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

TONIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THIS DISEASE AND SAFELY TRIM SOME TREES.

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

♪ >> HELLO AND WELCOME TO BACKYARD FARMER!

I'M KIM TODD AND I'LL BE YOUR HOST FOR THE NEXT HOUR OF ANSWERING ALL THOSE GARDENING QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE ANOTHER GREAT SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS ON A FUTURE PROGRAM, JUST SEND US AN E-MAIL TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

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

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, WE CAN'T POSSIBLY GET TO EVERYBODY'S QUESTIONS ON THE AIR.

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

YOU CAN JOIN OUR LEGIONS OF FANS ON FACEBOOK, SO LET'S GET STARTED WITH SOME SAMPLES AND JODY, YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T WANT TO TOUCH THAT, BUT HERE YOU ARE.

>> YEAH, I DO IT FOR THE SHOW.

I DO IT FOR ALL THE VIEWERS.

I HATE BEING STICKY BUT EVERYONE OUT THERE IS ALSO GETTING STICKY SO WE HAVE THESE PROBLEMS ON OAK TREES, MAPLE, ELM, AND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS ARE: "MY TREE IS LEAKING."

"MY TREE IS DRIPPING."

"SOMETHING IS STICKY."

SO, THEY'RE ACTUALLY APHIDS.

IT CAUSED BY AN INSECT, SO IF YOU CAN SEE THE LEAF OR TURN OVER ANY OF THE UNDERSIDE OF YOUR LEAVES, YOU'LL SEE SMALL, LITTLE BUGS.

THEY'RE LIKE A LITTLE GREEN COLOR.

SOME OF THEM HAVE WINGS.

THAT'S AN APHID.

WHAT APHIDS DO THEY SUCK THE PLANT SAP AND THE SAP IS REALLY SUGARY, IT'S NOT HIGH IN NUTRIENTS, SO THEY FEED NONSTOP.

WHAT THEY DO THEY SECRETE THE EXCESS HONEYDEW.

THAT'S VERY, VERY STICKY.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT GETS ALL OVER YOUR PATIO FURNITURE AND YOUR CARS IF YOU'RE PARKED UNDERNEATH.

AND THEN IT'S A BREEDING GROUND FOR CITY MOLD.

SO IT'S THE FUNGUS BACTERIA, IT'S -- IT IS NOT GOOD.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HAVE.

BUT IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHY YOUR LEAVES LOOK REALLY SHINY, WHY EVERYTHING IS STICKY, AND IS VERY STICKY, IT'S BECAUSE OF APHIDS.

>> (CHUCKLES) OH, JODY.

>> VERY STICKY, VERY STICKY.

BUT THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN DO.

CLEAN OFF THE HONEYDEW OF YOUR FURNITURE, TRY TO DO THAT AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN WITH A HOSE.

YOU CAN ALSO USE THE HOSE AND SPRAY THEM WITH A STRONG STREAM OF WATER.

WHAT WILL OCCUR BECAUSE THE POPULATION IS REALLY HIGH RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A LOT OF NATURAL ENEMIES ON THESE PLANTS SO YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK HERE.

I HAVE GOT SOME LADY BEETLE IN DIFFERENT FORMS.

THERE IS THE LARVAE, THERE'S THE PUPAL CASE AND THERE'S AN ADULT.

THESE WILL FEED LIKE THEY'RE VERY HAPPY FEEDING ON APHIDS.

YOU WILL SEE LACEWING LARVAE.

YOU WILL SEE SPIDERS.

YOU MAY SEE A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT NATURAL ENEMIES THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE THAT POPULATION AND BRING THAT DOWN.

IT'S NOT WORTH TRYING TO SPRAY WITH A BROAD SPECTRUM INSECTICIDE BECAUSE NOT ONLY WILL YOU KILL THE APHIDS BUT YOU'LL KILL THE NATURAL ENEMIES AND ODDS ARE THEY WILL REBOUND IN HIGHER NUMBERS THAN THEY WERE BEFORE.

THIS IS JUST TO SHOW YOU THAT YOU KNOW IT'S DRIPPY, IT'S STICKY, AND IT'S ICKY, AND IT'S HAPPENING NOT JUST TO YOU BUT ALL YOUR NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS AND SOME OF THESE ARE ACTUALLY FROM THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN AND FROM MY HOUSE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, JODY.

ALL RIGHT, LOREN, YOU HAVE KIND OF AN ARRAY -- >> THIS IS SO FUN, THOUGH.

I CAN JUST SEE KIDS COMING IN COVERED WITH THOSE LEAVES HAVING A GREAT TIME.

SO IN MY BACKYARD, ACTUALLY I HAVE A LARGE APRICOT TREE.

IT'S AN OLDER TREE, AND I BROUGHT ALONG A PROBLEM THAT IT IS HAVING AS A RESULT OF THAT REALLY COOL SNAP WE HAD LATER IN THE YEAR THIS YEAR.

NORMALLY THIS TREE LEAFS OUT REALLY WELL, BUT THIS YEAR YOU CAN SEE I HAVE A LOT OF DEAD SHOOTS AND I'VE GOT OTHER LIMBS THAT KIND OF LOOK LIKE THIS.

AND THEN IF YOU LOOK CLOSE AT THESE, I'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, BRANCHES THAT ARE DOING THIS WHERE HALF OF THEM ARE DEAD.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO ZOOM IN HERE ON THIS LITTLE AREA WHERE YOU GOT SOME RESIN OR SOME GUMMOSIS AS SOME PEOPLE WOULD SAY, BUT IT'S REALLY AN EXCRETION OF THE SAP.

AND A BUILDUP THERE, AND THAT'S AN AREA WHERE THE BRANCH HAS BEEN INFECTED.

AND SO ALL OF YOU KNOW THE BROWN ROT DISEASE THAT WE SEE IN OUR STONE FRUITS, SO CHERRIES, PEACHES, APRICOTS, WILL ALL GET BROWN ROT AS A FRUIT DISEASE.

BUT THAT FUNGUS WILL ALSO OVERWINTER AND GROW ON THE BARK OF THE TREE.

SO WHEN WE GET A SIGNIFICANT STRESS EVENT LIKE WE HAD THIS YEAR AND THE TREE IS OLDER, YOU CAN SEE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THAT TREE DIE AND FAIL.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THERE'S REALLY NOT ANYTHING TO MAKE APPLICATIONS TO TRY TO PROTECT IT.

AND IT'S JUST ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS AND YOU GOT AN ORGANISM THAT'S LIVING ALL OVER A PLANT AND THEN IT JUST SUCCUMBS THAT WAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, MY WIFE IS NOT REAL HAPPY WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE TREE OUT PROBABLY.

>> DO IT WHEN SHE'S NOT HOME.

>> YES, I THINK SO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

KELLY, YOU HAVE A ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL SPECIMEN.

>> I DO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SPECIMEN.

THIS CAME FROM ONE OF MY MASTER GARDENERS, MARILYN SCHMIDT.

SHE SHARED IT WITH ME AND I WAS VERY HAPPY SHE DID.

THIS IS AN ALLIUM CHRISTOPHII.

I WAS GOING TO SAY IT'S AS LARGE AS MY HEAD BUT I THINK IT'S BIGGER THAN MY HEAD.

THIS IS, AGAIN, ONE OF THE ALLIUMS, SO THAT'S KIND OF IN THE ONION FAMILY.

IT'S A BULBOUS PERENNIAL.

THIS PARTICULAR ONE WILL GROW -- IT'S SUPPOSED TO ONLY GROW ABOUT TWO, 2 1/2 FEET TALL, BUT MARILYN SAYS HERS GETS ABOUT THREE FEET TALL AND IT BLOOMS IN MAY, JUNE, EARLY JUNE, MAY.

AND SHE COMMENTED THAT I HAVE TWO HERE, SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN TELL THIS ONE RIGHT HERE IS A LITTLE BIT SMALLER AND SHE SAID USUALLY THE FIRST YEAR THEY BLOOM THEY'LL BE ABOUT THIS SIZE AND THEN EACH YEAR THEREAFTER THEY JUST KIND OF KEEP CONTINUING TO GET LARGER AND LARGER AND LARGER.

SO THAT'S A NEAT CHARACTERISTIC.

THE FOLIAGE WILL DIE BACK AFTER IT'S FINISHED BLOOMING.

STAR OF PERSIA IS A COMMON NAME, SO THEY'RE NONNATIVE, THEY'RE NOT NATIVE TO NEBRASKA AND THEY ARE KIND OF AN EVERLASTING, SO THESE HEADS WILL KEEP FOR QUITE A LONG TIME EVEN AFTER THEY FINISHED BLOOMING, AND SHE -- MARILYN SHARED SHE SEEN PEOPLE SPRAY PAINT THEM AND USE THEM AT WEDDINGS.

THEY WILL RESEED.

THEY PRODUCE A SEED, AND THEY WILL RESEED THEMSELVES, BUT THEY SPREAD NICELY, NOT INVASIVELY.

>> THAT'S JUST EXCELLENT FOR HER TO SHARE THAT WITH US.

ALL RIGHT.

FIRST ROUND OF QUESTIONS.

JODY, THIS IS A JOHNSON, NEBRASKA VIEWER, AND THERE IS -- YOUR FIRST PICTURE IS A WHITE PILE AT THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE DOOR.

AND IT EXTENDS UP THE MIDDLE TRACK.

THEY ALSO FOUND AN ANT WHICH IS YOUR NEXT PICTURE HERE.

IN THE SAME AREA.

AND THEY'RE WONDERING IF THAT WHITE PILE OF STUFF IS THE WORK OF THOSE CARPENTER ANTS AND IF SO, WHAT TO DO.

>> YES, THAT WAS VERY GOOD DETECTIVE WORK.

THAT IS THE FRASS OF CARPENTER ANTS.

THEY DO NOT EAT THE WOOD.

THAT LOOKS LIKE -- IS IT INSULATION OR IS THAT PAINT?

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THAT FRASS AND YOU SEE INSECT BODY PARTS IT'S A PRETTY GOOD SIGN THAT THAT HAS BEEN KICKED OUT OF GALLERIES FROM CARPENTER ANTS, AND THEN THAT ONE -- THE PICTURE OF AN ANT THAT IS A WORKER.

MOST TIMES IF PEOPLE CAN TAKE A GOOD PICTURE OF AN ANT IT'S USUALLY A CARPENTER ANT BECAUSE THEY'RE BIGGER.

IF THAT IS WHERE THE NEST IS, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TREAT IT DIRECTLY OR YOU CAN CALL A COMPANY TO DO IT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL WANT TO EITHER DRILL A HOLE THERE, OR IF YOU CAN FIND OUT WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE WORKERS AND THE LARVAE AND PUPAE ARE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GET RID OF THAT ANT NEST, BUT THE CLUE IS GOING TO BE ABOVE WHERE THAT PILE IS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JODY.

YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES HERE ARE FROM BROKEN BOW.

THIS IS AN OAK LEAF MOUNTAIN ASH WHICH IS A LITTLE UNUSUAL ANYWAY.

HE SAYS MANY WEB CLUSTERS, AND THEY'RE VERY TINY SMALL WHITE WORMS THAT EAT THE LEAVES AND THE BUDS.

WONDERS WHAT THIS IS.

AND HE DID SAY IT'S A BAD INFESTATION LAST FALL, AS WELL.

>> OKAY.

I COULDN'T REALLY CLEARLY SEE ANY OF THE WORMS, BUT AFTER TALKING TO SCOTT AND OTHER HORTICULTURISTS, THEY ARE KNOWN TO HAVE SOME WORMINESS IN THOSE CLUSTERS.

IT MIGHT BE FALL WEBWORM IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE FALL AND IF THEY'RE AT THE END OF THE CLUSTERS.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT YOU CAN DO IN TERMS OF TRYING TO SPRAY IT OUT.

I DID SEE A DADDY LONG LEGS ON THE FIRST PICTURE SO MAYBE THERE ARE SOME PREDATORS OUT THERE TRYING TO EAT THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JODY.

ALL RIGHT, LOREN, YOUR FIRST THREE PICTURES ARE A TREE.

YOUR VERY FAVORITE.

>> LOVE TREES.

>> THIS IS AN ELKHORN VIEWER.

HAD THIS SERVICEBERRY PLANTED TWO YEARS AGO.

HE THINKS HE'S BEEN TAKING CARE OF IT PROPERLY, BUT IT IS BEGINNING TO FAIL AND IT'S -- IT SEEMS TO BE SPREADING TO THE WHOLE TRUNK.

HE'S WONDERING WHAT IT IS, WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT, OR DOES HE GIVE UP AND START OVER?

>> THIS PICTURE RIGHT HERE IS REALLY KEY, TOO BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE WITH THE DISEASE CALLED FIRE BLIGHT A LOT OF TIMES WE'LL SEE A SHEPHERDS CROOK AT THE TOP OR WHERE THAT BRANCH GOES DOWN AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THIS PICTURE.

IT WILL ALSO TEND TO KILL SOME OF THE TWIGS.

FROM LOOKING AT IT I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT IS, AND THE OTHER ONE HAD A REAL BLACK, SOMETIMES THEY'LL HAVE A REAL BLACK COLOR TO THOSE SHOOTS THAT ARE DYING AND SERVICEBERRY IS KNOWN TO GET THAT.

I JUST RECOMMEND PRUNING OUT ABOUT SEVEN TO TEN INCHES BELOW THE AFFECTED AREA, MAKE SURE YOU'RE USING SANITATION CONSISTENTLY.

AND HOPEFULLY YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ARE AN AUSTRIAN OR PONDEROSA PINE.

THIS IS IN KEITH COUNTY, SOUTH OF LAKE MCCONAUGHY.

10-ACRE LOT, ABOUT 100 PINES, MOSTLY AUSTRIAN.

HE HAS HAD FOUR OF THEM DO THIS.

THE CANDLES ARE STUNTED.

HE'S SPRAYED WITH A LIQUID COPPER FUNGICIDE.

WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON HERE?

>> IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IF YOU LOOK, THE CANDLES MAY BE STUNTED A LITTLE BIT BUT THEY ARE REALLY GREEN.

SO I'M QUESTIONING I DON'T THINK THIS IS A DISEASE FIRST OF ALL.

THERE IS WAY TOO UNIFORM DAMAGE ON THE TREE FOR IT TO BE NEEDLE DISEASE THAT WE WOULD SEE IN THOSE SECOND YEAR NEEDLES, LIKE YOU CAN SEE THE BROWNING ON THESE.

I WOULD REALLY JUST WATCH THIS CAREFULLY AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

MY FORECAST WOULD BE THAT THE CANDLES WILL CONTINUE AND GROW OUT AND MAYBE MAY HAVE THESE PLANTS THAT ARE EXTREMELY DRY, MAYBE THERE WAS SOME DROUGHT ISSUES.

THESE MAY BE THE TREES IN THE PLANTING THAT ARE PLANTED TOO DEEP.

AND SO LOOK CAREFULLY AT THAT, SEE IF YOU SEE THAT TRUNK GOING STRAIGHT INTO THE GROUND COMPARED TO THE OTHERS.

IT MAY HAVE A FLARE.

ALL THOSE TYPES OF THINGS CAN LEAD TO STRESS AND THEN WHEN WE SEE A REAL HARSH WINTER, WE GET TO MORE IN -- I'M SORRY, WE REALLY GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE SEE THAT EXTREME ENVIRONMENTAL INJURY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, LOREN.

ALL RIGHT, KELLY.

YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES ARE FROM BENNET.

THIS IS A PAPER BARK MAPLE, SECOND SEASON HERE.

STILL HAD A LOT OF LEAVES IN APRIL OF 2020.

GOT SOME NEW LEAVES, NOW THIS YEAR ALL IT'S DONE IS THIS.

SO, AND THE LEAVES TURNING BLACK.

ANYTHING THEY CAN DO OR IS THIS A LOSING BATTLE?

> IT LOOKS LIKE A LOSING BATTLE TO ME, I'M SORRY.

IF IT LOOKED FINE IN APRIL OF 2020 AND IT LOOKS THIS BAD NOW, THEN I'M SURE IT'S WINTER INJURY, WINTER KILL LIKE WE'VE HAD ON MANY PLANTS.

PAPER BARK MAPLE IS NOT REALLY DROUGHT TOLERANT, SO LAST YEAR WE HAD PRETTY DROUGHTY CONDITIONS AND MAYBE THAT'S WHAT SET IT UP.

YOU KNOW, WE NEVER KNOW FOR SURE WHY DOES ONE WINTER KILL AND ONE DOES NOT.

IT CAN BE SEED SOURCE.

IT CAN BE PARENTAGE.

IT MIGHT BE DROUGHT STRESS.

TOO MUCH PERCENTAGE OF IT APPEARS TO BE DEAD AND IT'S AFTER JUNE 1ST, SO I DON'T HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS A 9-YEAR-OLD DOGWOOD THAT ALSO LOOKS HALF DEAD OR DYING.

NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS YEAR.

NO INDICATION OF INSECTS, AND THIS IS RURAL BLAIR.

SAME THING HERE.

>> SAME THING.

IT'S MOST LIKELY WINTER INJURY IF IT LOOKED FINE LAST YEAR.

BUT IT'S A SHRUB AND SHRUBS YOU CAN PRUNE OUT ALL THAT DEAD WOOD AND THEY'LL REGENERATE SOME NEW GROWTH FROM THE BOTTOM.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE, THIS IS A SUMMER SNOWFLAKE VIBURNUM.

THESE ARE THREE YEARS OLD.

THIS IS HERE IN LINCOLN.

THEY DID WELL LAST YEAR AND THEN ONE DID THIS, FLOWERED, AND THEN BY AUGUST HAD DIED.

NOW THIS ONE IS SORT OF DOING THE SAME THING.

THEY THINK BOTTOM IS GREEN AND GROWING.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> OKAY.

SO THEY HAD SAID ONE HAD DONE IT IN AUGUST AND IT DIED BACK ACTUALLY IN AUGUST?

>> YEAH, ONE -- SHE LOST ONE, SO -- >> VIBURNUMS.

WELL, I MEAN IF IT -- WHEN IT DIED LAST AUGUST WE REALLY CAN'T SAY WINTER KILL ON THAT ONE.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO DO VIBURNUM GET VERTICILLIUM WILTS?

IT MAY BE KIND OF YOUNG FOR THAT ONE.

MAYBE WITH SOME OF OUR STRESSES THEY COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED WITH VERTICILLIUM WILT.

BUT AGAIN, BEING A SHRUB, THE KEY IS AS LONG AS THERE IS GREEN GROWTH THERE, THE KEY IS TO PRUNE OUT WHAT'S DEAD THERE.

IT LOOKED LIKE THERE HAD BEEN PRUNING ALREADY BUT I WOULD PRUNE WHAT'S LEFT.

THERE IS STILL SOME DEAD WOOD THERE, SO GO BACK IN AND PRUNE OUT EVERYTHING THAT IS DEAD AND WAIT AND SEE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KELLY.

IF SOME OF YOUR TREES ARE DROPPING THEIR LEAVES AND LOOKING A BIT THIN THESE DAYS, YOU MIGHT HAVE ANTHRACNOSE.

WE'VE SEEN SOME OF OUR TREES HERE ON CAMPUS HAVE SOME TROUBLE WITH THIS DISEASE.

HERE TO TELL US MORE IS KYLE BRODERICK.

♪ >> ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN SEEING QUITE A BIT OF THIS YEAR HAS BEEN SHADE TREES THAT JUST HAVE SOME BLACK SPOTS ON THEM OR THE LEAVES ARE COMING OUT RATHER DEFORMED.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS SHADE TREE ANTHRACNOSE.

SO, ANTHRACNOSE IS A VERY COMMON FUNGAL DISEASE THAT INFECTS MOST OF OUR SHADE TREES, WHETHER IT IS A MAPLE, AN OAK, SYCAMORE, ASH, WALNUT, HICKORY, AND I COULD GO ON.

BUT PRETTY MUCH ALL OF OUR SHADE TREES ARE INFECTED BY A TYPE OF ANTHRACNOSE.

NOW, ONE OF THE NICE THINGS ABOUT THE ANTHRACNOSE FUNGUS IS THAT IT TENDS TO BE HOST SPECIFIC.

AND SO, THE TYPE OF ANTHRACNOSE THAT INFECTS YOUR MAPLE TREE WILL NOT INFECT THE ASH TREE NEARBY.

NOW, THIS DISEASE TENDS TO BE FAVORED BY COOLER, WET TEMPERATURES, AND SO WHEN WE HAVE A LONG PROTRACTED WET SPRING, AS WE'VE HAD THIS YEAR, WE TEND TO SEE A LOT MORE ISSUES WITH ANTHRACNOSE.

AND SO WHEN WE HAVE THOSE TEMPERATURES IN THE 50- TO 60-DEGREE RANGE, WITH ADEQUATE MOISTURE THAT FUNGUS IS VERY ACTIVE.

IN FACT, THE FUNGUS CAN EVEN INFECT WHILE THE LEAVES ARE STILL INSIDE OF THE BUD.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS, WE DO TEND TO SEE SOME ISSUES THAT OCCUR ON THE VEINS.

AS THE LEAF VEINS ARE ONE OF THE FIRST THING TO MATURE INSIDE OF THE LEAF, THAT'S WHERE THE FUNGUS CAN ATTACK.

ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS THAT WE MAY SEE WITH SHADE TREE ANTHRACNOSE IS JUST SOME DISCOLORATION ALONG THE VEINS.

AND IT MAY BE ESPECIALLY EVIDENT IF WE LOOK ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE LEAVES, AS WELL.

NOW, ADDITIONALLY, WE MAY SEE SOME LARGER BLACK SPLOTCHES THAT ALSO -- THAT ALSO OCCUR.

ESPECIALLY IF THE LEAVES ARE INFECTED VERY EARLY.

NOW, DEPENDING ON HOW THE SEASON IS GOING, WE MAY HAVE -- WE MAY HAVE SEVERE ANTHRACNOSE INFECTION EARLY IN THE SEASON, BUT CERTAIN TREES WILL PUT OUT A SECOND FLESH OF LEAVES AND REALLY KIND OF COVER UP ANY OF THOSE LEAVES THAT MAY HAVE ALREADY DIED AND DROPPED.

OR BECOME SO UNSIGHTLY THAT YOU DON'T WANT THEM THERE.

NOW, UNFORTUNATELY, ANTHRACNOSE IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE REALLY JUST NEED TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE SEE EVERY YEAR, SO IT REALLY IS HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

WE REALLY DON'T RECOMMEND DOING ANY SORT OF FUNGICIDE CONTROL, ESPECIALLY FOR A TREE IN THE LANDSCAPE.

NOW, IF WE HAVE A YOUNG TREE THAT WE ARE JUST TRYING TO ESTABLISH AND WE HAVE HAD SEVERE ANTHRACNOSE INFECTION FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS, AND WE'VE SEEN AT LEAST 50% LEAF DROP, THEN WE WOULD MAYBE WANT TO START THINKING ABOUT A FUNGICIDE APPLICATION, BUT IN GENERAL FOR ESTABLISHED TREES, CHEMICAL CONTROL IS NOT NECESSARY.

NOW, SOME OF THE CONTROLS THAT WE CAN DO, ONE IS SANITATION.

SO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE RAKING UP AND DESTROYING ANY OF THOSE LEAVES THAT HAVE DROPPED.

THE OTHER THING THAT WE CAN DO THAT REALLY HELPS CONTROL ANTHRACNOSE IS TO PRUNE OUT SOME OF THOSE HEAVILY INFECTED BRANCHES.

THE ANTHRACNOSE FUNGUS CAN SURVIVE AS A CANKER ON THE BRANCHES, AND SO PRUNING OUT THOSE BRANCHES AND TWIGS THAT ARE SEVERELY INFECTED WILL TEND TO CUT DOWN ON DISEASE INCIDENTS NEXT YEAR.

>> SO DO A GOOD JOB OF SANITATION, MAYBE SOME PRUNING OF THOSE HEAVILY INFECTED TWIGS AND BRANCHES.

KEEP A SHARP EYE ON THOSE YOUNGER TREES.

WE HERE AT BACKYARD FARMER HAVE ENJOYED A VERY LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR PARTNERS AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

SO LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HEAR ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP THAT PARTNERSHIP CONTINUE AS WELL AS KEEP QUALITY PROGRAMMING LIKE BACKYARD FARMER AND OTHERS ON THE AIR.

>> THANKS, KIM.

BACKYARD FARMER HAS BEEN HELPING YOU WITH YOUR LAWN AND GARDEN FOR 69 YEARS.

69 YEARS!

THE PROGRAM JUST CELEBRATED AN ANNIVERSARY ON JUNE 1ST.

THE FIRST PROGRAM WAS JUNE 1,1953.

THE PROGRAM IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE NEBRASKA EXTENSION EXPERTS AND NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

EVERY WEEK, BACKYARD FARMER'S EXPERTS ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS TO HELP YOU CARE FOR YOUR GARDEN, LAWN, AND TREES.

ANYTIME A PROGRAM SUCCEEDS FOR AS LONG AS BACKYARD FARMER HAS, THERE HAS TO BE A VERY LOYAL BASE OF VIEWERS AND SUPPORTERS WHO KEEP IT GOING, SO WE THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND KEEPING IT ALWAYS IN THE TOP TEN PROGRAMS ON NET.

I'M MARK LEONARD.

YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT MAKES SURE THAT BACKYARD FARMER AND OTHER IMPORTANT PROGRAMS ARE HERE FOR ALL NEBRASKANS.

IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY A MEMBER, NOW IS A GREAT TIME FOR YOU TO JOIN IN AND SUPPORT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA WITH YOUR CONTRIBUTION.

WHEN YOU DO, WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS.

THERE IS THE COMBO, THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN HAT AND THE BRAND-NEW BUCKET HAT.

THE HAT IS A GREAT WAY TO KEEP COOL WHILE GARDENING.

IT'S AVAILABLE AT THE $12.50 A MONTH LEVEL OF MEMBERSHIP OR $150 PER YEAR.

BOTH ITEMS SHOW THAT YOU SUPPORT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND BACKYARD FARMER.

THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN FLAGS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE $10 MONTHLY LEVEL OR $120 ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION.

THE FLAGS MEASURE 18 INCHES BY 12 INCHES, AND HELP TO SPREAD THE BACKYARD FARMER MESSAGE OF GOOD GARDENING.

NEW FOR THIS YEAR IS THE BACKYARD FARMER BUCKET HAT.

OH, THAT'S PRETTY COOL.

I LIKE THAT!

$7 A MONTH OR $84 A YEAR IS A GREAT KHAKI GARDENING HAT WITH COOLING VENTS.

NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND BACKYARD FARMER LOGOS ARE ON AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S WASHABLE, TOO.

CALL 800-989-8236 OR TEXT DONATE OR GO ONLINE TO NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

KIM TODD HAS JOINED ME UP HERE.

YOU MADE YOUR WAY TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STUDIO.

WE ARE DOING THESE BACKYARD FARMER EXTRA SEGMENTS NOW.

WHEN DID THAT START AND WHAT'S THE IDEA OF THAT?

>> WELL, WE HAVE TWO ACTUALLY THAT ARE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

ONE IS LIFESTYLE GARDENING WHICH IS A WINTER PROGRAM.

AND I THINK WE ARE IN YEAR SEVEN, GOING ON EIGHT, ON THAT.

SO SIX EPISODES IN THE WINTER, WHICH IS REALLY GREAT TO KEEP PEOPLE ENGAGED.

AND DIGGING DEEPER WITH BACKYARD FARMER, AND THIS IS SEASON THREE.

THAT ONE IS AVAILABLE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, AND YOURS.

>> VERY NICE.

>> ANOTHER WAY FOR PEOPLE TO ENGAGE WITH US.

>> I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS BUT ONE OF THOSE YEARS WE JUST KIND OF LOST.

>> WE KIND OF DID BUT WE WERE STILL ON AIR.

>> YOU WERE.

>> THAT'S THE FABULOUS THING.

>> YOU WERE AMAZING.

>> YEAH.

>> THIS WAS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST PROGRAMS THAT WE RESTORED TO AIR.

I DON'T THINK WE MISSED TOO MANY EPISODES.

A LOT OF ADAPTATION WENT ON DURING THE PAST YEAR BUT YOU AND YOUR GUESTS WERE PATIENT AND TOLERANT AND KNEW THAT WE HAD LEGIONS OF FANS THAT WERE COUNTING ON US TO BE BACK ON THE AIR, SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.

>> YOU BET.

>> THE CONNECTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS TO YOUR HEALTH, TELL ME HOW THAT WORKS.

>> WELL, WE HAD A GUEST ON DIGGING DEEPER, JAY SCHWENTKE AND HE DOES THAT FOR A LIVING.

AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT JUST WHAT YOUR OWN STATE OF MIND IS GOING OUTSIDE, YOU RELAX, YOUR HEARTBEATS SLOWER, YOUR BREATHING SLOWS DOWN, YOU START TO FOCUS ON THE BEAUTY AROUND YOU AS OPPOSED TO ALL OF THOSE THINGS ON YOUR TO-DO LIST, SO THE MORE WE CAN GET PEOPLE OUTSIDE IN ANY WAY, WHETHER THEY ARE GARDENING OR SIMPLY WALKING IN AND ENJOYING OUR GARDEN, THE BETTER OFF YOU'LL BE.

>> MENTALLY, A PEACEFUL PLACE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> PHYSICALLY, IT'S GOOD EXERCISE.

>> YEP.

>> WELL, IT'S COMMON SENSE BUT NICE TO BE REMINDED OF THOSE THINGS SOMETIMES, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT'S HOT AND YOU'RE GOING OUTSIDE TO GARDEN.

>> IT'S A LITTLE HARD WHEN IT'S THIS HOT.

>> YOU'RE INVESTING IN YOUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH.

>> RIGHT.

>> WE'LL BE REJOINING THIS WEEK'S BACKYARD FARMER IN JUST A MINUTE.

STAY TUNED FOR SOME GREAT INFORMATION AND ADVICE.

THIS IS SUCH A TREMENDOUS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

WHEN YOU TUNE IN TO BACKYARD FARMER, YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE OLDEST PROGRAM ON PUBLIC TELEVISION PRODUCED RIGHT HERE IN NEBRASKA.

JUNE 1ST, 1953, WAS THE FIRST PROGRAM.

AS A LONGSTANDING HOST, BECAUSE WE WERE LOOKING ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE, THAT MUST HAVE BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH BACKYARD FARMER IN ITS EARLY DECADES.

AND NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA CAN ONLY BRING YOU BACKYARD FARMER AND THE OTHER LOCALLY PRODUCED PROGRAMS THAT YOU RELY ON BECAUSE YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORS SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP.

IF YOU'RE ALREADY A MEMBER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IF YOU RENEW OR JOIN US AS A NEW MEMBER TODAY, YOU CAN SELECT FROM A WHOLE RANGE OF WONDERFUL THANK YOU GIFTS FROM NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND BACKYARD FARMER.

800-989-8236, OR TEXT DONATE OR YOU CAN GO ONLINE TO NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

THE THANK YOU GIFTS AGAIN INCLUDE, IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT ON THE SCREEN AT THE $12.50 MONTHLY LEVEL, $150 ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THAT'S THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN FLAG AND BUCKET HAT.

THAT BUCKET HAT IS BRAND-NEW, IT LOOKS PRACTICAL AND COMFORTABLE.

YOU CAN TAKE THEM AT YOUR THANK YOU GIFT AT THE $12.50 MONTHLY LEVEL, AND AT THE $10 MONTHLY LEVEL WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND YOU OUT THE GOOD GARDENING BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN FLAG.

THAT IS A NICE THING TO FLY IN YOUR GARDEN, SHOW THAT YOU ARE NOT JUST A GARDENER, YOU'RE AN INFORMED GARDENER BECAUSE YOU WATCH BACKYARD FARMER EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

THAT'S AT THE $7 MONTHLY LEVEL.

CALL 1-800-989-8236 OR TEXT DONATE OR GO ONLINE TO OUR WEBSITE AT NEBRASKA PUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

YOU SET THE LEVEL.

WE NEVER TELL YOU HOW MUCH TO GIVE TO NET, ONLY NEW NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA, ONLY YOU KNOW HOW MUCH ENJOYMENT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA BRINGS TO YOU, AND WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO GIVE.

NO MATTER WHAT THE LEVEL, WE WELCOME YOU AND THANK YOU FOR BECOMING A MEMBER.

WHY SHOULD YOU DO IT NOW?

WELL, BECAUSE YOU ARE VOTING FOR BACKYARD FARMER IN EFFECT.

YOU'RE LETTING US KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT ONLY WATCHING IT, BUT YOU'RE SUPPORTING IT.

AND YOU SOMETIMES LET US KNOW WHAT IT IS ABOUT THE PROGRAM THAT YOU VALUE.

SO PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO BECOME OUR NEWEST MEMBER OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP RIGHT NOW.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE JOINING THE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO WATCH AND SUPPORT BACKYARD FARMER EVERY SINGLE WEEK ON NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

ARE YOU A FAN OF BACKYARD FARMER?

DO YOU HAVE STORIES TO TELL OF HOW MANY YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING?

LET US KNOW THAT.

WE KNOW IT'S A LARGE AND LOYAL AUDIENCE BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHEN YOU CALL IN 1-800-989-8236.

>> AND WE WANT TO STAY ON THE AIR, SO JODY, ANSWER THIS QUESTION, PLEASE.

THE FIRST HERE IS WAVERLY, IOWA.

IT IS BLACK SPECKS ON HER ASPARAGUS.

SHE HARVESTED FROM THE GARDEN, PUT THEM IN A GROCERY BAG IN THE FRIDGE AND THEN FOUND THESE BLACK SPECKS.

>> OKAY.

SO WHAT THEY ARE, THOSE BLACK SPECKS ARE ACTUALLY I WANT TO CALL THEM DEFLATED OR NO LONGER VIABLE EGGS FROM THE ASPARAGUS BEETLE.

THOSE HAVE BEEN ON THERE AND YOU PROBABLY PICKED THEM AND PUT THEM IN THE BAG, AND SO THEY'RE NO LONGER ALIVE BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE.

>> SO, A LITTLE BUG PROTEIN WITH THE ASPARAGUS.

>> YEAH, LITTLE BIT.

YOU CAN PROBABLY STILL EAT THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO YOUR NEXT ONE IS A VIEWER FROM OMAHA.

SHE WAS GROWING EGGPLANT FROM SEED.

SHE PUT THEM OUTSIDE TO HARDEN THEM OFF.

SOMETHING STARTED EATING THEM, AND SHE IS SAYING, CAN YOU SEE THOSE THOUSANDS OF TINY LITTLE HOLES?

BUT SHE COULDN'T SEE ANY INSECTS.

SHE DID USE INSECTICIDAL SOAP, AND IT'S THE SECOND YEAR SHE'S HAD THIS ISSUE.

>> YUP, THESE ARE FLEA BEETLES.

THEY HAVE THAT CHARACTERISTIC SHOT HOLE, JUST ALL OVER THE LEAVES.

THEY'RE REALLY HARD TO SEE BECAUSE THEY'RE REALLY TINY BUT THEY JUMP LIKE FLEAS.

THAT'S WHY THEY'RE CALLED FLEA BEETLES.

IF THEY'RE NO LONGER THERE FEEDING, THEN NOTHING YOU TREAT WITH IS ACTUALLY GOING TO HELP.

BUT, THEY SHOULD GROW OUT OF THAT IF IT PUTS ON MORE LEAVES AND IT SHOULD BE OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, JODY.

ALL RIGHT, LOREN, YOU HAVE ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR IN A ROW THAT ARE ALL COOL FROM FOUR DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

THE FIRST IS OMAHA BENSON, AND THIS STUFF SHOWED UP IN THE OLD SILVER MAPLE.

>> BEAUTIFUL.

>> TURNS MORE ORANGE.

WHAT IS IT?

SHOULD HE BE WORRIED ABOUT IT?

>> DO YOU WANT TO JUST GO THROUGH THE OTHER?

ARE THEY ALL THE SAME?

>> WELL, YOUR NEXT PICTURE -- >> LOOK AT THE OTHER PICTURES.

>> YOUR SECOND PICTURE IS WILCOX, NEBRASKA.

DUE TO THE WEATHER I'M THINKING THIS PROBABLY IS A FUNGUS.

YOUR THIRD PICTURE IS DEEP YELLOW EGGS ON GRASS.

THIS IS RAGAN, NEBRASKA.

AND SAW THESE ALL OVER.

MANY LITTLE PATCHES OF GRASS WITH THESE EGGS ON THEM.

AND YOUR FOURTH ONE IS ACTUALLY A MUSHROOM PICTURE.

>> OKAY, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ONES THAT HAVE THE BRIGHT COLORS OF THE GRAY.

THESE ARE REALLY COMMON IN A LANDSCAPE.

WE SEE THEM A LOT OF TIMES WHEN THERE IS RAIN.

THESE ARE SLIME MOLDS AND THEY'RE REALLY AMAZING ORGANISMS.

THEY'RE JUST LIVING ON THE ORGANIC MATERIAL.

THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING BAD.

YOU CAN WASH THEM AWAY WITH A HOSE IF YOU'D LIKE TO.

THEY'LL USUALLY REOCCUR, SO ALL THREE OF THOSE, LEAVES ON THE GRASS BLADE, SAME WAY.

THESE ARE JUST THESE LITTLE SEEDS, OR THESE EGGS ARE JUST SOME OF THE LITTLE STRUCTURES THAT ARE PRODUCED BY THE SLIME MOLD, SO THE SAME THING HERE, JUST A DIFFERENT COLOR.

AND THEN THE MUSHROOMS, WE REALLY CAN'T TELL EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE FROM THE PICTURE, SO I THINK THEY ASK ABOUT HAY MUSHROOMS OR GRASS MUSHROOMS.

FROM THE WAY THEY LOOK, THEY LOOK LIKE THEY MAY BE AN AGARIKON SPECIES, BUT I HATE TO SAY WITHOUT LOOKING AT A FULL CAP AND LETTING THEM EXPAND AND SEE THAT, WHAT IT IS.

BUT I BELIEVE ALSO THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT A PET EATING THEM MAYBE.

I WOULD JUST RECOMMEND TRYING TO PICK THEM OUT IF YOU CAN BY HAND IF YOU HAVE A PET IN THE YARD.

AND JUST AVOID ALLOWING THEM TO EAT THEM WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THEY ARE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, LOREN.

AND THAT WAS COZAD WITH THE MUSHROOMS BY THE WAY.

KELLY, YOUR FIRST ONE IS A HILDRETH, NEBRASKA VIEWER, HAS A BIG LEAF HYDRANGEA.

SHE IS WONDERING IF THE HIGH NITRATES ARE CAUSING IT TO NOT FLOWER VERY OFTEN.

>> WELL, THAT IS AN ISSUE WITH BIG LEAF HYDRANGEA.

THEY DON'T BLOOM AS WELL AS WE THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BLOOM.

SO, EXCESS NITROGEN, IF THAT'S WHAT SHE'S ASKING, THE EXCESS NITROGEN CAN CAUSE THAT AS WELL AS THEY BLOOM ON MORE MATURE WOOD, TOO.

SO, PRUNING IN SPRING CAN ALSO REDUCE BLOOMING, BUT THEY'RE NOT -- THEY DON'T REALLY LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS.

SO WATCH THE NITROGEN AND BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU PRUNE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ARE A GRAND ISLAND VIEWER.

THEY HAVE A NORTH STAR DWARF CHERRY LEAVED OUT, BLOOMED, AND THEN DOES HAVE CANKER, LOREN.

THEY WONDER IF THEY SHOULD PULL THIS ONE OUT AND START OVER OR TRY TO GIVE IT A GO?

>> YEAH, IT HAD A LOT OF STICKY STUFF ON THE TRUNK, AND WE CALL THAT GUMMOSIS AND TREES WILL GET -- ESPECIALLY FRUIT TREES, LIKE CHERRY AND PEACH WILL GUMMOSIS IN RESPONSE TO STRESS, AND IT MIGHT BE MECHANICAL STRESS, LAWNMOWER INJURY, FOR EXAMPLE.

IT MIGHT BE ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CAN LEAD TO THIS.

BUT, SOME DISEASES AND INSECTS WILL CAUSE IT, AS WELL.

FOR EXAMPLE, SOME OF THE BORERS WILL CAUSE THAT AND CANKERS.

SO, THIS TREE, IF YOU WANT TO TRY TO SAVE IT, THEN I WOULD GET RID OF THAT WHAT LOOKS LIKE CEMENT BORDER AND I WOULD PUT ABOUT A FOUR TO SIX-FOOT DIAMETER RING OF MULCH AND THEN HOPE FOR THE BEST AND WATER DEEP, BUT IT MAY BE TOO FAR GONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE ONE MORE QUICK ONE HERE, AND THIS IS A PEACH.

A TINY ANTS ON ALL THE BRANCHES AND BROWN MUSHROOMS ON THE BASE AND THIS.

ALSO A GONER.

>> BROWN MUSHROOMS ON THE BASE YEAH, THAT'S AN INDICATION OF MAYBE SOME DECAY.

I THINK IT'S A GONER.

WE CALL IT STICKY AND ICKY, SO WE CALL THAT GUMMOSIS, AS WELL.

AND AGAIN, IT'S AN INDICATION OF THE STRESS.

SO A GONER.

>> TWO FORMER TREES.

WE FINALLY HAVE OUR GARDEN PLANTED AND IMMEDIATELY NEEDED TO GET SOME WATER ON IT.

WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY DRY DAYS HERE IN EASTERN NEBRASKA, SO WATERING IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL.

HERE TO TELL US MORE FROM THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN IS TERRI JAMES.

♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN EVERYTHING IS PLANTED AND EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO LOOK REALLY GREAT.

REMEMBER THE BOTTOM HALF OF OUR BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN IS A MIX BETWEEN ANNUAL FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES, SO WE HAVE THOSE GREAT COMBINATIONS OF TEXTURES AND COLORS THAT ARE GOING TO LOOK FANTASTIC LATER IN THE SEASON.

WE HAVE HAD TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA WATERING TO GET EVERYTHING ESTABLISHED.

IT'S BEEN VERY DRY HERE IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF THE STATE IN LINCOLN.

WE'RE MAKING SURE WE'RE WATERING EARLY AND LETTING ALL THOSE LEAVES DRY OFF SO WE HAVE LESS LIKELY TO GET ANY KIND OF DISEASES.

REMEMBER, EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS IS THIS WEEKEND, JUNE 12TH.

AND THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN IS GOING TO BE OPEN AND MASTER GARDENERS ARE GOING TO BE HERE.

SO COME BY AND VISIT US AND TALK TO US THIS WEEKEND.

JUNE 12TH, FROM 10:00 TO 2:00 ON EAST CAMPUS.

♪ >> IT'S GREAT TO FINALLY GET THOSE PLANTS IN THE GROUND, AND I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER FUN YEAR FROM OUR GARDEN.

WE DO NEED TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK.

DON'T GO AWAY BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK AFTER THIS BREAK.

THERE IS MUCH MORE BACKYARD FARMER RIGHT AFTER THESE MESSAGES.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO BACKYARD FARMER.

COMING UP LATER, WE'LL HEAR FROM AN ARBORIST ABOUT WHY YOU SHOULD LEAVE THE BIG PRUNING AND TRIMMING JOBS TO THOSE PROFESSIONALS.

REMEMBER, WE AREN'T TAKING YOUR PHONE CALLS TONIGHT.

YOU CAN STILL SEND US THOSE PICTURES AND E-MAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

KELLY, YOU ARE FIRST UP.

>> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A FALL CITY VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO KILL POISON IVY IN HER ASPARAGUS.

>> BE VERY PERSISTENT.

BE CAREFUL, AND VERY -- YOU CAN CLIP IT OFF, CLIP IT OFF, CLIP IT OFF, OR YOU CAN SPOT TREAT IT WITH ROUNDUP, BUT BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL THAT YOU DON'T GET THE SAP ON YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A DONIPHAN VIEWER WHO HAS TWO DIFFERENT APPLES AND THEY'RE 20-YEARS-OLD, BUT THE HARALSON APPLE BLOOMS VERY POORLY AND HAS VERY LITTLE FRUIT.

ANY IDEAS?

>> OLD AGE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ANOTHER VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER INCREDIBALL AND THE OTHER ANNABEL-TYPE HYDRANGEAS WILL RE-BLOOM IF YOU TAKE A PERCENTAGE OF THE TOP OF THE FLOWERS OFF.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

MINE DO NOT.

>> THIS IS A SEWARD VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER WE CAN GROW LOBLOLLY PINE IN NEBRASKA.

>> I THINK IT'S ON THE NEBRASKA STATEWIDE ARBORETUM LIST, SO YOU CAN GIVE IT A SHOT.

>> A YORK VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO PUT DOWN PREEN IN THE FLOWER BEDS.

>> WHEN THERE IS NO WEEDS THERE, AND THE SOIL IS MOIST AND THEN PUT MULCH ON IT, BUT USUALLY IN SPRING SOMETIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

>> YOU MAY HAVE TO REPEAT.

>> NICE JOB.

OKAY.

I WAS WAITING FOR LUNCH MEAT.

>> YOU DIDN'T ASK IF I'M READY.

OH YEAH, I'M READY.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE ON BEFORE THE FOURTH OF JULY, SO I'M AS READY AS A LIT FIRECRACKER ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.

>> ALL RIGHT, LIT FIRECRACKER, YOUR FIRST ONE IS FROM NORTH PLATTE.

THERE ARE YELLOW SPOTS ON THE LEAVES OF A 17-YEAR-OLD AUTUMN PURPLE ASH.

WHAT ARE THE YELLOW SPOTS ON ASH TREES RIGHT NOW?

>> OH, ASHES GET RUST, AND I'M THINKING THAT IS A RUST DISEASE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE UNDERSIDE, YOU WOULD HAVE YELLOW ON TOP.

AND THEN PUSTULE UNDERNEATH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND WHAT SHOULD -- >> DON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A CYCLE IN THE LANDSCAPE THAT -- JUST ENJOY IT.

>> THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

>> TRYING TO WIN.

>> WHO WONDERS WHY THE RASPBERRIES ARE TURNING BROWN AND HARD INSTEAD OF RIPENING.

>> A COUPLE THINGS.

IF THEY'RE WATERING IT A LOT, YOU COULD HAVE BOTRYTIS BLIGHT WHICH WILL INFECT THE YOUNG FRUITS AND BLOSSOMS AND WILL TAKE THAT OUT.

WITH THAT, THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENT FUNGICIDES THAT YOU COULD LOOK AT BUT THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS AVOID OVERHEAD IRRIGATION AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE USING CLEAN SANITATION METHODS IN THE CYCLING OF THE FRUITING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IS THERE A DISEASE OF BASIL THAT WOULD CAUSE SPOTS ON THE FOLIAGE?

>> YES.

>> AND WHAT IS THAT DISEASE?

>> I BELIEVE SEPTORIA.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> AVOID OVERHEAD IRRIGATION.

>> PEONIES ARE COVERED WITH POWDERY MILDEW.

TREAT IT OR NOT?

>> SPRAY IT WITH A HOSE.

JUST FREE MOISTURE CAN REDUCE POWDERY MILDEW GROWTH AND INFECTION, SO JUST A NICE ORGANIC WAY TO TRY.

>> NICE JOB.

ALL RIGHT.

JODY, YOU'RE UP.

>> OKAY.

>> THIS IS A KEARNEY VIEWER WHO DISCOVERED AN INSECT OF SOME SORT EATING MULTIPLE QUANTITIES OF HER PLANTS.

SHE THEN DISCOVERED IT WAS SLUGS.

WHAT WILL KILL SLUGS IN THE GARDEN?

>> YOU CAN TRAP FOR THEM USING BEER OR SUGAR WATER, OR YOU CAN USE -- THEY DO HAVE COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SLUG BAITS THAT WORK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A PAPILLION VIEWER AMONG MANY WHO ARE ASKING IS IT TIME FOR GRUB CONTROL.

>> IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GRUBS IN THE TURF AND YOU SURVEYED AND THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO PROTECT, THEN YES.

HOWEVER, IF YOU'RE TRYING TO PROTECT AGAINST JAPANESE BEETLES THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO HAPPEN IF YOU'RE TRYING TO PROTECT AGAINST THE ADULTS BECAUSE THEY MIGHT NOT BE IN THE TURF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A PLATTSMOUTH VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING ABOUT BAGWORM TREATMENT.

THEY TYPICALLY DO TWO APPLICATIONS TWO WEEKS APART.

>> WHAT'S THE QUESTION?

>> IS IT TIME?

> I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY CATERPILLARS AT THIS TIME.

I'VE LOOKED.

STILL LOOKING.

KEEP MONITORING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IS THE NEW 99% EFFECTIVE EAB INJECTABLES WORTH THE DOLLARS?

>> IS THAT THE EMAMECTIN BENZOATE?

>> UH-HUH.

>> UM, SURE.

IT DOES WORK, AND IT WORKS FOR -- IT CAN WORK FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO WORTH.

I WOULD PROBABLY REPLACE THE TREE, DEPENDS ON THE -- LIKE THE -- HOW WELL THE TREE IS DOING AND IF IT'S WORTH TREATING.

>> EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT, THANKS, JODY.

PLANTS OF THE WEEK, KELLY.

>> OKAY.

WELL, WE HAVE TWO BEE BALMS THIS WEEK.

THERE'S PRAIRIE GYPSY IS THE DARKER PURPLE ONE, AND THE LAVENDER ONE IS OUR NATIVE BEE BALM, MONARDA FISTULOSA, AND SOME PEOPLE WILL CALL IT WILD BERGAMOT.

SO, BEAUTIFUL, AND GREAT FOR BEES, AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE ALSO HAVE A TREE HERE.

THIS IS LINDEN, JUST STARTING TO GET READY TO BLOOM.

AND ANOTHER GREAT BEE ATTRACTOR, OFTEN CALLED BEE TREES, BUT THIS IS LINDEN.

AND THERE IS AN AMERICAN LINDEN, THERE'S LITTLE LEAF LINDEN.

THERE'S ALSO A SILVER LINDEN WHICH THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL ONE IN THE ARBORETUM HERE ON CAMPUS SO IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN SILVER LINDEN, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT IT OR CHECK IT OUT.

>> EXCELLENT.

AND THEY SMELL SO GOOD THIS TIME OF YEAR.

ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, ALL.

JODY YOUR NEXT ROUND OF QUESTIONS IS A WHAT IS IT, WHAT IS IT.

>> OKAY.

>> YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS FREMONT VIEWER FOUND THIS INSECT ON A FLOWER POT IN THE DECK.

GOOD GUY OR BAD GUY?

BOTH?

>> I THINK A LOT OF THINGS ARE GOOD.

THIS ONE IS A DARK FLOWER SCARAB, SO IT'S JUST A BEETLE THAT FEEDS ON FLOWERS.

>> OKAY.

YOUR SECOND -- >> IF YOU LIKE FLOWERS, YOU DON'T LIKE THAT, RIGHT?

>> IT'S USUALLY IN THE BIG TREES HAVE LIKE THE FLOWERS IN THERE.

NOT NECESSARILY THE PLANTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IT'S A TREE FLOWER EATER.

YOUR SECOND ONE IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THIS ONE CAUGHT THEIR EYE FROM FAR AWAY.

WHAT IS IT?

>> IT'S REALLY PRETTY, CALLED A RAINBOW SCARAB, SO SAME FAMILY, BUT THIS ONE IS A DUNG BEETLE, SO SOMETHING SO BEAUTIFUL CAN FEED AND LIVE IN POOP.

>> YOUR THIRD ONE IS ALSO OMAHA.

SHE SAYS THIS LOOKS LIKE A BLISTER BEETLE BUT IT'S LARGER AND HAS THESE ORANGE-Y STRIPED LEGS.

WILL THIS ONE MOW DOWN THE FLOWER VINES?

>> NO, IT SHOULDN'T.

IT IS A FLOWER LONGHORN BEETLE.

THE LARVAE DEVELOP IN WOOD AND THE ADULTS ARE LIKE, FEED ON FLOWERS, BUT SHOULDN'T MOW ANYTHING DOWN.

I WOULD SAY IT'S MORE GOOD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR FINAL ONE IS TWO PICTURES OF A SPIDER.

THIS IS A GRETNA VIEWER, WONDERS WHETHER THIS IS ONE THAT THEY SHOULD WARN THEIR CHILDREN NOT TO TOUCH.

>> WELL, OKAY.

YOU CAN NOT TOUCH IT, BUT THIS IS A FISHING SPIDER SO THE GENUS IS DOLOMEDES.

I MEAN, THEY'RE BIG.

THEY'RE LARGE SPIDERS, BUT YOU KNOW, SPIDERS ARE REALLY ONLY WHERE THERE IS PREY AND WE ARE NOT THAT SO -- >> ALL RIGHT.

OKAY.

THANK YOU, JODY.

ALL RIGHT.

LOREN, THIS IS A GEARING, NEBRASKA VIEWER WHO HAS A MAPLE.

8-YEARS-OLD, STRUGGLING TO GROW.

HE THINKS IT'S IRON DEFICIENCY.

I THINK WE HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

ONE -- AND THE LEAVES GET THESE BLACK SPOTS SO WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON HERE?

>> YEAH, I REALLY DO THINK, ESPECIALLY IN GEARING THAT THAT COULD BE AN IRON DEFICIENCY THING AND MANY OF THE LANDSCAPES OUT THERE YOU SEE THAT, SO I WOULD -- FROM LOOKING AT THE PICTURES RECOMMEND TREATING IT FOR IRON DEFICIENCY.

>> YOUR NEXT ONE IS THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS VIEWER.

THIS IS ALSO A MAPLE, WONDERS WHAT TYPE OF FUNGUS IS AMONG US ON THIS ONE.

>> THIS ACTUALLY WHEN YOU ZOOM IN THERE IS LARGE BLACK SPOTS ON IT, AND I BELIEVE THIS IS TAR SPOT ON MAPLE, WHICH IS A DISEASE THAT OVERWINTERS IN THE RESIDUE.

IF YOU CAN JUST DO GOOD FALL LEAF MANAGEMENT, AND WORK AT IT THAT WAY, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> LOOK UP TAR SPOT.

>> TAR SPOT, ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS A LINCOLN VIEWER, AND COULD BE MANY LINCOLN VIEWERS.

SIGNIFICANT LEAF CURL ON THE BURR OAKS.

SOME ARE NORMAL, SOME ARE SHRIVELED.

WHAT IS THE DEAL?

>> SO WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF HERBICIDE INJURY, WHICH THAT COULD BE.

BUT IF THERE ARE LEAVES THAT ARE APPARENTLY HEALTHY ON THE TREE AND YOU'RE JUST SEEING SOME OF THEM CUPPED LIKE THIS, IT COULD BE SOME OF THE APHIDS OR SOMETHING THAT JODY WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OKAY.

KELLY, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS A HASTINGS VIEWER.

THIS IS A NEW WILLOW CALLED ICEBERG ALLEY.

AND LAST YEAR THE BUNNIES CHEWED IT DOWN.

SHE FERTILIZED IT.

SHE PUT PEPPER AROUND IT.

BUT NOW IT'S STARTING TO CURL.

AND SHE HAD THE LAWN SPRAYED, WONDERS WHETHER MAYBE IT'S HERBICIDE OR IS THIS JUST -- WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE?

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A REALLY NICE NEW WILLOW THAT GETS ABOUT THREE TO SIX FEET TALL AND AS WIDE.

IT'S A PRETTY ONE.

IT HAS THAT SILVER FOLIAGE, SO YOU WANT TO TRY TO SAFE IT, HOPEFULLY.

IF THE LEAVES ARE CURLING, CUPPING, DISTORTED THERE COULD BE SOME HERBICIDE INJURY.

WITH ANY HERBICIDE INJURY, WE SAY TO CHECK OTHER PLANTS IN THE LANDSCAPE, BECAUSE USUALLY ONE PLANT ISN'T AFFECTED.

IF YOU'RE GETTING SOME BROWNING IN THERE, IT'S A WILLOW, TOLERATES WET SOILS BUT IF IT'S HEAVIER CLAY SOIL THAT COULD BE AN ISSUE.

BE CAREFUL OF OVERWATERING.

THOSE WOULD BE SOME SUGGESTIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHAT'S CAUSING THE PURPLE IN THE IRIS RHIZOMES.

>> WELL, THE FOLIAGE LOOKS OTHERWISE HEALTHY, SO SOMETIMES IRIS WILL DO THIS, ESPECIALLY IF WE HAVE COOL WEATHER OR COOL SUNNY WEATHER IN THE SPRING.

SOMETIMES THEY WILL DO IT.

THERE'S EVEN SOME BREEDERS THAT ARE TRYING TO BREED THEM SO THEY HAVE COMPLETELY PURPLE FOLIAGE.

I THINK THAT'S ALL IT IS.

EVEN THE AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY HAS A LIST OF CULTIVARS THAT TEND TO DO THIS.

I THINK IT'S JUST ENVIRONMENTAL AND THEY'LL BE FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR FINAL ONE IS AN IRIS THAT DIDN'T BLOOM, DUG UP REPLANTED, THE RHIZOMES ARE ABOVE GROUND BUT STILL DIDN'T FLOWER THIS YEAR.

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

>> WELL, I MEAN IT HAS REALLY, REALLY HEALTHY GREAT FOLIAGE, SO SOMETIMES EXCESS NITROGEN CAN LEAD TO LOT OF VEGETATIVE GROWTH, AND NOT AS MUCH REPRODUCTIVE GROWTH WHICH WOULD BE THE FOLIAGE.

IF IT HAS SOME NEARBY TREES OR SHRUBS GOTTEN LARGER AND CAUSED SHADING, EVEN REALLY DRY WEATHER IN LATE WINTER, EARLY SPRING CAN SOMETIMES AFFECT BLOOMING IN IRIS.

THOSE ARE SOME POSSIBILITIES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KELLY.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT CHOOSING A GOOD PROFESSIONAL ARBORIST SERVICE TO HANDLE BIG TRIMMING JOBS AROUND YOUR HOME.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS OUT THERE OF EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHERE AMATEURS ARE GETTING HURT.

LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO SEE WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO LET THE BIG JOBS BE DONE BY THE PROFESSIONALS.

♪ >> JUST GET ON THE INTERNET AND SEARCH TREE FAILS AND YOU'LL SEE HOMEOWNERS UP ON LADDERS, CUTTING WITH THE CHAINSAW AND A BIG BRANCH COMES DOWN AND SENDS THEM FLYING ACROSS THE YARD, AND DOCTORS AREN'T CHEAP.

I MEAN, YEAH, IF YOU LOOK AT THE PRICE OF A TREE SERVICE SOMETIMES YOU'RE LIKE, "WOW, IT'S A LOT OF MONEY" BUT THEY HAVE THE INSURANCE, THEY HAVE ALL THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO DO IT SAFELY, AND THEY KNOW HOW TO DO IT BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT THAT CAN GO WRONG.

THE BACKYARD LIFT IS NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE FROM CLIMBING.

CLIMBING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

TAKES A LOT OF TIME.

YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE A LOT OF EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO GET UP IN A TREE LIKE THIS AND DO IT SAFELY.

WITH THE LIFT, I CAN PUSH FOUR BUTTONS AND GO ALL THE WAY SIX FEET IN THE AIR WITH NOT EVEN GETTING TIRED.

I MEAN, IT TAKES A LITTLE EXTRA TIME TO SET UP SOMETIMES BUT ONCE YOU GET IT SET UP, YOU CAN FLOAT UP THERE.

I WOULD SAY CLIMBING TAKES A LOT LONGER TO GET GOOD AT COMPARED TO A LIFT.

LIKE I SAID THERE IS FOUR BUTTONS, ONCE YOU GET IT SET UP TO MAKE IT MOVE.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOW TO SET IT UP, BUT CLIMBING THERE IS SO MUCH MORE YOU NEED TO WORRY ABOUT AND THINK ABOUT.

YOU'RE LITERALLY 60 FEET IN THE AIR HANGING FROM A PIECE OF PLASTIC AND YOU HAVE ALL THESE GEAR YOU HAVE TO INSPECT TO MAKE SURE IT'S GOOD TO GO.

MUCH EASIER TO LEARN HOW TO USE A LIFT.

YOU CAN TRAIN ANYONE HOW TO DO IT, AS LONG AS THEY'RE NOT SCARED OF HEIGHTS.

FOR MY CREW, WE USUALLY HAVE THREE PEOPLE, SOMETIMES FOUR.

WE HAVE ANOTHER CREW THAT DOES MORE BIG PROJECTS LIKE BIG REMOVALS.

THEY USUALLY HAVE FOUR OR FIVE.

THE ALTURNAMATS IS WHAT THEY'RE CALLED THAT WE USE THEY'RE PLASTIC, I THINK IT'S MADE OUT OF HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE.

THEY ALLOW YOU TO USE YOUR EQUIPMENT LIKE THIS, EVEN IF THE GROUND IS WET IF YOU PUT THEM DOWN YOU CAN DRIVE ON IT ALL DAY AND YOU WON'T RUIN SOMEONE'S YARD BECAUSE OUR CUSTOMERS REALLY CARE ABOUT THE GRASS MOST OF THE TIME.

SO IT MAKES NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE WOULD BE DRAGGING THIS ALL OUT BY HAND AND I WOULD BE CLIMBING THIS BECAUSE IT RAINED ALL WEEK.

SO THEY'RE WELL WORTH IT.

>> SMALL PRUNING AND TRIMMING WHERE YOUR FEET ARE ON THE GROUND IS TOTALLY OKAY TO HANDLE BUT WHEN YOU GET INTO SOME OF THOSE BIGGER JOBS, IT'S REALLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED YOU DO SOME RESEARCH, GET A GOOD ARBORIST TO HANDLE THAT WORK.

AND WE HEARD EARLIER ABOUT HOW YOU, OUR LOYAL VIEWERS, CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN KEEPING BACKYARD FARMER ON NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

ONCE AGAIN, HERE IS GENERAL MANAGER MARK LEONARD TO TELL US MORE.

>> THANKS, KIM.

I WANT ONE OF THOSE -- THAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WITH THE LEGS LOOKED LIKE A GIANT SPIDER.

EVERY EPISODE OF BACKYARD FARMER FROM SPRING TO FALL BRINGS YOU GREAT ADVICE FROM THE PANEL OF NEBRASKA EXTENSION EXPERTS.

THEY ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT PESTS, DISEASE, TURF PROBLEMS AND MORE.

BACKYARD FARMER ALSO BRINGS YOU IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GENERAL HORTICULTURE TOPICS AND EVEN LANDSCAPE DESIGN IDEAS.

YOU HELP US BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

THAT FINANCIAL SUPPORT ENSURES GREAT PROGRAMS LIKE BACKYARD FARMER KEEP COMING TO YOU.

I'M MARK LEONARD AND THIS MARKS THE 69TH YEAR THAT BACKYARD FARMER HAS BEEN ON NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

AND AS A PARTNERSHIP WITH EXTENSION.

WHEN YOU CALL 1-800-989-8236 YOU'RE HONORING THAT 69-YEAR HISTORY AND YOU'RE ALSO PAYING IT FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS AND ALL OF THE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT YOU RELY ON FROM NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA CAN BE HERE FOR MANY, MANY MORE YEARS TO COME.

1-800-989-8236 OR GO ONLINE TO NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT THANK YOU GIFTS WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT.

AT THE $12.50 A MONTH LEVEL, WE'VE GOT THE COMBO PACK.

THAT MEANS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET BOTH THE BRAND-NEW BUCKET HAT AND THE GOOD GARDENING BACKYARD FARMER FLAG FOR YOUR GARDEN OR YOUR WALKWAY, WHEREVER YOU WANT TO PUT THAT.

THE GARDEN FLAG IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JUST TAKE THAT AS YOUR THANK YOU GIFT THAT IS AVAILABLE AT THE $10 MONTHLY LEVEL OF MEMBERSHIP.

OR, THE NEW BACKYARD FARMER BUCKET HAT IS AVAILABLE AT THE $7 MONTHLY LEVEL OR ANNUAL PAYMENT OF $84.

THAT'S A REALLY NICE TASTEFUL PAIR OF LOGOS ON THERE, ISN'T IT?

AND A DRAWSTRING SO IT DOESN'T BLOW OFF IN THE HIGH NEBRASKA WINDS.

800-989-8236.

OR GO ONLINE AND CHOOSE YOUR LEVEL OF MEMBERSHIP AT NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

WE ARE VERY PROUD THAT BACKYARD FARMER IS THE LONGEST RUNNING PROGRAM IN PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

THE SHOW STARTED JUNE 1ST, 1953, AND HAS BEEN SERVING GENERATIONS OF VIEWERS.

JOINING US NOW IS HOST KIM TODD.

>> HELLO, MARK.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HOSTING?

>> ABOUT 20 YEARS.

>> 20 YEARS.

MY GOODNESS.

>> UH-HUH.

>> HAS THE SHOW EVOLVED DURING THAT TIME?

>> TOTALLY.

IT IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SHOW THAN IT WAS, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT WE STILL ANSWER ALL THOSE VIEWER QUESTIONS AND WE'RE STILL A PANEL.

NOW WE HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA, NOW WE HAVE DIGITAL.

NOW WE HAVE PICTURES WHICH WE DID NOT HAVE BEFORE.

>> THAT'S TREMENDOUS.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS DONE THE LIGHTNING ROUND?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT BUT WE'VE DONE IT FOR LONG ENOUGH THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN WE DIDN'T.

>> THAT'S A VERY POPULAR SEGMENT.

16 MILLION NEW PEOPLE HAVE STARTED GARDENING OVER THE LAST YEAR.

ARE THERE ONE OR TWO COMMON QUESTIONS PEOPLE HAVE WHEN THEY START OUT AND TRY TO LEARN HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

>> THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEY SHOULD GROW, AND HOW THEY GET STARTED.

IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE.

I MEAN, WHAT DO THEY DO FIRST, AND WHAT VEGETABLES OR FLOWERS CAN THEY START WITH.

>> YOU WERE REFERRED TO A LIST OF TREES THAT CAN GROW IN THE NEBRASKA CLIMATE EARLIER.

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THAT RESOURCE AGAIN?

>> SO NEBRASKA STATEWIDE ARBORETUM HAS A LIST AND WE DO AN EXTENSION, TOO OF ONES THAT ARE EITHER NATIVE OR REALLY, REALLY HARDY HERE.

AND THE SAME THING IS TRUE OF MOST PLANTS.

>> YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS GO UP A LOT IF YOU CONSULT THE LIST.

THAT'S THE KIND OF TIDBITS YOU GET EVERY SINGLE WEEK ON BACKYARD FARMER.

ALMOST 70 YEARS OF SUCCESS IS DUE TO THE HELPFUL INFORMATION IT PROVIDES AND ALSO BECAUSE OF THE LOYAL AUDIENCE.

THE PROGRAM IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

YOUR INVESTMENT HELPS KEEP QUALITY PROGRAMMING FOR AND ABOUT NEBRASKA ON THE AIR AND ONLINE.

WE CAN'T BRING BACKYARD FARMER, BIG RED WRAP UP, NEBRASKA STORIES OR WHAT IF WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.

THINK OF ALL THE SPORTS PROGRAM YOU ENJOY.

WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF VIEWERS JUST LIKE YOU, IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.

NOW LET'S RETURN TO BACKYARD FARMER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT WAS GREAT.

WE REALLY HOPE WE GET THOSE DONATIONS COMING IN SO WE CAN STAY ON AIR.

ALL RIGHT.

NEXT SET OF QUESTIONS, JODY, THIS IS TWO PICTURES HERE OF TINY CATERPILLARS ON AN ONION LEAF.

AND THEY MUST BE TINY BECAUSE THAT'S A BOTTLE CAP.

WHAT ARE THEY AND DO THEY NEED TO BE CONTROLLED?

>> THESE ARE SALT MARSH CATERPILLARS.

JUST PICK THEM OFF.

>> OKAY.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S WORTH -- >> SALT MARSH CATERPILLARS.

>> THEY TURN INTO A MOTH.

>> NEVER HEARD OF THEM.

SO YOUR NEXT PICTURE HERE IS JUST ON THE GROUND NEAR A VARIETY OF PLANTS AND WEEDS, AND WHAT ARE THESE?

THIS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST OF MANY OF THESE PICTURES I WOULD GUESS.

>> SO, THE SALT MARSH CATERPILLARS AND ACTUALLY THESE ARE CALLED -- THEY'RE ALL COLLECTIVELY CALLED WOOLLY BEARS BUT THESE ARE THE YELLOW WOOLLY BEAR.

IT'S THE VIRGINIA TIGER MOTH.

AS CATERPILLARS, THEY'RE ALL GOING TO BE PESTS BECAUSE THEY NEED TO EAT PLANTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> JUST PICK THEM OFF.

DO WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S SEE, LOREN, TOMATOES WITH CURLY CHOPS.

>> AWESOME.

>> AND THIS PARTICULAR VIEWER IS IN PAPILLION.

WE HAD THREE OR FOUR AGAIN THIS WEEK WITH THE SAME THING.

HERBICIDE DAMAGE, WHAT IS THIS?

>> I WOULD GUESS IN THIS CASE THEY WERE LOOKING AT HERBICIDE DAMAGE, BECAUSE IT'S TWISTED SO MUCH AND THE CURVATURE OF IT.

THIS IS SOMETHING WITH THE DRIFT, WITH THE HIGHER TEMPERATURES, ANY APPLICATIONS, SO REALLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE VIEWERS NOT THE MAKE APPLICATIONS WHEN THE TEMPERATURES ARE REALLY ABOVE 80 DEGREES.

YOU CAN REALLY HAVE A LOT OF DRIFT INJURY THAT WAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO HOW DO YOU TELL WHETHER IT'S CURLY TOP?

>> THERE IS A COUPLE THINGS.

ONE WOULD BE IF ONE -- IF YOU HAVE SEVERAL PLANTS AND ALL THE PLANTS LOOK THIS WAY, YOU FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT IT'S A DRIFT EVENT.

THAT WAY IF THEY'RE ALL THE SAME.

IF YOU JUST HAVE ONE OUT OF A GROWTH, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE IT'S A VIRUS.

NOW, THE OTHER PART IS IF YOU JUST HAVE ONE TOMATO PLANT THAT'S WHERE IT'S ALWAYS CHALLENGING.

LIKE THAT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A HERBICIDE BECAUSE TYPICALLY VIRUSES MAY GROW AND BE REGROWN AND ROUGHNESS OF THE LEAVES IT WILL JUST BE ON THE NEW GROWTH, AND THAT WOULD CONTINUE, WHERE THIS YOU'LL SEE THIS GROWTH AND IT WILL CONTINUE, TOO BUT IT WILL BE REALLY SEVERE AND THEN MAY GET LIGHTER AS NEW GROWTH COMES OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE HERE, WE ACTUALLY GOT THIS FROM TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT VIEWERS THIS TIME, AND IT'S RHUBARB LEAVES.

TWO PLANTS, FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS OLD IN A RAISED BED.

THEY'VE NEVER LOOKED LIKE THIS.

>> THERE'S SEVERAL FOLIAR DISEASES OF RHUBARB.

THIS COULD BE AND ONE IS ASCOCHYTA.

IN ANY EVENT, MANAGEMENT ON THIS WOULD BE TO SELECTIVELY HARVEST IF YOU'RE IN THAT SECOND YEAR OF GROWTH OR MORE.

SELECTIVELY HARVEST THOSE STEMS THAT HAVE AFFECTED LEAVES LIKE THIS IF YOU'RE IN THE HARVEST TIME.

AVOID OVERHEAD IRRIGATION AND THEN MAKE SURE YOU'RE MANAGING RESIDUE IN THE FALL AND REMOVING ALL DEBRIS TO GET THE INOCULUM OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND YOU THIRD ONE IS OMAHA, QUESTIONABLE RUST ON HOLLYHOCKS.

>> HOLLYHOCK RUST IS SO COMMON AND THIS OVERWINTERS.

THIS IS ONE OF OUR RUSTS THAT ACTUALLY CYCLES ON THE SAME PLANT.

SO ANY RESIDUE OF THE HOLLYHOCK IN THE SOIL WILL RESULT IN MORE INFECTION NEXT YEAR, SO MAKE SURE YOU'RE USING SANITATION AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

YOU CAN USE FUNGICIDES, BUT WOW, THIS IS REALLY HARD TO MANAGE.

KIM, ONE THING I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT.

SOME OF OUR VIEWERS MAY BE COMING TO THE CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS THIS WEEKEND AND I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU IF YOU'RE HAVING A PROBLEM IN YOUR BACKYARD BRING ALONG A SAMPLE.

WE'LL HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC LAB IS GOING TO BE THERE AND KYLE BRODERICK THAT YOU SAW EARLIER ON THE SHOW IN THE VIDEO IS GOING TO BE THERE AND SOME OF OUR STUDENTS FROM PLANT PATHOLOGY AND MYSELF WILL BE OUT, SO LOOK FOR THE TENT THAT SAYS PLANT PATHOLOGY AND STOP BY.

>> EXCELLENT.

THAT WAY OUR MASTER GARDENERS CAN SEND THEM TO YOU IF THEY HAVE A QUESTION ON A ROT AND A SPOT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SEND THEM OVER.

IT WILL BE A LOT OF FUN.

>> THANKS, LOREN.

OKAY, KELLY, YOUR LAST ROUND OF PICTURES.

WE HAVE TWO FROM DIFFERENT VIEWERS.

THE FIRST ONE HERE IS FROM SPRINGFIELD AND THE SECOND IS FROM STROMSBURG, AND THEY ARE OF THE SAME PLANT.

SO WHAT IS THIS PARTICULAR PLANT?

>> THIS IS WESTERN SALSIFY YELLOW GOAT'S BEARD AND SOME PEOPLE EVEN CALL IT WILD OYSTERPLANT.

AND THIS IS AN INTRODUCED WILDFLOWER.

IT'S -- IT WAS BROUGHT HERE BY THE IMMIGRANTS AS A FOOD PLANT BECAUSE THE TAP ROOT CAN BE EATEN OR WAS EATEN AND KIND OF TASTES LIKE OYSTER WHICH IS WHY THEY CALL IT A WILD OYSTERPLANT.

AND IT IS NATURALIZED.

SO IT'S NOT A BAD PLANT.

IT'S A GOOD PLANT.

>> AND IT LOOKS LIKE A MONSTER DANDELION.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> WHEN IT'S IN SEED.

>> THE SEED HEAD LOOKS -- IT DOES.

A MONSTER DANDELION SEED HEAD.

>> AND YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ARE -- SHE SAYS IT'S A WEED -- AND IT CAN BE.

THEY SPREAD UNDERGROUND WHEN YOU TRY TO PULL THE YOUNG ONES, THEY BREAK, AND YOU PULL AND THE ROOT COMES UP.

SHE TRIED SOME STRANGE THINGS, MIXED VINEGAR, EPSOM SALTS AND DISH SOAP TO KILL THEM.

SHE THOUGHT SHE MAYBE TRIED ROUNDUP.

IT IS THE BLANKET OF GREEN.

WHAT DO WE THINK THIS IS?

>> I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THAT PREVIOUS PICTURE WAS.

AND -- >> IT'S THE SAME PLANT.

>> THIS IS THE SAME PLANT?

>> YEAH, THAT'S THE LEAVES AND THE -- >> THIS IS THE, KIND OF THE FLOWER HEAD.

THIS LOOKS LIKE LADYBELLS.

I CAN'T SAY IT.

ADENOPHORA.

HELP ME.

>> THAT'S IT!

>> SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> YOU GOT IT.

>> LADYBELLS.

AND THIS IS ONE CONSIDERED ORNAMENTAL.

IT BLOOMS IN MAY AND HAS REALLY PRETTY PURPLE BELL-SHAPED FLOWERS ON A SPIKE OF A PLANT.

SO BUT IF IT'S SPREADING NOT NICELY, THEN YOU JUST HAVE TO STAY ON TOP.

IF YOU DON'T WANT IT, ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE DOING YOU HAVE TO KEEP ON DOING OR STOP AND START ENJOYING IT, MAYBE LET IT BLOOM AND SEE IF YOU LIKE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KELLY.

WE HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF GREAT THINGS GOING ON IN THE BACKYARD