>>> CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

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

TONIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER WE WILL BE HELPING YOU CONTROL BAGWORMS AND HEAR TIPS ABOUT KEEPING POSSIBLE FIRES AWAY FROM YOUR HOME.

THAT IS ALL COMING UP NEXT RIGHT HERE ON BACKYARD FARMER.

>> HELLO, WELCOME TO BACKYARD FARMER.

I'M KIM TODD.

WE DO HOPE YOU GOT SOME RAIN THIS WEEK, AS WE ALL NEEDED IT.

FOR THE NEXT HOUR WE WILL BE ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET SOMETHING ANSWERED, PLEASE GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-676-5446.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEND US AN E-MAIL WITH PICTURES FOR A FUTURE SHOW, THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

WE DO NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE.

GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN SO WE CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTION VERY WELL.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT PAST SHOWS AND FEATURES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

ALSO FOLLOW US DURING THE WEEK ON THAT FACEBOOK PAGE.

SO KYLE, YOUR FIRST SHOW OF THE SEASON.

YOU HAVE -- >> YEAH.

>> -- BOTH DEAD THINGS OR BOTH LIVE THINGS?

>> BOTH DEAD THINGS.

YEP, I HAVE DIFFERENT CUTWORMS HERE.

A FEW DIFFERENT STAGES.

SO, YOU KNOW, REALLY ONE OF THOSE EARLY SEASON PESTS.

SO YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GETTING YOUR GARDEN GOING, SOMETHING TO WATCH OUT FOR.

THEY GET THEIR NAME FROM THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THE HABIT IN THE LARVAL STAGE OF CUTTING THE PLANTS DOWN.

THEY WILL EAT AROUND THE BASE OF THE STEM.

THAT RESULTS IN KIND OF CUTTING IT OFF RIGHT AT ABOUT GROUND LEVEL.

SO WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF CUTWORMS HERE IN NEBRASKA THAT WILL BE PRESENT IN GARDENS IN THE SPRING.

BUT TWO OF THE MORE COMMON ONES WE HAVE ARE GOING TO BE THE BLACK CUTWORM, WHICH I HAVE AN ADULT HERE.

THE LARVA OF A BLACK CUTWORM AND THEN ALSO THE DINGY CUTWORM.

SO THESE DO HAVE DIFFERENT PHENOLOGY.

IN THE CASE OF DINGY CUTWORM, THOSE WILL BE CATERPILLARS THAT WILL OVERWINTER IN NEBRASKA, SO THEY WILL EMERGE VERY EARLY IN SPRING AND CAN START FEEDING ON PLANTS.

BUT THE BLACK CUTWORM, THOSE WILL ACTUALLY OVERWINTER IN THE SOUTH.

THE ADULTS FLY UP IN THE SPRING, LAY THEIR EGGS.

THEY LIKE TO LAY THEIR EGGS OFTEN ON DIFFERENT SORTS OF WEEDY HOSTS.

LOW VEGETATION, LOW LYING VEGETATION.

AS YOU ARE GETTING THAT GARDEN GOING, THOSE CAN MOVE FROM YOUR WEEDY HOSTS INTO YOUR DIFFERENT VEGETABLE CROPS.

THEY ARE NOT TOO BIG OF A PROBLEM ON YOUNGER OR -- EXCUSE ME, WHEN THEY ARE IN THE YOUNGER LARVAL STAGES.

ONCE THEY REACH HALF AN INCH, THAT IS WHEN THEY START CUTTING PLANTS DOWN.

SOMETHING TO WATCH OUT FOR WITH THOSE SEEDLINGS WITH SPRING.

LIKEWISE ANY TRANSPLANTED PLANTS.

IF YOU ARE SEEING ANY CLIPPING OF THOSE PLANTS, USUALLY YOU CAN CONTROL THEM BY SORT OF EXCLUDING THEM.

YOU CAN PUT SOME BARRIERS LIKE A CAN AROUND THOSE PLANTS.

THAT IS USUALLY SUFFICIENT TO KEEP THEM FROM GETTING AWAY.

STICK IT DOWN IN THE SOIL A FEW INCHES.

HAVE A FEW INCHES STICKING UP.

THEY WILL CRAWL AWAY FROM THE PLANT AT NIGHT SO YOU'LL WANT TO KIND OF MONITOR FOR THEM IN THE EVENING.

YOU KNOW, DIG AROUND IN THE SOIL IF YOU ARE FINDING ANY CLIPPED PLANTS.

WATCH OUT FOR THESE THESE THIS SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KYLE.

GOSH, ROCH, YOU DON'T HAPPEN TO HAVE TO HAVE A DANDELION, DO YOU?

>> AS A MATTER OF FACT, I DO.

YOU ARE PROBABLY WONDERING WHY I WOULD SHOW A DANDELION BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A COMMON -- AND ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE SEEN MORE DANDELIONS THAN WE HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE 30 SOME-ODD YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE.

THE THING ABOUT DANDELION IS THAT THERE ARE OPTIMAL TIMINGS IF YOU ARE GOING THE HERBICIDE ROUTE.

THE OTHER THING IS, NOW THE SOIL IS NICE AND MOIST THROUGHOUT MOST OF NEBRASKA, SO THEY'RE RELATIVELY EASY TO PULL.

SO YOU HAVE THESE LONG, LEGGY THINGS.

IN TERMS OF USING A HERBICIDE, IF THAT IS THE ROUTE YOU CHOOSE TO GO, THE BEST TIME TO CONTROL IS THE FALL.

WE ALSO KNOW THE SECOND BEST TIME TO CONTROL THEM WITH A HERBICIDE APPLICATION IS AFTER THEY HAVE FLOWERED.

IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING FOR SEED PRODUCTION, BUT WHAT IT DOES DO, THAT PLANT IS AT A DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE IT IS WEAK FROM HAVING TO PUT ALL THAT ENERGY INTO SEED PRODUCTION AND FLOWER PRODUCTION.

THEREFORE THE HERBICIDE DOES A BETTER JOB OF KNOCKING IT BACK.

SO IF YOU ARE GOING TO GO THE HERBICIDE ROUTE, CERTAINLY NOW WOULD BE A TIME TO TREAT.

YOU'VE PROBABLY GOT FAIRLY GOOD CONTROL BUT NOT GREAT.

PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO TREAT AGAIN IN THE FALL.

ALSO THEY ARE RELATIVELY EASY TO PULL.

IF YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW IN YOUR YARD, DON'T REACH FOR THAT SPRAY BOTTLE.

SIMPLY KNOCK THEM DOWN BY PULLING THEM UP.

>> OR A SOIL KNIFE.

>> OR USE A KNIFE OR ANY ONE OF THOSE DIGGING TOOLS THAT WORK REALLY WELL FOR THEM.

>> PERFECT.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WOULD DO.

>> KYLE, YOU DON'T USUALLY BRING IN ANYTHING THAT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL FROM A DISTANCE, BUT I'M GUESSING IT IS NOT.

>> IF YOU ZOOM IN, YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF FUN FUZZIES GROWING ON SOME OF THESE BLOOMS.

SO HERE I ACTUALLY HAVE SOME SCENTED GERANIUMS.

THEY HAVE BOTRYTIS.

BOTRYTIS IS A FUNGAL PATHOGEN.

VERY COMMON IN A LOT OF GREENHOUSE SAMPLES.

VERY COMMON -- SO BOTRYTIS IS FAVORED BY MOIST AND HUMID CONDITIONS, LIKE WE HAVE IN A LOT OF GREENHOUSES.

SO IF YOU ARE OUT, STOCKING PLANTS AND NOTICE A FEW GERANIUMS THAT HAVE WATER SOAKING ON THE LEAVES OR YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE THERE IS SOME FUZZINESS KIND OF GROWING OFF OF THEM, REALLY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IS REMOVE THAT WITH YOUR HAND.

THEN TRY TO DRY THE PLANTS OUT.

DRY THE SOIL OUT A LITTLE BIT.

REALLY THE PLANTS WILL COME BACK JUST FINE.

BUT YEAH, JUST SOMETHING THAT WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THIS TIME OF YEAR AS WE ARE OUT SELECTING PLANTS, BUT NOTHING TO REALLY WORRY ABOUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

JOHN, IS THIS A NEW VARIETY OF ASPARAGUS?

WHAT IS IT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, KYLE IS THE ONE THAT USUALLY BRINGS THE UGLY AND WEIRD THINGS, AND I BRING THE PRETTY THINGS.

WE SWAPPED PLACES TODAY.

THIS IS THE ASPARAGUS FROM YOUR NIGHTMARES, RIGHT?

THIS WAS ACTUALLY GROWING IN MY GARDEN.

YOU SEE LIKE ALL OF THIS WEIRD, WHACKY GROWTH.

THIS IS A PHENOMENON CALLED FASCIATION.

YOU CAN SEE THIS IS TWO STALKS THAT GREW, TOGETHER, BUT STILL GREW WEIRD AND TWISTED.

WE GET FASCIATION FROM A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT COULD BE A VIRAL DISEASE, BUT I THINK THIS IS ACTUALLY FROM TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS.

WE GET A LOT OF THIS DURING WEIRD TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN YOUR ASPARAGUS, LIKE I HAD, IT IS STILL COMPLETELY EDIBLE.

YOU CAN STILL ENJOY THIS.

YOU KNOW, IT WON'T REALLY AFFECT THE FLAVOR.

I WOULD SAY PROBABLY THIS BIG CLUBBY, WOODY PART, PROBABLY NOT CHOICE EATING, BUT ALL THESE LITTLE TENDER THINGS UP HERE YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, JUST HAVE A LITTLE SNACK AND MUNCH AWAY.

>> WHOLE MEAL IN ONE SNACK.

>> IT IS BEAUTIFUL, THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

KYLE, YOU GET THE FIRST ROUND OF QUESTIONS.

THIS ONE IS FROM MILFORD.

THERE'S JUST A SINGLE PICTURE HERE ON THIS ONE.

THIS ONE, SHE WANTS TO KNOW IF THIS PIC IS AN ASH BEETLE OF SOME SORT.

>> NO, IT IS NOT AN ASH BEETLE.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL LONGHORN BEETLE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A HICKORY BORER.

SO THEY BORE INTO GENERALLY DYING HICKORY.

SOMETIMES SOME OTHER HARDWOODS AS WELL.

THEY CAN BE DISTINGUISHED FROM SOME SIMILAR LOOKING BORERS BY ALTERNATING WHITE AND YELLOW BANDS.

>> SO IS IT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CONTROLLED OR ENJOYED?

>> NO.

THEY ARE JUST, IN MY OPINION, A VERY BEAUTIFUL BEETLE BUT HARMLESS.

THEY ONLY WILL ATTACK THOSE TREES THAT ARE SORT OF DYING OR DEAD.

>> THANK YOU, KYLE.

YOUR SECOND PICTURE HERE IS FROM NORFOLK.

AND HE SAYS THESE FLIES TAKE OVER SUNNY WINDOWS IN THEIR HOME.

THEY LIVE NEAR LYNCH.

FOUND PREDOMINANTLY IN THE FALL.

MUCH LESS IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER.

THREE-EIGHTHS OF AN INCH LONG.

BUILT LIKE A HOUSEFLY BUT THEY HAVE BARS ON THE WINGS.

WHAT ARE THEY?

HOW TO KEEP THEM OUT?

>> YEAH.

GOOD QUESTION.

THIS IS A PICTURE-WINGED FLY.

I'M NOT AWARE OF A COMMON NAME FOR THIS PARTICULAR SPECIES, BUT THEY DEVELOP IN SEEDHEADS OF ASTERACEAE.

THEY ARE ONE OF THOSE REALLY COMMON FALL INVADERS.

THEY LIKE TO COME IN TO OVERWINTER IN HOMES.

SO IT IS KIND OF A COMMON ONE THAT WE SEE, ALONG WITH CLUSTER FLIES IN THE WINTER.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOT A SIMPLE ANSWER.

REALLY CONTROL OR KEEPING THEM OUT IS ALL ABOUT EXCLUSION, WHICH CAN BE REALLY TOUGH.

BECAUSE THEY CAN GET IN THE SMALLEST OF CRACKS.

YOU KNOW, I WOULD REALLY SAY FOCUS ON THAT SIDE OF THE HOME WHERE THERE IS AN ISSUE.

THAT SUNNY SIDE WHERE IT IS COMMON.

TRY TO FIND CRACKS OR CREVICES AROUND DOORS OR SIDING, ETC.

SEAL THAT UP.

ANYPLACE THAT YOU HAVE UTILITY PIPES OR WHATEVER ENTERING THE HOME, THOSE CAN BE ENTRY POINTS.

FIX ANY -- REPAIR ANY DAMAGED SCREENS ON WINDOWS.

THINGS OF THAT NATURE WILL KIND OF HELP KEEP THEM FROM COMING IN.

THAT IS ABOUT ALL YOU CAN DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KYLE.

ALL RIGHT.

ROCH, YOUR FIRST ONE IS FROM NORTH PLATTE HERE.

SHE WAS TOLD THIS IS FESCUE IN THE LAWN.

WAS ALSO TOLD TO USE A PRODUCT THAT IS EXPENSIVE OR ROUNDUP.

AND IS FESCUE BAD?

DOES IT OVERTAKE?

HOW DOES SHE GET RID OF IT IF SHE DOESN'T WANT IT IN THE LAWN?

>> FIRST OFF I GOING TO SAY, I DON'T THINK THIS IS FESCUE.

WHEN YOU SEE THOSE PATCHES THIS TIME OF YEAR, BEFORE THE BLUEGRASS GREENS UP -- AND WE DID HAVE A PROTRACTED WINTER AND SPRING, SO IT TOOK LONGER FOR THE BLUEGRASS TO GREEN UP.

BUT NONETHELESS, THE FESCUE GREENS UP ON OR ABOUT THE SAME, TIME, MAYBE A FEW DAYS DIFFERENCE.

BUT CLEARLY THIS IS AGGRESSIVELY GROWING IN AND AMONGST THE BLUEGRASS, WHICH HASN'T GREENED UP NOW.

I WANT TO SAY IT IS A WINTER ANNUAL, SO IT IS PROBABLY GOOD THEY DIDN'T BUY THE MORE EXPENSIVE PRODUCT TO WIPE OUT FESCUE.

SO IT IS EITHER LITTLE BARLEY, DOWNY BROME OR ANNUAL BLUEGRASS.

WE NEED A BETTER PICTURE, A MORE OF A CLOSEUP IF THEY WANT TO DEFINITIVELY IDENTIFY IT.

I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT IT IS ONE OF THE WINTER ANNUALS.

IN THAT CASE, YOU'RE GOING TO PUT DOWN A PREEMERGENT, LIKE YOU WOULD IN THE SPRING, ONLY YOU PUT IT DOWN IN THE FALL, AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER.

THEN IT WON'T COME BACK FROM SEED.

WHEN IT GETS REALLY HOT, AND THE BLUEGRASS STARTS AGGRESSIVELY GROWING, IT'S GOING TO PRETTY MUCH CHECK OUT ANYWAY.

SO THERE'S REALLY NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO SEND ANOTHER PIC OF THEY WANT MORE INFORMATION.

>> IF THEY WANT BETTER IDENTIFICATION, THEY CERTAINLY CAN TAKE ANOTHER PICTURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT TWO ARE APPARENTLY SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND IT HAS CONTINUED.

THIS IS ALONG THE SIDEWALK.

THIS IS IN LINCOLN.

THE LAWN CARE COMPANY WAS STUMPED.

THOUGHT IT WAS A GAS LEAK.

NO LEAKS.

THEY TOOK A SOIL SAMPLE.

TESTED NEGATIVE.

NO ARMYWORMS.

SO THIS IS ACTUALLY APRIL OF '22.

THREW DOWN SOME SEED.

THERE IS SOME GRASS GROWING THERE NOW.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHY IN THE WORLD WE MIGHT THINK THIS DIED.

>> SO I'M GOING TO SAY THAT THE -- WASN'T THE GAS, AND THE SOIL SAMPLE TESTED NEGATIVE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, WHAT THEY WERE TESTING FOR.

ALL THAT ASIDE, THIS LOOKS TO ME -- AND I'M GOING TO FLIP IT OVER TO KYLE TO MY RIGHT, NOT KYLE TO MY LEFT -- AFTER I GET DONE YAMMERING HERE -- BUT BASICALLY I THINK THIS IS ARMYWORM DAMAGE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THAT FIRST PICTURE, NATURE IS NEVER LINEAR, RIGHT?

IF YOU LOOK AT THAT PICTURE, IT ENDS RIGHT AT THE PROPERTY LINE, RIGHT?

WHEN THAT HAPPENS USUALLY THAT MEANS THE NEIGHBOR TREATED WITH SOMETHING THAT HAD A ACELEPRYN OR ONE OF THEIR GRUB CONTROL PRODUCTS, AND THEN YOU DON'T SEE THE DAMAGE BEYOND THE PROPERTY LINE.

ALSO WHEN YOU SEE IT, WE TEND TO SEE DAMAGE MOVE UPHILL FROM SIDEWALKS AND STUFF BECAUSE IT STARTED IN THE PARKWAY.

THEN, YOU KNOW, THEY LITERALLY MARCH ACROSS LIKE AN ACROSS THE SIDEWALK, THEN THEY MOVE UP.

SO I'M GOING TO TOSS IT TO KYLE AND SEE IF HE AGREES WITH MY ASSESSMENT,THEN I'LL BE CONFIRMED THAT MAYBE I WAS ONCE RIGHT.

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT IS CONSISTENT -- THAT LOOKS LIKE THAT COULD BE CONSISTENT WITH FALL ARMY WORMS.

WE SAW A LOT OF THAT LAST FALL, SO I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED AT ALL.

>> IF THAT IS WHAT THAT WAS, ALL RIGHT.

OTHER KYLE.

>> UH-HUH?

>> YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS VIEWER SAYS HER JUNIPERS ARE TURNING BROWN AND DYING.

SHE SENT US KIND OF A FAR AWAY AND CLOSER UP.

TWO DIFFERENT BANKS.

SHE SAYS IT SEEMS TO BE STARTING AT THE TIPS AND THEN WORKING IN.

FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS OLD.

SHE'S NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS VERY COMMON ON JUNIPERS ACROSS THE STATE.

REALLY ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION.

SEE IT A LOT ON CEDAR TREES AS WELL.

EASTERN RED CEDARS, WE THINK THAT NOTHING CAN KILL THEM.

WELL, THE DROUGHT AND THE WINTER THAT WE HAVE HAD CAN.

AND I THINK THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH HERE, IS SOME WINTER INJURY.

NOW WHEN WE GET TIP DIE-BACK, AGAIN FROM THE EDGE OF THE PLANT IN, TYPICALLY WE WANT TO START THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING MORE ENVIRONMENTAL.

NOT NECESSARILY FUNGAL.

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THERE COULD BE SOME CANKERS.

PHOMOPSIS CANKER IS INCREASING IN INCIDENCE ACROSS THE REGION AS WELL.

BUT BASED OFF OF WHAT I'VE BEEN SEEING A LOT THIS WEEK, AND LAST WEEK AS WELL, I REALLY THINK IT IS WINTER INJURY.

UNFORTUNATELY THOSE DEAD BRANCHES WON'T COME BACK, SO YOU MAY HAVE SOME HOLY JUNIPER SHRUBS.

>> THANKS.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES NOW.

THIS IS OTOE COUNTY ON A 40-ACRE PROPERTY.

AFTER THE RAIN THESE APPEARED ALL OVER THE CEDARS.

THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE BIG ONES BUT THE SECOND PICTURE IS ALL SORTS OF LITTLE ONES.

IS THIS THE SAME THING?

>> IT IS A RELATED THING.

SO THE BIG ONES, THE BIG GALLS WITH THE ORANGE HORNS THAT ARE OOZING OUT, THAT IS OUR OLD FRIEND, CEDAR APPLE RUST.

AGAIN, ESPECIALLY WITH RAINS WE HAVE HAD THE PAST WEEK, EXPECT THESE GALLS TO REMAIN ACTIVE.

THE SMALLER ONES ARE ANOTHER ONE OF OUR GYMNOSPORANGIUM RUSTS, BUT I THINK THIS IS ACTUALLY -- CEDAR HAWTHORNE RUST IS THE OTHER ONE.

SO INSTEAD OF THOSE SPORES BLOWING ONTO YOUR APPLES, YOUR PEARS, PRIMARILY THEY ARE GOING TO AFFECT YOUR HAWTHORNES; ANY NEIGHBORING HAWTHORNES THAT ARE IN THE AREA.

AS FAR AS CONTROL, REALLY TYPICALLY WE DON'T NEED TO DO A WHOLE LOT OF CONTROL ON THE JUNIPERS THEMSELVES.

BUT IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT CONTROLLING, OR IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT ANY DISEASES ON THE HAWTHORNES OR PEARS, CRABAPPLES, APPLES IN THE AREA, NOW IS THE TIME TO APPLY A FUNGICIDE, OR COPPER-BASED PRODUCT WOULD WORK AS WELL.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LIKE MUSHROOM HUNTING, ONE TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT LOOKING FOR MORELS IS WHEN THOSE CEDAR APPLE RUST GALLS ARE GOING TOO.

>> START THE HUNT.

>> START THE HUNT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JOHN, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES ARE NORTH OF PAWNEE LAKE.

THESE TREES ARE SIX YEARS OLD.

TOOK A BEATING.

THEY WATER, BUT THESE ARBORVITAE -- DOES SHE NEED TO REPLACE?

IT'S A PRETTY SIMPLE QUESTION.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS PROBABLY ALSO A FORM OF WINTER DAMAGE.

THE SIDES OF THOSE TREES HAVE DRIED OUT.

WE HAVE SEEN SO MUCH OF THAT THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE WINTER HAS BEEN SO DRY.

SINCE IT IS ALL ON THE SAME SIDE -- YOU KNOW, THAT IS THE SIDE THE WIND IS HITTING.

THE WINTER WIND IS SO DRY, SO I WOULD SAY IF YOU LOOKED AT CUTTING OUT ALL THAT DAMAGE, AND YOU STILL LOVED THE TREE THAT YOU SAW, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SAVE IT.

BUT PROBABLY NOT, BECAUSE ONCE IT IS CRISPY, IT IS DONE.

SO YOU CAN'T REALLY SAVE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES FOR THIS NEXT PERSON.

THIS IS GRETNA.

THESE ARBORVITAE WERE PLANTED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNERS, 2008, AND THEY ARE DYING ALL ON THE SAME SIDE.

>> SAME STORY.

THIS ONE IS SO INTERESTING BECAUSE IT IS LIKE SUCH -- LIKE THE DEAD SIDE IS THE SIDE THAT GETS THE WIND.

I CAN 99.9% GUARANTEE IT THAT THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.

SO, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE PROBABLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AS WELL, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO BE CUTTING OUT HALF OF THAT TREE.

AND IT'S NOT GOING TO LOOK PRETTY SO -- >> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JOHN.

BAGWORMS ARE A MENACING PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER OR WARMER MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

WHY ARE WE TELLING YOU ABOUT THEM NOW?

JODY SAYS NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO START SCOUTING YOUR SHRUBS, THOSE OTHER LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR THE BAGS.

HERE IS JODY TO TELL US MORE.

/\M >> IF YOU LIVE IN WINNIE, NEBRASKA, YOU ARE LIKELY FAMILIAR WITH BAGWORMS.

BAGWORMS ARE CATERPILLARS THAT ARE ESPECIALLY DAMAGING TO EVERGREENS LIKE SPRUCE, JUNIPER AND ARBORVITAE.

THEY ARE DEFOLIATORS THAT DAMAGE OUR PLANTS RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES BECAUSE THEY ARE HIDDEN IN SILKEN, CAMOUFLAGED BAGS.

BAGWORM CATERPILLARS ARE PROTECTED IN THESE BAGS, WHICH GROW WITH THE CATERPILLAR AND ARE COVERED WITH THE PLANT MATERIAL THEY ARE FEEDING ON.

THEY CAN FEED ON ANY PLANT, LIKE FLOWERING FRUIT TREES, HERBS, GRASSES, BUT ARE ESPECIALLY DAMMING TO CONIFERS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT REGENERATE THEIR NEEDLES.

AROUND EARLY JUNE HUNDREDS OF TINY CATERPILLARS EMERGE FROM THE BAGS THAT HAVE OVERWINTERED IN THE BAGS IN THE LANDSCAPE.

CATERPILLARS FEED JUNE THROUGH AUGUST.

BY THE END OF THE SEASON, THEIR BAGS CAN BE UP TO TWO INCHES LONG AND ATTACHED FIRMLY TO A BRANCH OR OTHER ITEM NEAR THE TREE.

THEY ARE OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR CONES OR PARTS OF THE TREE.

IN EARLY FALL MALE BAGWORMS EMERGE AS BROWN, FURRY MOTHS AND MATE WITH FEMALE BAGWORMS INSIDE THE FEMALE BAG.

SHE LEAVES HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF EGGS TO STAY OVERWINTERED ON THE TREE.

THIS MEANS THERE'S ONLY A SMALL PERIOD OF TIME WHEN BAGWORMS ARE ACTUALLY FEEDING AND EVEN SMALLER WINDOW OF TIME WHERE THEY ARE NOT PROTECTED BY THE BAG.

INSECTICIDE APPLICATION SHOULD THEREFORE BE TARGETED FOR THE YOUNGEST CATERPILLARS.

BIORATIONAL PRODUCTS, SUCH AS BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS, SPINOSAD OR AZADIRACHTIN ARE EFFECTIVE BUT MUST BE COMPLETELY AND THOROUGH APPLICATION ON THE FOLIAGE, BECAUSE THEY MUST FEED ON IT IN ORDER TO GET ENOUGH OF THE TOXICANT IN ORDER TO CONTROL THEM.

ONCE BAGS ARE OVER ONE INCH LONG, OPTIONS FOR MANAGEMENT INCLUDE HIRING A PROFESSIONAL COMPANY OR USING HOMEOWNER PRODUCTS SUCH AS ACEPHATE, CARBARYL,MALATHION, OR SYNTHETIC PYRETHROIDS SUCH AS BIFENTHRIN OR PERMETHRIN.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW THE LABEL.

NOW IS THE TIME TO LOOK AROUND YOUR LANDSCAPE AND REMOVE AND DESTROY ANY BAGWORMS THAT YOU SEE.

COME JUNE, AGAIN, CLOSELY INSPECT YOUR PLANTS AND LOOK FOR THOSE TEENY, TINY CATERPILLARS.

IF YOU HAVE SOME YOUNG CONIFERS YOU WANT TO PROTECT, CONSIDER YOUR TREATMENT OPTIONS AND REMEMBER, TIMING IS KEY.

>> BAGWORMS CAN REALLY BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY ON JUNIPERS THAT MIGHT BE DEAD ANYWAY, SO TAKE SOME TIME TO GET A BUCKET OF SOAPY WATER, DISPOSE OF ANY OF THOSE BAGS YOU MIGHT FIND.

THROW THEM ON THE GROUND FOR THE BIRDS.

THAT WORKS TOO.

ALL RIGHT.

KYLE, THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

ONE PICTURE HERE.

THEY SAY THIS OAK WAS PLANTED THREE YEARS AGO BY A NURSERY.

IT'S BEEN WELL CARED FOR BUT LAST YEAR DEVELOPED THESE FRINGED THINGS.

WHAT ARE THEY?

ARE THEY HARMFUL AND WHAT CAN THEY DO ABOUT THEM?

>> YEAH, THEY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE A GALL FROM PROBABLY A CYNIPID GALL WASP.

I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF THEM BEFORE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS REALLY ALMOST NO INFORMATION ABOUT THE SORT OF SIMILAR GALLS.

THERE IS NOT REALLY A WHOLE LOT YOU CAN DO.

THE GOOD NEWS IS, IT IS COSMETIC.

IT SHOULDN'T HARM THE TREE.

IF IT IS PRETTY ISOLATED, YOU COULD PRUNE OFF THE BRANCH WHERE YOU FIND IT AND DESTROY IT.

BUT OTHERWISE, IT SHOULDN'T HARM THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KYLE.

YOUR SECOND PICTURE HERE IS FROM CENTRAL OMAHA.

WHEN THEY MOVED A CACTUS ONTO THE DECK A COUPLE DAYS AGO, THEY FOUND A MUD GLOB.

IT DIDN'T LEAVE A MARK ON THE CACTUS.

WHAT KIND OF BUG LEFT THIS GIFT.

SHE WONDERS IF IT HAS HATCHED.

>> YEAH.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS THE NEST FROM A POTTER WASP.

THEY ARE REALLY, REALLY COOL.

THE ADULTS,THE FEMALES, THEY WILL COLLECT WATER AND DIRT SEPARATELY AND MIX IT UP IN THEIR MOUTH TO FORM THESE MUD NESTS.

THEN THEY WILL STING A CATERPILLAR AND -- USUALLY A CATERPILLAR AND PARALYZE IT AND PROVISION THE NEST WITH THAT, THEN THE LARVA FEEDS ON THAT.

SO AT LEAST IN SOME CASES THERE ARE SOME SPECIES WHERE THEY DO OVERWINTER IN THOSE NESTS AS PRE-PUPAE, SO THERE IS A CHANCE IT WAS STILL IN THERE.

I'M NOT SURE THAT IT WILL SURVIVE NOW.

YEAH,IT WAS PROBABLY STILL IN THERE IF IT WAS FROM LAST YEAR.

>> COOL.

THAT IS FUN.

ALL RIGHT, ROCH.

YOUR FIRST ONE COMES FROM A LOYAL VIEWER AT LAKE OF THE OZARKS.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS WEED IS.

TINY BROADLEAVES AT END OF THE STEM.

>> THIS IS HAIRY BITTERCRESS, WHICH IS A REALLY UNIQUE PLANT.

AT TOP YOU SEE THESE PODS.

WHEN THEY DESICCATE, THEY LITERALLY PROJECT.

THEIR HIGHLY PROJECTILE SEED LITERALLY COMES OFF OF THOSE.

IT GETS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THEY DO A GREAT JOB RE-SEEDING THEMSELVES.

SO BITTERCRESS IS A WINTER ANNUAL.

SHOWED SOME LIGHT FLOWERS PROBABLY EARLY IN THE SEASON.

PROBABLY ONE OF THE EARLIEST WINTER ANNUALS TO COME ABOUT.

IT IS AN INTERESTING WEED AND TENACIOUS IN ITS WAY TO DISTRIBUTE SEED.

THEY DESCRIBE IT AS LITERALLY EXPLOSIVE DISPERSAL OF SEED.

VERY COOL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW TO CONTROL IT?

>> YEAH.

>> CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT NOW.

IT IS A WINTER ANNUAL.

CAN PROBABLY USE A PRE IN THE FALL LIKE WE WOULD FOR A SPRING WEED, BUT DO IT IN THE FALL, PROBABLY AROUND SEPTEMBER.

>> THANKS, ROCH.

YOUR NEXT TWO ARE FROM WAHOO.

I THINK THE FOLLOWING IS KIND OF THE SAME GRASS.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT TYPE OF GRASS THIS IS AND HOW DO THEY GET RID OF IT IN A PREDOMINANTLY BLUEGRASS LAWN.

THE OTHER IS FROM ELKHORN.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS DOWNY BROME, WHICH IS A WINTER ANNUAL, ONCE AGAIN.

IT IS A GRASSY WEED BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF HERBICIDES YOU CAN USE TO DO IT.

IT IS RELATIVELY EASY TO CONTROL JUST BY THICKENING YOUR LAWN A LITTLE BIT, IF IT IS IN THE LAWN BED OR WHATEVER.

THIS IS BASICALLY DOWNY BROME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I DID SEE SOME THAT HAD ALREADY PUT ITS SEED HEADS ON.

>> I HAVE LOOKED AT SOME WITH SEED HEADS, BUT THE SEED HEADS ARE NOT MATURE YET.

SO I STILL SAY KEEPING THEM MOWED SO THE SEEDS DON'T GET PRODUCED AND WHATEVER.

KEEP THEM MOWED DOWN, BUT YOU CAN'T REALLY DO MUCH THIS TIME OF YEAR ANYWAY.

>> THANKS, ROCH.

KYLE, THIS IS TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS A MAPLE TREE, ABOUT 35 FEET TALL.

HAS A CRACKED AREA ABOUT SEVEN INCHES FROM GROUND LEVEL.

I THINK HE SENT A PICTURE OF THE CRACK, YEAH.

>> YEAH.

>> MUSHROOMS GREW INSIDE LAST FALL.

IT IS DAMP INSIDE AT TIMES WITH LOOSE MATERIAL OUTSIDE.

IT IS CLOSE TO THE GARAGE AND THE HOUSE.

ADVICE, PLEASE.

>> I WOULD CONTACT A CERTIFIED ARBORIST VERY QUICKLY AND TRY TO GET THAT TREE REMOVED.

SO I WASN'T REALLY ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MUSHROOMS WERE GROWING INSIDE OF THAT CRACK.

THEY ALMOST LOOK LIKE ARMILLARIA, BUT COULDN'T QUITE TELL.

BUT WITH IT BEING THAT LARGE, THAT CLOSE TO THE HOUSE, THAT TREE IS DEAD.

IT'S JUST HAVING TROUBLE ACKNOWLEDGING IT YET.

SO IT DOES NEED TO BE REMOVED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES FROM NORTH PLATTE ON THIS NEXT ONE, THEN A FOURTH PICTURE THAT IS PROBABLY SIMILAR.

IT IS A FRUIT-BEARING CHERRY TREE.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE BARK AND SAP BUBBLES.

YEAH, THERE IS A CRACK OBVIOUSLY.

THEN OUR THIRD PICTURE, I THINK, IS THE BUBBLES.

THEN THE FOURTH ONE IS FROM SARPY COUNTY.

IT IS BUBBLES.

>> YEAH.

SO THERE'S A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON THERE.

THE FIRST I WILL TALK ABOUT IS THE CRACK THAT IS ON THE BASE OF THIS TREE.

I THINK THAT IS MOST LIKELY SOME MORE WINTER INJURY.

PROBABLY FROST OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

FRUIT TREES HAVE FAIRLY THIN BARK.

WE DO TEND TO SEE THAT.

IF THAT'S ALL THAT WAS -- IF THAT WAS THE ONLY PROBLEM, I WOULDN'T BE TOO WORRIED ABOUT IT, AS THAT BARK WILL PROBABLY RECOVER THEN THIS YEAR.

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

>> YEAH.

TYPICALLY THE CRACKING ISN'T AS BIG OF AN ISSUE, UNLESS YOU SEE LIKE OTHER THINGS GOING ON WITH THAT CRACKING.

>> THANK YOU.

I SHOULD HAVE WARNED YOU ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT IS OKAY.

>> YOU WOKE ME UP.

>> THAT IS OKAY.

>> THEN THE OTHER THING, THOUGH, IS THE OOZE, OR THAT BACTERIAL EXUDATE THAT IS COMING OUT.

CAN'T REALLY TELL WHAT IT IS HERE.

COULD BE FIRE BLIGHT.

SO IF YOU ARE SEEING SOME BLACK PETIOLES, BLACKED LEAVES WITH A SHEPHERD'S CROOK, MOST LIKELY DEALING WITH FIRE BLIGHT.

OTHERWISE THERE IS A BACTERIAL CANKER CAUSED BY A PSEUDOMONAS BACTERIA THAT CAUSES SIMILAR SYMPTOMS .

THE LAST PICTURE I THINK IS SOMETHING ELSE.

I THINK THAT IS JUST GUMMOSIS.

GUMMOSIS, WE SEE IT ON A LOT OF FRUIT TREES.

GENERALLY IT IS A SIGN OF SOME OTHER STRESS.

SO WHETHER IT IS ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS, WHICH WE'VE HAD A LOT OF THIS YEAR.

COULD BE MECHANICAL STRESS.

COULD BE INSECT FEEDING OR COULD BE A SIGN OF SOME OTHER FUNGAL OR BACTERIAL DISEASE.

WHEN I LOOKED AT THAT LAST PICTURE A LITTLE BIT CLOSER, IT DID LOOK LIKE THE BARK WAS A LITTLE BIT SUNKEN IN THERE INDICATING MAYBE THERE IS SOME SORT OF CANKER.

POSSIBLY A CYTOSPORA CANKER.

BUT THE GUMMOSIS THAT IS COMING OUT IS JUST THE SAP FROM THE TREE SHOWING ITS SIGNS OF STRESS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KYLE.

JOHN, QUICK ANSWERS ON THESE.

THE FIRST IS, I LOVE YOUR SHOW.

HOW ABOUT THIS FIRST TREE.

THERE ARE TWO PICTURES.

THE FIRST IS THAT.

THE SECOND I THINK IS THE BASE OF THIS TREE.

IS THIS TREE A GONNER?

>> IT IS DEAD.

A VERY SUCCINCT ANSWER FOR YOU: IT IS DEAD.

>> YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ARE SOUTHEAST LINCOLN.

THIS IS -- LET'S SEE.

THIS NEIGHBOR SHOWED DAMAGE TO THE TREE IN THE YARD.

DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

WHAT COULD HE DO ABOUT IT.

AGAIN THERE, ARE TWO PICTURES HERE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YEAH.

THAT IS ANOTHER ONE LIKE -- SO THE CRACK IS ONE THING, BUT SEE ING WHAT IS GOING ON UNDERNEATH, LOOKS LIKE THERE'S SOME DEAD WOOD UNDERNEATH.

LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A CRACK THAT GOES INTO THE TREE, SO I THINK THAT IS A CANDIDATE FOR REMOVAL AS WELL.

AS KYLE SAID, IT IS DEAD, IT JUST HASN'T ACKNOWLEDGED IT YET.

>> ALL RIGHT, I LOVE THAT.

THANKS.

WE FINALLY GOT GOOD MOISTURE IN LINCOLN.

THAT MEANS OUR GARDEN WILL SOON BE PLANTED.

LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HEAR FROM TERRI JAMES ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

/\M >> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN WE ARE ENJOYING THE MUCH APPRECIATED RAIN THAT ALMOST THE WHOLE STATE HAS BEEN SEEING OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS.

ALTHOUGH IT HAS STALLED US STALLED US IN GETTING OUR WALL COMPLETED AND SOME OF OUR PLANTS IN THE GARDEN, WE ARE REALLY HAPPY WE ARE GETTING THIS MOISTURE THAT IS NEEDED ACROSS THE STATE, WITH MANY OF US BEING IN DROUGHT AREAS.

WE ARE ENJOYING SOME OF OUR SMALL FRUITS THAT ARE JUST GETTING THE FLOWERS ON THEM.

AND WE ARE WATCHING OUR SPRING GARDENS THAT HAVE PLANTED.

OUR PEAS AND RADISHES AND LETTUCES THAT ARE COMING UP IN THE RAISED BEDS.

SO ENJOY THE RAIN AS WE GET IT.

STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN AND CHECK IT OUT.

>> THANKS, TERRI, WE DO LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THOSE PLANTS OUT OF THE GREENHOUSE AND INTO THE GROUND.

WE DO NEED TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, WE WILL HAVE THAT LIGHTENING ROUND AND PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

STAY WITH US FOR MORE BACKYARD FARMER RIGHT AFTER THIS.

/\M [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] >> WELCOME BACK TO BACKYARD FARMER.

LATER ON IN THE PROGRAM WE'LL BE OFFERING YOU SOME TIPS FOR YOUR HOME LANDSCAPE TO HELP SUPPRESS THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE OVERTAKING YOUR HOME.

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

SEND US PICTURES AND E-MAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU FOR A FUTURE SHOW.

RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTENING ROUND.

JOHN, YOU ARE FIRST UP TODAY.

>> I'M READY.

I CAN TAKE EM.

>> YOU THINK.

OKAY.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO GOT ONE OF THOSE LITTLE PIXIE LILIES THAT WAS IN FULL BLOOM AS A GIFT.

SHE'S WONDERING CAN SHE PLANT IT NOW.

IF SO, WHERE?

WHAT CONDITIONS DO THEY LIKE?

>> I WOULD WAIT JUST A LITTLE BIT.

LET IT WARM UP A LITTLE BIT MORE.

FULL SUN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER TWO VARIETIES OF BLUEBERRIES ARE NEEDED FOR BEST FRUITING.

>> THAT IS TRUE.

NEBRASKA IS NOT THE BEST PLACE TO GROW BLUEBERRIES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THEY SHOULD CUT OFF THE FLOWERS OR SEEDHEAD THINGS ON DAFFODILS OR TULIPS TO CONSERVE THE ENERGY IN BULBS.

>> IT IS NOT NECESSARILY NEEDED.

IT WILL HELP A LITTLE BIT BUT DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO USE THEIR EGGSHELLS OR COFFEE GROUNDS DIRECTLY INTO PLANTING BEDS.

>> I WOULD COMPOST THEM FIRST JUST TO NOT ATTRACT ANIMALS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IF THIS SIOUX CITY VIEWER PLANTS DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF TOMATOES NEXT TO EACH OTHER, WILL THEY CROSS-POLLINATE?

>> NOT NECESSARILY, BECAUSE FLOWERS ARE CLOSED AND DON'T CROSS-POLLINATE EASILY.

>> THERE YOU GO.

VERY NICE.

NOT TIME FOR THE LAST QUESTION, SO I WILL SAVE IT FOR YOU.

OKAY.

FIRST, KYLE.

>> READY.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS MUSHROOMS IN THEIR LAWN THAT HAVE COME UP RECENTLY AND THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PETS AND WHETHER THEY ARE POISONOUS OR WHAT EXACTLY SHOULD THEY DO ABOUT MUSHROOMS IN THEIR LAWN.

>> SO IT DEPENDS WHAT TYPE OF MUSHROOMS IT IS.

SOME ARE POISONOUS, SOME ARE NOT.

WITHOUT KNOWING MORE ABOUT IT, WE CAN'T MAKE A DETERMINATION.

REGARDING WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT, NOT A WHOLE LOT.

ASIDE FROM MECHANICAL REMOVAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS PEPPER PLANTS GROWING IN THEIR GREENHOUSE, OR IN THEIR HOUSE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY HAVE SEEN SMALL LITTLE SPOTS, LIKE BLISTERS ON THE BACK OF THE LEAVES, THEN THE LEAVES DIE.

ANY IDEA?

>> MOST LIKELY AN EDEMA.

IT IS CAUSED BY WATERING, MOISTURE SITTING ON THE LEAVES TOO LONG.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A DE WITT VIEWER THAT WONDERS WHETHER OAK ANTHRACNOSE WILL APPEAR ON LITTLE BITTY LEAVES, OR WILL THAT HAPPEN LATER?

>> IT CERTAINLY CAN, YES.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO FOUND A WHITE SUBSTANCE ON THE LEAVES OF THEIR SQUASH LAST YEAR.

THEY WONDER WHAT IT WAS AND WILL IT HAPPEN THIS YEAR?

>> POWDERY MILDEW.

IT WILL PROBABLY COME BACK THIS YEAR.

>> THAT'S NOT VERY ENCOURAGING.

>> I HAD TO BE QUICK.

>> TAKE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY, ROCH.

THIS IS A FOLLOWUP E-MAIL TO ONE OF YOUR QUESTIONS FROM TWO WEEKS AGO.

YOU MENTIONED A CHEMICAL THAT STARTS WITH AN "F" THAT YOU USE TO KILL GROUND IVY.

WHAT WAS THAT?

>> FLOUXEPURE.

>> FLOUXEPURE.

>> TELL US MORE.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> NO, JOHN.

WE HAVE A WESTERN NEBRASKA VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO CONTROL PUNCTURE WEED IN WESTERN NEBRASKA.

>> I'M ASSUMING THEY ARE MEANING PUNCTURE VINE, WHICH IS A BROADLEAF.

OR THEY COULD ALSO BE TALKING ABOUT GRASSY SANDBUR.

LET'S ASSUME PUNCTURE VINE.

IT IS BEST CONTROLLED WITH PREEMERGENTS, JUST LIKE YOU WOULD WITH A CRABGRASS PREVENTER.

NOT ALL OF THEM WORK.

WE HAVE SOME INFORMATION ON TURF.UNL.EDU WEBSITE FOR THAT.

>> OKAY.

SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER IT IS THE TIMING FOR WEED AND FEED.

IS IT PAST TIME, CURRENT TIME WITH THE COOL TEMPERATURES?

>> THEY CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT NOW.

WE ARE NOT BIG FANS OF WEED AND FEED PRODUCTS, BECAUSE THEY PUT HERBICIDE WHERE YOU DON'T NEED IT.

WE WOULD RATHER YOU SPOT SPRAY FOR BROADLEAF WEEDS, IF YOU FEEL THE NEED FOR HERBICIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ANOTHER VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW IS IT TIME FOR THE SECOND APPLICATION OF A PREEMERGENT IF THEY PUT DOWN ONE ALREADY.

>> IF THEY PUT DOWN ONE ALREADY YOU NEED TO WAIT BECAUSE WE ARE JUST IN THE OPTIMAL TIMING FOR THE FIRST ROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO KILL ALL THE BROADLEAFS WITHOUT KILLING THE CLOVER, BECAUSE THEY WANT A CLOVER LAWN.

>> WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> IN OTHER WORDS, YEAH/NO.

>> THERE IS NO -- THE BROADLEAF HERBICIDES, THERE USED TO BE BROADLEAF HERBICIDE FOR ANOTHER.

IT IS OFF THE MARKET FOR OTHER REASONS, SO YEAH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I'M CALLING FOUL, BECAUSE THE CLOCK DIDN'T START UNTIL YOUR SECOND QUESTION.

>> I GOT INTERRUPTED WHILE I WAS TALKING.

>> I'M WATCHING.

>> COME ON.

>> BACK UP HERE.

>> AND GLOVES COME OFF.

[LAUGHTER] >> YOU ARE GOING TO WIN JUST FOR THAT REASON.

YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE NOT FIGHTING.

OKAY.

>> THIS KYLE WASN'T.

>> I DIDN'T SAY WHICH KYLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS KYLE.

ARE YOU READY?

>> I'M READY.

>> IT IS TIME FOR VIEWERS TO START LOOKING FOR THE MAGNOLIA SCALE CRAWLERS THEN TREAT THEM?

>> I WILL PASS.

I'M NOT SURE ON THAT.

>> OKAY.

IS THERE A SAFE WAY TO ELIMINATE GROUND-NESTING BEES IF PEOPLE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THEM WITH CHILDREN AND PETS?

>> NO.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S REALLY A NEED TO REMOVE THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SOLITARY.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS REALLY NOT A CONCERN WITH THEM STINGING CHILDREN OR PETS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO LAST YEAR HAD TINY HOLES IN A LOT OF THEIR PERENNIALS, STARTING RIGHT NOW.

LAST YEAR WE SAID IT WAS FLEA BEETLES.

IS THAT POSSIBLE THIS YEAR, BECAUSE THEY ARE SEEING THEM ALREADY.

>> YES, IT IS POSSIBLE.

>> WHAT DO THEY DO ABOUT IT?

>> OH GOSH.

THAT IS A TOUGH ONE.

IT WOULD DEPEND.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAD -- WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO KEEP JUVENILE PRAYING MANTISES ALIVE.

>> GOOD LUCK.

THEY TEND TO EAT EACH OTHER, SO YOU CAN USE -- TRY FEEDING THEM FRUIT FLIES.

YOU CAN GET THOSE FROM A PET STORE.

>> THIS VIEWER HAD BORES IN DOGWOOD TERRIBLY.

IS THERE A TREATMENT NOW OR IT IS -- THEY WILL PROBABLY COME BACK?

>> YES.

PROBABLY COME BACK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MOSQUITO SERVICES ARE BEING ADVERTISED.

IS THAT A YES OR NO FOR YOUR YARD?

>> I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

>> OKAY.

NO.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHO WON?

>> NOBODY WON.

>> ME.

>> NOBODY WON.

THE KYLES -- >> I'LL TAKE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JOHN, YOU GET PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

>> OKAY.

WELL, WE HAVE LOVELY YELLOW DUO HERE.

UP TOP YOU MIGHT THINK, WELL THIS IS A CARNATION OR A ROSE, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THAT IS ACTUALLY A NARCISSUS, OR SOMETIMES WE REFER TO FLOWERS LIKE THIS AS DAFFODILS, ARE CLOSELY RELATED.

IT IS A DOUBLE VARIETY, SO YOU SEE THAT VERY CUTE LITTLE FLOWER.

IF YOU PLANT DAFFODILS, AND THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU CAN FIND THOSE LITTLE TINY DOUBLE ONES.

THOSE ARE REALLY FUN.

THEN DOWN BELOW WE HAVE THIS VARIEGATED YELLOW ARCHANGEL.

THIS IS VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE IT IS ACTUALLY IN THE MINT FAMILY.

MOST MINTS HAVE SORT OF PURPLEISH/BLUE FLOWERS.

THIS ONE, AS YOU SEE, IS BRIGHT YELLOW.

SO IT IS KIND OF FUN.

THE THING ABOUT MINTS IS THAT THEY SPREAD.

THIS ONE YOU KIND OF WANT TO SPREAD BECAUSE IT MAKES A LOVELY GROUND COVER, SO IT WILL ACTUALLY SPREAD UNDERGROUND AND SORT OF FILL IN AN AREA.

SO THAT IS AN EXCELLENT GROUND COVER OPTION THAT WILL GROW IN ACTUALLY PRETTY NOT-NICE SOIL CONDITIONS.

IT IS PRETTY HEARTY.

>> PERFECT.

THANK YOU, JOHN.

KYLE, YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SENT PICTURES OF SOMETHING EATING THE LEAVES OF THEIR JAPANESE TREE LILAC.

PLANTED THREE YEARS AGO.

OBVIOUSLY LEAVES ARE NOT -- THIS IS A PICTURE FROM LAST YEAR.

SAYS, BY LATE SUMMER LOOKS LIKE THIS.

NEXT SPRING TREES LOOK FINE AGAIN.

IS THIS INSECT RAGGING OR MAYBE SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

>> YEAH.

I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO ASK KYLE ABOUT THIS TOO.

THIS IS ONE THAT HAS A LOT OF UNKNOWNS FOR ME.

I'M NOT ENTIRELY CONVINCED THIS IS INSECT FEEDING.

IT COULD BE.

ALSO I THINK YOU KNOW THE DESCRIPTION OF THE WAY IT KIND OF DECLINED THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, LEAVES CURLED AND LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE.

I'M NOT SURE THAT IS RELATED TO ANY SORT OF FOLIAGE FEEDING HERE EITHER.

SO REALLY WITH LILAC THE BIGGEST SORT OF INSECT PESTS I THINK OF WOULD BE LILAC BORES, WHICH IS A CLEAR-WINGED MOTH.

ADULTS DON'T FEED ON LEAVES OR ANYTHING.

THEY CAN CAUSE SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT INJURY BORING INTO BRANCHES.

THEY CAN CAUSE SOME EXPANDING AT THE BASE OF THOSE BRANCHES.

THE BARK TENDS TO KIND OF COME LOOSE AROUND THERE.

THEY CAN MAKE IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKING.

SO, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT KNOWING MORE ABOUT WHAT THE BRANCH BARK LOOKS LIKE, IT IS HARD TO SAY IF THERE'S ANY ISSUES WITH THAT.

BUT THE WAY IT WAS SORT OF DECLINING THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, AND THEN THE LEAVES WERE CURLING, I WAS KIND OF WONDERING IF IT COULD BE AN ABIOTIC OR PATHOGEN ISSUE.

KYLE, IF YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> THERE ARE SOME TREES THAT WILL GET LEAF TATTERS THAT APPEAR.

I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT ON LILAC, BUT I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHY IT WOULDN'T OCCUR ON LILAC.

THAT DOES TEND TO BE SOMETHING ABIOTIC.

BASICALLY THE LEAVES AREN'T DEVELOPING THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO AND COME OUT LOOKING ALL SORT OF TATTERED.

>> NOTHING YOU CAN DO.

>> NOTHING YOU CAN DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL WAIT UNTIL LATER IN THE SEASON.

THE SECOND PICTURE ARE TWO VIEWERS IN OMAHA, KYLE.

FOUND THESE ANTS ALONG THE SIDEWALK.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

WILL THEY GO INTO THE GRASS AND WORK THEIR WAY INTO THE HOUSE?

>> YEAH, THESE ARE PROBABLY PAVEMENT ANTS.

WE TEND TO SEE THEM NESTING, YOU KNOW, AROUND PAVEMENT.

UNDER SLABS OF HOUSES, ET CETERA.

THEY ARE OUTDOOR ANTS.

THEY HAVE THEIR NESTS.

THEY COLONY ON THE OUTSIDE BUT WILL COME INSIDE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SPRING WHEN THEY ARE RAMPING UP THEIR COLONY AND ARE LOOKING FOR FOOD AND FIND ALL KINDS OF EASY ACCESS TO FOOD IN YOUR KITCHEN.

SO THEY WILL FORAGE INSIDE.

TO CONTROL, IF YOU ARE FINDING THEM INSIDE THE HOME, ONE, YOU KNOW, SEAL UP ANY CRACKS AROUND THE FOUNDATION ANYPLACE YOU CAN FIND THAT.

THAT CAN HELP EXCLUDE THEM FROM COMING IN.

YOU CAN USE BAITS INSIDE,LIQUID BAITS.

THOSE ARE EFFECTIVE INSIDE.

OUTSIDE, IF YOU WANTED TO TRY TO TREAT THEM, THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW, BAITING OPTIONS.

THERE'S GRANULAR BAITS YOU COULD PUT DOWN.

I DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT ABOUT THE GRANULAR BAITS FOR ANTS.

THERE ARE SOME LIQUID BAITS YOU CAN ALSO USE OUTDOORS.

SO THOSE WOULD BE A FEW OPTIONS, BUT YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOLLOWING ANY LABEL INSTRUCTIONS WITH THOSE.

>> THANKS, KYLE.

ROCH, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS RURAL TRUMBULL, NEBRASKA.

TALL, THIN BLADE, FINE BLADE FESCUE IS ENCROACHING IN THE BUFFALO GRASS AND WONDERING HOW BEST TO ELIMINATE THAT WITHOUT HARMING THE BUFFALO GRASS.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE FESCUE THAT IS IN HIS YARD, RIGHT.

>> UH-HUH.

>> IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL FROM THOSE PICTURES.

IT COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF WINTER ANNUALS.

THAT IS NOT A FESCUE SEEDHEAD WE SEE IN THIS PICTURE, THE FINAL ONE, BUT I THINK IT IS ANOTHER GRASS, SO I THINK THERE IS MORE THAN ONE GOING ON.

I GUESS THE VIEWER SENT US A CLOSEUP BECAUSE THE CONTROL RECOMMENDATION IS GOING TO VARY CONSIDERABLY, DEPENDING UPON WHAT THE SPECIES IS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE JUST ONE PICTURE HERE.

THIS IS A VIEWER THAT SAYS, WHAT IS CAUSING THIS?

HE USED A WINTERIZER LAST FALL.

HE'S GOT SPOTS OF REALLY GOOD GRASS AND THEN HARDLY ANYTHING AROUND IT.

>> FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS ASK IF THEY HAVE A DOG.

THIS LOOKS LIKE DOG SPOT.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE A DOG, THERE COULD BE ANOTHER SPECIES OF GRASS THAT MOVED IN.

THEY DO HAVE SOME GRASS GREENING UP AROUND IT.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WINTER ANNUAL TONIGHT.

COULD BE ANOTHER WINTER ANNUAL GRASS IN THERE.

IF THEY HAVE A DOG THAT DEFINITELY LOOKS LIKE DOG SPOT, OR IF THERE WAS A DAMAGED AREA AND THEY WERE OVERSEEDING, THAT WOULD EAT UP MORE SO IT WOULD BE GREEN QUICKER.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT COULD BE GOING ON.

FIRST THING I THINK ABOUT IS DOG SPOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

KYLE, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES ARE AN ASHLAND VIEWER.

THE FIRST IS A PEACH.

THE SECOND I THINK IS A CHERRY OR AN APPLE.

WONDERS WHAT ALL THESE SPOTS ARE AS THEY ARE LEAFING OUT RIGHT NOW.

SHE SENT THIS ON MAY 3RD.

>> YEAH, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING ENVIRONMENTAL.

MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE COOLER TEMPERATURES THAT WE'VE HAD.

IN THE E-MAIL THEY MENTIONED THERE WERE SOME OTHER PESTS AND PLANTS AS WELL, BUT THAT DARKNESS IS MOSTLY ABIOTIC.

>> SO NOTHING THEY CAN DO?

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JOHN, YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT SAYS -- APPEARS TO HAVE A BLUE SPRUCE BRANCH COMING OUT.

OH, THIS IS AN ASPARAGUS ONE.

>> THAT IS A VERY INTERESTING BLUE SPRUCE THERE.

>> I'VE GOT THE WRONG ONE.

SO THIS IS THE ASPARAGUS ONE.

HE TRANSPLANTED THIS WITH A TRACTOR AND WONDERING WHETHER HE CAN HARVEST ANY OF THE SHOOTS.

THIS IS TARNOV, NEBRASKA IN PLATTE COUNTY.

>> I WOULDN'T HARVEST IN THE YEAR YOU TRANSPLANT.

I WOULD DO A LIMITED IN YEAR TWO AND FULL HARVEST YEAR THREE.

BASICALLY YOU WANT TO THE LEAVE ANY STALK THAT IS THE SIZE OF A PENCIL OR SMALLER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS -- THIS IS A YUCCA.

PLANTED IN THE LATE 70S WHEN THERE WAS LOTS OF SUN.

NOW THERE ISN'T.

SHE'S CUT IT DOWN.

IT KEEPS COMING BACK.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER SHE SHOULD GET RID OF IT.

>> YEAH, SO IF IT IS IN A SHADED AREA, IT IS NOT GOING TO DO MUCH, SO I WOULD MOVE IT OR GET RID OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, SOME PARTS OF OUR STATE EXPERIENCED SOME DEVASTATING FIRES A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

BENJAMIN BOHALL FROM THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO HELP HOMEOWNERS, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS, WITH LANDSCAPE TIPS THAT JUST SAVE YOUR HOME.

/\M >> SO I'M SURE FOR ANYBODY THAT'S BEEN WATCHING THE NEWS, THE BIGGEST THING HAS BEEN THE ROAD 702 FIRE, WHICH HAPPENED ROUGHLY TWO WEEKS AGO.

BEFORE THAT WE HAD THE ROAD 739 FIRE.

THE ROAD 702 BURNT ABOUT 45,000 ACRES.

THAT WAS IN FURNAS COUNTY AND RED WILLOW COUNTY.

BEFORE THAT THE 739 FIRE WAS IN FURNAS COUNTY AS WELL AND IN GOSPER COUNTY.

SO IT'S BEEN A VERY ACTIVE FIRE SEASON SO FAR.

WHAT'S FUNNY IS TYPICALLY WE'D BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IN JUNE ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL SEPTEMBER, BECAUSE THAT IS A TYPICAL WILDFIRE SEASON.

BUT OUR CREWS HAVE BEEN GOING HARD SINCE NOVEMBER.

YOU KNOW, THE DRY SUMMER LAST YEAR, THE RECORD LOW SNOWFALL THIS TIME AROUND DURING THE WINTER AND OF COURSE THE HIGH WINDS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING HAVE LED TO NUMEROUS RED FLAG WARNINGS AROUND THE STATE.

THEN, OF COURSE, THESE FIRES.

WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT AREAS LIKE TYPICALLY IN SUBURBAN PARTS OF THE TOWN.

AREAS THAT HAVE LIKE LARGER LOTS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE WE HAVE MORE VEGETATION.

THAT'S NOT SO MUCH OF AN ISSUE IN INNER CITIES, LIKE DOWNTOWN OMAHA AND DOWNTOWN LINCOLN.

SO FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO LIVE IN MORE RURAL PARTS OF STATE OR LARGER LOTS WITH MORE VEGETATION ON THEIR PROPERTIES, WE WANT THEM TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT THEY ARE PLANTING.

SO IN NEBRASKA WE SUBSCRIBE TO FIREWISE, WHICH IS A MODEL THAT HELPS US DETERMINE BASICALLY A GOOD STRATEGY FOR WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE PLANTING, YOU KNOW, AROUND OUR HOMES.

WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT ZONES THAT CREATE WHAT WE CALL DEFENSIBLE SPACES.

WE START WITH WHAT'S CALLED THE IMMEDIATE ZONE.

THAT IS WITHIN FIVE FEET OF A STRUCTURE.

WITHIN THOSE FIVE FEET WE WANT TO AVOID THINGS LIKE PLANTING JUNIPER, SOMETHING THAT IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.

WE WANT TO KEEP OUR GRASS MOWED, KEEP IT VERY SHORT AROUND THE BASE OF OUR HOMES, SHEDS, DECKS, YOU NAME IT.

WE ALSO WANT TO FOCUS ON PLANTING THINGS LIKE PERENNIALS AS OPPOSED TO WILDFLOWERS.

FROM THERE WE MOVE INTO WHAT WE CALL OUR INTERMEDIATE ZONE.

THAT'S FIVE TO THIRTY FEET AWAY FROM A STRUCTURE.

THE BIG FOCUS THERE IS PRUNING.

WE WANT TO LOOK AROUND AND SEE IF WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, TREES, LIKE LIMBS HANGING OVER OUR ROOFTOP.

THAT IS ESSENTIAL.

WE WANT TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRE.

IF WE HAVE AN ACTIVE FIRE SITUATION, THOSE LIMBS ARE COMING DOWN, IT IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM.

IN TERMS OF PLANTING, WE'LL FOCUS MORE ON, YOU KNOW, OAK, HONEY LOCUST, ELM.

STILL STAYING AWAY FROM JUNIPER, SPRUCE, ANY OF THE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE SORT OF PLANTS.

FROM THERE WE MOVE TO WHAT'S CALLED THE EXTENDED ZONE.

THAT'S 30 TO 100 FEET FROM A STRUCTURE.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE REALLY GOING TO FOCUS NOT SO MUCH ON WHAT IS AROUND A HOUSE.

WE'LL BE LOOKING AT WHAT IS IN OUR YARDS.

WHAT TYPE OF LITTER IS THERE.

ARE THERE DOWNED TREE LIMBS, BRANCHES, PINECONES, SEEDS.

THESE ARE ALL FLAMMABLE AND CAN CAUSE A PROBLEM.

WE ARE NOT THINKING SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO START A FIRE.

WE WANT TO STOP THE SPREAD OF A FIRE IN THAT AREA.

AND THIS IS ALSO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN START LOOKING AT JUNIPER, SPRUCE, FIR, THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY PLANT THOSE ITEMS.

>> IT'S BEEN SAID YOU CAN'T FOOL MOTHER NATURE.

HOPEFULLY SOME OF THESE TIPS BEN OFFERED WILL KEEP FUTURE FIRES AWAY FROM YOUR HOME.

>>> YOU KNOW, THERE ARE MANY MORE FEATURES YOU CAN WATCH THAT WILL HELP YOU CREATE A MORE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE, KEEP THAT LAWN GREEN OR GROW YOUR OWN FOOD ON THE BACKYARD FARMER YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

SO YOU CAN WATCH THIS FEATURE AND ALL THOSE PAST PROGRAMS THERE ALSO.

TAKE A FEW MINUTES, CHECK IT OUT AFTER THE SHOW, HIT SUBSCRIBE.

ALL RIGHT, GUYS.

WE ARE ON A ROLL HERE, ALMOST LIGHTENING ROUND, SO FIRST ONE FOR YOU IS FROM ELKHORN, KYLE.

IS THIS A GOOD LADY BUG OR ONE OF THOSE ASIAN ONES.

HOW CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE?

>> IT IS THE ASIAN LADY BEETLE.

IN SHORT, YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE BY THE SORT OF M SPOT BEHIND THE HEAD.

>> OKAY.

YOUR SECOND ONE HERE IS A GREENWOOD VIEWER.

THEY ARE WONDERING WHAT KIND OF BUGS THESE ARE THAT THEY FOUND IN A SPIREA.

THEY LOOK LIKE ROLEY-POLEYS.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS REALLY COOL.

LOOKS LIKE MAYBE A MANTIS OR SOMETHING.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THESE BEFORE, BUT THESE ARE DOMESTICS INSIDE OF THERE.

LIKE CARPET BEETLES.

WE GET THOSE AT HOME.

THAT IS WHAT THESE ESSENTIALLY ARE.

SO I THINK MAYBE IT IS LIKE A TROGODERMIS SPECIES.

SOME OF THOSE WILL FEED IN NESTS OF BEES AND WASPS, BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN THEM LIKE THIS BEFORE.

COOL.

>> DEAR.

POOR MANTISES.

GONE.

>> THEY WERE PROBABLY DEAD FIRST ANYWAY.

>> OKAY, ROCH.

DANDELION CONTROL.

>> HOLY COW.

>> MY DANDELION POPULATION IS OUT OF CONTROL.

SHE DOESN'T LIKE TO USE PESTICIDES.

SHE PROBABLY KNOWS SHE WILL NEED TO.

SHE WONDERS ABOUT WEED AND FEED.

>>I WOULD SAY NO WEED AND FEED BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO USE PESTICIDES.

THERE IS A PRODUCT CALLED FIESTA.

IT'S BEEN AVAILABLE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW.

WE HAVE TESTED IT FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.

IF YOU CAN PUT ON THREE TO FOUR APPLICATIONS, ONE LEFT IN THE SPRING AND TWO OR THREE IN THE FALL, YOU WILL GET SOMEWHERE MORE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 85% CONTROL.

THE PRODUCT IS FIESTA AND IT'S ORGANIC AND PROBABLY ALLEVIATES SOME OF THE FEARS OF USING A SYNTHETIC PESTICIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

YOUR NEXT ONE HERE IS, WHAT IS THIS?

SHOULD SHE ELIMINATE IT?

IT IS ON THE FRINGE OF A BERM IN WEST OMAHA.

>> THIS IS HENBIT.

SHE SHOULD GET IT BEFORE IT CONTINUES TO SEED.

IT IS PROBABLY SEEDING NOW.

AT LEAST IT IS NOW THROUGH EASTERN NEBRASKA.

SIMPLY PULL IT UP.

IT WILL PULL UP EASILY.

NO NEED TO USE HERBICIDE NOW BECAUSE IT PRODUCES MORE SEED AND WILL DIE ANYWAY.

IT IS A WINTER ANNUAL AND WILL DIE WHEN GETS HOT, BUT I WOULD STILL CONSIDER PULLING IT UP TO TRY TO PULL AWAY SOME OF THAT SEED THAT COULD GET DROPPED.

>> THANK YOU, ROCH.

KYLE, YOUR FIRST IS FROM ASHLAND.

AGAIN, IT'S THE SAME VIEWER THAT HAD THE PEACH ONE.

THIS IS A DAPPLED WILLOW THAT SHE IS ALSO SEEING SPOTS ON THE UNDERSIDE, SO A COMPLETEY DIFFERENT FAMILY AND DIFFERENT PLANT.

>> YEAH.

I THINK IT IS PRIMARILY DUE TO COLDER TEMPERATURES WE HAVE HAD.

COULD BE ANTHRACNOSE, BUT WE HAVEN'T REALLY HAD THE HEAT FOR DOGWOOD ANTHRACNOSE YET.

OR WILLOW ANTHRACNOSE.

>> I DIDN'T REALIZE WILLOW GOT ANTHRACNOSE.

>> EVERYTHING GETS ANTHRACNOSE.

>> AND WILLOWS GET EVERYTHING.

>> AND WILLOWS GET EVERYTHING.

>> YOUR NEXT ONE IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THEY WANT METHODS OF TREATING SNOW MOLD IN THE LAWN.

THEY HAD IT ALL OVER LAST SPRING.

THEY REMOVED A FILM ON THE GRASS, CIRCLES, AND DROPPED NEW SEED IN IT.

SO WHAT YOU ARE SEEING FOR NEW THERE WAS WHERE THE MOLD WAS LAST SPRING.

SO IT IS A LITTLE COMPLICATED HERE BUT -- >> YEAH, SO FRESH GRASS SEED GREENED UP A LITTLE QUICKER.

THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THOSE SPOTS THAT ARE SHOWING UP THERE.

TYPICALLY IN NEBRASKA WE DON'T REALLY NEED TO WORRY ABOUT CONTROLLING SNOW MOLD.

IT IS NOT CONSISTENT ENOUGH OF A DISEASE TO REQUIRE ANY SORT OF FUNGICIDE.

WHAT THEY DID WAS REALLY THE PERFECT THING.

SO GET RID OF THE DEAD GRASS THAT'S THERE.

THEN JUST RE-SEED.

HOPEFULLY YOU'LL HAVE GOOD CONTROL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS WAS NOT A SNOW MOLD YEAR ANYWHERE.

>> IT WAS NOT A SNOW MOLD YEAR,NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JOHN, WE HAVE A QUESTION HERE.

THAT IS A TREE PLANTED ROUGHLY 15 YEARS AGO.

LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HE'S SEEN WHAT LOOKS LIKE A BLUE SPRUCE BRANCH GROWING RIGHT OUT OF THE TRUNK.

IF HE REMOVES IT, WILL IT FILL BACK IN?

THIS IS ACTUALLY A DWARF ALBERTA.

>> YEAH.

>> WHAT DOES HE DO?

>> I GET TO SAY THAT TOO, KYLE.

THIS IS COOL.

SO THIS IS DWARF -- I CAN'T SPEAK.

ALBERTA SPRUCE.

SO WE HAVE A REVERSION HERE.

SO THAT IS SORT OF LIKE A CULTIVAR, LIKE A SPECIAL BREED OF A WHITE SPRUCE, SO WE HAVE THIS SPRUCE GROWING OUT OF THAT.

SO YOU CAN TRY TO CUT IT OUT TO SORT OF SAVE IT, BUT IT IS LIKE SUCH A BIG PART OF THE TREE ALREADY THAT IT'S GOING TO CREATE A BIG HOLE.

IF YOU LEAVE IT, IT WILL JUST KEEP GROWING AND WILL BE LIKE A GIANT TREE.

>> EXACTLY.

YOUR SECOND ONE HERE IS, WILL THIS PLANT SURVIVE?

THIS IS ACTUALLY FINE LINE BUCKTHORN.

SHE DIDN'T KNOW THE NAME SO WE WILL TELL HER THAT.

THIS YEAR IT APPEARS THAT THE TOP IS DEAD.

THERE IS A LITTLE GREEN AT THE BOTTOM.

WHAT CAN SHE DO OTHER THAN -- WHAT CAN SHE DO?

>> I WOULD SAY WAIT AND SEE BECAUSE WE HAVE SLOW GREENING UP OF THINGS THIS YEAR.

IF IT CONTINUES TO LOOK DEAD, THEN CUT IT OUT.

JUST WAIT AND SEE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THINGS ARE A LITTLE BIT SLOW.

WELL, OF COURSE WE HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF WAY COOL THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE GARDENING WORLD FOR YOU.

THE FIRST IS THE NEBRASKA HERBAL SOCIETY ANNUAL PLANT AND BAKE SALE MAY 7TH AT NEW HOPE CURCH, 45TH AND ORCHARD IN LINCOLN.

WE HAVE A WEBSITE OR GMAIL ADDRESS ON THE SCREEN FOR YOU.

THE SECOND IS THE MAY MUSEUM'S 23RD ANNUAL PERENNIAL PLANT SALE.

MAY 7TH, 9-12 A.M.

RAIN DATE MAY 8TH, 1-4 P.M.

IN FREMONT, NEBRASKA.

OUR FINAL ONE IS HOLY TRINITY ARTS FESTIVAL, MAY 14, 10-5 P.M. CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY.

WE HAVE ALSO A DOTCOM ON THAT.

THAT SHOULD BE FUN.

MAKE SURE YOU DO SEND US THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, IF YOU NEED TO.

WE HAVE TIME FOR MAYBE ONE OR TWO MORE QUESTIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU, YOU ARE THE FIRST ONE IN LINE, OR NOT.

>> LUCKY ME.

>> SO WE ACTUALLY HAD A VIEWER SEND IN A QUESTION WONDERING WHETHER THIS COLD, COLD WEATHER IS GOING TO AFFECT THE POLLINATORS THAT ARE ALREADY OUT.

THE BEES AND SO FORTH.

>> NO, I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD.

>> THAT WAS A LIGHTENING ROUND ANSWER.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

[LAUGHTER] >> NICE JOB.

>> JOHN, I'M GOING TO SKIP TO YOU.

THIS CAME IN FROM MASTER GARDENERS.

YOU HAVE LIKE 40 SECONDS.

THIS IS A DAWSON VIEWER.

FULL SUN, BIG BOY AND BETTER BOY.

LAST YEAR'S CROP HAD SPOTS IN THE TOMATOES BUT WERE WHITISH-GREEN ON THE OUTSIDE.

WHAT WENT ON?

WAS THAT RIPENING OR -- >> SO WHEN WE GET THAT WHITISH-GREEN KIND OF STUFF, THAT COULD BE ACTUALLY TOO MUCH HEAT.

WE GET SOME WEIRD THINGS ON WITH TEMPERATURE, SO I WOULD WATCH FOR THAT.

THERE'S NOT REALLY ANYTHING YOU CAN DO.

IT GETS HOT IN THE SUMMER.

>> SUNBURN.

>> SUNBURN, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> THERE'S NOTHING REALLY YOU CAN DO FOR THAT.

>> SAY, PLEASE HELP US.

>> YEP.

>> AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT FOR BACKYARD FARMER TONIGHT.

WE WANT TO SAY THANKS TO OUR LOYAL AUDIENCE FOR SUBMITTING THOSE QUESTIONS FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING WE HAD MASTER GARDENERS KIT DIAMOND, TIM DUNCAN AND EXTENSION EDUCATOR, TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER WE'LL SHOW YOU HOW TO PREPARE A GOOD SAMPLE FOR YOUR EXTENSION EDUCATOR TO HAVE A LOOK AT.

SUBMITTING THOSE PROPER SAMPLES WILL HELP YOU GET THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM.

SO GOODNIGHT AND GOOD GARDENING.

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

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