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

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

TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'LL GET SOME TIPS FOR IDENTIFYING INSECTS, AND WE'LL SEE WHAT'S GROWING IN THIS FAN'S BACKYARD.

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

♪ ♪ >> HELLO AGAIN AND WELCOME TO "BACKYARD FARMER."

I'M KIM TODD, AND WE'VE GOT ANOTHER GREAT SHOW PLANNED FOR YOU, INCLUDING ANSWERING THOSE GARDENING QUESTIONS.

IF YOU NEED HELP TONIGHT, DIAL 1-800-676-5446.

OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE GLAD TO HELP YOU.

IF YOUR ANSWER CAN WAIT AND YOU'D LIKE TO SEND US A PICTURE, YOU CAN EMAIL US AT BYF@UNL.EDU.

TELL US AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR QUESTION, INCLUDING WHERE YOU LIVE, AND KNOW THAT WE WILL USE THOSE ON A FUTURE SHOW.

WE'D ALSO LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.

SO, WAYNE, YOU BROUGHT A STICK.

>> AND THERE'S NO DOG TO PLAY FETCH WITH TONIGHT.

SO I BROUGHT A STICK FROM MY BRISTLY LOCUST IN MY BACKYARD, AND I BROUGHT THIS BECAUSE IT ILLUSTRATES A LOT OF POINTS THAT YOU MAY HEAR FROM TIME TO TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER."

SO THE FIRST THING I WANT YOU TO NOTICE IS THERE'S A SWELLING RIGHT HERE.

SO THAT IS A GALL THAT HAS FORMED DUE TO SOME WOOD-BORING INSECTS THAT HAVE GOTTEN INTO THAT.

AND THEN THE OTHER THING YOU'LL NOTICE IS IT'S SNAPPED.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY BEING COMPROMISED OF YOUR PLANTS, OF YOUR WOODY PLANTS, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THIS WENT OVER IN THE WIND A COUPLE WEEKS AGO IN MY BACKYARD, AND TO SHOW YOU REALLY WHAT'S GOING ON, SNAP IT OPEN JUST LIKE I PROMISED THE CAMERA CREW I WOULD DO SO THEY COULD SEE THIS.

YOU CAN SEE THERE'S AN ENTRY POINT HERE, AND IT COMES IN AND FORMS A "J."

THAT'S VERY TYPICAL OF LOCUST BORE, WHICH IS A COMMON NATIVE BORER OF HARDWOODS.

AND THAT BORER ATTACKS DYING, STRESSED, OR RECENTLY DEAD TREES.

SO THAT TELLS ME MY POOR BRISTLY LOCUST IS VERY STRESSED BECAUSE ALL OF THE LARGE BRANCHES HAVE THIS ON THERE.

>> OKAY.

UNFORTUNATE.

THANK YOU, WAYNE.

ALL RIGHT.

TERRI, A LITTLE EDUCATION FOR EVERYBODY WHO THINKS THEY HAVE POISON HEMLOCK.

>> YEAH, SO WE HAVE GOTTEN LOTS OF QUESTIONS THIS YEAR OVER POISON HEMLOCK, AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POISON HEMLOCK AND QUEEN ANNE'S LACE.

POISON HEMLOCK BLOOMS MUCH EARLIER.

IT'S DONE BLOOMING PRETTY MUCH DEAD ANYWHERE YOU CAN SEE, AND NOW QUEEN ANNE'S LACE IS GOING.

SO THE THING THAT WE ALWAYS TELL EVERYBODY TO LOOK FOR IS ON THE STEM, POISON HEMLOCK HAS A SMOOTH STEM WITH USUALLY SOME KIND OF RED BLOTCHES.

QUEEN ANNE'S LACE IS GOING TO HAVE A HAIRY STEM.

SO IF YOU CAN SEE THIS, YOU CAN REALLY SEE -- THANK YOU, CAMERA GUYS THAT ARE GETTING REALLY CLOSE TO THAT, THAT YOU CAN SEE THAT.

AND THEN THE FLOWERS ARE MUCH MORE FLAT AND KIND OF MORE LACY-LOOKING.

WHEN THEY'RE DONE, THEY'RE GOING TO KIND OF CUP UP LIKE THIS, AND THIS IS GOING TO BE ITS SEED HEAD.

HEMLOCK BLOOMS EARLIER, SMOOTH STEM.

QUEEN ANNE'S LACE, LATER, HAIRY STEM.

>> THANK YOU, TERRI.

GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT, KYLE, BECAUSE WE HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

>> I AM NOT SURPRISED.

REALLY I THOUGHT I WOULD MAKE IT LOOK NICE AND PRETTY AS WELL.

>> FOR YOUR NEW DAUGHTER.

>> YES, INDEED.

BUT YEAH, DISEASES CAN BE PRETTY, AND IN SOME CASES, YOU KNOW, I WOULD ARGUE IT COULD BE MADE THAT POWDERY MILDEW CAN LOOK RATHER BEAUTIFUL ON OCCASION.

AND SO THIS IS POWDERY MILDEW ON CUCURBITS.

THERE IS A LOT OF IT RIGHT NOW CAUSED BY A FEW DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUNGI, BUT PRIMARILY PODOSPHAERA XANTHII, IS THE MAIN ONE.

ONE THING ABOUT POWDERY MILDEW IS IT RARELY CAUSES MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE PLANT.

WE TEND TO SEE IT MORE IN AREAS THAT ARE SHADED OR KIND OF IF IT'S OVERGROWN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT THE NICE THING IS THAT IT DOESN'T REALLY INFECT THE FRUIT.

THERE MAY BE SOME EARLY DEFOLIATION THAT CAN OCCUR, DECREASING FRUIT SIZE OR DECREASING YIELD.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THAT YOU CAN JUST KIND OF LET GO.

IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN -- YOU KNOW, EARLY IN THE SEASON AS YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT SPACING YOUR PLANTS, THAT'S ONE OF THE BEST TIMES TO CONTROL FOR POWDERY MILDEW.

INCREASE THAT SPACING.

ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO ALLOW AIR FLOW THROUGH THE CANOPY WILL DECREASE IT.

IF YOU REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT, SOME COPPER-BASED PRODUCTS ARE ALSO EFFECTIVE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

ELIZABETH, THIS ONE DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO PLANT OF THE WEEK BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE IN THE VASE.

SO WHAT IS IT?

>> WE HAVE A REALLY FUN PLANT RIGHT HERE.

WHAT WE HAVE IS, WE HAVE THE COMPASS PLANT.

SO IT'S GOT A REALLY COOL LEAF TO IT, AND THIS IS A SMALL LEAF.

THEY CAN GET MUCH BIGGER THAN THIS.

BUT THE REASON IT'S CALLED THE COMPASS PLANT IS BECAUSE ITS FOLIAGE IS IN THE CARDINAL DIRECTIONS, YOU KNOW, NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, AND WEST.

SO THIS ONE CAN GET FAIRLY GOOD-SIZED.

NOW, THE OTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THIS IS ALSO IN THE ASTERACEAE FAMILY, SO THE SAME FAMILY AS SUNFLOWERS.

SO IT'S GOING TO HAVE A SUNFLOWER-LIKE BLOOM TO IT.

IT CAN GET ANYWHERE FROM 6 TO 12 FOOT TALL WITH THIS.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE AN EXTENSIVE ROOT SYSTEM ON IT.

A BIG TAP ROOT.

BE SURE IF YOU'RE GOING TO PLACE IT IN THE LANDSCAPE, IT'S SOMEWHERE WHERE IT'S GOING TO STAY BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TRANSPLANT IT.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT THESE FLOWERS IS IT STARTS AT THE TOP AND THEN IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BLOOM THROUGHOUT THE SEASON AND IT'S GOING TO WORK ITS WAY DOWN.

IT ALSO ATTRACTS A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLLINATORS.

SO IT'S ONE OF THOSE WHERE IT'S A NATIVE PLANT.

IT'S TOUGH.

IT CAN BE DROUGHT-RESISTANT.

SO IT'S JUST A GOOD PLANT TO GIVE IT A TRY IF YOU HAVE A FULL SUN LOCATION.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

ALL RIGHT, WAYNE, YOU HAVE THE FIRST ROUND OF PICTURES.

FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM HARVARD, NEBRASKA.

WHAT ARE THESE, AND HOW DO I GET RID OF THEM?

ANYTHING NON-CHEMICAL?

THEY WONDER IF THEY'RE HARMFUL TO THE HORSES.

>> NON-CHEMICAL?

>> AND YOUR SECOND PICTURE IS ON PURPOSE BECAUSE THIS PARTICULAR VIEWER FROM BRADSHAW PUT THIS OUT FOR FOUR HOURS, AND IT IS NOW FULL.

HOW LONG WILL THE ONSLAUGHT LAST?

GOSH, I THINK THOSE TWO PICTURES ARE RELATED.

>> THEY MIGHT BE.

FIRST OF ALL, THE AIR YOU BREATHE IS A CHEMICAL BECAUSE IT'S TWO ATOMS PUT TOGETHER, 02.

NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO USE SOME KIND OF CHEMICAL, EVEN A BUCKET OF SOAPY WATER, TAPPING THEM INTO THERE WOULD BE A NON-CHEMICAL, OR MY FAVORITE, THE PINCH METHOD.

SOMETIMES THERE'S SOMETHING SATISFYING ABOUT THAT CRUNCH.

THEN WITH THE TRAP, KAIT DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF COVERING THAT TWO WEEKS AGO.

SHE HAD THAT TRAP ON THE SHOW FOR HER SAMPLE.

YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO USE THEM BECAUSE IT'S LIKE A PARTY IN A BOX IN THERE.

IT ATTRACTS THEM FROM EVERYWHERE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT IT ANYWHERE NEAR ANYTHING DESIRABLE AS SHE SO ELOQUENTLY STATED.

>> SOAPY WATER AND PINCH.

GOTCHA.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE HERE COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

HE WONDERS WHAT KIND OF BEETLE IT IS THAT'S EATING HIS GRAPES AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM FROM DOING THAT.

>> WELL, THIS IS GRAPEVINE BEETLE.

WE TYPICALLY DON'T HAVE THEM IN VERY LARGE NUMBERS.

AGAIN, THIS WOULD BE A PICK-OFF SITUATION WHEN YOU SEE THEM.

THEY'RE LARGE.

THEY'RE ABOUT AN INCH OR SLIGHTLY LARGER, NICELY BOLD-COLORED, EASY TO PICK OFF.

PICK THEM OFF, SQUISH IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE FINAL PICTURE IN THIS ROUND.

THIS IS POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY IN IOWA.

ON A LINDEN, THEY FOUND EGGS AND HATCHING INSECTS.

>> YES.

THESE ARE GREEN STINK BUGS NYMPHS.

YOU CAN TELL THE GREEN ONES BECAUSE THEY HAVE LITTLE ORANGE SHOULDERS ON THEM.

THAT'S HOW YOU TELL THAT FROM THE OTHER VARIOUS TYPES OF STINK BUGS OUT THERE.

>> GOOD GUYS OR BAD GUYS?

>> THEY CAN BE BAD, BUT ON A TREE, THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO CAUSE ANY NOTICEABLE DAMAGE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, WAYNE.

TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO QUESTIONS IN THIS ROUND.

YOUR FIRST ONE IS, WHAT DO I HAVE, AND IS TENACITY THE BEST CONTROL?

>> THIS IS BLACK MEDIC, AND BLACK MEDIC IS NOT LISTED ON THE TENACITY LABEL.

YOU MOST LIKELY -- THE BEST WAY TO ACTUALLY GET RID OF THIS, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S IN A TURF IS TO HAVE A GOOD STAND OF TURF.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE MOWING THE RIGHT HEIGHT, FERTILIZING, IRRIGATING, ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

IF IT'S IN YOUR LANDSCAPE, YOU CAN ACTUALLY JUST GO AHEAD AND DIG IT OUT.

IF YOU NEED TO SPRAY IT FOR SOME REASON, THEN YOU NEED TO LOOK AT SOME KIND OF A TRIMEC, SO THREE-WAY BROADLEAF WEEDKILLER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ACTUALLY COME TO US FROM THE SAME PERSON.

HE HAS TWO WEEDS THAT ARE HIS ARCHNEMESIS.

HE'S USED MOMENTUM ON THEM.

HERE'S THE FIRST ONE.

WHAT IS THIS, AND HOW DO YOU KILL IT?

>> SO THAT'S CLOVER.

>> MM-HMM.

>> SO CLOVER ACTUALLY IS INDICATIVE, ESPECIALLY IN TURF, OF LOW NITROGEN.

SO ACTUALLY FERTILIZING THE TURF CORRECTLY, MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE A GOOD STAND, MOWING AT THE 3 TO 3 1/2-INCH HEIGHT WILL HELP GET RID OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR SECOND ONE FROM THAT VIEWER IS, WHAT IS THIS AND HOW TO GET RID OF THIS?

>> SO THIS ONE IS ACTUALLY A NEMESIS IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN TOO.

THIS IS WOOLLY BIRD SEDGE.

THIS IS -- IT'S GOT AN INTENSIVE ROUTE SYSTEM.

YOU CAN PULL, PULL, PULL TO YOUR LITTLE HEART'S CONTENT.

YOU CAN USE A THREE-WAY -- THE BROADLEAF WEEDKILLER ALSO.

IT LIKES COMPACTED SOILS.

IT LIKES FULL SUN.

IT'S PROBABLY THE BEST TO KEEP PULLING IT AND PROBABLY USE THAT THREE-WAY.

BUT MAKE SURE THAT IT'S COOL ENOUGH AND FOLLOW ALL THE LABELS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

KYLE, YOUR FIRST PICTURE HERE IS FROM A VIEWER WHO THOUGHT SHE HAD A SILVER MAPLE.

IT'S NOT.

IT'S A CRABAPPLE.

WE DID HAVE THAT BACK-AND-FORTH.

SHE WONDERS WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THEY DEFOLIATE BY THE END OF THE SEASON.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS APPLE SCAB.

IT'S A FUNGAL PATHOGEN OF VENTURIA INAEQUALIS.

LAST YEAR WAS A REALLY BAD YEAR FOR APPLE SCAB.

HAVEN'T SEEN NEAR AS MUCH OF IT THIS YEAR.

BUT WE DO TEND TO SEE IT MORE WHEN WE HAVE KIND OF COOL, WET SPRINGS.

UNFORTUNATELY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT TO DO.

YOU KNOW, ONE THING I OFTEN SAY THAT PEOPLE -- PEOPLE CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT LEAVES ON THEIR TREES.

[ LAUGHTER ] AND TREES CAN TOLERATE PRETTY SEVERE DEFOLIATION FOR ONE OR TWO YEARS IN A ROW.

IF YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, THREE, FOUR YEARS OF SEVERE DEFOLIATION, THAT MAY PREDISPOSE IT TO SOME OTHER PROBLEMS.

BUT IF YOU HAVE APPLE SCAB THAT COMES IN EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS AND CAUSES MAJOR DEFOLIATION, REALLY, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THAT BIG OF A PROBLEM.

IT'S ALSO REALLY HARD TO CONTROL.

YOU WOULD NEED TO DO A FUNGICIDE APPLICATION EVERY TWO WEEKS FROM ABOUT WHEN THOSE LEAFS ARE FIRST STARTING TO BUD THROUGHOUT HARVEST.

NOT ONLY EVERY TWO WEEKS BUT YOU HAVE TO GET COVERAGE ON THE TOPS AND BOTTOMS OF THE LEAVES.

SO, BEST THING TO DO RIGHT NOW, RAKE UP THOSE LEAVES AS BEST YOU CAN, AND THEN WATER IN THE MORNING SO THAT YOU'RE NOT HAVING AN INCREASED LEAF WETNESS PERIOD ON THOSE LEAVES THAT HAVE DROPPED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THEN YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES FROM A MORSE BLUFF VIEWER, ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS THE SOUR CHERRY.

THEY'RE TURNING YELLOW, THEN DROP.

THEY'RE DEEP WATERED.

HE'S WONDERING IS THIS DROUGHT, VIRUS, FUNGAL, BACTERIAL, ALL OF THE ABOVE?

>> POSSIBLY.

YEAH, THIS IS ONE I COULDN'T REALLY GET A GREAT ANSWER ON.

I'M LEANING TOWARDS BACTERIAL CANKER ON THIS.

AND SO, BACTERIAL CANKER, AGAIN WE WERE FAIRLY COOL IN THE SPRING AND THAT DOES FAVOR BACTERIAL CANKER.

YOU'LL GET THOSE LEAVES THAT TURN KIND OF YELLOW, BUT COULD ALSO BE INDICATIVE OF SOME OTHER THINGS.

THERE'S LIKE -- THERE ARE SOME NUTRIENT PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE THAT.

HE ALSO MENTIONED IT WAS PRIMARILY ON ONE SIDE OF THE PLANT.

SO I WOULD BE CURIOUS ABOUT MAYBE ONE OF OUR WILTS, SUCH AS VERTICILLIUM.

SO JUST KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

I REALLY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT NOW BUT KEEP AN EYE ON IT AND SEE HOW IT PROGRESSES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS KYLE.

ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM NORFOLK.

HE'S WONDERING IF HIS TOMATOES ARE CAT FACED.

SECOND YEAR IN THE GARDEN SPOT, HEAVY CLAY.

DIDN'T HAVE IT LAST YEAR.

IS THIS CAT FACING?

>> IT IS CAT FACING, AND THE ANSWER BEHIND IS WHAT CAUSES IT?

NOBODY REALLY KNOWS.

I'VE SEEN TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS.

I'VE SEEN COOL TEMPERATURES, THE POSSIBILITY OF HERBICIDES.

THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS OUT THERE, AND NOBODY REALLY KNOWS.

YES, THE TOMATOES ARE STILL EDIBLE.

YOU CAN LEAVE THEM ON, LET THEM RIPEN.

THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE SAME APPEARANCE TO THEM.

>> AND I'VE NEVER SEEN A CAT WITH A FACE LIKE THAT, BUT YOUR NEXT PICTURE COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

BEANS.

IS THIS A BUG?

IS THIS HEAT?

SHE DOES WATER IN THE MORNING.

>> WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THIS, YOU CAN TELL WHERE THE LITTLE MANDIBLES OF AN INSECT HAS PROBABLY TAKEN SOME CHUNKS OUT.

SO THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF WAYNE'S FAVORITES.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ONE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ONES.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN INSECT RELATED WITH THAT.

>> SO PLUCK, SQUISH?

>> WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE GONE NOW.

THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT INSECTS THAT WILL CAUSE THIS TYPE OF SCRAPING DAMAGE READILY ON GREEN BEANS.

ONE ARE -- THERE'S A BEAN LEAF MINER.

THE ADULTS WILL SCRAPE LIKE THIS.

AND THEN MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE WILL ALSO SCRAPE LIKE THIS AS WELL.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE, ELIZABETH, IS FROM SHELDON.

THIS IS A BLUE GLOBE THISTLE SHOWING SOME INTERESTING STUFF ON THE FOLIAGE.

>> EXACTLY.

I'M GOING TO TOSS THIS BACK OVER TO WAYNE AGAIN BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THAT INSECT DAMAGE ON TOP OF, YOU KNOW, DROUGHT STRESS ON THERE.

SO I MEAN, I CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THEY'RE GONE.

BUT MORE THAN LIKELY, WE'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING INSECT RELATED.

IF THEY'RE REALLY CONCERNED, THEY COULD USE AN INSECTICIDE TO HELP PROTECT WHAT FOLIAGE THAT HASN'T BEEN EATEN FROM BEING EAT.

>> IT'S A GLOBE THISTLE.

IT'S GOING TO BE FINE.

>> JUST DON'T GET IT ON THE BLOOMS IF YOU TREAT IT.

>> WE ARE HAPPY TO HELP YOU IDENTIFY SOME OF THOSE INSECT CREATURES THAT LIVE ON AROUND YOUR PLANTS.

IT IS POSSIBLE WITH A LITTLE RESEARCH THAT YOU CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S EATING THOSE PLANTS WITH A LITTLE DETECTIVE WORK.

HERE IS WAYNE TO HELP YOU WITH MORE INSECT IDENTIFICATION TIPS.

♪ >> WELL, TODAY WE'RE GOING TO COVER HOW TO IDENTIFY INSECTS.

BUT JUST A REMINDER FOR OUR VIEWERS AT HOME, YOU CAN'T IDENTIFY OR LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY EVERYTHING IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

THERE'S A LOT OF INSECTS OUT THERE.

IN FACT, THERE'S OVER A MILLION INSECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, AND SOMEWHERE NORTH OF 90,000 IN THE U.S. AND CANADA.

SO THERE'S SOME HELPFUL TIPS THAT WE CAN COVER TO HELP YOU GO THROUGH THAT.

THE FIRST ONE IS FIND SOME IDENTIFICATION GUIDES THAT YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH, THAT HAVE A SCOPE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

IF YOU'RE SOMEONE WHO DOES A LOT OF GARDENING WITH TREES AND SHRUBS, TARGET A BOOK THAT COVERS TREES AND SHRUB PESTS.

ALSO, THERE'S A LOT OF GENERAL INSECT BOOKS OUT THERE THAT IF YOU'RE JUST CURIOUS ABOUT A LOT OF WHAT YOU'RE FINDING, THOSE WORK REALLY WELL TOO.

AND JUST REMEMBER FOR YOUR IPM, OR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT, IDENTIFICATION IS THE VERY FIRST STEP FOR YOUR PEST MANAGEMENT.

NOW, YOU CAN ALSO GO THROUGH, IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GROW.

LET'S SAY YOU'RE GOING TO GROW SOME KIND OF SQUASH.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT KIND OF SQUASH IT IS.

YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BATTLE SQUASH BUGS AND SQUASH FINE BORER.

SO IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO DO SOME BACKGROUND SEARCH AHEAD OF THAT SO YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, WHEN TO EXPECT IT, AND THE SIGNS OF WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

OTHER THINGS YOU CAN LOOK FOR IS JUST TEACHING YOURSELF THE BASIC KINDS OF INSECTS.

BEETLES ARE YOUR PRIME EXAMPLE.

WE'VE GOT THOSE HARDENED FRONT WINGS THAT ARE CALLED ELYTRA.

THEY HAVE CHEWING MOUTH PARTS.

SO THAT'S KIND OF THE TWO BIG ONES WE'RE LOOKING FOR ON THOSE IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE ADULTS.

MANY PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS.

THAT'S ANOTHER GROUP OF INSECTS.

THEN WE HAVE OUR TRUE BUGS, WHICH TEND TO BE A LOT OF OUR GARDEN AND HOME PESTS.

WE SEE A LOT OF THOSE.

LOOKING FOR THAT TRIANGLE ON THE BACK OF THOSE INSECTS.

ALSO, ONE OF THE THINGS WE GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON ARE THINGS LIKE BEES AND ANTS AND WASPS AND THINGS THAT FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY.

THERE'S A LOT OF ONES THAT DON'T HAVE THAT CONSTRICTED WAIST THAT WE TELL YOU TO LOOK FOR.

THOSE ARE OUR SOFT FLIES.

SO LEARNING THOSE ARE GOING TO BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN LEARNING AN ANT OR A WASP THAT'S GOING TO HAVE THAT CONSTRICTED WAIST FOR YOU.

THINGS LIKE THAT ARE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

THE BIG THING IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THIS, YOU GOT TO HAVE ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

I KNOW THERE ARE SOME APPS OUT THERE THAT WILL IDENTIFY FROM A PHOTO.

THOSE WORK FAIRLY WELL FOR OUR COMMON STUFF.

WHAT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO IS YOU BEING PREPARED AND PLANNING AHEAD FOR THE PESTS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH OR THE BENEFICIAL INSECTS THAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH.

LEARN THOSE IDENTIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS, THOSE LIFE CYCLES AHEAD OF TIME, SO THAT YOU CAN BE PREPARED WHEN WE HAVE AN ISSUE OR SOMETHING THAT COMES UP IN THE GARDEN.

>> ACCORDING TO EVERY ENTOMOLOGIST THAT SITS IN THIS CHAIR, YOU JUST SAY THE PLANT'S NAME AND ADD "BUG," RIGHT?

>> OR "BEETLE."

ONLY IF YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT GROUP.

>> THERE YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT, WAYNE.

YOUR FIRST PICTURE HERE IN ROUND TWO IS THESE THINGS ARE HALF AN INCH LONG, AND THEY CAN FLY, AND THEY'RE EATING THE ROSE FLOWERS.

WHAT ARE THEY?

>> DEJA VU.

IT'S JAPANESE BEETLE.

SAME MANAGEMENT AS BEFORE.

PINCH IF YOU CAN.

SPRAY OTHERWISE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES FROM DWIGHT, NEBRASKA.

NICE PICTURES.

WHAT ARE THESE?

THEY FIRST APPEARED IN GREAT NUMBERS EATING THE BLOSSOMS OF A YELLOW DAYLILY, AND THEY'RE NOW ON THE COSMOS.

THEY'RE A QUARTER OF AN INCH LONG.

>> WE GET THESE EVERY YEAR.

THEY'RE A LEAF BEETLE, CHRYSOMELIDAE, AND THEY CHEW ON FLOWERS.

THEY'RE A LEAF BEETLE, CHRYSOMELIDAE, AND THEY CHEW ON FLOWERS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.

BUCKET OF SOAPY WATER.

THEY'RE ON BLOOMS.

YOU DON'T WANT TO TREAT THE BLOOMS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THEN WE HAVE ONE MORE PICTURE HERE, AND THIS IS, THESE BEETLES ARE FLYING ALL OVER.

WE ACTUALLY HAD TWO PEOPLE SEND THIS IN.

THEY'RE ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF LONG.

THEY SOUND LIKE A BUMBLEBEE.

THEY BURROW IN THE GROUND.

THEY WANT TO KNOW IF THEY'RE HARMFUL.

>> KOREAN JUNE BEETLES.

IF YOU'VE GOT THEM, YOU KNOW IT, AND THEY -- >> WHAT?

>> YOU COULD HAVE BEEN HERE EARLIER TODAY.

>> PAIN IN THE REAR-END TO MANAGEMENT.

>> REALLY?

>> THEY'RE IN THE TURF AND SOIL AS GRUBS, AND THEN, YEAH, THEY EAT A LOT OF THINGS.

>> THEY WERE IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN TODAY.

>> SO SQUISH?

>> SQUISH.

PROTECT WHAT YOU WANT TO PROTECT.

BRICK A, BRICK B, INSECT.

>> APPARENTLY NOBODY ON THE PANEL LIKES THEM.

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, WAYNE.

TERRI, ONE PICTURE HERE.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS VOLUNTEER IS IN THE FLOWERS.

HAIRY STEM, SHORT-LIVED FLOWERS LIKE A POPPY WITH WHITE PETALS.

HE'S FROM FREMONT.

>> THIS IS VENICE MALLO.

IT'S AN ANNUAL, PRETTY EASY TO CULTIVATE OUT OF YOUR GARDEN.

JUST RIP IT OUT.

PULL IT, DIG IT, GET RID OF IT.

>> OR ENJOY IT.

>> OR YOU CAN ENJOY IT IF YOU WANT.

DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED, THOUGH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS IN A FLOWER BED HERE IN LINCOLN.

FOREFRONT OF FLOWER GARDEN.

TWO NICE ROUNDED MASSES.

LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO FLOWER.

SHE DIDN'T RECALL PLANTING IT.

>> SO THIS IS PENNSYLVANIA PELLITORY.

IT'S AN ANNUAL HERE.

PRETTY PROLIFANT IN A SPECIFIC AREA BUT VERY EASY TO CULTIVATE OUT OF YOUR SOIL.

YOU CAN HOE IT, OR YOU CAN JUST HAND-PULL IT OUT.

IT'S ACTUALLY RELATED TO STINGING NETTLES, BUT THIS ONE DOESN'T HAVE THE LITTLE HAIRS TO STING.

>> I THINK WE'VE HAD THAT ONE ON THE SHOW BEFORE, SO IT MUST BE HAPPY THIS SPRING.

KYLE, TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

HE'S GOT ASPARAGUS BEANS, AND HE'S BEEN GROWING THEM IN AN ORGANIC RAISED BED FOR OVER THREE YEARS.

HE'S NEVER SEEN THESE SPOTS.

HE DOES MOVE THEM TO A DIFFERENT PLACE EACH YEAR.

SHOULD HE BE CONCERNED?

>> SOMETIMES WE TALK ABOUT HOW DISEASES CAN BE BEAUTIFUL, AND ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE VIRAL IN NATURE.

I THINK HE MAY HAVE A VIRUS HERE.

WHICH ONE, I'M NOT SURE.

COULD BE A COMMON VIRUS.

IT COULD BE TOBACCO RATTLE VIRUS.

IT COULD BE TOBACCO RING SPOT VIRUS.

REALLY NOT SURE.

THE BIG THING IS, THOUGH, IT WON'T -- WILL NOT AFFECT THE BEANS.

MAY DECREASE YIELD A LITTLE BIT.

BUT REALLY ONE OF THOSE THINGS JUST TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

THERE IS A CHANCE THAT IT CAN SPREAD TO OTHER PLANTS IN THE GARDEN DEPENDENT ON WHICH VIRUS IT IS.

IT'S MOST LIKELY BEING SPREAD BY SOME SORT OF INSECT, MAYBE THRIPS OR APHIDS, BUT REALLY NOTHING I WOULD BE TOO CONCERNED ABOUT.

JUST SOMETHING THAT LOOKS KIND OF COOL.

>> YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE OF THIS NEXT ONE.

IT'S IN THE OLD MILLARD AREA OF OMAHA, EAST SIDE OF THE HOUSE, FIVE PEONIES.

THEY HAD LESS THAN TEN FLOWERS ON A TOTAL OF FIVE.

SHE SAID THESE BUDS TURN BROWN AND THEN FALL.

>> YEAH.

WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS ONE BEFORE THE SHOW.

YOU KNOW, IT'S PROBABLY PEONY BUD BLAST.

SO WHAT IS BUD BLAST?

IT CAN BE FUNGAL.

IT CAN BE ENVIRONMENTAL.

IT CAN AN OLD-AGE SORT OF THING FOR THE PLANT.

IT DOES NOT LOOK TO ME LIKE IT'S FUNGAL.

BOTRYTIS IS A FUNGAL PATHOGEN THAT CAN CAUSE THOSE BUDS TO TURN BROWN, BUT THERE WOULD BE LEAF SPOTS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE AS WELL.

SO WITH THERE BEING NO LEAF SPOTS AND JUST THOSE BROWN KIND OF DEAD BUDS, I WOULD WONDER IF IT'S NOT MAYBE JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO OLD, OR I WAS TOLD POTENTIALLY PEONIES CAN BE PLANTED TOO DEEP.

THAT CAN CAUSE THEM NOT TO BLOOM AS WELL.

BUT NOT A WHOLE LOT TO DO RIGHT NOW UNFORTUNATELY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KYLE.

ELIZABETH, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A SUTTON VIEWER.

BLUE SPRUCES WERE DAMAGED BY HAIL.

WILL THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED?

THEY HAD FIVE OF THEM, AND THEY HAD GOLF BALL-SIZED HAIL UNFORTUNATELY.

THEY'RE BROWN ON THE SIDE THAT WAS HIT, SO NOT SURE IF THEY CAN BE SAVED.

>> YOU KNOW, EVEN IF YOU LEAVE THEM, THOSE HAIL WOUNDS ARE GOING TO BE OPEN TO A WIDE RANGE OF PATHOGENS THAT CAN FIND THEIR WAY IN.

YOU CAN LEAVE THEM.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

JUST UNDERSTAND THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW GROWTH ON THAT SIDE OF THE PLANT IS GOING TO BE AT THE ENDS OF THE BRANCHES.

SO IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE A LION TAIL IF IT DOES LEAF OUT.

SO IT'S MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE OVERALL CANOPY, THAT TREE'S GOING TO BE STRESSED.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A QUALITY TREE.

IF YOU WANTED TO LEAVE IT IN, YOU COULD.

JUST KNOW THAT THIS FALL AND THIS WINTER THEY'RE GOING TO BE STRESSED BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF FOLIAGE THAT THEY HAVE, AND THEY'RE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WINTER DEATH.

>> YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE, AND THIS IS A JUNIPER, AND HE'S IN WILCOX, NEBRASKA.

HE WONDERS IS THERE ANY HOPE?

>> WELL, THIS JUNIPER IS BEING VERY INTERESTING.

IT'S GOT -- JUNIPERS WILL HAVE TWO DIFFERENT FOLIAGE TYPES.

THEY'LL HAVE THE AWL, AND THEY'LL HAVE THE SCALE TYPE.

THE TUFT ONES ARE THE AWLS, WHICH ARE THE POKEY ONES.

THE OTHER ONES ARE MORE THE SCALE-TYPE ONES.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST INTERESTING.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'D TAKE IT OUT.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'D LEAVE IT.

IT'S REALLY UP TO PERSONAL PREFERENCE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

THERE'S REALLY NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO MAKE IT CHANGE ITS FOLIAGE TYPE.

IT'S JUST GOING TO LOOK A LITTLE WONKY FOR A WHILE.

AGAIN, UP TO THEM.

>> YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS JUNIATA.

THEY JUST PURCHASED THIS.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS.

THEY HAVE THREE OF THEM IN THE CORNER OF THE YARD.

CAN THEY BE SAVED?

PRUNED OR OFF WITH THEIR HEADS?

>> THESE ARE ELDERBERRY.

WE CAN KIND OF TELL BY THE LEAVES THAT THEY HAVE ON THEM, SOME OF THEM.

ELDERBERRIES IN GENRAL ARE SUFFRUTESCENT, WHICH MEANS THEY'RE GOING TO DIE BACK TO THE GROUND EVERY YEAR.

THE THING TO KEEP IN MIND RIGHT NOW, LEAVE WHAT'S ALIVE UP AND STANDING.

WE WANT AS MUCH LEAF AREA AS POSSIBLE, AND THEN THIS FALL, THIS WINTER, NEXT SPRING, GO AHEAD AND WHACK THEM BACK TO THE GROUND AND LET THEM COME BACK FROM THAT ROOT SYSTEM.

BUT MORE THAN LIKELY, YOUR ELDERBERRIES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK.

>> THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

WELL, IF YOU DON'T KNOW THIS, OUR GARDEN IS A DISPLAY SITE FOR ALL AMERICA SELECTIONS.

FOR OUR GARDEN UPDATE, TERRI IS GOING TO SHOW US ANOTHER GREAT ALL-AMERICAN VEGETABLE IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

♪ >> I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO VISITED THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN DURING EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS LAST WEEK.

WE HAD A GREAT TURNOUT, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR NEXT ONE IN AUGUST.

WE'RE GOING TO RETURN LOOKING AT ALL OF OUR NEW ALL AMERICA SELECTION 2022 WINNERS.

THIS WEEK WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT A NEW EGGPLANT ICICLE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ELONGATED JAPANESE STYLE EGGPLANT, PURE WHITE.

A BEAUTIFUL-LOOKING EGGPLANT.

IT'S GOING TO STAND ABOUT 48 INCHES TALL.

IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE ABOUT 28 INCHES WIDE, AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE NOT VERY MANY SPINES ON IT.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE VERY EASY TO PICK.

ACCORDING TO THE JUDGES, THE TASTE WAS VERY GOOD, THAT EVEN THEIR KIDS WERE ASKING FOR SECONDS.

SO STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND CHECK OUT OUR NEW EGGPLANT ALL AMERICA SELECTION WINNER, ICICLE.

>> THAT IS REALLY GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHEN IT MATURES, EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE EGGPLANT.

IT IS TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK.

STAY WITH US.

COMING UP SOON IS THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANT OF THE WEEK.

THERE'S MUCH MORE TO COME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

LATER ON IN THE PROGRAM, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM A YOUNG FAN OF THE SHOW WHO RECENTLY FOUND THE JOYS OF GARDENING.

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

SEND US PICTURES AND EMAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU FOR A FUTURE SHOW.

RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR LIGHTNING.

ARE YOU READY, ELIZABETH?

>> YOU BET.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES TO US FROM NORFORK.

THIS VIEWER HAD THREE DIVA CUCUMBERS, AND THEY ARE FLOWERING, AND THEY ARE NOT FRUITING.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT.

>> PROBABLY MALE FLOWERS, NOT FEMALE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A MARYLAND VIEWER WHO HAS ASKED US WHAT THE BEST FERTILIZER IS FOR EVERGREENS THAT HE HAS IN CONTAINERS.

>> WE NORMALLY DON'T FERTILIZE TREES FOR ONE.

AND FOR TWO, IN NEBRASKA THEY DON'T REALLY LIVE IN CONTAINERS VERY LONG.

BUT IN MARYLAND, I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR YOU.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAID HER YEW HAS PUT ON 12 INCHES OF GROWTH.

CAN SHE GO AHEAD AND PRUNE THAT OR SHOULD SHE WAIT?

>> YOU CAN PRUNE THOSE ONCE THE NEW GROWTH HAS ALREADY BEEN SET ON.

>> WE HAVE A FRANKLIN VIEWER WHO SAYS HER BROCCOLI IS YELLOW, AND WE HAVE ANOTHER VIEWER WHO SAYS HER BROCCOLI IS CHARTREUSE.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

>> SO IT COULD BE RELATED TO CULTIVAR.

THE YELLOW COULD BE RELATED TO THEY WAITED TOO LONG.

IT WILL ALSO TURN PURPLE.

IF IT WAS ME, I'D GO AHEAD AND BE PICKING MY BROCCOLI BECAUSE AFTER THIS WEEK, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE VERY GOOD VERY MUCH LONGER.

>> NICE JOB, ELIZABETH, EVEN THOUGH I THREW YOU FOR A LOOP FROM MARYLAND.

>> THANKS, MARYLAND.

>> LET'S SEE.

KYLE, YOU ARE NEXT UP.

THE DREADED -- THIS COMES TO US FROM PAXTON AND JUST PICK YOUR CITY.

CUPPING AND CURLING LEAVES ON TOMATOES AND PEPPERS.

>> HERBICIDE INJURY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A DENTON VIEWER WHO SAYS HE HAS HAD HIS SYCAMORE TREATED FOR FOUR YEARS FOR ANTHRACNOSE TO NO AVAIL.

IS THERE AN INJECTABLE TREATMENT FOR ANTHRACNOSE IN SYCAMORE?

>> PROBABLY, BUT TYPICALLY YOU REALLY DON'T NEED TO TREAT THE SYCAMORES FOR ANTHRACNOSE.

I'D BE CURIOUS ABOUT SOME OTHER ABIOTIC ISSUES THAT ARE CAUSING THOSE LEAVES TO DROP.

>> THIS OUTH VIEWER WHO HAS 2-YEAR-OLD HOLLYHOCKS AND THEY'RE VERY RUSTY.

TREATMENT, YES, NO, OR NEVER?

>> TOO LATE.

ONCE YOU'VE SEEN THE ORANGE RUST PUSTULES, IT'S TOO LATE.

>> WE HAVE AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO HAS A HONEYSUCKLE VINE THAT IS WILTING.

SHE'S NOT SEEING ANY INSECTS OR ANY DISEASES TO SPEAK OF.

ANY IDEAS ON THAT ONE?

>> SOME SORT OF WILT.

COULD BE VERTICILLUM, COULD BE PHYTOPHTHORA.

IF IT'S NOT RESPONDING TO WATER, PROBABLY JUST CUT IT OUT RIGHT NOW.

>> NICE JOB.

TERRI, IF I CAN FIND YOURS, YOU READY?

>> SURE.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO HAS WILD ONION OR GARLIC.

THEY'RE WONDERING CAN YOU USE A PRE-EMERGE ON THAT?

>> PROBABLY NOT BECAUSE IT'S A PERENNIAL.

SO YOU'LL HAVE THE BULBS ALREADY IN THE GROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A CARNEY VIEWER WHO SAID THE MULCH JUST SAT ON THEIR TURF FOR A COUPLE WEEKS.

FINALLY GOT IT OFF.

CAN THEY EXPECT THAT TURF TO RECOVER OR GOING TO START OVER?

>> YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO START OVER.

IT'S BEEN TOO HOT.

>> WE HAVE A HASTINGS VIEWER WHO WANTS TO OVERSEED THEIR LAWN.

HOW SOON CAN THEY START THINKING ABOUT THAT?

>> IN AUGUST.

>> WE HAVE A GURLEY, NEBRASKA, VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT TO SPRAY ON BINDWEED TO GET RID OF IT.

>> YOU CAN EITHER USE A BROADLEAF WEEDKILLER OR GLYPHOSATE AND USE THE GLOVE OF DEATH METHOD.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAYS MINT HAS SPREAD INTO THEIR TURF.

HOW DO YOU GET MINT OUT OF THE TURF?

>> DON'T PLANT IT.

YOU COULD USE YOUR BROADLEAF WEEDKILLER IN TURF, SO TRY THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LOTS OF SPREADING INTO TURF.

WAYNE, ARE YOU READY?

>> AM I SPREADING INTO TURF?

>> YOUR JAPANESE BEETLES ARE, ABSOLUTELY.

SO YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES TO US FROM CAMBRIDGE, NEBRASKA.

THE GREEN JUNE BEETLES, WHEN TO EXPECT THEIR GRUBS.

>> WHEN TO EXPECT THE GRUBS?

WELL, IT WOULD BE SHORTLY AFTER THE MASS EMERGENTS WHEN THOSE EGGS ARE LAID, AND THEY'LL START HATCHING LATE THIS SUMMER.

>> AND HOW TO TREAT?

>> THAT'S A TOUGH ONE BECAUSE TYPICALLY YOU'VE GOT TO PUT IT ON EARLY WHEN THE TURF IS ACTIVELY GROWING.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ACTIVELY GROWING AT THAT TIME BECAUSE IT'S TOO HOT YET.

>> SO NO?

>> NO.

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER DEAD JAPANESE BEETLES ARE OKAY TO USE IN THEIR COMPOST, OR IS ANT FOOD?

>> THE ANTS ARE GOING TO LIKE IT EITHER WAY.

THERE HAS BEEN RESEARCH, AND THEY CAN BE USED IN COMPOST.

>> A PLAINVIEW VIEWER HAS GRAY INSECTS MUNCHING ON HIS TATERS.

WHAT ARE THOSE, AND WOULD CARBARYL WORK TO KILL THEM?

>> ASH GRAY BLISTER BEETLES, AND YES.

>> OKAY.

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS AN ASIAN JUMPING MANTIS IN NEBRASKA?

>> NOT THAT I AM AWARE.

WE WOULD HAVE THE CHINESE PRAYING MANTIS, AND ALSO HAVE SOME OF OUR OTHER NATIVES.

>> AWESOME.

NICE JOB, ALL.

FIVE, FIVE, FOUR, FOUR.

THIS HALF OF THE TABLE IS PERFORMING WELL TONIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH.

WHAT ARE OUR PLANTS OF THE WEEK?

>> THE FIRST ONE IS GOING TO BE THIS PURPLE ONE.

THIS IS A LIATRUS.

ALSO KNOWN AS GAY FEATHER.

THIS IS A REALLY FUN PLANT BECAUSE IT GROWS FROM A TUBER UNDERGROUND.

IT'S ALSO KNOWN AS THE INDIAN POTATO, WHICH VOLES ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.

SO IF YOU HAVE VOLES, YOU KNOW, MAYBE NOT PLANT THIS.

BUT IT'S REALLY COOL BECAUSE IT STARTS BLOOMING AT THE TOP, AND THEN IT SLOWLY WORKS ITS WAY DOWN.

IT WILL BLOOM FOR A VERY EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

POLLINATORS JUST REALLY LOVE LIATRUS.

THEY'LL COME AND BE ATTRACTED TO IT.

SO THAT'S A REALLY FUN ONE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A PERENNIAL.

THE OTHER ONE THAT IS IN FRONT IS -- IT'S ONE OF THE ZINNIAS.

IT'S THE QUEENY LEMON PEACH.

THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF THE QUEENY ONES OUT THERE NOW.

THEY'RE REALLY LARGE ZINNIA.

THE NUMBER OF PETALS ON THERE, THERE'S A LARGE NUMBER.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, YOU'LL HAVE THAT BI-COLOR WHERE IT STARTS IN AND KIND OF GRADEIATES AND GOES AROUND TO IT.

AGAIN, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF POLLINATORS ON YOUR ZINNIA AS WELL.

INSECTS REALLY LOVE TO EAT THE FOLIAGE ON THAT, SO BE CAREFUL SO YOU DON'T GET SOME INSECT DAMAGE ON THERE.

BUT THESE ARE TWO REALLY NICE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

>> EXCELLENT.

WAYNE, YOU HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS NOW.

SO THIS IS A VIEWER WHO IS IN OMAHA.

SHE SAYS THIS LITTLE GUY IS JOYFULLY DEVOURING HER OHIO BUCKEYE.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> AMERICAN DAGGER MOTH.

>> ISN'T THAT PRETTY?

>> DO NOT HANDLE IF YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN.

>> OKEYDOKE.

THEN WE HAVE A BURWELL VIEWER WHO SAYS THEY FOUND THIS INSTALLING A PAVER PATIO.

HAS TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS SPENCER, NEBRASKA.

>> YES.

SO THIS IS -- IT'S CALLED A HELLGRAMMITE, WHICH IS THE LARVAL FORM OF THE DOBSON FLY.

THEY WILL CRAWL AWAY FROM WATER WHEN THEY ARE READY TO TURN INTO A PUPA.

THEIR ONE OF THE FEW INSECTS THAT ARE MOBILE AS A PUPA.

>> OH, ALL RIGHTY THEN.

SO YOUR NEXT ONE COMES TO US FROM OAKLAND.

THIS IS A WORM IDENTIFICATION.

SHE FOUND FOUR OF THEM FOUR DAYS AGO.

THE PLANT WAS HEALTHY, AND NOW THE PLANT IS STRIPPED.

>> SOUNDS LIKE TOBACCO WORM TO ME.

IT HAS THE CORRECT NUMBER OF STRIPES ACROSS THE BACK, WHICH IS SEVEN, SEVEN PAIRS GOING DOWN THE SIDE.

>> SO PICK AND PLUCK AND SQUISH.

>> SQUISH, YEAH.

MAKE BIG MESS SQUISH.

>> THEN YOU HAVE A SCOTTS BLUFF VIEWER WHO SENT ONE, SPOTTED THIS CATERPILLAR IN THE YARD.

THREE INCHES LONG.

>> IT'S A BIG ONE.

THIS IS A ACAMON SPHINX MOTH CATERPILLAR.

THIS ONE IS HORNLESS.

IT LOSES THE HORN AFTER -- I FORGET IF THIS IS THE FIRST OR THIRD IN STAR THAT IT DROPS HORN.

>> ONE MORE, AND THIS IS WESTPOINT.

INTERESTING INSECT.

KIND OF CUTE.

IS IT GOOD OR IS IT BAD?

>> SO I GOT TO COMMENT.

THIS INSECT MUST HAVE BEEN MOVING BECAUSE IT'S REALLY FUZZY AROUND IT.

SO THERE'S SOME DEBATE AMONGST THE ENTOMOLOGISTS THAT HAVE DISCUSSED THIS ONE WHETHER IT'S A LAPIT MOTH OR REALLY JUST AN EASTERN BUTTERFLY CATERPILLAR WITHIN THE LIGHTER FORM.

NOT REALLY SURE.

IT'S ONE OR THE OTHER.

>> THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH.

TERRI, TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A VIEWER IN ELM CREEK.

SHE THINKS THIS FIRST ONE IS YELLOW NUTSEDGE.

WHAT SHOULD SHE DO ABOUT IT?

SHE DOES HAVE IT SPRAYED FOR CRABGRASS.

THE SECOND PICTURE WE THINK IS A DIFFERENT GRASS FOR HER, YEAH.

>> SO THERE'S SOME YELLOW NUT SEDGE IN HERE.

TO DEFINITELY I.D.

YELLOW NUT SEDGE YOU NEED TO GO DOWN INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE PLANT CLOSEST TO THE SOIL.

PUT YOUR FINGERS AROUND IT.

IT WILL FEEL LIKE A TRIANGLE.

THAT IS INDICATIVE OF NUTSEDGE.

REALLY ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH NUTSEDGE IS THAT YOU HAVE A SHORT MOW ON YOUR TURF.

YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE MOWING IT 3 1/2 INCHES IN LENGTH.

MAKE SURE YOU GIVE IT GOOD FERTILIZER AND ALL THOSE GOOD THINGS.

IF YOU HAVE A GOOD STAND OF TURF, YOU'RE MOST LIKELY NOT GOING TO HAVE NUTSEDGE IN YOUR TURF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR SECOND PICTURE ON THAT ONE, I THINK, WAS -- >> YEAH.

SO THIS ONE I THINK IS ONE OF THOSE FORAGE FESCUES.

IT'S PROBABLY BROUGHT IN BY AN ANIMAL OR A BIRD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AGAIN, MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE GOOD STANDS OF TURF WILL DEFINITELY HELP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS OUT AT JOHNSON LAKE.

SHE DID SAY THEY HAVE A LOT OF WINTER KILL.

AT LEAST THIS IS GREEN.

>> YOU CAN KEEP IT GREEN.

THIS I THINK IS BROME.

YOU CAN USE TENACITY ON THAT.

THAT WILL GET RID OF IT, BUT IF YOU JUST NEED TURF, THEN JUST KEEP MOWING IT.

DON'T LET IT GO TO SEED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS CARPETING A VERY SHADY AREA OF LAWN ALSO COVERED WITH PINE NEEDLES.

WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO CONTROL IT?

I THINK THE NEXT PICTURE IS THE DEAD GIVEAWAY.

>> THIS IS CHICKWEED.

THIS IS AN ANNUAL, VERY EASY TO GET RID OF.

YOU CAN HAND-PULL IT OR HOE IT OUT.

IF YOU DO HOE IT OUT, MAKE SURE YOU MOVE ALL OF THE PLANT BECAUSE EVEN A LITTLE PIECE OF IT WILL ROOT ITSELF BACK IN.

SO MAKE SURE YOU PULL ALL THAT PLANT OUT IF YOU DO HOE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

KYLE, YOUR FIRST ONE, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES.

THIS IS A BROKEN BOW VIEWER.

YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN THIS FROM MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE.

FIVE YEARS OLD, GROWING GREAT, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, DYING.

GETS PLENTY OF WATER AND SUN.

WHAT IS IT?

>> TO ME, IT LOOKS LIKE PHYTOPTRA.

THERE'S BLACKENING TOWARD THE BASE OF IT, KIND OF MOVING ITS WAY UP FROM THE SOIL LINE, WHICH IS VERY TYPICAL OF PHYTOPTRA.

WE HAD A VERY WET SPRING, WHICH IS IDEAL FOR THOSE WATER MOLDS.

THEN IT GOT SUPER HOT, WHICH IS NOT THAT GREAT FOR THE PLANT.

AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE.

NOTHING REALLY TO DO ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW UNFORTUNATELY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES FROM THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A WAHOO VIEWER.

PUMPKINS ARE SLOWLY DYING.

HE'S USED AN INSECTICIDE AND A FUNGICIDE.

SEVERAL THINGS.

HE DID WATER HEAVILY.

HE DID USE A PRE-EMERGE.

WHAT IS THIS, AND IF WE CAN'T HELP HIM, WHAT DO WE RECOMMEND FOR NEXT YEAR?

>> THIS LOOKS LIKE ANGULAR LEAF SPOT.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A BACTERIAL DISEASE.

SO INSECTICIDES WON'T BE EFFECTIVE, NOR WILL FUNGICIDES BE EFFECTIVE ON OUR BACTERIAL DISEASES.

ALWAYS GOOD TO KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU START APPLYING SOMETHING.

AS FAR AS WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW, NOT A TON UNFORTUNATELY.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF GREAT CONTROLS FOR OUR BACTERIAL DISEASES.

SOME COPPER OR SULFUR PRODUCTS CAN BE SOMEWHAT EFFECTIVE, BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WILL BE TO AVOID WORKING IN THOSE PUMPKINS WHILE THEY'RE WET.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST WAYS TO SPREAD THAT DISEASE FROM PLANT TO PLANT.

AS FAR AS NEXT YEAR GOES, LOOK FOR A RESISTANT OR TOLERANT VARIETY, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE YOUR BEST CONTROL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

KYLE, TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER.

WHAT KIND OF SHROOM IS THIS, AND IS IT DANGEROUS?

>> PROBABLY NOT.

THIS IS ONE OUR FALSE BOLETUS.

LIKELY A SUILLUS.

AND THE SUILLIS GROUP.

IT'S KIND OF COOL, THE BLUE AROUND IT.

IT KIND OF BRUISES BLUE WHEN YOU TOUCH IT.

THE RED CAP MAKES ME THINK THAT IT COULD MAYBE BE A SPICY, ONE OF THE SPICY SUILLUS.

ACTUALLY, IF YOU DO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH MUSHROOM FORAGING AND WOULD KNOW WHAT IT IS, IT TASTES VERY SPICY, KIND OF HAS A LOT OF CAPSAICIN IN IT.

AS FAR AS PETS, THINGS LIKE THAT, NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

ELIZABETH, TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

BROWN SPOTS ON LINDEN.

YOU GOT IT BECAUSE EVERYBODY ELSE IS BUSY.

THIS IS LODGEPOLE, NEBRASKA.

LEAVES CURLING AS WELL.

WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON ON THE LINDEN?

>> WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS FIRST PICTURE, WHILE IT HAS BROWN SPOTS ON THE LEAVES, I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING THAT WOULD INDICATE WE WOULD NEED TO DO ANYTHING.

IT LOOKS LIKE SOME OF THE LEAVES KIND OF GOT BRUISED.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE MIGHT HAVE SOME INSECT DAMAGE.

BUT AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THERE'S REALLY NOTHING WE WOULD RECOMMEND IN TERMS OF SPRAYS OR APPLICATIONS.

WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE CURLING LEAVES LIKE THAT, THAT'S GOING TO BE THAT HERBICIDE DRIFT.

ANYTIME WE HAVE THAT CUPPING, CURLING DISTORTION, THAT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF HERBICIDE DRIFT.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT ON CERTAIN LEAVES.

THEN OTHER LEAVES ARE GOING TO LOOK PERFECTLY TIME.

MOST OF THE TIME IT'S GOING TO BE THOSE NEWEST LEAVES THAT ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED.

>> YOUR NEXT ONE, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE.

THIS IS AN ASH, AND THAT'S A LIGHTNING STRIKE.

>> TAKE IT OUT.

IT'S NOT WORTH KEEPING.

IT'S NOT WORTH SAVING.

IT'S AN ASH.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE REMOVING IT ANYWAY AT SOME POINT IN TIME WHEREVER THEY'RE FROM.

SO RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE YOUR BEST BET.

IT'S JUST GOING TO BE A HAZARD DOWN THE ROAD.

>> ELIZABETH, TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS RED OAKS, PLANTED WHEN THE HOUSE WAS BUILT.

ONE IS GREAT.

THE OTHER ONE ISN'T.

ANY IDEA ON THIS ONE?

>> SO WE WERE KIND OF TOSSING THIS BACK AND FORTH WITH THIS ONE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF TOUGH TO TELL FROM THE PICTURES WE WERE GIVEN.

WE CAN'T SEE IF THERE'S A CANKER ON THE STEM OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

FOR THEIR BEST BET, IT'S GOING TO BE SENDING A SAMPLE IN TO KYLE TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NOTHING PATHOGENIC ON THERE, TO MAKE SURE IF THERE IS SOMETHING, WE GET IT IDENTIFIED CORRECTLY.

WITH THAT, HE'S GOING TO NEED THE LEAVES TO STILL BE A LITTLE BIT GREEN, NOT COMPLETELY BROWN, BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO GET ANYTHING FROM BROWN LEAVES.

>> YEAH.

SO LIKE THE SAMPLES ARE STILL PARTIALLY ALIVE AND PARTIALLY DEAD.

BUT ALSO WE'D PROBABLY WANT SOME OF THE WOODY MATERIAL AS WELL.

SO NOT JUST THOSE LEAVES.

AND NEVER SEND IN LEAVES THAT HAVE DROPPED OFF TO THE GROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE, ELIZABETH.

THIS IS AN AUTUMN BLAZE MAPLE PLANTED IN 2017.

YES, NO, OR MAYBE?

>> JUST LEAVE IT AND SEE.

DOWN AT THE BOTTOM, IT'S MAKING CALLUS TISSUE.

THAT'S THE GOOD SIGN.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW DEEP THAT CRACK IS GOING TO GO.

JUST CONTINUE TO WATCH IF IT'S GOT SOME LEAVES THAT ARE FALLING OFF ON THAT SIDE OR IT'S STARTING TO FAIL ON THAT SIDE.

THAT'S WHEN WE HAVE OUR INDICATOR THAT IT PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE REMOVED.

BUT JUST WATCH FOR NOW.

THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

>> YOU KNOW, WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE OF OUR LOYAL AUDIENCE FOR STAYING WITH US FOR 70 YEARS.

IT'S ALSO REALLY NEAT KNOWING THAT THE NEXT GENERATION OF GARDENERS ARE CATCHING ON AS WELL.

WE MET UP WITH CARTER AND HIS FAMILY IN WAYNE TO DISCOVER HIS LOVE OF GARDENING IN "BACKYARD FARMER."

♪ >> MY MOM DID GARDENING, AND WHEN COVID HIT, SOMEHOW I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH PLANTS AND TREES AND STUFF.

AND THEN I JUST WANTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.

AND I LIKE SCIENCE.

>> CARTER GOT STARTED IN GARDENING A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

COVID HAPPENED, AND PRESCHOOL WAS CLOSED.

HE COULDN'T SEE HIS FRIENDS.

WE COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

SO HE ENDED UP FINDING A LITTLE STICK, AND HE PUT IT IN A POT AND DECIDED IT WAS A TREE.

HE TOOK IT WITH HIM EVERYWHERE.

WE WENT ON WALKS, AND HE JUST GOT REALLY INTERESTED IN TREES.

AND THEN AFTER THAT, HE STARTED GETTING INTERESTED IN OTHER THINGS.

HE WENT TO HIS GRANDPA'S VEGETABLE GARDEN AND LOOKED AT TREES IN THE GROVE.

WE STARTED BUYING MORE FLOWERS, AND HE JUST HAS REALLY EXPANDED WHAT HE LIKES.

>> I LIKE "BACKYARD FARMER" BECAUSE I LIKE TO SEE THE FLOWER OF THE WEEK, AND I LIKE TO KNOW THE DIFFERENT QUESTIONS.

I'VE SUBMITTED QUESTIONS, AND EGGS ON A DAYLILY, AND A FUNGUS ON A HEN AND CHICKS.

>> CARTER STARTED WATCHING "BACKYARD FARMER" A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

AT FIRST, HE JUST WATCHED LITTLE BITS AND PIECES OF "BACKYARD FARMER," AND NOW HE WATCHES THE WHOLE EPISODE.

HE LIKES SEEING WHAT THE FLOWER OF THE WEEK IS.

HE LIKES LOOKING AT THE BUGS AND DIFFERENT THINGS, AND SOMETIMES HE MIGHT SEE A PROBLEM WITH A PLANT, AND HE SEES SOMETHING SIMILAR AT HOME, AND HE JUST LIKES TO WATCH THAT.

HIS LOVE OF PLANTS HAS BEEN A REALLY NEAT THING TO SEE.

HE HAS GOTTEN SOME OF HIS FRIENDS INTERESTED IN PLANTS.

HIS TEACHER LAST YEAR CALLED HIM "THE PLANT MAN," AND HE GOT TO HELP HER TAKE CARE OF HER GERBER DAISY.

HE'S GOT NEIGHBORS EXCITED ABOUT HIS LOVE OF PLANTS, AND IT'S JUST BEEN REALLY CONTAGIOUS.

I TOLD HIM A LOT OF PEOPLE GROW UP, AND THEY HAVE NEVER FOUND WHAT IT IS THAT THEY REALLY, TRULY LOVE.

AND IT'S REALLY SPECIAL THAT HE'S ALREADY FOUND THAT.

>> WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING CARTER AND HIS GARDEN GROW, AND HE'S ONLY 6 YEARS OLD.

SO THAT'S REALLY, REALLY FUN.

AND THANKS TO THE LUBKE FAMILY FOR INVITING US UP TO THEIR HOME.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE THIS AND MANY OTHER "BACKYARD FARMER" FEATURES AND PROGRAMS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

CHECK IT OUT.

HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON AFTER THE SHOW.

ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OR TWO AS ALWAYS ON THE SHOW, AND I THINK WE HAVE ONE WHICH IS COMING UP ALREADY.

AUGUST, EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS AGAIN.

THE LAST ONE, EAST CAMPUS MALL, 10:00 TO 2:00.

WE ARE USUALLY IN THE GARDEN, AND THERE'S ALL SORTS OF OTHER COOL STUFF.

AND OF COURSE ANYBODY WHO IS ON THE PANEL AND SITS ON THE MALL GETS ALL SORTS OF QUESTIONS THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER THEN.

IS THAT RIGHT, KYLE?

>> BRING ALL YOUR SAMPLES TO ME, AND I'LL HAPPILY ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WAYNE, YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF PICTURES NOW.

THIS IS A FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, VIEWER.

THEY HAVE THOUSANDS OF THESE COVERING THE WEST SIDE OF THEIR HOUSE.

WHAT ARE THEY?

SHOULD HE WORRY?

>> THEY'RE ARGUS TORTOISE BEETLES, AND NO.

THEY'RE MORE INTERESTED IN EATING MORNING GLORIES THAN FIELD BINDWEED.

>> MORRIS BLUFF VIEWER HAS THESE WORMS ALL OVER.

INCH-LONG, DARK BROWN, HUNDREDS OF THEM.

WHAT ARE THEY, AND HOW TO GET RID OF THEM?

>> GREENHOUSE MILLIPEDES, NATIVE TO ASIA.

GOOD LUCK GETTING RID OF THEM.

>> UH-OH.

ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A CARNEY VIEWER, AND SHE SAYS SHE'S SUBMITTING THIS FROM A FAMILY MEMBER NEAR INDIANAPOLIS.

WHY ARE THESE ANTS CARRYING HILL-MAKING MATERIAL INTO THE HOUSE, AND HOW CAN SHE GET RID OF THEM?

>> CLEAN IT UP, PLUG THE HOLE, BAIT OUTSIDE.

THEY'RE PAVEMENT ANTS.

>> PAVEMENT ANTS.

ALL RIGHT.

>> THAT WOULD BE THE BEST THING TO DO.

GET ONE OF THE OUTDOOR BAITS.

>> EXCELLENT.

TWO MORE PICTURES WITH THIS QUESTION.

THIS IS A BLAIR, NEBRASKA, VIEWER.

THESE LITTLE CRITTERS RECENTLY TOOK UP RESIDENCE ON THE FRONT PORCH.

WHAT ARE THEY, AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THEM?

>> BOX ELDER BUGS.

THESE ARE THE NYMPHS.

THIS ONE RIGHT HERE WOULD BE THE LASTING STAR BEFORE BECOMING AN ADULT.

IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF THEM, CHOP DOWN ALL OF YOUR OF YOUR MAPLES, INCLUDING YOUR BOX ELDERS AND FEMALE ASH TREES YOU HAVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEN YOU CAN NOT HAVE BOX ELDER BUGS.

>> NOT HAPPENING IN OTHER WORDS.

>> PROBABLY NOT.

>> TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HASTINGS.

SHE'S GOT THIS FUNKY PATCH IN HER YARD.

SHE WATERS IT.

SHE CHECKS FOR GRUBS.

THIS ONE AREA JUST WILL NOT GREEN UP.

WHAT DO WE THINK?

>> I THINK THIS IS ALL GOING TO HAVE TO END UP BEING MANAGEMENT.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S COMPACTED.

IT'S NEXT TO THE DRIVEWAY.

IT'S NEXT TO THE SIDEWALK, SO IT'S GOT HEAT COMING OFF OF IT.

IT'S TOO LOW.

SO WHAT YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO NEED TO DO IS AERATE IT THIS FALL.

YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO NEED TO OVERSEED IT.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE MOWING IT 3 TO 3 1/2 INCHES TALL.

IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE CUTTING YOUR LAWN TOO SHORT.

YOU REALLY SHOULD ONLY NEED TO WATER IT ABOUT AN INCH A WEEK AT THE MOST.

TURF ACTUALLY DOESN'T NEED AS MUCH WATER AS MOST PEOPLE THINK.

SO THIS IS ALL GOING TO BE MANAGEMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS FRAG, AND HE WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO KILL THE FRAG WITHOUT KILLING EVERYTHING ELSE BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN TOLD HE NEEDS TO, WHICH IS TRUE.

>> YES.

SO THIS IS ON THE INVASIVE SPECIES LIST.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE QUITE A BIT.

YOU CAN GO TO EXTENSION.UNL.EDU.

LOOK AT PUBLICATIONS, THE EC-130 WILL GIVE YOU THE LIST OF ALL OF THE CHEMICALS THAT YOU CAN USE TO DO THIS.

YOU COULD GET BACK A HOLD OF YOUR WEED BOARD PEOPLE, AND THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.

IF NOT, I BELIEVE YOU ARE IN COLUMBUS.

YOU COULD GET A HOLD OF KELLY FEEHAN, AND SHE WOULD MAYBE BE ABLE TO HELP.

BUT YOU CAN SPRAY IT.

YOU CAN CUT IT DOWN.

IF IT IS IN A SAFE ENOUGH AREA THAT YOU COULD BURN IT, YOU CAN BURN ALL THE DEAD BACK AND SEE WHERE THE GROWTH IS COMING UP FROM TO SPRAY THAT SO THAT YOU GET A BETTER CONTROL.

THERE IS ALSO MECHANICAL CONTROL, BUT IT DOESN'T WORK VERY WELL WHERE YOU'RE KIND OF DISKING IT IN.

BUT -- >> YEAH.

>> GOOD LUCK.

>> YEAH, I KNOW.

ALL RIGHT.

KYLE, YOU HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES ALSO.

THIS IS A RISING CITY VIEWER, WHO SAYS WHAT CAUSED THE MOWER TRACKS TO APPARENTLY DIE?

>> THIS IS LIKELY ASCOCHYTA.

WE DO SEE IT FAIRLY OFTEN IN STRESSED TURF.

IT'S REALLY NOT ONE OF THOSE TURF DISEASES THAT WE NEED TO WORRY A WHOLE LOT ABOUT.

IT DOES NOT HARM THE ROOT OR CROWN.

IT REALLY JUST GETS THE GROWING POINT.

AND WHAT WE CAN SEE HERE IS IT'S IN THE SHADED AREA OF THE LAWN.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF IT BECAUSE THAT LAWN IS -- THAT AREA IS NOT NEAR AS STRESSED FROM THE HEAT AND DROUGHT CONDITIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> SO JUST WATER IT, AND IT WILL GROW OUT OF IT.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

LILACS.

THE BROWN EVENTUALLY TURNS BACK.

SHE SPRAYED WITH COPPER FUNGICIDE IN EARLY SPRING.

SECOND YEAR FOR THIS.

BY THE FALL, THEY'RE ALL BROWN AND BLACK.

>> YEAH, THIS IS PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE ANYMORE.

IT'S SEWER CERCOSPORA.

IT'S A CERCOSPORA LEAF BLIGHT ON LILACS.

THE COPPERS SHOULD WORK BUT PROBABLY A LITTLE TOO EARLY WITH THEM.

>> THREE PICS ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A BENNETT VIEWER.

THIS IS RED BUD THAT HAS CUPPING, CURLING, AND BLACK SPOTS.

>> YEAH.

I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING TO THIS GENTLEMAN LAST WEEKEND AS WELL.

SO THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME HERBICIDE INJURY THAT WE'RE SEEING.

AS FAR AS THOSE BLACK SPOTS ON THE LEAVES, REALLY NOT SURE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE HAD MENTIONED WAS THAT PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE TREE SHOWED UP WITH THOSE BLACK SPOTS JUST OVER A COUPLE OF DAYS.

THAT'S REALLY NOT TERRIBLY INDICATIVE OF ANY DISEASE.

SO I REALLY DO THINK THAT IT'S PRIMARILY A HERBICIDE ISSUE IN QUESTION.

BUT I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE LEAVES IF YOU WANT TO SEND A SAMPLE IN.

>> EXCELLENT.

ELIZABETH, YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM LOUISVILLE.

COLORADO ASPEN BLEW OVER.

REPLACEMENT TREE, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> SO THERE'S A REALLY GREAT LIST IF YOU GOOGLE TREES FOR EASTERN NEBRASKA.

WHAT IT DOES IS IT BREAKS DOWN FROM THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE AND THE STATEWIDE ARBORETUM, IT BREAKS DOWN THE TREES BASED ON SIZE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR CLEARANCE IS, HOW MUCH ROOM YOU HAVE.

I REALLY CAN'T RECOMMEND ONE TREE OVER ANOTHER.

IF YOU GO THERE, IT BREAKS THEM DOWN BY SIZES.

WHETHER A LARGE SHADE TREE OR A SMALLER TREE.

I'D START THERE AND PICK A FUN ONE OFF OF THAT EASTERN NEBRASKA LIST.

>> A GRAND ISLAND VIEWER NEXT.

SHE'S CALLING IT A LAMPLIGHTER HYDRANGEA THAT HASN'T BLOOMED.

WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND LAMPLIGHTER.

WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> WE LOOKED IT UP.

WE'RE NOT REALLY SURE.

IT LOOKS LIKE A PANICULATA TYPE OR ONE OF THOSE.

WE NEED TO KNOW A LITTLE MORE ABOUT IT.

IT MIGHT JUST BE RELATED TO MANAGEMENT.

>> NEXT ONE IS A NORFORK VIEWER.

THIS IS A PICTURE FROM LAST YEAR ON LIMELIGHT.

SHE'S WONDERING SHOULD SHE WATER?

>> YES, WATER IT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT SURVIVES.

>> THIS COMES TO US FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS.

THIS IS A RHODODENDRON.

THREE TOGETHER.

THEY'VE LOST THEM, THEY'VE LOST THEM.

WHAT?

>> MY FIRST THOUGHT IS WHAT DIRECTION IS THAT FACING?

IS IT INTENSE SUNLIGHT?

IF WE'RE TALKING INTENSE SUNLIGHT, WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH A RHODODENDRON IN THAT LOCATION?

IT MAY JUST BE NOT THE RIGHT PLANT FOR THAT LOCATION.

>> THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

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

THANKS TO OUR LOYAL AUDIENCE FOR SUBMITTING ALL THOSE QUESTIONS.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES THIS EVENING, WE HAD GARY BELL, JAN CARIOTTO, AND TIM DUNGAN.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'LL CHECK OUT A LAVENDER FARM HERE IN LANCASTER COUNTY AND SEE WHAT IT TAKES TO GROW LAVENDER IN NEBRASKA.

WE'LL ALSO ENJOY SOME VERY CREATIVE IDEAS FOR LANDSCAPE LIGHTING.

SO GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

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

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