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

A CO-PRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER", WE'LL CHECK OUT A NEW RETAINING WALL AT THE GARDEN AND HEAR WHY USING MULCH IS SO IMPORTANT IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP NEXT, RIGHT HERE ON "Backyard Farmer"!

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "Backyard Farmer"!

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

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU NEED HELP WITH IN YOUR GARDEN, GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-676-5446, AND OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE GLAD TO HELP YOU.

WE ALSO ACCEPT YOUR QUESTIONS AND PICTURES VIA E-MAIL FOR A FUTURE SHOW, THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE AND AS MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR QUESTION AS YOU CAN GIVE US.

AFTER THE SHOW WE'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO SEE PAST PROGRAMS AND FEATURES AS WELL AS HIT THE LIKE BUTTON ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

SO LET'S GET STARTED WITH A FEW SAMPLES.

AND YOU HAVE ONE, KATE, THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT.

>> YEAH.

THEY SEEM VERY COMMON THIS YEAR.

I BROUGHT WITH ME SOME EUROPEAN EAR WIGS.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THEY'RE REALLY COMMON.

SOMETIMES YOU FIND THEM IN YOUR HOUSE.

SOMETIMES YOU FIND THEM IN THE GARDEN.

I'VE SEEN A LOT IN THE GARDEN.

DESPITE THEIR NAME, EAR WIG, THEY DO NOT GO INTO EARS AND THEY DO NOT TUNNEL INTO BRAINS.

I HAVE HEARD THAT.

BUT THEY LOOK INTIMIDATING.

THEY HAVE THESE LARGE PINSCHERS.

AND THE MALES HAVE LARGER ONES THAT USE THESE FOR MATING AND DEFENSE.

90% OF THE TIME THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE IN THE LANDSCAPE.

AND THEN THE OTHER 10% OF THE TIME THEY WILL EAT PLANTS AND CAUSE DAMAGE, PARTICULARLY IN VEGETABLE GARDENS.

SO IF YOU DO NOTICE A LOT OF EAR WIGS IN THE GARDEN AND YOU DO NOTICE A LOT OF DAMAGE, THERE IS SOME REALLY SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO.

THEY LIKE COOL DARK PLACES, SO TRAPPING THEM WORKS WELL.

YOU CAN USE A BOARD OR ROLLED UP NEWSPAPER.

CHECK THAT IN THE MORNING.

PUT THEM IN SOAPY WATER.

OTHERWISE, GET EITHER A CAN OF TUNA OR A SHALLOW DISH THAT YOU CAN LEVEL WITH THE SOIL.

PUT OIL IN THAT AND THEY'RE ATTRACTED TO THAT GREASY OIL AND THEY WILL GO IN THERE AND YOU HAVE TRAPPED SOME EAR WIGS.

>> THANKS, KATE.

DENNIS, WELCOME BACK FROM SNAKE COUNTRY.

>> THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS SNAKE COUNTRY.

YEAH.

SO I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT BATS.

WE ALWAYS SAY LET THEM FLY UNTIL JULY.

WELL, IT IS JULY.

SO NOW THE YOUNG AND THE MATERNITY WARD ARE READY TO GO OUT.

NOW YOU CAN EXCLUDE THEM AND YOU CAN PATCH UP THOSE HOLES SO THEY CAN'T COME BACK.

THERE IS SEVERAL WAYS YOU CAN EXCLUDE THEM.

IF YOUR CRACK IS IN THE CORNER, YOU CAN USE THIS EXCLUDER.

IF IT IS A SMALL CRACK, YOU CAN USE THIS.

THEY WILL GO OUT BUT THEY CAN'T COME BACK IN AND THEN YOU CAN FILL THAT BACK UP.

WE ALSO HAVE, IF YOU HAVE A BIG CRACK, YOU CAN JUST GET BIRD NETTING AND WEIGHTS ON THE BOTTOM OF IT.

SAY THEY WERE COMING OUT OF THIS CRACK RIGHT HERE, THEN THEY WOULD COME OUT.

THEY FLY AROUND.

THEY TRY TO COME BACK.

THEY WILL TRY TO HIT THIS.

AND THEN THEY CAN'T GET IN BECAUSE OF THIS NETTING AND THEY WILL GO ELSEWHERE.

SO AS OF JULY, AND YOU PROBABLY SHOULD GET IT DONE BEFORE OCTOBER WHEN THEY GO TO HIBERNATE, THIS IS A TIME TO PUT YOUR ONE-WAY DOORS ON, HAVE THE BATS FIND A NEW PLACE, AND THEN EXCLUDE THEM.

AND, REMEMBER, THEY CAN'T CHEW THROUGH HARDLY ANYTHING.

SO ANY CAULKING IN THOSE HOLES WILL KEEP THEM OUT.

>> PERFECT.

THANK YOU.

DENNIS, SO WE HAVE A GUEST TURF PATHOLOGIST.

>> I BROUGHT SOME TURF GRASS.

IT IS JULY IN NEBRASKA.

IF YOU HAVE TALL FESCUE IN YOUR YARD, YOU ARE PROBABLY NOTICING SOME BROWNING OF THE LEAVES.

AND IF YOU LOOK REALLY CLOSE, GET DOWN ON YOUR HANDS AND KNEES, YOU WILL SEE THESE IRREGULAR SPOTS, TAN LESIONS IF YOU WILL.

THEY'RE IRREGULAR SHAPED AND OFTEN SURROUNDED WITH A BROWN OR A PURPLISH COLOR MARGIN.

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT THERE IN THE LAWNS, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF RUST STARTING.

BUT BROWN PATCH PRETTY COMMON RIGHT NOW.

>> AND WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO ABOUT IT?

>> YEAH.

SO RIGHT NOW I REALLY DON'T RECOMMEND SPRAYING.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

HOPEFULLY YOUR YARD HAS GOT SOME BLUEGRASS IN THERE MIXED IN AND YOU CAN WEATHER IT IF YOU DON'T MIND A LITTLE BIT OF BROWN.

>> PERFECT.

THANKS, MIKE.

ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, SO I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT.

>> SURE.

I THOUGHT I WOULD TALK TONIGHT ABOUT WHAT'S BLOOMING ON THE ROADSIDE.

THIS BIRD'S FOOT TURF OIL.

IT IS NOT A NATIVE PLANT.

IT IS ACTUALLY INTRODUCED FROM EUROPE.

IT WAS BROUGHT IN TO HELP WITH EROSION CONTROL.

IT IS ALSO CAN BE GROWN AS A FORAGE, ESPECIALLY IN POOR SOIL.

IT CAN WORK -- IT CAN HAVE MORE FORAGE VALUE IN POOR SOIL THAN ALFALFA DOES.

WE SEE THIS ALONG THE INTERSTATES, ALONG THE COUNTRY ROADS.

IT DOES TOLERATE MOWING AND GROWS INTO A FLAT MATT OF FOLIAGE WITH ALL THE YELLOW FLOWERS ON IT.

IT IS A BEAN TYPE OF PLANT, AND IT IS NITROGEN FIXING IN THE SOIL.

YOU WILL FIND THESE CUTE BROWN BEAN PODS LIKE THIS THAT TELL YOU THAT IT IS IN THE BEAN FAMILY.

SO IT ALSO HAS SOME VALUE FOR POLLINATORS, TOO.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY PRETTY.

I LOVE IT ALL OVER EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW.

THANKS FOR BRINGING THAT.

KATE, YOU GET THE FIRST ROUND OF PICTURE QUESTIONS.

YOUR FIRST ONE HERE, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES.

AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ONE BEFORE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THEY HAVE NEW BUTTON BUSHES PLANTED LAST SEPTEMBER.

THEY FOUND BUMPS ON THE LEAVES.

WHAT IS IT?

IS IT TREATMENT?

OR DO THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE SHRUBS.

THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL.

>> YEAH.

THERE IS NOT A LOT OF LITERATURE ON THEM.

BUT BUTTON BUSH, THESE ARE CAUSED BY AERIAL MITES.

AS YOU KNOW, THEY FORM WHEN SOMETHING FEEDS ON THE PLANT AND PRETTY MUCH THE PLANT OVERREACTS AND FORMS THIS TISSUE AROUND THE MITES IN THIS CASE.

AS WITH ALL GALLS IT IS MOSTLY COSMETIC.

NOT GOING TO HARM THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THIS PLANT.

IF IT BECOMES AN ISSUE, YOU CAN REMOVE THE HEAVILY INVESTED LEAVES.

IF IT GETS REALLY BAD, YOU CAN CUT THAT BUTTON BUSH IN THE SPRING AND START FROM SCRATCH THERE.

>> SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO DO THAT ANYWAY BECAUSE THEY DON'T NECESSARILY LIKE OUR WINTERS.

PERFECT.

KATE, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN, NEBRASKA VIEWER MAGNOLIA.

SO JUST STARTING OFF OVERALL THE MAGNOLIA TREE DOESN'T LOOK THE BEST.

AND IT COULD -- PART OF IT COULD BE DUE TO THESE ARE MAGNOLIA SCALES.

SO SCALE INSECTS SUCK THE SAP OF THE TREE AND MAGNOLIA SCALES IN PARTICULAR CAN BE DIFFICULT TO MANAGE.

USUALLY WE RECOMMEND CONTACTING AN ARBORIST.

IT MIGHT BE TIME TO TAKE IT OUT, BUT IF YOU HAVE A TREE YOU NEED TO MANAGE IT, TIMING IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO TARGET THOSE CRAWLER STAGES.

SO WHEN THEY FIRST COME OUT, WHEN THEY'RE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO INSECTICIDES.

CHECK FOR THOSE CRAWLERS.

YOU CAN ALSO PRUNE OUT HEAVILY INFESTED BRANCHES AND YOU MIGHT NEED TO CONTACT AN ARBORIST TO CONSIDER A SYSTEMIC.

>> THIS IS JUST CURIOSITY.

HE THINKS IT IS AN EASTERN IDE CLICK BEETLE.

THIS IS FROM COLUMBUS.

>> THIS IS AN EASTERN IDE CLICK BEETLE.

WE DO SEE THESE IN NEBRASKA.

THEY'RE NOT THE MOST COMMON HERE BECAUSE, OF COURSE, AS YOU GO FURTHER EAST, THE MORE COMMON THEY ARE.

BUT I DO BELIEVE I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE FIND THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE PANHANDLE.

THAT'S PROBABLY ABOUT AS WEST AS THEY GET.

THEY'RE REALLY BEAUTIFUL.

>> AND WHERE DOES THE CLICK COME FROM?

>> SO THEY'RE CALLED CLICK BEETLES BECAUSE WHEN THEY'RE ON THEIR BACK THEY HAVE THIS CLICKING MECHANISM THAT MAKES AN AUDIBLE SOUND AND FLIPS THEM UPRIGHT.

>> FUN.

OKAY, DENNIS, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM NORFOLK.

THIS VIEWER HAS MULTIPLE NEW ASPEN TREES, AND TWO OF THEM HAVE DIED ALREADY.

AND THE ONES FURTHEST FROM THE HOUSE HAVE ALL OF THESE SPOTS ABOVE THE MESH.

AND HE'S WONDERING WHAT CREATURE IS ATTACKING THEM AND WHAT DOES HE DO ABOUT IT.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE PROBABLY A RABBIT.

AND IT WAS DONE WHEN THERE WAS SNOW COVER.

THAT'S HOW IT GOT ABOVE THAT MESH.

LOOKING AT THOSE INJURIES, THEY LOOK LIKE THEY OCCURRED DURING THE WINTER.

AND IT DEFINITELY LOOKS LIKE RABBIT CHEWING.

SO WHAT YOU CAN DO IS PUT MORE PROTECTION, HIGHER PROTECTION.

YOU GOT TO REMEMBER, NO, THEY CAN'T REACH OVER TWO FOOT, BUT IF YOU HAVE SNOW COVER, THEY CAN GO UP TO FOUR FOOT IN THE SNOW, SO BETTER PROTECTION.

>> OKAY.

HOW ABOUT THE FLAT BRANCH?

IS THAT ALSO A RABBIT?

>> NO.

IT'S TOO SMALL FOR A SQUIRREL TO CLIMB UP THAT AND DO THAT.

AND ACTUALLY NO SCRATCH MARKS, SO I'M GOING WITH RABBIT.

COTTON TAIL, NOT JACK.

>> PETER COTTON TAIL.

>> I DON'T KNOW HIS NAME.

I DIDN'T CHECK THAT.

>> OKAY.

YOUR NEXT ONE, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES, DENNIS.

EXCUSE ME.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS WEEPING MULBERRY AND IT ONLY PARTIAL I LEAFED OUT.

HE WONDERS IF SQUIRRELS CHEWING ON THE BRANCH COULD HAVE DONE THIS DAMAGE.

HE INCLUDED PICTURES.

ALTHOUGH, HE SAYS THERE IS MORE UNDER THE CANOPY THERE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> FOX OR SQUIRRELS.

I WOULD BE WEEPING OVER THAT MULBERRY, TOO.

ONCE THE SQUIRRELS CHEW THAT DONE, GET THAT SUGAR OUT, THEY DO THAT IN THE WINTER.

IF THEY GO MORE THAN THREE-QUARTERS OF THE WAY AROUND THE BRANCH, IT'S A GONER.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S TOO BAD.

>> THAT'S FOX SQUIRRELS, FOR SURE.

>> THEY'RE GORGEOUS.

ALL RIGHT, DENNIS.

OKAY, MIKE.

YOU HAVE ONE FOR THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A SPOT BETWEEN THE CURB AND THE SIDEWALK IN LINCOLN.

SUDDENLY WHEN THE WEATHER GOT HOT THESE SPOTS STARTED GROWING.

WHAT IS IT?

THIS HAPPENS EVERY YEAR AND THIS IS SEVERAL LINCOLN VIEWERS.

>> SO THAT'S DOLLAR SPOT.

THAT'S MY GUESS.

AND THE SPOTS ARE, AS THE NAME SIGNIFIES, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR, IF YOU WILL.

AND USUALLY THAT HITS ONCE THE TEMPERATURES WARM UP TO, SAY, 65 AND IT REALLY IS ACTIVE THROUGH 85, 86 DEGREES.

IT TENDS TO BE A PROBLEM ON TURF THAT IS UNDER FERTILIZED, BUT IT IS A COMMON DISEASE AND THEN THE SPOTS COALESCE.

THEN YOU END UP WITH A PROBLEM THERE.

AGAIN, IF IT IS A LARGE AREA, YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A FUNGICIDE APPLICATION.

IF YOU HAVE ANY TALL FESCUE IN THERE, A BROWN PATCH COMES IN.

ALWAYS SOMETHING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS IN SOUTH BEND.

THE SPOT WAS DECENT GRASS FOR YEARS.

HE DOES SAY IT WENT DORMANT EARLY IN THE FALL AND THEN TOOK A REALLY LONG TIME TO GREEN UP.

NEVER REALLY SPREAD INTO THE EXISTING LAWN, BUT THIS YEAR IT LOOKS LIKE THIS.

HE'S WONDERING IF IT IS A TO BE TREATED OR JUST START OVER?

>> YEAH.

IT'S -- AT THIS POINT, I WOULD DEFINITELY BE INVESTIGATING MAYBE WHAT'S UNDERNEATH THAT TURF.

THERE ARE SOME WEEDS IN THERE.

I SEE SOME NUTS EDGE.

AND ALWAYS TAKE A LOOK AT THE ENVIRONMENT TO START WITH.

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THERE IS SHADE IN THIS PART, BUT YOU DON'T SEE THE WHOLE YARD.

IF THERE WAS A GOOD TURF COVER THERE LAST YEAR, SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A TREE THERE A WHILE AGO AND THE ACTUAL, AS THE ROOTS DECAY, THE -- THE SOIL BECOMES HYDRO PHOBIC, A FANCY WORD THAT IT JUST WON'T ABSORB WATER.

GIVEN THE WINTER WE HAD AND THE LACK OF SLOW COVER AND THE SLOW GREEN UP, MY GUESS IS THERE COULD BE SOMETHING GOING ON IN THAT SOIL AND JUST KIND OF TILL IT UP AND RESEED, BUT DON'T DO IT UNTIL THE FALL.

>> THIS IS A FREMONT VIEWER.

HIS GRASS STARTS DOING THIS.

IT IS AN OLD BLUEGRASS LAWN.

>> AN OLD BLUEGRASS LAWN.

GOOD GOLLY.

THAT'S A TIGHT PICTURE.

I WOULD SAY IF THAT'S BLUEGRASS, I'M GOING TO HEDGE ON THIS ONE QUITE A BIT TO SEE THE SAMPLE.

COULD BE A FOLIAGE DISEASE LIKE A -- ALMOST LOOKS LIKE BROWN PATCH.

BUT AN OLD BLUEGRASS LAWN, I'M SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF RUST ON KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS.

THAT, TOO, IS CONNECTED BACK TO FERTILITY.

AND THEN WITH THE CHANGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, MAYBE WE'RE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF THAT.

>> OKAY.

AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

AND THIS IS ACTUALLY A VIEWER FROM SPIRIT LAKE, IOWA.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS GRASS IS AND IS THERE A CHEMICAL THAT WILL KILL IT BUT NOT HARM THE OTHER GRASS.

CAN YOU SPRAY IT IN THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER?

>> YEAH.

SO IF WE CAN GO BACK, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, DIFFICULT TO TELL UNTIL IT SEEDS OUT.

SEEDS HEAD OUT.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A FOXTAIL, MAYBE YELLOW FOXTAIL.

THE SEED HEAD LOOKS LIKE A FOX'S TAIL WHEN IT GETS A LITTLE BIT THERE.

THERE IS A CHEMICAL THAT YOU CAN USE, TENACITY.

BUT USUALLY BETWEEN 65 AND 85 DEGREES IS THE TYPICAL SPRAYING TEMPERATURE.

IF YOU GO WHEN IT'S WARMER THAN THAT, YOU RUN THE RISK OF HURTING THE GRASS THAT YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN KILLING.

IN THIS CASE, THE KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, MIKE.

SARA, THIS IS A VIEWER WHO IS IN CARNEY.

THESE ARE AUTUMN BLAZE MAPLES.

SHE'S WONDERING IF THEY'RE DOOMED BECAUSE THEY HAVE GROWN A LOT.

THE BARK HAS FALLEN OUT.

ROOTS ARE COMING UP ABOVE THE GROUND.

AND THEN THEY'RE DOING THIS SPROUTING FROM THE BASE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HERE?

>> WELL, THERE IS A PRETTY LARGE WOUNDED AREA ON THAT TRUNK.

AND WE ONLY KIND OF SAW IT FROM A SIDE VIEW.

BUT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MUCH OF THAT BARK IS ACTUALLY DEAD ON THAT TREE.

IT WOULD ALSO BE GOOD TO SEE HOW MUCH BRANCH DIE BACK THERE IS IN THE CANOPY ABOVE.

BUT USUALLY WHEN A TREE SENDS UP SUCKERS LIKE THAT IT IS OFTEN A SIGN OF STRESS.

SO I CAN'T BE REAL DEFINITIVE WITH THE LIMITED INFORMATION FROM THESE PICTURES.

BUT I WOULD SAY GOOD CARE.

MAKE SURE IT STAYS WATERED.

MAKE SURE IT IS MULCHED FOR AN AREA AROUND THE BASE.

AND THAT'S THE BEST YOU CAN DO TO TRY TO KEEP THIS TREE GOING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE, SARA.

THIS IS A SYCAMORE.

SHE SENT MORE PICTURES BUT THESE ARE THE TWO THAT TELL THE TALE.

IT WAS FINE UNTIL LAST WEEK.

BUT APPARENTLY WHEN THEY BOUGHT IT, THE TOP HAD BEEN CUTOFF.

>> THERE ARE SOME BRANCHES STILL ALIVE.

BUT EVEN THOSE BRANCHES HAVE SPARSE FOLIAGE.

SO I WOULD LOOK AT THE JUNCTION BETWEEN THE DEAD TOP PART AND THE BASE OR AND THE LIVING TISSUE TO SEE IF THERE IS A CANKER THERE OR SOME KIND OF PHYSICAL DAMAGE.

IS IT A GONER?

IT'S HARD TO TELL.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS VERY, VERY STRESSED AND NOT DOING WELL.

SO WE WILL EITHER NEED TO CHANGE THE CARE OR YOU MAY LOSE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO MORE PICTURES, SARA.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LEXINGTON.

THIS IS A WALNUT AND HE WONDERS WHAT IS CAUSING THIS YELLOWING.

THEY HAVE AERIAL SPRAYING IN THE AREA, BUT IT'S ALSO BEEN EXTREMELY DRY AND WINDY IN THAT PART OF THE STATE.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THIS IS SOME TYPE OF HERBICIDE DAMAGE.

WHERE YOU SEE THE DAMAGE IS SO DIRECTIONAL ON ONE SIDE OF THE TREE, I THINK DRIFT COMING FROM THAT DIRECTION HAS PROBABLY AFFECTED THIS FOLIAGE.

ALTHOUGH, THE DAMAGE ON THE FOLIAGE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE TRADITIONAL TYPE OF DAMAGE WE WOULD SEE WITH A GROWTH REGULATOR HERBICIDE LIKE 240 OR DICAMBA.

BUT I THINK MOST LIKELY THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENED.

IF SOME OF THE FOLIAGE DIES, THE HOPE IS THAT THE BUDS ON THOSE BRANCHES ARE STILL ALIVE.

AND THEY WILL SEND OUT SOME NEW GROWTH.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE THIS TREE WILL PROBABLY RECOVER FROM THIS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, SARA.

WE'VE MADE SOME ADDITIONS TO OUR GARDEN OVER THE YEARS INCLUDING EXPANSION AND A RAIN CHAIN.

AFTER DEALING WITH SOME EROSION PROBLEMS AFTER HEAVY RAINS, AND NEEDING TO ADD A GARDEN THAT PROVIDES MORE FOOD, WE DECIDED TO INSTALL A RETAINING WALL TO HELP KEEP THINGS IN PLACE.

FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE, WE'LL SHOW YOU HOW WE DID IT AND WHY IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

>> YOU MAY HAVE A REALLY GOOD REASON FOR BUILDING A RETAINING WALL IN YOUR HOME LANDSCAPE.

IF YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES BEFORE YOU REALLY GET STARTED WITH THAT.

FIRST OFF, WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

ARE YOU LEVELING SOME SOIL LIKE OUR RETAINING WALL HERE FOR OUR GARDEN SO THAT IT IS EASIER TO WORK IN AND FLATTER?

ARE YOU TRYING TO CONTROL EROSION?

DO YOU HAVE A STEEP SLOPE THAT YOU JUST CAN'T GET DOWN?

DO YOU WANT TO CREATE TERRACES?

THINK ABOUT ALL THOSE FIRST BEFORE YOU GO OFF AND DECIDE WHAT KIND OF MATERIALS YOU WANT TO USE ON IT.

WE CHOSE BLOCK ON THIS ONE BECAUSE IT MATCHES WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

IT IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE TO WORK WITH BECAUSE THE BLOCKS THEMSELVES HAVE THE ACTUAL SETBACK THAT IS REQUIRED FROM COURSE TO COURSE SO THAT THE WALL SLANTS LIKE THIS RATHER THAN BEING VERTICAL.

HUGE, HUGE ISSUE WITH RETAINING WALLS IS HOW YOU GET THAT BASE IN THE GROUND.

AND IF YOU'RE DOING A DRY STACK WALL LIKE THIS OR LIKE THE ONES THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE NATURAL, THE STONE WALLS, THE BOULDER WALLS, YOU STILL NEED THAT BASE TO BE ABLE TO GET THOSE STONES OR THOSE MATERIALS SET WELL BEFORE YOU START BUILDING UP.

AND IN THIS CASE, WE USED A SERIES OF AGGREGATES.

THE BLOCK THAT IS ACTUALLY BURIED AT THE BOTTOM IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF BLOCK THAT IS A LITTLE EASIER TO WORK WITH, SUPPORTS THAT WALL ABOVE IT.

THE OTHER THING TO REALLY THINK ABOUT IS HOW HIGH ARE YOU GOING?

BECAUSE BY CODE AND CERTAINLY SAFETY EVEN IF THERE WASN'T A CODE, IF YOU GO HIGH, THEN YOU REALLY NEED AN ENGINEER.

YOU NEED A LOT OF DIFFERENT SORTS OF DESIGN ISSUES AND THEN CONSTRUCTION TO BE ABLE TO KEEP IT FROM FAILING.

ANOTHER ONE IS THE DRAINAGE BEHIND THE WALL.

AND IN THIS CASE WE DID NOT PUT DRAIN TILE BEHIND BECAUSE WE DIDN'T NEED IT, BUT YOU WOULD IDEALLY OR IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU KNOW THAT WATER IS AN ISSUE, YOU WANT TO DO SOME TILE BEHIND THE WALL, LET THAT PRESSURE OF THE WATER BEHIND IT WHEN WE GET A RAIN COME THROUGH THE WALL SO YOU DON'T HAVE THAT EXPANDING, CONTRACTING SOIL, THE WEIGHT OF THE WATER PUSHING THAT WALL FORWARD AND MAKING THAT WALL FAIL.

SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED THAN JUST GOING OFF AND BUYING THE MATERIALS AND STARTING TO STACK.

AND AS YOU WILL NOTICE ON THIS ONE, THIS IS -- AND THIS IS TYPICAL OF RETAINING WALLS.

AT SOME POINT, THEY COME TO ZERO SO THAT YOU'RE NOT BUILDING A BOX, A SQUARE BOX WHICH WOULD REALLY BE JUST A RAISED BED.

YOU GO TO ZERO, AND THAT MEANS YOU ARE GOING TO BE DOING SOME LEVELING.

SO KEEP THOSE ELEMENTS IN MIND.

ALSO THEN THINK ABOUT THE BACK FILL AND THE AGGREGATE AND THOSE KINDS OF MATERIALS SO THAT YOUR SOIL BEHIND AND IN FRONT OF THAT WALL IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY EVEN PLANT ANYTHING IN BECAUSE IT'S SUCH CRUMMY SOIL.

IT'S REALLY HELPED OUR PRODUCTION GARDEN AND KEPT THE SOIL FROM RUNNING DOWN THE SLOPE AFTER A BIG RAIN.

ALL RIGHT, KATE.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES FROM OUR LITTLE SIX-YEAR-OLD IN WAYNE, NEBRASKA.

AND THESE GUYS ARE MUNCHING ON THE HOSTAS.

A LOT OF DAMAGE FAST.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> THESE ARE BLISTER BEETLES.

THESE ARE ONE OF THE LOOK DON'T TOUCH INSECTS.

THEY PRODUCE A TOXIN.

IF YOU GET IT ON YOUR SKIN, IT CAN CAUSE BLISTERS, AND IT IS ALSO TOXIC IF INJECTED.

THAT'S AN ISSUE WITH HORSES AND CATTLE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

ON TOP OF ALL THAT, THESE PARTICULAR KINDS LIKE TO EAT AND DAMAGE PLANTS.

AS FAR AS CONTROL, WITH A LOT OF BEETLES, YOU CAN HAND PICK THEM UP AND PUT THEM IN SOAPY WATER.

WEAR GLOVES.

SOME SORT OF PROTECTION AGAINST THAT CHEMICAL.

THEN YOU CAN TRY OTHER THINGS LIKE CARBARIL AND SOME OTHER OPTIONS FOR THESE TWO.

>> KATE, THANKS.

FOUND THIS CRITTER ON A WOOD CHIP PILE AND WONDERS GOOD OR BAD.

HE SAID IT'S ACTIVE.

IT FLIPS.

IT CURLS.

HAS A COLORFUL PATTERN AND IS VERY MEAN.

>> THE FIRST PICTURE WAS UPSIDE DOWN.

THIS IS ACTUALLY THE SECOND PICTURE IS THE PICTURE OF ITS BACK END.

IT IS NOT ITS FACE, SO IT HAS A MEAN BACK END.

AND I -- I'M 99% SURE IT IS A TYPE OF MOTH, A TYPE OF UNDERWING MOTH.

FROM THESE PICTURES, THAT'S ABOUT AS MUCH AS I CAN TELL YOU.

EITHER WAY, IT IS PROBABLY NOT A FOE.

>> THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER AND WONDERS IF THIS IS A CATERPILLAR.

>> YES.

THEY WILL FEED ON VIOLETS.

BUT WE CAN ALSO FIND THEM ON LAMB'S EAR.

THEY HAVE REALLY COOL.

THEY'RE REALLY PRETTY.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THOSE.

>> THANK YOU, KATE.

DENNIS, YOU'RE GOING TO BE SO HAPPY.

THIS IS COLUMBUS.

WHAT KIND OF SNAKE IS THIS?

>> THAT'S A BULL SNAKE.

EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL AND 100% HARMLESS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS, I LIVE IN BELL VIEW, AND THIS WAS A SNAKE UNDERNEATH THE PINES.

>> THAT'S A BROWN SNAKE.

SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE'S PREGNANT.

THEY HAVE LIVE BIRTH.

THEY DON'T GET BIGGER THAN 12 TO 15 INCHES.

THAT COLORATION IS NOT AVERAGE.

PLEASE CALL ME.

THAT'S A GENETIC ABERRATION.

USUALLY THEY'RE BROWN.

>> AND YOU WANT HER?

>> I JUST WANT TO GET SOME PICTURES OF HER.

SHE CAN BE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE MORE HERE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY FROM OMAHA, SENT MIDTOWN.

SHE KNOWS IT IS NOT MUCH TO GO ON, BUT SHE SEES THIS TRAIL FROM TREE TO TREE.

SHE WONDERS IS THIS A SQUIRREL, AN OPOSSUM.

>> LIKELY A SQUIRREL IF IT'S GOING TREE TO TREE.

>> EVEN THAT MUCH IN THE GRASS?

>> YEAH.

THEY LIKE TO FOLLOW EACH OTHER, ESPECIALLY YOUNG ONES.

LITTLE FEET.

>> MIKE, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES.

NO TURF INVOLVED, BUT THIS IS GREEN BEANS.

SHE'S A GOOD GARDENER IN AURORA.

WONDERS HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET RID OF THE PROBLEM, AND SHE HAS OTHER ONES THAT ARE MORE RESISTANT.

>> THIS IS A LITTLE TRICKY.

I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS HALO LIGHT, BUT AS I LOOKED AT THE PICTURES AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LEAF, THAT ONE UP THERE, ABOUT 10:00, LOOKS LIKE HALO BLIGHT.

BUT I'M NOT QUITE SURE, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

BEANS ARE ALSO WITH OVERHEAD WATERING AND THE TEMPERATURE THAT WE HAD, IF YOU GET A SPOT OF WATER, IF THERE IS OVERHEAD WATERING, I WOULD STOP IT.

ESPECIALLY IF SOME OF THE BEANS ARE HEALTHY LOOKING AND SOME ARE LOOKING LIKE THIS.

THIS WAS A LITTLE TRICKY.

I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE HAD A SAMPLE AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE HERE THAT IS A CARNEY VIEWER.

POTATOES WITH HOLE IN THEM OR HOLES IN POTATOES.

>> YEAH.

THIS LOOKS LIKE POTATO SCAB TO ME, MAYBE WITH SOME INSECT FEEDING ON THERE AS WELL.

KATE IS SHAKING HER HEAD YES, SO THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO GO WITH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FARAH, YOU HAVE A VIEWER FROM NORFOLK WITH A 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLD RASPBERRY BED, AND SHE'S WONDERING WHY THEY'RE SO DINKY THIS YEAR.

>> SO THERE IS A COUPLE THINGS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS.

DROUGHT COULD CAUSE IT.

WHEN THE FLOWERS WERE SETTING AND FORMING.

AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE SOME ABORTED FLOWERS THERE, TOO.

THE PLANTS COULD HAVE GOTTEN TOO DRY.

ALSO IF CONDITIONS WERE HOT AND DRY DURING A TIME WHEN THE FLOWERS WERE POLLINATING.

HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR, YOU SHOULDN'T SEE IT AGAIN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, SARA.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES FOR THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS VIEWER SAW THESE ROSES.

SHE'S WANTING TO KNOW WHAT VARIETY THEY ARE AND WOULD THEY BE SUITABLE BECAUSE SHE'S NEVER SEEN ROSES WHERE THEY FLOWER IN CLUSTERS LIKE THIS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT VARIETY THEY ARE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY ROSE VARIETIES OUT THERE.

IT IS PRETTY IMPOSSIBLE.

IT IS LIKELY, IF THESE ARE A NEWER PLANTING THAT THEY ARE SOME TYPE OF SHRUB ROSE, AND THERE ARE LOTS OF ATTRACTING SHRUB ROSES THAT ARE VERY POPULAR IN THE LANDSCAPE INJURY BECAUSE THEY'RE EASIER TO TAKE CARE OF AND THEY'RE MORE TOLERANT OF WEATHER EXTREMES THAN THINGS LIKE THE HYBRID TREES AND SOME OF THE HEIRLOOM ROSES ARE.

I WOULD SUGGEST YOU CHECK OUT THE KNOCK-OUT ROSES SERIES AND THE PROVEN WINNERS ROSES SERIES AND SEE IF THERE IS ANY ROSES IN THOSE GROUPINGS THAT MIGHT BE ATTRACTIVE TO YOU THAT YOU WANT TO TRY IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

>> THANKS, SARA.

OUR GARDEN IS MATURING AND BOTH OUR VEGETABLES AND FLOWERS ARE PUTTING ON A SHOW.

LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT AT THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

>> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, WE'RE INVITING YOU OUT AGAIN FOR THE NEXT EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO COME SEE OUR FANTASTIC GARDEN, AND IT IS LOOKING BEAUTIFUL.

WE HAVE LOTS OF VEGETABLES THAT ARE READY TO BE PICKED.

WE HAVE SOME ONIONS AND SOME BEETS AND TURN-UPS READY TO COME OUT OF THE GROUND.

WE ALSO HAVE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS.

WE HAVE ALL OF OUR ALL-AMERICA SELECTION SIGNS THAT ARE OUT, SO YOU WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN ALL ABOUT THOSE PLANTS WE TALK ABOUT EACH WEEK AND BE ABLE TO SEE THEM AND BE ABLE THEN TO GO AND PICK THEM OUT TO PUT IN YOUR OWN GARDEN FOR NEXT YEAR.

SO COME BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN AND VISIT US FOR EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS THIS SATURDAY JULY 9th FROM 10:00 TO 2:00 P.M. AND YOU MAY SEE SOME VINTAGE BACKYARD FARMER GEAR HERE IF YOU COME VISIT US.

SO CHECK OUT THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US AT EAST CAMPUS THIS SATURDAY AND TAKE A STROLL UP TO THE GARDEN.

WE NEED TO TAKE A BREAK BUT COMING UP LATER IN THE PROGRAM WE'LL HAVE THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANT OF THE WEEK.

THERE'S MUCH MORE GOOD GARDENING ON "BACKYARD FARMER" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

LATER IN THE PROGRAM JEFF WILL TELL US ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF MULCH AND THE DIFFERENT KINDS YOU CAN TRY.

YOU CAN STILL PHONE IN YOUR QUESTIONS TO 1-800-676-5446 OR SEND US PICTURES AND E-MAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

RIGHT NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND!

ALL RIGHT, SARA.

ARE YOU READY?

>> I'M READY.

>> MULTIPLE PEOPLE SENT THIS QUESTION, WHICH IS WHERE CAN WE GET SOIL TESTS DONE IN NEBRASKA?

>> IN THE LINCOLN AREA, WE USE -- IT USED TO BE CALLED HARRIS AG SOURCE.

NOW IT IS VAS LABS.

BUT WE DO HAVE A LIST OF SOILS LABS ON THE LANCASTER WEBSITE.

SO YOU CAN CHECK THERE IF YOU ARE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE AND YOU WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR LOCAL LAB IS.

>> EXCELLENT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHOSE IRIS JUST ARRIVED AND SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER TO PLANT THEM OR WAIT A WHILE.

>> YOU CAN PLANT THEM NOW, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO GIVE THEM EXTRA SPECIAL CARE GIVEN CONDITIONS ARE SO HOT.

GIVE THEM EXTRA WATER.

MAKE SURE YOU MULCH THEM.

>> AN IOWA VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE PUMPKIN BLOSSOMS FLOWER AND THEN FALL OFF.

>> THEY HAVE MALE AND FEMALE FLOWERS.

SO IT COULD BE JUST THE MALE FLOWERS THAT ARE FALLING.

>> WE HAVE A HICKMAN VIEWER WHO WONDERS IF IT IS POSSIBLE.

>> TOMATOES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE HERBICIDE.

YES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THEY WOULD BE AFFECTED BUT LESS SUSCEPTIBLE PLANTS WOULD NOT SHOW DAMAGE.

SO THAT IS POSSIBLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB, SARA.

MIKE, ARE YOU READY?

>> I'M READY.

>> THIS IS AN OLD KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS LAWN.

THEY WONDER IF THEY OVERSEED WITH NEWER VARIETIES WOULD THAT HELP WITH DISEASE?

>> PROBABLY NOT.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO SAID THEIR FAIRY RING IN THEIR LAWN DISAPPEARED IN DRY WEATHER.

>> I THINK FAIRY RINGS, YOU EITHER LOVE THEM OR YOU DON'T.

I TEND TO LIKE THEM.

IF YOU WANT TO MANAGE IT, TRY FIRST SOME FERTILIZER AND DUCK TAIL IN THAT FERTILIZER TO GET THE DARK GREEN BLENDING IN WITH THE NOT SO GREEN LAWN.

>> THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO HAS ROUND DEAD SPOTS BUT A GREEN CENTER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROUND PART.

IS THAT THE HEAT, OR IS THAT A DISEASE?

>> PROBABLY A DISEASE, BUT I WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ROOTS.

A LOT OF ROOTS GIVE YOU THAT >> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO HAS PERENNIAL RYE.

HAVE HAD IT FOR YEARS AND THEY HAVE PITHIUM.

IS THAT POSSIBLE IN A LAWN IN LINCOLN?

>> CERTAINLY WITH THE HEAT AND THE HUMIDITY THAT WE'VE HAD, IT IS VERY POSSIBLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

OKAY, READY.

>> I'M ALWAYS READY.

>> YOU'RE ALWAYS READY.

ALL RIGHT.

YOUR FIRST ONE, DENNIS, IS -- THIS ONE JUST CAME IN.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF A FAMILY OF 13 LINED GROUND SQUIRRELS.

>> IT IS USUALLY A FEMALE AND THEIR YOUNG.

YOU CAN CAPTURE THEM.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO FOUND A DEAD GUARDER SNAKE.

IT WAS FULLY ROLLED OUT LIKE IT JUST ROLLED OVER AND DIED AND HE WAS WONDERING IF SNAKES GET BIRD FLU.

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO SAW WHAT SHE THINKS IS TURKEY VULTURES CLINGING TO THE VERTICAL CLIFFS.

DO THEY LIVE IN THE HOLES IN THE CLIFFS?

>> NO.

I WAS JUST OUT THERE.

BUT THEY DO GET SALT FROM THE CLIFFS AND THE ROCK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER IT IS PELLETS OF SOME SORT THAT YOU CAN BUY THAT WILL CONTROL POCKET GOPHERS.

>> ZP OR ZINC BAIT THAT IF USED AS INSTRUCTED WILL CONTROL THEM.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER THAT HUNG A BATHHOUSE ON THE SOUTH PEAK OF THEIR GARAGE.

WILL THAT GET THE BATS TO COME?

>> IT IS TOUGH.

YOU JUST HAVE TO GIVE IT SOME TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

OKAY, KATE.

>> I'M READY.

>> SOMETIMES WE WILL MIX IT UP AND GO THE OTHER DIRECTION.

WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF A BEE HOTEL IN WAYNE OVER THE BREAK, AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT LITTLE BITTY BEAUTIFUL INSECT IS.

>> IT IS A KUKO WASP.

>> GOOD GUY OR BAD GUY?

>> BAD FOR THE BEES.

>> THIS IS A HENDERSON VIEWER WHO SPRAYED THEIR JAPANESE BEETLES WITH ORTHO HOME DEFENSE AND THEY ALL DROPPED OFF.

THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT THEY CAN DO TO PREVENT THEM FROM COMING BACK NEXT YEAR.

>> YOU CAN TREAT YOUR TURF FOR WHITE GRUBS, BUT JAPANESE BEETLES CAN FLY.

SO IT IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO DO YOU GOOD.

THEY WILL PROBABLY SHOW UP NO MATTER.

>> A VIEWER HAS MILK WEED AND HAS SMALL POLLINATORS WITH BLACK AND WHITE STRIPED ENDS.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THOSE MIGHT BE?

HE DIDN'T HAVE A PICTURE.

>> IT COULD BE BEES.

IT COULD BE HOVER FLIES, TOO.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE A SYSTEMIC FOR JAPANESE BEETLES?

>> THERE IS FOR CERTAIN PLANTS LIKE ROSES BUT SOME CAN GET TAKEN UP INTO THE NECTAR AND PLANTS.

YOU WANT TO CHOOSE WISELY.

>> YOU DID A NICE JOB.

IT WAS PRETTY CLOSE TO A TIE.

OKAY, SARA.

THREE PLANTS OF THE WEEK THIS WEEK.

SORT OF RED, WHITE AND BLUE.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT KIND OF.

>> SO THIS LITTLE LAVENDER FLOWER IN THE FRONT IS A STOKES ASTER.

THESE WOULD BE GREAT ADDITIONS TO A PERENNIAL GARDEN.

IT HAS A NICE ROUND OF FOLIAGE AND THEN GENERALLY THE PLANTS GET TO BE ABOUT 18 TO 24 INCHES TALL, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO THAT'S STOKES ASTER.

THEN HERE ON THE OTHER SIDE, WE HAVE GOING TO THE HEIGHT EXTREME, WE'VE GOT MEADOW SWEET.

AND THIS IS A GOOD PLANT FOR A WET AREA.

SO IF YOU HAVE A POND OR JUST A WETTER AREA IN YOUR LANDSCAPE, THIS WOULD DO VERY WELL.

AND IT GROWS QUITE TALL.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD PLACE FOR IT.

ALSO GOES BY THE NAME QUEEN OF THE MEADOW.

PHILLIP IS THE GENUS NAME FOR THIS.

THESE MANY TINY FLOWERS WITH AIRY FLOWER HEADS.

THEN THE LAST ONE WE HAVE HERE IN THE MIDDLE, THE TALL WHITE ONE, THIS IS A TALL GARDEN FLOCKS.

THEY'RE A GREAT PERENNIAL FOR THE GARDEN.

THIS PARTICULAR ONE IS CALLED DAVID.

THAT IS A VERY POPULAR IN THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY BECAUSE DAVID IS QUITE RESISTANT TO POWDERY MILDEW, WHICH IS ONE OF THE BIG BANES WE HAVE ON THE GARDEN FLOCKS.

OF COURSE, WHITE IS A GREAT COLOR TO ADD INTO YOUR LANDSCAPE BECAUSE IT REALLY POPS.

IT IS GREAT IN THE NIGHT GARDEN, AND IT HELPS TO BLEND IN SOME OF THE OTHER STRONGER COLORS.

ALL THREE GREAT PERENNIALS FOR A LANDSCAPE GARDEN.

>> AND ALL IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN SO PEOPLE CAN SEE THEM DURING DISCOVERY DAYS.

ALL RIGHT.

KATE, YOUR NEXT ONE HERE IS -- THIS ONE CAME TO US FROM CUSTOMER, SOUTH DAKOTA.

WHAT IS THIS COOL CREATURE?

>> I LOVE HIM.

HE'S LIKE WEARING A TUXEDO WITH LEG WARMERS.

THIS IS A CRANE FLY.

THEY LOOK LIKE GIANT MOSQUITOS, BUT THEY DON'T BITE.

THANK GOODNESS.

>> REALLY COOL.

FROM KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.

FOUND THIS HOVERING LAST EVENING.

SOME SAY JUNE BUG.

>> NOT VERY ORIGINAL WHEN THEY GIVE UP COMMON NAME.

MAY BUG AND JUNE BUG ARE INTERCHANGEABLE TO THE SAME GENUS OF SCARE BEETLES.

THIS COULD ALSO POSSIBLY BE A CHAFER.

THE WHITE GRUBS FEED ON TURF MAY BEETLE, JUNE BEETLE, WHATEVER MONTH YOU FOUND IT IN YOU CAN CALL IT.

>> THE NEXT ONE COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS REALLY COOL.

I'M NOT SURE I HAVE EVER SEEN THIS ONE IN THE AREA PERSONALLY.

THIS IS A LONG HORN FLOWER BEETLE.

WE ASSOCIATE THEM WITH BORING INTO TREES BUT THEY LIKE POLLEN AND NECTAR AND THEY'RE GOOD POLLINATORS.

>> THIS WAS STARING AT HER THROUGH THE WINDOW.

>> YES.

THIS IS ONE OF THE ROBBER FLIES AGAIN.

YOU CAN TELL BECAUSE THEY HAVE A NICE BEARD.

I LIKE YOU GOT THE FACE SHOT SO WE CAN SEE THE BEARD.

BUT THESE ARE GENERAL PREDATORS.

SO THEY EAT BEES, WASPS AND PREDATORS.

>> DENNIS, YOUR FIRST TWO PICTURES COME TO US FROM JEFFERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA.

SOMETHING HAS BEEN ROOTING AROUND SINCE HE STARTED FLOOD WATERING.

NOT WARMING THE PLANTS BUT MOVING AROUND.

SO WHAT ARE WE.

>> VOLES, WITH A V. >> ALL RIGHT.

SO NO BIG DEAL?

>> WELL, THEY WILL EAT SOME OF THE PLANTS.

YOU CAN USE A CATCH ALARM TRAP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

YOU HAVE TWO MORE.

AND THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

AND HE SAYS WHAT ANIMAL IS THIS EATING A GREEN PEACH ON THE GROUND?

IT WAS GRAY, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A CAT.

PICKED UP A PEACH AND ATE IT WITH ITS PAWS.

>> THAT'S A WOODCHUCK.

IT'S A YOUNGER ONE.

IT'S A COOL ONE.

>> NOW WE WILL GET THE REQUEST FOR THE WOODCHUCK RECIPES LIKE WE HAD A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> OH, YEAH.

NO GROUNDHOG.

>> OKAY.

TWO MORE AND THIS IS PLANTED DILL AND THEY NOW FOUND IT CUTOFF AT THE BASE LIKE SOMEONE CAME WITH CLIPPERS.

>> YEAH.

THE WAY IT'S CUTOFF, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S CUT IN FROM THE SIDE.

IF IT WAS, IT WAS SMALL THINGS.

I'M SAYING IT'S KATE'S.

IT'S MORE AN INSECT.

BECAUSE ANY RODENT THAT WOULD DO IT, IT WOULDN'T LOOK LIKE THAT.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

SO CREATURE, KATE.

>> I MIGHT DISAGREE WITH THAT ONE.

>> OH, YOU WOULD?

>> YEAH.

BUT WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT LATER.

>> WE NEED A TRAIL CAM.

ALL RIGHT, MIKE.

THIS IS A BUFFALO GRASS LAWN THAT'S TEN YEARS OLD.

PERFECT FOR ABOUT TEN FEET -- OR 20 FEET.

THE NEXT STRETCH LOOKS LIKE THE SECOND PICTURE HERE ISN'T IRRIGATED.

THERE DON'T SEEM TO BE BUGS.

HE DID USE A WEED KILLER IN THE SPRING?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER TRICKY ONE.

IF THE GRASS LOOKED GOOD AND THEN THE APPLICATION HAPPENED, IT COULD BE A MISSED APPLICATION AND A PART OF THE LAWN.

SO WITHOUT SEEING A LITTLE MORE OF THIS AND BEING ON SPOT, I'M A LITTLE PUZZLED.

>> NO REAL DISEASES?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

>> ALL RIGHTY.

AND THEN WE HAVE ONE HERE FROM MILARD.

YELLOW SPOTS SHOWING UP IN THE TURF.

THE WHOLE BLADE IS YELLOW WITH NO INSECT DAMAGE.

>> THIS IS DEFINITELY ENVIRONMENTAL WITH THE CHANGES IN THE WEATHER, THE MOVING FROM COOLER TEMPERATURES TO THE HIGH HEAT, 100 DEGREE TEMPERATURE.

THE MOISTURE, THE DROUGHT.

THIS IS NOT ATYPICAL, A MIXED STANCE LIKE THIS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE MORE.

THIS IS A VIEWER THAT SAYS THIS SPOT STARTED TO DIE OFF LAST SPRING.

SHE PLANTED SEED LAST FALL.

IN THE SPRING NOTHING CAME UP.

IT IS AS IF THE GROUND IS DYING AND LEAVING THESE WHITE PARTICLES BEHIND.

>> YEAH.

I SPENT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME LOOKING AT DUNDEE COUNTY SOIL MAPS.

DIDN'T FIND ANY EVIDENCE THAT THEY WERE CALKARIUS.

THIS IS A TRICKY ONE, TOO.

WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE AND I WOULD DEFINITELY GET THE SOIL SAMPLE ON THIS.

>> HARD TO KNOW IF THERE IS SOMETHING BURIED WHAT LIES BENEATH, RIGHT?

>> DEFINITELY.

>> SARA, TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS A NEBRASKA VIEWER.

THEY WANT TO KNOW IF THIS PLANT IS DANGEROUS TO HORSES AND PEOPLE.

THEY FOUND IT IN THEIR HAY GROUND.

HOW DOES SHE GET RID OF IT?

IT HAS BEEN CUT AND BAILED.

>> IT IS HEMP DOG BANE, WHICH IS POISONOUS TO CATTLE AND HORSES.

I'M NOT A LIVESTOCK PERSON, BUT CATTLE GENERALLY AVOID IT WHEN IT'S GREEN AND IN A PASTURE.

SO IT IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO CONTROL.

ONE MECHANICAL METHOD WOULD BE MOWING, REGULAR MOWING TO KNOCK THE FOLIAGE DOWN.

THERE ARE SOME HERBICIDES THAT ARE -- CAN BE USED BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS I SAW SAID EXPECT 60% TO 80% CONTROL.

SO IN THE SPRING ON THE NEW PLANTS A 24D COPLICATION OR IN THE FALL SINCE IT IS A PERENNIAL, YOU HAVE TO STAY AFTER IT.

IT WILL NOT BE QUICK CONTROL.

>> AND GET IT OUT OF THAT HEY BEFORE YOU FEED THE HORSES.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

SARA, SHE FOUND THE PLANT NORTH OF McCOOK.

WHAT DO WE THINK ON THAT ONE?

>> THAT LOOKS LIKE THE COMMON WILD FORE CLOCK, WHICH IS A NATIVE WILD FLOWER THAT WE HAVE IN THIS AREA.

IT IS ACTUALLY PASSED THE BLOOMING STAGE.

THE FLOWERS ARE A MAGENTA COLOR.

THIS ONE, THOUGH, I THINK IS A DIFFERENT SPECIES.

I THINK IT'S MIRABILES, WHICH IS A LITTLE LESS COMMON, BUT TWO WILD FLOWERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE, SARA.

THIS IS A HICKMAN VIEWER.

IS THIS A GOOD PLANT AND WHAT IS IT OR IS IT A BAD PLANT AND HE NEEDS TO DIG IT UP?

>> THIS IS A WILD FLOWER.

IT IS A PRIM ROSE SPECIES, PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON ONE.

SO IT'S A WILD FLOWER.

IT IS NOT PARTICULARLY SHOWY.

THEY USUALLY HAVE A FEW FLOWERS ON THE STALK AT A TIME.

YOU CAN KEEP IT IF YOU LIKE THE WILD FLOWERS.

THANK YOU, SARA.

GOOD GARDENERS KNOW THE BENEFITS OF MULCHING AROUND THEIR TREES, SHRUBS, ORNAMENTALS AND IN THEIR VEGETABLE GARDENS.

HERE'S JEFF TO TELL US WHAT THOSE BENEFITS ARE AND WHAT KIND OF MATERIAL MAKES THE BEST MULCH.

>> A FREQUENT QUESTION WE GET ON "BACKYARD FARMER" IS MULCHING.

WHAT KIND SHOULD I USE?

HOW MUCH SHOULD I USE?

SOMETIMES IT DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION.

FOR MOST OF OUR PLANTS, CAMPUS OR AT YOUR HOME, WE WANT TO USE AN ORGANIC MULCH.

IN PARTICULAR, WE USE A MIXED HARDWOOD MULCH THAT WE GENERATE ON CAMPUS, THE SAME SORT OF THING YOU CAN BUY AT YOUR LOCAL NURSERY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO WANT TO USE TWO TO THREE INCHES OF AN ORGANIC MULCH AROUND PLANTS LIKE THIS, AND YOUR TREES AND SHRUBS.

MULCH AS LARGE AN AREA AS POSSIBLE THAT SEEMS REASONABLE.

AND THE MULCH, AS YOU PUT THAT IN THE MULCH, IT DOES A FEW THINGS.

IT RETAINS MOISTURE IN THE SOIL, SO THE SOIL MOISTURE, THERE IS LESS FLUCTUATION.

IT WILL BREAK DOWN OVER TIME AND ADD NUTRIENTS TO THE SOIL AND JUST IMPROVE THE MICRO BIOLOGY OF THAT AREA.

MICRO ORGANISMS AND ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPEN AS MULCH BREAKS DOWN AND HELPS THE PLANTS.

BUT YOU CAN THINK ABOUT A FEW OTHER THINGS.

THERE IS OTHER ORGANIC MULCHES YOU CAN USE.

THERE IS CORN COB MULCH OUT THERE.

THERE IS OTHER PLANT KIND OF MULCHES OUT THERE.

I HAVE SEEN COTTON SEED HOLES.

THERE IS COCOA BEAN MULCH.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS YOU CAN USE THAT ARE ORGANIC MULCH THAT PROVIDE THAT SAME SORT OF THING.

YOU MIGHT LIKE THE TEXTURES A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION YOU ARE USING AROUND YOUR HOME.

BUT, AGAIN, TWO TO THREE INCHES IS PROBABLY SOMETHING YOU WANT TO REAPPLY ANNUALLY.

KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WANT IT TO GET TOO THICK.

WE DON'T WANT IT TOO THICK BECAUSE IT ALSO CREATES A DRY ZONE AS WELL.

SO THAT'S THE OTHER THING THAT YOU WANT TO WATCH, IS MAKE SURE THAT THE MOISTURE IS GETTING THROUGH THE MULCH TO THE PLANTS.

MULCHES, WE'LL USE THAT WORD TO DESCRIBE THINGS LIKE RIVER ROCK OR DIFFERENT KINDS OF ROCK MULCHES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

THERE IS A RUBBER PELLETIZED MULCH.

TYPICALLY, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU USE THOSE IN AREAS THAT PLANTS ARE NOT THE EMPHASIS OF YOUR PARTICULAR KIND OF LANDSCAPE.

MANY TIMES YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU PUT DOWN SOME SORT OF LANDSCAPE FABRIC AS A BARRIER TO KEEP THAT MULCH FROM MIXING IN WITH THE SOIL.

AND YOU WILL USE THOSE IN AREAS MAYBE IF YOU HAVE AN AREA IN YOUR BASEMENT THAT'S GETTING WET AND YOU WANT TO PROTECT THAT AND STOP THE WATER FROM PENETRATING DOWN THERE.

PUT DOWN THE FABRIC AND PUT DOWN THE ROCK OR RUBBER OR WHATEVER IT IS TO HELP PROTECT THOSE AREAS.

AGAIN, YOU MIGHT WANT TO USE THE INORGANIC MULCHES IN PLACES YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE PLANTS AND ORGANIC IN PLACES WHERE WE HAVE PLANTS.

ROCK MULCH IS FINE AROUND THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR HOME TO KEEP THE CRITTERS AWAY, BUT MOST OF THE TIME THE ORGANIC MULCH WILL BE THE BEST CHOICE AROUND YOUR PLANTS.

YOU CAN SEE THIS AND ALL OF THE OTHER FEATURES WE'VE RECENTLY HAD ABOUT WESTERN NEBRASKA GARDENING ISSUES ON THE "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

ALL OF OUR RECENT PAST PROGRAMS AND FEATURES ARE POSTED THERE AND IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AROUND YOUR HOME LANDSCAPE OR GARDEN, CHANCES ARE WE'VE HAD A FEATURE THAT WILL GIVE YOU THE ANSWERS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

SO CHECK OUT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE CHANNEL AFTER THE SHOW!

ALWAYS WE HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF GREAT STUFF GOING ON IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

OUR FIRST ONE IS THE PLYMOUTH FLOWER AND ART SHOW SATURDAY, JULY 9th, 10:00 TO 2:00 AT THE PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY BUILDING.

THE SECOND ONE IS THE DAY LILY DRIVE OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY JULY 9th AND SUNDAY, JULY 10th.

THAT'S ALSO IN PLYMOUTH.

AND OUR THIRD ONE IS EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS SATURDAY JULY 9th.

THE WEATHER IS GOING TO BE PER SECOND.

AND SO IS THE ICE CREAM.

ALL RIGHT.

KATE, YOU HAVE THREE QUESTIONS THIS ROUND.

THE FIRST ONE IS ONE PICTURE, AND IT IS WHAT IS THIS LITTLE GUY FOUND ON HER TRUCK?

>> SO THIS IS A VERY ORIGINAL NAME AGAIN.

AN ORANGE WING GEOMETER MUFF.

>> THEY'RE NOT PESTS.

THEY LIVE ON HONEY SUCKLE, I BELIEVE.

>> SOUTH OF RAYMOND HE FOUND THIS.

WHAT'S THIS?

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE METALLIC WOOD BORING BEETLES IN THE SAME FAMILY OF EMERALD ASH BORE.

THESE GUYS IN PARTICULAR, IF IT'S THE ONE I'M THINKING OF, THEY GENERALLY JUST ATTACK TREES THAT ARE ALREADY DEAD OR DYING AND STRESSED OUT SO THEY'RE NOT THAT BIG OF A PEST.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR NEXT ONE IS -- THIS VIEWER SENT IT TO US FROM SPRINGFIELD.

SHE SAID SHE FOUND THESE IN THE DENNIS, COMING OUT OF HIS MOUTH RANGING FROM LARVA TO AN INCH IN SIZE.

ARE THEY FRIENDLY OR THEY SHOULD RUN FOR COVER.

>> THEY SHOULD RUN FOR COVER.

THESE ARE PAPER WASPS.

THEY WILL GET AGGRESSIVE TO PROTECT THEIR NEST.

SO THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS JUST GET ONE OF THOSE CANS OF WASP SPRAY.

GO OUT AT NIGHT WHEN THEY'RE LESS ACTIVE WITH PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ON.

ONCE YOU ARE SURE THEY'RE ALL DEAD, YOU CAN REMOVE THE NEST IF YOU ARE ABLE TO FROM THE FROG'S MOUTH.

>> A LIVE FROG, OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

DENNIS, IT'S SCAT NIGHT.

>> I KNEW I COULDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH.

>> SO THE FIRST ONE HERE IS A VIEWER THAT FOUND THIS IN THE BARN AND WONDERED WHAT -- >> IT'S BAT.

BAT.

>> RIGHT, BAT.

ALL RIGHT.

SECOND ONE COMES TO US FROM STANTON.

THEY FOUND THIS NEAR THE GARDEN.

ANY IDEA?

>> WELL, IT IS AN OMNIVORE, NO HAIR.

IT WILL BE -- IT'S BIG AND ROUND.

IT'S EITHER GOING TO BE A PIG OR A WILD PIG OR UNCLE EDDY.

>> HOW DO WE EVER GET -- ALL RIGHT.

WE CANNOT CONTINUE.

>> I WANT THE NEXT ONE.

>> YOUR NEXT TWO, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES OF THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS, LET'S SEE, WHERE IS HE?

HE DOESN'T SAY.

SOME ANIMAL HAS BEEN LEAVING THIS IN AREAS THAT ARE ROCK OR MULCH.

NO CHARGE DOGS LOOSE.

>> RIGHT.

SO IT'S A YOUNGER RACCOON.

IT'S CURLED.

IT'S GOT SOME SEED IN IT.

VERY LITTLE HAIR.

THAT'S A YOUNGER RACCOON.

>> AND HE IS WONDERING HOW TO KEEP THIS GUY FROM DOING THIS.

>> HOW TO MAKE THE RACCOON CONSTIPATED?

I THINK YOU WOULD JUST RATHER CAGE TRAP THE RACCOON AND REMOVE THE RACCOON.

>> AND YOU CAN'T RELOCATE.

>> RIGHT.

WE COULD 100 FEET AND THEN HE WON'T COME BACK.

>> OKAY.

OKAY, MIKE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THAT.

YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM NEBRASKA, JUST SIMPLY WANTS TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF SHROOM THIS IS.

>> JUST GROWING ON THE BASE.

HE DIDN'T ASK IF IT'S EDIBLE.

DON'T EAT MUSHROOMS UNLESS YOU HAVE AN EXPERT THAT CAN TELL YOU UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT THEY'RE OFF.

>> SHE SAYS WHAT IS THIS?

SHE'S EATEN ABOUT SIX OF THEM.

THEY'RE IN NORTHWEST OMAHA, HEAVILY SHADED.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS A STINK HORN FUNGUS, MUSHROOM.

THE CAP, WHEN THEY GET MATURE, THE CAP GETS BLACK.

GOOEY, STICKY SPORES.

IT ATTRACTS FLIES.

IT ALSO SMELLS PRETTY BAD.

AND THE FLIES ACTUALLY CARRY THE SPORES AND MOVE THEM AROUND.

ALL THE STINK HORN FUNGI ARE ACTUALLY EDIBLE.

IF YOU CATCH THEM BEFORE THEY GET STINKY.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL THIS STAGE.

YOU'LL -- YOU WOULDN'T LIKE THAT.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS.

ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE ONE MORE HERE, AND THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

TAR-LIKE PATCHES.

THEY HAVE FOUND AND OF COURSE PEOPLE ALWAYS THINK THIS IS DOG POOP OR VOMIT.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS A SLIME MOLD.

THEY COME IN ALL DIFFERENT COLORS.

PRETTY HARMLESS.

WILL GO AWAY ON ITS OWN, AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

SLIME MOLD.

>> IT'S BEEN A GOOD YEAR FOR SLIME MOLD.

>> YEAH, BEAUTIFUL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SARA, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS A VIEWER FROM WEST OMAHA.

WHAT IS CAUSING THE BLACK SPOTS ON THESE?

>> THIS IS SOMETHING WE SEE EVERY YEAR.

THIS IS BLOSSOM END ROT, WHICH IS ACTUALLY CAUSED BY A LACK OF CALCIUM IN THOSE CELLS WHEN THAT LITTLE TOMATO WAS DEVELOPING.

WE SEE THIS IN PEPPER, EGGPLANT AND WATERMELON.

WE SEE IT IN MORE THAN JUST TOMATOES.

TYPICALLY WHAT WE DO IS WE FOCUS ON WATER MANAGEMENT BECAUSE CALCIUM IS NOT MOBILE IN THE PLANTS.

SO MAKE SURE YOU MAINTAIN YOUR MOISTURE IN THE SOIL.

MAKE SURE THE PLANTS ARE MULCHED.

SOMETIMES WE SEE THE FIRST TOMATOES OF THE YEAR HAVE BLOSSOM END ROT BECAUSE THE PLANT WASN'T AS EFFICIENT WITH ITS ROOT SYSTEM AS IT WAS GETTING ESTABLISHED.

SO YOU CAN TAKE THOSE OFF AND LATER TOMATOES WILL BE FINE.

BUT THE PRODUCTS THAT YOU SPRAY ON PLANTS, THE BLOSSOM END ROT STOPPERS ARE GENERALLY NOT EFFECTIVE.

PLANTS DON'T TAKE IN CALCIUM WELL TO THE FOLIAGE, SO IT GOES BACK TO WATER MANAGEMENT.

>> THANKS, SARA.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A NEBRASKA VIEWER.

>> YEAH.

THE LITTLE YELLOW SPOTS WITH STINK BUG DAMAGE.

THE BIG CRACK THERE IN THE MIDDLE LOOKS LIKE PHYSICAL DAMAGE.

I'M GOING TO GUESS MAYBE HAIL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT IMPACTED THIS TOMATO EARLIER IN THE SEASON.

>> SO THEY COULD EAT IT AS LONG AS THEY -- >> YEAH.

YOU COULD CUT THAT SPOT OUT AND EAT THE REST OF IT.

>> THIS IS ONE MORE HERE.

THEY WONDER WHAT DISEASE THE BELL PEPPERS HAVE, SO THEY BOUGHT THIS THIS SPRING.

>> ACTUALLY, THIS IS HERBICIDE DAMAGE.

YOU CAN SEE THAT EARLIER IN THE SEASON THIS PEPPER HAD NORMAL LOOKING LEAVES.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO SOME TYPE OF HERBICIDE.

I DON'T KNOW IF AT THIS POINT IN THE SEASON THIS PLANT WILL RECOVER, SO I WOULD PROBABLY YANK IT OUT AND GET IT OUT OF THE GARDEN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

UNFORTUNATELY FOR THAT.

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

THANKS TO OUR LOYAL AUDIENCE FOR SUBMITTING QUESTIONS FOR THIS WEEK AND THANKS TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING WERE CYNTHIA CONNER, JOHN CARIOTTO AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION EDUCATOR TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL GET SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO IDENTIFY INSECTS.

SOME ARE GOOD, SOME ARE PESTS AND WAYNE WILL HELP US FIGURE OUT WHICH IS WHICH.

SO GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING AND WE'LL SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK, RIGHT HERE ON "BACKYARD FARMER"!