CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

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

TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'LL SEE WHAT'S NEW AT THE GARDEN CENTER AND MAKE SOME COMPOST.

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

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

I'M YOUR HOST, KIM TODD.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE WE ARE ALREADY ON OUR THIRD SHOW.

YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH US WITH YOUR GARDEN QUESTIONS BY DIALING 1-800-676-5446.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US VIA E-MAIL WITH QUESTIONS AND PICTURES.

THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

PLEASE TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE AND GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN SO WE CAN GIVE YOU A GOOD ANSWER.

DO NOT FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL WHERE YOU CAN SEE ALL THOSE PAST SHOWS AND ALL OF OUR EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS.

WE ARE ALSO ON FACEBOOK, SO YOU CAN FOLLOW "BACKYARD FARMER" THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

AS ALWAYS, WE ARE GOING TO START WITH SAMPLES.

JODY, YOU BROUGHT A PLETHORA.

>> UH-HUH.

SO, I BROUGHT CARPENTER ANT SAMPLES AND THE WAY TO IDENTIFY CARPENTER ANTS IS NOT BY THE COLOR OR THE SIZE; IT'S GOING TO BE OF THE SHAPE OF THE BODY: HEAD, THORAX, ABDOMEN FOR INSECTS.

THAT MIDDLE SECTION IS GOING TO BE EVENLY ROUNDED, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THAT PICTURE.

IT WILL HAVE ONE NODE, WHICH YOU CAN'T SEE IN THAT PICTURE, BETWEEN THE THORAX AND THE ABDOMEN BUT IT'S THAT EVENLY ROUNDED THORAX THAT IS GOING TO BE THE CARPENTER ANT.

THEY CAN BE DIFFERENT COLORS, THEY CAN BE DIFFERENT SIZES, BUT YOU'LL SEE ACROSS HERE THAT I'VE GOT SOME WORKERS, I'VE GOT SWARMERS, WHICH ARE REALLY LARGE AND HAVE WINGS.

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME DURING THESE DISPERSAL MATING SWARMS THAT THE MALES EXIST IN THE COLONY.

THEN YOU WILL SEE GIANT ANTS THAT DON'T HAVE WINGS, AND THOSE ARE THE ALATE, SO THOSE ARE FERTILIZED QUEENS.

THOSE SWARMING EVENTS HAPPEN ANNUALLY, DEPENDING ON, I DON'T KNOW, WHERE YOU LIVE.

BUT THESE CARPENTER ANTS, THEY WILL NEST IN WOOD BUT THEY DON'T FEED ON THE WOOD SO THEY EXCAVATE THE GALLERIES AND THEY WILL KICK OUT WHAT WE CALL ANT FRASS, WHICH IS COURSE SAWDUST WHICH YOU CAN SEE ACTUALLY STUCK TO THIS GLUE BOARD DOWN HERE OR IN THIS PILE IN THIS CONTAINER.

IT WILL HAVE INSECT PARTS AS WELL IF YOU EXAMINE IT BECAUSE CARPENTER ANTS WILL NEED A PROTEIN SOURCE SO THEY FEED ON OTHER INSECTS SO THEY'RE ACTUALLY QUITE BENEFICIAL.

SIGNS OF DAMAGE WILL LOOK LIKE THIS.

THEY CLEAR OUT THE GALLERIES IN THE WOOD.

IT IS USUALLY DEAD AND DECAYING WOOD THAT COULD BE IN A TREE.

IF THERE IS A NEST IN YOUR HOUSE, YOU MAY FIND PILES OF FRASS, YOU MAY HEAR CHEWING AND IT SOUNDS LIKE CELLOPHANE IN THE WALLS, OR YOU MAY SEE FORAGING ANTS, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOCTURNAL.

LET'S SEE.

I'M TRYING TO STAY ON TRACK BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A LIGHTENING ROUND QUESTION.

MANAGEMENT.

YOU NEED TO LOCATE THE NEST.

THE NEST IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN YOU TREAT THE NEST, YOU WILL TREAT THE QUEEN, ALL THE EGGS, THE LARVAE.

THEY WILL ELIMINATE THE COLONY.

IF YOU'RE JUST TREATING FORAGERS, THAT'S NOT GOING TO ELIMINATE THE COLONY SO YOU HAVE TO FIND THE NEST.

THEY CAN FORAGE REALLY FAR.

THE NEST MAY BE IN YOUR NEIGHBOR'S YARD.

YOU CAN'T TREAT YOUR NEIGHBOR'S YARD.

IF IT IS IN YOUR YARD, TRY TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE.

IF IT'S IN YOUR HOUSE, CALL A PROFESSIONAL.

THEY HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO GET RID OF THOSE.

BAITING IS NOT GOING TO WORK IF YOU ARE USING SUGAR BAITS.

IF YOU ARE TRYING SOMETHING OVER-THE-COUNTER FOR CARPENTER ANTS, THEY MAY FEED ON THE SUGAR BECAUSE SUGAR IS GREAT BUT THEY HAVE A VERY WIDE EXTENSIVE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENT.

THEY NEED THAT PROTEIN, SO YOU'LL NEED TO GET A DUAL ACTION BAIT.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND THERE IS SOMETHING TERRIFYING ABOUT ANTS BEING SO CHEWY THAT THEY SOUND LIKE CELLOPHANE IN YOUR WALL.

>> LIKE, THANKS FOR ADDING A NEW NIGHTMARE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

ROCH, WHAT WEED THAT WE ARE ALREADY TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR HAND?

>> THIS IS HENBIT.

A LOT OF OUR VIEWERS KNOW WHAT IT IS.

IT IS A WINTER ANNUAL SO BASICALLY, THIS IS A WEED THAT GERMINATED LAST FALL, OVERWINTERED, AND THEN CAME OUT WITH GANGBUSTERS.

IT REALLY LOVES THESE COOLER TEMPERATURES.

IT'S GOT A VERY DISTINCT SERRATED LEAF.

AND ALSO, NOT TO CONFUSE IT WITH GROUND IVY, IN GROUND IVY THE FLOWERS ARE AT THE AXLE OF THE LEAF AND STEM, WHEREAS HENBIT THEY ARE USUALLY AT THE END OF THE STEM AND THEY'RE TRUMPET-SHAPED.

DON'T WANT TO CONFUSE THOSE TWO.

IN TERMS OF MANAGEMENT, IT IS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

I DID FORGET THEY HAVE SQUARE STEMS.

IT IS A MEMBER OF THE MINT FAMILY.

FAIRLY COMMON FOR MOST OF OUR GROWERS.

YOU CAN SEE -- THERE WE GO.

THAT'S A SQUARE STEM SO IT KIND OF KEEPS IT ALL BY ITSELF IN TERMS OF -- THERE ARE A FEW OTHER THINGS BUT IT'S MOSTLY JUST THE MINTS.

IN TERMS OF MANAGEMENT, YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING NOW UNLESS YOU ARE JUST IRRITATED AND WANT TO SPRAY IT WITH SOMETHING WHICH IS NOT WHAT WE RECOMMEND.

REALLY, YOU SHOULD HAVE PUT A PREEMERGENT DOWN IN THE FALL AND YOU WOULD HAVE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB ON IT, AND ALSO IN A LANDSCAPE BED OR IN A TURF SITUATION, HEALTHY, DENSE TURF OR MULCH WILL DO A GREAT JOB IN SUPPRESSING IT AND MAKING SURE IT DOESN'T GERMINATE.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT, ROCH.

OKAY, AMY, A SPRUCE OF SOME SORT?

>> IT IS A SPRUCE.

IT'S A VERY OLD SPRUCE.

I STOPPED AT A RURAL CEMETERY ON MY WAY DOWN TODAY.

BY THE WAY, THE CEMETERY WAS STARTED IN 1847 AND I THINK THESE SPRUCE ARE PROBABLY ABOUT THE SAME AGE.

THEY'RE VERY OLD.

THE MAIN REASON WHY I GRABBED THEM IS I'M STARTING TO GET SOME PHONE CALLS ABOUT BROWN NEEDLES ON MY TREES.

OH, MY GOODNESS, MY TREE IS SICK AND MY TREE IS DYING.

BUT THE BIG THING IS, WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE BROWN NEEDLES.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE IS IT'S NOT UNIFORM ACROSS THE BRANCH.

IT IS ON THE NEWER GROWTH AND IT IS TURNING BROWN FROM THE TIP AND WORKING ITS WAY BACK DOWN.

AS IT'S TURNING COLORS, SOME ARE ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, STARTS OUT AS A DARKER BROWN, THEN IT ALMOST TURNS WHITE.

IF YOU TAKE A LOOK, YOU ARE NOT SEEING ANY SPOTS ON THE NEEDLES.

THERE IS NO BLACK DOTS ON THE BRANCH.

WHAT THIS REALLY IS IS WINTER DESICCATION OR JUST DESICCATION IN GENERAL.

THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY BIG PROBLEM THIS YEAR BECAUSE IN GENERAL, WE'VE BEEN FAIRLY DRY THIS WINTER.

UP IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS, I'M ABOUT REALLY TO CALL US "THE DESERT" UP THERE.

WITH THE 60 MILES PER HOUR WINDS THAT WE'VE HAD FOR IT SEEMS LIKE THE LAST TWO AND A HALF MONTHS, PLUS THE FACT THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD MOISTURE, I'M SEEING A LOT MORE DESICCATION RIGHT NOW BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T OUT WATERING YOUR TREES YET.

YOU'RE THINKING, "WELL, IT'S GETTING DOWN IN THE 30S AT NIGHT, I DON'T NEED TO BE WATERING MY TREES."

WRONG.

THESE EVERGREENS ARE STILL LOSING WATER.

WE REALLY NEED TO GET THOSE HOSES OUT ON OUR FAVORITE TREES THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP IN OUR LANDSCAPE AND WATER THEM DURING THE DAY.

MAKE SURE YOU TURN YOUR HOSE OFF AT NIGHT.

OTHERWISE, YOU WILL HAVE A NICE, BEAUTIFUL ICE SCULPTURE IN THE MORNING.

BUT WE CAN WATER THEM.

REALLY HELP THOSE TREES AND THEN KEEP DOING THOSE RAIN DANCES.

HOPEFULLY, WE WILL GET RAIN ON THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE.

I KNOW HERE IN LINCOLN AND OMAHA YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN GETTING SOME RAIN, A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WE HAVE.

WE'VE HAD .20 IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS SO RAIN IS WHAT WE NEED SO WATER YOUR TREES RIGHT NOW.

>> THANKS, AMY.

QUINCE, JOHN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS A FLOWERING QUINCE.

TYPICALLY, THE FRUITING QUINCE IS THE TRADITIONAL.

IT PRODUCES A FRUIT SORT OF LIKE A VERY LARGE PEAR.

IT IS A VERY FUN FRUIT.

THIS IS A FLOWERING VARIETY THAT I BORROWED FROM THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

WHAT I WANTED TO USE THIS FOR, IT HAS NICE, BIG FLOWERS AND THESE ARE VERY PRETTY, THIS ORANGE COLOR.

WHAT I WANTED TO DO IS TALK ABOUT THESE ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO LIKE, OUR FRUIT TREES, LIKE APPLES AND PEACHES AND PEARS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I WANTED TO SHOW -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SORT OF SPRING HASN'T ARRIVED QUITE YET.

WE ARE GETTING COOLER TEMPERATURES.

IF WE GET DOWN COLD ENOUGH, LIKE CLOSE TO FROST, WE CAN ACTUALLY DAMAGE OUR FRUITING FLOWERS.

EVEN THOUGH THE FLOWER STILL LOOKS FINE -- IF IT GETS COLD ENOUGH, IT WILL KILL THE ENTIRE FLOWER.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET COLD ENOUGH TO WHERE YOU DON'T ACTUALLY KILL THE ENTIRE FLOWER BUT YOU KILL THE ACTUAL PART THAT PRODUCES THE FRUIT, WHICH IS THE OVARY.

WHAT YOU DO IS YOU ACTUALLY PULL SOME FLOWERS OFF THE TREES AND YOU OPEN THEM UP.

IT IS REALLY HARD TO SEE HERE.

I'M GOING TO TRY TO POINT WITH MY KNIFE.

THE CAMERA GUYS REALLY HATE ME.

BUT I WANT TO JUST LOOK IN HERE.

YOU WANT TO SEE IS IT STILL GREEN OR A WHITISH COLOR?

IF YOU SEE LIKE A BLACK SPOT OR A DARK SPOT, THAT MEANS THAT THE OVARY HAS ACTUALLY BEEN KILLED SO YOU CAN CHECK OUT YOUR TREES TO SEE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU GET A COLD NIGHT OR SOMETHING YOU CAN SEE, "WILL I STILL GET FRUIT?"

BECAUSE WE SOMETIMES GET THOSE QUESTIONS.

"WELL, I HAD MY -- MY TREE FLOWERED A LOT.

THEY DIDN'T DIE OVER WINTER FROM THE CHILL BUT I STILL GOT NO FRUIT" AND THAT COULD BE WHY.

>> THAT COULD BE OR ELSE IT'S LACK OF JODY'S INSECTS.

QUINCE IS REALLY NICE AND THOSE ARE REALLY PRETTY IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

THANKS, JOHN.

ALL RIGHT.

FIRST ROUND OF QUESTIONS.

JODY, THIS VIEWER SENT THIS PICTURE LAST FALL.

IT'S A LILAC, OR MAYBE WAS.

THIS IS FROM AURORA.

OBVIOUSLY, SHE IS WANTING TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS AND WHAT SHE CAN DO ABOUT IT SO THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN THIS YEAR.

>> I DON'T THINK THIS IS INSECT.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS?

>> I DON'T KNOW, AMY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS?

>> WHEN I TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND I WAS DOING SOME INVESTIGATION, THERE IS AN ASCOCHYTA LEAF SPOT THAT WE'LL SEE ON LILACS.

IT'S NOT REAL COMMON BUT WILL GIVE US THAT WHITE LESION WE ARE SEEING HERE WITH A DARKER BORDER.

TYPICALLY FOR US, IT IS NOT A HUGE ISSUE.

THE TRICK IS, IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH WATER AND TIMING.

SO, IF THIS IS A LILAC IN YOUR LANDSCAPE, TO HELP PREVENT IT FROM DEVELOPING THIS YEAR, MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT SPRINKLING UP ON THAT FOLIAGE.

KEEPING THE WATER DOWN IS THE BIG THING YOU CAN DO.

BEYOND THAT, I WOULDN'T BE TOO WORRIED ABOUT IT.

>> EXCELLENT.

NOW YOU OWE JODY A QUESTION.

>>> I'LL GIVE HER ALL THE QUESTION SHE WANTS.

>> OKAY.

THE NEXT ONE, JODY, COMES FROM DOUGLAS COUNTY.

IT IS, WHAT IS THIS HUGE BEETLE-LOOKING BUG?

CAME OUT OF A FALLEN TREE.

THEY ARE WORRIED THERE ARE MORE AND WILL EITHER KILL THE TREES OR GET INTO THEIR HOUSE.

SO WHAT DO THEY DO ABOUT IT?

>> THIS IS A WOOD ROACH.

THEY ARE COCKROACHES THAT LIVE OUTDOORS IN THE WOODS.

THEY ARE PROBABLY IN A DEAD TREE OR FALLEN TREE BETWEEN THE BARK LAYERS.

THERE PROBABLY IS MORE OF THEM.

THEY CAN GET INTO HOUSES WHEN THEY SNEAK UNDER THE DOOR ACCIDENTALLY OR THEY'RE BROUGHT IN WITH FIREWOOD.

THE ADULTS -- SO THAT IS A NYMPH, THE IMMATURE.

THE ADULT MALES HAVE WINGS AND THEY CAN FLY AND THEY'RE ATTRACTED TO LIGHT SO KEEP YOUR PORCH RIGHTS OFF, AND DON'T LEAVE DOORS OPEN AND THEY SHOULD STAY OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

ROCH, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS FROM A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SHE HAS SENT US THIS PICTURE AND IT'S IN THE CENTER THERE BY THAT PIECE OF MULCH FOR OUR VIEWERS.

SHE WANTS US TO I.D.

THIS PLANT AND THEN TELL HER WHAT WILL KILL IT.

>>> THAT LOOKS LIKE A SEEDLER - SEED CEDAR.

A CEDAR SEEDLING, A SEEDLING.

IT'S A CEDAR SEEDLING.

SAY THAT FAST THREE TIMES.

[LAUGHTER] THERE ARE HERBICIDES THAT WILL CONTROL IT THAT CONSUMERS CAN BUY.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY HAVE A LONG SOIL RESIDUAL AND CAN KILL SURROUNDING TREES SO I'M NOT GOING TO SUGGEST THAT HERBICIDE.

ACTUALLY, ANYTHING GLYPHOSATE-BASED DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB ON IT AND THIS IS A YOUNG ONE AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S BEEN HACKED BACK A COUPLE OF TIMES SO IT'S STARTED TO BRANCH A LITTLE MORE BUT I'M GOING TO SAY HIT IT WITH GLYPHOSATE.

>> AGAIN, I THINK ONE OF THE ISSUES IS WE ARE SEEING EASTERN RED CEDAR SEED ITSELF INTO TURF AND THEN PEOPLE ARE MOWING IT BUT NOT LOW ENOUGH.

>> RIGHT.

>> RIGHT.

>> WAS THAT TURF?

THAT LOOKED LIKE A GARDEN.

WAS THAT ACTUALLY IN TURF?

>> SHE SAID IT WAS IN HER TURF.

WE HAVE SEEN IN IT ALL OVER IN PARKS AND THINGS IN LINCOLN.

BAD, BAD CEDARS.

>> AN EASTERN RED CEDAR, IF YOU ARE GOING TO CUT IT, YOU MAKE SURE THERE'S NO GREEN LEFT.

GOT TO GET IT DOWN AT THE SOIL LINE.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE A COUPLE MORE AND THESE ARE FUN BECAUSE THESE ARE FROM OTOE COUNTY.

THIS IS A VIEWER WE'VE DONE A SEGMENT ON THEIR BEAUTIFUL ACREAGE AND THIS IS THE PRAIRIE THAT THEY HAVE PLANTED IN THEIR DITCH.

SO THEY ARE SHOWING THE BURN.

DO YOU WANT TO TALK A BIT ABOUT HOW YOU ACTUALLY MANAGE PRAIRIE OR TURF, PRAIRIE TURFS OR TURF GRASSES AND THIS KIND OF THING?

>> SO BURNING IS AS OLD AS TIME, RIGHT?

AND NATURE TOOK CARE OF IT.

THEN WE STARTED TO QUIT BURNING.

PROBABLY WHY WE HAVE AS MANY CEDAR TREES AS WE DO SO BURNING IS A GREAT CEDAR CONTROL METHOD.

I REALLY LIKE THE FACT THAT THEY'RE USING A BURN.

THERE'S NO HERBICIDE INPUTS ON THIS.

THAT TAKES CARE OF NOT ONLY WEEDS BUT SOME DISEASES AND OTHER THINGS, AS WELL.

IN THAT CASE, WE'VE GOT A REALLY GOOD CHANCE TO GET RID OF THINGS THAT YOU WANT, INCLUDING SOME OF THE ANNUAL WEED SEEDS AND THAT SORT OF THINGS AND THAT BURN WORKED REALLY WELL.

IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAD IT SET UP RIGHT.

I'VE DONE A NUMBER OF CONTROLLED BURNS.

THEY HAD THE BACK BURN SET UP.

YOU COULD SEE THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND SO KUDOS TO THEM FOR AS GOOD AS THAT WAS LOOKING AND KUDOS TO THEM FOR USING TRADITIONAL OLD-SCHOOL KIND OF TECHNIQUES TO MAINTAIN THAT PRAIRIE.

YOU GET A LOT OF REGROWTH AND YOU CAN ALSO GET RELEASE OF ANY NATIVES THAT ARE THERE AND ANY SEED THAT'S THERE SO WHAT YOU END UP WITH IS A REALLY HEALTHY STAND AND A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF INVASIVE AND OTHER SPECIES.

ESPECIALLY, IT IS GREAT FOR CONTROLLING WOODY, INVASIVE SPECIES.

>> EXCELLENT, THANKS, ROCH.

ALL RIGHT, AMY.

THIS IS ACTUALLY -- IT COMES TO YOU BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT THESE WERE INSECT EGGS, THESE LARGE SHELL-LOOKING THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INSECT THAT WILL COME BACK TO JODY.

ARE THOSE INSECT?

ARE THEY SOME SORT OF FUNGUS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK THOSE ARE?

>>> WHEN I WAS LOOKING, I KIND OF WENT BACK AND FORTH.

I REALLY THINK IT'S PROBABLY SOME TYPE OF FUNGUS.

YOU KNOW, SLIME MOLDS AND A LOT OF THOSE, STINK HORNS KIND OF LOOK LIKE AN EGG, A GELATINOUS EGG SO THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT VARIOUS FORMS.

IT'S A GOOD GUY, IT'S EATING THE SAPROPHYTIC, IT'S A SAPROPHYTIC AND IT'S GOING TO GIVE US MORE CARBON AND NITROGEN FOR OUR PLANTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO LET IT BE.

>> LET IT BE.

>> IT'S A LITTLE TOO BIG TO BE AN INSECT OR WE'RE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE!

[LAUGHTER] OKAY, YOUR NEXT ONES HERE, THIS IS A GREENWOOD VIEWER.

SHE SAID -- YOU'VE GOT A COUPLE PICTURES.

ALL THE NEIGHBORS' HOSTAS ARE UP AND OUT OF THE GROUND AND ALTHOUGH THE LEAVES AREN'T OPEN THEY LOOK GOOD.

SHE'S HAD THESE HOSTAS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE HAVE A CLOSEUP AND I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE ON THIS.

THIS IS WHAT THE FOLIAGE LOOKED LIKE LAST FALL.

SHE DIDN'T CLEAN IT UP.

THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE THIS WEEK.

THERE AREN'T ANY SHOOTS OR SPROUTS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>>> THE FIRST PICTURE THAT SHE HAD WAS A LITTLE BIT CLOSER.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF BLACK SPOTS ON THERE.

I'M LEANING MORE TO THAT BEING ALTERNARIA WHICH IN THIS SITUATION IS A GOOD GUY BECAUSE HE'S BREAKING DOWN THE DEAD ORGANIC MATTER.

MY RECOMMENDATION RIGHT NOW IS CLEAN OFF THE OLD FOLIAGE.

WHY YOUR HOSTAS MAY NOT BE UP VERSUS YOUR NEIGHBORS?

YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH WATER HAS BEEN ON YOUR HOSTAS VERSUS THE NEIGHBOR?

MAYBE THE NEIGHBORS WATERED THEIRS.

IS IT MORE SHADED IN YOUR AREA?

THERE IS A POTENTIAL OF SOIL TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCES.

MAYBE HER AREA OR THEIR AREA IS A LITTLE BIT WARMER, WHY THE HOSTAS ARE COMING UP.

JUST GIVE THEM SOME TIME.

THINGS ARE SLOW.

WE HAVE BEEN COOLER.

SOIL TEMPERATURES ARE STILL COOL.

YOU JUST NEED TO BE PATIENT.

I KNOW IT FEELS LIKE WE ARE IN THE THIRD WEEK OF APRIL, EVERYTHING SHOULD BE UP AND BLOOMING.

JUST GIVE IT SOME TIME.

THEY'RE COMING.

>> THANKS, AMY.

ALL RIGHT, JOHN, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS A "WHAT IS THIS?"

SHE SAYS THIS PLANT IS BLOOMING IN A BARREN PLACE IN THE LAWN.

IT LOOKS LIKE A VIOLENT, WALKS LIKE A VIOLET, TALKS LIKE A VIOLET.

DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A VIOLET.

WHAT IS IT?

>> WELL, IT'S ACTUALLY, WE THINK, A CLOSE RELATIVE.

IT'S A VIOLA, SO BASICALLY, IT'S LIKE A VERY SMALL TYPE OF VIOLET RELATIVE.

IT IS VERY PRETTY.

YOU CAN LEAVE IT IN THE LAWN, IF YOU WANT TO.

IT IS NOT HURTING ANYTHING.

IT WILL BLOOM IN SPRING.

THE LEAVES AREN'T AS BIG AND SORT OF VISIBLE AS VIOLET LEAVES ARE IN THE LAWN.

IF THAT'S YOUR CONCERN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT AS MUCH.

I THINK JUST LEAVE IT.

LET IT BE.

THAT IS THE THEME OF TONIGHT.

WE WILL START SINGING IT NOW.

>> YOUR NEXT ONE IS A SYRACUSE VIEWER, JOHN.

SHE HAS TOMATOES IN CONTAINERS.

LEAVES STARTING TO CURL.

HAPPENED LAST YEAR, LOST SOME PLANTS.

THEY HAVE BEEN REPOTTED.

WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> I MEAN, THERE'S A FEW THINGS AND AMY COULD WEIGH IN, IF SHE WANTS TO.

BUT I THINK THAT IT'S ACTUALLY JUST WATER, LIKE OVERWATERING IS PROBABLY THE ISSUE.

YOU GET ROOT ROT AND ROOT DAMAGE WITH THAT AND YOU'LL GET THE CURLING OF THE LEAVES.

I THINK THAT'S THE BIG THING AND I SORT OF ZOOMED IN ON THE SOIL AND IT ACTUALLY LOOKED KIND OF DAMP SO I WOULD CUT BACK ON THE WATERING JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT OVERWATERING AND DAMAGING THE ROOTS.

>> EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT, THANKS, JOHN.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THIS TIME OF YEAR PEOPLE ARE FLOCKING TO THE GARDEN CENTERS TO PICK UP VEGETABLES, ORNAMENTALS, TURF PRODUCTS.

LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO WATCH OUR FIRST FEATURE TONIGHT THAT FOCUSES ON WHAT'S NEW AT THE GARDEN CENTER, THAT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU PLANT.

S S >> WE CAN'T REALLY START SPRING WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE NEW OR UNUSUAL THINGS THAT ARE ON THE MARKET THAT YOU MIGHT WANT FOR YOUR OWN HOME LANDSCAPE.

ONE OF THE ONES THAT'S BEEN POPULAR FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IS WILDFLOWER MIX IN A BOX OR GARDEN IN A BOX.

LOTS MORE CHOICES NOW.

THEY ARE SEEDS, SO YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU READ THAT LABEL SO YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT SORTS OF PLANTS YOU ARE GETTING.

ARE THEY ANNUAL?

ARE THEY PERENNIAL?

ARE THEY GOING TO GROW FOR YOU?

BUT IT IS REALLY A GREAT WAY TO SCATTER THAT SEED, STAND BACK, DO IT PROPERLY, AND WATCH IT GROW.

WE TALK ALL THE TIME ABOUT GOOD SOIL HEALTH, WHETHER IT IS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE OR IN THOSE CONTAINERS THAT ARE EVERMORE POPULAR.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW MATERIALS, OR NEWER MATERIALS AVAILABLE THAT HAVE MAYBE MORE ORGANIC OPTIONS.

SOME OF THOSE INGREDIENTS YOU MAY NOT THINK OF AS BEING GREAT FOR YOUR GARDEN BUT THEY REALLY ARE.

YOU PROBABLY AREN'T GOING TO WANT TO BUY BAGGED SOIL FOR A WHOLE LANDSCAPE BUT IF YOU LOOK, YOU CAN EVEN BUY THINGS NOW LIKE COCOA FIBER, A BRICK THAT YOU ADD WATER TO.

IT EXPANDS.

IT IS ONE OF THOSE INGREDIENTS THAT WILL HELP MAKE THAT SOIL HEALTH BETTER FOR WHATEVER YOU ARE TRYING TO GROW.

KEEPING WITH THAT TREND OF TRYING TO ATTRACT POLLINATORS TO YOUR LANDSCAPE USING NATURAL OR ORGANIC MATERIALS, TOUCHING THAT EARTH LIGHTLY AND CREATING GOOD SOIL, WE OF COURSE HAVE A BEE HOTEL.

THIS IS NOT A NEW TREND BUT IS ONE THAT IS STILL WILDLY POPULAR.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUILD YOUR OWN.

YOU CAN BUY YOUR OWN THAT JUST LOOKS LIKE A PIECE OF ARTWORK.

THEN WE HAVE THIS INTERESTING MOSS POLE, WHICH IS BENDABLE.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY GROW PLANTS LIKE ORCHIDS, WHICH ARE WILDLY POPULAR AGAIN AS A HOUSEPLANT, IN THIS POLE AND TURN IT INTO THIS FABULOUS ARTISTIC CREATION IN YOUR HOUSE.

HOUSEPLANTS, SUCCULENTS, AND ALL THOSE REALLY INTERESTING CONTAINERS ARE EVERY BIT AS POPULAR AS THEY'VE BEEN FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

ALMOST AN INFINITE VARIETY OF BEAUTIFUL OBJECTS YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR LANDSCAPE OR YOUR GARDEN OR GROW INSIDE.

AND OF COURSE, WHAT IS OLD IS NEW AGAIN BECAUSE WE HAVE MACRAME PLANT HANGERS.

THE SQUIRRELS MIGHT TAKE A BITE OUT OF THEM.

IT MIGHT BE WORTH IT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO CREATE YOUR OWN.

GO TO YOUR GARDEN CENTER, LOOK AT WHAT YOU CAN USE TO MAKE YOUR PLANTS HEALTHIER AND YOUR LANDSCAPE MORE BEAUTIFUL.

>> WHILE YOU ARE AT THAT FAVORITE GARDEN STORE, TAKE A FEW EXTRA MINUTES TO LOOK AROUND AT SOME OF THOSE NEW, OR NEW TO YOU, OLD TO US EXCITING PRODUCTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

ALL RIGHT, JODY, YOUR NEXT QUESTIONS.

SHE THINKS THIS IS A LOCUST.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES.

INFESTED WITH TINY BLACK BUGS.

THEY ARE ON THE HOUSE, WINDOWS, ET CETERA.

IF YOU GET CLOSE TO THE TREE, YOU WILL BE COVERED.

THEY DON'T BITE BUT A NUISANCE AND THE LEAVES HAD EGGS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THESE ARE?

>> WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT HACKBERRY PSYLLIDS AND SO -- THEY'RE TINY LITTLE BUGS AND THEY SOUND EXACTLY LIKE THAT.

THEY GET THROUGH THE SCREENS AND SOMETIMES THEY DO KIND OF LIKE MINUTE PIRATE BUGS PIERCE BUT THEY'RE ONLY AROUND HACKBERRY TREES.

THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CREATE THOSE GALLS, THOSE HACKBERRY NIPPLE GALLS ALONG THE LEAVES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> YEAH, WE NEED A LITTLE BETTER PICTURE OF THE TREE TO KNOW EXACTLY.

>> THERE IS NOT REALLY ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

SO THEN WE HAVE YOUR SECOND PICTURE HERE OR YOUR THIRD PICTURE IS, THEY ARE CALLING THEM "THESE CREEPY GRUB THINGS" THAT WERE IN A TREE HOLE.

WHAT ARE THEY, WHAT DAMAGE DO THEY DO AND HOW DO YOU GET RID OF THEM?

>> THEY ARE FROM THE SAME FAMILY BEETLE AS JAPANESE BEETLES AND MASKED CHAVERS SO THEY'RE A SCARAB BEETLE, BUT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT IN THE TURF OR ROTTING WOOD THEY ARE PROBABLY AN OSMODERMA BEETLE WHICH IS THEIR COMMON NAME AS A BEETLE.

THEY LOOK LIKE LITTLE TANKS.

THEY'RE CALLED THE "ODOR-OF-LEATHER" BEETLE BECAUSE THEY SMELL LIKE LEATHER.

>> ODOR-OF-LEATHER!

>> YEAH, BUT THEY WON'T DO ANY DAMAGE TO ANY OF THE TREES BECAUSE THE TREE IS ALREADY DEAD, THE ONES THEY ARE IN.

>> ENTOMOLOGISTS ARE SO CREATIVE.

[LAUGHTER] >> OR NOT, PLANT BUG.

OKAY, SO ROCH, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES FROM THIS VIEWER IN PLATTSMOUTH.

PATCHES OF A DIFFERENT GRASS IN A FESCUE ACREAGE.

THEY'RE A DISTRACTION.

THEY SEEM TO BE SPREADING.

HE HAS THE FAR AWAY SHOWING THE PATCHES.

HE'S GOT ONE A LITTLE CLOSER AND A LITTLE CLOSER YET.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.

CAN YOU CONTROL THEM?

WHAT IS TO PREVENT THIS?

>> SO I'M GUESSING IN THE THIRD PICTURE THEY ACTUALLY SHOW IT.

I'M GUESSING -- NOT GUESSING BUT PRETTY SURE THIS IS ONE OF THE WINTER ANNUAL-TYPE GRASSES LIKE DOWNEY BROME OR CHEATGRASS IS SOMETIMES WHAT IT IS CALLED OR ANNUAL BLUEGRASS.

IT DOESN'T HAVE THE TYPICAL BLUEGRASS TIP SO I'M GOING TO SAY THIS IS DOWNY BROME IN THAT LAWN.

I'VE NEVER SEEN IT CLUMP UP LIKE THAT BUT IT LOOKS LIKE HE TAKES PRETTY GOOD CARE OF THAT LAWN.

PLUS, WE ARE AT THE TIME OF YEAR WHERE THINGS ARE REALLY SLOW TO GET GOING.

WE WOULD NORMALLY EXPECT DOWNY BROME UNDER UN-MOWED CONDITIONS, TO BE UPWARDS OF EIGHT TO TEN INCHES, AND REALLY GREEN.

I'M GUESSING IT'S ONE OF THE WINTER ANNUALS.

I'M THINKING IT'S PROBABLY DOWNY BROME AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> HE DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR THAT!

>> I KNOW HE DOESN'T, BUT THAT'S WHAT HE'S GOING TO HEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND YOUR NEXT QUESTION.

THIS IS A GRAND ISLAND VIEWER AND HE SENT THIS AND HE WONDERS IF THIS IS YOUR FAVORITE ZOYSIA GRASS.

>> IT'S EITHER ZOYSIA OR BERMUDA GRASS AND THE REASON I THINK IT'S BERMUDA GRASS IS THAT ZOYSIA HAS REALLY TIGHT NODES SO BETWEEN THE LEAVES, THAT REGION IS CALLED THE NODE.

IT IS A LOT TIGHTER AND THE LENGTHY INNER NODE TELLS ME THIS IS ONE OF THE NORTHERN ADAPTED BERMUDA GRASSES.

THEY CAN BE EXTREMELY INTRUSIVE.

IF THEY WANT TO CONTROL IT, THERE IS ONLY ONE THING.

THEY CAN EITHER HAND PULL IT BUT THEY'RE GOING TO PROBABLY LEAVE RHIZOMES BEHIND SO THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO USE A SYSTEMIC NON-SELECTIVE BECAUSE THERE'S NO SELECTIVE CONTROL FOR THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, ROCH.

ALL RIGHT, AMY, THIS CAME TO US FROM EXTENSION IN ADAMS COUNTY, AS YOU KNOW, BUT IT'S A CABBAGE BROUGHT TO A MASTER GARDENER MEETING.

THE BLACKENED AREAS WERE INSIDE SO YOU COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING ON THE OUTSIDE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE WHO GROW CABBAGES PROBABLY DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.

>> YOU CAN RUN INTO IT EVEN IN BUYING A CABBAGE FROM THE GROCERY STORE.

WHAT THIS ACTUALLY IS, IS BLACK ROT WHICH IS A BACTERIAL INFECTION AND SO THIS INFECTION HAPPENED LATE IN THE GROWING SEASON IT DIDN'T ACTUALLY GO TO THE ROT AND SO ALL THIS BLACK IS THE BACTERIA IN ALL THE VASCULAR BUNDLES IN THE CABBAGE.

YOU CAN EAT IT.

IT DOESN'T HURT ANYTHING.

IF IT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED EARLIER IF IT WAS IN YOUR GARDEN, YOU WOULD ACTUALLY GET A FULL SOFT ROT OF THAT HEAD AND IT WOULD GET GROSS, NASTY, DISGUSTING.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IT'S PERFECTLY FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES HERE AND THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF A HEAD-SCRATCHER SO IT'S COMING TO YOU, FOR SOME REASON.

THIS IS AN ESTABLISHED STAR CRIMSON RHUBARB, WHICH IS A GOOD ONE.

HE THINKS SOMETHING OR SOMEBODY IS MUNCHING ON THE LEAVES.

THEY DID COVER IT.

YOUR SECOND AND THIRD PICTURES SHOW SOMETHING NOT REALLY MUNCHY BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> THERE IS AN ASCOCHYTA LEAF SPOT ON RHUBARB.

AS THAT LESION GETS OLDER, IT FALLS OUT AND YOU GET THAT RAGGED APPEARANCE.

IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE -- I CALL IT MORE LIKE HAIL DAMAGE.

IT LOOKS LIKE HAIL PIECES HAVE HIT IT.

TYPICALLY, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THAT WE DON'T TREAT FOR.

WE DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT, PULL THOSE STALKS OF RHUBARB FIRST WHEN YOU'RE READY TO HARVEST.

WHEN YOU CUT THOSE LEAVES OFF, DON'T THROW THEM RIGHT BACK DOWN INTO YOUR BED.

REMOVE THOSE LEAVES FURTHER AWAY SO YOU HELP STOP THAT CYCLE BUT IT'S MOST LIKELY AN ASCOCHYTA LEAF SPOT.

NOTHING TO REALLY WORRY ABOUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, AMY.

JOHN, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES HERE ARE REDBUD IN OMAHA.

WE HAVE THE WHOLE TREE AND THEN WE HAVE A LITTLE CLOSER UP.

AND HER CONCERN ON THE BARK PICTURE IS THAT SHE THINKS THERE IS A CREATURE CHEWING ON IT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ON THE OTHER PICTURE ON THIS ONE?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE REALLY IS.

WE GET SHAGGY BARK ON THOSE SOMETIMES.

THEY ARE PRETTY RESILIENT TREES.

WE JUST GET SOME OF THAT FREEZE AND THAW OR THE WEATHER AND WE GET THAT SORT OF SHAGGINESS ON THOSE SO I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT THAT TOO MUCH.

YOU JUST WANT TO SHAPE THE TREE NICELY.

IT LOOKED LIKE THERE HAD BEEN A DEAD BRANCH AT ONE POINT AND PART OF IT WAS STILL STUCK ON THERE, SO MAYBE LOOK AT GETTING THAT PRUNED UP A LITTLE BIT BETTER TO SORT OF RESHAPE THE TREE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU'VE GOT IT PLANTED IN AN OKAY PLACE.

THEY ARE SORT OF AN EDGE TREE SO THEY LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF SHADE, A LITTLE BIT OF SUN.

THEY GROW WILD, SO YOU ALWAYS SEE THEM LIKE ON THE EDGE OF A FOREST IN A NATURAL PLANTING.

OF COURSE, IN NEBRASKA WE DON'T HAVE LIKE, BIG FORESTS THEY WOULD BE ON THE EDGE OF, BUT I THINK JUST SORT OF BABY IT ALONG AND SEE HOW IT GOES BUT I THINK IT LOOKS FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ARE A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SHE HAS A BIG WHITE PINE.

SHE HAS ACTUALLY THE EVERGREEN IVY GROWING UP THE TRUNK.

SHE IS WONDERING IF THE IVY IS GOING TO HURT THE TREE.

>> YOU KNOW, I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF LETTING IVY AND THINGS LIKE THAT GROW ON TREES.

I MEAN, THAT IVY RIGHT THERE IS NOT DOING A LOT OF DAMAGE.

IT SENDS LITTLE ROOTLETS IN TO STICK ONTO THE TRUNK OF THE TREE BUT IT'S NOT PULLING NUTRIENTS OR RESOURCES FROM THE TREE.

YOU COULD GET ROTS AND STUFF WHERE IT STAYS WET UNDERNEATH.

IF YOU DO LET THE IVY, IF IT'S A SMALLER TREE OR IF IT GROWS BIG ENOUGH TO SORT OF LIKE OVERWHELM THE CANOPY AND DROWN OUT THE LEAVES FROM THE TREE, YOU CAN GET SOME DEATH BECAUSE YOU'RE ACTUALLY LIKE SORT OF COVERING OVER THE LEAVES SO I WOULD JUST WATCH IT BUT I'M NOT A FAN OF IVY IN TREES.

>> COMING FROM THE EAST.

>> COMING FROM THE EAST, WHERE IT IS LIKE AN INVASIVE SPECIES.

>> EXACTLY.

ONCE AGAIN, TERRI IS GOING TO TAKE US INSIDE THE GREENHOUSE AT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN TO SHOW US A FEATURED PLANT THAT WE WILL BE PLANTING VERY SOON.

HERE IS TERRI JAMES TO TELL US MORE.

S S >> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, WE ARE GOING TO DO A LITTLE REVIEW.

LAST WEEK ON THE "BACKYARD FARMER" SHOW, I BROUGHT A REALLY CUTE TOMATO.

WE ARE GROWING IT FOR THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE IT COMPLETELY TO YOU TODAY.

THIS IS CALLED ORANGE HAT.

IT IS A VERY CUTE ULTRA DWARF TOMATO.

THIS TOMATO WILL ACTUALLY ONLY GET TO BE SIX TO EIGHT INCHES TALL AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE YELLOW CHERRY TOMATOES ON IT.

THIS ONE IS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO PUT INTO CONTAINERS.

IT WOULD BE FANTASTIC ON YOUR PATIO OR DECK.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS ORANGE HAT TOMATO IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN THIS SUMMER.

SEE HOW IT WORKS.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GROW IT, ORDER THE SEED, AND PLANT IT NEXT YEAR SO STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND CHECK IT OUT.

S S >> FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T HAVE A FULL BACKYARD, YOU CAN PLANT THESE LITTLE DAINTY TOMATOES IN CONTAINERS.

WE DO NEED TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

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

STAY WITH US FOR MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

LATER ON IN THE SHOW, MARY JANE FROGGE WILL TELL US HOW TO MAKE OUR VERY OWN COMPOST.

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

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

RIGHT NOW, IT IS TIME FOR LIGHTNING.

ALL RIGHT, JOHN, YOU'RE UP.

>> OKAY, I'M READY.

>> OKAY, WE'LL SEE.

>> WE'LL SEE.

I'VE BEEN STUDYING SINCE SEPTEMBER.

>> EXCELLENT.

SO MULTIPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT RAISED BEDS.

THE FIRST BEING WHAT TYPE OF WOOD WOULD BE BEST TO USE FOR A RAISED BED?

>> YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE TREATED LUMBER NOW BECAUSE IT'S NOT TREATED WITH ARSENIC ANYMORE.

IT'S COPPER.

YOU CAN USE CEDAR.

IT GETS EXPENSIVE.

YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO USE SOMETHING THAT WILL ROT QUICKLY, SO NO PLAIN PINE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS VIEWER SAYS HER PEAS ARE UP AND HER CONCERN IS IT'S GOING TO BE SO HOT THIS WEEKEND AND MAYBE NEXT WEEK.

WHAT SHOULD SHE DO TO KEEP THEM FROM CROAKING?

>> JUST MAKE SURE THEY'RE WELL WATERED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IS USING TOPSOIL OR SOILS FROM LAST YEAR'S CONTAINERS OKAY TO JUST SPREAD IN THE GARDEN?

>> YES, IT IS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT IS THE REAL LAST FROST DATE IN EASTERN NEBRASKA?

>> THE RANGE IS APRIL 29TH TO MAY 12TH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS VIEWER BOUGHT SWISS CHARD IN LITTLE FOUR-INCH FOUR PACKS.

IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.

CAN THEY JUST GO AHEAD AND PUT IT IN CONTAINERS OR OUT AND WILL IT LAST ALL SUMMER?

>> THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT IT OUT AND IT WILL LAST ALL SUMMER AND INTO NEXT YEAR BECAUSE IT'S A BIENNIAL.

>> EXCELLENT, NICE JOB, JOHN.

>> WELCOME.

>> OKAY, AMY.

>> ONLY IF IT BRINGS RAIN.

>> WELL, LET'S SEE.

WHICH DOES HE -- ALRIGHT, ARE YOU READY?

>> YEAH.

>> THIS IS A PLATTSMOUTH VIEWER AND HE IS SAYING HIS CRABAPPLES WERE PRETTY DISEASED LAST YEAR.

THEY ARE ALREADY FLOWERING.

WE SAY THE VERY FIRST SPRAY, PINK BUD, IS IT TOO LATE TO DO ANY SORT OF SPRAY FOR THE CRABAPPLES?

>> AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I WOULD SAY YOU ARE PROBABLY STILL OKAY.

SINCE WE ARE SO DRY, WE NEED THAT MOISTURE.

I WOULD STILL GO AHEAD AND TRY TO GET THAT APPLICATION ON SOONER IS BETTER THAN LATER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO APPARENTLY HAS A GAZEBO WHERE THE SKIRT GOES DOWN TO THE GROUND.

THEY HAVE WHAT THEY THINK IS DRY ROT ON THE BOARDS.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU CAN TREAT AND GET RID OF?

>> DRY ROT IS A HARD ONE.

YOU CAN TRY TO SLOW IT DOWN WITH A 10% BLEACH BUT MOST TIME IT IS ALREADY WORKING ITS WAY UP.

BEST THING IS TO REPLACE THE SKIRTING AND USE TREATED LUMBER.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO SAYS THEIR ORNAMENTAL PEARS ARE IN FULL FLOWER ALREADY AND THEY HAD PEAR RUST LAST YEAR.

IT IS TOO LATE TO TREAT FOR PEAR RUST?

>> JUST LIKE THE CRABAPPLE SINCE WE HAVE BEEN DRY, GET IT ON THIS WEEKEND AND IT SHOULD PROVIDE YOU SOME PROTECTION.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS A HENDERSON VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THEY CAN USE COMPOSTED MANURE STRAIGHT FROM THE FARM IN THE GARDEN.

>> YES, BUT YOU NEED TO ASK VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

WHAT DID THEY USE IF THEY USED A HERBICIDE ON THAT HAY?

THERE IS A GREAT ARTICLE ON "CROP WATCH" FROM TWO WEEKS AGO WHERE THEY TALK MORE ABOUT IT AND LIST THE PRODUCTS THAT WOULD HAVE THAT CARRYOVER EFFECT.

THAT PRODUCT CAN ACTUALLY GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE RUMINANT SYSTEM OF A BOVINE AND IT'S STILL ACTIVE.

YOU NEED TO HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS.

IF NOT, YOUR TOMATOES ARE GOING TO LOOK LITTLE ROUGH.

>> THAT WAS HEAT LIGHTNING.

>> SORRY!

>> ROCH, ARE YOU READY?

>> SURE.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER -- THIS IS FROM NORTHEAST NEBRASKA, ACTUALLY, WHERE IT'S BEEN REALLY, REALLY DRY.

THEY ARE WONDERING STILL IS IT STILL IMPORTANT TO AERATE NOW, OR IS IT TOO LATE?

>> WE ARE GOING TO SAY DELAY AERATION BECAUSE IT DOES INJURE THE TURF A LITTLE BIT.

WAIT UNTIL THOSE SOIL TEMPS GET UP INTO THE MID-50S OR LATER, RIGHT AROUND PREEMERGENT TIME AND IT'LL HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE PREEMERGENT, BUT WE ARE A LITTLE EARLY, JUST BASED ON SOIL TEMPERATURES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS ALSO FROM NORTHEAST NEBRASKA.

THEY ARE WONDERING ABOUT DETHATCHING THE LAWN THIS YEAR, SINCE IT'S BEEN SO DRY.

SHOULD THEY DO THAT?

>> DITTO ON WHAT YOU DO WITH AERATION.

IF YOU ARE PLUGGING OR IF YOU'RE DETHATCHING, HAVE SOME INJURY, YOU WANT AT LEAST 15 TO 30 DAYS OF GOOD GROWING WEATHER POST AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT'S HAPPENING SO WE'RE GOING TO SAY LET'S JUST WAIT A COUPLE MORE WEEKS, AT LEAST.

>> ALL RIGHT, THIS IS A COLUMBUS VIEWER WHO IS SAYING TENACITY -- HE WANTS TO USE TENACITY BUT HE WANTS TO KNOW IS IT AVAILABLE IN A LESS CONCENTRATED, LESS COSTLY FORM FOR HOMEOWNERS RATHER THAN THE CONCENTRATE?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION AND THE SCOTT'S MIRACLE GROW COMPANY HAS THE RIGHTS TO TENACITY FOR CONSUMERS.

JUST LOOK AT THE LABEL FOR MESOTRIONE ON THE LABEL AND THAT'S THE SAME PRODUCT AS TENACITY.

IT IS GRANULAR SO IT IS EASY TO APPLY.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

NICE JOB.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, YOU READY?

>> YES.

>> OKAY, SO THE FIRST QUESTION HERE IS PEOPLE WHO HAVE CATERPILLARS THAT EAT THEIR PETUNIAS EVERY SINGLE YEAR, WHAT CAN YOU TREAT WITH SO THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN?

>> THOSE ARE TOUGH BUT SPINOSAD WILL WORK WELL AND WON'T HURT THE BEES.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING THEY HAVE FUNGUS GNATS ALL OVER EVERYTHING INSIDE.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT FUNGUS GNATS?

>> STOP WATERING YOUR PLANTS SO MUCH.

LET THEM DRY OUT A LITTLE BIT.

IT HAD ONE FLY UP MY NOSE TODAY AT THE OFFICE.

I DON'T HAVE ANY PLANTS.

>> I DO.

>> I KNOW!

[LAUGHTER] >> OKAY, WE HAVE ANOTHER VIEWER WHO USES HIBISCUS IN CONTAINERS OUTSIDE AND WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE A SYSTEMIC OR SOMETHING THEY CAN USE TO CONTROL INSECTS ON THOSE.

>> PROBABLY JAPANESE BEETLES, RIGHT?

>> PROBABLY JAPANESE BEETLES.

>> THERE IS ACTUALLY A SYSTEMIC.

IT'S IMIDACLOPRID.

IT WILL SAY IT'S FOR HOUSEPLANTS AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE ON THE LABEL IT SAYS THAT IT'S IN A CONTAINER AND THAT YOU CAN USE IT IN A CONTAINER.

>> ALL RIGHT, TICKS ARE HERE?

YES, OR NO?

>> OH, YEAH, TICKS ARE HERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE PARTICULARLY AWARE OF WHICH ONE?

>> ACTUALLY, ALL OF THEM.

THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT SPECIES THAT WE HAVE.

THEY ALL CAN TRANSMIT DISEASE, SO CHECK YOUR CREVASSES.

DO YOUR TICK CHECKS.

>> HAND THAT TO JOHN.

NOW, YOU DON'T GET TO KEEP IT.

>> I WAS GOING FOR QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.

>> OH, IT WAS A TIE WITH JODY, SO YOU HAVE TO PASS IT DOWN IN A MINUTE.

>> NO, HUH-UH.

>> ONE MINUTE WITH IT.

>> RIGHT.

WE HAVE JOINT CUSTODY.

>> SO PLANTS OF THE WEEK, JOHN.

>> THIS LOVELY WHITE FLOWER WE HAVE HERE, THIS IS A RED LEAF MUKDENIA.

YOU SEE THIS BEAUTIFUL WHITE FLOWER.

IT'S IN BLOOM NOW AND IT BLOOMS VERY EARLY SO WE GET THIS NICE MOUND OF BEAUTIFUL GREEN FOLIAGE THAT THEN IS -- WE GET THIS EARLY FLOWER.

THEN DOWN BELOW HERE, WE SEE THESE LEAVES.

THIS IS A PAINTED JAPANESE ARUM.

IT IS REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS SORT OF EVERGREEN FOLIAGE THROUGHOUT THE WINTER THAT ACTUALLY DIES BACK WHEN IT STARTS TO BLOOM.

IT HAS A FLOWER SORT OF SIMILAR TO A JACK IN THE PULPIT, IF YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

IT IS A SPATHE AND SPADIX TYPE OF FLOWER.

THE LEAVES DIE BACK IN THE SUMMER BUT THEN COME BACK IN THE FALL AND THEY OVERWINTER.

>> EXCELLENT.

THOSE ARE BOTH SHADE PLANTS AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY BOTH ON CAMPUS IN OUR COURTYARD.

ALL RIGHT, JODY.

QUESTIONS.

THIS IS -- YOU HAVE TWO HERE.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO SAYS THEY MOVED SOME APPLIANCES AND FOUND THESE WINGED INSECTS COMING UP FROM BENEATH THEM.

ARE THEY ANTS?

WHY WERE THEY ARE?

ARE THERE MORE?

HOW TO GET RID OF THEM AND THERE'S ANOTHER PICTURE HERE.

>> THESE ARE TERMITES.

THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT I STUDIED IN GRAD SCHOOL.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A GOOD SHOW BECAUSE YOU SAW WINGED ANTS EARLIER, SO THIS IS WHAT WINGED TERMITES LOOK LIKE.

THEY DON'T HAVE THAT SKINNY WAIST.

THEY KIND OF LOOK LIKE A PILL, I GUESS, BUT THEY'VE GOT FOUR EQUAL WINGS.

IF THEY MOVED AN APPLIANCE INSIDE AND THEY'RE SWARMING, THAT MEANS THERE IS A COLONY SOMEWHERE.

THERE MAY BE SOME DAMAGE IN THE WALLS.

THESE ARE SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES SO THEY DO MAINTAIN SOME CONTACT WITH THE GROUND AND SO -- EXCUSE ME -- THE SOIL NEEDS TO BE TREATED.

I WOULD CALL A PROFESSIONAL.

IF THIS IS A TENANT, TO LET THEIR PROPERTY MANAGER KNOW THEY WILL NEED TO HAVE THAT TREATED.

THERE'S DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

LIQUID TERMITICIDE OR BAIT OR BOTH.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT A PROFESSIONAL NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, JODY.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE, THEY'RE SAYING THIS LOOKS LIKE A WHOLE BUNCH OF FLIES ALL BUNCHED UP TOGETHER IN THE CORNER OF A WINDOW.

WHY ARE THEY THERE?

DID THEY HATCH FROM SOMETHING IN THE WINDOW OR THE WALL AND ARE THEY HARMFUL?

>> ALL GOOD QUESTIONS.

THESE ARE CALLED CLUSTER FLIES AS THEY CLUSTER TOGETHER, BUT THESE ARE ONE OF OUR MANY OVERWINTERING PESTS OR FALL INVADERS.

THEY COME IN THE FALL SIMILAR TO THOSE BOX ELDER BUGS AND THAT WESTERN CONIFER SEED BUG THAT YOU HAD LAST WEEK.

THEY CAME IN THE FALL AND THEY WANT TO GET OUT.

IT'S JUST NOT REALLY THAT NICE OUT, YET.

BUT THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERED FILTH FLIES.

THEY ACTUALLY ARE PARASITES OF EARTHWORMS.

>> OKAY, EXCELLENT.

OKAY, ROCH, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE COULD BE FROM ANYBODY.

IT IS HOPPER, NEBRASKA.

THREE PICTURES.

WE HAVE THIS WEED THAT IS SUPER INVASIVE.

THEY CAN CONTROL IT IN THE VEGETABLE AND FLOWER GARDENS BY PULLING AND MULCHING.

IT'S TAKEN OVER THE LAWN.

WHAT IS IT?

>> THIS IS GROUND IVY WHICH IS A PERENNIAL, A MEMBER OF THE MINT FAMILY.

IT HAS A SQUARE STEM BUT IT'S NOT A LAMIUM.

NOT THAT THAT MEANS ANYTHING.

BUT IT IS A PERENNIAL AND IT IS VERY, VERY AGGRESSIVE.

IN THE LAWN THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTROL IT OTHER THAN USING ANY HERBICIDE THAT HAS FLUROXIPIR IN IT, GENERALLY DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

STAY AWAY FROM PRODUCTS THAT HAVE 2,4-D IN THEM NUMBER ONE, BECAUSE THEY TEND TO DRIFT INTO SENSITIVE ORNAMENTALS AND THE OTHER REASON IS THAT IT JUST DOESN'T WORK WELL ON GROUND IVY.

IT'S ALSO A LOW NITROGEN LOVER, SO IF THE LAWN IS UNDER-FERTILIZED, WE SEE AN EXPLOSION OF GROUND IVY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

IS WONDERING HOW TO GET RID OF THE INVASIVE PURPLE FLOWER WITHOUT DESTROYING EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> IT MUST BE PURPLE FLOWER NIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER."

THIS IS DEAD NETTLE.

I'M NOT POSITIVE IF IT'S A PERENNIAL OR AN ANNUAL BUT I THINK IT MAY BE AN ANNUAL BUT IT'S VERY AGGRESSIVE AND IT LOOKS A LOT LIKE GROUND IVY EXCEPT THE FLOWER COLOR AND THE FLOWER POSITION IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT AND THE LEAF IS NOT SERRATED LIKE IT IS ON GROUND IVY.

ONCE AGAIN, IT DEPENDS ON WHERE IT IS.

DID THEY SAY IT WAS IN THE GARDEN OR THE LAWN?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THE EDGE OF SIDEWALK MAYBE.

>> I WOULD JUST GLYPHOSATE THAT WITH ONE OF THE GLYPHOSATE-CONTAINING PRODUCTS BECAUSE IT REALLY WILL DO A GOOD JOB.

I'D PROBABLY USE A SPREADER STICKER WHEN I DID IT BECAUSE IT HAS KIND OF A WACKY THICK CUTICLE LEAF ON IT AND IT'LL BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, ROCH.

OKAY, AMY, THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

ONE PICTURE HERE.

IT'S AN OLDER RED TWIG DOGWOOD, NOT ONE OF THE NEW ONES.

FULL SUN BY ITSELF IN A CORNER BUT SOME OF THE BRANCHES ARE GRAY AND BLOTCHY.

WHAT IS IT AND WHAT DOES SHE DO ABOUT IT?

>> DOGWOODS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR GETTING CANKER AND THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE HERE.

THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO YEAR TO PRUNE IT OUT BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE IT!

PRUNE IT OUT.

YOU WANT TO GO SIX TO EIGHT INCHES BELOW WHERE YOU SEE THAT BROWN.

BUT WITH DOGWOODS, IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE AN OLDER CANE, I WOULD JUST TRIM THAT ONE ALL THE WAY BACK DOWN TO THE GROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SHE'S HAD THIS OLD SHRUB ROSE FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.

IT IS BETWEEN A COUPLE OF BIG PFITZERS AND THE SIDEWALK.

BLOOMS DARK PINK BEAUTIFULLY.

COUPLE YEARS HERE, IT'S HAD ALL THESE DARK OR DEAD CANES AND THESE REDDISH PLACES RIGHT NOW.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> MOST LIKELY, WE'RE LOOKING AT WAX SPOT ON THE CANES THEMSELVES.

THE BEST THING IS YOU WANT TO PRUNE THOSE OUT BECAUSE THAT WILL CAUSE BLACK SPOT ON YOUR LEAVES.

PRUNE IT OUT, DISPOSE OF IT, AND THEN JUST BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR BLACK SPOT DEVELOPMENT LATER ON AND TREAT IT WITH A FUNGICIDE AS NEEDED.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

OKAY.

JOHN, YOUR FIRST QUESTIONS HERE, TWO OF THEM.

THIS IS A BENNET VIEWER.

SHE HAS INVASIVE TREE-OF-HEAVEN, WHICH OF COURSE WE ALL THINK IS TREE-OF-SOMEWHERE-ELSE, ON THE EAST SIDE OF HER OLDER HOME.

THEY WANT TO CREATE A WALK-OUT BASEMENT.

THEY WANT TO CONTROL THE TREE ROOTS AND THEY'RE WONDERING WHETHER THEY SHOULD REMOVE THE LARGER TREE?

THIS IS IN BENNET.

>> I WOULD GO AHEAD AND TAKE THOSE OUT IF YOU COULD.

WHAT I WOULD DO IS CUT THEM DOWN, DO SOME SORT OF TREATMENT TO ACTUALLY KILL OUT THE PLANT SO IT WON'T GROW BACK FROM THE ROOT.

THAT WOULD BE SOME SORT OF HERBICIDE.

PROBABLY CROSSBOW IS ONE THAT WORKS ON WOODY PLANTS LIKE THAT.

THAT IS ONE THAT YOU WANT TO LOOK AT AND CONTROL AND YOU'RE RIGHT.

THEY ARE HORRIBLE, INVASIVE SPECIES SO GET RID OF IT.

>> THEY WILL CONTINUE TO COME UP.

>> YEP.

>> JOHN, YOU HAVE ONE MORE.

>> THE CUT STEM IS A GOOD WAY.

SO YOU CUT THE STEM, AND THEN BEFORE IT STARTS TO BLEED, SPRAY IT, THEN YOU REMOVE THE TREE AFTER IT HAS A CHANCE TO TRANSLOCATE.

>> EXACTLY.

GOOD, OKAY, SO THIS VIEWER -- ONE PICTURE HERE -- WANTS TO CONTROL EVERYTHING ALONG THE TRACKS HERE.

THIS IS A PRIVATE RAIL LINE AND IT'S OVERGROWN WITH WEEDS AND TREES.

WHAT DO WE DO HERE, SAME THING?

>> IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE THE SAME RECOMMENDATION.

JUST CUT DOWN AND DO THE CUT STEM AND THEN DO THE CROSSBOW TREATMENT ON THAT, AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

THANKS, JOHN.

GOOD GARDENERS KNOW EVERYTHING STARTS WITH GOOD SOIL.

GOOD SOIL STARTS WITH LOTS OF ORGANIC MATTER THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY MAKE IN YOUR BACKYARD WITH COMPOSTING.

HERE IS MARY JANE FROM THE LANCASTER EXTENSION OFFICE TO TELL US HOW IT'S DONE.

S S >> SPRING IS A GREAT TIME TO START A COMPOST PILE OR TO ADD MATERIAL TO YOUR EXISTING COMPOST BINS.

COMPOST IS BENEFICIAL BECAUSE IT REDUCES YARD WASTE IN THE LANDFILL AND IT ADDS ORGANIC MATTER TO YOUR LANDSCAPE BEDS.

THE ITEMS YOU PUT IN A COMPOST BIN INCLUDE LEAVES, GRASS CLIPPINGS, PINE NEEDLES, ORGANIC WASTE FROM THE KITCHEN, LIKE VEGETABLE SCRAPS, ANY TYPE OF COFFEE GROUNDS OR EGG SHELLS.

THINGS YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT IN THE COMPOST IS PET WASTE, MEAT SCRAPS, OR DAIRY PRODUCTS.

WHEN DECIDING WHAT TYPE OF COMPOST SYSTEM YOU HAVE, CHOOSE ONE THAT WOULD WORK BEST FOR YOU.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BIN SYSTEMS THAT ARE ONE, TWO, OR THREE BINS.

WHEN PLACING YOUR BINS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE, IT'S GOOD TO BE NEAR THE GARDEN AND A WATER SOURCE.

TRY NOT TO PLACE IT TOO CLOSE TO THE HOUSE, OR THE NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY LINE.

SO WHEN YOU START YOUR COMPOST BIN, YOU WANT IT TO BE THREE FEET TALL AND THREE FEET WIDE.

YOU WANT TO DO IT IN LAYERS, SO START WITH FOUR TO SIX INCHES OF YOUR HIGH CARBON MATERIAL, WHICH IS ALSO CALLED THE BROWNS.

THOSE WOULD BE LIKE YOUR TREE LEAVES.

THEN YOU WOULD ADD YOUR HIGH NITROGEN, OR THE GREENS, WHICH WOULD BE LIKE YOUR VEGETABLE SCRAPS.

THEN YOU ADD ABOUT AN INCH OF SOIL OR EXISTING COMPOST TO ADD THE MICROORGANISMS TO START THE COMPOSTING PROCESS.

THEN YOU WANT TO ALSO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF MOISTURE OR WATER TO GET IT MOIST.

THEN YOU TURN THAT AND MIX IT TOGETHER.

THEN YOU START THE LAYERING PROCESS OVER UNTIL YOUR BIN IS FULL.

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COMPOSTING METHODS.

THE PASSIVE METHOD IS WHERE YOU CREATE THE COMPOST PILE AND THEN YOU JUST LEAVE IT.

IT WILL TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS TO TWO YEARS FOR IT TO BREAK DOWN AND BE COMPOST.

OR YOU CAN DO AN ACTIVE BIN WHERE YOU ARE TURNING IT EVERY TEN TO 14 DAYS AND YOU WILL HAVE COMPOST IN THREE TO FOUR MONTHS.

COMPOST, WHEN IT'S FINISHED, IS CRUMBLY, BROWN, AND IT HAS AN EARTHY SMELL.

THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS YOU CAN USE COMPOST FOR.

YOU CAN PUT IT IN YOUR VEGETABLE AND FLOWER GARDENS.

YOU WOULD NEED TO ADD ABOUT AN INCH OF YOUR COMPOST TO THE SITE, THEN WORK IT IN THREE INCHES.

COMPOST IS ALSO GREAT FOR RAISED BEDS, CONTAINER GARDENS, OR AFTER YOU AERATE YOUR TURF, YOU CAN BROADCAST THE COMPOST OVER THE TURF AREA TO IMPROVE THE ORGANIC MATTER IN THE SOIL.

>> SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY COMPOST.

YOU'VE PROBABLY GOT ALL THE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED ALREADY TO GET STARTED.

YOU CAN SEE THIS AND MANY OTHER GREAT FEATURES AND PROGRAMS ON THE "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO CHECK IT OUT AFTER THE SHOW.

MAKE SURE YOU HIT SUBSCRIBE AND YOU'LL GET ALL OF OUR COOL INFORMATION.

WE MAKE OUR COMPOST FOR THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, TOO SO THAT IS PRETTY NEAT.

ALL RIGHT.

JODY, THIS IS A PICTURE HERE TAKEN ON THE 20TH OF APRIL, SOUTHEAST LINCOLN.

PLEASE HELP IDENTIFY THIS.

IT APPEARS TO BE A DRAGONFLY.

HE SAYS IT IS A LITTLE EARLY.

>> I MEAN, THEY DO USUALLY COME OUT AROUND THIS TIME.

THIS IS A GREEN DARNER DRAGONFLY.

ONE OF OUR LARGEST.

BEAUTIFUL.

I LOVE DRAGONFLIES.

>> WE APPRECIATE THAT HE TAPED A QUARTER TO THE CEILING OF THE PORCH.

THAT WAS NICE.

ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE A SECOND ONE HERE, ONE PICTURE AND THIS IS A DOUGLAS COUNTY VIEWER.

THE OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOUSE HAS BEEN COVERED WITH THESE LITTLE INSECTS.

WHAT ARE THEY?

DO THEY BITE?

WHEN WILL THEY GO AWAY OR DO THEY NEED TO BE TREATED?

>> OKAY, THESE ARE CALLED NON-BITING MIDGES.

THEY ARE A TYPE OF FLY THAT DOESN'T BITE.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE AQUATIC AS LARVA.

ANYWHERE THERE IS A RIVER, LAKE, POND, MANMADE OR NOT SO WHAT YOU CAN DO IS TURN YOUR PORCH LIGHTS OFF AT NIGHT.

RUN A FAN IF YOU'RE ON A PATIO SO THEY CAN'T COME AROUND YOU.

IF YOU'VE GOT A POND, YOU COULD DUMP IT TO GET RID OF ANY LARVA THAT IS OVERWINTERING OR GET SOME PREDATORY FISH FOR YOUR POND.

>> FOR THE POND.

I WAS GOING TO SAY.

FOR THE PORCH?

>> FOR THE PORCH, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, ROCH, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

HE IS SAYING FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, PART OF HIS LAWN HAS SPOTTY KILL.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

I THINK YOUR NEXT ONE IS A CLOSEUP HERE.

>> YEAH.

I THINK WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THINGS TO GREEN UP AND YOU HAVE DIFFERENT CULTIVARS AND DIFFERENT SPECIES AND THEY JUST GREEN UP AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

THIS SLOW CLIMB THAT WE'VE DONE ON SOIL TEMPS, I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS GOING ON.

I THINK THIS LAWN'S GOING TO BE FINE IN ANOTHER TWO, THREE WEEKS, DEPENDING ON TEMPERATURE.

>> WHAT IS THE SOIL TEMP RIGHT NOW?

>> IT'S IN THE MID-40S IN EASTERN NEBRASKA.

>> SO WE ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE.

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE HERE, THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER, THIS IS AN OLDER NEIGHBORHOOD, MAYBE 1960S.

THEY ARE WONDERING WHY THE TURF IS STRIPED LIKE THIS DOWN THE MIDDLE.

SOME OF THE TURF IS GREEN.

SOME OF THE TURF IS BROWN.

THEY WANT IT TO ALL BE LIKE THE STRIP DOWN THE MIDDLE.

>> I THINK THAT'S BEEN CULTI -- MAYBE THEY PUT IN A DRAIN LINE OR THERE WAS SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL WORK DONE OR THEY PULLED CABLE AND THAT LOOSENS UP THE SOIL SO IT LOOKS LIKE THAT ENTIRE LAWN MIGHT BE ABLE TO LOOK LIKE THAT IF YOU HAD A LITTLE BIT OF AERATION GOING ON.

YOU ALSO NOTICE, THERE'S A LOT GOING ON IN THAT PICTURE.

UP IN BETWEEN THE TWO HOUSES WERE IT WAS PROTECTED, IT WAS VERY GREEN SO IT GOT TEMPERED FROM THE EXTREME COLD AND WIND A LITTLE BIT AND THEN THE HOUSE TO THE RIGHT IN THE PICTURE, IT LOOKED LIKE THEY MAY HAVE PUT SOME SALT OR SOMETHING ON THEIR DRIVEWAY AND THEN IT ROLLED DOWN THE SIDE SO THAT PICTURE HAD A LOT GOING ON.

YOU CAN SEE THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS SOME WASH BUT I THINK THAT CENTER GOT CULTIVATED.

THEY EITHER LAID IN NEW SOD, WHICH IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THEY DID.

BUT THAT EXTRA AERATION IN THE PROFILE MADE THAT TURF GREEN UP AND JUST SURVIVE BETTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AMY, YOU HAVE -- THIS IS A SOUTHWEST OMAHA VIEWER, FOR STARTERS.

THIS IS A RED SUNSET MAPLE, ABOUT 20 YEARS OLD.

HE DID NOT SEND US A PICTURE OF THE WHOLE TREE BUT HE DID SEND US THIS.

TWO INCHES BY SIX INCHES.

BREAK IN THE BARK THAT IS LOOKING A LITTLE BIT SUSPECT IN THERE.

HE WONDERS TREATMENT OR --?

>> MOST LIKELY THIS IS LOOKING LIKE MAYBE IT WAS A FREEZE CRACK BUT IT'S DEFINITELY TURNED INTO A CANKER NOW.

MOST LIKELY FUNGRAL.

THE TRICK WITH THOSE FUNGAL CANKERS IS THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING THEIR WAY IN AND START ROTTING THAT HEARTWOOD.

SO, DEPENDING ON WHERE IT IS ON THAT TREE, SINCE WE DIDN'T SEE THE EXACT LOCATION, WOULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE ON LONG-TERM STABILITY OF THAT TREE.

WE KNOW LONG-TERM THE TREE IS NOT GOING TO SURVIVE AND ALSO MAKE IT MORE SUSCEPTIBLE FOR SEVERE WIND, ICE, AND TO BREAK.

IF IT IS A TREE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY HIT YOUR HOUSE OR YOUR CAR OR YOUR NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE, YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER REMOVAL EVENTUALLY BECAUSE THE INTEGRITY IS GOING TO BE LIMITED.

>> ALL RIGHT THANKS, AMY.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS A -- LET'S SEE.

WHAT IS YOUR NEXT ONE?

OH, IT'S THIS REALLY ODD LOOKING SORT OF -- WHAT IS THAT?

>> SOME TYPE OF EVERGREEN?

>> THIS IS THE DWARF ALBERTA SPRUCE.

>> IT WAS AN EVERGREEN AT ONE TIME.

>> HE THOUGHT IT WAS A MINIATURE PINE TREE.

YEAH, IT'S DWARF ALBERTA SPRUCE.

THEY ARE WONDERING WHAT THIS COULD BE.

IS THIS CANKER, IS THIS TREE LONG FOR THE WORLD?

>> WE WILL USE LOREN'S FAVORITE TERM.

PRUNE AT GROUND LEVEL.

MOST LIKELY IT'S A COMBINATION.

IT COULD HAVE CANKER BUT A LOT OF WINTER DESICCATION MOST LIKELY, JUST BY THE LOOKS OF IT.

WHERE IT IS MORE SEVERE, I WOULD SUSPECT THAT IS PROBABLY A SOUTH SIDE, WIND DAMAGE-TYPE STUFF.

PRUNE IT GROUND LEVEL AND START OVER.

>> OR A GIANT DOG OR SPIDER MITES.

>> YEAH.

>> ANY OF THOSE.

>> IT IS NOT COMING BACK.

>> OKAY, JOHN, YOU ARE ALSO ON THE DEAD EVERGREEN LIST BECAUSE YOUR FIRST PICTURE HERE IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY HOPE FOR THIS FAIRLY NEW EVERGREEN TREE.

>> THERE IS HOPE FOR THIS TREE IN A SECOND CAREER AS A TUMBLEWEED.

THIS IS AN "EVERBROWN," NOT AN EVERGREEN ANYMORE.

THE WAY THAT EVERGREENS FUNCTION, ONCE ALL THE PART OF THE BRANCH TURNS BROWN, IT IS DEAD.

IT WILL NEVER COME BACK SO THIS IS NEVER COMING BACK.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND YOUR SECOND HERE, THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER.

IT'S A LITTLE BLURRY, HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE TREE IS BUT DOES SAY IT HASN'T GROWN SINCE IT WAS PLANTED TWO TO THREE YEARS AGO.

HE WANTS TO CUT IT DOWN BECAUSE HE THINKS IT IS UGLY.

>> GO RIGHT AHEAD AND CUT IT DOWN BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, CUT IT OUT.

DON'T KEEP A PLANT THAT YOU DON'T LIKE, SO THERE YOU GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO ALWAYS, OF COURSE, WE HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF WAY COOL FUN THINGS IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

OUR FIRST ONE HERE IS GREENHOUSE DAYS, WHICH IS HARMONY NURSERY AND DAYLILY FARM, APRIL 18-30, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 9 TO 5:30, SATURDAY 9 TO 3:00.

OUR SECOND ONE IS ON THE SCREEN, WHICH IS SPRING AFFAIR PLANT SALE APRIL 29-30, LANCASTER COUNTY EVENT CENTER.

THAT IS ALWAYS A GOOD, FUN EVENT FOR EVERYBODY.

WE HAVE "DIGGING DEEPER" COMING UP, SO THIS IS "DIGGING DEEPER WITH BACKYARD FARMER."

YOU CAN WATCH THIS ON FACEBOOK.

THERE IS A BRAND-NEW SEGMENT COMING NEXT THURSDAY AND THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED ON "BACKYARD FARMER" AND NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

THAT SEGMENT WILL ACTUALLY BE ON AVIAN FLU, SO ANYBODY WHO ENJOYS THEIR BACKYARD CHICKEN FLOCK WOULD BE WISE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS ONE BECAUSE IT IS AN ISSUE.

ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE FINAL QUESTION AND THAT'S COMING TO YOU, JODY, SINCE YOU ARE FIRST IN LINE.

THAT WOULD BE CARPENTER BEES, NOT CARPENTER ANTS.

ANY CONTROL THAT CAN HAPPEN NOW, IF PEOPLE HAD THEM LAST YEAR?

OR WHAT DO THEY DO ABOUT CARPENTER BEE DAMAGE OR ISSUES?

>> YEAH, THAT ONE IS HARD.

BECAUSE -- WELL, WHEREVER THEY WERE NESTING, THEY ARE GOING TO EMERGE OUT OF THERE.

THEY TEND TO NEST IN THE SAME PLACES AS THE REST OF THEIR FAMILY.

>> SO START OVER, OR FIND THE PLACE AND BE DONE WITH IT.

>> RIGHT.

YOU'D HAVE TO -- YOU CAN TREAT EACH INDIVIDUAL HOLE.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHTY.

THANKS.

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

WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE SUBMITTED TONIGHT FROM THE AUDIENCE, OF COURSE.

THANKS TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT AND COLORFUL SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING, WE HAD MASTER GARDENERS CAROL RUSTAD, LYNDA HELTON AND EXTENSION EDUCATOR, TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'LL BE GETTING OUT THE PRUNING SHEERS AGAIN TO GET THOSE HYDRANGEAS PRUNED FOR THE SEASON.

WE'LL SHOW YOU WHICH ONES NEED IT NOW, WHICH ONES TO LEAVE ALONE, AND HOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT CUT.

GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

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

S S CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY: CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC WWW.CAPTIONSOLUTIONS.COM CELEBRATING 70 YEARS