>>> 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 HEAR ABOUT WHY PLANTING NATIVE ORNAMENTALS IS A GREAT IDEA.

AND HOW GARDENING HELPS OUR SENIOR COMMUNITIES.

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

♪ ♪ >>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "BACKYARD FARMER."

I'M KIM TODD AND WE'RE EXCITED TO ANSWER YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS FOR THE NEXT HOUR.

YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH US.

DIAL 1-800-676-5466.

THOSE PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

IF YOU HAVE PICTURES TO SHARE AND IT CAN WAIT FOR A FUTURE SHOW, PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE AND AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR QUESTION.

YOU CAN ALSO WATCH PAST PROGRAMS AND FEATURES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

YOU CAN FOLLOW US DURING THE WEEK ON FACEBOOK.

WE HAVE SAMPLES TO START THE SHOW.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, KATE, YOU SAID THAT CAME OUT OF THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

>> IT DID.

I WAS THERE TODAY LOOKING FOR CATERPILLARS.

I DIDN'T PLAN ON FINDING THIS ONE, BUT THERE WAS A PATCH OF ZUCCHINI, IS THAT RIGHT?

A PATCH OF ZUCCHINI THAT WAS CLEARLY WILTED AND DYING AS YOU CAN SEE HERE.

AND THEN UPON CLOSER INSPECTION RIGHT IN HERE I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF SAWDUST-LIKE FRASS AT THE BASE.

AND SO THAT IS A SURE SIGN THAT YOU HAVE A SQUASH-BIND BORER PROBLEM.

SO, THE ADULT MOTHS ARE KIND OF AN INTERESTING RED COLOR.

AND THEY LAY THEIR EGGS AT THE BASE OF THE STEM OF SQUASH PLANTS.

AND WHEN CATERPILLARS HATCH OUT, THEY TUNNEL INTO THE MAIN STEM AND EAT IT FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

AND IT PRETTY MUCH, IT GURLS THE PLANT.

AND UNLESS CONTROLLED, IT WILL KILL IT.

LUCKILY, THERE'S SEVERAL THINGS YOU CAN DO TO MANAGE AND PREVENT IT.

YOU CAN ROTATE YOUR CROPS.

YOU CAN DO -- YOU CAN PLANT CHOP CROPS.

THERE'S INSECTICIDE OPTIONS.

AND IF YOU DO DISCOVER THAT YOU HAVE CATERPILLARS LIKE THIS ONE, YOU CAN TRY INJECTING THE BASE OF THE STEM WITH BT.

OR CAN YOU EVEN DO A LITTLE BIT OF SQUASH SURGERY AND TRY TO CUT IT OUT.

BUT AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS PLANT, THIS ONE'S TOO FAR GONE, WHICH HAPPENS QUITE A BIT.

>> SQUASH THE SQUASH, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KATE.

TERRI, WHAT DO WE HAVE TODAY?

>> WE HAVE LOTS OF QUESTIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE EMAILING IN AND THEY HAVE THE TREE AND THEY HAVE NO TURF UNDERNEATH THERE.

AND THEY SAY, "WHAT DO THEY DO?"

WELL, HERE IS A PLANT THAT YOU CAN USE.

THIS IS VINCA.

THIS WILL GROW VERY WELL.

IT WILL TAKE REALLY DEEP SHADE.

WHAT IT WILL DO IS YOU KIND OF PLANT THEM, THEY'LL KIND OF GROW OUT.

THEY'LL KIND OF -- THIS IS ONE WHERE I KIND OF PULLED IT OUT WHERE IT WAS TRYING TO ROOT ITSELF SO THE STEMS WILL ROOT DOWN AND SPREAD LIKE A VERY NICE VINE.

HARDY.

DOESN'T -- IT LAUGHS AT PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING.

DROUGHT AND EVERYTHING.

SO VINCA WILL BE A VERY GREAT ALTERNATIVE FOR TURF UNDER YOUR TREES.

>> AND IT'S EVERGREEN AND IT FLOWERS.

>> YES, A VERY BLUE PRETTY FLOWER, ACTUALLY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS TERRI.

OKAY, YOURS APPARENTLY IS A LITTLE BIT LIKE KATE'S, LOREN.

>> IT IS QUITE A BIT.

AND IT'S CUCURBIT NIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" HERE WITH OUR SAMPLES.

WE DIDN'T CIRCULATE, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A THEME HERE.

THIS IS JUST AN ORNAMENTAL -- ONE OF OUR MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF SQUASH OR LITTLE ORNAMENTAL GOURDES.

AND SPECIFICALLY HERE, I JUST WANTED TO SHOW THIS.

THIS, YOU CAN KIND OF SEE THE DISCOLORATION ON THE STEM.

ALSO SEE HOW THE NEW GROWTH IS TWISTED AND CUPPED AND CURLED.

IT WOULD BE EASY TO THINK THAT MAYBE THIS WAS SOME SORT OF VIRUS INFECTION OR SOMETHING WITH THE DISTORTED GROWTH.

BUT THIS IS ALL ACTUALLY SLUG INJURY.

SO, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH THIS HAPPEN IN MY HOME GARDEN AND NOT DO ANYTHING.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANY STALE BEER SO I COULDN'T MAKE A SLUG TRAP.

BUT ALL SLUG INJURY, AND YOU'LL SEE SLUG INJURY ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLANTS.

AND ALWAYS IN THAT NEWER GROWTH AREA.

THEY LOVE TO FEED ON NEW GROWING TIPS AND REALLY COMMON IN WET SPOTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, LOREN.

OKAY, ELIZABETH.

WHAT DO WE HAVE?

>> WELL, I'VE GOT THE ONLY GOOD-LOOKING SQUASH ON THE PANEL TONIGHT.

WHAT I HAVE IS I BROUGHT SOME SAMPLES OF SOME SQUASH FLOWERS.

NOW, OFTENTIMES WE TALK ABOUT IN THE SUMMER, YOU KNOW, "MY SQUASH ARE REALLY BLOOMING, OR MY CUCUMBERS ARE REALLY BLOOMING.

BUT WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY CUCUMBERS OR SQUASH.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

WHAT'S WRONG?"

AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THERE'S THINGS IN THE CUCURBIT FAMILY HAVE MALE FLOWERS AND THEY HAVE THE FEMALE FLOWERS.

AND SO, WHAT I HAVE HERE IS IN FRONT, WE HAVE MALE FLOWER.

AND ONE WAY TO KNOW THAT THAT IS THE MALE FLOWER IS IT'S JUST A FLOWER ATTACHED TO THE PETIOLE OR THE STEM.

IN THE BACK, WE HAVE THE FEMALE FLOWER.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE ATTACHED DIRECTLY EITHER THE BABY CUCUMBER OR THE BABY SQUASH.

AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT GETS SUPER HOT OUT, IS THAT PLANT WILL PUT ON A BUNCH OF MALE FLOWERS IN THE FRONT.

AND SO, IT'S GOING TO ALL OF THESE MALE FLOWERS OUT.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO CAUSE ANY POLLINATION.

AND THEN, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THOSE BABY SQUASH AND CUCUMBERS.

WHEN THE TEMPERATURES START TO COOL OFF, THAT'S WHEN WE START TO SEE THESE FEMALE FLOWERS START TO COME OUT AND EMERGE.

AND THEN WE SEE THE MALE FLOWERS COME, AND THAT'S WHERE WE NEED OUR LOVELY POLLINATORS, OR OURSELVES, POLLINATE IN ORDER TO GET THOSE FLOSE TO POLLINATE, AND TO STICK, AND TO SET FRUIT.

SO, IF YOU SEEN A LOT OF FLOWERS, BUT THEY'RE NOT SETTING FRUIT, DOUBLE CHECK TO SEE IF THEY'RE MALE OR FEMALE FLOWERS.

>> AND HOPE IT IS NOT A HUNDRED FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER.

>> FINGERS CROSSED.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, ELIZABETH.

ALL RIGHT, KATE.

FIRST PICTURES COME TO YOU.

THE FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

HOLE IN THE DEAD LIMB OF AN ASH.

GOES ALL THE WAY THROUGH A LIMB.

THEY HAVE TREATED IT FOR EAB.

>> YEAH, SO, A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE HOLES IN THEIR ASH TREE.

AND THE FIRST ASSUMPTION IS THAT IT'S EMERALD ASH BORE.

THIS HOLE, IN PARTICULAR, DOESN'T LOOK DE-SHAPED TO ME.

AND THERE'S ACTUALLY A LOT OF OTHER BORERS THAT CAN DAMAGE ASH TREES.

A LOT OF LONG-HORNED BEETLES.

THERE'S THE LILAC ASH BORER.

THERE'S CARPENTER WORMS.

AND THIS COULD PROBABLY BE ANY ONE OF THEM.

AND IT'S HARD TELLING HOW OLD THIS HOLE IS, TOO.

SO, AS LONG AS YOU'RE TREATING THE TREE AND KEEPING IT HEALTHY, YOU SHOULD BE OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU NEXT -- ACTUALLY THREE PICTURES ARE KIND OF FROM THE SAME SORT OF THING.

THE FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM NORFOLK.

WHAT IS DIGGING THIS?

>> SO THIS IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE CICADA-KILLER WASP.

IT'S OUR LARGEST WASP THAT WE GET HERE IN NEBRASKA.

THEY'RE REALLY INTIMIDATING LOOKING.

BUT THE FEMALES THAT CAN STING ARE DOCILE.

AND THE MALES, WHILE TERRITORIAL ARE ALL BARK AND NO BITE, AND DON'T STING.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY LIKE TO NEST LOOSE SOIL, LIKE RETAINING WALLS OR BARE PATCHES OF TURF.

I -- IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, I WOULD JUST LET THEM BE.

DO THEIR THING.

BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO TREAT, YOU CAN USE DUST INSECTICIDE, LIKE A CARBARYL OR A PYRETHROID.

AND THEN TRY TO KEEP A LOT OF GROUND COVER AND KEEP THE AREA MOIST TO DETER THEM IN THE FUTURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR NEXT TWO COME TO US FROM BELLVIEW.

SHE SAW THIS SMALL PILE, SHE SAW AN INSECT GO IN AND OUT A NUMBER OF TIMES.

SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE SAME THING.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> SO, THIS IS ANOTHER LOVELY SOLITARY WASP THAT WE GET HERE.

THIS ONE'S CALLED THE GREAT GOLDEN DIGGER WASP.

AND THE ADULTS ARE POLLINATORS.

THEY FEED ON NECTAR AND THEY'LL CAPTURE THINGS LIKE KADYDIDS AND CRICKETS TO FEED TO THEIR YOUNG.

IF YOUR REALLY MUST GET RID OF IT, SAME RECOMMENDATIONS.

BUT BECAUSE THEY'RE BENEFICIAL, I WOULD JUST LET THESE ONES DO THEIR THING.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE PICTURE.

AND THIS IS JUST WAY COOL.

WE HAD TWO PEOPLE SEND US THIS, JUST SO YOU CAN TALK ABOUT IT.

>> YEAH.

SO, THIS IS A HORN RIMMED CATERPILLAR THAT HAS BEEN PARASITIZED BY A SMALL WASP.

AND WHAT YOU SEE HERE ARE ACTUALLY THE WASP'S COCOONS.

SO, THE MOMMA WAS WILL STING THE CATERPILLAR, AND THE EGGS WILL HATCH INSIDE.

AND THE CATERPILLAR IS EATEN FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

AND WHEN THE WASPS ARE READY TO EMERGE, THEY FORM THESE COCOONS.

AND THE CATERPILLAR WILL SURELY DIE FROM THIS.

SO, IT'S AN EASY NATURAL FORM OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL.

>> AND I WISH VIEWERS COULD HAVE SEEN THE EXPRESSIONS ON THE REST OF THE PANELIST'S FACES.

ALL RIGHT, TERRI.

>> ETHICAL TREATMENT OF CATERPILLARS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM WAUSAU, NEBRASKA.

WHAT IS THIS TAKING OVER THE AREA WHERE HER IRIS ARE.

>> SO, THIS IS PROSTATE KNOT WEED.

THIS IS -- AN ANNUAL WEED.

MOST PEOPLE THINK IT WILL GET FLAT BUT IT CAN GET UP.

AND IT CAN GET UP TO THREE TO FOUR FOOT TALL.

IT DOESN'T -- IT LIKES COMPACTED, NO OXYGEN SOIL.

SO REALLY, THE WAY TO MANAGE THIS IS TO TRY TO AERATE IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

EVEN IF IT'S IN A LANDSCAPE BED, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN PUT SOME TINES DOWN IN THERE AND KIND OF LOOSEN IT UP A LITTLE BIT.

DIG IT OUT IF IT'S IN AND AMONGST OTHER PLANTS THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP, BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY NO CONTROL THAT YOU CAN GET RID OF THAT AND NOT GET RID OF YOUR OVER PLANTS.

SO, PROSTATE KNOT WEED.

>> OKAY, AND YOU HAVE ONE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM SYRACUSE.

THIS IS A NEW WEED TO HER GARDEN.

WHAT'S THIS ONE?

>> THIS IS CARPET WEED.

THIS IS KIND OF A COOL WEED.

IT WILL CREATE THOSE ROSETTES.

AND THEN IT WILL SEND OUT THESE STOLENS AND THEY ROOT DOWN.

IT KIND OF HAS A CUTE LITTLE FLOWER.

THE FLOWER AND THE SEED OPEN UP INTO THIS LITTLE CAPSULE.

AND THERE'S APPROXIMATELY 40 SEEDS PER LITTLE CAPSULE THAT WILL GO ALL OVER THE PLACE.

BUT IF YOU HAVE PRAIRIE CHICKENS, THEY LIKE TO EAT IT.

THEY'RE EASY TO PULL OUT.

JUST DIG IT UP, GET RID OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, PRAIRIE CHICKENS.

NATURAL CONTROL.

ALL RIGHT.

LOREN, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS FROM NORTH PLATTE, MAPLE TURNING YELLOW.

BROWN SPOTS, BLACK CURLING ENDS.

THEY DO FERTILIZE.

THEY SAY THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR FOR THIS ONE.

>> YEAH, SO, THIS ONE I BELIEVE WE HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE OF ANOTHER ONE, TOO, KIM.

IT'S VERY SIMILAR, I THINK -- >> AND FROM GREELY, COLORADO, AND THAT ONE'S EIGHT YEARS OLD.

AND THEY'RE AUTUMN BLAZE MAPLES.

>> AND WITH AUTUMN BLAZE, WE DO TEND TO SEE QUITE A FEW PROBLEMS, I THINK.

AND THE BIGGEST POINT ON THIS IS PROBABLE TO BE LIKE A SOIL, PROBABLE TO BE LIKE A SOIL, MAYBE A SOIL CONDITION.

MAYBE IT'S A P.H.

ISSUE SHOWING ARM CHLOROSIS.

AS A PATHOLOGIST, THE THING THAT I START THINKING ABOUT, OR WONDERING IS, IS THERE ANYTHING IF THAT'S A CERTAIN BRANCH OF THE TREE.

WHEN OUR TREES TURN COLOR, IF IT IS A SPECIFIC BRANCH, YOU CAN ALWAYS LOOK FOR A CANKER.

BUT IF IT'S THE WHOLE TREE AND IT'S DOING THAT, IT'S MOST LIKELY MORE OF JUST THE LOCATION, NUTRITIONAL ISSUE.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE FERTILIZING IT.

I THINK THEY HAD INDICATED THEY'RE FERTILIZING THE YARD.

DIFFICULT TO OVERCOME THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, YEAH, IT'S NOT A GREAT ONE FOR THOSE HIGH P.H.

SOILS.

ALL RIGHT, YOUR LAST PICTURE COMES TO US FROM PAPILLION.

AND IT IS A TULIP TREE, SO I THINK WE CIRCLE THROUGH TO THE NEXT PIC HERE.

HAS BLACK SPOTS ON THE LEAVES AND A FEW ARE TURNING YELLOW.

IS THIS SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT AND IS THERE A TREATMENT?

>> OH, THIS IS -- THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

SO ACTUALLY, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD SEEN THIS, THIS IS TAR SPOTS.

SOME OF OUR VIEWERS HAVE SEEN TAR SPOT ON MAPLE.

THIS IS TAR SPOT, DIFFERENT SPECIES, THAT IMPACTS TULIP TREE.

AND, AS FAR AS MANAGEMENT ON THIS, I WOULDN'T DO ANY TYPE OF AN APPLICATION NOW.

COMMON RECOMMENDATION ON THIS IS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE REMOVING DEBRIS, SO DO A GOOD JOB OF REMOVING THAT LEAF LITTER THAT WILL HAVE THE FUNGUS THAT YOU'RE SEEING IN THE BLACK SPOT FOR NEXT YEAR.

THAT'D BE THE BEST THING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND I THINK, ELIZABETH, YOU HAD A PRETTY BAD EXAMPLE OF THIS ONE YEAR, DID YOU NOT?

>> YEAH, WE HAD A SAMPLE.

THEY HAD SEVERAL TREES IN ONE LOCATION IN ST. PAUL, AND THEY ALL GOT INFECTED, AND IT'S JUST, WAIT FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH, YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES TO US FROM AINSWORTH.

SHE HAS SOLOMON'S SEAL.

THIS IS THE VARIEGATED ONE.

SHE DID PLANT IT IN HER SHADE GARDEN, DOES GET FILTERED SUN.

AMERICAN ZERO SEAR.

SHE STARTS TO WATER IT WHEN THE SOIL STARTS TO DRY OUT.

BUT SHE'S WONDERING WHY IT'S NOT REALLY THRIVING.

>> SO WITH THE SOLOMON'S SEAL, IT REALLY LIKES THAT DENSE SHADE, AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S IN THAT REALLY HEAVY SHADE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE WATER THROUGH ESTABLISHMENT.

I KNOW I HAVE MINE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HOUSE, BUT OF COURSE IT GETS SUNLIGHT LATER ON IN THE DAY AND IT JUST GETS TOO MUCH SUNLIGHT IN THAT SPOT.

SO IT REALLY NEEDS THAT SHADE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM FAIRMONT.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS, AND IS IT TOXIC TO LIVESTOCK?

>> SO THAT IS JIMSONWEED.

JIMSONWEED IS TOXIC TO NOT ONLY LIVESTOCK BUT ALSO TO HUMANS.

AND SO IF YOU HAVE JIMSONWEED, YOU NEED TO GO IN AND YOU NEED TO PULL IT.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS THOSE LITTLE BARBS WILL TURN INTO A HUGE SEED POD AND THEN IT'LL DROP ITS SEED.

WITH THAT, YOU DON'T WANT TO CUT IT OFF AT THE GROUND LEVEL BECAUSE IT'S JUST GONNA RESPROUT FROM THE BASE.

SO IF YOU IT, YOU WANT TO GO OUT, WEAR GLOVES, AND PULL IT.

BECAUSE IT DOES CONTAIN AN ALKALOID THAT WILL CAUSE HALLUCINOGENS, IT'LL MAKE YOUR PUPILS DILATE, IT'S THINGS THAT WE REALLY DON'T WANT.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PULL IT UP AND DISPOSE OF IT BEFORE THAT SEED POD IS READY AND IT'S DROPPING THOSE SEEDS.

AND THERE'S USUALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT OF THEM IN ONE SPOT, SO IT SHOULD BE EASY TO CONTROL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, ELIZABETH.

WELL, YOU KNOW, IT MAKES SENSE THAT PLANTS THAT ARE ACCUSTOMED TO OUR ENVIRONMENT WILL THRIVE HERE.

WE VISITED MULHALL'S IN OMAHA THIS WEEK TO TAKE A LOOK AT ONE OF THEIR NEW INSTALLATIONS OF NATIVES, AND THEIR BEE GARDEN.

♪ ♪ >>> WE'RE HERE AT OUR NEW PLAZA PLANTING AT MULHALL'S, WITH SOME OF OUR - - THE NATIVE PLANTS THAT WE'RE THE MOST EXCITED ABOUT, TO TALK ABOUT THE GROWING CONVERSATION, THE INCREASING AMOUNT OF QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE GETTING AS A COMPANY ABOUT HOW TO INCORPORATE MORE NATIVE PLANTS INTO OUR LANDSCAPES.

AND I'M HERE WITH HANNAH TODAY.

HANNAH LEADS OUR GROWING TEAM, PARTICULARLY IN THE NATIVE PLANT WORLD.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THEM TODAY IN TWO CONVERSATIONS.

ONE, HOW IT RELATES TO OUR FOOD WEB, AND THEN TWO, A MORE ETHICAL REASON WHY WE THINK THEY'RE IMPORTANT.

AND SO TO TALK FIRST ABOUT THE FOOD WEB, HANNAH, WE WERE TALKING JUST EARLIER ABOUT THAT BEE GARDEN, OUR BEE GARDEN, AND THEN SOME BIRDS IN YOUR BACKYARD.

>> RIGHT.

SO WE PLANTED A BEE GARDEN, PURPOSEFULLY FOR UM, CRITTERS AND INSECTS OF THE WORLD, AND SEE HOW THEY DO.

WE'VE NOTICED GOLDFINCHES ON ALL OF OUR ECHINACEA SPECIES.

WE SEE PARASITOID WASPS ON OUR APHIDS, AND GREEN LACEWING LARVAE EATING LOTS OF OUR PESTS.

WE CALL THIS OUR LITTLE NATURAL REFUGE OF OUR FARM, AND IT'S DOING GREAT.

>> AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HOW DELICATE THE BALANCE IS, OF, YOU KNOW, US SO DIRECTLY DEPENDING ON THE ANIMALS AND INSECTS, AND EVEN THESE PLANTS THAT WERE HERE LONG BEFORE US.

IT ADDS ANOTHER, I THINK IT ADDS MORE DEPTH AND EVEN ANOTHER TEXTURE TO HOW WE INTERACT, EVEN AS HOME GARDENERS WITH OUR LANDSCAPES.

TO EXTEND THAT THOUGH BEYOND JUST THE -- I SHOULDN'T SAY "JUST" THE FOOD WEB, OBVIOUSLY WE WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT IT.

BUT TO TALK THEN ABOUT, AS TWO PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMMITTED OUR CAREERS TO PLANTS AND PLANT THINGS IN OMAHA, HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT, KIND OF, OUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS FOOD WEB, MORE, SAY, ETHICALLY?

LIKE, WHAT -- WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO AS STEWARDS?

>> SURE.

SO, WITH THE BEE GARDEN THAT WE PLANTED, IT'S 1-YEAR-OLD.

WE HAVE USED NO IRRIGATION ON THIS BEE GARDEN THIS YEAR.

SO THE FIRST YEAR WE PLANTED IT, WE USED A LITTLE BIT OF IRRIGATION.

AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO WATER NATIVES AS MUCH BECAUSE THEY'RE MEANT TO BE HERE, AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, AS WE GROW INTO THIS, THAT PEOPLE WILL BE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT AND START CHANGING THEIR LAWNS INTO NATIVES PLANTS.

>> AND WE DON'T MEAN TO SAY THAT NATIVE PLANTS, AND ONLY NATIVE PLANTS, BUT HOW DO WE GROW THE CONVERSATION AROUND WHAT IT MEANS FOR US TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE WITH THE NATURAL WORLD HERE, AND TO MAKE AND HOLD MORE SPACE FOR IT.

AND I THINK THAT, TO HANNAH'S POINT, THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY THINGS THAT WE WEREN'T EXPECTING THAT HAVE HAPPENED, THAT HAVE BEEN REALLY COOL THE MORE THAT WE GET DOWN THIS PATH.

>> DEFINITELY.

>> YEAH, SO WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?

YOU KNOW, WE WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS, TO DO SO.

AND THE FACT IS, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT BIG.

AND AT LEAST IN OUR EXPERIENCE, IT IS THAT INTERESTING, AND IT DOES ADD THAT MUCH TO ANY GARDEN.

>> THANKS TO EVERYBODY AT MULHALL'S FOR HELPING US WITH THAT FEATURE.

AND IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN OMAHA, YOU CAN ALWAYS STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN TO SEE A LOT OF EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE JUST SAW IN THE FEATURE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NATIVES, PLUS ADAPTED PLANTS, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE KIND OF NOT A NATIVE SOIL.

ALL RIGHT.

KATE, YOU HAVE A WHOLE PILE OF PICTURES NEXT.

THEY'RE KIND OF RELATED HERE.

YOUR FIRST TWO ARE FROM PAPILLION.

THEY ARE TWO EUONYMUS, OR BURNING BUSH, 14-YEARS-OLD, SOUTH SIDE, FULL SUN.

NEVER CHANGED ANYTHING BUT ONE STARTED TO DIE OFF ON TOP AND SHE THOUGHT THE OTHER ONE WAS PERFECTLY FINE.

>> SO THIS IS MOST LIKELY SPIDER MITES.

AND SPIDER MITES THRIVE IN HOT AND DRY WEATHER.

AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF HOT AND DRY WEATHER.

AND A LOT OF PLANTS ARE REALLY TAKING A TOLL.

YOU CAN TELL THEY'RE SPIDER MITES, THEY KIND OF HAVE A STIPPLING, OR MOTTLING ON THE LEAVES.

AND THEN WHEN IT GETS REALLY INFESTED YOU'LL ALSO SEE THIS KIND OF FINE WEBBING ON THE LEAVES BEFORE THEY START TO DROP OFF.

SO ONE THING YOU CAN DO, IF YOU HAVE A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE, SPRAY IT.

BUT JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE GENERATIONS OF SPIDER MITES THROUGHOUT THE SEASON, SO IT'S NOT A ONE AND DONE TREATMENT.

YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO KEEP GOING OUT THERE, AND KEEP SPRAYING THAT WATER.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND YOUR NEXT PICTURE, COMES TO US -- HE DIDN'T SAY WHERE, BUT THIS IS A BUTTERFLY BUSH.

AND HE SAYS WE, EXTENSION, TOLD HIM IT'S SPIDER MITES.

>> YES, SO ONCE AGAIN, SPIDER MITES.

BUTTERFLY BUSHES, FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN TEND TO BE PRETTY SUSCEPTIBLE TO SPIDER MITES.

SO AS MENTIONED, HIGH SPRAY -- HIGH PRESSURE SPRAY OF WATER.

OTHERWISE, THERE ARE INSECTICIDE OPTIONS, SUCH AS HORTICULTURAL OILS OR INSECTICIDAL SOAP.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TO STAY ON TOP OF, AND IT'S GONNA REQUIRE MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS.

>> AND, YET ANOTHER BUTTERFLY BUSH, SO SAME EXACT THING, RIGHT?

>> YEP, SAME EXACT THING.

>> OKAY, ONE MORE PICTURE, AND THIS IS NOT SPIDER MITES.

>> DARN.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS PLANTED GLASS CORN, WHICH IS KIND OF A REALLY COOL CORN.

AND HE SAID IT BECAME HOME TO LITTLE CATERPILLARS OR WORMS THAT ARE WAY KINDA DOWN THERE IN THE BASE.

HE SPRAYED A DO-IT-YOURSELF SOAP ON THEM AND THEY DIED, BUT HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER HE'S ACTUALLY GOING TO GET ANY CORN OUT OF THE CORN.

>> RIGHT.

SO UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T THINK YOU CAN SEE THE WORMS IN THIS PICTURE.

SO I WOULD NEED TO SEE KIND OF A CLOSEUP TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL CATERPILLAR OR WORM-LIKE PESTS, SUCH AS CORN EARWORM, CORN BORER, THERE'S A SEED CORN MAGGOT IF YOU'RE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE KERNELS OF THE CORN.

DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU USED, I MEAN, IF IT WORKS, IT WORKS.

BUT IF IT IS ONE OF THE CATERPILLARS YOU CAN TRY B.T.

TREATMENTS, OR TRY SPINOSAD OR SOMETHING SIMILAR.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KATE.

TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SHE SAYS, "WHAT IS THIS?"

IT'S WOODY, AND IT'S AGGRESSIVE, AND IT'S VINING.

>> SO THIS IS MATRIMONY VINE.

THIS IS RELATED TO POTATOES AND PEPPERS AND THE SOLANACEAE FAMILY, OR GOJI BERRY, WHICH WE HAVE HAD IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, AND I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THAT FOR ANYBODY.

THIS IS JUST A WOODY VINE.

IF YOU WANT TO CONTROL IT, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO CONTROL IT LIKE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ALL SUMMER LONG, CUTTING IT BACK, USING A BRUSH KILLER, THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

BUT IT IS ACTUALLY AN ORNAMENTAL.

SO, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, IF YOU WANT TO CONTROL IT, CUT IT BACK, AND KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL, AND KIND OF IN ITS PLACE, YOU CAN DO THAT TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU'RE NEXT ONE, SHE SENT SEVERAL PICTURES, BUT WE'RE JUST USING ONE BECAUSE THEY'RE KIND OF ALL THE SAME.

SHE'S IN NORFOLK.

THEY HAD -- A PREVIOUS OWNER HAD A LINE OF TREES, LOTS OF FLOWERS.

BUT THEY'VE GOT ALL THESE THINGS COMING UP IN THE LAWN.

AND SHE DOES SAY THEY SEEM LIKE SUCKERS FROM TREES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

HOW -- HER HUSBAND'S BEEN MOWING, BUT HOW DO WE GET RID OF ALL OF THESE THINGS?

>> SO THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE IT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE ORNAMENTAL CRAB APPLES, WHERE IT WAS PROBABLY SOME OF THE PURPLE LEAFED ONE.

UM, OFTENTIMES IF YOU CUT DOWN SOME OF THOSE TREES, THE ROOTSTALK STAYS ALIVE IF YOU'RE -- IF YOU DON'T GO AHEAD AND KILL THAT, OR GRIND IT OUT, OR SOMETHING.

SO THAT'S MOST LIKELY WHAT THAT IS, IS COMING UP FROM THE ROOTSTALK.

CONTINUALLY MOWING IT OVER WILL HELP CONTROL IT, AND IT WILL EVENTUALLY GO AWAY BECAUSE YOU'RE BASICALLY TAKING ALL THE ENERGY OUT OF IT EVERY TIME YOU MOW IT.

BUT YOU CAN USE THE BRUSH KILLER.

YOU'RE BASICALLY GONNA HAVE TO GO CLIP IT, AND HAND PAINT IT ON, YOU CAN DO THAT.

YOU KNOW, GO BACK AND CHECK AND SEE IF YOU NEED TO GRIND OUT THAT TRUNK, YOU COULD POTENTIALLY DO THAT TOO.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN WE HAVE ONE MORE QUICK PICTURE HERE, AND IT IS, LAST WEEK ROCH RECOMMENDED SOMETHING WITH TRICLOPYR IN IT.

HE GOT BRUSH KILLER BUT IT SAYS "NOT FOR USE ON LAWNS."

SO WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE?

>> SO YEAH, THIS WAS RECOMMENDED FOR -- THIS SPECIFIC CHEMICAL IS RECOMMENDED FOR -- I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR, BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT DIFFERENT RATES ARE USED FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLANTS.

SO THIS ONE IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE BRUSH KILLER, SO MOST LIKELY IT IS A HIGHER RATE OF TRICLOPYR THAN WHAT YOU WOULD PUT ACTUALLY ON LAWNS.

SO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE YOU EVEN BUY 'EM, IS READ THE BACK OF THE LABEL.

ALL OF THOSE CAN OPEN UP.

YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO READ THOSE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE THEM AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN DO IT.

YOU CANNOT USE THIS ON LAWNS IF THAT'S WHAT THE LABEL SAYS, SO MAKE SURE YOU READ THE LABEL AND DO EVERYTHING IT SAYS.

>> GREAT.

THANKS, TERRI.

OKAY, TWO PICTURES HERE, LOREN.

THIS IS BARBERRY.

THE BURNING BUSH ALSO KIND OF DIED OFF, BUT WE'VE GOT LOTS OF BARBERRY QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW, AND THEY WANT TO KNOW IS THIS A DISEASE, OR IS THIS JUST AGE AND WEIRDNESS?

>> WELL, AND UNFORTUNATELY THESE ARE REALLY HARD TO IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON, ANY TIME YOU GET THINNING.

IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE LARGER PLANTS.

AND I MEAN, IT COULD JUST BE SOME DEAD BRANCHES OR TWIGS, SO I WOULD RECOMMEND JUST REMOVAL OF THE DEAD OR DYING PARTS, AND JUST KIND OF WATCH THAT PLANT AND SEE HOW IT RECOVERS AT THIS POINT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS IN ORD, IT'S A REDBUD, A DISCOLORATION ON THE LEAVES.

SHE DOES SAY IT'S PROTECTED, BUT THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF WIND.

>> YEAH, SO WITH REDBUD, THAT SYMPTOM SPECIFICALLY LOOKS A LOT LIKE A LEAF BURN ALMOST, OR SOMETHING.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAD SOME OVERHEAD WATER, OR IF IT GOT SPRAYED.

ON A REAL HOT DAY YOU CAN SEE BURNING ON REDBUD LIKE THAT.

I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT A DISEASE WITH IT, SO I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT THAT.

I WOULD JUST MAINTAIN ADEQUATE MOISTURE AND LET IT GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE, AND THIS IS -- I HAD TO GIVE YOU A SLIME MOLD.

[ LAUGHTER ] IN GRAND ISLAND.

>> WELL, I HAVE TO -- I WAS WONDERING THOUGH, IF THIS IS ACTUALLY SLIME MOLD, OR IF IT'S NOT JUST ONE OF OUR MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILAMENTOUS FUNGI THAT GROW IN MATS.

SO WANTED TO ASK THE VIEWER TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S JUST DUSTY, IT'S JUST A SLIME MOLD AND YOU CAN WASH IT AWAY.

IF IT IS MORE OF A THICK MAT, IT WILL ACTUALLY BE HYDROPHOBIC, AND YOU'LL NEED TO BREAK THAT UP, AND YOU'LL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO BREAK IT UP, AND IT WILL MOST LIKELY GO AWAY.

BUT I WASN'T SURE IT WAS A SLIME MOLD ACTUALLY LOOKING AT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THERE YOU GO.

OKAY, ELIZABETH.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A TRICOLORED BEECH IN OMAHA.

A THIRD GREEN, A -- TWO-THIRDS GREEN AND WHITE, AND TWO-THIRDS DARK ON TOP.

IT'S KIND OF A -- KIND OF A DARK PICTURE, BUT WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED?

>> SO WHEN WE GET THOSE TRICOLORED BEECH, WHAT HAPPENS IS SOMETIMES THEY'RE GONNA REVERT.

AND WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO IS THEY ARE GOING TO REVERT FROM THE LOVELY TRICOLOR THAT WE WANT, WITH THE NICE VARIEGATION, AND GO TO THE STRAIGHT SPECIES.

AND SO UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THAT TREE IS IT'S REVERTED FROM THE NICE, PRETTY TRICOLORED ONE TO THE STRAIGHT SPECIES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM ASHLAND.

CRIMSON SPIRE, 2018.

PUT ON THESE BIG LEAVES THIS YEAR.

IS THIS ONE REVERTING TOO?

I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

OR IS THIS ONE JUST PUTTING ON SOME BIG LEAVES?

>> IT IS NOT REVERTING.

IT IS JUST PUTTING ON SOME BIG LEAVES.

WE'RE GONNA CHOCK IT UP TO ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE.

THIS VIEWER HAS A TREE ROOT PUSHING OUT A RETAINING WALL.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW IF SHE TAKES OUT THE STONE AND CUTS THE ROOT, WILL IT AFFECT THE TREE?

>> SO THE ROOTS ARE GONNA BE IN THE TOP 18 INCHES OF THE SOIL.

IF YOU WERE TO TRY TO CUT THOSE ROOTS, THOSE ARE USUALLY GONNA BE THE ANCHOR ROOTS THAT HOLD THE TREE UPRIGHT.

SO I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND REMOVING, TRYING TO CUT, DOING ANYTHING LIKE THAT, 'CAUSE THOSE ROOTS ARE DOING THEIR JOB TO HOLD THE TREE UPRIGHT, AND WHILE IT'S ANNOYING THAT THEY'RE MOVING THE BLOCK, THEY'RE GONNA DO A LOT MORE DAMAGE TO THE TREE IF YOU TRY TO REMOVE THE ROOTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, ELIZABETH.

>> GOOD TIME TO EXPAND THE FLOWERBED.

>> NO.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WELL, WE ARE -- WE ARE REALLY PRETTY EXCITED TO BEGIN OUR "GROW A ROW" COLLECTION AT OUR GARDEN.

WE'VE ALREADY DONATED A LOT OF VEGETABLES, WE DO HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US IN HELPING FEED THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE FOOD.

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

♪ ♪ >>> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN WE'RE HAVING A LOT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON.

WE HAVE BEEN PICKING OUR PICKING PRODUCE, WE'RE AT OVER 150 POUNDS TOTAL PICKED OUT OF THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

AND NEXT WEEK, NEXT TUESDAY, AUGUST 9th WILL BE OUR FIRST "GROW A ROW" COLLECTION, SO ALL OF YOU HOME GARDENERS IN THE LINCOLN AREA THAT HAVE EXTRA PRODUCE, STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN ON TUESDAY EVENINGS FROM 4:30 TO 7:00 TO DROP OF YOUR PRODUCE.

THAT PRODUCE IS THEN DONATED TO THE LOCAL FOOD BANKS IN THE EAST CAMPUS AREA.

YOU CAN ALSO STOP BY ON SATURDAY MORNINGS FROM 9:00 TO 11:00 AND DO THE SAME THING.

SO IF YOU HAVE EXTRA PRODUCE IN YOUR GARDEN, AND YOU WANT TO GET RID OF A FEW, AND HAVE THEM GO TO A GOOD CAUSE, STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND DROP 'EM OFF.

AND DON'T FORGET, EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS, THE LAST ONE IS AUGUST 13th.

WE'LL BE HERE IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, ALONG WITH THE MASTER GARDENERS, ANSWERING ALL OF YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

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

♪ >> YOU KNOW, OUR VEGETABLES HAVEN'T DISAPPOINTED US THIS YEAR DESPITE THAT HOT WEATHER.

EXCEPT FOR THOSE SQUASH BORER THINGS.

AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE FOR YOUR DONATIONS, OR AT EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS.

WE'VE GOT TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES FOR A BREAK, BUT WE HOPE YOU'LL STAY WITH US FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND, AND THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

THERE'S MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" COMING UP RIGHT AFTER THESE MESSAGES.

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

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT HOW GARDEN INSTALLATIONS AT OUR SENIOR HOMES CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE ABOUT RESIDENTS' HEALTH.

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

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

RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR LIGHTNING.

ARE YOU READY, ELIZABETH?

>> YOU BETCHA.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO HAS A JAPANESE TREE LILAC.

IT'S BEEN IN THE GROUND FOR THREE YEARS.

IT HAS ONLY BLOOMED ONCE.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> COULD JUST BE ENVIRONMENTAL DEPENDING ON WHEN IT BLOOMED.

IF IT BLOOMED WHEN THEY INITIALLY INSTALLED IT, THEN I'D GO ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A FREEMONT VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHEN TO PLANT GARLIC.

>> USUALLY YOU PLANT YOUR GARLIC IN THE FALL AND THEN YOU OVERWINTER IT AND THEN PICK IT THE NEXT YEAR.

>> AND DEFINE FALL.

>> YUP, OCTOBER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER IN LEXINGTON WHO SAYS THEIR PLANTS WILT BY THE END OF THE DAY BUT THE SOIL IS WET.

SHOULD THEY STILL WATER?

>> YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE PLANTS, THEY'RE JUST LOSING MORE MOISTURE THROUGH THEIR LEAVES THAN WHAT THEIR ROOTS CAN SOAK UP.

SO JUST MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ADEQUATELY MOIST BUT NOT OVERLY WET.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO HAS CHERRY TOMATOES THAT ARE BLACK ON THE OUTSIDE AND GREEN ON THE INSIDE.

ARE THOSE OKAY?

>> DEPENDING ON THE CULTIVAR, IT COULD BE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IS IT -- THIS IS AN OGALLALA VIEWER -- IS IT TIME TO TRANSPLANT THE PEONIES, AND IF SO, SHOULD THEY CUT THEM BACK FIRST?

>> I USUALLY RECOMMEND PLANTING OR REMOVING OR TRANSPLANTING THOSE PEONIES FOR SPRING WHEN THEY FIRST START TO COME UP.

AND THEN YOU KNOW WHERE THEY'RE AT, AND THEN YOU'RE NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT ALL THAT FOLIAGE, AND THAT THEIR AT THEIR PROPER DEPTH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> TIMED THAT SO I COULD GET IT, YOU KNOW, EXTRA LONG.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

ARE YOU READY, LOREN?

THAT WAS CHEATING.

OKAY.

LOREN, WHAT IS WITH ALL THE LILACS THIS YEAR?

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> LOTS OF THINGS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> LIKE?

>> UH, IT'S REALLY HOT, RIGHT?

SO THE HEAT IS A BIGGIE.

I'VE SEEN EVERYTHING FROM POWDERED MILDEW TO, I MEAN, EARLY IN THE SEASON WE SEE THE BACTERIAL FIRE BLIGHT-TYPE SITUATION.

MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS AN AURORA VIEWER WHO HAD A VIBURNUM WITH BORERS AND NOW IT'S ACTUALLY OOZING SOMETHING WHITE WHERE THE BORE HOLES WERE.

>> UH.

[ LAUGHTER ] I -- YEAH, I DON'T -- PASS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THIS IS A HEBRON VIEWER WHO HAS A PEAR TREE WITH SPOTS.

ARE THOSE GALLS OR ARE THOSE A RUST OR SOMETHING?

>> UM, THERE -- IT COULD BE -- THE PEAR TREE WITH SPOTS, IF IT'S -- THERE'S A RUST THAT GETS ON PEAR, IT COULD BE THAT.

YEAH, LET'S GO WITH THAT.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A BELLEVUE VIEWER WHO HAS NEW ENGLAND ASTERS UNIFORMLY BROWNING FROM THE BOTTOM UP.

>> DISEASES USUALLY DON'T UNIFORMLY BROWN.

BUT IF IT'S BURNING UP FROM THE BOTTOM UP, THAT'S A GOOD INDICATION OF A ROOT ROT.

SO I WOULD SUGGEST THAT MAY BE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THAT SITUATION.

>> OKAY.

TERRI -- >> THESE ARE GETTING HARDER ALL THE TIME.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT, TERRI, ARE YOU -- >> AND THE PEOPLE ON AIR DON'T REALIZE IT.

SHOULD ASK YOU TO KEEP 'EM EASY, AND THIS ISN'T FAIR.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> AND ON THAT NOTE, TERRI, WE HAVE AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO HAS LITTLE TINY DANDELION PLANTS COMING UP.

WILL THEY BE BIG ENOUGH TO FLOWER IN ONE YEAR?

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IS IT TIME TO AERATE IF THEY'RE SEEDING THIS FALL?

THIS IS A NORTH PLATTE VIEWER.

>> UH, YEAH, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO AERATE LATER THIS SUMMER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND SHOULD THEY WATER FIRST IF THEY ARE GOING TO AERATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU NEED THE SOIL MOIST FOR THOSE TINES TO GET IN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS A RENTED GARDEN PLOT THAT IS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH CRABGRASS.

HE WANTS TO GET RID OF IT TO PLANT, BUT NEEDS SOMETHING THAT'S ORGANIC.

>> UH, THAT WOULD BE CALLED A SOIL KNIFE.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO HAS WEEDS THAT CAME IN WITH THE TOPSOIL, AND THEY'VE COME UP IN A NEW SEEDING OF TURF THAT'S ONLY BEEN UP TWO WEEKS.

CAN THEY PULL THOSE WEEDS WITHOUT DISTURBING THE ROOTS?

>> OH, I WOULD BE VERY CAREFUL.

I WOULDN'T, NO.

I WOULD PROBABLY JUST WAIT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT IS THE POISON IVY KILLER THAT WE RECOMMEND?

>> UM, IT'S MULTIPLE DIFFERENT -- [ THUNDER ] -- BRANDS, BUT JUST LOOK FOR BRUSH KILLER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

ARE YOU READY, KATE?

>> I GUESS SO.

>> WE HAVE A BELLEVUE VIEWER WHO SAYS BLISTER BEETLES ARE EATING THE HOSTAS.

IS THERE ANY CONTROL OTHER THAN JUST HAND PICKING?

>> UM, YOU CAN DO AN INSECTICIDE, JUST BE SURE TO AVOID THE FLOWERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A GRAND ISLAND VIEWER THAT SAYS THEY HAVE GREEN JUNE BEETLES.

ARE THE LARVA IN THE TURF OR ARE THEY IN THE TREE LIMBS?

>> UM, THEY'RE NOT IN THE TREE LIMBS FOR SURE.

EITHER THE TURF, OR THEY TEND TO BE IN LIKE, COMPOST, OR DECAYING ORGANIC MATTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A PAPILLION VIEWER HAS SOME SORT OF A WORM EATING THE BUDS OF THEIR GERANIUMS.

>> THAT'S PROBABLY GERANIUM % BUDWORM.

>> AND WHAT DO THEY DO ABOUT THAT?

>> UM, IF THEY'RE ALREADY IN THE FLOWERS, NOT MUCH AT THIS POINT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A BROKEN BOW VIEWER, THAT WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE A PERIMETER SPRAY FOR INSECTS THAT IS SAFE FOR PETS AND KIDS.

>> UM, THERE IS.

SO THERE'S A LOT OUT THERE.

JUST READ THE LABEL, THERE WILL BE LIKE, A -- A TIME WHERE YOU CAN'T BE AROUND IT, SO JUST FOLLOW THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND WHAT ARE THE INSECTS THAT ARE CAUSING GARDEN PHLOX TO LOOK SO DREADFUL.

>> UM, PROBABLY PHLOX PLANT BUG OR SPIDER MITES.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

NICE JOB.

>> WAIT, I'M GONNA POINT SOMETHING OUT.

CAN WE GO BACK TO THE SCORE BOARD?

[ LAUGHTER ] I'M THE ONLY GUY ON THE PANEL TONIGHT, AND EVERYONE GETS SIX, AND I GET THREE.

THAT'S -- I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING RIGGED HERE TONIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> OR IT'S NOT.

>> OR I'M JUST REALLY SLOW AND IT'S BEING POINTED OUT TONIGHT.

THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH, WHAT ARE THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK?

>> SO WE HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

WE HAVE THREE OF 'EM IN HERE.

WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS WE'RE GONNA START WITH THE PRETTY ONES, CAUSE WHY NOT.

WHAT THAT IS IS A HEATHER QUEEN AGASTACHE.

THE COOL PART ABOUT THE AGASTACHE IS THEY'VE GOT THE SQUARE STEM.

THEY'RE IN THE MINT FAMILY, SO THEY'RE VERY FRAGRANT.

THE THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS, THIS IS A SHORT-LIVED PERENNIAL.

BUT IT REALLY LIKES THAT FULL SUN.

IT CAN GET UP TO 36 INCHES TALL.

THE OTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT THIS IS TENDS TO RESEED ITSELF, SO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GIVE IT THAT OPPORTUNITY.

THE WHITE ONE IN FRONT IS GOING TO BE THAT UPLAND ASTER.

IT'S A CLUMP-FORMER.

AND IT FLOWERS EARLIER THAN THE OTHER ASTER.

NORMALLY THOSE ASTERS WILL FLOWER IN THE FALL.

REALLY NARROW LEAVES AND CLUSTERS OF THOSE FLOWERS.

BE SURE -- IT SHOULD BE USED MORE BECAUSE IT REALLY LIKES THOSE DRY CONDITIONS.

AND THEN THE LAST ONE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES, IT'S THE GRASS OF THE GROUP.

THIS IS WHAT I'M GOING TO CALL A NATIVAR.

IT'S A CULTIVAR OF A NATIVE PLANT.

SO WHAT THIS IS, IS THIS IS BLONDE AMBITION BLUE GRAMA.

SO THE REASON ITS CALLED BLONDE AMBITION IS BLUE GRAMA TENDS TO HAVE A DARKER COLOR SEEDHEAD ON HERE, AND SO THE BLONDE AMBITION IS REALLY LIGHT TAN.

THIS IS A SELECTION OF A NATIVE ONE, AND IT'S VERY UNIFORM.

IT'S GONNA BE THAT 24 TO 30 INCHES TALL, UM, WHEN THE FLOWER -- OR THE SEED HEADS ARE OUT.

IT'S GONNA DO WELL IN FULL SUN TO PART SHADE.

THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT FUN GRASSES THAT ARE BLOOMING RIGHT NOW.

>> OKAY, EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT, KATE, QUICKLY ON THIS ONE, THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER.

HAS SUNFLOWERS.

JUST BY THIS ATTACHED, WHAT IS IT?

>> THESE ARE RED GOLDENROD OR SUNFLOWER APHIDS.

I LIKE TO CALL THEM HUSKERAD APHIDS, AND WHO NEEDS FLOWERS WHEN YOU HAVE BEAUTIFUL RED APHIDS IN THE LANDSCAPE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ONE THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HOSKINS, NEBRASKA.

SNOWBALL VIBURNUM, THE LEAVES LOOK LIKE THIS.

WHAT'S THIS?

>> SO THE SNOWBALL VIBURNUM IS REALLY TELLING.

THIS IS CAUSED BY SNOWBALL APHIDS.

WHEN THEY FEED IT CAUSES THOSE LEAVES TO CURL.

AND IF IT GETS REALLY BAD, IT WILL EVEN CORKSCREW THE STEMS.

SO THIS ONE YOU NEED TO TREAT AT BUD BREAK IN THE SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THREE PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

LADYBUG EGG.

SHE DID PURCHASE THEM BECAUSE OF THE APHIDS, AND SHE'S SEEING THINGS ON THE LEAVES.

WHAT'S SHE SEEING HERE?

>> SO THOSE BLACK ONES ARE ACTUALLY APHIDS THAT HAVE BEEN PARASITIZED BY WASPS, AND THEY'RE BLACK BECAUSE THAT'S THE WASP COLOR YOU SEE INSIDE THEM.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS, ALL RIGHT.

I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF PARASITIZING TONIGHT ON YOUR SIDE.

>> THERE IS.

>> OKAY, TERRI, YARD WEED.

THIS IS IN THE CHALCO HILLS AREA OF OMAHA, SARPY COUNTY.

STARTS GETTING OUT OF HAND, WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS WOOD SORREL.

THIS IS KIND OF A COOL PLANT.

IT WILL SPREAD BY RHIZOMES.

YOU CAN DIG IT OUT.

YOU'D DEFINITELY NEED YOUR SOIL KNIFE FOR THIS.

YOU CAN USE LIKE, A 2,4-D OR A TRICLOPYR, BUT THOSE SEEDS ARE EDIBLE, AND THEY'RE KINDA LIKE SOUR GHERKINS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE MORE, THIS IS A -- SHE SAYS THIS LOOK A COOL MINI FIREWORKS PLANT., >> SO THIS IS ONE OF THE ORNAMENTAL PENNISETUMS.

I COULDN'T TELL YOU WHICH ONE IT IS, BUT IT IS VERY PRETTY.

IT CAN SEED ITSELF ABOUT, SO GET TO KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT'S FIRST COMING UP AND YOU CAN PULL IT IF YOU DON'T WANT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

WHAT IS THIS AND HOW DO YOU GET RID OF IT?

>> UM, THIS ONE IS, UM, AMERICAN BURNWEED.

SO I SPENT A VERY LONG TIME LOOKING THIS ONE UP, BUT BASICALLY ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS PULL IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, PERFECT.

AND ONE MORE.

THIS IS A NORFOLK VIEWER.

THIS HAS BEEN GROWING IN THE LANDSCAPE.

LITTLE BARBS STICK TO EVERYTHING, WHAT IS THAT?

>> THIS IS VIRGINIA STICKSEED.

SO WE'VE HAD IT SEVERAL TIMES.

AGAIN, ANOTHER ONE, JUST PULL IT OUT, UM, WITH YOUR SOIL KNIFE.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET IT 'CAUSE THOSE SEEDS CAN SPREAD ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB.

LOREN, IT'S PEONY NIGHT.

THEY'RE ALL PEONY QUESTIONS.

YOUR FIRST TWO HAVE SPOTS AND THEY'VE BEEN TREATING WITH A MIXTURE OF WATER, BAKING SODA, COOKING OIL, AND DISH SOAP.

>> THIS ONE TOO, THE WAY THE TOP WAS BURNT, I REALLY WONDER IF SOME OF THIS IS HOME REMEDY MAY NOT BE BURNING, PARTICULARLY DURING HIGH TEMPERATURES YOU CAN REALLY INURE -- PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU START INTRODUCING THINGS LIKE AN OIL OR SOAPS EVEN CAN DO THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONES -- TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM SOUTHERLAND, NEBRASKA.

THEY'RE GOING DOWNHILL BECAUSE THEY'RE KIND OF THIS YELLOWISH COLOR.

I THINK WE HAVE A PICTURE OF THE CLOSEUP OF THE LEAVES.

>> AND WHEN WE SEE THIS, WHEN WE SEE A WHOLE PLANT THAT'S STUNTED IN YELLOW, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE -- A COUPLE DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT COULD BE A ROOT ROT OF SOME SORT.

OR IT COULD BE, YOU KNOW, NOT REALLY HAVING ADEQUATE MOISTURE AND NUTRIENTS IN ESTABLISHMENT.

IF IT'S AN OLDER PLANT THOUGH, AND IT'S STUNTED SIGNIFICANTLY, AND IT'S GREEN, I WOULD REMOVE IT AND ROGUE IT OUT BECAUSE IT COULD BE A VIRAL INFECTED PLANT.

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

THIS IS ITOH PEONIES.

UM, PLANTED IN 202, GOT A FEW, BUT THERE'S ONE IN THERE THAT IS DOING THIS.

>> YEAH, THAT'S A VERY DIFFICULT SPOT FOR THOSE, UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE YOU'RE BETWEEN THAT REFLECTIVE HEAT SURFACE OF THE HOUSE AND THE SIDEWALK, AND THAT NARROW STRIP FOR MOISTURE AND SUCH.

SO, UM, CHALLENGING LOCATION.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD BE IN FULL SUN BASED ON THE SHADOW ON THE BUILDING AND SUCH.

MAY ACTUALLY WANT TO TRY TO RELOCATE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE, AND THIS ONE IS ALSO AN OMAHA VIEWER.

IS THIS A VIRUS, OR IS THIS SOMETHING ELSE?

NO DRIFT, NO INSECTS.

>> UM, NO DRIFT, NO INSECTS, WE'LL SAY VIRUS, BUT IT SURE LOOKS MORE DRIFTY.

>> OKAY.

[ LAUGHTER ] THANKS.

>> KEEP IN MIND THAT HERBICIDES DRIFT A LONG WAY SOMETIME.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, THANKS LOREN.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE, ELIZABETH.

THIS COMES TO US FROM GLEN CARBON, ILLINOIS.

JAPANESE MAPLE, LOOKING LIKE THIS.

SHOULD HE GIVE IT A SHOT OR GIVE IT A CUT?

>> JUST WAIT AND SEE.

AS YOU START TO SEE THAT TOP DECLINE, THEN AT THAT POINT IN TIME IT WOULD BE TIME TO REMOVE.

IT'S GOT SOME MAJOR ISSUES IN THERE.

HOPEFULLY IT'LL SEAL OVER, BUT NO GUARANTEES.

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

THIS COMES TO US FROM DESHLER.

HE'S GOT OAK SLOWLY CHANGING COLOR.

DID IT LAST YEAR.

NEXT TO THE FIRST ONE IS STARTING TO DO THIS TOO.

AND HE DID SEND SOME BRANCH PICTURES HERE.

>> AND IT'S KIND OF TOUGH TO TELL.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE COULD HAVE A BRANCH UNION THAT'S KIND OF FAILING.

BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ANYTHING LIKE, DISEASE-RELATED.

SO IT'S SOMETHING ENVIRONMENTAL, WHETHER IT'S BARK STRIPPED OFF OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHERE THOSE BRANCHES CONNECT WITH THE TRUNK.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN PROVEN THAT A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE AND GREAT COLORFUL ORNAMENTAL BEDS AT SENIOR HOMES CAN HELP THEIR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLBEING.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THAT FROM UNL MASTERS STUDENT JANE ENGLISH, AS SHE SHARES HER PROJECT WITH US TONIGHT FOR OUR SECOND FEATURE.

♪ ♪ >>> WE'RE STANDING ON THE GROUNDS OF ROYAL OAKS AND HOUSE OF HOPE IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

AND THIS IS THE SITE OF MY MASTERS PROJECT THAT I'M COMPLETING FOR A MASTERS IN HORTICULTURE, WITH AN EMPHASIS IN GERONTOLOGY.

AND THE GOAL OF MY PROJECT IS TO CREATE AN APPROACH AND A METHODOLOGY FOR ADMINISTRATORS, MAINTENANCE STAFF, AND THE OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES TO USE, WHEN WORKING WITH PEOPLE LIKE ME, THAT WANT TO DESIGN AND INSTALL AND MANAGE THE OUTDOOR SPACES IN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES.

MY APPROACH IS BASED ON FOUR DIFFERENT AREAS.

SO THE FIRST AREA IS BEST PRACTICES IN LANDSCAPE, DESIGN, INSTALL, AND MANAGEMENT.

THE SECOND AREA IS THE RESEARCH AND LITERATURE THAT'S AVAILABLE, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR DESIGNING NEW, ENHANCED, AND REFURBISHED OUTDOOR SPACES IN SENIOR LIVING.

THE THIRD AREA IS THE BENEFITS OF NATURE ON OUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING, AND THE RESEARCH INVOLVED IN THAT AREA.

AND THE FOURTH AREA IS THE RESEARCH IN THE GERONTOLOGY SPACE ON AGING.

SO THE GOAL -- MY GOAL IS TO SYNTHESIZE THESE FOUR AREAS, AND CREATE A PRACTICAL APPROACH FOR THE DESIGN, INSTALL, AND MANAGEMENT OF OUTDOOR SPACES IN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES, WITH THE HOPE OF BENEFITING THE HEALTH AND THE WELLBEING OF THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE.

SO CURRENTLY I'M STANDING ON THE SITE OF A SPACE IN THE DESIGN FOR ROYAL OAKS AND HOUSE OF HOPE THAT'S CALLED THE PARK-LIKE SETTING.

AND THE GOAL OF THIS AREA IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS -- IT'S INTENDED TO BE A PARK.

AND THE CONCEPT FOR THIS IS A PLACE WHERE THE RESIDENTS CAN COME SIT UNDER COMPLETE SHADE FROM OVERSTORY TREE CANOPY, COMFORTABLE, AND RELAX AMONGST THEIR OTHER RESIDENTS, THEIR FRIENDS, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR NEIGHBORS.

AND THEN ALSO THE STAFF CAN COME AND HAVE A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN TAKE A BREAK, EAT THEIR LUNCH, AND RELAX.

SO THE DESIGN CONCEPT FOR THIS SPACE IS VERY SIMPLE.

IT'S OVERSTORY TREES, UNDERSTORY TREES, AND SHRUBS.

AND THE GOAL IS MULTI-SEASON COLOR, SO BEAUTIFUL SPRING FLOWERING, DIVERSE FOLIAGE, AND BEAUTIFUL FALL COLOR.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS SPACE IS THE RESIDENTS JUST HAVE TO COME OUT THE ENTRYWAY AND WALK DOWN A STRAIGHT SIDEWALK, A VERY SHORT WALK TO GET INTO THE SPACE.

BUT THE OTHER GREAT THING ABOUT THE SPACE WHICH I NOTICED WHEN I WAS DOING THE DESIGN, IS ITS VERY VISIBLE FROM INSIDE THE BUILDING.

SO RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY ROOM, AND ON EACH END OF THE BUILDING YOU HAVE RESIDENT CORRIDORS, AND ON EACH END OF THOSE YOU HAVE A LOUNGE.

AND THIS SPACE IS VERY VISIBLE FROM THERE TOO.

SO IF WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THE RESIDENTS, AND BRINGING NATURE IN, WHEN IT'S HOT, IT'S RAINY, IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE CHILLY, THEY CAN STILL GO TO THOSE SPACES AND SIT AND LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL FALL COLORS, OR THE SPRING FLOWERS.

OR THEY CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL SHADE.

IT'S ALL A WONDERFUL THING.

>> SO THANK YOU TO JANE FOR SHOWING US THE PROJECT AND HELPING US UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE KIND OF OLD SOMEDAY, AND IT'D BE REALLY NICE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT COOL STUFF.

ALL RIGHT.

KATE, PICTURES.

OH, ANNOUNCEMENTS FIRST.

WE HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS ALWAYS.

SO OUR FIRST ONE WE HAVE TONIGHT IS TO LOOK AT THE IRIS RHIZOME SALE, FRIDAY, AUGUST 5th, GERMAN-AMERICAN SOCIETY, 3717 SOUTH 120th IN OMAHA.

AND PROCEEDS ARE GOING TO A MEMORIAL IRIS DISPLAY.

SECOND ON IS EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS, AND THAT IS SATURDAY AUGUST 13th, 10:00 TO 2:00.

EAST CAMPUS MALL DISCOVERY DAYS, AND THEN OF COURSE WE HAVE YOUTUBE, WHICH IS IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU LOOK AT ALL OF OUR VIDEO FEATURES ON NATIVE ORNAMENTALS, BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES -- "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

WE'VE GOT LOTS OF STUFF ON THERE, SO TAKE A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW, CHECK OUT OUR PAST SHOWS AND FEATURES.

WHILE YOU'RE THERE DO NOT FORGET TO HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON SO YOU WON'T MISS OUT ON ALL OF OUR CONTENT.

EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT.

SO, NOW, KATE, IT'S YOUR TURN.

FIRST ONE HERE IS WHAT ARE THESE EGGS?

SHE DID SEE A SMALL, LIGHT BLUE DOUBLE-WINGED DRAGONFLY.

AND THIS COMES TO US FROM GREELEY, COLORADO.

>> SO DRAGONFLIES ACTUALLY LAY THEIR EGGS IN WATER.

THESE ARE STINKBUG EGGS.

>> OH DEAR.

>> YOUR SECOND ONE COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

SHE SAID THIS WAS ON HER LANTANA.

ISN'T THAT BEAUTIFUL?

>> I LOVE THIS ONE.

THIS IS A SNOWBERRY CLEARWING MOTH.

IT'S A DAY FLYING MOTH THAT HELPS POLLINATE.

>> PERFECT.

ONE MORE.

THIS IS A COOL GUY.

WHAT IS HE?

>> SO THIS IS A TYPE OF KATYDID.

I BELIEVE THIS ONE IS CALLED, LIKE, THE GREATER ANGELWING KATYDID, BUT THEY HAVE REALLY WONDERFUL LEAF MIMICRY.

>> PERFECT, AND YOU HAVE ONE MORE.

AND IT IS A, WHAT CREATURE COMES OUT OF THIS?

THIS COMES TO US FROM ITHACA.

>> SO THIS IS ONE OF THE GIANT SILK MOTHS, MOST LIKELY THE POLYPHEMUS MOTH.

THEY GET PRETTY DANG BIG.

THEY HAVE TWO GENERATION PER YEAR, SO THAT ONE 'S PROBABLY FROM THE FIRST GENERATION.

>> PERFECT, BEAUTIFUL.

ALL RIGHT, TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS THIS PLANT, AND HOW DOES SHE ELIMINATE IT FROM HER GARDEN?

IT GROWS IN FULL SHADE, IT GROWS IN FULL SUN.

SHE'S GOT THE LEAVES, SHE'S GOT THE SEED POD.

>> SO THIS IS, UM, RELATED TO A JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT.

SO THIS IS GREEN DRAGON, IT'S ACTUALLY A WILDFLOWER.

LOTS OF PEOPLE PLANT THIS 'CAUSE THEY WANT IT.

IT WILL SEND UP THIS LEAF, AND THEN THAT'LL GO AWAY, AND IT'LL SEND UP THIS REALLY COOL SEED HEAD THING THAT'S RED.

IF YOU DON'T WANT IT THEN GO AND AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU WEAR GLOVES AND STUFF TO REMOVE IT, BECAUSE IT DOES HAVE SOME -- KIND OF SOME TOXIC STUFF THAT COULD MAYBE GIVE YOU SOME RASHES.

BUT JUST DIG IT OUT IF YOU DON'T WANT IT, GIVE IT TO YOUR FRIENDS WHO WANT IT 'CAUSE SOME PEOPLE LIKE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THAT PICTURE YOU CAN SEE THE VERTICAL THINGS ARE GONNA BE THE THE FLOWER STEMS.

ALL RIGHT, TWO MORE PICTURES ON THIS ONE, AND THIS IS IDENTIFYING TWO THINGS THAT ARE GROWING IN THE POLLINATOR FLOWER GARDEN.

SO PICTURE ONE HERE, THEY'RE WONDERING WHETHER THEY SHOULD PULL THIS OR LET IT BE.

THIS IS NORTHWEST OMAHA.

>> THIS IS JUST A COMMON COCKLEBUR.

THEY GET REALLY BIG.

DIG IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR SECOND ONE FROM THAT VIEWER IS THIS.

WHAT DO WE THINK THIS ONE IS?

>> UH, I THINK THIS IS JUST A COMMON SUNFLOWER, JUST A BIG ONE, HASN'T SET FLOWER YET.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO IF THEY DON'T WANT THE BIG SUNFLOWER, THEY CAN CUT THAT ONE OUT TOO.

OKAY.

UM, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON YOUR FIRST ONE HERE, LOREN.

THIS COMES TO US FROM La VISTA.

AND HE SAYS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO HIS TOMATOES?

THEY HAVE THESE WHITE SOFT SPOTS ON ALL OF THEM.

>> THAT LOOKS LIKE JUST SUN SCALD.

I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT A DISEASE THERE, BUT JUST REALLY FROM -- FROM HOT, VERY HOT DAYS, AND IT'S THAT FRUIT BEING SCALDED, OR SUNBURNT BASICALLY.

CAN BE AGGRAVATED IF THEY'RE DOING ANY TYPE OF OVERHEAD IRRIGATION.

>> SO IN OTHER WORDS, THOSE ARE ACTUALLY ALREADY COOKED TOMATOES.

>> THEY ARE COOKED TOMATOES, YEAH.

THEY'RE PROBABLY GONNA ROT.

>> YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM DAVID CITY.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THESE, WE WATER WELL, SOME OF THE PLANTS ARE 5'8" AND THERE ARE TONS OF FRUIT ON THEM, BUT THEY'RE SHOWING ALL OF THIS.

>> A FEW THINGS -- THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF TOMATO DISEASES, AND LAST WEEK ON "BACKYARD FARMER" THERE WAS A VIDEO ON THIS.

SO I WOULD RECOMMEND GOING BACK AND LOOKING AT THAT.

IT'S HARD TO IDENTIFY, ANY TIME YOU GET THAT LEAF DROP AT THE BOTTOM, USUALLY IT'S ONE OF OUR DEFOLIATING FOLIAR DISEASES.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND NOT TO WORRY SO MUCH IF THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF FRUIT.

>> YEAH, JUST KEEP ADEQUATE WATER UP.

>> YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

>> THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING.

>> ELIZABETH, YOU HAVE, FOR YOUR FIRST ONE HERE, THIS COMES TO US FROM GREELEY -- GREELEY, COLORADO, AGAIN.

AND THIS IS A COTONEASTER HEDGE THAT WAS PLANTED TEN YEARS AGO.

THERE ARE THREE SHRUBS IN HERE.

25 FEET LONG.

SOME OF THE TALLEST ONES ARE SIX FEET.

DIFFICULT TO HARVEST THE JAPANESE BEATLES, BUT IT'S A GREAT MAGNET.

SO, APPARENTLY THIS IS A GOOD TRAP CROP.

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO TRIM THIS HEDGE?

AND SHE'S WONDERING IS IT A THIRD OVER THREE?

SHE ALSO WANTS TO TAKE IT BACK FROM THE EDGES AND KNOW WHEN TO DO THIS.

>> SO WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT TRIMMING THAT BACK, WE WANT TO GO BY THAT THIRD RULE.

TAKE A THIRD OF THE LARGEST CANES OUT OVER THREE YEARS, AND THEN YOU REJUVENATE THE SHRUB.

AND THEN YOU'RE ABLE TO SHAPE IT, AT THAT TIME.

MOST OF THE TIME, WE'RE DOING IT WHEN IT'S GOING TO BE DORMANT, SO THAT WAY WE CAN SEE, AND WE CAN REMOVE THOSE CROSSING BRANCHES AND GET RID OF THEM.

ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS, THEY ARE REALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FIRE BLIGHT.

SO IF YOU'RE SEEING SOME DEAD BRANCHES IN THERE, MAKE SURE THAT YOU DISINFECT THOSE PRUNING TOOLS SO WE DON'T SPREAD THAT FIRE BLIGHT.

'CAUSE THAT'S A LONG SHRUB.

>> RIGHT.

>> LONG HEDGE.

>> AND WHEN SHOULD SHE DO THIS?

WHEN SHOULD SHE DO THE PRUNING ON THIS?

>> SO WHEN WE'RE PRUNING THESE, WE'RE GONNA DO IT WHEN THEY'RE DORMANT, SO EARLY SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONES -- YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

SO HERE'S THE PLANT, AND THEN I THINK YOUR NEXT PICTURE IS THE ACTUAL TOMATO.

AND THEY WERE LABELED AS BIG BOYS.

WHAT DO WE THINK THESE ARE?

>> THOSE ARE NOT BIG BOYS.

YOU KNOW, THE HARD PART IN THE NURSERY, SOMETIMES THE LABELS GET SWITCHED.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE MISLABELED.

THOSE ARE ONE OF THE PASTE TYPE TOMATOES.

PROBABLY A ROMA OR A SAN MARZANO, OR ONE OF THOSE BIG MAMA TYPE TOMATOES.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO THEY'RE STILL A TOMATO, AT LEAST.

>> THEY'RE A TOMATO.

THEY'RE GONNA BE EXCELLENT FOR CANNING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR NEXT ONE COMES TO US JUST WEST OF EMERALD, NEBRASKA.

SO, HE GOT THIS AS A BEDDING PLANT AT A NURSERY.

IT WAS LABELED AS A CANTALOUPE.

HE DOESN'T THINK THIS IS A CANTALOUPE.

AND HE'S GOT FOUR OF THEM ON THE VINE HERE, MAYBE MORE.

SO, HE'S WONDERING WHAT WE THINK THIS IS AND HOW IS HE GOING TO KNOW IF IT'S RIPE.

>> SO, A LOT OF THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MELONS, WHAT YOU CAN DO, IS YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THE RIND.

IT'S GOING TO EITHER TURN A LIGHTER GREEN COLOR, MAYBE IT'S GOING TO TURN A LITTLE BIT LIGHTER YELLOW.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A SWEET SMELL TO IT.

AND THEN, MOST OF THEM ARE GOING TO SLEEP EASILY OFF THE VINE WHEN THEY'RE RIPE.

SO JUST CONTINUE TO WATCH IT.

IT'S GOING TO GET RIPE WITH TIME.

BUT IT'S NOT A CANTALOUPE, I CAN TELL YOU THAT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT, THANKS ELIZABETH.

WELL, WE ARE A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF OURSELVES, FOR ONCE.

SO, WE JUST HAVE SOME REGULAR OLD QUESTIONS.

KATE, THIS IS A VIEWER FROM PAPILLION WHO HAD A REALLY SIGNIFICANT APHID ISSUE ON AN OAK TREE CAUSED ALL THE LEAVES TO CURL.

BUT HE HAD IT SPRAYED THIS YEAR, BUT NOW HE'S NOTICING A WHOLE BUNCH OF LARGE WASPS FEEDING ON SOMETHING.

>> SO, THE WASPS ARE MOST LIKELY ATTRACTED TO THE HONEYDEW THAT THE APHIDS ARE PRODUCING.

SO, IT'S THAT STICKY SUBSTANCE.

AND THE WASPS LIKE IT FOR ITS SUGAR CONTENTS.

IF YOU SPRAYED THE TREE AND GOT RID OF MOST OF THE APHID PROBLEM, THE HONEYDEW WILL EVENTUALLY RESOLVE ITSELF WITH RAIN.

WHO KNOWS WHEN WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT.

BUT, AND THEN THE WASPS WILL GO AWAY WITH IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TERRI, SO PEOPLE ARE ASKING US ALL THE SEEDING QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW.

SO, THE QUESTION IS, IN THE HEAT AND IN THE DRY, ARE WE GOING TO SUGGEST ANY DIFFERENT PREPARATION FOR DOING FALL SEEDING OR DELAY FALL SEEDING?

>> I WOULD PROBABLY WAIT.

WE'RE STILL A LITTLE EARLY FOR FALL SEEDING.

SO, MAYBE THIS HEAT AND RAIN -- HEAT WILL GO AWAY AND RAIN WILL APPEAR.

I DON'T KNOW.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] I HAVEN'T SEEN THE EXTENDED FORECAST, AND I'M AFRAID TO LOOK.

[ LAUGHTER ] BUT, I WOULD JUST KEEP AN EYE ON IT, ON THE WEATHER, TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE.

BUT WE'RE STILL A LITTLE EARLY FOR FALL SEEDING ANYWAYS, SO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LOREN, WE ACTUALLY HAD A VIEWER SEND US PICTURES OF A WALNUT TREE IN WEST POINT THAT WAS YELLOWING.

WE TALKED ABOUT THAT, I THINK, A COUPLE SHOWS AGO.

SHE SENT SOME MORE PICTURES A LITTLE CLOSER UP.

ANY NOTION ON ANY DISEASE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH WALNUT THAT WOULD CAUSE IT EARLY DEFOLIATION?

>> WELL, WE DO SEE ANTHRACNOSE IN WALNUT.

THAT'S PRETTY COMMON.

AND THAT WOULD RESULT IN DEFOLIATION.

AND I DIDN'T SEE THESE PICTURES, KIM.

SO, IF WE SEE CRINKLED MARGINS, IF WE SEE DARK LESIONS OR SPOTS ON THE VEINS, THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS, LEAF DISTORTION, THAT WE TYPICALLY SEE WITH ANTHRACNOSE.

JUST A THOUGHT TO LOOK FOR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ELIZABETH, WE HAD A CRETE VIEWER WHO SEN US PICTURES THAT WE DIDN'T GET TO TONIGHT.

BUT, HAD TWO MAPLES, BOTH OF WHICH HAD THE BEAUTIFUL DARK FOLIAGE.

ONE IS STILL FINE, THE OTHER ONE, THE TOP DIED COMPLETELY, THE BOTTOM IS COMING FROM THE ROOTS AND THE TRUNK.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO RECOMMEND IN THAT?

OH, THERE THEY ARE.

EXCELLENT WORK ON THE PART OF OUR CAMERA CREW.

>> WITH THAT TREE, WE WANT TO REPLACE.

ANY BRANCHES THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK ARE GOING TO BE WEAKLY ATTACHED.

AND IF THEIR SUCKERS ARE WEAKLY ATTACHED, SO JUST REMOVE AND REPLACE WITH THAT ONE.

>> AND THAT'S UNFORTUNATE, BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A NICE TREE.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, IT'S ALSO UNFORTUNATE THAT THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR "BACKYARD FARMER" TONIGHT.

WE WANT TO SAY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO SUBMITTED QUESTIONS, ONCE AGAIN, TO OUR PANELISTS FOR ANOTHER INTERESTING SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING, WE HAD CYNTHIA CONNER AND GARY BELL.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'RE GOING TO RETURN TO MULHALL'S TO HEAR ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF ROOT BAGS FOR TREES.

WE'LL ALSO GIVE YOU SOME TIPS FOR STARTING A FALL GARDEN.

SO, GOODNIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

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

♪ ♪