(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> BACKYARD FARMER IS A CO-PRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) TONIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER WE'LL SEE SOME GORGEOUS LANDSCAPES ON A GARDEN WALK AND A NEW GREEN SPACE IN DOWNTOWN OMAHA.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP NEXT RIGHT HERE ON BACKYA FARMER.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> HELLO AND WELCOME TO BACKYARD FARMER.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE STANDING BY TO TAKE YOUR CALLS.

SO IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, JUST DIAL 1-800-676-5446.

IF YOU HAVE PICTURES AND WOULD LIKE TO SEND US AN EMAIL, THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT DUE TO THE VOLUME OF QUESTIONS WE GET EACH WEEK, WE SIMPLY CAN'T ANSWER EVERYBODY'S QUESTION ON AIR.

AND WHEN YOU DO SEND US AN EMAIL, WE NEED TO KNOW AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN GIVE US, INCLUDING WHERE YOU LIVE.

AND FINALLY, DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW BACKYARD FARMER DURING THE WEEK FOR MORE GREAT GARDENING TIPS ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND YOUTUBE.

WITH THAT OUT OF THE WAY, KAIT, YOU BROUGHT A CAGE OF CREATURES FOR YOUR SAMPLE.

>> YES, I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THESE TODAY, SO I BROUGHT WITH ME SOME MANTID BABIES.

SO THE PRAYING MANTIS.

WE GET A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SPECIES HERE IN NEBRASKA, BUT I BELIEVE THESE ARE THE BABIES OF THE CHINESE MANTIS.

THEY'RE REALLY SMALL THIS TIME OF YEAR.

BUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS THIS SPECIES TOWARDS LATE SUMMER ARE GOING TO GET THIS BIG.

SO WE CAN SEE THEY GET SEVERAL INCHES LONG.

OUR NATIVE SPECIES GET TO BE ABOUT HALF OF THAT.

BUT MANTIDS ARE COOL BECAUSE THEY ARE PREDATORS.

THEY'RE GENERALISTS, SO THEY'LL EAT BAD BUGS.

THEY'LL ALSO EAT GOOD BUGS, AND IN LATE SUMMER THEY WILL LAY THEIR EGG CASES.

AND SO YOU CAN EXPECT ABOUT 200 MORE MANTIDS TO HATCH THE NEXT YEAR.

>> SO HOLD THAT LITTLE BABE UP.

YOU'VE GOT JUST TIME I THINK.

>> IT'S KIND OF HARD TO SEE, BUT THEY'RE RIGHT THERE.

>> YEAH.

TEENSY WEENSY.

>> TEENY TINY.

>> THERE HE IS.

>> ZOOM IN AS FAR AS YOU CAN.

THERE YOU GO.

THAT'S A LITTLE BETTER.

>> THERE HE IS.

SO COOL.

>> YES.

>> PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT THE CHINESE ONES, BUT THEY ALL EAT SOMETHING.

>> THEY ALL EAT SOMETHING.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S A POLLINATOR OR A PEST.

THEY'RE JUST HAPPY TO HAVE A MEAL.

>> PERFECT.

YES.

OKAY, JEFF.

A WEED OF SOME SORT.

>> YEAH.

SO I BROUGHT THIS IN.

THIS IS MARESTAIL.

AND IT'S ALSO KIND OF A GENERALIST IN THAT WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THE SHOW THAT IT RESEMBLES A LOT OF PLANTS AT TH TIME OF ITS LIFE.

I MEAN, AND I THINK THAT'S WHY MANY TIMES IT'LL END UP BEING IN YOUR GARDEN FOR A WHILE, AND YOU'LL JUST NOT REALIZE WHAT YOU HAVE UNTIL IT GETS QUITE A BIT BIGGER.

IT GETS THREE FOUR FEET TALL, ENDS UP WITH THIS LARGE FLOWER WHITE FLOWER ON TOP, AND PRODUCES UP TO 200,000 SEEDS.

>> PER PLANT.

>> THAT PER PLANT AND OVER 80% WILL GERMINATE PRETTY READILY RIGHT AWAY.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT.

THIS IS A PARTICULAR PLANT THAT ALSO IS RESISTANT TO GLYPHOSATE.

SO YOU CAN'T GO OUT AND SHOOT IT WITH WITH THAT AND PROBABLY A LOT OF OTHER HERBICIDES.

IT'S HARD TO KILL THAT WAY.

IT'S MUCH SIMPLER TO PULL IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO IDENTIFY AND PULL, PULL, PULL, PULL.

>> YES.

RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JEFF.

LOREN, YOU KILLED IT.

>> WELL, I DIDN'T KILL IT, BUT ONE OF MY FRIENDS DID.

SO THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF ALL OF OUR VIEWERS I'M SURE ARE OUT PLANTING ANNUALS AND TRANSPLANTS.

AND YOU'LL HAVE SOME THAT ARE MAYBE NOT BEING SUCCESSFUL OR FAILING.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF JUST A SMALL LITTLE COLEUS PLANT, AND YOU CAN SEE JUST YOUR FIRST SYMPTOMS OF ROOT ROT, WHERE YOU HAVE THAT WILTING GOING ON.

IT'S NOT THRIVING.

I BROUGHT THIS TO JUST TO SHOW THAT EXAMPLE.

WHEN YOU HAVE THIS GOING ON AND OTHER PLANTS IN THE BED ARE LOOKING GOOD, USUALLY IT'S SOME SORT OF A ROOT ROT.

IF WE DIG DOWN IN HERE, ACTUALLY, WE CAN SEE SOME DARK DISCOLORATION AT THE BASE.

I GOT TO SEE KIND OF SEE RIGHT, RIGHT IN THERE YOU CAN SEE SOME BLACK AREA.

THAT'S WHERE WE'VE GOT A FUNGUS THAT'S MAKING AN INFECTION.

AND IT'S VERY COMMON TO HAVE SOME PERCENTAGE OR USUALLY A VERY LOW PERCENTAGE OF YOUR TRANSPLANTS HAVE SOME SORT OF ROOT ROT OR SOMETHING THAT CAN COME IN.

SO JUST REMOVE THOSE, ROGUE IT OUT AND START OVER WITH A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR A SITE FOR ANOTHER PLANT.

>> AND DON'T PUT THEM IN THE COMPOST PILE.

>> IF YOU DO, MAKE SURE YOU COMPOST THEM VERY WELL AND THEY GET THE HIGH TEMPERATURE BECAUSE YOU WILL CARRY THE FUNGUS WITH YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YEAH.

ELIZABETH.

NOT READY TO EAT?

>> NO.

THESE PEACHES ARE FAR FROM READY TO EAT, BUT IT IS TIME TO GO AHEAD AND THIN OUR FRUIT.

SO IF WE WERE NOT GOING TO THIN THESE FRUITS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER.

THE PEACHES ARE GOING TO BE SMALL IN SIZE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE AS GOOD A EATING QUALITY.

SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE THIN THEM ABOUT 4 TO 6 IN BETWEEN EACH FRUIT.

SO IN THIS INSTANCE WE HAVE THREE IN A ROW.

SO WE WILL JUST GO IN AND BE BRUTAL.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT ONE OUT.

ONE QUICK WAY TO KNOW IF IT'S FOUR INCHES IS YOU CAN PUT YOUR FIST IN BETWEEN THE TWO FRUITS.

SOMETIMES WE'LL HAVE THEM WHERE THEY'RE TWO ON THE END.

AND WITH THESE LITTLE SIAMESE TWINS, WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND WE WANT TO REMOVE ONE OF THOSE SIAMESE TWINS.

SO THAT WAY, THE ONE THAT WE LEAVE BEHIND IS GOING TO BE A BIGGER, BETTER QUALITY FRUIT.

IF WE DON'T THIN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TOO MUCH FRUIT ON THERE.

AND IN ADDITION TO HAVING SMALL FRUIT, WE'RE GOING TO WEIGH DOWN THOSE BRANCHES AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF BREAKING THOSE BRANCHES OFF.

>> AND I BELIEVE YOU GOT THOSE WHERE?

>> I MIGHT HAVE BORROWED THEM FROM THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

>> AND THE REST OF THOSE WILL BE THINNED TOMORROW.

>> SEE, TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

>> TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

I KNOW ONE YEAR ON THE BIG PEACH TREES, NOBODY THINNED.

THEY'RE REALLY ACTUALLY NOT OUR TREES.

AND WE HAD A LOT OF BRANCHES THAT JUST WENT DOWN.

SO.

ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB.

LET'S SEE.

KAIT, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS.

FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

SHE'S SAYING THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE LEAVES ON HER 12 TO 15 YEAR OLD TULIP TREE HAVE CURLED.

OTHERWISE THEY SEEM HEALTHY.

SHOULD SHE BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS?

>> YEAH.

SO THIS MIGHT BE ONE WHERE I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAYBE TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A CLOSER LOOK.

THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE LEAF CURL.

YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE ENVIRONMENTAL AND IT COULD DEFINITELY BE INSECT RELATED TOO.

TULIP TREE, I THINK WITH LEAF CURLING, I THINK ABOUT APHIDS.

SO LOOK ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THOSE LEAVES, LOOK FOR SOME GREEN APHIDS.

AND THEN IN THAT FIRST PICTURE I SAW SOME LIKE WHITE SPOTS ON THE LEAVES.

AND SEE IF YOU CAN SCRAPE THAT OFF BECAUSE IT COULD BE A POWDERY MILDEW OR IT COULD BE INSECT DAMAGE.

SO I WOULD JUST TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF CLOSER LOOK.

>> EXCELLENT ADVICE.

ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM SEWARD.

AND HE'S SAYING HE'S NOT SEEN A BUG LIKE THIS BEFORE.

HE GOT A BUNCH OF NEW MULCH.

AND MAYBE IT CAME IN THAT WAY.

THAT'S A BIG ONE.

ONE AND A HALF TO TWO INCHES OR SOMETHING.

>> THEY CAN ACTUALLY GET UP TO THREE INCHES LONG.

THIS IS A FISH FLY.

AND SO IT DIDN'T COME IN THE MULCH, BUT I IMAGINE YOU PROBABLY MIGHT LIVE NEAR A SOURCE OF WATER BECAUSE AS IMMATURE, THEY LIVE IN THE WATER, BUT THEY'RE VERY COOL.

THEY'RE NOT TRUE FLIES.

THEY'RE CLOSELY RELATED TO DOBSON FLIES, WHICH IF YOU'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE, YOU HAVE TO GOOGLE IT BECAUSE THEY'RE AMAZING.

BUT YEAH, THEY'RE BIG AND THEY'RE REALLY COOL.

>> LOREN, I SAW YOUR EYES LIGHT UP WITH FISH FLIES AND SINCE YOU'RE A FISHERMAN.

>> OKAY.

KAIT, TWO FROM UNDERWOOD, IOWA.

THEY'RE KIND OF I THINK IT'S SEMI DEAD, BUT THESE ARE HE'S PRETTY SURE THESE ARE WATER ROACHES.

HE SAYS THEY'RE AN INCH PLUS LONG AND THEY'RE NEAT BUGS.

>> YEAH, WELL, THAT'S ONE WAY TO PUT IT.

SO THIS IS THE ORIENTAL COCKROACH.

AND THEY'RE OFTEN CALLED WATER BUGS AS WELL.

COCKROACHES.

YOU KNOW THEY'RE FINE WHEN THEY'RE OUTDOORS.

THESE GUYS LIKE DARK, DAMP PLACES MAYBE AROUND MULCH BEDS WHEN THEY GET INDOORS THOUGH, OFTENTIMES WE SEE THEM COME IN THROUGH LIKE FLOOR DRAINS.

THAT'S WHEN WE KIND OF WANT TO THINK ABOUT MANAGEMENT.

NOBODY WANTS TO LIVE WITH COCKROACHES.

AND THE RULE WITH COCKROACHES IS SANITATION, STICKY TRAPS AND COCKROACH BAITS.

SO THAT'S GOING TO BE THE WINNING COMBINATION FOR CONTROL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KAIT.

JEFF THREE FROM LA VISTA WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS THIS AND HOW DOES SHE KILL IT.

SHE'S SAYING THAT IT'S CREEPING INTO HER YARD AND ROUND UP GLYPHOSATE DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS A HORSETAIL OR SCOURING RUSH.

SO IT'S EQUISETUM.

IT'S A, YOU KNOW, CLOSELY RELATED TO FERNS.

SO IT DOESN'T REALLY PRODUCE SEEDS.

IT'LL PRODUCE SPORES AND IT REALLY SPREADS THROUGH ITS RHIZOMES.

THAT'S HOW IT REALLY SPREADS.

AND THAT'S WHAT CAN MAKE IT VERY TOUGH TO KILL.

SO I THINK A COUPLE OF THINGS MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU HAVE SOME WET AREAS, IT TYPICALLY STARTS OFF IN WET AREAS THAT YOU MAKE WHATEVER CHANGES YOU CAN TO DRY THOSE AREAS OUT.

THAT'LL HELP KIND OF MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO GETTING RID OF IT.

CUTTING IT BACK IS ONE THING.

YOU CAN TRY DIGGING IT UP.

SLEDGE HAMMER.

SO THE SEDGE HERBICIDES WILL WORK ON THIS WHERE SOME OF THE OTHERS WILL NOT.

BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE REPEATED APPLICATIONS OF THAT SORT OF THING.

>> OKAY, TWO PICKS ON THIS ONE.

SHE'S BEEN.

THIS IS FROM OMAHA.

SHE'S BEEN TOLD THESE ARE MILKWEED.

SO SHE LEAVES THEM ALONE, BUT THEY NEVER FLOWER.

AND THE MONARCHS DON'T LIKE THEM.

OR ARE THEY, DO WE, ARE WE?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK SO.

IT CLOSELY RESEMBLES IT.

AND AND I KNOW YOU'VE MENTIONED TOO, THAT YOU THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE HEMP DOGBANE.

AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK IT IS AS WELL.

IT'S INTERESTING.

IT HASN'T FLOWERED.

BUT HEMP DOGBANE IS A PERENNIAL, SO IT MAY NOT BE MATURE ENOUGH YET, BUT IT IS VERY POISONOUS.

IT'S NOT A PLANT YOU WANT AROUND THE THE YARD, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE PETS.

I MEAN, DOGBANE, IT'S VERY POISONOUS TO DOGS AND CATTLE AND THAT SORT OF THING.

SO I WOULD USE THE RUBBER GLOVE AND A CLOTH GLOVE OVER THE TOP AND TREAT YOUR GLOVE WITH HERBICIDE.

PICK YOUR HERBICIDE OF CHOICE AND WIPE THAT ON ALL THOSE PLANTS.

AND AGAIN, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THAT REPEATEDLY.

BUT ONCE YOU'VE DONE IT 2 OR 3 TIMES, YOU SHOULD START TO DECLINE IT.

BUT IT HAS A CROWN OF, OF ROOTS UNDER THERE THAT IT'S CAUSING THAT.

SO YOU HAVE TO KIND OF STICK WITH IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JEFF.

THREE FOR YOU, LOREN, THIS IS HE'S WONDERING WHAT IS THIS BROWN MATTER ON THIS AND WILL IT DAMAGE THE TREE.

SO I YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE TREE AND I THINK WE HAVE A COUPLE OTHER PICTURES HERE THAT SORT OF SHOTHE SPOT.

>> AS YOU LO AT THE THE TREE TOO, THERE'S SEVERAL BRANCHES THAT LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE DIED AND BEEN CUT OFF.

THE BROWN IS, IS A FUNGUS THAT IS SHOWING, YOU KNOW, SOME SORT OF ROT INSIDE.

IT ALSO LOOKS LIKE THIS IS AN ASH TREE JUST BASED ON THE BARK, THE WAY IT'S LOOKING IN THE LEAVES.

THAT SHOWED I'D BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.

ALSO IN THE CROTCH OF THAT TREE, THERE'S A LOT OF DAMAGE WHERE IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S A WEAK JOINT.

I WOULD BE REALLY CAREFUL AND CONSIDER THIS POSSIBLY EVEN A HAZARD TREE.

I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANY TREATMENT, BUT I WOULD REALLY WATCH IT CAREFULLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THREE FROM BUFFALO GAP, SOUTH DAKOTA.

HE HAS A MINIATURE PLUM TREE.

ON ITS SECOND YEAR, HE FOUND THIS CLEARISH BROWN SUBSTANCE.

THE BRANCH HAS WILTED LEAVES.

SECOND BRANCH HAS THE SUBSTANCE AND ODD BUMPS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, AND THIS IS ACTUALLY A REALLY NICE PICTURE OF A BROWN ROCK CANKER, UNFORTUNATELY, WHICH IS A COMMON DISEASE ON STONE FRUITS.

THOSE ARE THE SOFT ROTS THAT GET ON ANY OF THE FRUITS FOR STONE FRUITS.

AND IT WILL ALSO FORM A CANKER LIKE THAT THAT USUALLY HAS A LOT OF EXUDING SAP.

SO MANAGEMENT ON THIS HAS CUT IT DOWN ABOUT THREE INCHES BELOW THE AFFECTED AREA, WHICH IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE THE TREE.

SO UNFORTUNATELY ON THIS ONE, I WOULD RECOMMEND STARTING OVER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, LAWRENCE.

ELIZABETH ONE ON THIS ONE.

HE HAS YEWS THAT ARE QUITE OLD, 40 YEARS.

AND HE WANTS TO KIND OF TRIM THEM BACK A BIT MORE.

IS THAT STILL POSSIBLE?

HE WANTS THEM OFF THE SIDEWALK.

>> WE CAN WITHIN REASON.

SO WHEN WE MAKE A HEDGE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT LOOKS KIND OF LIKE A LADDER WHERE THE BASE IS WIDER THAN THE TOP.

SO THAT WAY THOSE BOTTOM BRANCHES GET THAT SUNLIGHT.

WE WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH YEWS NOT TO REMOVE TOO MUCH OF THE LEAF AREA, BECAUSE IF WE CUT TOO FAR BACK IN, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY LEAVES ON IT.

AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE BARE SPOTS.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO IN AND SELECTIVELY PRE IT IN THAT, YOU KNOW, ALIVE AND DEAD ZONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THREE FROM LINCOLN HERE.

AND THIS IS A RISE AND SHINE REDBUD.

HE IS WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHETHER HE CAN SAVE THIS TREE.

AND I THINK WHAT WE HAVE IS THIS IS THE ENVIRONMENT.

THIS IS THE TREE.

AND THEN I THINK WE CAN SEE MAYBE ONE MORE ON THIS WITH HERBICIDE AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

>> YEAH, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON WITH THIS TREE.

SO UNFORTUNATELY REDBUDS ARE AN UNDERSTORY TREE.

AND ESPECIALLY WHERE WE HAVE THIS SPECIAL CULTIVAR THAT HAS THE YELLOWISH LEAVES, IT REALLY IS GOING TO NEED PROTECTION.

SO WE HAVE HERBICIDE INJURY.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME SCORCH BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE SUN, THE SWOLLEN AREA ON THE TRUNK THERE IS A GRAFT.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE GRAFT IS A LITTLE UNIQUE OR WONKY AS WELL.

SO I MEAN I'D LEAVE THE TREE IN AS LONG AS IT SURVIVES, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG TERM TREE IN THAT AREA.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, ELIZABETH.

WELL, WE GOT A SNEAK PEEK OF ONE OF THE GARDENS BEING FEATURED IN THIS YEAR'S UNMC MUNROE MEYER GUILD GARDEN WALK.

THIS IS A GREAT ANNUAL EVENT IN OMAHA, WHICH SUPPORTS PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES THROUGH THE LOVE OF GARDENING.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) WE ARE IN OMAHA AT ONE OF THE FEATURED GARDENS FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL UNMC MUNROE MEYER GUILD GARDEN WALK.

IT'S A WONDERFUL SPACE.

LUANN RABE IS WITH ME.

AND CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE CREATIVITY, THE SUSTAINABILITY, AND THE MISSION OF THE GUILD FOR DOING THIS GARDEN WALK?

>> WELL, WE ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE THESE FIVE PRIVATE GARDENS HERE IN OMAHA, AND WE HAVE ALL TYPES OF GARDENS FOR ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE.

WE HAVE FULL SUN, WE HAVE FULL SHADE, WE HAVE ORCHARD, WE HAVE A POND WITH KOI IN IT.

19 VENDORS THAT YOU CAN BUY GARDEN ART PUT UP IN YOUR GARDEN.

WE ALSO HAVE A CLASSIC CAR IN EACH DRIVEWAY SO THE MEN CAN SIT AND LOOK AT THAT.

THE MISSION OF THE GUILD IS TO PROVIDE GRANTS FOR RESEARCH EQUIPMENT PROGRAMS FOR MMI, WHICH IS FOR ALL AGES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

I'M A MOM THAT HAS A SON WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND I LOVE GARDENING.

WHAT I HAVE LOVED ABOUT IT IS EVERY YEAR WE COME UP WITH SOMETHING NEW THAT, OH, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS AT OUR HOUSE AND CHANGE THIS PART.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT I THINK IS EXCITING ABOUT THE GARDEN WALK.

>> SO EVERYTHING ABOUT THE MISSION AND THE PLACES IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU LUANN.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> ONE OF THE FEATURED GARDENS ON THE TOUR THIS YEAR WAS DESIGNED WITH BOTH BEAUTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY IN MIND.

EMILIE MIXAN FROM RYAN'S LAWN AND TREE IS THE PERSON WHO HAD THAT THOUGHT.

AND EMILY, WHAT WAS YOUR PLAN OR YOUR IDEA WHEN YOU STARTED DESIGNING THIS GARDEN?

>> WELL, THE HOMEOWNERS CAME TO ME AND THEY REALLY EMPHASIZED HOW MUCH THEY WANTED TO HAVE A NATIVE RAIN GARDEN.

THEY ARE ALSO BIG INTO VEGETABLE GARDENS, SO WE INCORPORATED THAT INTO THE DESIGN AS WELL.

WE REALLY UTILIZE THE FEATURES THAT THEY HAD ON SITE.

THEY HAD TWO DOWNSPOUTS THAT DRAINED AND POOLED.

SO WE UTILIZED THAT TO CREATE THE NATURAL RAIN GARDEN HERE.

AND YOU CAN SEE ALL THE PLANTS ARE TAKEN OFF WITH THAT.

>> A BIG PIECE OF THAT, AS YOU MENTIONED, IS THE RAIN GARDEN ITSELF.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BEDS AND THE CURVILINEAR FORM AND HOW THAT RELATES TO THE LAKE AND THE ENVIRONMENTS.

AND THIS IS KIND OF A WIDE OPEN SPACE.

>> SO EVERYTHING IS VERY SOFT LINES, NICE CURVES.

IT REALLY FLOWS.

THE NATIVE PLANTS INCORPORATED IN THAT FLOW WITH THE LINES AS WELL.

SO EVERYTHING'S VERY SOFT AND NATURAL AND FLOWING.

YOU GET THE LITTLE FINE TEXTURES FROM THE PLANTS, YOU GET THE LARGER LEAVES, AND IT ALL JUST KIND OF MIXES TOGETHER TO CREATE WHAT YOU SEE HERE.

>> AND YOU SAID THAT THE OWNERS ACTUALLY DO ALL OF THE MANAGEMENT ON THIS SPACE THEMSELVES.

>> THEY DO.

>> SO TO BE ABLE TO TAKE YOUR DESIGN AND MANAGE IT IN A WAY THAT YOU HAD IN MIND IS A LITTLE BIT UNUSUAL SOMETIMES, ISN'T IT?

>> YES.

YEP.

SO IT'S BEEN IN FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS NOW, AND THE DESIGN I GAVE THEM REALLY SERVED AS KIND OF A BASE MAP, A FRAMEWORK FOR THIS DESIGN.

AND WHAT YOU SEE IS THE GARDEN EVOLVING OVER FOUR YEARS.

SO THEY'VE HAD PLANTS DIE AND THEY'VE TRANSPLANTED AND THEY'VE DIVIDED AND THEY'VE REALLY FLOWED WITH WHAT THE GARDEN'S GIVEN THEM.

AND, AND IT'S CREATED A REALLY BEAUTIFUL SPACE.

(TRANQUIL MUSIC) >> THE 57TH ANNUAL GARDEN WALK IS ON SUNDAY, JUNE 14TH FROM 9 A.M.

TO 4 P.M.

IN OMAHA.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEARCH.

MONROE MEYER GUILD GARDEN WALK OR VISIT THE BACKYARD FARMER FACEBOOK PAGE.

ALL RIGHT.

KAIT, TWO FROM ITHACA.

TWO OF HER TREES HAVE THESE WEIRD GREEN HARD BALLS ON THE LEAVES.

WHAT ARE THESE?

>> IT'S GALL SEASON.

SO THESE ARE OAK PETIOLE GALLS.

WE ACTUALLY USUALLY SEE OAK APPLE GALLS.

THESE ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU'LL NOTICE THE GALLS ARE ON THAT MIDRIB OF THE AF NEAR THE PETIOLE.

BUT THEY'RE BOTH CALLED CAUSED BY SMALL LITTLE TINY WASPS THAT LAY THEIR EGGS ON THE LEAVES.

AND THEN THE GALL FORMS AROUND THAT THE WASPS WILL LEAVE IN THE SUMMER.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE SOME EXIT HOLES ON THESE.

BUT THE GOOD THING ABOUT WELL, I GUESS GOOD THING, QUOTE UNQUOTE, IS THAT GALLS ARE USUALLY JUST A COSMETIC THING.

IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE TREE.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE'S REALLY NO RECOMMENDED TREATMENT FOR THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SPEAKING OF GALLS, TWO FROM OMAHA RECENTLY DOWNED BRANCHES OF SILVER MAPLE.

>> YEAH.

SO THESE ARE MAPLE BLADDER GALLS AND THEY'RE NOT CAUSED BY A WASP.

THESE ARE CAUSED BY MITES.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO TREAT FOR THIS.

SO THIS ONE THERE KIND OF IS AN OPTION AS LONG AS YOU KNOW, YOU KEEP THE TREE HEALTHY AND IT'S NOT AN ISSUE.

IF YOU SEE LEAF DROP THOUGH, YOU WANT TO DO A TREATMENT BEFORE BUD BREAK.

SO DORMANT OILS, IF THIS TREE IS SMALL ENOUGH AND BUT REALLY ONLY DO THAT IF YOU'RE SEEING LIKE EARLY LEAF DROP AND IT'S CAUSING AN ISSUE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO FROM STELLA, NEBRASKA.

HACKBERRY SO DROPPING MANY YELLOW LEAVES THAT LOOK LIKE THEY'VE BEEN CHEWED ON AND THEY HAVE HOLES IN THEM.

>> SO WE DO SOMETIMES GET CATERPILLARS.

THERE ARE CATERPILLARS THAT FEED ON HACKBERRY, BUT TO ME THIS LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE HACKBERRY TATTERS, WHICH I LEARNED ABOUT TODAY.

AND IT COULD BE CAUSED BY THE COLD WINTER WE HAD, YOU KNOW, FROST DURING A LEAF UNCURLING AND THE LEAF DROP.

IT COULD THERE'S A BUNCH OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE IT.

SO I WOULD JUST KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE TREE, MAKE SURE IT'S WATERED, MAKE SURE IT'S GOT A MULCH RING.

YEAH.

>> OKAY.

THANKS, KAIT.

ONE FROM NEMAHA COUNTY.

JEFF, THE PLANT IS ABOUT THREE FEET TALL, SMOOTH, SQUARE, HOLLOW, STRONG BITTER SCENT.

>> SO IT'S IN THE MINT FAMILY.

IT'S MOTHERWORT.

YEAH.

I EVEN SURPRISED YOU WITH THAT ONE.

>> I'M A GRANDMOTHER.

>> YES.

NOT A GRANDMA WORT.

IT'S MOTHERWORT.

SO IT'S A PERENNIAL.

AND SO LIKE ALL GREAT MINTS, IT WILL SPREAD.

IT WILL PRODUCE LOTS OF SEEDS.

SO IF IT'S SOMETHING YOU DON'T WANT, YOU WANT TO GET IT BEFORE IT STARTS PRODUCING SEED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

ONE FROM PENDER.

AND SHE THOUGHT THIS WAS A VOLUNTEER TOMATO.

SO SHE POTTED IT.

AND NOW SHE THINKS IT'S A WEED.

>> WELL.

>> SHE'LL BE POPULAR IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD AS SHE GROWS A GIANT RAGWEED ON A POT.

SO I'M SURE ALL HER FRIENDS WILL LOVE AS A STARTING TO PRODUCE POLLEN LATER IN THE YEAR, SO.

BUT YEAH, IT'S A RAGWEED.

>> OKAY.

AND TWO FROM LINCOLN.

SO THIS PLANT LOOKS LIKE IT GOT MOWED OFF, BUT IT FLOWERED ANY WAY NEAR A NEAR A PLAYGROUND.

LOOKS LIKE THE SAME THING.

GROWING AND FLOWERING IN DITCHES.

WHAT IS IT?

>> SO THIS LOOKS LIKE POISON HEMLOCK.

AND SO THIS IS ONE THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THESE PLANTS.

YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

HAVE RUBBER GLOVES ON.

MAYBE EVEN PUT ON SOME SAFETY GLASSES.

CUT IT BACK.

DON'T BURN THE LEAVES.

YOU KNOW, THROW THEM IN THE GARBAGE AND THEN START TREATING THINGS.

SO AGAIN, USING A NONSELECTIVE HERBICIDE ON IT AND KIND OF KEEP GOING WITH IT BECAUSE IT HAS A BIG ROOT SYSTEM AND IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO KILL.

>> OKAY.

THANKS, JEFF.

THREE LOREN FROM LINCOLN, TWO OLDER CEDARS.

THEY SEEM TO HAVE DEVELOPED LEAF LOSS.

HE'S WONDERING IF THIS IS CERCOSPORA AND NEEDLE BLIGHT.

>> YEAH.

SO IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURE THERE'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE ON THE TRUNK.

IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE IT WAS SOMETHING PHYSICAL THAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

AND THEN SOMETIMES THOSE LARGE AREAS OF DAMAGED TRUNK CAN BE THERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND SOMETHING ELSE MOVES IN.

SO I DO BELIEVE IT'S RELATED TO THAT.

I COULDN'T TELL FROM THE PICTURE IF BOTH THE TREES HAD NEEDLE DROP, OR IT LOOKED LIKE IT MAY BE CONFINED TO THAT TREE, SO I WOULD JUST FOLLOW THE BRANCHES ON THAT ONE.

I'M REALLY THINKING THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

IT MAY STILL SURVIVE FOR QUITE A WHILE, BUT YOU MAY HAVE MORE NEEDLE DROP IN THERE.

EVENTUALLY IT WILL DIE.

>> WELL, AND THEY'RE NOT THEY DON'T LIKE THE SHADE.

SO THAT MIGHT BE.

>> THAT COULD ADD TO IT.

BUT THAT LARGE DAMAGED AREA I THINK WILL PROBABLY TRACK TO WHERE A LOT OF THAT INTERNAL DROP IS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO FROM RURAL ELKHORN.

SO SHE'S SAYING ANY HOPE FOR THIS TREE.

SHE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS.

IT'S AWESOME.

AND SHE AND WE KNOW WHAT THIS IS.

BUT YOU KNOW HERE IT COMES AGAIN.

>> SO WELL IN CEDAR APPLE RUST.

IT'S SO COMMON THIS YEAR WHEN IT'S REALLY AN EXTREME CASE LIKE THIS, YOU WILL GET SOME BRANCH AND LIMB IMPACT AND THE THE TREE WILL BE SHORTER AND IT WILL GROW SLOWER AND EVERYTHING.

IT USUALLY WILL NOT KILL THE TREE THOUGH.

SO IF YOU'RE IF YOU'RE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT IT, IF IT'S A SPECIMEN TREE, YOU CAN TREAT IT NEXT SPRING.

BUT I WOULDN'T DO THAT.

I WOULD JUST PICK THOSE OFF AND HOPE IT DOESN'T.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME NEXT YEAR.

MOST LIKELY IT SHOULD BE FINE.

>> YEAH, WE HOPE.

>> YOU PROBABLY HAVE AN APPLE TREE OR SOMETHING CLOSE TO IT TO HAVE THAT MUCH.

THAT'S WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS.

SO YOUR APPLE TREE IS IN MORE TROUBLE THAN THAT.

>> SPEAKING OF WHICH, ONE PICTURE FROM MANHATTAN, KANSAS.

IT WAS PLANTED LAST YEAR DOING REALLY WELL.

THEN IT GOT DISCOLORATION ON THE LEAVES.

AND IT IS A SPRING SNOW CRABAPPLE, WHICH IS AN OLD, OLD VARIETY.

>> WELL, AND IT COULD SUSCEPTIBLE.

WE SAW CEDAR APPLE RUST EARLIER, BUT I DON'T REALLY THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.

THIS IS ALL INTERNAL LEAF DAMAGE AND SMALL SHOOT DAMAGE ON THE BRANCHES.

IT RLLY MADE ME QUESTION IF THERE'S NOT SOMETHING BELOW THAT PICTURE AT THE BASE OF THE TRUNK OF THE TREE, THAT'S SOME SORT OF PHYSICAL DAMAGE.

OR, YOU KNOW, IF IT WASN'T PLANTED CORRECTLY OR SOMETHING, BUT THERE'S SOME STRESS THERE THAT'S RESULTING IN THE INTERNAL PORTION OF THE CANOPY THINNING, WHICH TYPICALLY, I MEAN, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE CEDAR APPLE RUST.

SO I WOULD LOOK AT THE OVERALL HEALTH, HOW IT WAS PLANTED, IF THERE'S ANY DAMAGE AT THE BASE.

>> GREAT.

THANKS, LOREN.

THREE FROM ELIZABETH.

THESE TWO HACKBERRIES HAVE BEEN IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE FOR 50 PLUS YEARS AND THEY LOVE THEM.

ONE HAS WITCH'S BROOM.

THEY'VE TREATED.

THE SECOND IS LOSING BARK.

WHAT CAN THEY DO TO GET ANOTHER 50 YEARS OUT OF THESE?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THESE TREES ARE PROBABLY DONE.

THE ONE THAT HAS THE LEAF THAT HAS THIS BARK BLASTING.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE TREE DOESN'T HAVE BARK, IT'S NOT ABLE TO TAKE UP WATER AND NUTRIENTS.

SO UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ONE MIGHT LOOK GOOD NOW.

BUT AS THE SEASON PROGRESSES, IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO DECLINE WITH TIME.

THE OTHER ONE THAT HAS THE WITCH'S ROOM, IT HAS A VERY THIN CANOPY.

THE WITCH'S BROOM AREN'T THE ISSUE.

THE ISSUE FOR THAT TREE IS THE PLANTING DEPTH AND THE LACK OF A ROOT FLARE.

SO UNFORTUNATELY, BOTH OF THESE TREES JUST HAPPEN TO AGE OUT AND BE CAUGHT UP WITH THEIR ISSUES AT THE SAME TIME.

SO MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THESE TWO TREES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THREE FROM CLAYTONIA.

THIS IS AN ELM DROPPING LEAVES.

>> YEP.

YOU KNOW, THE FIRST THOUGHT IS OKAY, ARE WE IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS?

SECOND THING IS WHAT DOES THE TRUNK OF THE TREE LOOK LIKE?

DOES IT HAVE A NICE ROOT FLARE WHERE IT ENTERS THE GROUND?

I WASN'T REALLY ABLE TO SEE BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME PLANTS UP NEXT TO IT.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVE A STEM GIRDLING ROOT OR WE HAVE A LACK OF A ROOT FLARE, THOSE COULD BE WHAT'S CAUSING THAT LEAF DROP.

>> OKAY.

AND TWO FROM OMAHA.

SO HE HEARD THAT HONEYSUCKLE IS INVASIVE AND HE'S WONDERING IF THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

>> SO THERE ARE CERTAIN HONEYSUCKLES THAT ARE INVASIVE.

AND IF YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL, THEY'LL GIVE YOU A WHOLE LIST.

BUT THIS ONE ISN'T.

SO THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS FOR THE VIEWER.

THIS ONE IS ONE OF THE SEMPERVIRENS HONEYSUCKLES, WHICH IS MORE OF LIKE A VINING TYPE.

THE ONES ON THE LIST ARE MORE SHRUB TYPE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, ELIZABETH.

IT TOOK A LITTLE PATIENCE, BUT WE FINALLY HAVE EVERYTHING PLANTED OUT AT OUR GARDEN.

WE HAVE MORE CHORES TO COMPLETE.

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

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING PLANTED.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE DONE WITH THIS PROJECT.

THIS GARDEN ONLY TAKES ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR US TO GET EVERYTHING GOING, BUT IT'S ALL DONE.

THERE'S ONE LAST THING THAT WE'LL HAVE TO DO, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD REALLY MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE DOING IN YOUR GARDEN, AND THAT IS MULCHING.

MULCHING REALLY DOES HELP EXTEND THOSE PLANTS, KEEPS EVERYTHING COOL, KEEPS YOUR SOIL MOIST, HELPS KEEP ALL THE WEEDS DOWN, MULTIPLE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU CAN USE.

WHAT I REALLY LIKE TO USE ON OUR GARDEN IN THE VEGETABLE AND ANNUAL AREA IS EITHER STRAW OR GRASS CLIPPINGS, OR IF YOU SAVED YOUR FALL LEAVES.

THOSE CRUSHED UP LEAVES ARE ALSO A REALLY GREAT MULCH TO BE ABLE TO USE WITHIN THAT AREA, WHERE YOU'RE KIND OF TURNING THINGS OVER ON A YEARLY BASIS.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE PERENNIALS AND YOU CAN GO WITH LIKE A WOOD MULCH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT'S REALLY GREAT.

AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE MULCHING EVERYTHING IN YOUR GARDEN AND STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN THIS WEEK TO CHECK IT OUT.

>> THANKS, TERRI.

IT'S TIME (WHIRLING SOUNDS) >> THANKS, TERRI.

IT'S TIME FOR OUR SOCIAL MEDIA.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK.

THIS ONE COMES FROM STEPHANIE MCCORGARY OSTERTHUN WITH A COOL PICTURE OF WHAT SHE BELIEVES IS A HUMMINGBIRD MOTH.

SO, KAIT, IS THAT WHAT THIS IS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS A WHITE-LINED SPHINX MOTH, WHICH IS IN THE GROUP HUMMINGBIRMOTHS.

>> AND SHE ALSO WANTS TO KNOW DO THEY MIGRATE.

WHAT CAN WE TELL HER ABOUT THEIR LIFESPAN AND WHAT ARE THEY?

OR WERE THEY OR ARE THEY GOOD OR BAD?

>> YEAH.

SO THEY'RE ACTUALLY NATIVE TO NEBRASKA.

SOMETIMES THEY DO MIGRATE FR THE SOUTH BECAUSE COLD WINTERS ARE HARD AND WE GET COLD WINTERS IN NEBRASKA, BUT THEY'RE REALLY COOL.

THEIR CATERPILLARS ARE PART OF THAT HORNWORM CATERPILLAR GROUP.

THEY'LL FEED ON THINGS LIKE SPURGE AND PRIMROSE AND PURSLANE AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER DIFFERENT PLANTS.

BUT WE WOULD CONSIDER THESE GOOD BECAUSE THEY VISIT FLOWERS AND THEY CAN POLLINATE.

>> SO PEOPLE LOVE THEM IN THE GARDEN.

PEOPLE HATE THEM IN THE GARDEN, RIGHT?

>> THEY'RE CLOSELY RELATED TO TOMATO HORNWORMS TOO.

SO THEY GET A BAD RAP BECAUSE OF THAT.

BUT THEY'RE REALLY NICE WHEN THEY VISIT POLLINATORS AND THEY'RE HUGE AND JUST REALLY BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT.

>> AWESOME.

KAIT.

SO HOPEFULLY THAT WILL GIVE HER ALL THE INFORMATION THAT SHE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE AND ENJOY THEM WHEN SHE SEES THEM.

>> YES.

>> EXCELLENT.

YOU CAN GO TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND POST A QUESTION AND PICTURE, AND YOU MIGHT END UP ON THE BIG BOARD NEXT WEEK.

JUST ADD YOUR QUESTIONS AND PHOTOS IN THE COMMENTS OF ONE OF OUR POSTS.

IT'S TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK.

COMING UP, WE'VE GOT THE LIGHTNING ROUND PLANET OF THE WEEK AND WEEKLY WEATHER FORECAST.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> WELCOME BACK TO BACKYARD FARMER.

COMING UP LATER, WE'LL CHECK OUT A NEW GREEN SPACE IN DOWNTOWN OMAHA.

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

AND OF COURSE, RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

ELIZABETH.

THIS.

THIS PERSON'S BASIL GOT COLD IN THAT LAST COLD SNAP.

WILL IT RECOVER OR SHOULD SHE REPLANT?

>> IT MIGHT GROW FROM THE GROWING POINTS.

YOU CAN LEAVE IT IN IF YOU WANT TO, BUT IF IT'S MOSTLY BLACK, I'D TAKE IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM MILLARD.

SOME EDGES OF ONE OF HER ROSE BUSHES THAT SHE JUST PLANTED GOT BLACK THERE, KIND OF AGAINST A WALL.

AND THE ROSE IS NEW THIS SEASON.

>> IT'S PROBABLY TRANSPLANT SHOCK OR, YOU KNOW, DESICCATION.

>> OKAY.

FREMONT.

SHE'S GOT STRAWBERRIES FOR THE VERY FIRST YEAR.

LOTS OF FLOWERS, SOME BERRIES.

BUT THEY DIDN'T RIPEN.

WHY?

>> USUALLY FIRST YEAR STRAWBERRIES.

WE TRY NOT TO HAVE THEM GO TO FRUIT, SO I JUST PICK THEM OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A GRETNA VIEWER WHO HAS A YELLOW BIRCH.

WHAT HAPPENED?

AND IS THERE A REMEDY?

>> MORE THAN LIKELY IT'S IRON CHLOROSIS AND YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IRON INJECTION OR CAPSULES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM NORFOLK.

DO RABBITS BOTHER YELLOW ICE PLANT?

>> I AM NOT DENNIS.

I DO NOT KNOW.

>> DENNIS WOULDN'T KNOW.

>> EITHER DO I. I'M GONNA GUESS NO.

>> OKAY.

YOU READY?

LOREN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> FROM NOWHERE, THIS PEAR RUST SPOTS ARE ALREADY SHOWING UP.

IS IT TOO LATE TOPRAY PEARS FOR RUSTS?

>> YES.

>> FROM LINCOLN.

AN ANCIENT OAK IS APPARENTLY WET ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM A BIG OLD CUT BRANCH.

IS THAT A GONER?

WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

>> WELL, SOME PEOPLE MAY CALL IT WET WOOD.

IF IT'S A CUT BRANCH, IT'S FRESH.

IT'S JUST SAP EXUDING OUT THE END.

>> OKAY.

>> IT'LL STOP.

>> AN UPRIGHT BLUE JUNIPER SELECTION.

ONE BRANCH DIED, AND THEN THE ENTIRE INTERIOR WENT BROWN, AND THEN IT CROAKED.

IS THERE SOME JUNIPER DISEASE OF BLUE JUNIPERS?

>> THE WAY THAT'S DESCRIBED?

IT COULD BE A LOT OF THINGS.

THERE COULD BE A CANKER.

YEAH, I DON'T KNOW, BUT CHAINSAW IT OUT.

>> IT WILL SPRUCE.

SPRUCES CONTINUE TO HAVE NEEDLE DISEASES IF THEY ARE NOT TREATED.

>> MAYBE.

>> KYLE TALKED ABOUT ASH YELLOWS.

DOES THAT AFFECT PRIVET AS WELL AS LILACS >> PASS.

>> THEY'RE IN THE SAME FAMILY.

>> OKAY THEN YES.

>> OKAY JEFF, FROM BROKEN BOW.

THE SOD DID NOT GET WATERED FOR THREE DAYS AND IT WAS 90 DEGREES IN THE HEAT AND IT TURNED BROWN.

HOPELESS.

>> NOT NECESSARILY.

THERE MIGHT BE SOME LIFE, BUT IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE MUCH THINNER.

>> OKAY.

FROM LEXINGTON, A BAG OF FERTILIZER APPARENTLY GOT ALL WET AND HARD LIKE CONCRETE.

CAN THEY CHOP IT UP AND STILL USE IT?

>> I DON'T THINK I WOULD, I THINK I'D DISPOSE OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, OTHER THAN HAND DIGGING AND PULLING WEEDS IN A LANDSCAPE BED.

IS LANDSCAPE CLOTH SOMETHING THAT WE RECOMMEND?

>> NO IT'S NOT.

IT'S JUST GOING TO INCREASE YOUR WEED PROBLEMS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IS SULFENTRAZONE OR MESOTRIONE A BETTER WEED CONTROL THING?

>> WELL, MESOTRIONE IS GOOD FOR NEW SEEDLINGS, SO THAT'S YOU WOULD WANT TO USE IT FOR THAT.

SO IT'S A GOOD PRODUCT.

WE'RE SEEING IT USED A LOT MORE.

>> IN LINCOLN.

WE SAY THIS IS FROM LINCOLN.

WE SAY READ THE LABEL MIGHT BE TOO HOT TO SPRAY.

WHAT HARM WOULD IT DO IF YOU SPRAY WHEN IT'S TOO HOT?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF EFFECTS YOU CAN HAVE ON ALL THE OTHER PLANTS IN YOUR AREA.

SO, I MEAN, YOU YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO SPRAY ANYTHING OVER 84 DEGREES.

SO.

>> OKAY.

>> KAIT.

>> YES.

>> IN CAPITAL LETTERS FROM ONE OF OUR VIEWERS, WHERE ARE THE INSECTS?

>> EVERYWHERE.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK FOR THEM.

>> I THINK THEY WERE PROBABLY REFERRING TO THE POLLINATORS, IN PARTICULAR.

>> WELL, THEY'RE OUT THERE.

YOU JUST HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK.

YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM PRAIRIE HOME, HE TREATED WITH MILKY SPORE FOR JAPANESE BEETLES.

IS THAT A RISK TO BIRDS AND OR POLLINATORS IF THEY COME IN CONTACT WITH A BEETLE?

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS FROM COZAD.

THERE WAS A HONEYCOMB LOOKING WASP NEST.

IT LOOKS BIGGER, BUT THERE ARE NO WASPS.

DO THEY OVERWINTER AND THEN KEEP REBUILDING?

>> NO.

SO THAT'S LIKELY AN OLD WASP NEST FROM LAST YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM LINCOLN.

A LARGE, THIN, GOLD WASP LIKE INSECT WAS LOOKING FOR AN OPENING IN SOMEBODY'S HOUSE.

ANY IDEA ON THAT ONE?

>> THERE'S GOLDEN DIGGER WASP, BUT THEY DIG IN THE GROUND.

WE WOULD NEED A PICTURE, I THINK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

GRETNA, CONTINUING THE TICK CONVERSATION.

>> GOODNESS.

>> ARE THERE LOTS.

>> YES.

>> TRYING TO GET A POINT FOR THAT ONE.

>> I THINK YOU WANT ANYWAY.

AND NO I DIDN'T STACK THE DECK.

>> JEFF GOT IT TOO.

>> DID HE GET IT.

THREE WAY TIE.

>> DON'T PUT IT IN FRONT OF LOREN.

>> THANK YOU.

WHAT AN HONOR.

>> APPRECIATE SITTING BETWEEN BOTH OF YOU, I FINALLY WON.

>> OKAY, WELL, FOR OUR PLANT OF THE WEEK, WE TOOK OUR CAMERAS TO KEARNEY TO SEE A FANTASTIC SHRUB THAT ATTRACTS BIRDS AND PROBABLY SOME HUMANS.

HERE'S BROCK STEINBRINK TO TELL US HOW VERSATILE THIS SHRUB CAN BE.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> THE PLANT OF THE WEEK IS CHOKEBERRY OR ARONIA BERRY.

THIS NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE IS AN UNDERUTILIZED PLANT IN THE LANDSCAPE.

IN MY LANDSCAPE DESIGNS, I TRY TO USE AS MUCH AS I CAN.

IT HAS THREE SEASONS OF COLOR.

FIRST, IN THE SPRING.

IT HAS A WHITE BLOOM THAT COVERS THE PLANT.

THESE WHITE BLOOMSRE A GREAT SOURCE OF POLLINATION FOR BUTTERFLIES, MOTHS, AND NATIVE BEES.

SECOND, IN THE SUMMER, THE PLANT IS LOADED WITH DARK PURPLE BERRIES.

THESE BERRIES ARE A GREAT SOURCE OF FOOD FOR BIRDS AND SMALL MAMMALS.

IF YOU'RE A BIRD LOVER AND YOU WANT TO ATTRACT MORE BIRDS TO YOUR LANDSCAPE, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE CHOKEBERRY.

ALSO, THE BERRIES ARE EDIBLE FOR HUMANS.

FINALLY, IN THE FALL, THE LEAVES TURN ORANGISH RED, SO THAT GIVES YOU THREE SEASONS OF COLOR.

CHOKEBERRIES ARE GREAT.

THEY CAN BE IN THE SUN ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE SHADE, AND THERE'S A CHOKEBERRY FOR ANY SIZE LANDSCAPE THAT YOU NEED.

YOU HAVE THE AUTUMN MAGIC CHOKEBERRY THAT GETS SIX FOOT TALL, SIX FOOT WIDE.

YOU HAVE THE IROQUOIS BEAUTY CHOKEBERRY THAT GETS THREE FOOT TALL, FOUR FOOT WIDE, AND YOU HAVE THE LOW SCAPE MOUND CHOKEBERRY THAT GETS TWO FOOT HIGH, TWO FOOT WIDE.

AND NOW THROWING IT OVER TO GANNON FOR THE WEATHER.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER) >> HEY, GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE LONG WEEKEND.

FOR THE MOST PART, TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK WILL BE NEAR NORMAL WITH HIGHS IN THE 70S AND 80S.

OUR HOTTEST DAY OF THE WEEK SEEMS TO BE ON SATURDAY, WHERE AREAS IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE STATE NEAR MCCOOK MIGHT GET INTO THE 90S.

LOOKING A BIT FURTHER OUT, THERE ARE SOME HINTS THAT IT COULD GET FAIRLY WARM IN THE NEAR FUTURE, BUT WE'LL CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN WE GET THERE.

CONSIDERING HOW DRY IT'S BEEN RECENTLY, THE PRECIPITATION FORECAST THIS WEEK IS PHENOMENAL.

MOST PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE AT LEAST A HALF INCH, WHILE THOSE IN THE INCHES OR MORE.

THERE'S DAILY CHANCES OF RAIN, SO HOPEFULLY THOSE OUT WEST CAN FINALLY GET SOME RELIEF FROM THE ONGOING DROUGHT.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEK.

WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU GUYS.

>> OUR FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT IS, OF COURSE, WE WILL BE AT SCHRAMM PARK STATE RECREATION AREA ON SATURDAY, MAY 30TH.

WE WANT YOU TO COME.

WE HAVE ALL THAT INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

SECOND IS IT IS NATIONAL WILDFLOWER WEEK.

LOTS OF EVENTS STATEWIDE, JUNE 1ST TO JUNE 7TH.

WE HAVE PLANTNEBRASKA.ORG ON THE SCREEN, AND YOU CAN LOOK AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

ALL RIGHT.

KAIT, ONE FROM LINCOLN AND THEN ONE FROM CENTRAL CITY.

AND THEY ARE HOLES IN THE GROUND.

AND SHE KNOWS IT'S NOT CICADAS AND SHE THINKS SHE KNOWS WHAT IT IS.

AND WHAT DO WE THINK IT IS.

>> SO WE SUSPECT THESE ARE THE EMERGENCE HOLES FROM MAY OR JUNE BEETLES.

SO THEY LIVE AS WHITE GRUBS IN THE SOIL.

THEY'LL FEED ON THE TURF GRASS ROOTS.

AND THIS TIME OF YEAR, OBVIOUSLY IT'S MAY.

WE'RE GETTING INTO JUNE.

SO WE'RE SEEING THESE BEETLES EMERGE.

IT MIGHT SUGGEST YOU HAVE A GRUB PROBLEM.

SO IF YOU SEE A LOT OF BROWNING IN YOUR GRASS, YOU MIGHT WANT TO PLAN ON DOING EITHER A CURATIVE TREATMENT IN AUGUST OR PUTTING DOWN A PREVENTATIVE IN JUNE.

>> OKAY.

AND I THINK CENTRAL CITY WAS BASICALLY THE SAME THING.

SO TWO DIFFERENT.

ALL RIGHT.

SO ONE PICTURE FROM BELLEVUE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL LARGE MAY MOTH.

WHAT IS THIS?

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

AND I BELIEVE WAYNE HAD A SAMPLE OF IT EITHER LAST WEEK OR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

BUT THEY CAN GET A WINGSPAN OF ABOUT SIX INCHES.

THEY'RE PRETTY AMAZING.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO FROM FLORENCE AREA OF OMAHA.

NOTICE THIS LARGE CREATURE IN THE PASTURE.

>> SO BEAUTIFUL.

THIS IS ALSO A GIANT SILK MOTH, SO CLOSELY RELATED, BUT THIS ONE'S CALLED THE LUNA MOTH.

THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT SMALLER, BUT THEY CAN STILL REACH ABOUT A FOUR INCH WINGSPAN.

SO VERY COOL.

>> YES.

AND TO FIND THAT IN THE PASTURE.

WONDERFUL.

OKAY, JEFF, THIS IS PONCA HILLS ON THE BLUFFS ABOVE THE MISSOURI RIVER.

THIS PLANT IS TAKING OVER.

WHAT IS IT NOW TO GET RID OF IT?

>> YEAH.

AMUR HONEYSUCKLE.

AND I KNOW IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY ATTRACTIVE RIGHT NOW.

IT'S GOING TO PRODUCE A LOT OF LITTLE RED FRUITS THAT THE BIRDS ARE GOING TO SPREAD ALL OVER THE PLACE AND IT'LL CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM.

SO I FIND THEM, IF THINGS ARE A LITTLE MOIST, EASY TO PULL OUT OF THE GROUND.

SO THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERRED.

AND DEPENDING ON HOW MANY YOU HAVE, OBVIOUSLY.

THE OTHER THING YOU CAN DO IS CUT THEM, CUT THEM BACK, AND THEN PAINT THE STUMPS RIGHT AWAY WITH A STUMP KILLER.

BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT PRETTY MUCH WITHIN LIKE FIVE MINUTES.

SO YOU GOT TO DO IT RIGHT AWAY.

>> THANKS, JEFF.

TWO FROM OMAHA.

THIS INVASIVE PLANT TAKING OVER THE YARDS KEEPS GROWING.

THE MORE THEY PULL, THE WORSE IT GETS.

>> WELL, IT'S ELDERBERRY, SO IF THEY WAIT, THEY CAN COOK THE FRUIT AND HAVE JAM OR JELLY LATER IN THE YEAR.

IF THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, THEN IT'S KIND OF THE SAME TREATMENT AS THE HONEYSUCKLE.

YOU HAVE TO CUT AND TREAT AND CUT AND TREAT.

>> OKAY.

AND TWO FROM OMAHA.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO KILL THIS VINE?

IT'S BEEN HERE FOR YEARS.

IT'S TORN IT DOWN.

IT KEEPS COMING BACK.

>> YEAH, IT WILL.

AND IT'S THE SAME SORT OF THING.

I MEAN, YOU'D HAVE TO PULL THE VINES DOWN, CUT IT, CUT IT BACK AND TREAT THE STUMPS.

AND AGAIN, IT'LL BE SOMETHING YOU'LL HAVE TO JUST KIND OF KEEP WORKING ON, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

IT'S GOT A HEALTHY ROOT SYSTEM.

>> RIGHT AND THAT'S, I THINK BOSTON IVY.

>> RIGHT.

BOSTON IVY.

>> OKAY.

THREE FROM SEWARD.

LOREN.

SO THIS IS RHUBARB THAT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH FUNGUS.

THEY'RE HARDY.

HE SHE HAS USED SHE HAS A PICTURE, I THINK, OF THE FUNGICIDE THAT SHE USED WHEN THE PLANTS BEGAN TO EMERGE.

SO THREE PICS HERE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

WHAT DO WE THINK?

>> WELL A COUPLE OF THINGS.

I THINK THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT THIS IS NORMALLY MUCH, MUCH HIGHER AND A MUCH LARGER PLANT.

SO IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, I THINK IT'S REALLY MORE ENVIRONMENTAL.

I SEE SOME OF THE LEAF SPOTS ON THE RHUBARB, BUT I'M NOT TOO WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

I REALLY THINK THAT SHORTER GROWTH AND EVERYTHING IS JUST RELATED TO THE FLUCTUATION IN THE WEATHER.

IVY, RHUBARB PLANTS AT HOME.

AND I WAS SHARING WITH THE PANEL MINE LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THAT.

AND I'M HAVING THE SAME THING.

I THINK IT'S JUST ENVIRONMENTAL AND I WOULD NOT TREAT THAT.

>> OKAY.

TWO FROM SHENANDOAH, IOWA.

AND SHE SAYS ONLY THIS ONE CONEFLOWER HAS ODDLY STRIPED LEAVES.

AND THEN A FORMING BUD IS YELLOWING.

>> AND THIS IS LOOKING LIKE THE EARLY SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS, I MEAN, OF ASTER YELLOWS.

AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL SPREAD THROUGH YOUR OTHER ASTERS.

I WOULD SUGGEST ROUGHING THAT OUT.

>> IMMEDIATELY.

>> YES.

>> YES.

ELIZABETH TWO FROM SHELDON, IOWA.

THEY NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN TWO WEEPING WILLOWS AND SHE'S WONDERING WHAT IT COULD BE AND WHAT CAN THEY DO.

SO THIS IS NORTHWEST IOWA, AND I THINK THE SECOND PICTURE SHOWS KIND OF SOME ISSUES.

>> AND IT'S KIND OF HARD TO DETERMINE EXACTLY FROM THE PHOTOS THAT WE GOT.

SO LIKE IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF WE HAVE A NICE ROOT FLARE, I'M GOING TO NEED TO SEE WHERE THE TRUNK ENTERS THE GROUND OR TO SEE IF THERE'S A STEM GIRDLING ROOT, IF THEY'RE BOTH EQUALLY AFFECTED THE SAME.

I'M GOING TO LEAN TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL, WHETHER IT BE A COLD SNAP OR THE HOT, OR YOU PICK ANY WEATHER CONDITION THAT YOU'VE HAD, WE MIGHT SEE THAT AFFECT THOSE WILLOWS BECAUSE THEY EMERGE FAIRLY EARLY.

>> AND THEIR WILLOWS.

>> BUT YEAH.

>> CANKERS >> AND ALL THE OTHER STUFF THAT LOREN KNOWS.

>> A LOT OF FUN, BUT THERE WILLOWS.

>> IT GROWS FAST.

>> GROWS FAST.

THERE YOU GO.

KEEP THAT IN MIND.

OKAY.

TWO FROM LINCOLN.

HE'S WONDERING WHAT CAN BE DONE TO STRENGTHEN THIS PIN OAK.

THIS IS A PIN OAK.

AND SHOULD THE BARE BRANCHES BE REMOVED?

>> YES.

SO ANYTHING DEAD, DAMAGED OR DISEASED CAN BE REMOVED AT ANY POINT IN TIME.

THE THING TO KEEP IN MIND WITH THE OAKS IS WE DO PREFER IF YOU'RE REMOVING A LIVING BRANCH TO DO IT LIKE IN NOVEMBER.

SO THAT WAY WE DON'T HAVE THE RISK OF OAK WILT BEING SPREAD.

BUT IF THEY'RE DEAD, GO AHEAD AND TAKE THEM OUT.

IF WE'RE SUFFERING FROM CHLOROSIS, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL IRON TO THIS TREE.

YOU CAN EITHER DO IT THROUGH AN INJECTION BY HIRING A CERTIFIED APPLICATOR.

YOU CAN DO IT WITH OVER-THE-COUNTER CAPSULES WHERE YOU DRILL A HOLE AND INSERT THE CAPSULE.

NOW KEEP IN MIND THE CAPSULES DON'T LAST AS LONG AS THE INJECTIONS DO.

IF YOU WERE TO PUT IT AROUND THE BASE OF THE TREE IN THE SOIL, THE SOIL IS GOING TO TIE THAT IRON UP AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE TREE.

SO, I MEAN, I'D TAKE A GOOD HARD LOOK, MAKING SURE THERE'S NO STEM GIRDLING ROOTS, MAKING SURE WE'RE AT THE PROPER PLANTING DEPTH, BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE'LL SEE CHLOROSIS AS AN ISSUE FROM THOSE CONDITIONS AS WELL.

BUT YOU KNOW, REMOVE THE DEAD BRANCHES, CONTINUE TO WATER, WATCH AND WAIT.

AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO DO SOME IRON INJECTIONS, YOU COULD DO IT NEXT SPRING.

>> AND IT'S A PIN OAK AND THEY GET CHLOROTIC.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

ELIZABETH.

WELL, FOR DECADES, OMAHA HAS INVESTED IN BEAUTIFUL PUBLIC GREEN SPACES.

BUT A NEW GARDEN OPENING IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN MAY BECOME ONE OF ITS MOST REMARKABLE.

WE GOT A SNEAK PEEK AND LEARNED WHAT THIS URBAN OASIS MEANS TO THE CITY.

>> THIS WAS TRANSFORMED FROM A PARKING LOT, WHICH IS, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT WAS QUITE A TRANSFORMATION.

>> THERE'S OVER 22,000 PERENNIALS IN THE GROUND DOWN HERE.

WE HAVE OVER 160 TREES AND SHRUBS.

THEY ARE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> THIS IS CALLED POLINA GARDENS AFTER POLINA SCHLOTT.

SHE IS A TRUE ADVOCATE OF NATURE, ART AND BEAUTY.

SHE'S A HUGE FAN OF PIET OUDOLF AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT REALLY BROUGHT HIM TO THE TABLE AND THROUGH THIS HAVE CREATED A MAGICAL SPACE FOR ALL OF OMAHA TO COME AND ENJOY.

>> POLINA GARDENS SPEAKS TO COMMUNITY.

IT SPEAKS TO GATHERING WORLD CLASS HORTICULTURE.

IT SPEAKS TO EDUCATION, PERFORMING OUR MISSION, AND BRINGING THAT MISSION TO THE WHOLE CITY, TO EVERYONE THAT LIVES HERE, PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE, PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD.

LIKE THAT'S WHAT I THINK.

THIS SPEAKS TO OMAHA.

>> PLENTY OF PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO JUST SORT OF SIT AND RELAX AND ENJOY THE SPACE.

AND THERE'S ALSO USABILITY IN TERMS OF SPACE.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A STAGE, THERE'S A LAWN, SMALL CONCERTS, SMALL GET TOGETHERS.

AS MUCH AS PEOPLE CAN ENVISION IT, I THINK ANYTHING COULD REALLY BE DONE HERE.

I'M EXCITED FOR THE GRAND OPENING.

I'M EXCITED FOR THE REST OF OMAHA AND THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY THE SPACE.

>> POLINA GARDENS WILL BE OPEN JUNE 3RD TO THE PUBLIC.

THERE'S NOT TOO MANY PIET OUDOLF OLD GOLF GARDENS IN THE COUNTRY, AND SO TO HAVE ONE HERE IN OMAHA, WHERE I WAS BORN AND RAISED IS REALLY SPECIAL.

AND TO BE ABLE TO BE A STEWARD OF THIS SPACE MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.

>> POLINA GARDENS OPENS TO (UPBEAT MUSIC) >> POLINA GARDENS OPENS TO THE PUBLIC ON JUNE 3RD AT 13TH AND LEAVENWORTH IN DOWNTOWN OMAHA.

MANAGED BY LAURITZEN GARDENS, THE SPACE IS DESIGNED TO EVOLVE AND CHANGE, WITH EVERY SEASON OFFERING VISITORS A NEW EXPERIENCE EACH TIME THEY RETURN.

WHETHER YOU'RE A GARDENER, A NATURE LOVER, OR SIMPLY LOOKING FOR A PEACEFUL PLACE IN THE CITY, THIS WORLD CLASS GARDEN IS WORTH CHECKING OUT.

AND PARTICULARLY MORE THAN ONCE, YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

ALL RIGHT.

KAIT FROM NORFOLK.

WHAT IS THIS ON HIS ROSES?

AND THAT'S THE ONLY PICTURE.

YOU DON'T NEED MORE.

>> YES.

THIS IS CAUSED BY THE ROSE SLUG SAWFLY.

THEIR LARVAE FEED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LEAVES.

IT'S A TYPE OF WASP.

AND THE DAMAGE IS REALLY JUST COSMETIC.

YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE YOUR PRIZE ROSES AND BEAUTIFUL, YOU CAN GET A STRONG STREAM FROM THE HOSE AND TRY TO HOSE THEM OFF.

THERE ARE PESTICIDE OPTIONS, BUT JUST BE SURE TO APPLY IT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LEAVES BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE.

>> YOU KNOW, AND INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THERE ARE A HANDFUL THAT HAVE IT THIS YEAR, BUT NO LITTLE SOFT LIGHT SLUG THINGS UNDERNEATH.

THEY'RE ALL GONE ALREADY.

>> INTERESTING.

>> YEAH, WHATEVER.

ALL RIGHT.

ELM CREEK FOUND THIS PUPA IN THE SOIL WHILE HE WAS TRANSPLANTING SPEARMINT.

CURIOUS.

GOOD OR BAD?

>> SO I BELIEVE THESE ARE BEETLE PUPA.

POSSIBLY ONE OF THE SCARAB BEETLES.

CAN'T REALLY TELL YOU WHAT SPECIES, IF IT'S GOOD OR BAD.

BUT A FUN EXPERIMENT WOULD BE TO PUT THESE IN A CONTAINER AND SEE WHAT THEY TURN INTO.

SO IF YOU DO THAT, BE SURE TO LET US KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.

>> AND SEND A PICTURE.

>> YEAH, OF COURSE.

>> THAT'D BE PERFECT.

FROM SOUTH LINCOLN.

IS THIS FLY LIKE BUG RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE DAMAGE TO HER GARDEN PHLOX, WHICH APPARENTLY JUST LOOK TERRIBLE?

>> NO.

SO I CAN'T TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT THIS FLY IS.

IT COULD BE A FLOWER FLY.

IT COULD BE A LONG LEGGED FLY.

BUT IT'S NOT A PEST.

I WOULD CHECK FOR PHLOX.

PLANT BUG.

POSSIBLY.

I'VE SEEN THEM OUT.

LOOK FOR THOSE RED AND BLACK BUGS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF LEAVES BECAUSE THAT COULD BE THE CULPRIT.

>> THANK YOU.

TWO FROM BELLEVUE.

JEFF.

HE OVERSEEDED HIS LAWN.

IT LOOKS GOOD, BUT HE'S GOT SPOTS WHERE THIS IS GROWING.

NOT SURE WHAT IT IS.

>> YOU KNOW, I SAW SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON CAMPUS TODAY, AND I THINK IT'S CRABGRASS.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE SEEDLINGS OF CRABGRASS, QUITE HONESTLY, WHICH WOULD KIND OF MAKE SENSE WITH JUST DOING A SEEDING.

YEAH.

AND THE WEATHER AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO THEY COULD, I THINK AT THIS STAGE I WOULD JUST HOLD THAT UP INSTEAD OF APPLYING A PESTICIDE OR APPLYING A HERBICIDE.

>> OKAY, LET'S SEE, LINCOLN, WHAT IS THIS PLANT THAT LOOKS LIKE CLOVER BUT HAS LITTLE YELLOW FLOWERS?

IS IT A WEED?

>> WELL, YEAH, I GUESS IT IS, BUT IT'S A BLACK MEDIC.

AND SO IT'S A REAL GOOD INDICATOR OF LOW NITROGEN.

SO KIND OF LIKE CLOVERS IN YOUR LAWN.

SO THAT TELLS YOU THAT MAYBE YOU'RE NOT FERTILIZING ENOUGH FOR YOUR LAWN.

SO I THINK YOU COULD GO AHEAD AND USE ANY KIND OF THREE WAY KILLER TO DO THAT OR PULL IT.

AND THAT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> OKAY, TWO PICTURES FOR THIS ONE FROM CENTRAL NEBRASKA AND LINCOLN.

THIS LITTLE GRASS IS COMING UP IN PLACES LIKE EDGES OF GRAVEL AND ALONG SIDEWALKS.

HE'S WONDERING, WOULD IT BE A GOOD GRASS TO SEED INTO THOSE PLACES?

>> NO.

>> WHAT IS IT AND WHY NOT?

>> IT'S LITTLE BARLEY, SO IT IS A BIT OF A WEED AND CAN BE A PROBLEM IN AREAS LIKE THAT.

AND AGAIN, IT'S AN INDICATION OF NOT REALLY MANAGING YOUR LAWN VERY WELL.

AND THE OTHER THING WITH IT IS, IS IT'S KIND OF TOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF.

YOU KNOW, NORMALLY YOU WOULD USE SOME SORT OF PRE-EMERGENT ON THAT TO CONTROL THAT.

AND SO YOU HAVE TO USE A VERY SPECIFIC ONE, OXADIAZON, WHICH IS RON STAR G. SO IT'S, THAT'S KIND OF, IT KIND OF LIMITS YOU TO WHAT YOU CAN USE ON THAT.

A LOT OF THE OTHERS REALLY HAVE NO EFFECT ON IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JEFF.

ONE PICK UP FROM THE FLORENCE AREA.

LOREN.

SHE FOUND THIS ON ONE OF HER.

OH, WAIT A MINUTE.

WE HAVE A GRASS STILL.

THESE MAY BE A LITTLE OUT OF ORDER, OR WE'VE GOT ONE THAT I FORGOT.

SO THIS IS A WAYNE, NEBRASKA.

SORRY.

>> AND THIS THIS PARTICULAR PICTURE, WHAT THEY'RE SHOWING IS POWDERY MILDEW ON TURF.

AND BE A PROBLEM MORE IN SHADED AREAS.

REALLY NOT SOMETHING I'D RECOMMEND ANY TREATMENT FOR.

DO ANYTHING HE CAN TO INCREASE LIGHT PENETRATION TO THE AREA.

AVOID ANY SHADE THAT YOU CAN AND YOU CAN INCREASE YOUR MOWING HEIGHT.

CAN HELP WITH THIS.

AVOID SHORT MOWINGS.

>> NOW WE HAVE FLORENCE.

SO FOUND THIS ON A COMPOST TUMBLER.

IS IT A SLIME MOLD?

>> THAT'S A SLIME MOLD.

YEAH.

IT JUST THEY SHOW UP ALL DIFFERENT PLACES.

MAYBE IT'S IN THE COMPOST TUMBLER OR ON IT.

YOU MIGHT SEE IT AGAIN.

JUST WASH.

>> IT OFF.

AND THREE FROM SOUTH OF PAPILLION.

SO THEY'VE SEEN THESE FUNGUS BALLS IN THEIR GRAVEL DRIVEWAY.

>> YEAH.

SO A COUPLE OF THINGS ON THIS.

IF YOU LOOK CLOSE AT IT, THE EDGES HAVE A THICK MEMBRANE.

BECAUSE OF THAT, I BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT WE CALL AN EARTH BALL SCLERODERMA SPECIES AS OPPOSED TO A PUFFBALL WHICH HAS A LIGHTER EXTERIOR AND WILL KIND OF BLOW, BLOW UP MORE REGULARLY.

AND PUFF, I BELIEVE THIS IS AN EARTH BALL.

>> THEY'RE VERY FUN.

>> CAN LOOK UP AND SEE MORE PICTURES OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT FROM COLUMBUS.

TWO PICTURES.

SO I REMOVED ABOUT HALF OF THE OLD WOODEN GROWTH.

AND HE'S WONDERING WHAT DOES HE DO NOW?

>> SO WHEN WE'RE REJUVENATING OUR LILACS, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE WANT TO TAKE ONE THIRD OF THE OLDEST, MOST GROWTH OUT.

AND THEN OVER THREE YEARS WE'VE COMPLETELY REJUVENATED IT.

SO WE'VE ALREADY REMOVED HALF OVER THE WINTER.

YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND REMOVE THE REMAINING HALF OF THE LARGEST.

MOST ONE.

LEAVE THE LITTLE SUCKERS ALONE, AND YOU'LL HAVE A PRETTY MUCH A BRAND NEW SHRUB.

>> EXCELLENT.

FROM WAVERLY.

ONE PICTURE THREE SALVIAS TWO ARE FALLING OVER.

ANY IDEAS?

>> WE COULD HAVE DIFFERENT CULTIVARS.

WE COULD HAVE MORE WATER ON THOSE.

SO IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THOSE GUYS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO FROM JUST NORTH OF PIONEERS PARK.

SO THIS HONEY LOCUST MAJOR LIMB IS DEAD AND IT'S SUCKERING.

HE NEVER LIKES TO GIVE UP.

SO HIS FOLLOW UP WAS HE TOOK OUT THE DEAD AND TOOK OFF THE SUCKERS.

>> AND THAT'S WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR NOW.

AND YOU'LL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

THERE'S A FAIRLY LARGE WOUND ON THE ONE SIDE.

I CAN'T TELL IF IT'S A CANKER OR A WOUND, BUT THAT'S LEADING TO THE TOP GROWTH ON THAT ONE SIDE.

AND THE SUCKERS ARE AN INDICATION, ESPECIALLY WHERE THERE'S AS MANY AS THEY ARE, THAT THAT TREE IS REALLY STRESSED.

SO, I MEAN, THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS GOING AGAINST IT.

AND I KNOW HE DOESN'T WANT TO GIVE UP.

SO I MEAN, HE CAN ENJOY IT AS LONG AS IT'S THERE.

>> WELL CHAINSAW NIGHT TONIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER, SPONSORED BY STIHL.

>> PULL OUT THE BIG THE BIG SAWS AND SAW HER DOWN WELL.

AND HE ALSO SENT A PICTURE OF A TREE THAT HIS NEIGHBOR CHOSE TO NOT GIVE UP ON, AND THAT DIDN'T EVEN QUALIFY AS A TREE ANYMORE.

I'M SORT OF ON HIS PAGE.

IT'S HARD TO GIVE UP ON THOSE TREES.

SO AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR BACKYARD FARMER TONIGHT.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED THOSE QUESTIONS AND OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW HELPING US ON THE PHONES.

WE'RE MASTER GARDENERS CAROL RUSTAD, LINDA HELTON AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION EDUCATOR TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'RE GETTING OUT OF THE STUDIO AND HEADING TO SCHRAMM PARK STATE RECREATION AREA.

WE'LL HEAR ABOUT REVITALIZATION EFFORTS AND SEE HOW EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERS TAKE CARE OF THE PLANTING BEDS AT THE PARK.

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

(UPBEAT MUSIC)