD CHOICE AS A LANDSCAPE HERE?

>> YOU BET.

>> A VIEWER IN SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA WHO IS TIRED OF THE DROUGHT FOR DRY LAWN, WANTS TO SEED MOSS ROWS AS A LAWN ALTERNATIVE.

YES OR NO?

>> YOU COULD TRY IT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THICK IT WILL BE IN THE EARLY SPRING BECAUSE IT IS AN ANNUAL, BUT YOU WOULD HAVE THE PRETTIEST LAWN ON THE BLOCK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

ARE YOU READY?

>> I DON'T THINK I CAN BE THAT SHORT.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN EITHER.

ALL RIGHT.

ARE YOU READY?

>> YES.

>> THIS IS A CARNEY VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO SOIL TESTS FOR PATHOGENS IN THE SOIL, AND IF SO WHAT PATHOGENS?

>> NO, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

THERE'S TOO MANY AND THERE'S NO TEST FOR IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAD CLEMATIS THAT LAST YEAR HAD A FUNGUS AMONG US.

THEY ARE WONDERING IF THE PLANT COMES UP AGAIN SHOULD THEY GO AHEAD AND SPRAY IT OR SHOULD THEY PULL IT UP?

>> PULL UP THE CLEMATIS?

I WOULD LEAVE IT THERE.

LOOK TO SEE IF YOU GET DISEASE DEVELOPMENT AND THEN WE WILL TREAT.

>> THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WITH SPRUCES AND WONDERS IF THE NEEDLES SHOULD BE RAKED UP, DISPOSED OF OR LEFT?

>> THERE ARE SOME DISEASES.

I WOULD PROBABLY RAKE THEM UP JUST IN CASE YOU HAVE DISEASE THERE.

>> THE SAME VIEWER WHO WONDERS IF TAYLOR JUNIPER IS A GOOD CHOICE WONDERS IF IT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CEDAR APPLE RUSH.

>> VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CEDAR APPLE RUSH.

YOU GET A LOT OF THE ORANGE GOOBERS.

>> WE HAVE SOMEONE WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE FLOWERED.

IS IT TOO LATE TO DO ANY OF THE TREATMENTS FOR ANY OF THE PARTICULAR DISEASE SNES.

>> NO.

YOU CAN STILL START TREATING FOR THOSE.

A LOT OF TIMES WE ARE LOOKING AT LEAF EMERGENCE AND THEN AS FRUIT SET OCCURS.

YOU ARE GOOD.

>> THANK YOU, AMY.

MATT, ARE YOU READY?

>> YEAH.

LET'S DO IT.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM SEWARD WHO SAYS LAWN CARE COMPANIES RECOMMEND FOUR TO SEVEN STEPS.

YES, NO OR MAYBE?

>> YES, THAT IS NORMAL.

SO THE LESS STEPS, THE LESS MAINTENANCE, THE SEVEN STEPS, THE MORE MAINTENANCE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A MURDOCK VIEWER WHO HAS NEW TURF PLANTED IN AUGUST, WONDERS WHETHER IT SHOULD BE WATERED A LOT OR JUST OCCASIONALLY.

>> IF IT CAME IN WELL, OCCASIONALLY IS ALWAYS BETTER.

DEEP AND INFREQUENT IS ALWAYS BEST.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW ARE THERE CERTAIN LAW ADDITIVES THAT SHOULD BE USED ON RTF, FESCUE, LIKE SURELFUR, LIME, ET CETERA, ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> THAT WOULD ONLY BE DETERMINED BY A SOIL TEST, BUT NORMALLY NO IF YOUR SOIL IS DECENT.

>> A VALPARAISO VIEWER WANT TO KNOW HOW CAN YOU KILL CREEPING BENTGRASS BUT NOT HURT THE REST OF THE LAWN.

>> MISOTRION IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WORKS ON COOL SEASON GRASS.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHEN TO PUT DOWN WEED AND FEED.

>> NOW WOULD BE GOOD WHEN IT IS WET.

>> AND FOR ALL WEEDS.

>> FOR ALL WEEDS?

>> KILL ALL THE WEEDS?

>> WEED AND FEED WILL GENERALLY KILLED BROADLEAF FEEDS, SO PREEMERGENT WOULD COVER THAT.

>> YOU READY, JODIE?

>> SURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO YOUR FIRST QUESTION HERE IS FROM A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE ANY POSSIBLE WAY TO TREAT FOR CHIGGERS IN THE LAWN AND MOSQUITOS IN THE LAWN.

>> OKAY.

SO IF YOU WANT TO TREAT THE LAWN, IF YOU KNOW THEY'RE THERE FOR CHIGGERS I WAS TOLD MAYBE EARTH WORKS FROM BEE KEEPERS.

IF THERE'S NO CHIGGERS, IF THEY'RE NOT THERE YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WORKS.

IF THERE'S A POOL OF WATER YOU COULD DROP SOME MOSQUITO DUNKS.

NOT >> WE HAVE VIEWERS WONDERING IF TERMITES WILL BE SWARMING SOON AND IF SO HOW DO YOU TREAT THEM.

>> TERMITES ARE SWARMING, YES.

HOW DO YOU TREAT THEM?

YOU DON'T USUALLY TREAT WHEN THEY ARE SWARMING BUT IT COULD BE AN INDICATION YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR HOUSE TREATED.

HAVE A COMPANY DO AN INSPECTION TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE TERMITES IN THE HOUSE.

>> THIS IS A SEWARD VIEWER THAT WANTS TO KNOW IF GRUB CONTROL IS NEEDED IF THEY HAVEN'T SEEN GRUBS IN THE LAWN FOR YEARS.

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE MULTIPLE VIEWERS WITH LITTLE ANTS COMING INTO THE HOUSE.

TREAT THOSE HOW?

>> WITH AN ANT BAIT, BUT IDENTIFY THOSE ANTS.

IF THEY'RE SUGAR ANTS, YOU CAN USE A SUGAR BAIT.

>> AWESOME.

NICE JOB, ALL.

SOMEBODY GETS THE MAJOR AWARD.

>> WE HAVE TO CUT IT IN HALF.

>> OKAY.

>> CUT IT IN HALF, ALL RIGHT.

ELIZABETH, PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

>> PLANTS OF THE WEEK!

SO WE HAVE SOME REALLY NICE EARLY SPRING BLOOMERS RIGHT HERE.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THEM.

THE FIRST ONE IS THE PINK BLEEDING HEART.

SO THIS ONE IS A REALLY FUN ONE.

IT CAN GET FAIRLY LARGE, LIKE TWO TO THREE FEET ACROSS.

IT MAKES A NICE LITTLE MOUND.

IT LIKES THOSE PART SHADED TO SHADED ENVIRONMENTS.

THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT KINDS.

THERE'S THE PINK ONE, THERE'S A WHITE ONE, THERE'S LIKE A REALLY FERNY LEAF ONE.

THEY'RE REALLY PRETTY BUT THE COOL PART ABOUT THEM IS THEY GO SUMMER DORMANT AND THEY WILL ALSO SEED THEMSELVES.

SO KEEP THAT IN MIND.

NO, YOU DIDN'T KILL YOUR BLEEDING HEART.

IT JUST WENT SUMMER DORMANT.

THE NEXT ONE WE WILL TALK ABOUT WILL BE THE BLUEY, PURPLE COLORED ONES.

THEY'RE CALLED THE VIRGINIA BLUE BELLS.

THE VIRGINIA BLUE BELLS START OUT PINK AND WHEN THE BUDS ARE REALLY, REALLY TIGHT, AND THEN AS THEY START TO AGE AND THEY START TO OPEN, THAT'S WHEN WE START TO SEE THEM TURN THIS LOVELY BLUE COLOR.

THESE FORM SOME REALLY NICE MOUNDS OF KIND OF THIN FOLIAGE, AND THE COOL THING ABOUT THESE GUYS IS IMMEDIATELY AFTER FLOWERING THEY'RE GOING TO GO DORMANT AGAIN AND THEY CAN SEED THEMSELVES.

THESE ARE TWO THAT WILL GO SUMMER DORMANT.

DON'T WORRY IF THEY DISAPPEAR FROM YOUR LANDSCAPE DURING THE SUMMER.

THAT'S TOTALLY NORMAL.

THAT'S WHAT THE PLANT DOES, BUT SOME REALLY NICE PLANTS OF THE WEEK THIS WEEK.

>> THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

>>> THREE PICKS ON THIS FIRST ONE FOR YOU.

THIS IS ELMWOOD, JODIE.

WHAT IS CAUSING THE DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK OF THIS APPLE TREE?

THEY'RE ON A SECTION THAT'S ABOUT A FOOT ABOVE THE GROUND.

LOOKS LIKE THE WOOD PECKER WAS HUNGRY.

WHAT IS YOUR PROGNOSIS?

>> SO THIS IS BAD.

I WOULD -- THERE'S PROBABLY INSECTS OR A BORER IN THERE AND THE WOOD PECKER IS TRYING TO GET TO IT.

I WOULD RECOMMEND GETTING A NEW APPLE TREE.

>> PERFECT.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

IT IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WITH A VIBERNUM FOR FIVE YEARS, HEAT, NO RAIN, BUT THEN THERE'S THIS ROT AND THINGS.

ANYTHING THEY CAN DO AND WHAT IS THIS?

>> I MEAN IT COULD BE A BORER AT THE CROWN.

WHAT YOU COULD DO HERE IS CALL A REJUVENATION PRUNE, AND IT WILL COME BACK.

SO PRUNE IT REALLY CLOSE TO THE GROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MATT, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS FROM A BENNET VIEWER.

LARGE AREAS OF THE LAWN ARE BROWN AND APPEAR DEAD.

IT IS SORT OF A THEME, ISN'T IT?

LAST YEAR IT WAS NICE AND HEALTHY.

WHAT HAPPENED?

IS IT DEAD AND DO THEY START OVER?

>> IT DOES LOOK LIKE IT IS DEAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN BUT IF IT HASN'T GREENED UP BY NOW IT PROBABLY IS DEAD SO YOU WANT TO GET SEED IN THE GROUND.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN WINTER KILL.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN WINTER KILL AS WELL DEPENDING ON WHAT TYPE OF GRASS IT WAS.

I DON'T KNOW BY THE PICTURES.

YEAH, I WOULD DEFINITELY GET SEED IN THERE IF IT HASN'T GREENED UP YET.

>> YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A SIX-YEAR-OLD FESCUE LAWN IN KOZAD AND APRIL 15th IS WHEN THE PICTURES WERE TAKEN.

IS THAT A DISEASE OF SOME SORT OR WHAT IS THAT EXACTLY?

>> I THINK THAT IS JUST DEAD GRASS AND IT IS DECAYING NATURALLY.

>> OKAY.

>> SO OVER WINTER USUALLY IT TURNS BROWN DOWN TO THE GROUND, TALL FESCUE DOES, ESPECIALLY OUT IN THE OPEN AREAS.

SO I WOULDN'T BE ALARMED ABOUT THE BLACK SPOTS ON IT.

THAT'S JUST THE OLD GRASS FROM LAST YEAR AND IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE ENOUGH NEW CHUTES COMING UP OUT OF IT.

I DIDN'T SEE BIG PICTURES, IF THERE WERE DEAD AREAS BUT IT SHOULD COME BACK IF SHOOTS ARE COMING UP.

>> AMY, VERY OLD APPLE TREES PRODUCING GREAT TASTING APPLES.

THIS IS WHAT THEY GET.

THERE'S TWO PICTURES HERE.

EVERY YEAR OR SO THE OLD APPLES ARE STILL ON THE TREE BUT THE NEW FLOWERS ARE EMERGING.

WHAT IS THIS?

THIS IS NEBRASKA CITY.

>> THESE ARE MUMMIES AND IT IS CALLED BY APPLE SKAP.

THAT WILL GIVE YOU INOCULUM AND IT IS GOING TO REINFECT.

IF YOU ARE ABLE TO PULL THEM OFF, DO THAT.

IF YOU WANT TO GET THE FRUIT OFF OF IT, YOU NEED TO STAY ON A FRUIT SPRAY SCHEDULE PROBABLY STARTING NOW.

>> EXCELLENT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

A GUIDE ROCK, NEBRASKA VIEWER.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS PONDEROSA PINE?

THE REST LOOKS GOOD.

WE JUST HAVE A CANDLE HERE.

>> A RANDOM CANDLE, IT COULD BE A KAFRPGERCANKER THAT MOVED IN PREVENTING WATER MOVEMENT.

ON THE NORTH SIDE, IT COULD BE WINTER DESICCATION THAT OCCURRED, TOO.

HARD TO TELL, ESPECIALLY WITH IT UP HIGHER IN THE TREE.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE TREE AND DETERMINE IF IT CONTINUES TO DECLINE OR NOT.

>> AND PRUNE IT OUT.

>> IF YOU CAN REACH IT.

>> ELIZABETH, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS COUNSEL BLUFF, FOREST PANSY, IT HAS HAD THAT DAMAGED AREA SINCE IT WAS PLANTED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OVERALL?

IS IT OKAY, COVER THE WOUND OR NOT?

>> YOU WANT TO LEAVE IT OPEN TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

WE DON'T WANT TO COVER IT, PAINT OR TAR IT OR PUT ANYTHING ON IT.

HOPEFULLY THAT TREE WILL BE HEALTHY ENOUGH IT WILL MAKE CALLOUS TISSUE OR SWOLLEN TISSUE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE WOUND THAT IT SEALS OVER THE WOUND.

IF THE TREE IS NOT HEALTHY ENOUGH TO SEAL OVER THAT WOUND, THAT'S WHERE WE KNOW THAT THE TREE IS PROBABLY GOING TO STRUGGLE LONG TERM AND YOU WILL PROBABLY NEED TO REMOVE AT LEAST THAT PORTION OF THE TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ANOTHER RED BUD.

THIS IS TWO PICTURES HERE, SIX YEARS OLD, NOT BLOOMING YET, NO ISSUES YET.

SO THE CENTER WASN'T QUITE AS FULL.

THE BARK SEEMS TO BE COMING OFF ON THIS ONE.

SHOULD THEY BABY IT AND SEE HOW IT DOES?

>> YOU KNOW, IF THE ENDS OF THE BRANCHES ARE BRITAL, MORE THAN LIKELY IT IS PROBABLY DEAD.

IF THEY'RE STILL FLEXIBLE IT MIGHT LEAF OUT, BUT EVEN THEN WE COULD BE LOOKING AT SOME WINTER DESICCATION, SOME DROUGHT ISSUES, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO I DON'T HAVE HIGH HOPES IF THE ENDS OF THE BRANCHS ARE BRITTLE, BUT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY BUT IT COULD BE VERY SLIM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE ONE MORE BAD TREE.

THIS IS TWO PICTURES PLANTED IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER.

THE WOUND IS ABOUT TWO-AND-A-HALF INCHES LONG -- TWO-AND-A-HALF FEET I GUESS.

COULDN'T SEE THE WOUND UNTIL THE LEAVES DROPPED.

SHOULD THEY BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THIS TREE?

>> AND THIS IS ONE, AGAIN, THAT YOU ARE HOPING FOR THE CALLOUS TISSUE.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS REMOVE THAT CANE ON THE SIDE OF THAT TREE.

YOU WANT THAT TREE TO GET THE REFLEX TISSUE AND MOVE AROUND AND YOU WANT TO REMOVE THE BRACES NO MORE THAN ONE GROWING SEASON.

SO IF YOU CAN TAKE THEM OFF THIS SPRING BUT LEAVE THAT WOUND OPEN TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

DON'T PAINT OR TAR IT AND JUST WAIT TO SEE IF YOU GET SOME CALLOUS TISSUE AROUND THAT WOUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

THANKS, ELIZABETH.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON DOING SOME CONTAINERS THIS YEAR OR EVEN SOME RAISED BEDS, YOU WILL NEED THE RIGHT GROWING MEDIUM.

WITH SO MANY PRODUCTS TO CHOOSE FROM THAT MIGHT BE A VERY CONFUSING DECISION.

HERE IS STACEY ADAMS TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHICH BAG IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

♪ ♪ >> WELL, IT IS SPRINGTIME AND WE'RE READY TO START GETTING OUR PLANTERS READY AND OUR PATIO OR WANTING TO GET READY FOR OUR GARDENING.

WHEN WE GO TO THE GARDEN CENTER AND START PICKING OUR PLANTS OUT, IF WE WANT TO MAKE CONTAINER GARDENS WE ARE CONFUSED WHEN WE GET TO THE SOIL SELECTION.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT POTTING MIXES.

FIRST OF ALL, WE DON'T USE SOIL IN OUR PLANTERS BECAUSE THERE'S POTENTIAL FOR CONTAMINANTS THAT MIGHT BE IN THERE AND WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OF WHAT WE HAVE.

BUT ALL OF THESE ITEMS IN FRONT OF US TODAY ARE INGREDIENTS YOU MIGHT FIND IN THE DIFFERENT PACKAGES OF MIXES THAT YOU HAPPEN TO SEE.

SOME OF THE COMMON MIXES THAT WE HAVE MIGHT HAVE MICRO NUTRIENTS IN THEM.

THEY MIGHT HAVE WATER HOLDING GEL IN THERE IN ORDER TO MAKE IT LAST LONGER.

THEY HAVE ORGANIC TYPES.

WHAT IN THE WORLD COULD AN ORGANIC POTTING SOIL HAVE IN IT?

SO IT HAS TO DO WITH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PRODUCTS THAT THEY PUT INTO THESE DIFFERENT MIXES.

WHAT WE NEED IS A MIX THAT HAS A GOOD BALANCE OF MOISTURE-HOLDING CAPACITY AS WELL AS AERATION AND POROSITY IN IT.

SOME OF THE POTTING MIXES WILL HAVE MICRO NUTRIENTS IN IT.

THEY HAVE WILL PH ADJUSTMENT.

SO ALL OF THAT HARD WORK IS DONE FOR YOU.

WHAT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT IS WHICH ONE WOULD BE GOOD FOR GERM GERMINATING PLANTS IN SO WE WANT SOMETHING THAT'S VERY FINE.

MAYBE SOMETHING WITH A LOT OF BULK.

IF WE HAVE A LARGE PLANTER WE MIGHT NEED SOMETHING WITH A COMPOSTED BARK IN IT THAT FILLS THE LARGER AREA.

WE HAVE LOTS OF CHOICES TO MAKE.

LOOKING AT THE INGREDIENTS ON THE VERY BACK IS REALLY CRITICAL IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THAT PROPER AERATION, WATER-HOLDING CAPACITY AS WELL AS MAKING SURE THERE'S SOME MICRONUTRIENTS AND THERE MAY BE A LONG-TERM FEED IN THERE.

WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT THE BACK OF THE POTTING MIX BAG WE WILL SEE THE INGREDIENTS.

THE MAIN INGREDIENTS ARE GOING TO BE THE POTTING MIX COMPONENTS.

OFTENTIMES YOU WILL SEE PEATMOSS, YOU WILL SEE CORE AND THOSE MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF WHAT THE POTTING MIX IS GOING TO BE.

THEY WILL ADD PEARL ITEM OR VERMICULITE GIVING US THE SPACE FOR US.

THOSE ARE THE BASIC INGREDIENTS FOR THE POTTING MIX.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT THE AMENDMENTS ARE.

SO HAS IT BEEN PH CORRECTED?

WILL WE SEE MICRONUTRIENTS IN THERE?

IF SO, WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF MICRONUTRIENTS?

ARE THEY A FORMULATED CHEMICAL OR ARE THEY ORGANIC?

SOME OF THE ORGANIC ONES WILL HAVE WORM CAST OR MAYBE SOME OTHER PRODUCTS IN IT THAT MAKE THEM ORGANIC RATHER THAN HAVING FORMULATED CHEMICALS.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WHEN WE HEAD TO THE POTTING SOIL SELECTION AT THE LOCAL GARDEN CENTER WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO USE THE MIX FOR, KEEPING IN MIND THAT SOME ARE BETTER FOR GERMINATING PLANTS, SMALL CONTAINERS, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO LOOK AT THE RIGHT ONES FOR FILLING LARGE CONTAINERS.

>> SO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

CHECK THAT LABEL AND ALL OF THOSE INGREDIENTS AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK OUT THE RIGHT PRODUCT FOR YOUR PROJECTS.

ALL RIGHT.

YOU CAN SEE THIS AND ALL OF THE OTHER GREAT VIDEO FEATURES IN PAST PROGRAMS ON OUR YouTube CHANNEL.

THE "BACKYARD FARMER" YouTube CHANNEL IS A GREAT PLACE TO START LOOKING FOR ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT TURF, WEEDS, TREES, PLANT DISEASES, INSECT PESTS, CRITTER CONTROL.

WE DO HOPE YOU WILL CHECK IT OUT.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL.

YOU WILL BE ON YOUR WAY TO GROWING THOSE PLANTS THE RIGHT WAY.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS, WHICH IS FUN.

FIRST IS THE 29th ANNUAL PLANT FAIR AND MARKET, NORTHEAST NEBRASKA MASTER GARDNERS.

28th OF APRIL, 29th OF APRIL, IN NORTH FORK.

THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

THE SECOND ONE IS THE UNL HORTICULTURE CLUB SPRING BEDDING SAIL, MAY 4th AND 5th, MAY 6th RIGHT HERE ON CAMPUS, EAST CAMPUS IN THE GROWN HOUSES.

THAT IS ALWAYS A GREAT ONE.

THE PLANTS LOOK AWESOME THIS YEAR.

SO, ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE TIME FOR A HAND FULL OF QUESTIONS.

JOELD JODIE, YOUR FIRST ONE IS A VIEWER WHO ACTUALLY HAS SENT US SEVERAL PICTURES OF THESE CREATE YOURS AND CREATURE AND WONDERS WHAT IT IS.

>> THIS IS A TANF JUMPING SPIDERS HAVING A SNACK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> JUMPING SPIDER.

>> THIS PERSON ALSO COULD NOT GET A CLEAR CLOSE-UP PICTURE.

IT LOVES THE PORCH LIGHT.

THIS JUST CAME IN ON THE 13th OF APRIL.

>> OKAY.

IS THIS -- BUT THE WASP IS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GLASS.

>> IT IS ON THE -- YEAH, ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GLASS.

>> WE CALL THIS A -- IT IS A SOLITARY WASP.

IT IS NOT GOING TO STING PEOPLE BUT IT IS PROBABLY LOOKING FOR A HOST.

SO ITS LARVAE FEED ON LIKE THE LARVAE OF BEETLES, FLIES, DIFFERENT THIPGTSNGS LIKE THAT, CATERPILLARS.

>> THE NEXT ONE IS A BEAUTIFUL ONE.

YOU SEPTEMBER US THIS BUT THERE'S A TINY, BEAUTIFUL CREATURE ON THAT.

WHAT IS IT?

>> WE CALL IT A SURFACE FLY BUT WE CALL THEM FLOWER FLIES OR HOVER FLIES.

FLIES ARE THE SECOND BEST POLLINATOR BESIDES BEES.

>> THERE YOU GO.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT USUALLY, DO THEY?

>> NO.

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

THEY'RE SORT OF RELATED IT SOUNDS LIKE.

THE FIRST IS THIS WAS A CONSTRUCTION SITE.

LOOKS LIKE COMPACTION, DEBRIS.

THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT CAN ACTUALLY WORK FOR TURF IN THIS SITUATION.

THE SECOND ONE, PICTURE IS THERE WAS SOME NETTING UNDER IT IN SRN CERTAIN PLACES AND THEY WONDER HOW TO GET RID OF THE NETTING WITHOUT PULLING UP THE TURF.

>> THAT FIRST ONE JUST LOOKS LIKE CONCRETE AND STUFF ON TOP.

OBVIOUSLY YOU WANT TO REMOVE ANYTHING THAT IS NOT SOIL.

RAKE IT OFF, PILE IT UP, GET IT OUT OF THERE.

IF YOU NEED TO, BRING IN SOME SOIL.

THEN I WOULD SUGGEST TILLING IT TO AT LEAST A FOUR-INCH DEPTH JUST TO REMOVE SOME OF THE COMPACTION AND SEED THE GRASS TYPE YOU WANT IN THERE.

>> AND THE NETTING THING, CAN YOU PULL THAT UP -- >> I WOULDN'T PULL THAT UP BECAUSE YOU WILL KEEP BRINGING IT UP.

BEST THING WOULD BE TO GO BEYOND THAT AND TAKE A BOX CUTTER OR A LONGER KNIFE TO SLICE THROUGH IT ALL AND THEN YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PULL THE PIECES COMING UP OUT SO YOU DON'T HIT THEM WITH THE MOWER AND THEY BALL UP ON YOUR BLADES.

>> THANKS, MATT.

AMY, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS ONE BRANCH BUDDING OUT.

THEY'RE A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THAT, THAT THERE'S ONLY ONE BRANCH BUDDING OUT AND NOTHING ELSE.

OH, WAIT.

THIS IS MATT STILL.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY.

>> SORRY.

THIS IS STILL MATT.

THEY WANT TO KNOW ON HERE, IT IS BIND WEED AND CLOVER.

CAN THEY KILL THE BIND WEED WITHOUT KILLING THE CLOVER.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THAT.

IF IT WAS LIKE NEW SEEDING OF ALFALFA OR SOMETHING THERE'S PRODUCTS THAT WORK ON LAGOONS SAFE AND NOT SOME OF THE OTHER WEEDS BUT IT IS NOT LABELED FOR SURF SO I DON'T THINK IT IS POSSIBLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> OR ENCOURAGE MORE WHITE CLOVER, SEED IT TO WHITE CLOVER AND THAT WOULD BE ONE WAY TO GET A NEW SEED IN THERE OR FLUSH OF CLOVER.

>> NOW IT IS YOUR TURN.

>> OKAY.

>> THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SEEMS TO BE ONLY ONE BRANCH BUDDING OUT ON THIS TREE.

NOTHING ELSE ON THE REST OF THE TREE.

WONDERING IF THEY SHOULD BE CONCERNED.

HE'S ALSO SEEING A LOT OF DEAD NEEDLES IN THE TREE ITSELF.

>> OKAY.

>> WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> SO THE DEAD NEEDLES ON THE INSIDE I WOULD BE LEANING TOWARD NEEDLE BITE.

WE SEE IT ON OLDER NEEDLES.

TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF YOU SEE DARK BROWN BANDS AROUND THEM.

THAT WOULD BE AN INDICATION.

NOW, THE TREE NOT PUTTING OUT NEW CANDLES RIGHT NOW, GIVE IT A LITTLE TIME.

IT MIGHT BE JUST A LITTLE EARLY.

THE TREES ARE STRESSED BECAUSE OF THE DROUGHT AND WITH OUR TEMPERATURES, JUST BE A LITTLE MORE PATIENT THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US ALL THE WAY FROM PAXTON, WHICH IS GREAT.

TWO PONDEROSA PINES.

THEY'RE THREE FEET TALL AND ONE IS 12 FEET TALL.

THEY'RE IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.

NEEDLES ARE DROPPING, THE TIPS SEEM DRY.

IS IT WEATHER RELATED OR IS IT A DISEASE?

THIS CAME IN ON APRIL 12th.

>> IF THE FIELDS ARE DROPPING OFF I WILL PROBABLY LEAN TOWARD DROUGHT AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

WE SHOULD START SEEING THOSE NEW CANDLES STARTING TO ELONGATE AND COMING OUT.

I'M NOT ABLE TO SEE BROWN TO INDICATE A DISEASE SO I PROBABLY LEAN TOWARD ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER AT THIS TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ELIZABETH, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A 30-FOOT PLUS PINE IN LINCOLN.

SEEMED REALLY GOOD UNTIL THIS SPRING, THEN PATCHES OF DEAD NEEDLES SPREAD RAPIDLY FROM THE BASE ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP.

NO EVIDENCE OF INSECTS OR DISEASES, WONDERING ABOUT DROUGHT.

I THINK WE HAVE A SECOND PICTURE.

>> THE SECOND PICTURE IS THE ONE THAT GIVES US THE FULLY DE.

SO IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT PICTURE WE HAVE A RESTRICTED ROOT AREA AND WE ARE LOOKING AT A WHITE PINE.

WHITE PINE IS REALLY DROUGHT -- NOT DROUGHT TOLERANT, REALLY DROUGHT SUSCEPTIBLE.

SO IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT PICTURE, I DON'T -- THAT TREE IS NOT GOING TO MAKE A COMEBACK.

IT IS GOING TO DROP ALL OF ITS NEEDLES AND EVENTUALLY YOU WILL HAVE TO REMOVE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO TRY TO REPLACE WITH THAT RESTRICTED ROOT ZONE THERE.

PROBABLY NOT.

BUT IF YOU HAVE YOUR HEART SET ON IT YOU PROBABLY COULD PUT A SMALLER TREE IN THAT SPOT.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE ONE HERE, AND THIS IS JUST A FUN ONE.

THIS WAS SENT IN BY A VIEWER WHO SAID HEART POTATO.

DOES THIS HAPPEN AND HOW IN THE WORLD DOES THIS HAPPEN?

>> IT DOES HAPPEN.

WHEN YOU GO ON YOUR SEARCH ENGINE AND YOU TYPE IN HEART-SHAPED POTATOES, THERE ARE PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE MILLIONS ON HEART-SHAPED POTATOES.

>> MY GOODNESS.

>> BUT HEART-SHAPED POTATOES WE WILL SAY ARE NATURE'S WONDROUS PAGEANTRY.

WITH THE WAY IT WAS GROWING THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT MADE THAT POTATO THE SHAPE THAT IT IS.

YOU COULDN'T DO THAT AGAIN IF YOU TRIED.

SO JUST ENJOY THE HEART-SHAPED POTATO.

THAT'S ALL WE GOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A 30-SECOND QUESTION FOR YOU, JODIE, WHICH IS SOMEBODY SAW THE YELLOW SULFUR BUTTERFLIES WHEN WAS THE WARMER THIS WEEK.

DID THEY HATCH?

ARE THEY LAYING THEIR EGGS OR IS IT JUST ONE OF THOSE WEIRD ANOMALIES?

>> I SAW A COUPLE OF BUTTERFLIES THIS WEEK.

SOME OF THEM MIGHT HAVE COME FROM SOMEWHERE WARMER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> CAME WITH THE WIND.

>> MAYBE THEY DID BLOW UP WITH THE WIND.

I HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER OUR DEAR FRIEND RON HULL.

FOR NEARLY 70 YEARS RON WAS AN INSTRUMENTAL VOICE AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND ACROSS PUBLIC BROADCASTING AS A WHOLE.

FROM ESTABLISHING SUCCESS HERE IN NEBRASKA TO SERVING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AT BOTH CBP AND PBS, RON'S PASSION WAS PUBLIC TELEVISION.

WE WILL GREATLY MISS HIS PASSION, HIS WISDOM AND HIS GUIDANCE.

♪ ♪ >>> THAT IS GOING TO DO IT FOR "GAK YARD" "BACKYARD FARMER" TONIGHT.

WE DID HAVE A GREAT TIME, OF COURSE.

THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED THOUGH QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW.

HELPING ON THE PHONE WE ARE GEORGE MAILEY, CAROL RUDDSTAD AND TERRY JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE GARDEN CENTER TO SHOW YOU NEW ORNAMENTALES.

TODD FOWLER FROM FOWLER NURSERY WILL HIGHLIGHT WHAT IS TRENDING FOR THIS SEASON.

GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK RIGHT HERE ON "BACKYARD FARMER."

♪ ♪