CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING "BACKYARD FARMER" IS A CO -PRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL BE SAVING YOU FROM TICK BITES AND TAKING A LOOK AT GRASSY WEEDS.

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

>> HELLO, WELCOME TO "BACKYARD FARMER".

I'M KIM TODD.

I'LL BE YOUR HOST FOR THE NEXT HOUR OF ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US, JUST DIAL 1-800-676-5446.

OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO HELP YOU WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.

IF THAT QUESTION CAN WAIT, OR YOU'D LIKE TO SEND US SOME PICTURES, E-MAIL US AT BYF@UNL.EDU.

DO TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE AND DO LET US KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR PAST SHOWS, OUR FEATURES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

WHILE YOU'RE THERE, HIT SUBSCRIBE SO YOU CAN WATCH ANY OF THAT NEW MATERIAL WE POST.

WE ALSO HAVE A LOT GOING ON ON OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE, SO CHECK US OUT THERE AFTER THE SHOW.

AND JODY, YOU BROUGHT VERY INTERESTING AND EXTREMELY TIMELY AND LIVELY SAMPLE.

>> YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO BRING THOSE LIVE SAMPLES, SO I BROUGHT SOME GRUBS.

AND A VARIETY.

YOU CAN SEE THEM.

THEY'RE NICE AND JUICY, MOVING AROUND.

YOU CAN SEE THAT REALLY BIG ONE RIGHT THERE.

THAT IS NOT ONE OF THE TYPICAL WHITE GRUBS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, THE ONES WE WORRY ABOUT.

BUT I WANTED TO SHOW THAT WHEN YOU'RE SENDING PICTURES OF GRUBS OR DESCRIBING ONE TO ME, IT'S REALLY HARD TO IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHERE IT IS OR WHAT IT IS.

SO IT'S GOOD TO KNOW WHERE IT WAS FOUND.

IF IT WAS FOUND IN THE SOIL OR IN WOOD OR OTHER PLACES.

AND ALSO WITH SOME OF THESE THERE'S ACTUALLY TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF THE WHITE GRUBS WE'RE USED TO.

IT IS THE MASKED CHAFER AND JAPANESE BEETLE LARVA.

THE JAPANESE BEETLE ARE ACTUALLY THE SMALL ONE.

HOW WE TELL THOSE APART, WE PUT THOSE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE AND HAVE TO LOOK AT A CERTAIN HAIR PATTERN ON THE ABDOMEN, THE UNDERSIDE.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.

WE'VE GOT TO WIPE THAT OFF.

THAT'S WHY WE DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE IT IS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ADULTS, THAT IS THE IMMATURE.

GRUBS ARE LARVA OF BEETLES.

THE ADULTS ARE HERE IN THIS BOX THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, BUT THE MAIN JUNE BEETLE, THESE ARE OUT AT PORCH LIGHTS RIGHT NOW.

THESE ACTUALLY TAKE THREE YEARS TO DEVELOP.

WE'VE GOT THE JAPANESE BEETLES, WHICH WILL COME OUT IN JUNE.

I'M GOING TO PREDICT LIKE THE 18TH TO 20TH.

THE MASKED CHAFER IS DOWN HERE.

WE'VE ALSO GOT THAT GREEN JUNE BEETLE.

THE GRUB OF THAT ONE, WE CAN ALWAYS TELL WHAT IT IS BECAUSE IT WILL WALKS ON ITS BACK.

IT IS LARGER AND KIND OF STRANGE.

I THREW IN THIS JUICY GUY FOR GOOD MEASURE.

THIS IS AN OSMODERMA BEETLE.

WE HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THAT EARLIER THIS SEASON AND THOSE ARE FOUND IN DECAYING WOODS.

IF YOU'VE GOT A DECAYING TREE STUMP OR WHAT NOT IT MAY TURN INTO THIS BEETLE AT THE BOTTOM.

>> VERY COOL AND JUST VERY ODD.

MATT, YOUR SAMPLE IS NOT MOVING.

>> I JUST HAVE CRABGRASS.

IT IS NOT AS COOL AS ALL THE GRUBS.

IF YOU HAVE GRUBS MAYBE IT WILL CONTROL THE CRABGRASS.

IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR .

THE QUESTION IS ALWAYS WHEN DO I NEED TO PUT MY PRE OUT.

IT'S BEEN FOR THE LAST THREE, FOUR WEEKS.

IF YOU HAD IT OUT, GREAT.

BECAUSE NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE -- IF YOU THE SEE IN THIS SLOWLY BUT SURELY EMERGING CRAB GRASS ON SOMEWHAT OF A BARE SOIL.

THIS WAS A PRETTY THIN STAND OF KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS.

YOU WILL SEE THESE ONE TO TWO LEAF LOOKING THINGS WHERE USUALLY IT CAN BE CRABGRASS, COULD ALSO BE FOXTAIL.

FOXTAIL GERMINATES A LITTLE LATER AFTER CRABGRASS, BUT WHAT YOU CAN NOTICE IF YOU WANT TO TELL IF IT IS CRABGRASS, HERE'S ONE THAT IS A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.

USUALLY THEY'RE PRETTY FURRY ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM.

THAT WOULD BE LARGE CRABGRASS.

THIS IS PROBABLY LIKE THE THREE TO FOUR, FIVE-LEAF STAGE WHEREAS THOSE SMALLER ONES ARE IN THAT ONE- TO TWO-LEAF STAGE.

FROM HERE EVERY WEEK THEY'RE GOING TO GROW REALLY, REALLY FAST.

WE HAVE THE HEAT UNITS FOR IT.

IF YOU DO SEE THEM AND YOU DIDN'T GET YOUR PRE OUT SOON ENOUGH, THERE IS COUPLE POST PRODUCTS YOU CAN USE OR DIMENSION, WHICH IS ONE OF THE PRE PRODUCTS IN A LOT OF CARRIERS WITH FERTILIZER.

THAT ONE CAN ACTUALLY BE APPLIED UP TO TILLERING OF CRABGRASS.

SO THERE'S STILL TIME TO GET A PREEMERGENT OUT.

JUST HAVE TO PICK A CERTAIN ONE.

THAT ONE CONTAINS THE DITHIOPYR, THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT THAT WORKS ON CRABGRASS AFTER IT'S EMERGED AND A PREEMERGENT PRODUCT.

>> DYTHIOPYR.

>> COMMONLY KNOWN AS DIMENSION, BUT THERE ARE OTHER PRODUCTS WITH THAT IN THERE.

>> THANK YOU, MATT.

ALL RIGHT.

WHAT DO WE HAVE THIS TIME?

>> I HAVE A BUCKEYE WITH SOME ORANGE LEAFSPOTS THAT ARE ON THERE.

THIS TIME OF YEAR WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF RUSTS THAT ARE SHOWING UP.

ONE OF THE NICE THING ABOUT RUSTS IS IS THEY'RE VERY, VERY NOTICEABLE.

SO ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE LEAF, IT MAY JUST BE AN ORANGE OR BROWNISH SPOT YOU'RE SEEING, KIND OF LIKE WE HAVE HERE.

BUT IF WE FLIP IT OVER -- SEE IF I CAN HOLD MY HANDS STILL ENOUGH, YOU GET THESE ORANGE PUSTULES THAT SHOW UP.

SO WHEN IT'S SEVERE ENOUGH, YOU CAN ACTUALLY JUST RUB THOSE OFF ON YOUR FINGERS.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THEM WITH THE NAKED EYE.

THOSE ARE RUSTS.

SO MOST PLANTS THAT ARE OUT THERE DO HAVE A RUST ON THEM.

ON BUCKEYES REALLY THEY ARE NOT ANYTHING TO BE TOO CONCERNED ABOUT.

LATER IN THE SEASON THEY WILL KIND OF GO AWAY.

THIS RUST IS OXINIA ADROPOGONIS.

IT IS ACTUALLY MORE OF A PEST ON SOME OF OUR LARGE PRAIRIE GRASSES AS WELL.

SO LIKE MANY OF OUR RUSTS, THEY DO HAVE ALTERNATE LIFECYCLE OR ALTERNATE HOSTS, WHERE THEY HAVE TO -- THEY WILL HAVE THEIR SEXUAL STAGE ON ONE HOST.

IN THIS CASE THEIR SEXUAL STAGE IS ON THE BUCKEYE.

THEN THEIR ASEXUAL STAGE IS ON THE GRASS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

SARAH, YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SAMPLE.

>> YEAH.

A PRETTY PERENNIAL GERANIUM I WANTED TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE.

MAYBE I'LL PUSH IT TO THE SIDE SO IT'S NOT IN FRONT OF ME.

YOU CAN SEE IT BETTER.

THIS IS A PERENNIAL GERANIUM CALLED BOOM CHOCOLATTA.

A FUN NAME, ISN'T IT?

IT GETS THAT NAME BECAUSE OF THE FOLIAGE.

THE FOLIAGE IS -- HAS KIND OF A DARK MAROON EDGE AROUND THE LEAVES.

WHEN YOU SEE THE PLANT IN THE LANDSCAPE, IT HAS A DARKER GREEN APPEARANCE, WHICH IS QUITE PRETTY.

THIS HAS JUST STARTED BLOOMING.

THESE ARE THE FIRST FLOWERS TO COME ON.

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY THERE'S A TON OF BUDS, SO IT IS GOING TO BE BLOOMING A WHILE NOW.

PROBABLY ANOTHER THREE, FOUR WEEKS, SO IT WILL BE REALLY PRETTY IN THE, YOU KNOW, LATE SPRING, EARLY SUMMER PERIOD IN A GARDEN.

SO IT IS A PERENNIAL.

COMES BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR.

THIS PLANT IS PLANTED IN A LOCATION IN OUR LANDSCAPE WHICH IS KIND OF HOT AND EXPOSED AN NOT THE GREATEST OF SOIL.

THIS HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF AN EXPERIMENT WITH THIS PLANT TO SEE HOW IT'S DONE.

IT'S ACTUALLY DONE VERY WELL.

IT'S AN UPRIGHT PLANT, SO IT DOESN'T TEND TO KIND OF LAY DOWN OR FLOP DOWN ON THE GROUND.

IT'S STANDING VERY UPRIGHT.

EVEN WHEN THE FLOWERS ARE DONE, THE FOLIAGE WILL LOOK NICE AND PRETTY THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE SUMMER.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOME NEW PERENNIALS FOR THE GARDEN, THIS WILL DO WELL IF FULL SUN TO PARTIAL SUN.

AGAIN, IT IS BOOM CHOCOLATTA IS THE NAME OF THIS PERENIAL GERANIUM.

>> WHICH IS HARD TO SAY WITHOUT SMILING.

>> I KNOW, A FUN NAME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, SARAH.

OKAY, JODY.

YOU HAVE A HANDFUL OF VERY FIRST QUESTIONS.

FIRST ONE IS FROM HOWELLS SHE'S A TEACHER.

LAST AUGUST THEY FOUND A CATERPILLAR OUTSIDE.

PUT IT IN A HOUSE.

GAVE IT LEAVES.

IT DID THIS.

NOTHING HAPPENED.

SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DEAD, THEN IT STARTED WIGGLING.

AND SHE WONDERS WHAT IT WILL TURN INTO.

SHE IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> YEAH.

THIS LOOKS LIKE A TYPE OF SPHINX MOTH.

WE COULD PROBABLY TELL IF WE KNEW WHAT IT WAS EATING.

BUT WHEN IT EMERGES, PROBABLY SOON IF YOU'VE GOT IT IN THE HOUSE OR IN THE BUG HOUSE, IT SHOULD EMERGE AS A MOTH.

IT WILL GO FIND A MATE AND HOPEFULLY LAY EGGS ON ANOTHER HOST PLANT.

>> PERFECT.

VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

ALL RIGHT.

SO YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ARE -- SHE SENT US THESE.

SHE FOUND THIS LITTLE GUY.

SHE CALLED IT A GRUBWORM.

IN A VERY WEEDY PATCH.

SHE KNOWS IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WHITE LAWN GRUBS.

IT IS TOO EARLY FOR IRIS BORES.

SO WHAT IS IT?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE A TYPE OF CUTWORM, SO PROBABLY A BLACK CUTWORM.

IT'S JUST WANDERING AROUND?

>> WANDERING AROUND IN A VERY WEEDY PATCH.

>> THEY USUALLY EAT THE WEEDS FIRST.

THEY CAN BE A PEST OF LIKE BLUEGRASS, I BELIEVE, USUALLY NOT IN HIGH NUMBERS.

USUALLY NOT A PROBLEM.

>> SQUISH.

>> I GUESS.

FEED IT TO THE BIRDS.

BIRDS WILL FIND IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE MORE PICTURE HERE.

THIS ONE IS A MOTH.

HE JUST IS ASKING -- THIS A LINCOLN VIEWER, WONDERS WHAT KIND OF MOTH.

>> WE CALL THAT A BORING, BROWN MOTH.

SO THIS ONE IS TYPE OF A GEOMETRID.

WE CALL IT THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE INCHWORMS AS CATERPILLARS.

BUT PROBABLY 1400 SPECIES OF THESE, BUT I CAN'T SAY WHICH ONE.

>> AT THE JUVENILE STAGE?

>> IT IS AN ADULT SO NOT A PEST.

>> THE JUVENILE STAGE?

>> THE CATERPILLARS ARE -- MAYBE.

>> MAYBE.

>> SO LOOK FOR AN INCHER.

>> AND SQUASH IT.

>> FEED IT TO THE BIRDS.

>> OKAY.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FAT BIRDS.

ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS PLANT IS.

DOES HAVE A SQUAREISH STEM.

HE SENT US ANOTHER PICTURE OF IT.

HE SAID IT GROWS LIKE WILDFIRE.

>> YEAH, THAT FIRST ONE, COMMON CHICKWEED, IS WINTER ANNUAL.

IT DOES COVER THE GROUND LIKE THAT.

THEN THIS NEXT ONE MIGHT BE CORN SPEEDWELL, OR I MIGHT NOT BE SEEING THE RIGHT ONE HERE.

I THINK WHAT THEY DO IS THEY HAVE MULTIPLE GENERATIONS IN A YEAR.

IF IT IS COMMON CHICKWEED.

SO IT CAN SPREAD REALLY FAST.

SO IT HAS A REALLY SHALLOW ROOT SYSTEM, SO IT CAN BE PRETTY EASY TO ALMOST RAKE OUT OF THERE OR PULL OUT OF THERE.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR CONTROL, I WOULD SAY DO THAT, BESIDES SPRAYING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YEAH, HE DIDN'T REALLY PUT IN THIS FIRST PICTURE -- YOU KNOW, IT IS A LITTLE HARD TO SEE HEIGHT.

>> YEP.

IT IS USUALLY NOT VERY TALL BUT THAT IS KIND OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME.

I ZOOMED IN AS FAR AS I COULD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ARE A GRASS.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

SHE HAS SPRAYED THIS TWICE WITH OVER-THE-TOP AND A SPREADER STICKER AND IT IS NOT SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF GIVING UP THE GHOST.

>> SO THAT WAS -- IT WAS SPREAD OVER THE TOP?

>> SHE SAID SHE SPRAYED THE GRASS OVER THE TOP -- WITH OVER-THE-TOP.

>> OKAY.

>> SPRAY STICKER.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF SPRAY THAT WAS USED.

USUALLY IF IT WAS LIKE A GLYPHOSATE IT WOULD PROBABLY WORK ON THIS GRASS.

IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE SMOOTH BROMEGRASS, WHICH CAN BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

SO I WOULD SAY A GLYPHOSATE APPLICATION.

IT MIGHT TAKE TWO, BECAUSE THEY HAVE UNDERGROUND RHIZOMES AND WILL BE A LITTLE TOUGHER TO KILL IN THE SPRING WHEN THEY ARE GROWING PRETTY VIGOROUSLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

AND KNOWING WILL IT KILL EVERYTHING ELSE .

>> YES.

IT SHOULD KILL EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU, MATT.

ALL RIGHT, KYLE.

THIS IS A VIEWER FROM WATERLOO.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT ALL OF THESE ARE.

>> A VIEWER WITH SOME QUESTIONABLE MORELS MAYBE.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THERE'S MUSHROOM PUNS ABOUND.

WE HAVE SOME MORELS.

ALSO SOME FALSE MORELS.

THEY CAN LOOK SOMEWHAT SIMILAR.

RIGHT HERE THIS WAS A PICTURE OF ONE OF THE FALSE MORELS WE'RE LOOKING AT.

BUT YOU DO WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE PICKING ANY TIME YOU ARE OUT FORAGING A MUSHROOM.

YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS.

CASE IN POINT WITH THE FALSE MORELS, YOU KNOW, THEY WON'T KILL YOU BUT YOU'LL HAVE QUITE THE TUMMY ACHE IF YOU END UP EATING THEM.

A FEW WAYS YOU CAN DIFFERENTIATE FALSE MORELS FROM TRUE MORELS, FIRST IS THE JUST THE OVERALL PATTERN OF THE CAP.

SO A TRUE MOREL IS GOING TO HAVE KIND OF A PITTED CAP.

ALMOST LIKE KIND OF IN A HONEYCOMB PATTERN.

WHEREAS THE FALSE MOREL IS GOING TO BE MORE WAVY AS WELL.

THEN FALSE MORELS ARE NOT NEAR AS SYMMETRICAL AS YOU GET.

THEY ALMOST LOOK LIKE MAYBE ONE HAS STEPPED ON ONE SIDE OF THEM COMPARED TO THE TRUE MOREL, WHICH IS FAIRLY SYMMETRICAL.

OTHER THING TO DO, IF YOU CAN TOLERATE CUTTING ONE OF YOUR MORELS IN HALF, IS TO CUT IN IT HALF AND LOOK AT IT.

AND I THINK IN THE FIRST PICTURE HE ACTUALLY HAD DONE THAT.

A TRUE MOREL IS GOING TO BE HOLLOW ON THE INSIDE.

WHEREAS A FALSE MOREL IS EITHER GOING TO HAVE SOME COTTONY FIBERS OR COMPLETELY SOLID.

SO THE ONES HE'S CUT THERE -- HE HAD CUT A FALSE MOREL.

>> SO THE COOL, SPONGY ONES ARE THE REAL DEAL.

>> YEAH.

THE ONES UP ON TOP.

THE LIGHTER COLORED ONES ARE THE REAL DEAL, YEAH.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

YOU HAVE ONE MORE PICTURE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY WAGNER, SOUTH DAKOTA VIEWER.

THIS DRIED UP FUNGUS IS GROWING ON HALF A BARREL CONTAINER.

COMES BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR.

HE'S CALLING IT EITHER CANDLE SNUFF OR DEAD MAN'S FINGERS.

HE WONDERS IS IT TOXIC TO OTHER PLANTS OR VEGETABLES THAT HE GROWS IN THIS CONTAINER THING.

HOW DOES HE GET RID OF IT?

>> I THINK IT IS A TYPE OF XYLARIA.

NOT THE TRUE DEAD MAN'S FINGERS.

TYPICALLY THOSE ARE A LITTLE BIT LARGER.

THE SIZE OF THESE, DEAD MAN'S FINGERS, WOULD BE A LITTLE WIDER AT THIS STAGE.

STAY TUNED FOR NEXT WEEK TO LEARN A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THEM AS WELL.

BUT SO I THINK IT IS A TYPE OF XYLARIA.

IT IS A COMMON WOOD-ROTTING FUNGUS.

CAN BE PATHOGENIC BUT REALLY ON PATHOGENIC TO PRIMARILY WOODY HOSTS.

SO AS LONG AS YOU ARE NOT GROWING OTHER WOODY THINGS IN THE GARDEN, PROBABLY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

OKAY.

SARA, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS A BLAIR VIEWER.

TWO PICTURES.

THESE SHRUBS ARE YELLOW.

SO WHAT ARE THE SHRUBS, TO BEGIN WITH, FOR OUR VIEWERS.

SECOND, WHY ARE THEY YELLOW?

ARE THEY DONE FOR?

>> YEAH.

SO THESE ARE ARBORVITAE.

THEY ARE DYING.

THIS IS WINTER DESICCATION INJURY, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF THIS YEAR DUE TO DRY WINTER CONDITIONS WE HAD.

SO GIVEN THE EXTENT OF THE DIE-BACK IN THESE PLANTS, I DON'T THINK YOU ARE GOING TO GET THEM TO RECOVER, SO I WOULD PULL THEM OUT AND REPLANT.

MAKE SURE IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO ARBORVITAE AGAIN, MAKE SURE YOU WATER THEM WELL IN THE FALL, FROM SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER, AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT DRY GOING INTO THE WINTER.

>> THEY PROBABLY DON'T LIKE THAT FULL SUN -- >> THAT IS NOT A GREAT LOCATION EITHER, WITH THE ROCK MULCH.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT SIDE OF THE HOUSE THIS IS ON BUT ARBORVITAE PREFER MORE OF AN AFTERNOON SHADE.

SO IF YOU CAN HAVE MORNING SUN AND AFTERNOON SHADE, THEY WOULD DO BETTER.

>> THANKS, SARA.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

TWO LARGE EVERGREENS, 30 YEARS OLD, PROBABLY SPRUCE IS BEAUTIFUL BUT THEN THIS ONE HAS A LOT OF DEAD BRANCHES.

SHE'S DEEP-WATERED.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW IF IT WILL FILL BACK IN, OR SHOULD SHE CUT IT BACK DOWN.

>> YEAH.

I CAN'T TELL FROM THE PICTURES EXACTLY WHY THESE BRANCHES HAVE DIED, BUT THEY ARE DEAD.

IF THE BRANCHES DON'T HAVE ANY GREEN FOLIAGE ON THEM, THEY ARE DEAD.

THEY WILL NOT SEND OUT ANY NEW NEEDLES, SO YOU REALLY SHOULD PROBABLY JUST GO AHEAD AND REMOVE THOSE DEAD BRANCHES.

WHETHER THERE'S GOING TO BE ENOUGH LEFT OF THOSE TREES FOR YOU TO BE HAPPY IS IS PRETTY MUCH UP FOR YOU TO DECIDE, BUT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S GOING TO BE A PRETTY BARE SECTION ON THIS ONE SIDE.

SO, I DON'T KNOW, AGAIN, IT IS UP TO THE VIEWER TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO LIVE WITH IT OR NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, SARA.

WELL WITH THE WARMER WEATHER EVERYONE WILL BE ENJOYING THOSE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

JUST MAKE SURE YOU DON'T BRING HOME ANY UNWELCOME GUESTS.

FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE TONIGHT, JODY IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT TICKS.

/\M >> IF YOU'VE BEEN OUTSIDE THIS SPRING, YOU KNOW IT IS VERY TICKY OUTSIDE.

THE MONTH OF MAY IS OUR TICKIEST MONTH IN NEBRASKA, SO I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU TIPS ON HOW TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS WITHOUT GETTING A TICK BITE.

TICKS LOCATE THEIR HOSTS BY QUESTING.

WHAT THEY DO IS CLIMB UP A PIECE OF VEGETATION FROM THE GROUND AND STRETCH OUT THEIR FRONT LEGS, WHICH HAVE TINY HOOKS, ENABLING THEM TO LATCH ONTO A HOST THAT IS BRUSHING BY THE VEGETATION.

THEY GET CARRIED AWAY AND START MOVING UPWARDS.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE COMING OUT OF TREES.

REALLY THEY ARE COMING FROM THE GROUND AND MOVING UP.

MANY PEOPLE ARE HORIFIED BY THE THOUGHT OF SEEING A TICK, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU, IT IS MUCH BETTER TO FIND A TICK AND REMOVE IT THAN FIND OUT LATER THAT YOU'VE BEEN BITTEN BY A TICK AND DIDN'T KNOW IT.

TICKS CAN REMAIN EMBEDDED IN THE SKIN, FEEDING, FOR UP TO SEVEN DAYS, IF NOT DETECTED.

THEY WILL GET QUITE ENGORGED.

AN ENGORGED FEMALE TICK LOOKS LIKE A GRAPE BUT ALSO LIKE A CHEWED UP PIECE OF GUM FROM TWO YEARS AGO.

THESE WILL FALL OFF THE HOST.

IF THEY ARE MATED, THEY CAN PRODUCE OVER 5,000 EGGS BEFORE THEY DIE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, THOUGH, IS PREVENT TICK BITES.

SO THERE ARE MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU WANT TO TREAT YOUR PET ACCORDING TO VETERINARIAN'S SUGGESTIONS.

THIS MAY BE ALL-YEAR-ROUND TREATMENT, DEPENDING WHERE YOU LIVE AND WHAT TICKS ARE PREVALENT IN YOUR AREA.

TICKS THAT HAVE BEEN FEEDING ON A PET THAT HAS BEEN TREATED WILL SHOW UP DEAD.

ANOTHER THING YOU CAN DO IS WEAR PERMETHRIN-TREATED CLOTHING.

THIS CAN BE AVAILABLE COMMERCIALLY OR YOU CAN BUY THE SPRAY YOURSELF AND TREAT YOUR CLOTHES.

WHEN THE CLOTHING IS DRY, IT IS SAFE TO WEAR BUT YOU WANT TO FOLLOW THE LABEL INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO TREAT THAT CLOTHES BECAUSE IT IS A PESTICIDE.

TICKS THAT CONTACT THIS PERMETHRIN TREATED CLOTHES WILL NOT BE COMING HOME WITH YOU.

MOST IMPORTANT THING, THOUGH, IS TO CHECK YOURSELF AFTER COMING IN FROM OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

YOU CAN TAKE A SHOWER WITHIN HOURS OF COMING INSIDE, BUT YOU REALLY WANT TO CHECK THOSE WARM, DARK PLACES AND BODY CREVASSES.

PLACES TO CHECK ARE GOING TO BE THE GROIN AREA, ARMPIT, SCALP, BELLY BUTTON, ALL THOSE DARK PLACES.

REMOVE ANY EMBEDDED TICKS WITH TWEEZERS.

WHEN YOU COME IN, THOSE CLOTHES THAT YOU WORE, YOU WANT TO PUT THEM IN A HOT CLOTHES DRYER FOR 20, 30 MINUTES ON HIGH HEAT BEFORE YOU PUT IT IN THE HAMPER.

ANYTHING THAT COMES IN ON CLOTHES CAN EASILY CRAWL OUT AND FIND A HOST.

LASTLY, TEACH YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT TICKS SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

REMEMBER, WE WANT YOU TO BE OUTSIDE, WE WANT YOU TO ENJOY NATURE, BUT WE DON'T WANT YOU TO BE TORMENTED BY TICKS.

SO FOLLOW THESE TIPS AND HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.

>> OF COURSE WITH OUR GOOD WEATHER IT IS SO MUCH FUN TO GET OUT THERE, ENJOY THE WALK.

JUST DO MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THESE TIPS AND TRICKS TO KEEP THE TICKS OFF OF YOU.

YUCK.

ALL RIGHT.

JODY, THIS COMES TO US FROM THE PANHANDLE.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES.

IT'S A SCALE INSECT, THEY THINK, ON PINES.

IS IT?

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT.

>> YES.

THIS IS PINE NEEDLE SCALE.

AND IT'S A SCALE INSECT.

SO AGAIN, WE WANT TO TREAT WHEN THERE'S CRAWLERS FOR PINE NEEDLE SCALE.

IT'S GOING TO BE MAY AND JUNE, WHEN THE CRAWLERS ARE THERE.

THERE WILL BE 20 TO 30 LITTLE RED CRAWLERS SO LOOK FOR THOSE.

AT TIME TREAT WITH HORTICULTURAL OIL OR INSECTICIDAL SOAP.

STAY AWAY FROM BROAD SPECTRUM INSECTICIDES BECAUSE A LOT OF THE TIME NATURAL ENEMIES FEED ON SCALE INSECTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ARE FROM RURAL SIOUX CITY, IOWA, 25 -YEAR-OLD COLORADO SPRUCE.

ARE THESE SCALE INSECTS?

>> YES, PINE NEEDLE SCALE.

THERE'S TWO GENERATIONS OF THIS SCALE.

SO THERE WILL BE TWO SETS OF CRAWLERS.

MAY, JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST WILL BE THE SECOND SET.

SO IT IS RECOMMENDED TO TREAT WITH THOSE PRODUCTS THAT I JUST TALKED ABOUT.

FOR TWO TO THREE WEEK, BECAUSE IT IS AN EXTENDED EMERGENCE OF CRAWLERS AND EVERY SEVEN DAYS.

>> EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, JODY.

MATT, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES HERE ARE 60 ACRES OF LAND IN WASHINGTON COUNTY.

TALL GRASS PRAIRIE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN BLACK LOCUSTS.

AND YOU CAN SORT OF SEE THE COLONY IN THE BACKGROUND.

THERE THEY ARE UP CLOSE.

HE USED CROSSBOW.

IT BURNED THEM BACK BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HERE COME GREEN SHOOTS FROM THE BASE.

HE WONDERS HOW TO GET RID OF BLACK LOCUST.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THE CROSSBOW IS A GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THAT WORKS WELL ON BRUSHY SPECIES BUT YOU MIGHT NOT GET CONTROL, 100% IN ONE APPLICATION.

SO IF NEED BE HIT IT AGAIN THIS YEAR.

IT'S GOING TO DEPLETE THAT ROOT SYSTEM OF THAT PLANT AND EVENTUALLY, HOPEFULLY, KILL IT.

IT MIGHT TAKE MORE THAN TWO YEARS EVEN.

ANOTHER WAY TO DO IT, IF THERE'S NOT THAT MANY OF THEM, WHICH LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE, WILL BE TRIM AND TREAT WITH TORDON OR GLYPHOSATE AT HIGHER RATE.

JUST DAB ON THE CUT OF THE TREE AND THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM.

>> THANK YOU, MATT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS TONS OF THISTLE IN THE MULCHED AREAS, COVERS AN AREA ABOUT 20X20 FEET.

HOW DO WE GET RID OF THISTLES FOR GOOD?

>> THIS ONE IS A TERRIBLE ONE.

I HAVE DEALT WITH IT.

CANADA THISTLE, IT IS ALMOST LIKE A CREEPING THISTLE BECAUSE IT HAS A PRETTY EXTENSIVE UNDERGROUND ROOT SYSTEM.

WHEREVER THE ROOTS ARE IT CAN POP UP NEW PLANTS OF THISTLE.

SO THEY USUALLY START OUT SMALL AND SPREAD AS A CIRCLE AND WILL JUST KEEP GOING AND GOING AND GOING AND END UP HUNDREDS OF FEET WIDE IF YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING WITH THEM.

TREATING THEM NOW WHILE THEY ARE SMALL LIKE THIS WITH PROBLEMS THAT ARE SYSTEMIC.

BROADLEAF HERBICIDES, 2,4-D WORK WELL.

HIT THEM.

IT MIGHT NOT CONTROL THEM COMPLETELY BECAUSE THERE WILL BE NEW PLANTS EMERGING FROM THAT ROOT SYSTEM, SO MIGHT BE ANOTHER APPLICATION.

SAME THING WITH CROSSBOW.

SIMILAR.

IT IS TRICLOPYR.

THAT CAN BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH 24D ON THIS ONE AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU, MATT.

KYLE, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS ASPENS PLANTED IN 2008.

BARE LEAVES, SOME LEAVES TURNING BLACK ALREADY.

ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS?

SO HE SENT US TWO OR THREE PICTURES HERE.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THERE'S A FEW ISSUES GOING ON WITH THIS -- WITH THESE TREES, NONE OF WHICH ARE REALLY PATHOLOGICAL IN NATURE.

SO YOU KNOW HOW THERE'S REALLY NO LEAVES UP TOP.

THINK THAT IS A FUNCTION OF THE DROUGHT THAT WE HAVE HAD AND THE TREE IS LIKELY JUST THIRSTY.

WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL RECOVER, I'M NOT SURE.

IT WOULD REALLY DEPEND ON IF THOSE BRANCHS ARE STILL ALIVE.

AS FAR AS SOME OF THE LEAVES TURNING BLACK, REALLY IT IS TOO EARLY FOR ANY OF OUR FUNGAL LEAF SPOTS.

MARGINATA IS THE BIG ONE WE SEE ON ASPENS, BUT THEY DON'T TURN THE LEAVES COMPLETELY BLACK.

ANY TIME WE HAVE THE LEAVES THAT ARE COMPLETELY BLACK, LIKE THESE ARE, I REALLY TEND TO THINK ABOUT SOMETHING WEATHER RELATED.

WE DID HAVE SOME PRETTY COOL NIGHTS RECENTLY.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A NORTH PLATTE VIEWER.

BOX ELDERS WITH THIS GROWTH/FUNGUS.

WE DON'T KNOW -- THIS IS A HEAD SCRATCHER, ISN'T IT?

>> IT VERY MUCH IS.

WE WERE SHOWING THE PICTURES AROUND BEFORE THE SHOW.

DOESN'T LOOK LIKE CROWN GALL.

THERE IS NOT REALLY ANY OTHER GALLS WE CAN FIND INFORMATION ON BOX ELDERS.

ALMOST LOOKS LIKE THIS IS UNDIFFERENTIATED CALLOUS TISSUE.

I DON'T KNOW, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A SAMPLE, SO PLEASE SUBMIT A SAMPLE TO THE CLINIC, IF YOU CAN.

>> THANK YOU, KYLE.

SARA, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES ARE FROM A CRESCENT, IOWA VIEWER.

ON A PURPLE ASHE.

DOESN'T HAVE MUCH FOLIAGE.

WHAT DO WE THINK AT THIS POINT?

>> YOU KNOW, I REALLY WOULD NEED A LOT MORE INFORMATION TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON.

IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING SYSTEMIC.

BY THAT I MEAN SOMETHING AFFECTING THE WHOLE PLANT, SO THERE COULD HAVE BEEN ROOT ISSUES HERE OR THERE COULD BE -- YOU KNOW, COULD BE SOME KIND OF BORE.

IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE EMERALD ASHE BORE.

THERE ARE OTHER BORES THAT WILL ATTACK ASHE, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS DECLINING AND THE BORES COME FINISH IT OFF.

THERE COULD BE A LOT OF THINGS GOING WRONG.

IF THIS IS ALL THE TREE IS DOING THIS YEAR, IS THIS SMALL AMOUNT OF LEAVES, IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS PROBABLY ON THE WAY OUT FOR YOU AND PROBABLY BE TIME TO TAKE IT DOWN, AND PLANT WITH SOMETHING THAT'S RESISTANT TO EMERALD ASHE BORE.

>> EXACTLY.

ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A PILGER VIEWER WITH AN ARMSTRONG MAPLE.

IT IS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD.

THE TOP HAS NOT LEAFED OUT.

IS IT TIME TO TAKE THE TOP OUT?

>> YEAH.

IT LOOKS LIKE THAT TOP HAS DIED.

YOU KNOW, BUT THE LOWER PART OF THE TREE IS STILL LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.

WHAT I WOULD DO AT THIS POINT IS CUT THAT CENTRAL LEADER BACK TO THE POINT WHERE YOU HAVE A GOOD, LIVING SHOOT TO TRY TO RE-ESTABLISH A NEW CENTRAL LEADER.

GIVE IT SOME REALLY GOOD CARE THIS SUMMER.

MAKE SURE IT STAYS WATERED WHEN CONDITIONS ARE DRY.

WATER IN IT THE FALL.

DON'T FERTILIZE IT.

WE DON'T WANT TO PUSH IT WITH FERTILIZER TOO MUCH.

SEE IF IT CAN REJUVENATE A LITTLE VIGOR AND RECOVER AND COME OUT STRONG NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR FINAL PICTURE HERE IS MAPLE ANDONOPHYN, A BOX TREE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHETHER THEY CAN TAKE THE BOX OFF AND REMOVE THAT SOIL AND NOT HARM THE TREE.

>> I THINK IT WOULD DEFINITELY BE A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE THAT BOX OFF AND TAKE THE SOIL DOWN TO THE ORIGINAL SOIL GRADE.

NOW YOU MAY VERY WELL FIND THERE ARE SOME ROOTS IN THAT SOIL, SO YOU WILL BE DOING SOME DAMAGE TO THOSE ROOTS AS YOU REMOVE THAT OLD SOIL.

BUT I THINK IN THE LONG RUN IT WILL BE BETTER FOR THE TREE TO HAVE THAT SOIL AWAY FROM THE TRUNK.

AND HOPEFULLY THE TREE WILL RECOVER FROM THIS AND WILL GO ON AND LIVE A LONG TIME FOR YOU, SO I WOULD DEFINITELY TAKE IT OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, SARA.

WELL, OUR GARDEN IS NOW ALMOST ALL PLANTED.

WE EVEN GOT A LITTLE RAIN TO HELP EVERYTHING GET OFF TO A GREAT START.

HERE IS TERRI TO GET US UP TO DATE ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

>> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS HERE AND THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF PLANTING.

ALL OF OUR CONTAINERS ARE ALMOST FULL.

MOST OF OUR PLANTS ARE ALMOST IN THE GROUND.

STILL WORKING ON THE DISTRIBUTION GARDEN WALL, SO WE WON'T BE ABLE TO GET THAT ONE PLANTED QUITE YET, BUT THE LITTLE BIT OF RAIN WE'VE HAD HERE IN LINCOLN HAS REALLY SLOWED THAT PROGRESS DOWN.

BUT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THOSE PLANTS IN.

THAT IS WHERE WE GROW A LOT OF OUR VEGGIES FOR DONATION TO THE LOCAL BANK IN THE EAST CAMPUS AREA.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW ALL-AMERICA SELECTION PLANTS THIS YEAR, SO WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SHOWING YOU WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE AFTER THEY GET BIGGER ONCE WE HAVE PLANTED THEM IN THE GARDEN.

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

>> WE ARE OFF AND RUNNING, OF COURSE.

IT IS ALWAYS FUN AND INTERESTING TO WATCH OUR GARDEN GROW.

IT IS TIME FOR US TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

STAY WITH US, AS WE WILL BE SHOWING YOU THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK AND THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

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

[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 WILL HEAR FROM ROCH ABOUT IDENTIFICATION TIPS ABOUT GRASSY WEEDS.

PHONE IN THOSE QUESTIONS TO 1-800-676-5446.

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

NOW IT IS TIME FOR LIGHTNING.

ALL RIGHT, SARA.

YOU ARE FIRST UP.

THIS IS FROM MANY VIEWERS WHO WANT TO KNOW WHETHER THE TIPS OF BOXWOOD THAT ARE ALL BROWN WILL RECOVER IF YOU PRUNE THEM OFF.

>> THEY WILL REGROW NEW TISSUE.

THEY WON'T RECOVER, SO PRUNE THEM OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A LA VISTA VIEWER WHO HAS A JAPANESE MAPLE THAT'S BEEN IN THE GROUND A WHILE BUT ONE WHOLE SIDE HAS NO LEAVES.

SHOULD HE WAIT OR ASSUME THAT IS DEAD?

>> YOU CAN WAIT, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE CONSERVATIVE, BUT I'M PROBABLY 98% SURE IT IS DEAD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A CENTRAL NEBRASKA VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING WHETHER THE PREDICTED COLD TEMPERATURES FOR THIS WEEKEND ARE GOING TO DAMAGE TOMATOES AND PEPPERS.

>> DEFINITELY.

THEY DON'T LIKE ANYTHING BELOW ABOUT 40 DEGREES, SO PROVIDE PROTECTION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER IN LINCOLN WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THEY CAN DIG AND MOVE THEIR ASTERS NOW.

HAVE TOO MANY, THEY ARE TOO BIG.

>> YEAH, IT IS A FALL-BLOOMING PERENNIAL.

YOU COULD MOVE THEM NOW AND TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM OVER THE SUMMER WITH WATERING AND THEY SHOULD RE-ESTABLISH AND RECOVER.

>> IS IT OKAY TO PLANT ANOTHER PLANTING OF SPINACH AND LETTUCE NOW?

THIS IS A SYRACUSE VIEWER.

YEAH, STILL TIME FOR THAT.

STILL TIME FOR THAT.

>> NICE JOB, SARA.

OKAY, KYLE, READY?

>> DOES IT MATTER?

>> BECAUSE YOUR QUESTIONS ARE ALWAYS HARD.

WHAT, I'M HEARING WHINING?

ALL RIGHT.

YOUR FIRST ONE IS ACTUALLY FROM A VIEWER.

IT IS INTERESTING.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER HE SHOULD CLEAN THE CORN SHUCKS OUT OF HIS IRIS BED TO PREVENT ROOT ROT IN HIS IRIS OR LEAVE THEM THERE TO KEEP THE SOIL MOIST?

>> I WOULD PROBABLY LEAVE THEM THERE.

THERE'S NO DISEASES THAT WOULD MOVE BETWEEN THE CORN HUSKS AND THE IRISES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER IN OMAHA WHO HAS -- OR IN LINCOLN WHO HAS NECROTIC LAWN DISEASE AND DOLLAR SPOT.

HAS TREATED IT EVERY TWO WEEKS FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER BUT IT DIDN'T WORK.

IS THAT THE WRONG TREATMENT?

>> YEAH, THE WRONG TREATMENT.

YOU MAY EVEN HAVE IT -- YOU MAY HAVE MISIDENTIFIED THE DISEASE AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A DAVID CITY VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW EARLY ROSE ROSETTE WOULD SHOW UP IN SHRUB ROSES.

>> COULD SHOW UP NOW BUT TYPICALLY IT IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE LATER IN THE SEASON.

LATE JUNE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HENDERSON VIEWER HAS CATALPAS THAT LEAF OUT WELL BUT THEY TURN BLACK AND CURL EVERY SUMMER.

IS THERE A PREVENTION FOR THAT?

>> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF.

JUST SOMETHING TO DEAL WITH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A PERSON WHO DOES HAVE BUCKEYES SAID THEIRS IS SO RUSTY IN THE FALL THAT IT'S ORANGE.

WILL THIS KILL THE TREE?

>> I WOULD WONDER IF IT IS ACTUALLY RUST.

IF IT IS NOT, ONE OF THE OTHER LEAF SPOTS.

BUT TYPICALLY THE RUST ON BUCKEYES WILL NOT KILL THE TREE, NO.

>> NICE JOB.

SEE, YOU DID FINE.

>> TIED.

>> GOOD JOB.

>> MATT, READY?

>> YES.

>> THIS IS A SEWARD VIEWER WHO PUT HER PRE DOWN APRIL 27TH AND WONDERS IF SHE NEEDS ANOTHER.

IF SO, WHEN.

>> IF YOU PUT IT DOWN THEN I WOULD SAY JUNE 15TH IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO A SECOND APPLICATION.

>> A SCHUYLER VIEWER HAS LIME GREEN GRASS AND WONDERS WHETHER IRONITE WOULD WORK ON IT.

>> TYPICALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF RAIN, BLUEGRASS WILL GET THAT YELLOWISH COLOR BUT TYPICALLY GOES AWAY.

IRON WOULD HELP.

>> THIS IS A BELLEVUE VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER FIESTA THAT IS AVAILABLE LOCALLY.

IT IS A RECOMMENDATION WE MADE.

>> IT MIGHT BE, BUT YOU CAN ORDER IT ONLINE AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS VIEWER DIDN'T SAY WHERE THEY ARE FROM BUT THEY WANT TO KNOW WHETHER 24D WILL VOLATILIZE AFTER DRIES ON A PLANT?

>> YES, IT CAN.

TEMPERATURE INVERSION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A HOMEOWNER WONDERS IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO SLOW DOWN THE GROWTH OF TURF.

>> PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS WORK, BUT YOU HAVE TO SPRAY THEM ON.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO APPLIED GYPSUM MONTHLY TO TURF TO IMPROVE THE DRAINAGE.

DOES THAT WORK?

>> IT CAN ACTUALLY HELP THE SOIL OUT, DEPENDING WHAT YOUR PH OF THE SOIL IS.

BUT TYPICALLY NOT FOR DRAINAGE.

>> OKAY.

EXCELLENT.

NICE JOB.

OKAY, JODY.

READY?

>> UH-HUH.

>> THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHETHER SAIL BUGS WILL HURT THE PLANTS IN HER CONTAINERS.

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE AN OGALLALA VIEWER WHO HAS A VERY LARGE HACKBERRIES WITH BROOMS ALL OVER.

THEY ARE WONDERING WHETHER THE BROOMS WILL SPREAD TO THEIR OTHER HACKBERRIES.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK IT IS SPECIFIC TO THAT PLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WOULD THE GRUBS IN THE SOIL BY A ROSE RIGHT NOW BE JAPANESE BEETLE GRUBS OR JUNEBUGS?

>> COULD BE JAPANESE BEETLES OR PROBABLY MAST CHAFER GRUBS.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER THAT HAS COLUMBINE THAT WAS BASICALLY ANNIHILATED BY SAWFLIES.

THEY USED SEVIN BUT WONDERING WHAT NOW, OR WAS THAT A GOOD CHOICE?

>> WELL, THE PLANT WILL BE FINE.

THEY JUST EAT ALL THE LEAVES AND VEINS AND STEMS.

IT WILL COME BACK NEXT YEAR.

>> MCCOOK VIEWER HAS GRUBS IN THE RAISED BEDS.

THEY WONDER IF THEY CAN STILL USE GRUB CONTROL WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO PLANT TOMATOES?

>> NO, THEY SHOULD NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

GOOD GRIEF.

WE WENT THROUGH A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

WHO WON?

MATT WINS, GIVE HIM THE TROPHY.

>> I TRIED REALLY HARD ON THAT ONE.

I'M JUST HAPPY TO BE CLOSE TO IT.

SOME DAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, SARA.

WHAT ARE OUR PLANTS OF THE WEEK THIS TIME?

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER LITTLE PERENNIAL GERANIUM TO LOOK AT.

THIS IS BIG ROOT CRANE'S BILL, ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE GERANIUM FAMILY.

IT DOES HAVE SOME PRETTY BIG FLESHY ROOTS IT GROWS FROM.

IT IS A SEMI EVERGREEN, SO YOU WILL HAVE SOME GREEN FOLIAGE ON THERE ALL THROUGHOUT THE WINTER.

IT IS KIND OF SPREADING, SO IT WILL SPREAD THROUGH THE GARDEN IN COMPARISON TO THE ONE I SHOWED YOU EARLIER, AN UPRIGHT CLUMP TYPE.

A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GERANIUM AND IF YOU WANT SOMETHING AS GROUND COVER FOR THE GARDEN.

FULL SUN TO PART SHADE WOULD BE A GOOD LOCATION FOR THAT.

THEN WE HAVE GIANT ALLIUMS.

WE HAVE A WHITE FLOWERING ALLIUM AND A PURPLE GIANT ALLIUM.

THESE ARE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN THE ONION FAMILY.

THEY HAVE THESE OBVIOUSLY GREAT BIG LARGE CIRCULAR HEADS THAT ARE VERY SHOWY WHEN THEY ARE BLOOMING.

THE ALLIUMS CAN BE A VARIETY OF HEIGHTS, BUT THE GIANT ALLIUMS TEND TO BE AROUND TWO TO THREE FOOT HEIGHT RANGE.

AND THEY HAVE KIND OF A LOW PAIR OF LEAVES THAT APPEAR AT THE BASE OF THE PLANT.

AND THE LEAVES WILL GO DORMANT AFTER THE PLANT HAS BLOOMED AND BE GONE UNTIL THE PLANT APPEARS NEXT YEAR AND BLOOMS AGAIN IN YOUR SPRING GARDEN.

SO THINK ABOUT ADDING SOME ORNAMENTAL ALLIUMS TO YOUR LANDSCAPE.

>> THEY SMELL LIKE ONIONS.

>> YEAH, THEY DO.

>> THEY ATTRACT THOSE BUMBLIES.

I LOVE IT.

JODY, YOUR FIRST QUESTION IS FROM AN OMAHA VIEWER.

WONDERS WHAT IS ON THIS ASPARAGUS.

I THINK YOU CAN SEE THE LITTLE THINGS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF ASPARAGUS BEETLE EGGS ON THAT, SO YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH TAKE THOSE OFF WITH YOUR HANDS.

JUST SQUISH THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THEN YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS KEARNEY.

INSECT DAMAGE TO ASPARAGUS.

SHE TRIES TO SQUISH THE BEETLES.

SHE WONDERS IF THE DAMAGE IS FROM SOMETHING ELSE.

IS THERE SOMETHING SHE CAN TREAT WITH AFTER THE HARVEST STOPS.

>> ALSO LOOKS LIKE ASPARAGUS BEETLE, BECAUSE IT WILL HAVE DISTORTED SPHERES.

WHEN THE PLANT GOES TO FERN, IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 20% WITH LARVA, YOU CAN TREAT WITH AN INSECTICIDE THAT IS LABELED.

YOU CAN ALSO CUT BACK YOUR FERN TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, JODY.

YOU HAVE ONE MORE PICTURE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A VIEWER LAST YEAR.

SHE HAD ANTS.

KIND OF IN A LONG TRAIL.

THIS YEAR SHE'S GOT THIS GREAT BIG PILE THERE AT THE CORNER.

SHE'S TRIED A HOME DEFENSE THING BUT THEY COME BACK SO -- >> YEAH, THOSE ARE PAVEMENT ANTS.

THAT IS CHARACTERISTIC.

THEY ALWAYS MAKE THEIR GALLERY UNDER THE SLAB AND KIND OF TAKE OUT THE DEBRIS.

WHAT WAS IT?

THEY ALWAYS COME BACK.

YEAH, SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET RID OF AN ANT COLONY IS OTHER ANTS MOVE IN.

SO WHAT I WOULD DO HERE IS, IF YOU'VE GOT ANTS TRAILING, THEN PUT SOME ANT BAIT.

SUGAR ANT BAIT, BECAUSE PAVEMENT ANTS LIKE SUGAR.

PUT THAT ON THE OUTSIDE BY THE PATIO, SO THERE ARE SOME STAKES YOU CAN PUT ON THE OUTSIDE.

THEN YOU COULD REMOVE THE TRIM AND MAYBE SEAL UP THAT GAP BY THE EXPANSION JOINT SO THEY AREN'T COMING INSIDE ANYMORE.

>> THANK YOU, JODY.

MATT, YOUR FIRST VIEWER IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

ONE PICTURE, FESCUE LAWN.

HE'S GOT THESE BROWN PATCHES GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER.

HE'S IDENTIFIED NIMBLEWILL IN HIS YARD AND NEIGHBOR'S AND WONDERING IF HE SHOULD KILL THE WHOLE YARD AND START OVER.

>> AT THAT POINT I WOULD PROBABLY START OVER BECAUSE THERE'S NOT MUCH GOOD USABLE TURF IN THERE.

IF YOU HAVE NIMBLEWILL, AN APPLICATION OF GLYPHOSATE NOW AND THEN PROBABLY AGAIN IN A COUPLE WEEKS, TWO, THREE WEEKS IN CASE SOME OF THOSE RHIZOMES GROW AGAIN.

THEN I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO WAIT UNTIL FALL, THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE BEST.

IF YOU CAN KILL THIS STUFF OFF, THE SOONER THE BETTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MATT.

THEN YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY FROM LAKE OF THE OZARKS.

A ZOYSIA LAWN, WENT DEAD LAST YEAR, NOW SEEING HOLES.

HE IS WONDERING IS IT GRUBS THAT PUPATED INTO ADULT BEETLES OR THE WORLD'S LARGEST ANTS.

YOU GET IT BECAUSE IT IS TURF.

>> IF THE ZOYSIA DID DIE LAST YEAR WHICH IS SOMEWHAT ODD BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO KILL, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN GRUBS THAT PRETTY MUCH TOOK CARE OF THE WHOLE ROOT SYSTEM.

THEN WHAT YOU ARE SEEING THIS YEAR IS BIRD PECKINGS.

BIRDS ARE LOOKING FOR WHATEVER IS UNDER THERE.

EITHER GRUBS OR SOME TYPE OF BUG, I'D SAY.

>> THANK YOU, MATT.

KYLE, THIS IS A HASTINGS VIEWER THAT HAS CUCUMBER PLANTS.

A COUPLE ARE GETTING THESE YELLOW SPOTS ON THE LEAVES.

THEY ARE WONDERING WHAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>> NOT A WHOLE LOT.

IT IS MOST LIKELY BACTERIAL LEAFSPOT.

THERE ARE OTHER DISEASES THAT SHOW UP ON CUCUMBERS.

BUT TYPICALLY BACTERIAL LEAFSPOT IS THE FIRST ONE THAT SHOWS UP.

A COPPER APPLICATION WOULD MAYBE DO SOMETHING, BUT BIG THING IS JUST TO AVOID OVERWATERING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR SECOND PICTURE HERE IS A VIEWER FROM RURAL TECUMSEH.

SHE HAS SPOTS ON HER TOMATO THAT SHE THINKS ARE RUST.

>> THEY ARE NOT.

SO ACTUALLY I -- PRIMARILY IT IS ON THE LOWER LEAVES.

I THINK IT IS A NUTRITIONAL ISSUE.

COMBINED ON LOWER LEAVES.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE DOING A WHOLE LOT ANYWAY, SO YOU CAN JUST PRUNE THOSE OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TWO MORE PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS A MILLARD VIEWER.

EARLY GIRL BUSH TOMATOES, THEN THIS PLANT LOOKS SICKLY.

SHE DOESN'T WANT A DISEASE TO SPREAD TO OTHER PLANTS, SO WHAT DO YOU SEE HERE?

>> NOT A WHOLE LOT, UNFORTUNATELY, BUT PICTURES AREN'T THE GREATEST TO SEE A WHOLE LOT OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

I DO THINK THEY MENTIONED IT WAS A FAIRLY RECENT TRANSPLANT, SO I WONDER IF IT IS NOT JUST DEALING WITH TRANSPLANT SHOCK MAYBE A LITTLE BIT.

I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING THAT WOULD INDICATE A DISEASE THAT WOULD SPREAD TO THE OTHER TOMATOES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

SARA, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES ARE A WAVERLY VIEWER THAT HAS BURNING BUSH.

HE'S WONDERING WHAT TO DO, TRIM THEM DOWN TO NEW LEAVES OR HALFWAY?

THEY ARE ABOUT 25 YEARS OLD.

>> WELL, I WOULDN'T TRIM THEM BACK HALFWAY, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF DEAD STEMS IN THERE.

YOU'D BE LEAVING BEHIND A LOT OF DEAD TISSUE.

I WOULD CUT THEM BACK TO THE POINT WHERE YOU ACTUALLY SEE THE BRANCHES ARE STILL ALIVE.

THAT MAY LEAVE THE HEDGE LOOKING QUITE RAGGED, SO IT MAY BE BETTER TO PRUNE THEM DOWN FARTHER -- WELL, KIND OF DEPENDS ON WHICH SHRUBS ARE WORST AND HOW FAR DOWN YOU HAVE TO PRUNE THOSE.

ONCE YOU DO THE WORST ONES, THEN MAYBE YOU COULD DO A LITTLE KIND OF CLEANUP PRUNING AFTER THAT TO KIND OF EVEN THINGS OUT A LITTLE BIT ON SOME THAT HAD A LITTLE MORE THAT WAS LEFT ALIVE.

YOU NEED TO REMOVE THE DEAD TISSUE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO REGROW.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, SARA.

SPEAKING OF DEAD OR NOT, YOU HAVE TWO MORE PICTURES.

THIS IS A 45 -YEAR-OLD PRIVET HEDGE.

THEY KEEP IT FIVE TO SIX FEET TALL.

THEY REMOVE THE LEAVES AT THE BASE.

THEY ARE GETTING SOME OPENINGS WHERE MAYBE SOME OF THE ORIGINAL PLANTS HAVE DIED.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHETHER TO TRIM THE WHOLE THING BACK TO A FOOT OR SO TO GET IT TO FILL IN FROM THE BASE OR START OVER WITH NEW PLANTS WHERE THOSE GAPS ARE.

>> YEAH.

I REALLY HATE TO SEE IT WHEN PEOPLE TRIM HEDGES DOWN TO A SET HEIGHT AND MAKE -- WITH A HEDGE PRUNER, JUST COME IN AND MAKE A STRAIGHT CUT.

I KNOW IT IS A WHOLE LOT MORE WORK BUT IT IS REALLY BETTER ON PLANTS LIKE THIS TO TAKE OUT SOME OF THE HEAVIEST WOODY STEMS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE GROUND.

THAT HELPS THE PLANT, ENCOURAGES IT TO SEND UP NEW YOUNG SHOOTS FROM THE BASE.

I THINK IF YOU DID THAT IT MIGHT HELP THIS HEDGE OVER THE TIME AND THESE BARE SPOTS MAY FILL BACK IN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT I REALIZE WHAT I'M RECOMMENDING IS A LOT OF WORK.

IT'S A LOT MORE WORK THAN COMING IN WITH A HEDGE PRUNER AND CUTTING IT BACK.

YOUR OTHER OPTION WOULD BE PLANT NEW PLANTS IN THE OPEN SPOTS AND LET THEM TRY TO FILL IN THE GAPS.

>> THANK YOU, SARA.

YOU HAVE TWO MORE PICTURES HERE.

THIS A WOOD RIVER VIEWER THAT HAS A COTTONWOOD, SEEDLESS, GROWING FINE EXCEPT FOR ONE DEAD BRANCH THAT IS KIND OF CONCAVE AT THE BASE.

SHOULD THEY GO AHEAD AND CUT THAT OUT?

>> YOU CAN SEE IT BETTER IN THIS PICTURE THAT THERE IS A LARGE SECTION OF DEAD BARK ON THIS SIDE OF THE TREE.

THOSE TWO LITTLE -- I'M GOING TO CALL THEM WINGS ON THE SIDE IS WHERE YOU ARE GETTING NEW GROWTH FROM THE LIVING BARK OF THE TRUNK THAT IS TRYING TO START TO SEAL UP THAT DEAD BARK SECTION.

GO AHEAD AND PRUNE OUT DEAD BRANCH, BECAUSE IT IS DEAD AND THERE IS NO BENEFIT TO LEAVING IT THERE.

BUT REALIZE YOU HAVE A BIG SECTION OF DEAD BARK THERE, SO YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THIS TREE SO HOPEFULLY IT CAN CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THAT CALLOUS TISSUE AND SEAL OVER THAT DAMAGED AREA AND GO ON AND BE A HEALTHY TREE FOR YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, SARA.

WELL, WE HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT DIFFERENT TYPES OF GRASSY WEEDS.

THEY CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY, EVEN WITH A REALLY GOOD PICTURE.

SO HERE IS ROCH TO HELP US FIGURE OUT HOW TO IDENTIFY CERTAIN WEEDS.

>> WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED TO IDENTIFY PLANTS BY DIGITAL IMAGES THAT ARE SENT IN TO "BACKYARD FARMER".

WE WANT TO HELP YOU HELP US BY GIVING YOU SOME POINTERS ON ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT GROUP OF PLANTS TO IDENTIFY, THE GRASSES.

IF YOU TAKE A WIDE SHOT OF A GRASS WITHIN A GRASS, OFTEN WE HAVE TROUBLE TELLING WHICH IS WHICH, SO WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SHOW YOU IS SHOW YOU STRUCTURES ON A GRASS PLANT THAT SHOULD BE IN THE PICTURES YOU SEND US.

THEN WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB GIVING YOU ONE, WHAT THE GRASS IS.

TWO, IF YOU ARE ASKING FOR A RECOMMENDATION FOR CONTROL, OFFERING SOME VIABLE OPTIONS FOR CONTROL.

SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THESE STRUCTURES AND EXPLAIN THEM IN A LITTLE DETAIL.

LET'S START WITH THE LEAF BLADE .

THE LEAF BLADE COMES OUT OF THE BUD EITHER FOLDED, WHERE IT HAS A DISTINCT MID-RIB OR DISTINCT MIDLINE; OR ROLLED, WHERE IT HAS NO DISTINCT MID-RIB.

THAT IS ONE OF THE FIRST IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS FOR GRASSES, IS IT ROLLED OR FOLDED.

SO WE NEED A PICTURE, A CLOSEUP OF THE LEAF OR SEVERAL LEAVES IF WE CAN SEE HOW THAT IS, WHETHER IT IS FOLDED OR ROLLED.

THAT IS THE FIRST STEP.

THE SECOND STEP IS WHAT ARE THE STRUCTURES AROUND WHERE THE BLADE MEETS THE STEM.

WE HAVE THE LIGUAL AND THE AURICLE.

THEY ARE ALSO KEY IDENTIFIERS IN TELLING YOU HOW GRASS PLANTS LOOK.

FOR EXAMPLE, LIGUALS CAN BE PROMINENT OR ABSENT.

AURICLES CAN BE CLASPING OR ABSENT.

THESE ARE VERY DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS AND ARE CRITICAL TO BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE GRASSES PROPERLY AND GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION YOU NEED.

SO TAKE A PICTURE UP CLOSE WHERE THE LEAF BLADE MEETS THE SHEATH AND THOSE STRUCTURES IN THERE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO IDENTIFY WHICH IS THE LIGUAL AND WIHCH IS THE AURICLE.

YOU SHOULD TAKE A PICTURE CLOSE ENOUGH SO WE CAN SEE.

TAKE A PICTURE FROM THE FRONT AND PULL THE LEAF BLADE BACK AND TAKE A PICTURE WHERE THE LEAF BLADE JOINS THE LEAF.

THAT SHOULD GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION YOU NEED, AT LEAST IN TOP GROWTH, FOR US TO IDENTIFY THE GRASS.

THEN FINALLY YOU MIGHT WANT TO DIG DOWN AND LOOK AT THE ROOTS.

IF YOU CAN SEE VISIBLE WHITE RHIZOMES, MAYBE WE NEED TO SEE THAT AS WELL.

THAT IS ANOTHER STEP IN THE DIRECTION OF BEING ABLE TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY THE SPECIES YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.

THERE'S A QUICK STEP DOWN THE LIST, RIGHT?

THE LEAF, IS IT ROLLED OR FOLDED.

THE LEAF BLADE, HOW DOES IT ATTACH TO THE STEM AND IS IT -- IS THERE LIGUALS OR AURICLES OR IS IT ABSENT.

FINALLY TAKE A SPADE, PULL BACK THE ROOT SYSTEM AND TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THAT.

SO A SINGLE IMAGE IS OFTEN ENOUGH FOR IDENTIFICATION.

WE PROBABLY NEED SEVERAL.

>> OF COURSE WE'LL STILL TAKE YOUR GOOD PICTURES AND TRY TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR WEED PROBLEM, BUT THOSE TIPS CAN HELP YOU GET A HEAD START ON ELIMINATING THOSE WEEDS FROM YOUR LANDSCAPE.

YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR VIDEO FEATURES ON WEEDS AND MANY OTHER TOPICS WE HAVE PRODUCED OVER THE YEARS.

WE WANT YOU TO SUCCEED IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL SECTIONS THAT WILL HELP YOU OUT.

TAKE A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW AND CHECK OUT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

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

THIS IS SOUTH OF FREMONT.

SHE WAS CLEANING OUT HERFLOWER BED AND FOUND THESE EATING VOLUNTEER FLOWERS.

WHAT ARE THESE?

WILL THEY CLEAN EVERYTHING ELSE?

>> THESE ARE GREEN DOCK LEAF BEETLES, AND THEY ONLY EAT CURLY DOCK AND GREEN SORREL >> SO WEEDS.

>> I GUESS THOSE ARE WEEDS.

>> PERFECT.

>> IF THOSE ARE WEEDS YOUR PERENNIALS ARE GOOD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE IS, HELLO BYF.

ANY IDEA WHAT THIS PICTURE IS?

GOOD GUY OR BAD GUY?

>> I'M GOING TO SAY THAT IT IS A SWAMP MILKWEED LEAF BEETLE SO IT IS LIKE -- IT IS COOL.

IT'S COOL.

IT IS MILKWEED BUT THERE IS STILL ENOUGH FOR MONARCHS.

TOTALLY FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

PERFECT.

MATT, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS A NORTH PLATTE VIEWER.

THEY LIVE ON A CITY STREET WITH YARD TO THE NORTH.

ONE CORNER HAS THIS THICK FOLIAGE IN IT.

I THINK WE HAVE A SECOND PICTURE HERE.

THEY WONDER WHETHER THIS THICK-LEAFED TURFLIKE GRASS CAN BE CONTROLLED IN ANY WAY.

>> I LOOKED AT THE SECOND PICTURE.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT CLOSER.

IT'S STILL TOUGH TO TELL WITHOUT HAVING THE PLANT IN HAND, BUT I THINK IT IS QUACKGRASS.

LIKE ROCH WAS SAYING, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WAY THE LEAF BLADE GOES TO THE STEM OF THE PLANT.

THEY HAVE CLASPING AURICLES, SO IT IS ALMOST LIKE IT IS HUGGING IT WITH TWO ARMS AROUND IT.

THAT IS HOW YOU CAN TELL IF IT IS QUACKGRASS, BUT JUST BY THE PICTURES, THAT IS WHAT I'M GUESSING IT IS.

>> CAN IT BE CONTROLLED?

>> IT CAN BE CONTROLLED ONLY ONE WAY.

THAT IS WITH GLYPHOSATE.

THERE IS NO NON-SELECTIVE CONTROL, SO WHAT YOU CAN DO IS FERTILIZE TO ENCOURAGE THE FESCUE YOU HAVE IN THE LAWN TO BASICALLY OUTCOMPETE IT.

THAT IS PROBABLY THE BEST METHOD WITHOUT HAVING TO KILL EVERYTHING OFF AND REPLANTING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MATT.

YOU HAVE TWO MORE PICTURES.

THIS IS BASICALLY -- PLEASE HELP ME IDENTIFY ON THIS PARTICULAR -- WHATEVER IS GOING ON.

>> YEAH.

SAME WITH THIS ONE.

IT IS TOUGH TO TELL WHAT EXACTLY IT IS WITHOUT A LITTLE BIT.

I MEAN, THEY ARE GOOD PICTURES BUT THERE'S A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT GRASSES IT COULD BE.

BY THE WAY THE GRASS IS TURNING, IT COULD BE DOWNEY BROME.

IF IT IS GROWING A LOT FASTER THAN EVERYTHING ELSE, THAT IS A TELLTALE SIGN THAT IT IS DOWNEY BROME.

IT IS AN ANNUAL BUT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW THE NEXT MONTH AND WILL GROW THREE TIMES AS FAST AS THE LAWN.

>> AND YOU CONTROL IT HOW?

>> BY MOWING IT.

THERE IS NO NON-SELECTIVE WAY OF TAKING IT OUT ONCE IT IS THAT BIG.

YOU CAN TRY BUT IT JUST SETS IT BACK A LITTLE BIT.

>> THANK YOU, MATT.

OKAY, KYLE.

YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS COLUMNAR NORTH SPRUCE WITH TIP DIE-BACK AND PLANTED IN THE FALL OF 2021.

HE'S SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE TIPS IN THE TREE.

HE DIDN'T SEND US ANOTHER PICTURE OF IT.

BUT WHAT IS THIS SPRUCE, IN GENERAL, AND WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT IT?

>> COULD BE -- THERE ARE SOME CANKERS, CEMOPSIS CANKER CAN DO SIMILAR THINGS.

THE FACT THERE'S NO OTHER NEEDLES IN THERE, THERE'S NO DISCOLORED NEEDLES ON THERE, I TEND TO THINK IT IS MORE ENVIRONMENTAL.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE SEEN THAT TIP DIE-BACK KIND OF SPREAD ACROSS THE SPRUCE TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES IN THIS ONE.

THIS IS DEAD SPOTS IN ARBORVITAE.

THIS IS IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THEIR YARD.

LAST YEAR THEY WERE FULL AND HEALTHY.

THEY TREAT AGAINST INSECTS AND THEY FERTILIZE THEM.

THEY DID HAVE AN ARBORIST SAYING THEY WONDER IF A RACCOON HAD CLIMBED THE TREE.

BUT IS THIS A RACCOON CLIMBING THE TREE OR A CANKER IN THE ARBORVITAE?

>> COULD BE A RACOON CLIMBING TREES.

I HAVE NEVER WATCHED A RACCOON CLIMB ONE TO SEE HOW DANGEROUS THEY ARE AND HOW MUCH THEY THROW THINGS.

COULD BE CANKEROUS.

ARBORVITAES DON'T ALWAYS DO THE GREATEST IN NEBRASKA.

IF WE HAVE HAD ANY WATERLOGGED SOILS OR IF THEY DON'T GET ENOUGH LIGHT, WE TEND TO SEE THOSE LARGE PATCHES OF DEATH OCCUR.

LOOK A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY.

SEE IF THERE IS ANY SUNKEN BARK OR ANYTHING FOR A CANKER BUT NOT A WHOLE LOT OF CONTROL FOR THOSE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THOSE LOOK PRETTY OLD AS WELL.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

SARA, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE FROM A GRAND ISLAND VIEWER.

THIS IS FROM THE TOP OF THEIR SMOKE TREE.

THEY JUST TOOK THIS PICTURE LAST WEEK.

ANY IDEA WHAT HAVE HAVE CAUSED THE ENDS OF THESE BRANCHES TO CURL LIKE THIS?

IT IS PROBABLY ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD.

>> SO THIS IS A CONDITION CALLED FASCIATION.

WE SEE IN IT A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLANTS.

IT HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT CAUSES TOO.

CAN BE ENVIRONMENTAL, VIRAL, INSECTS, GENETIC.

WE DON'T KNOW WHY A PLANT WILL START TO DO THIS.

IT IS AN ODDITY OF NATURE.

I WOULD PRUNE IT OUT, OR IF YOU DON'T WANT TO, JUST LEAVE IT ALONE.

I THINK THE BUDS ON LOWER PARTS OF THOSE STEMS WILL PUT OUT NEW GROWTH AND HIDE IT.

JUST AN ODDITY, REALLY.

>> YOU HAVE A SECOND PICTURE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY FROM A PHOENIX, ARIZONA VIEWER.

WONDERS WHY SEVERAL OF HIS ROSES HAVE BLOOMED AS MANY AS 20 ROSES ON THE SAME STEM?

>> WE THINK THIS COULD BE THE SAME THING.

THOUGH WE CAN'T SEE THE FLATTENED SECTION LIKE WE COULD FOR THE SMOKE BUSH.

OFTENTIMES WHEN YOU GET THIS ABNORMAL GROWTH YOU GET A MULTITUDE OF BUDS THAT DEVELOP ON A SECTION OF TISSUE.

THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ALL THESE FLOWERS DEVELOPING ON THE SHOOTS OF THESE BRANCHES.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU CAN PRUNE IT OUT.

THAT IS -- THERE REALLY IS NO CHEMICAL CONTROL FOR ANYTHING LIKE THIS, SO JUST PRUNE IT OUT.

>> OR ENJOY THOSE 12 ROSES IN A BUNCH WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY FOR THEM.

WELL, WE HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS, OF COURSE, OF GREAT THINGS IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

THE VERY FIRST ONE IS US.

WE WILL BE "BACKYARD FARMER" LIVE ON JUNE 7TH ABOUT 5:00 AT NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN NORFORK.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THAT BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

OUR SECOND ONE TONIGHT IS A BENSON GARDEN WALK, WHICH IS SATURDAY JUNE 11TH FROM 10:00 TO 4:00.

GO ON TO WWW.EVENTBRITE.COM FOR TICKETS.

THE THIRD IS THE OMAHA ROSE SOCIETY'S ANNUAL ROSE SHOW JUNE 12TH AT LLAURITZEN GARDENS.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH PAID ADMISSION TO THE GARDENS.

SO LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMING WEEKEND OR SO FOR -- AND WEEK TO BE ABLE TO HAVE FUN THINGS IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT FOR "BACKYARD FARMER" TONIGHT.

THANKS TO OUR LOYAL AUDIENCE FOR SUBMITTING THE QUESTIONS FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING WE HAVE MASTER GARDENERS JOHN CARIATO, JERRY BELL AND EXTENSION EDUCATOR TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE WILL LEARNING ABOUT WASTE WATER AND WHETHER YOU CAN REUSE IT ON YOUR LANDSCAPE.

DENNIS STOPS BY TO SHOW US HOW TO KEEP RODENTS AND MICE AND OTHER THINGS OUT OF YOUR HOUSE.

SO GOODNIGHT, GOOD GARDENING AND SEE YOU ALL RIGHT HERE NEXT WEEK .ON "BACKYARD FARMER".