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

(UPBEAT MUSIC) TONIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT WHY COMMUNITY FORESTRY IS SO IMPORTANT.

AND CHECK OUT A UNIQUE SUNFLOWER OPERATION RIGHT HERE IN NEBRASKA.

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

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

I'M KIM TODD, AND WE'RE READY FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

OUR EXPERTS ARE READY TO PROVIDE ADVICE IF YOU CALL THEM AT 1-800-676-5446, OR SEND US PICTURES AND EMAILS FOR A FUTURE SHOW TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE AND AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR QUESTION, SO WE CAN GIVE YOU THE BEST ANSWER.

AFTER THE SHOW CHECK OUT OUR BACKYARD FARMER'S SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND YOUTUBE FOR MORE TIPS, INFORMATION, AND VIDEOS.

LET'S GET TO SOME SAMPLES.

KAIT.

YOURS IS SO TEENY.

I DON'T.

KNOW THAT WE CAN.

EVEN SEE IT.

>> BUT IT'S CUTE.

WE'LL TRY EXTRA ZOOM TODAY.

SO LAST WEEK WAS NATIONAL MOTH WEEK, SO I THOUGHT I'D BRING IN SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT AND A LITTLE FUN.

AND YES, THEY ARE HARD TO SEE BECAUSE THEY'RE SMALL, BUT THEY'RE ALSO REALLY WELL CAMOUFLAGED.

AND SO THESE ARE THE CATERPILLARS OF THE WAVY LINED EMERALD MOTH.

SO THOSE ARE SOME SMALL BUT PRETTY GREEN MOTHS THAT ARE REALLY COMMON HERE IN NEBRASKA.

AND IF WE LOOK CLOSELY RIGHT HERE, WE CAN SEE THE CATERPILLAR.

AND WHAT MAKES THESE SO UNIQUE IS THAT THEY FEED ON FLOWERS.

I'VE BEEN GETTING THEM ON MY ZINNIAS, BUT THEY'LL ACTUALLY TAKE PIECES OF THE PETAL AND STICK THEM TO THE SIDES OF THEIR BODY TO HELP CAMOUFLAGE FROM PREDATORS.

I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS NEAT AND IT'S NOT A PEST.

SO SOMETHING A LITTLE FUN TODAY.

>> WELL, AND HOW IN THE WORLD YOU FOUND IT TO BEGIN WITH?

I STILL CAN'T SEE IT.

>> YOU HAVE TO LOOK FOR THE CATERPILLAR POOP FIRST TO FIND THE CATERPILLAR.

YEAH.

>> OF COURSE.

ALL RIGHT.

TERRI, THE BANE OF MANY LAWNS.

>> WELL, SO THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY JUST THIS SPECIFIC PLANT.

BUT REALLY WHAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, WE'VE BEEN REALLY TALKING ABOUT LOTS OF WEEDS, AND WE'RE SEEING LOTS OF WEEDS IN THE LANDSCAPE, AND WE'RE ALWAYS TELLING YOU TO MANAGE THEM.

BUT SO THIS IS, THESE SEEDS HERE ARE ALL FROM JUST ONE HEAD.

SO IF YOU IMAGINE 4 OR 5 HEADS OF THESE ON ONE PLANT, YOU UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT CONTROLLING AND MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE GETTING RID OF THE SEED HEADS SO THAT THEY DON'T BECOME RIPE AND JUST GET DOWN INTO YOUR SOIL, AND THEN YOU'RE HAVING EVEN MORE ISSUES NEXT YEAR AND THE YEARS TO COME.

SO AGAIN, CONTROLLING THEM STILL TOO WARM TO BE USING ANY KIND OF HERBICIDES, BUT JUST, YOU KNOW, GETTING RID OF THEM AND CUTTING THEM BACK IS JUST A REALLY EASY WAY TO CONTROL THIS.

>> AND THAT IS FOX.

>> FOXTAIL.

YES.

AGAIN, IT WASN'T THE SPECIFIC PLANT, IT WAS THE IDEA OF LOTS OF SEEDS.

>> DARN SEEDS.

RIGHT.

OKAY, AMY, YOU SAID THIS WAS YOURS.

>> THIS IS MINE.

SO THIS IS OUT OF MY OWN GARDEN OR YARD.

SO MY LILACS AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST YEAR WE'RE LOOKING GREAT.

IN THE LAST WEEK AND A HALF.

I HAVE ONE BUSH THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS.

SO LOTS OF BROWN, LOT OF DIEBACK THAT IS OCCURRING ON THESE LEAVES.

AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND, WHERE I LIVE, WE'VE BEEN EXTREMELY DRY.

I HAVEN'T HAD ANY RAIN THERE RECEIVING RAIN RIGHT NOW, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY SIGNIFICANT RAIN.

SO WHAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE GOING ON HERE IS ACTUALLY TWO FUNGAL DISEASES THAT ARE IMPACTING THE LILACS.

AND THEY CAUSE A LITTLE SPOTS AND THEN THEY MERGE TOGETHER AND CAUSE A LOT OF DECAY AND BROWNING OF THE LEAVES.

NOW, BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD RAIN, HOW AM I GETTING THESE FUNGAL INFECTIONS?

A, IT'S BECAUSE HIGH HUMIDITIES THAT WE'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING.

BUT THE OTHER TRICK IS BECAUSE OF THE DROUGHT, THE LILACS ARE EXTREMELY STRESSED.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE SUDDEN DECLINE OF THESE VERY QUICKLY.

I AM EXPECTING WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR MANAGEMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO CLEAN IT UP REALLY WELL THIS FALL AND THIS BUSH.

I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO EXPECT A SECOND FLUSH OR LATE FLUSH OF LEAVES COMING ON, PROBABLY HERE IN THE NEXT MONTH, AND MAYBE EVEN BLOOM EARLY BECAUSE OF THE STRESS.

>> ALL RIGHT, DANA, THAT IS AWFULLY PRETTY.

>> IT IS PRETTY.

AND I FEEL LIKE WE DID A NICE, LIKE, MICRO SAMPLE TO LIKE MY, MACRO SAMPLE.

THIS LOVELY PLANT IS, IS A TYPE OF BASIL.

IT'S CALLED PESTO PERPETUO.

SORRY.

IT'S LIKE BLOCKING ME, BUT, THIS PLANT DIDN'T READ ITS TAG, BUT WHAT I REALLY LIKE ABOUT THIS PLANT IS IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOT A NICE UPRIGHT HABIT.

AND IT HAS THESE LIKE LOVELY, KIND OF CREAM EDGES AROUND SOME OF THE LEAVES.

AND USUALLY WITH BASIL'S, WE DON'T LIKE FLOWERS, RIGHT?

LIKE IN, IN THE CULINARY SENSE, WE USUALLY PICK THOSE BACK, TO KIND OF MAKE SURE OUR LEAVES STAY FLAVORFUL.

BUT WHAT'S KIND OF NEAT IS THAT, YEAH, THIS ISN'T SUPPOSED TO FLOWER.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A STERILE BASIL.

BUT, YOU KNOW, NATURE FINDS A WAY.

BUT WHAT'S ALSO KIND OF COOL IS THAT THIS PLANT CAME, THE PATENT EXPIRED IN JANUARY, SO I COULD, YOU KNOW, LEGALLY TAKE A VEGETATIVE CUTTING AND KEEP A PESTO PERPETUALLY, THROUGH THE WINTER.

>> THAT'S FUN.

>> THANKS.

>> THANKS, DANA.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE.

FIRST QUESTION COMES TO YOU, KAIT.

THIS IS ONE PICTURE.

THIS IS A RHUBARB STEM.

AND HE THINKS HE HAS TERMITES IN THIS STEM.

HE DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD GO AFTER RHUBARB.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THESE PICTURES ARE SUPER COOL BECAUSE YES, THEY ARE TERMITES AND WE USUALLY SEE THEM IN WOOD, PARTICULARLY WOOD THAT HAS HIGH MOISTURE CONTENT, BUT IT'S NOT UNHEARD OF TO SEE THEM IN RHUBARB EITHER.

PROBABLY NOT GREAT TO EAT AT THIS POINT.

SO YOU CAN JUST PULL IT, CHECK THE OTHER, CHECK THE OTHER STEMS AND KIND OF GO FROM THERE.

>> WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO SOME TREATMENT AROUND HIS HOUSE?

>> I WOULDN'T DO A TREATMENT UNLESS, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TERMITES.

SO AT THIS POINT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE WORTH JUST TO DO A WALK AROUND THE HOUSE AND LOOK FOR THOSE TERMITE MUD TUBES.

OR YOU CAN GET A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION DONE TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

KAIT, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES FROM KEARNEY SILVER MAPLES THAT HAVE LIMBS DYING UNDER THE BARK.

THERE'S EVIDENCE OF INSECTS.

THEY DON'T SEE THE BUGS.

THEY SEE HOLES AND SAWDUST.

IS IT TERMITES?

AND IF THE.

COULD THE HOME BE INFESTED WHEN THE TREES ARE NEAR THE HOME?

>> YEAH.

SO THIS THIS TREE HAS A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE RIGHT SIDE UNDER THAT BARK THERE, WHAT LOOKS TO BE REMNANTS OF TERMITE TUBES SO THEY DON'T LOOK ACTIVE.

YOU WOULD PROBABLY SEE THE TERMITES IF YOU BROKE THOSE TUBES OPEN.

BUT AT SOME POINT THIS TREE HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY TERMITES.

AND THEN YOU HAVE BORERS AS WELL, WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS.

THIS IS THE LARVAE THAT'S BEEN BORING INTO THE TREE, WHICH TELLS ME THE TREE IS SUPER STRESSED AND IT'S PROBABLY NOT LONGED FOR THE WORLD.

SO REACH OUT TO AN ARBORIST, GET IT ASSESSED AND YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO NEED TO TAKE IT DOWN AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU KAIT.

AND ONE PICTURE FROM UNDERWOOD, IOWA.

WHAT IS THIS GORGEOUS MOTH?

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS ONE OF THE TIGER MOTHS.

REALLY BEAUTIFUL.

THERE'S A LOT OF TIGER MOTHS THAT LOOK SIMILAR TO THIS.

SO MY BEST EDUCATED GUESS IS THE NICE TIGER MOTH, NAIS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PRONOUNCE THAT, BUT I THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND IT'S A NICE ONE.

SO WE DON'T CARE.

ALL RIGHT.

TERRI YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE FROM OMAHA.

THIS IS HE HAD A LARGE LOCUST TREE REMOVED TEN YEARS AGO.

HE'S TRIED EVERYTHING FROM SEEDING TO SOD.

HE CANNOT GET TURF TO GROW.

HE'S WONDERING IS IT TIED TO THE REMAINING ROOT SYSTEM?

LOOKING FOR IDEAS TO GET TURF TO GROW?

>> I'M NOT THINKING THAT THIS IS PROBABLY TIED TO THE ROOT SYSTEM PER SE.

MY GUESS IS THAT WE NEED TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF MANAGEMENT ON YOUR SOIL PROFILE.

SO WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THE TIME OF YEAR THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE REDOING SOME, TURF RIGHT NOW.

SO I WOULD GO AHEAD AND DO SOME, A LOT OF AERATION.

I WOULD PROBABLY GO AHEAD AND ALSO GET SOME COMPOST TO ADD TO THAT, AND THEN GO AHEAD AND DO A FALL SEEDING AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE USING CERTIFIED SEED AND ALL THAT STUFF THAT'S GOING TO MATCH IT.

BUT I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THE SOIL IS WHERE YOUR PLANTS LIVE AND THAT'S THEIR HOUSE.

SO MAKING SURE THEIR HOUSE IS REALLY NICE IS REALLY GOING TO BE THE BEST THING FOR YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

MADE A MISTAKE BY NOT LOOKING CLOSE ENOUGH AT THE SPRAY.

I THOUGHT HE WAS USING 2,4D BUT IT WAS ROUNDUP.

SO HE SAYS HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE SMARTER THAN THAT, BUT IT IS ZOYSIA AND BUT WONDERING HOW AND WHEN TO REPLANT.

SHOULD SHOULD THEY WAIT UNTIL SPRING OR COULD THEY GO AHEAD AND DO IT NOW?

>> NO.

SO JUST KIND OF LIKE THE LAST ONE, I WOULD PROBABLY GO AHEAD AND START GETTING THAT AREA PREPPED.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO THE SIDEWALKS.

THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT OF COMPACTION RIGHT THERE AND STUFF.

SO GOOD AERATION, ADDING THAT COMPOST AND THEN COMING IN WITH THAT CERTIFIED SEED.

IF BROCK WAS STILL HERE, PROBABLY WOULD GET RID OF THAT ZOYSIA.

>> YES HE WOULD.

THIS VIEWER SAID THAT.

>> IF YOU LIKE IT, I SAY KEEP IT, SO.

>> ALL RIGHT, SPEAKING OF WHICH, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO EDGE A LUSH ZOYSIA LAWN THAT IS TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE SIDEWALK?

>> SO A COUPLE OF OPTIONS FOR YOU.

IF YOU HAVE A WEED EATER, JUST, YOU KNOW, KIND OF TILTING IT TO THE SIDE AND WEED EATING IT ALONG IS, IS FINE.

YOU CAN ALSO GO AHEAD WITH A REALLY SHARP SPADE AND REALLY EDGE THAT SIDEWALK AND REALLY KIND OF CUT THOSE ROOTS AND BE ABLE TO KIND OF HOLD THAT BACK.

BUT IT'S JUST A PROCESS.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUALLY DO IT PROBABLY A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR.

BUT YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOTHING LIKE BEING OUTDOORS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> SO, GO AHEAD AND DO IT.

>> ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS POKEWEED ON THE BACK OF HER PROPERTY LINE.

SHE'S TRIED PULLING IT.

IT'S KIND OF TAKING OVER WHO, HOW CAN SHE CALL SOMEBODY TO GET RID OF IT?

>> SURE.

YOU COULD CALL A LANDSCAPE COMPANY.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THEM.

BUT REALLY THE EASIEST THING TO DO IS GO AHEAD AND GET A LONG SPADE, DIG THEM OUT.

THIS IS A PERENNIAL.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE DEEP ROOTS.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THAT WHOLE ROOT OUT.

IF YOU DON'T GET THE WHOLE ROOT OUT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE IT COMING BACK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AMY.

YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS.

FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM DAVID CITY.

THREE YEAR OLD MAPLE SPLITTING AT THE BASE.

VERTICAL CRACKS BLACK WHERE THE SPLITTING IS SOLID WHEN THEY TRY TO PUT A SCREWDRIVER IN.

IS IT ROTTING?

IS IT A FUNGUS?

WHAT IS AMONG US?

>> IT'S ACTUALLY FROST CRACKS IS WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.

IT'S FROM THAT FREEZING AND THAWING DURING THE COLD PERIODS.

AND IT'S USUALLY ON THE SOUTH FACING SIDE OF THE TREE WHERE WE'RE GETTING SUNLIGHT AND IT'S WARMING IT UP.

NOW THE BLACK UNDERNEATH IT COULD BE MANY, MANY, MANY THINGS, BUT AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IT IS NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

ALLOW YOUR TREE TO GROW.

I DID NOT NOTICE IF THERE WAS A MULCH RING AROUND THE TREE.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A MULCH RING, MAKE SURE YOU PUT A MULCH RING AROUND IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

SO THIS IS A PIN OAK NUMBER OF LOWER BRANCHES HAVE DIED.

THEY HAVE THEM REMOVED, A MOIST SPOT ON THE TRUNK AND THEN A LARGER ONE ON THE UPPER BRANCH.

>> SO THIS LOOKS LIKE AN OAK TREE THAT'S REALLY STARTING TO STRUGGLE.

AND SO THE SPOT THAT WE'RE SEEING ON THE TRUNK HERE, IF YOU CAN SMELL IT, IF IT SMELLS BAD, IT'S A BACTERIAL FLUX, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE A BACTERIAL INFECTION IN THERE THAT DOESN'T KILL THE TREE OUTRIGHT, BUT IT'S JUST A SIGN OF TREE FOR STRESS.

THE NEXT PICTURE THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT, YOU'RE ALSO SEEING IT.

BUT IF YOU LOOK, THERE IS DAMAGE ALONG THAT AND YOU'RE SEEING THAT OOZING ALONG THAT DAMAGED CRACK.

AND SO FOR THIS ONE, I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY THAT BRANCH HAS BACTERIAL.

NOW IT'S ONE OF THOSE TREES.

I WOULD RECOMMEND AN ARBORIST TO COME OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND DO AN ASSESSMENT OF IT.

AND SINCE YOU'VE BEEN CUTTING BRANCHES, IT'S PROBABLY GETTING TOWARD THE END OF ITS LIFE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE.

EXCUSE ME.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN THREE PINES.

ONE IN THE MIDDLE, SEEMS TO HAVE WHAT THEY THINK IS NEEDLE BLIGHT.

>> THIS IS NOT NEEDLE BLIGHT.

YOU HAVE CANKER BECAUSE THE TREE IS DEAD IN THE MIDDLE, AND THEN THE REST OF IT IS GONE.

THERE IS NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO FOR THIS TREE.

THERE WAS INJURY YOU CAN CUT THAT OUT AND HAVE A BUSH INSTEAD OR YOU CAN LOOK AT REPLACEMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE, DANA.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HONEY CREEK, IOWA.

FLOWERING PEAR.

THE LEAVES LOOK SCORCHED.

WE KNOW IT'S NOT FIRE BLIGHT BECAUSE WE ASKED THAT AS A LIGHTNING, BUT WHAT SHOULD BE DONE HERE?

>> SO IT'S A TREE THAT IS NOT ESPECIALLY FAVORABLE.

IT'S, IT CAN BE INVASIVE.

AND IT'S IN A TOUGH SITE.

SO GIVEN THE SORT OF TRANSPLANT STRESS IT'S UNDER, I'D PROBABLY RECOMMEND JUST STARTING OVER WITH A MORE DESIRABLE TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM OMAHA, ONE PICTURE, SHE HAS A STATE STREET MAPLE, NUMEROUS SMALL AREAS WHERE IT'S PEELING LOOKS DAMAGED CRITTER INSECTS TREATMENT.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU KIND OF GET IN THERE, THOSE LOOK LIKE LITTLE CANKERS, THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY FROM HAIL.

COULD BE SOMEBODY ELSE INVESTIGATING MAYBE A BIRD.

I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT THAT TOO MUCH.

THIS IS ALSO STARTING TO GET THAT KIND OF CORKY RIDGED BARK THAT IS THOSE TREES ARE KNOWN FOR.

BUT I'M GOING TO COMMENT ON THE MULCH RING AND WIDENING THAT AND MAYBE JUST PULLING THAT MULCH BACK A LITTLE BIT.

THE TREE LOOKS A LITTLE TOO DEEP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THREE ON THIS ONE FROM MINDEN.

THIS IS A NORWAY MAPLE CULTIVAR.

THEY'RE SAYING VERY FEW OF THE ROOTS WERE SHOWING ABOVE GROUND.

NOW THEY ARE SEEMS TO BE SOME CIRCLING AND IT'S LEANING.

AND THERE'S A WHOLE.

>> I MEAN THE CANOPY LOOKS PRETTY GOOD TO ME.

I THINK THEN THERE'S ANOTHER PICTURE THAT SHOWS SOME OF THAT GIRDLING AND RAISED ROOTS, WHICH IS PRETTY COMMON FOR THIS KIND OF TREE.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE STARTING TO GET SOME OF THAT SOIL LOSS AND LEANING, I THINK MINDEN IS VERY CLOSE TO KEARNEY, WHICH IS WHERE A CERTIFIED ARBORIST, ELIZABETH EXSTROM IS.

AND SO HINT, HINT, HAVE A CERTIFIED ARBORIST COME OUT AND TAKE A LOOK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, DANA.

WELL, A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE WENT WEST TO GERING TO CHECK OUT SOME GORGEOUS COMMUNITY FORESTRY PROJECTS.

LET'S HEAR FROM WESTERN FORESTERS CHRISSY LAND AND KADEN VOWERS ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE VALUE OF COMMUNITY TREES.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> HELLO.

WE'RE COMMUNITY FORESTERS WITH THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE.

FALL IS COMING UP AND IS A GREAT TIME TO PLANT TREES, SO NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO START PLANTING IN NEBRASKA.

WE ARE NOT THE HOME OF ARBOR DAY BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF TREES.

WE'RE THE HOME OF ARBOR DAY BECAUSE WE NEED TO PLANT TREES IN THE ENVIRONMENTS THAT WE CHOOSE TO LIVE IN.

EVERYBODY'S BEEN TO THE SUMMER CAR SHOW OR THE PARADE, AND PEOPLE SHOW UP EARLY FOR THE SPOT IN THE SHADE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO HOW THE TREE IN YOUR FRONT YARD IS PLAYING A ROLE WITH THE TREES DOWN THE STREET, IN THE PARK, AND IN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

>> WHEN I'M PLANTING A TREE, SOME THINGS ARE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

ARE PURPOSE, SPECIES, DIVERSITY AND PLACEMENT.

THE PURPOSE OF YOUR TREE COULD STRICTLY BE FOR SHADE OR ESTHETICS, MAYBE FRUIT PRODUCTION, WILDLIFE HABITAT, OR SCREENING FOR SOUND, VISUAL OR WIND PROTECTION WITH THE SPECIES, YOU WANT TO SELECT ONE THAT'S ADAPTED TO YOUR AREA, WHILE AVOIDING SPECIES KNOWN TO BE PRONE TO PESTS AND DISEASES LIKE OUR SCOTCH, PINE AND ASH.

AS FAR AS DIVERSITY GOES, CONSIDER SPECIES NOT ONLY ON YOUR PROPERTY, BUT ALSO LOOK AT YOUR NEIGHBORS AND DOWN THE STREET.

MAYBE THERE ARE TOO MANY OAKS OR MAPLES, SO INSTEAD YOU COULD PLANT A LINDEN OR CATALPA.

AGE DIVERSITY ALSO MATTERS.

IF THE STREET IS FULL OF ALL OF OLD OAKS, THEN IT'S STILL A GOOD IDEA TO PLANT THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG OAKS.

WE ALSO NEED TO KEEP IN MIND IN PLANTING EVERGREENS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO CONSIDER IF YOU'RE PLANTING SITE IS APPROPRIATE FOR ONE OR NOT.

WHEN THINKING ABOUT PLACEMENT, CONSIDER THE LOCATION OF UTILITIES BOTH UNDERGROUND AND ABOVE.

MAKE SURE NOT TO PLANT A TREE THAT'S GOING THAT'S GOING TO GROW TOO HIGH INTO A POWER LINE, TO WIDE INTO A BUILDING, TO CLOSE TO SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS, OR COVERING OUR ROAD SIGNS.

TRY TO PLACE TREES WHERE WE WILL GET THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM ITS SHADE OVER THE HOUSE OR PARKING AREAS.

>> WE'VE WORKED WITH MANY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE TO DO TREE INVENTORIES, AND THAT DATA IS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON OUR STATEWIDE PLATFORM.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY FOREST, PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR TREE BOARD OR SEND US A MESSAGE AND WE CAN HELP YOU FIND SOME DIFFERENT RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU.

IT'S A GOOD THING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU START PLANNING FOR YOUR FALL PLANTING.

GET SOME TREES PLANTED AND DON'T FORGET TO WATER THEM THIS WINTER.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU WATER THEM PROBABLY AT LEAST ONE TIME EVERY HOLIDAY OVER THE WINTER MONTHS IF YOU CAN.

(SOFT WIND RUSTLING) >> THERE ARE GOOD RESOURCES IN YOUR AREA TO HELP YOU WITH PLANNING AND PLANTING TREES IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

THIS INCLUDES YOUR LOCAL EXTENSION OFFICE, THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE, AND PLANT NEBRASKA.

ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES FROM SOUTHWEST LINCOLN, KAIT.

SAME THINGS HAPPENING IN SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA.

BY THE WAY.

EVERY YEAR THIS HAPPENS TO THE SUNFLOWERS HE PLANTS FROM SEED.

EVERY VARIETY DOESN'T HAPPEN TO MOST OF THE NATIVES.

WHAT IS DOING THIS?

>> THIS IS THE SUNFLOWER HEAD CLIPPING WEEVIL.

SO AS ITS NAME SUGGESTS, IT CLIPS THE HEADS OF SUNFLOWERS.

WE CAN ALSO SEE THEM DOING IT IN CONEFLOWERS, CUT PLANTS, COMPASS PLANTS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS THE FEMALES SHALL LAY HER EGGS AT THE BASE OF THE FLOWER HEAD, AND THEN SHE'LL CLIP IT.

BECAUSE WHEN THAT FLOWER FALLS OFF, THE GRUBS WILL START FEEDING ON THE FLOWER HEAD.

AND THAT'S HOW THEY'LL OVERWINTER IN THE SOIL.

THEY'RE NOT TOO MUCH YOU CAN DO.

USUALLY IT'S NOT TOO BAD OF A WIDESPREAD ISSUE, BUT IF YOU DO FEEL THAT YOU NEED TO DO TREATMENT, IT SHOULD BE EARLIER ON IN THE YEAR ABOUT WHEN THE EGGS ARE GOING TO BE LAID AND YOU SHOULD TARGET THE BACK OF THE FLOWER HEAD, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE, WHILE ALSO PROTECTING POLLINATORS TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM OMAHA, TWO PICTURES, KAIT.

A NUMBER OF GREEN BEAN PLANTS HAVE BEGUN TO YELLOW AND EVENTUALLY LEADS TO DEAD LEAVES.

>> THIS LOOKS VERY FAMILIAR TO ME, SO I SUSPECT THIS IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO BE SPIDER MITES.

SPIDER MITES LOVE HOT AND DRY WEATHER, AND WE'VE CERTAINLY HAD A LOT OF THAT THIS YEAR.

IF YOU WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE TURN THOSE LEAVES OVER, LOOK FOR REALLY FINE WEBBING, PUT A PIECE OF WHITE PAPER UNDERNEATH AND SEE WHAT FALLS DOWN, BUT STRONG SPRAY OF THE HOSE AS STRONG AS YOU CAN GET IT TO KNOCK THEM OFF.

AND IF YOU NEED TO USE INSECTICIDES, YOU'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT INSECTICIDAL SOAP OR HORTICULTURAL OIL.

BUT JUST UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT A ONE AND DONE TYPE THING.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP AT IT EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS AS NEEDED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THREE FROM SIOUX CITY.

SHE IS SURE THIS IS A BLISTER BEETLE.

DESTROYED A CLEMATIS AND IS WORKING ON THE SECOND ONE.

BUT AND SHE DOESN'T USE INSECTICIDES.

SO SHE'S BEEN SOAPY WATERING THEM.

AND INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH HASN'T TOUCHED OTHER PLANTS.

SO ARE THEY THAT SPECIFIC OF FEEDERS.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE SPECIFIC.

THEY'RE KIND OF SPORADIC.

SO I'VE SEEN THEM LIKE IN VEGETABLE GARDENS ONLY GETTING THE POTATOES WHERE THEY DON'T TOUCH OTHER THINGS.

BUT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE INSECTICIDES, YOU'RE DOING THE EXACT RIGHT THING.

WEAR GLOVES, HAND PICK INTO SOAPY WATER.

ONCE AGAIN, YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO GO OUT EVERY DAY, EVERY COUPLE DAYS TILL IT'S REMEDIED.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE INSECTICIDES, THERE ARE MORE ORGANIC OPTIONS LIKE PUTTING DIATOMACEOUS EARTH AT THE BASE OF THE PLANTS OR USING SPINOSAD AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU KAIT.

TWO PICTURES TERRI FROM LINCOLN.

THINKS THIS IS CRABGRASS.

BUT IF NOT, PLEASE IDENTIFY AND TELL HIM HOW TO GET RID OF IT.

>> OH WELL.

SO YES, THIS IS CRABGRASS.

REALLY I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU TO GET RID OF IT ANYMORE.

THIS YEAR WE'RE PRETTY MUCH TOWARDS THE END OF ITS LIFE.

IT'S AN ANNUAL PLANT, SO I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO MOVING FORWARD FROM HERE ON.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE MOWING YOUR LAWN AT LEAST THREE INCHES IN HEIGHT.

YOU WANT TO ACTUALLY HAVE A REALLY NICE, STRONG, STAND OF TURF THAT WILL ACTUALLY, SHADE ALL OF THOSE SEEDS OUT COMING FORWARD FOR NEXT YEAR.

SO DO SOME GOOD FALL MANAGEMENT.

DO THE AERATION, DO THE COMPOST, DO ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

OVERSEEDING.

WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO.

THEN NEXT YEAR, GO AHEAD AND START WITH THE PRE-EMERGENT.

AND YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO TWO TREATMENTS WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING THAT'S ACTUALLY WORKING A LITTLE BIT BETTER JUST BECAUSE WE'VE HAD THIS WEIRD SPRINGS AND SUMMERS TYPE OF THING.

SO TWO APPLICATIONS OF THAT PRE-EMERGENT WILL ACTUALLY HELP.

AND THEN THAT HELPS WITH THOSE WARMER SEASON GRASSES THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING TOO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM LINCOLN, A FINE BLADED FESCUE LAWN.

TYPICAL WEEDS ARE NOT REACTING WELL TO WEED AND FEEDS.

PATCHES OF BENTGRASS HAVE SOMEHOW INVADED AND IS SPREADING.

SO HOW DO HOW DOES HE MANAGE THIS, SAME SORT OF THING?

>> YEP.

THIS IS GOING TO BE KIND OF THE SAME SORT OF THING.

SO WE'RE REALLY GOING TO THE AERATION, GETTING EVERYTHING PREPPED, DOING THAT FALL SEEDING, DOING THE TWO APPLICATIONS OF PRE, THIS LOOKS LIKE THE FOXTAIL.

SO YOU'RE PROBABLY MOWING THAT DOWN AND NOT GETTING ANY HEADS.

BUT IF YOU LOOK DOWN THERE, I BET YOU HAVE TINY LITTLE HEADS DOWN THERE.

BUT, YEAH, IT REALLY JUST 3-3.5IN IN HEIGHT, JUST GOOD STANDS.

IF YOU HAVE A GOOD STAND OF TURF, YOU WON'T HAVE WEEDS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS WAS A NEW HOME IN NOVEMBER.

MULTITUDINOUS QUANTITIES OF WEEDS.

SO PRE AND POST-EMERGENT APPLICATIONS.

HER QUESTION IS REALLY WHEN CAN SHE WHAT'S THE TIMING FOR SEEDING.

>> YEAH.

SO PRE AND POST USUALLY LASTS OR PRE USUALLY LAST IN A WINDOW OF ABOUT 12 TO 16 WEEKS.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE DOING SEEDING AND YOU'RE USING A PRE-EMERGENT, THEN THAT'S GOING TO KIND OF CLOSE YOUR WINDOW A LITTLE BIT.

HOWEVER YOU CAN USE MESOTRIONE.

SO THAT'S THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT THAT WILL ACTUALLY ALLOW YOU TO PUT THE SEED DOWN, THE TURF GRASS SEEDS, AND THEN DO THE PRE-EMERGENT.

THAT WILL STOP ALL THE OTHER WEEDS FROM COMING UP.

AND IT DOES HAVE A LITTLE POST CONTROL TOO.

SO MESOTRIONE USUALLY HAVE TO FIND THAT IN THE SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE, TWO PICTURES FROM GRAND ISLAND TAKING OVER THE YARD.

IS IT CLUMPING FESCUE?

>> YEAH.

GOOD ID.

>> THAT'S JUST WHAT IT IS.

OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, AMY.

THREE PICTURES ON THIS.

THIS IS A SECTION OF THE LAWN ON THE EASTERN SIDE.

THEY DON'T WATER AT NIGHT.

LAST YEAR, THIS SECTION, THEY HAD FUNGUS THEY TREATED WITH DISEASE X, EX.

GRASS DID DIE AND HAD TO BE REPLANTED.

AND I THINK YOU CAN KIND OF SEE SOME INTERESTING ON ALL OF THIS.

>> YOU CAN SEE A LITTLE BIT OF BROWNING, BUT IN GENERAL, THIS IS A VERY LUSH LAWN.

AND I ACTUALLY HAD TO ZOOM IN ON THE NEXT PICTURE QUITE A BIT TO ACTUALLY SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON.

AND WHAT YOU HAVE GOING ON HERE IS BROWN PATCH.

VERY COMMON FUNGAL DISEASE THAT WE WILL FIND IN LUSH LAWNS.

IT LIKES THOSE HUMID ENVIRONMENTS.

SO MANAGEMENT WISE, TYPICALLY PREVENTING OVER FERTILIZATION IN THE SPRING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PUTTING OUR FERTILIZER PRIMARILY IN THE FALL.

BECAUSE OF THAT LUSH GROWTH.

THE OTHER BIG COMPONENT IS YOU DID RESEED IT LAST YEAR.

I WOULD RECOMMEND RESEEDING AGAIN, BUT MAKING SURE YOU HAVE A CERTIFIED SEED THAT HAS A HIGH TOLERANCE TO BROWN PATCH.

THAT WILL HELP YOU A LOT AND YOU'RE PAST THE WINDOW TO DO ANY TREATMENT.

AND REALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT FUNGICIDE APPLICATIONS FOR BROWN PATCH, ANY OF THE HOMEOWNER TYPE PRODUCTS DO NOT DO A VERY GOOD JOB.

YOU HAVE TO HIRE A COMMERCIAL LAWN CARE COMPANY TO DO IT.

AND THEY HAVE TO DO IT BEFORE WE SEE SYMPTOMS.

ONCE WE HAVE SYMPTOMS, THERE'S NOT A LOT WE CAN DO AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE FROM COLUMBUS.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE PUMPKINS?

IT'S A SIMPLE ANSWER AND SHE DOES KNOW IT.

NOW THAT WE TOLD HER.

>> IT'S HERBICIDE DAMAGE AND HERBICIDE DRIFT.

AND WHEN I WAS ON A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THAT WAS THE BIGGEST COMMENT.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME OF YEAR TO SPRAY.

IT'S HOT, AND THOSE CHEMICALS CAN MOVE A LONG WAYS AWAY.

EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T SPRAY, IF YOUR NEIGHBORS WITHIN A CERTAIN MILE OR TWO, IT WILL MOVE.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS THE PLANTS ARE GROWING LIKE CRAZY, NOT GETTING ANY CUKES.

THE LEAVES ARE COVERED WITH THESE BLOTCHES HAS TRIED TO REMOVE THEM, BUT TOO MANY.

>> SO YOU HAVE THE WONDERFUL DISEASE ANTHRACNOSE ON YOUR CUCUMBER LEAVES.

IT DOESN'T REALLY DO A LOT OF DAMAGE.

AS IT PROGRESSES, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SPOTS IN YOUR LEAVES.

THEY'LL TEAR OUT.

KIND OF LOOKS LIKE HAIL DAMAGE.

IT WON'T IMPACT THE PRODUCTION OF THE CUCUMBERS.

YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF BLOSSOMS WITH NO CUCUMBERS, AND THIS IS ACTUALLY ALL MALE FLOWERS BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT.

THE PLANTS ARE LIKE, WHOA, I'M NOT GOING TO REPRODUCE.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.

AND SO WE HAVE A HUGE FLUSH OF MALES, HOPEFULLY WITH THE COOLER WEATHER THAT WE'VE SEEN THIS WEEK.

AND I KNOW 90S ISN'T NECESSARILY COOL, BUT IT'S COOLER.

I'M HOPING WE'LL SEE FEMALE FLOWERS BE SET ON HERE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

I'M IN THE EXACT SAME BOAT.

SO.

>> ALL RIGHT, DANA.

YOU HAVE FIVE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO FLY RIGHT THROUGH THIS.

BUT THIS IS FREMONT.

SHE HAS CUCUMBER, ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO PLANTS LOOKING SICK.

SHE USED ORGANIC SOIL IN EARTH'S ORGANIC FERTILIZER EVERY TWO WEEKS.

WATER GOOD DRAINAGE AND OXYGEN.

>> SO THIS ISN'T JUST ONE THING.

I WOULD SAY RIGHT THERE ON THAT PICTURE WE'VE GOT SOME SQUASH VINE BORER.

THE CUCUMBER LOOKED FAIRLY HEALTHY.

THERE WAS A PICTURE WITH TOMATO AND SUNFLOWER AND THE SUN OR THE TOMATOES HAD SOME WHAT LOOKED LIKE HERBICIDE DAMAGE.

I THINK YOU CAN SEE IT THERE.

BUT WHEN I LOOK AT THIS, THE BIGGEST ISSUE FOR ME IS CONTAINER SIZE.

AND IN GENERAL WE WANT SOMETHING AT LEAST 12IN.

BUT WITH THESE LARGE CROPS THAT THEY'RE GROWING, I'D PROBABLY GET CLOSER TO 16 TO 18IN DEEP AND I WOULD SHOOT FOR SOMETHING THAT'S PROBABLY MINIMUM FIVE GALLONS, IF NOT TEN, 15, 20, DEPENDING ON IF YOU'RE USING GROWING SOMETHING THAT'S COMPACT VERSUS, SAY, AN INDETERMINATE TOMATO.

I'LL JUST KIND OF TRY TO WRAP UP QUICKLY, IN THAT YOU MENTIONED SOIL AND THE ISSUE IS NOT SO MUCH SOIL.

IT'S THAT YOU NEED A, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY A CONTAINER MIX.

YOU NEED SOMETHING THAT'S LIGHTER.

MY OTHER THOUGHT WAS, DOCTOR EARTH'S EVERY TWO WEEKS OF FERTILIZATION IS UNLESS YOU'RE USING A LIQUID IS QUITE A BIT.

SO JUST BE SURE TO READ YOUR LABEL AND FOLLOW THAT NEXT YEAR.

LET'S TRY SOME MAYBE BIGGER CONTAINERS AND ONE PLANT PER, AND YOU KNOW, WITH A BETTER POTTING MIX OR, YOU KNOW, CONTAINER SOIL THAT'S LIGHTER AND FLUFFIER, YOU'LL DO BETTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM PAPILLION, CAYENNE PEPPERS LATER IN THE SEASON.

THEY HAVE DONE THIS ROT LIKE GROWTH.

WHAT IS IT?

>> SUNSCALD AND THAT COULD BE, YOU KNOW, OVER PRUNING OR THINGS KIND OF CATCH IN THE SUN.

SO JUST IF THAT'S HAPPENED BEFORE, WHICH I THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ALWAYS USE A SHADE CLOTH, IF YOU NEED TO REALLY PROTECT SOMETHING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE FROM WAHOO, WHAT IS CAUSING THE ROMAS TO DO THIS?

>> OH, ROMAS LOVE TO DO THIS.

THIS IS BLOSSOM END ROT.

IT'S NOT A CALCIUM DEFICIENCY IN THE SOIL SO MUCH AS THE PLANTS INABILITY TO MOVE THAT CALCIUM AROUND.

I JUST WANT TO THROW OUT A COMMENT LIKE LET'S NOT USE THE HOME REMEDIES, EPSOM SALT IN PARTICULAR, BUT GO AHEAD AND, YOU KNOW, WATER CONSISTENTLY.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, SOME MULCH MIGHT HELP OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

YEAH.

WE'VE GOT A NEAT SEDUM TO SHOW YOU TONIGHT FROM OUR GARDEN.

TERRI TELLS US IT WAS STARTED FROM SEED AND NOW IS MAKING A SHOW IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

(NO AUDIO) (UPBEAT MUSIC) >> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT ANOTHER ALL-AMERICA SELECTION WINNER FOR THIS YEAR.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A PERENNIAL IN OUR AREA.

PERENNIAL UP TO ZONE THREE DOWN TO ZONE NINE.

THIS IS A SEDUM.

SO THIS ONE'S VERY SIMILAR ACCORDING TO ALL OF THE JUDGES.

LIKE A LOT OF THOSE VEGETATIVELY PROPAGATED SEDUMS THAT WE SEE THAT WE ARE ALL COVET TO GET AS POLLINATORS.

THIS IS SEDUM SPECTACULAR.

THIS ONE IS A PRETTY TIGHT COMPACT MOUNDED PLANT.

IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT FOR BORDERS.

IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET TO BE ABOUT A FOOT TALL AND A LITTLE MORE THAN A FOOT WIDE.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE THAT GREAT CHARTREUSE GREEN COLOR.

IT'S GOING TO BLOOM IN THE LATE SUMMER AND FALL.

THOSE PINK CLUSTERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE ABOUT THREE INCHES WIDE.

SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD ONE.

AND THE REALLY FUN PART IS, IS THIS ONE WE STARTED FROM SEED.

SO THIS IS ONE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GET GOING EARLY.

AS YOU CAN SEE THEY'RE NOT VERY BIG THIS YEAR, BUT WE'RE GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

SO YOU CAN STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN AT ANY TIME AND CHECK IT OUT.

>> THIS WEEK'S SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE WEEK COMES FROM DIANE ROCKHOLD ON FACEBOOK.

SHE LIVES IN OMAHA AND HER IRISES WERE ACCIDENTALLY MOWED OFF.

WE'LL BRING IN DANA FREEMAN TO ANSWER THIS ONE.

SO, DANA, SHE WANTS TO KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO RECOVER NEXT YEAR.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR TRANSPLANTING?

>> YEAH, SO THEY DO LOOK WHACKED.

BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, DIANE CAN HAVE SOME HOPE ABOUT THESE IN THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY DO HAVE RHIZOMES.

THAT'S WHERE WE'VE GOT SOME ENERGY STORAGE.

SO NEXT YEAR IT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT LESS BLOOMS.

BUT OVERALL NOW IS THE TIME OF YEAR TO DO SOME TRANSPLANTING.

SO I WOULD RECOMMEND POPPING THOSE UP.

AND THEN KIND OF SEPARATING THEM OUT.

AND THERE'S A COUPLE OF, YOU KNOW.

>> STRAGGLERS.

>> A COUPLE OF STRAGGLER LEAVES THAT I WOULD PROBABLY CUT BACK, BUT OTHERWISE, YOU KNOW, IT LOOKS HORRIBLE, BUT, YOU KNOW, ISN'T THE WORST THING TO HAPPEN IN A GARDEN.

>> AND SHE'LL WANT TO SET THOSE HIGH.

>> YEAH.

WE, YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO SEE THEM HERE.

AND SO I WOULD PROBABLY SUGGEST MAKING SURE THEY'RE A LITTLE HIGHER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

GOOD.

AND DON'T OVER WATER.

SO HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP HER.

>> YES.

>> GET SOME IRIS BACK FROM WHATEVER DEVASTATION HAPPENED HERE.

>> I WOULD GUESS WEED WHACKER BUT.

>> I WOULD TOO.

ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, DANA.

WANT TO BE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK.

JUST ADD YOUR QUESTION AND PHOTOS IN THE COMMENTS ON ONE OF OUR FACEBOOK POSTS.

IT'S TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK.

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

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'LL TOUR A LOCAL SUNFLOWER OPERATION AND HEAR WHY YOU SHOULD PLANT SUNFLOWERS IN YOUR HOME LANDSCAPE.

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

SEND US THOSE PICTURES AND EMAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU FOR A FUTURE SHOW.

NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> DANA.

>> YES.

>> HOW DEEP CAN I TILL UNDER THE CANOPY OF AN OLD HACKBERRY TREE TO RESEED UNDER IT?

>> AN OLD TREE.

I WOULDN'T GO VERY DEEPLY AND STAY AWAY FROM THE TRUNK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ZUCCHINI AND SQUASH HAVE ONLY MALE FLOWERS.

NO.

FEMALE.

WHY?

>> OH, THAT'S A THAT'S A HEAT ISSUE.

HEAT FAVORS THE MALE ONES.

IT'LL CHILL OUT WHEN WE CHILL OUT.

>> COLUMBUS VIEWER USED TORDON UNDER A TREE ON SOME STUMPS.

HE'S NOW WONDERING, WILL TORDON HELP THE TREE THAT IS STILL ABOVE THE STUMPS?

>> IF YOU MEAN HELP, AS IN KILL, THEN YES, IT WILL DO THAT.

>> IS THERE ANY WAY TO KEEP RUSSIAN SAGE FROM SENDING OUT ROOT SHOOTS?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S A, YOU JUST KIND OF KEEP CUTTING.

>> TWO BEGONIAS IN THE SAME CONTAINER.

ONE SIDE IS REALLY BLOOMING WELL AND THE OTHER IS NOT THERE.

THE GREAT BIG, BEAUTIFUL RED ANGEL WING THINGS.

ANY IDEAS.

>> ARE, IS THERE ROOT DAMAGE?

IS THERE, IS IT IS THERE A REFLECTIVE SERVICE SURFACE NEARBY?

I, YOU KNOW, I DON'T REALLY KNOW.

>> RIGHT.

OKAY, AMY.

>> YES.

>> RUSTY BEANS AND THEIR QUESTION IS WHETHER THE RUSTY BEANS CAN ACTUALLY BE PUT INTO THE COMPOST PILE SINCE THEY DON'T WANT TO EAT THEM.

AND WILL THE RUST SPREAD?

>> YOU CAN DEFINITELY PUT THEM IN YOUR COMPOST BIN.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO IMPACT ANYTHING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

BASIL MUSHROOMS ON A BIG OLD HACKBERRY TREE.

THIS IS IN TEKAMAH.

IS THAT A GONER?

WHAT?

>> IT IS AN INDICATION THAT YOU HAVE SOME MAJOR HEART ROT AND YOU SHOULD GET IT CHECKED OUT.

>> I HAD A QUESTION, ACTUALLY, FROM TENNESSEE.

EARTH FUNGUS ALLERGIES.

DO WE HAVE THOSE HERE?

>> EARTH FUNGUS ALLERGIES.

I WOULD IMAGINE THERE'S AN ALLERGY FOR EVERYTHING.

SO MY ANSWER WOULD BE YES.

>> OKAY.

A LOUISVILLE VIEWER, SOMETHING TOOK A GIANT BITE OUT OF THE TOMATOES.

AND THEN THERE WAS A MOLD OF SOME SORT.

IS THAT COMMON?

>> THAT'S VERY COMMON.

IT'S A SAPROPHYTIC.

FUNGI MOVING IN.

REMOVE THEM.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO EAT THEM AFTER A SQUIRREL HAS TAKEN A BITE OUT OF THEM ANYWAY.

>> OKAY.

DOES THIS VIEWER ACTUALLY SAID NEEM OIL WILL KEEP POWDERY MILDEW ON PEONIES AWAY?

HAVE YOU TRIED THAT?

>> I HAVE NOT TRIED IT.

MOST LIKELY WHAT IT'S DOING IS PREVENTING THE SPORES FROM GERMINATING AS WELL, BECAUSE THAT NEEM OIL IS GOING TO BE A WAXY OR VERY OILY.

AND SO THE SPORE FALL PROBABLY FALLS OFF.

>> NICE JOB.

ALL RIGHT TERRI.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LAKE WAKANDA.

IS GLYPHOSATE EFFECTIVE AT HIGH TEMPERATURES ON A GRAVEL PARKING LOT WHERE THERE ARE NO PLANTS NEAR IT TO BE HIT.

>> NO, BECAUSE THE PLANT'S NOT MOVING ANY, ANYTHING IN IT.

SO NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ARE THERE FROM THE SAME VIEWER ANY HERBICIDES THAT ARE EFFECTIVE AT HIGHER TEMPERATURES?

>> NO.

>> OKAY.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND TO THIS ASHLAND VIEWER A SPRINKLER TO USE FOR A DOUBLE LOT, A TYPE OF A SPRINKLER.

>> THEY HAVE THOSE KIND OF REMOTE CONTROL ONES THAT YOU CAN GET.

SO GO ONLINE AND CHECK THEM OUT.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS ONE.

IS THERE A PRODUCT THAT WILL GET RID OF SALVIA PERMANENTLY?

>> I WISH, BUT NO.

>> OKAY.

CAN WEED AND FEED BE USED IN THE SPRING ON A GARDEN TO HELP KEEP WEEDS DOWN?

>> NO.

YOU PROBABLY WOULDN'T WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE IN A GARDEN, YOU'RE MOST LIKELY GOING TO PLANT SEEDS AND THE SEEDS WOULDN'T GROW.

>> IS GLYPHOSATE AN OPTION TO USE ON WEEDS ON A LAWN WHERE THERE ARE DOGS?

DOES IT BOTHER DOGS?

>> I PROBABLY WOULDN'T USE IT, ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR.

I WOULDN'T USE IT.

NO.

>> OKAY.

OKAY, KAIT, NEXT TIME WE'RE GOING TO START THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

A SWALLOWTAIL CATERPILLAR WAS ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF LONG ON THEIR DILL.

AND THEN IT JUST DISAPPEARED.

WAS IT WAS IT EATEN OR DID IT GO SOMEWHERE?

>> I DON'T KNOW, BUT IT PROBABLY WAS EATEN BY SOMETHING.

>> OKAY, THIS IS A MINDEN VIEWER.

HOW FAR DOWN SHOULD THEY CUT THE CANES OF THEIR ELDERBERRIES?

IF THE CANES HAVE DIED FROM WHAT THEY THINK IS PROBABLY THE ELDERBERRY CANE BORER?

>> OH, I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE.

I'M SORRY.

I'LL HAVE TO PASS.

>> OKAY.

THAT'S OKAY.

YOU CAN PASS.

DO GRASSHOPPERS SHED THEIR OUTER SKINS LIKE SNAKES DO?

>> YES.

ALL INSECTS MOLT THEIR EXOSKELETONS.

>> YES.

OKAY.

FROM LINCOLN, THERE'S AN EIGHTH OF AN INCH LONG BUG THAT HAS LITTLE PINCHERS.

WHAT MIGHT THAT BE?

>> PROBABLY AN EARWIG.

WE'D HAVE TO SEE IT.

BUT YOUR WORKS HAVE PINCHERS, SO WE'LL GO WITH THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MAGNOLIA SCALE CRAWLER TREATMENT.

WHAT'S THE PRODUCT?

>> YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO GO WITH SOME SORT OF HORTICULTURAL OIL FOR THE CRAWLERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> THAT'S TERRI.

>> TERRI.

>> TERRI.

>> WOO HOO.

>> OH MY GOODNESS.

SHE SAID SHE NEVER WINS.

THERE WE GO.

>> IT'S NOT VERY OFTEN.

YAY.

>> ALL RIGHT LET'S SEE.

ROUND THREE TWO PICTURES.

OH WE GOT A SEGMENT FIRST.

I ALWAYS FORGET THAT PART.

IF YOU'VE GOT SPACE THAT NEEDS FILLING YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO SEE OUR PLANT OF THE WEEK.

IT'S GREAT FOR POLLINATORS AND EVEN PRODUCES BERRIES.

HERE'S JASON MATHIS FROM PEACEFUL PRAIRIE NURSERY IN MITCHELL WITH THIS WEEK'S PLANT OF THE WEEK.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> THIS WEEK'S PLANT OF THE WEEK IS ELDERBERRY.

I'VE GOT TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF ELDERBERRY HERE.

I'VE GOT THE MORE ORNAMENTAL, WHICH IS A BLACK LACE.

AND THEN I'VE GOT OUR NATIVE VARIETY.

BOTH OF THESE ARE GREAT LANDSCAPE PLANTS.

THEY CAN TAKE DROUGHT ONCE THEY'RE ESTABLISHED.

THEY'VE GOT BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS, BUT THEY ALSO CREATE BERRIES, WHICH FEEDS WILDLIFE.

AND THESE PLANTS ARE ALSO HOST PLANTS FOR OVER 30 DIFFERENT SPECIES OF BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS.

THEY'RE GREAT PLANTS FOR THE LANDSCAPE.

THEY DO TAKE UP SOME ROOM.

SO YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'VE GOT SPACE FOR THEM TO GROW.

AS YOU SEE THE BLACK LACE BEHIND ME, THIS ONE, RIGHT NOW IS PROBABLY ABOUT SIX FEET TALL.

I'VE SEEN THEM GET BIGGER THAN THIS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY GET MORE WATER.

THE NATIVE ELDERBERRY, THIS ONE'S GOING TO BE LIKE LILAC SIZED.

THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO GET PRETTY DARN BIG, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE WATER.

WE'VE GOT ONE OUT BY THE BACK CREEK THAT'S PROBABLY ABOUT 12FT TALL, 15FT WIDE.

BEAUTIFUL PLANTS.

THESE ARE GREAT OPTIONS FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE GOT SPACE TO FILL.

AND YOU ALSO WANT TO SUPPORT WILDLIFE.

AND I'LL PASS IT OVER TO GANNON FOR THE WEATHER.

(NO AUDIO) >> HEY, GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

THESE NEXT FEW DAYS COULD EITHER BE PRETTY PLEASANT OR PRETTY MISERABLE, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU'RE AT.

OVERALL, FRIDAY DOES LOOK TO BE OUR COOLEST DAY WITH THE EASTERN HALF OF THE STATE STILL IN THE 80S.

OVER THE WEEKEND, THE PANHANDLE WILL CLIMB INTO THE HUNDREDS WITH THE HOTTEST TEMPERATURES ONCE AGAIN UP BY CHADRON ON MONDAY.

THIS WILL SPREAD INTO THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE STATE BEFORE A RETURN TO SEASONABLE TEMPERATURES.

WITH IT BEING SO HOT RECENTLY, IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK IN WITH DROUGHT CONDITIONS.

IN TERMS OF SEVERITY, WE'RE ACTUALLY BETTER OFF THAN WHERE WE WERE AT THE END OF JUNE.

THE OVERALL EXTENT, HOWEVER, IS MUCH LARGER, WITH NEARLY 97% OF THE STATE DEALING WITH SOME FORM OF DROUGHT, WITH THE WORST CONDITIONS BEING FOUND OUT IN THE PANHANDLE.

ANOTHER ROUND OF WARMER TEMPERATURES IS LESS THAN IDEAL.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEKEND WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU GUYS.

(NO AUDIO) >> GREAT ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THINGS IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

A NIGHT IN BLOOM AT KIMMEL ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS.

SATURDAY, THE FIRST FROM 5 TO 8 IN NEBRASKA CITY.

OUR SECOND ONE IS THE GREATER OMAHA IRIS SOCIETY RHIZOME SALE SUNDAY, THE 2ND OF AUGUST, LAURITZEN GARDENS AND THE PROCEEDS ARE GOING TO SUPPORT THE DISPLAY GARDENS AT MAHONEY STATE PARK.

NOW WE'RE ON TO ROUND THREE.

KAIT, TWO PICTURES COUNCIL BLUFFS BUR OAK PLANTED 2 TO 3 YEARS AGO.

IT'S A THREE INCH DIAMETER.

THEN THEY NOTICED THIS.

AND WHAT IS THIS?

>> SO I LEARNED SOMETHING NEW TODAY.

THIS IS LIKELY CAUSED BY JUMPING GALL WASPS.

BUT THE THING ABOUT GALLS IN TREES IS THAT 90% OF THE TIME, IT'S JUST NOT PLEASANT TO LOOK AT.

MAYBE, BUT IT DOESN'T HURT THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE TREE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE ESTABLISHED.

IF IT REALLY BOTHERS YOU, YOU CAN RAKE UP THE FALLEN LEAVES BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE INSECT LARVAE ARE GOING TO BE IN.

BUT OTHERWISE I WOULDN'T BE TOO CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

GREAT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

YES, SHE HAS JAPANESE BEETLES, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TALK INSTEAD ABOUT WHAT ELSE YOU SEE ON THE LEAVES OF THIS LINDEN.

>> YEAH.

SO THESE ARE OTHER GALLS.

THESE ONES ARE CAUSED BY MITES.

HOWEVER JUST FROM THE MITE FEEDING.

SAME EXACT THING.

AS LONG AS THE TREE IS OVERALL HEALTHY, IF IT'S WELL ESTABLISHED, IT'S JUST SOMETHING YOU GET TO LIVE WITH, I GUESS BECAUSE GETTING RID OF THEM NEAR IMPOSSIBLE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THREE PICTURES FROM LA VISTA.

THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR.

THEY HAD IT TRIMMED.

THEY KNEW IT'D BE IN A DROUGHT, TOOK OVER ALL THE LEAVES, CAME BACK THIS YEAR.

MULTIPLE TREES.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS CAUSED BY MIMOSA WEBWORM.

THE CATERPILLARS WILL FEED IN BUNCHES OF LEAVES.

AND YOU'LL OFTEN SEE THE WEBBING THAT THE CATERPILLARS MAKE.

AND INSIDE THAT WEBBING, THE LEAVES WILL DIE JUST LIKE THIS PICTURE.

YOU CAN PRUNE OUT THE MATS.

THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE YOUR BEST OPTION IS PRUNE OUT WHAT IS THERE RIGHT NOW TO PREVENT THE CATERPILLARS FROM SPREADING.

THERE ARE INSECTICIDE OPTIONS THAT YOU CAN USE, BUT JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT THE BROWN LEAVES ARE THE DAMAGE IS DONE.

THERE'S NO POINT IN SPRAYING THOSE.

BUT YOU CAN TARGET THE GREEN LEAVES.

AND I WOULD SUGGEST PROBABLY USING AN ARBORIST.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM WEEPING WATER.

SHE DOESN'T REMEMBER SEEING BAGWORMS ON BALD CYPRESS.

>> THEY CAN BE THERE.

WE USUALLY SEE THEM ON EVERGREENS, BUT THEY WILL ALSO FEED ON DECIDUOUS TREES EVERY SO OFTEN.

>> ALL RIGHT TERRI, THREE PICTURES.

THIS IS FROM LINCOLN.

HE SAID YES, IT DOES HAVE A TRIANGULAR CROSS SECTION, LONG AND FLOPPY.

WHAT IS IT.

>> IT WILL BE A SEDGE.

I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE IT IS FOR SURE.

I WAS JUST DIGGING ONE OUT OF THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN EARLIER TODAY.

THAT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT THAT TALL.

SO, HOWEVER, MINE HAD A SEED HEAD ALREADY ON IT.

SO, IF THIS WAS THE ONLY ONE YOU HAVE, YOU OBVIOUSLY GOT RID OF IT.

BUT JUST REMEMBER SEDGES HAVE EDGES.

>> TWO PICTURES FROM NEBRASKA CITY.

OUCH.

WHAT IS THIS.

>> SO THIS IS A GREENBRIER.

SO THIS IS MOST LIKELY PLANTED BY A BIRD OF SOME KIND.

JUST GO AHEAD AND TRIM IT OFF AND PAINT IT WITH A BRUSH KILLER.

AND YOU SHOULD GET RID OF IT.

OR DIG IT OUT WITH YOUR SOIL KNIFE.

>> THERE YOU GO FROM BELLEVUE.

ONE PICTURE.

THIS HAS BEEN SHOWING UP.

WHAT IS IT?

>> OH, THIS IS MILKWEED VINE.

I'VE BEEN SEEING THIS A LOT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT TURFS THIS YEAR, SO I'M NOT FOR SURE IF WE HAD A BUMPER CROP OF THEM LAST YEAR AND THEY BLEW ALL OVER OR WHAT.

BUT I'VE BEEN SEEING THIS A LOT.

SO JUST PULL IT OUT AND YOU'LL IT'LL PROBABLY GROW BACK.

YOU'LL HAVE TO KEEP PULLING.

>> OKAY.

TWO PICTURES, AMY ON THIS ONE.

HARDY HIBISCUS, ONE PLANT HAS DISCOLORED LEAVES.

THIS IS THE ONE THAT DOESN'T OBVIOUSLY.

AND IT'S VERY SMALL COMPARED TO THE OTHERS.

AND WHAT DO WE THINK ON THAT?

AND THEN YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TWO PICTURES FROM ATLANTIC IOWA, ALSO OF A HIBISCUS WITH A DIFFERENT ISSUE.

>> SO WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS HIBISCUS FIRST.

AS YOU CAN SEE THIS ONE IS BEAUTIFUL.

THE NEXT PICTURE IS THE ONE WHERE THE HIBISCUS DOESN'T LOOK VERY HAPPY.

TO ME THIS LOOKS VERY ENVIRONMENTAL.

WHETHER IT'S NOT GETTING ENOUGH WATER, IT'S NOT ENOUGH LIGHT.

MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF NUTRITIONAL.

I WOULD REALLY LOOK AT THE WATER AND THE LIGHT RESOURCE FOR THIS HIBISCUS.

IT JUST ISN'T HAPPY AND IT MAY JUST NEED TO BE MOVED.

>> OKAY, THOSE NEXT TWO.

>> NEXT TWO.

ONCE AGAIN, THIS HIBISCUS IS NOT HAPPY, BUT AS WE CAN SEE, IT'S IN A POT.

THE MESSAGE FROM THE VIEWER, IT WASN'T REAL CLEAR WHY THIS HARDY HIBISCUS WAS DUG UP AND PUT INTO A POT.

THE MODELING ON IT DOES INDICATE SOME NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY.

I CAN'T TELL YOU WHICH NUTRIENT IT'S LACKING SOMETHING.

BUT THE OTHER BIG COMPONENT IS THIS POT IS TOO SMALL FOR THIS HIBISCUS.

>> OKAY, ONE PICTURE FROM YORK PLANTED THIS IN MAY.

BLACK SPOTS.

IS THIS FROM THE HEAT ON THIS PINK AND BLUE HYDRANGEA.

>> SO ON THIS HYDRANGEA, IT'S ACTUALLY A FUNGAL DISEASE.

CERCOSPORA.

>> PSEUDOCERCOSPORA.

>> YES.

THANK YOU.

MY TONGUE IS NOT WORKING TONIGHT.

VERY COMMON THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THE VIEWER ALSO MADE A COMMENT THAT IT CHANGED COLORS.

THAT IS DUE TO PH AND YOU CAN LOOK UP ONLINE ON WHAT PH YOU NEED TO GET WHAT COLOR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DANA, ONE PICTURE.

THESE CUCUMBERS GREW FROM THE SAME PACKET.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THEY LOOK LIKE TWO DIFFERENT CUCUMBER SEEDS, RIGHT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU'VE STILL GOT THE PACKET WITH THE LOT NUMBER, REACH OUT TO THE, YOU KNOW, PRODUCER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM CROFTON.

WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS OVERNIGHT COLOR CHANGE IN THIS ONE?

AND HE DID SAY COOL CLOUDY WEATHER AND THEN RAIN.

>> I THINK THE OTHER COMMENT WAS THAT IT'S NOT SOFT, WHICH KIND OF LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT MAYBE THIS IS LIKE SOME, MAYBE A WET FOLIAGE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, NOT A ROTTEN SPOT.

IT'S ONE CUCUMBER.

LET IT GO.

>> AND FROM GRAND ISLAND, WHY ARE HERS DOING THIS?

AND ONE GREW IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE.

>> OH, WHICH IS KIND OF NICE.

PROBABLY A TRICK TO SLICE, BUT THIS IS ABOUT WEATHER.

POTENTIALLY INCOMPLETE POLLINATION, INCONSISTENT WATERING, ETC.

HOPEFULLY WHEN WE'VE GOT SOME COOLER TEMPS, YOU KNOW, THINGS WILL STRAIGHTEN OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND FROM GRAND ISLAND, CORN PLANTS SEND OUT SECONDARY GROWTH THAT ATTEMPTS TO FORM AN EAR, BUT IT DOESN'T REACH MATURITY.

>> YEAH.

THOSE ARE TILLERS I GUESS YOU WOULD SAY.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT HURTING ANYTHING, BUT IT'S SENDING IT OUT LATE ENOUGH THAT IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO REACH MATURITY.

SO.

>> OKAY.

AND TWO PICTURES FROM GAGE COUNTY.

THIS IS ARALIA.

IT'S CALLED SUN KING AND IT.

>> THAT COLOR IS NORMAL FOR THAT PLANT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT IT IS HARDY HERE, BUT THAT PLANT WANTS LIKE COOLER, MOISTER WOODLAND CONDITIONS.

AND I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO SAY, WRONG PLANT FOR THE PLACE.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANYONE WHO HAS DRIVEN ACROSS NEBRASKA KNOWS WE'RE REALLY GOOD AT CORN, SOYBEANS AND CATTLE.

WHAT WE'RE GETTING BETTER AT IS GROWING SUNFLOWERS.

WE TOOK A TRIP TO THE SIMPLY SUNFLOWER OPERATION IN ORD TO LEARN ABOUT SUNFLOWERS AND A GREAT PRODUCT FROM A FAMILY FARM.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> SUNFLOWERS ARE BEAUTIFUL.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING ABOUT THEM.

YOU'VE SEEN THE GIANT HEADS THAT PEOPLE PLANT IN THEIR GARDENS.

I'D ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT BECAUSE THAT BRINGS IN POLLINATORS, AND WE NEED AS MUCH GOOD ENVIRONMENT FOR POLLINATORS AS WE CAN GET BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING SHORT THERE.

BIRDS LOVE THE SUNFLOWERS, BUT YOU GOT TO WATCH THE SQUIRRELS.

THEY GO AFTER THEM.

THEY GO AFTER THAT SEED FASTER THAN THE BIRDS DO.

WELL, NORMALLY THE FIRST YEAR WE RAISED SUNFLOWERS, WE DON'T FERTILIZE THEM, BECAUSE THAT LONG TAPROOT GOES BEYOND THE DEPTH OF CORN AND SOYBEANS AND ACTUALLY STRIPS THAT NITROGEN AND OTHER NUTRIENTS THAT ARE OUT OF REACH.

IT KEEPS THEM FROM GOING INTO THE UNDERGROUND WATER TO, AFTER THAT FIRST YEAR.

THEN WE USUALLY GIVE 70 TO 100 POUNDS OF NITROGEN, AND WE USE THE REGULAR STARTER FERTILIZER THAT WE USE ON OUR CORN AND OUR SOYBEANS, BECAUSE WE ARE YIELD MINDED.

FOOD WISE, SUNFLOWER OIL.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE AMINO ACID PROFILE, IT IS ONE OF THE, IF NOT THE HEALTHIEST OIL FOR OUR BODY.

(NO AUDIO) >> YOU WANT TO CHECK THEM OUT AT THEIR FIELD DAY THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST, GO TO SIMPLY SUNFLOWER.COM TO LEARN MORE.

ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE FROM PLATTSMOUTH.

KAIT, WHAT IS THIS BUG?

OCCASIONALLY FIND ONE IN THE HOUSE.

>> THE APPROPRIATELY CALLED HOUSE CENTIPEDE.

>> OKAY.

EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT 100.

ONE PICTURE FROM UNDERWOOD, IOWA.

AGAIN, NO CLUE ON THIS ONE.

WHAT IS THIS ONE?

>> THIS IS A SILVER SPOTTED SKIPPER.

>> AND WE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE SEND THAT ONE IN.

ONE PICTURE FROM THIS ONE.

WHAT IS EATING HIS RUTGERS TOMATO AND IT'S THE FOLIAGE?

>> YEAH.

SO IF IT'S THE FOLIAGE IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE THE TOMATO HORNWORM WHICH WILL ALSO FEED ON THE FRUITS.

BEST THING TO DO IS JUST GO OUT AND SCOUT FOR THE CATERPILLARS AND THROW THEM IN THE YARD FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO EAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE FOR THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN ACREAGE SOUTHWEST OF LINCOLN.

SO SHE'S FOUND ALL THESE FUNKY LITTLE LINES IN HER VIOLA PLANTS, AND SHE HAD THEM IN HER COLUMBINE.

WHAT IS IT?

>> THESE ARE VIOLET LEAF MINING SAWFLIES.

SO THE LARVAE FEED BETWEEN THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM PART OF THE LEAF AND LEAVE BEHIND THESE COOL LITTLE MINES.

>> FUN.

ALL RIGHT.

TERRI, ONE PICTURE FROM SOUTH OF STRATTON.

THIS IS A GROWING BY HER POND.

WHAT IS IT?

>> IT'S A MULBERRY TREE.

>> HOW DOES SHE GET RID OF IT?

>> YOU'RE BASICALLY GOING TO HAVE TO CUT IT BACK AND PAINT IT WITH A WITH A STUMP KILLER.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES FROM THE NEXT VIEWER.

THIS IS OMAHA.

HE THOUGHT IT WAS TREE OF >> HEAVEN.

AND HOW DOES HE GET RID OF IT?

>> NO, I THINK IT'S A WALNUT.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE.

I COULDN'T TELL LIKE WHERE IT WAS LOCATED.

>> IT'S KIND.

>> OF NARROW.

>> YEAH.

SO IF IF YOU CAN GET A TREE IN THERE, GREAT.

IF NOT, YOU CAN TRY MOVING IT.

YOU'RE NOT OUT ANYTHING.

YEAH.

WALNUT.

>> OKAY.

AND ONE PICTURE FROM COLUMBUS.

WHAT KIND OF WILDFLOWER OR WEED IS THIS?

>> THIS IS A MALLOW.

IF YOU ASK ME, IT IS A WEED.

IF YOU ASK OTHERS, SOME PEOPLE LIKE IT.

SO UP TO YOU.

>> OKAY.

AMY, LAVISTA.

WHAT IS THIS COOL THING IN THE COMPOST?

AND HE ACTUALLY SENT A PICTURE WITH A CUT OPEN AND THEN OR KIND OF CUT.

>> IT'S SOME TYPE OF SLIME MOLD IS WHAT IT KIND OF LOOKED LIKE OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF MUSHROOM.

IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL PART OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

JUST ENJOY.

>> OKAY, TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS RURAL DEWITT.

THEY WERE ON VACATION FOR A WEEK, CAME HOME, FOUND THE LILAC BUSH LIKE THIS.

SHE DID PRUNE IT ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

>> OKAY, I WOULD RECOMMEND GOING AND CHECKING THAT CROWN AND SEE IF IT IS TOO WET.

AND IF IT IS, PULL BACK SOME OF THAT MULCH AND ADJUST YOUR WATERING SCHEDULE ON THAT LILAC.

>> AND HOPE IT DOESN'T HAVE WHAT YOUR LILAC HAS.

>> AND HOPE IT DOESN'T HAVE MINE.

BUT IF IT HAS MINE, IT WILL COME BACK NEXT YEAR.

>> OKAY, TWO PICTURES FROM LAVISTA.

SO ENJOYING THE SKIN ON THE CUCUMBERS AND THEY LOOK AND SMELL FINE.

THE BLEMISH DOESN'T BOTHER, IS IT?

>> SO THIS ONE'S ACTUALLY KIND OF UNIQUE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY SCARRING.

AND SO WHEN THE CUCUMBER IS YOUNG AND YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF WIND, THE LEAVES BRUSH ON IT, THE OTHER TENDRILS, AND BASICALLY ALL IT'S DOING IS SCARRING THAT SURFACE AND IT'S MAKING A SCAB PERFECTLY FINE.

>> AWESOME.

ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE THREE PICTURES, DANA.

TWO SPICE VIBURNUMS LOOKING STRANGE, DEPENDABLY VIGOROUS.

AND SHE DOESN'T USE DICAMBA.

SHE IS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THERE IS SOME DRIFT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HER PROPERTY.

>> KIM, I'M NOT SURE I'M EXACTLY QUALIFIED FOR THIS ONE, GIVEN THE FAMOUS HOSTESS THAT ASKED IT.

HOWEVER.

>> IT WASN'T ME.

>> IT WASN'T.

IT WAS ANOTHER FAMOUS HOSTESS OF THE SHOW, HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE DROOPING THAT THEY KIND OF MENTIONED COULD BE A LITTLE OVERWATERING, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A SCREWDRIVER TYPE QUESTION.

THIS, IT'S TRICKY.

IT COULD BE SOME HERBICIDE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I'D ALSO THROW THIS KAIT OR SOMEONE ELSE THAT MAYBE CHECK ON THE UNDERSIDES OF THOSE LEAVES.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME INSECT DAMAGE EARLIER.

BUT I BET OUR FRIENDS AT THE PLANT AND PEST CLINIC ON EAST CAMPUS WOULD LOVE TO HELP YOU OUT.

>> OKAY.

AND QUICKLY, WE HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THIS.

IT'S A LITTLE LIME HYDRANGEA, LOTS OF FLOWERS.

SHE'S SEEING SOME YELLOWING LEAVES ON THE INTERIOR OF THE PLANT.

IS THAT TO BE WORRIED?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

SHE'S GOT A HAPPY, HEALTHY PLANT.

THOSE OTHER PICTURES, WE'D CALL THAT INTERIOR SENESCENCE.

IT'S NORMAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DOESN'T LIKE LIVING INSIDE.

>> OH.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WE ALL GOT TO COMPETE FOR SOMETHING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR TONIGHT'S BACKYARD FARMER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED A QUESTION AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW HELPING US ON THE PHONES TONIGHT WE HAD CAROL RUSTAD, LINDA HELTON AND GARY BELL.

NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER THERE'S MORE FROM WESTERN NEBRASKA.

JON GARBISCH FROM CEDAR POINT BIOLOGICAL STATION TALKS ABOUT SOME OF THE FIRE SUPPRESSION METHODS THEY USE.

SO GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

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

(UPBEAT MUSIC)