TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'LL HELP YOU FIGURE OUT WHICH MULCH TO USE AND TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT CARPENTER ANTS.

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

♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "BACKYARD FARMER."

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KATE, WE HAD OH, 20 HUNDRED THOUSAND QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SAMPLE.

>> MAYBE 300,000.

>> OKAY.

>> SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO TODAY I BROUGHT SOME LARVAE OF THE BROWNHEADED ASH SAWFLY WITH ME.

AND IF YOU HAVE AN ASH TREE HERE IN EASTERN NEBRASKA, YOU MAY BE SEEING THESE BY THE HUNDREDS OR THE THOUSANDS.

AND ALTHOUGH THE LARVAE -- THERE'S ONE RIGHT THERE, ALTHOUGH THE LARVAE DO FEED ON THE LEAVES OF THE ASH TREE, USUALLY YOU DON'T NEED TO DO ANY MANAGEMENT.

IF YOU HAVE AN OLDER, WELL-ESTABLISHED ASH TREE, THESE -- THEY BOUNCE BACK FAIRLY EASILY.

IF YOU HAVE A YOUNGER OR NEW ASH TREE, YOU SHOULDN'T BECAUSE EMERALD ASH FORESTS STILL EXIST.

AND THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT IF YOU'VE TRADED YOUR ASH TREE FOR EMERALD ASH BARK, YOU ALSO HAVE LESS PROBLEMS WITH ASH SAWFLIES AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, MATT.

THAT'S A TINY LITTLE SOMETHING -- >> YEAH, LITTLE BABY NUT'S EDGE COMING OUT OF THE GROUND READY.

SO, IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO THAT TIME OF YEAR WHERE NUT'S EDGE IS GOING TO BECOME MORE POPULAR IN YOUR LAWN AND WE'RE HEATING UP AND GETTING MORE MOISTURE.

IF WE GET MORE RAINS ON THOSE DRYER AREAS, WE'RE GOINGS TO SEE THIS NUT'S EDGE PLANT POP UP.

AND THIS ONE IS LITTLE.

SO, USUALLY WHEN THEY'RE COMING UP LIKE THIS, THEY'RE COMING OUT OF A TUBER THAT WAS FROM LAST SEASON.

AND IF WE WAIT, LET'S SAY ANOTHER MONTH, THEY'RE GOING TO START FORMING NEW TUBERS UNDERGROUND THAT WILL REPLENISH NEXT YEAR NUT'S EDGE CROP.

SO, SOME OF THE OPTIONS THAT WE COULD DO NOW WOULD BE TO IF WE KNOW WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YELLOW NUT'S EDGE OR WE'RE SEEING THESE LITTLE PLANTS COME UP, WE COULD ACTUALLY TREAT NOW.

SOONER IS BETTER THAN WAITING UNTIL THE PLANTS ARE REALLY BIG BECAUSE BY THAT TIME THEY'RE ALREADY GOING TO CREATE TUBERS AND THEY'RE HARD TO CONTROL.

SO, SOMETHING LIKE SEDGEHAMMER OR A PRODUCT CONTAINING SULFENTRAZONE, WHICH IS BOTH FULLIER AND ROAD-ABSORBED WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT IF YOU KNOW THEY'RE COMING UP, THAT WOULD BE A PRODUCT TO USE.

>> PULL THEM?

>> WELL, YOU CAN PROBABLY TRY AND PULL THEM BUT THEY'RE GOING TO SET OUT NEW ONES FROM THAT TUBER MOST LIKELY, SO.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, MATT.

>> YUP.

>> AMY, THAT TIME OF YEAR FOR PINES.

>> I KNOW.

PINES DON'T LOOK GOOD ANYWHERE.

SO, WE'RE GOING TO BRING SOME DEATH AND GLOOM HERE.

SO, THIS IS A PINE THAT'S ON CAMPUS.

I REALLY WANTED TO POINT THIS OUT.

THIS IS SPHAEROPSIS OR DIPLODIA TIP BLIGHT AND WHAT'S REALLY NICE ABOUT THIS SAMPLE THAT I FOUND ON CAMPUS IS YOU CAN SEE WHAT THE NEEDLES WERE LAST YEAR.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS WAS LAST YEAR'S GROWTH AND THEY DIED.

AND SO SPHAEROPSIS OR DIPLODIA IS GOING TO ATTACK THOSE NEWCANDLES THAT ARE EMERGING BUT THE REALLY NEAT THING THAT I SAW ABOUT THE SAMPLE IS YOU CAN LOOK AT IT ON THE SIDE.

WE HAVE NEW NEEDLES TRYING TO COME OUT AND NEW CANDLES.

I'LL GO OVER HERE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

AND YOU SEE HOW THE CANDLES ARE JUST STARTING TO COME OUT.

THIS IS THE TIME YOU WANT TO SPRAY FOR IT, IS AS THE CANDLES ARE EMERGING 'CAUSE THE SPORES ARE GONNA GO FROM THESE DEAD ONES OVER TO THESE NEW CANDLES.

AND SO, THIS IS THE TIME THAT WE DO THE FUNGICIDE APPLICATION.

THE OTHER BIG THING WITH THING WITH THIS ONE, I DO HAVE A CONE ATTACHED TO THIS SAMPLE.

BUT I ALSO HAVE A SAMPLE OF A CONE HERE.

THIS IS THE OTHER PLACE WHERE WE'ERE GONNA HAVE THE IMMACULUM.

IF WE LOOK AT OUR CONE AND ALL THOSE LITTLE TINY LITTLE BLACK DOTS ON THERE, THOSE ARE ACTUALLY FRUITING BODIES ALSO SPHAEROPSIS AND DIPLODIA TIP BLIGHT.

SO, THESE CONES WILL STAY ON THE TREE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

AND SO, THERE'S PRIME OPPORTUNITY FOR INFECTION TO OCCUR.

AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT IN OLDER PINES.

SO, JUST TAKE A LOOK FOR THAT AND START SPRAYING.

>> AND SPRAY WITH?

>> THERE IS -- COPPERS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PRODUCTS YOU'RE GOING TO SPRAY.

BUT THE TRICK WITH YOUR OLDER TREES AND WHERE YOU HAVE TO SPRAY FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

AND TO DRIP.

SO, MOST OF THE TIME, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO HIRE SOMEONE TO DO THOSE APPLICATIONS BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT GONNA REACH WITH YOUR LITTLE PUMP SPRAYER VERY WELL, 50 FEET IN THE AIR.

>> ALL RIGHTM, THANKS, AMY.

ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH.

YOU HAVE PRUNING SHEARS AND HALF DEAD SOMETHING.

>> HEY, YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT THE FUN SAMPLE OF THE EVENING.

SO, THAT TIME OF YEAR IF WE HAVE THOSE TREES THAT HAVEN'T LEAFED OUT YET, HOW DO WE KNOW IF THEY'RE DEAD OR THEY'RE ALIVE?

AND SO, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS TAKE ONE OF THE BRANCHES.

IF THEY SNAP OFF READILY, THAT MEANS THAT BRANCH IS DEAD.

IF IT'S VERY PLIABLE, THAT MEANS THAT THAT BRANCH IS STILL ALIVE AND IT COULD STILL LEAF OUT.

SO, RIGHT HERE WE HAVE AN AREA WHERE THERE'S BOTH DEAD AND ALIVE ON THIS BRANCH.

SO, IF WE LEAVE THIS DEAD PORTION ON HERE IT'S GONNA SNAP OFF EVENTUALLY.

SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE A CLEAN PRUNING CUT WITH SHARP, CLEAN PRUNERS.

I LIKE THE BYPASS ONES.

AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT RIGHT IN HERE WHERE THAT DEAD AND ALIVE IS LOCATED AT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE A NUB OUT HERE 'CAUSE THAT WON'T DO US ANY GOOD.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO MAKE A NICE CLEAN CUT DOWN AT THE NEXT BRANCH UNION.

AND MAKE SURE TO TAKE OUT AS MUCH AS IS DEAD AS WE POSSIBLY CAN RIGHT NOW IN THIS TIME OF YEAR.

BUT IF IT HASN'T LEAFED OUT BY JUNE 1st, IT'S NOT GOING TO AND YOU NEED TO GET PRUNING.

>> EXACTLY.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT KATE, FIRST ROUND OF QUESTIONS IS FOR YOU.

THIS FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM HASTINGS, AND THE QUESTION IS -- THIS IS THE UNDER SIDE OF A SPINACH LEAF AND HE'S WONDERING WHAT KIND OF BUG LEFT THESE EGGS.

>> MY VERY BEST EDUCATED GUESS IS STINK BUGS, AND IF IT IS STINK BUGS, IT'S GOING TO BE FROM THE GREEN STINK BUG.

AND THOSE ONES WILL FEED ON NUTS AND SEEDS AND FRUITS BUT NOT REALLY AN ISSUE IN A BACKYARD GARDEN.

SO, YOU CAN JUST -- YOU ALREADY TOOK THE LEAF OFF.

SO, JUST LET IT HANG OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HATCH IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> HATCH IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE ALSO, THIS IS A HOOT.

THIS IS A PROUD NEBRASKA VIEWER.

JUST THOUGHT SHE WOULD SHARE THE RARE POTATO SPIDER SHE CAUGHT.

AND SHE DID SAY THAT WHEN SHE SHOWED HER 9-YEAR-OLD SHE TRIED TO KOOL-AID MAN HERSELG RIGHT THROUGH HER BEDROOM WALL.

APPARENTLY THOUGHT IT WAS A REAL SPIDER.

>> I LOVE THIS.

IT EVEN HAS LIKE THE LITTLE SPIDER EYES.

>> I KNOW.

>> IT'S GREAT.

>> CLEARLY NOT A REAL SPIDER.

ALL RIGHT TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS REAL.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER AND WONDERS WHAT THIS PUPA IS FROM.

7-YEAR-OLD SON FOUND IT IN SOME WOOD MULCH THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE SINCE LAST YEAR.

IT'S WIGGLING.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO EMERGE AND DOES HE WANT TO LET IT AND LIVE IN THE GARDEN?

>> YEAH.

THIS IS ONE OF THE HAWK MOTH PUPATES.

SOMETIMES CALLED HUMMINGBIRD MOTHS.

SOMETIMES CALLED SPHYNX MOTHS, BUT USUALLY WHEN WE THINK OF MOTHS WE THINK OF THAT SILKY COCOON.

BUT HAWK MOTHS TEND TO HAVE, I CALL THEM NAKED PUPATES.

SO, THEY USE THE SOIL AS PROTECTION.

AND WHEN IT COMES OUT IT WILL BE ONE OF THOSE BIG BODIED MOTHS THAT WILL FEED ON NECTAR, VISTING FLOWERS AND THIS POINT OF ITS LIFE CYCLE, IT'S NOT GONNA CAUSE DAMAGE.

SO, IT WILL BE A NICE LESSON ON METAMORPHOSIS IF YOU GUYS WATCH IT COME OUT AND GROW.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANKS, KATE.

ALL RIGHT, MATT, YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES TO US WITH TWO PICTURES.

AND THIS IS -- WHAT IS THIS?

THIS IS A COUPLE OF -- THERE WE GO.

>> YEAH.

THE FIRST ONE LOOKS LIKE POISON HEMLOCK AND I HAD TO DEFER TO FIND THIS ONE, I GUESS, WITH A LITTLE BIT OF HELP FROM KIM.

I THINK IT'S WOLF'S BANE AND IT'S GONNA ACTUALLY GROW -- ELONGATE FROM HERE IS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE.

IT'S A PERENNIAL THAT'S NATIVE TO MORE OF LIKE THE MOUNTAINS OR NORTHEAST MOUNTAIN RANGE AND IT'S NOT NATIVE TO HERE.

BOTH OF THESE PLANTS ARE FAIRLY POISONOUS.

AND THIS ONE I GUESS IS REALLY POISONOUS IF YOU GET IT ON A CUT OR SOMETHING.

SO, IF YOU'RE TRYING TO REMOVE THESE, YOU WANNA WEAR GLOVES AND LONG SLEEVES AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT RUBBING THEM ON YOUR SKIN ORGETTING THEM IN YOUR EYES AND MOUTH.

JUST TO REMOVE THEM WOULD BE THE BEST THING.

OR IF THEY'RE NOT IN AN AREA WHERE THEY'RE A PROBLEM, I GUESS YOU CAN LET THEM GROW.

>> SO, THE POISON HEMLOCK QUESTION JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, AGAIN IS THEY'RE WONDERING WHETHER THE SOIL ITSELF IS COMPROMISED BY POISON HEMLOCK OR BY THE WOLF'S BANE?

DO THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE SOIL?

>> THAT IS SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW.

AND I WOULDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE IN THE SOIL UNLESS YOU LEAVE A LOT OF THE ROOT SYSTEM THERE AND YOU PLANT SOMETHING DIRECTLY NEAR THAT.

BUT ODDS ARE THERE'S ENOUGH MICROBES IN THE SOIL AND IT'S GOING TO BREAK IT DOWN AND NOT BE AN ISSUE.

IT'S MORE THE PLANT ITSELF.

I GUESS I DON'T KNOW THE FOR SURE ANSWER ON THAT ONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A NORTHEAST LINCOLN VIEWER AND SHE'S CALLING THIS GRASS IN QUOTES.

IN THE FENCE LINE, NOW IT'S HIDDEN BY THE REGULAR GRASS.

LITTLE ONION BELOW THE GROUND.

IS THIS A FRIEND?

IS THIS A FOE?

IF IT'S A FOE, WHAT DO WE DO?

>> IT'S A FRIEND IF YOU LIKE TO LOOK AT THOSE GREEN PATCHES EARLY IN THE SPRING.

THOSE USUALLY GROW FIRST.

SO YEAH, WILD ONION.

AND I WOULDN'T PERSONALLY WANT IT IN MY LAWN BUT IT IS A PAIN IN THE BUTT TO CONTROL.

SOME OF THE METHODS THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND TO WORK ARE 240 LIKE DICAMBA AND MCPA.

MCPA, I THINK IS THE OTHER ONE.

SO TRIMAC IS THE ONE THAT HAS THOSE THREE IN IT, AND IF YOU APPLY EARLY IN THE SPRING, LIKE RIGHT WHEN THEY'RE COMING UP OR LATE IN THE FALL.

AND THAT'S THE BEST TIME TO CONTROL THEM, NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER, OBVIOUSLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MATT.

AMY, THIS IS A QUESTION THAT ACTUALLY CAME INTO THE DOUGLAS/SARPY OFFICE AND IT'S ABOUT CLEMATIS AND THE QUESTION FROM THE PERSON WHO SENT IT WAS IS THIS A VIRUS OR WHAT IS THIS EXACTLY?

>> THIS ISN'T A VIRUS.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A VARIETAL COMPONENT OF CLEMATIS.

SO, IT'S THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSE TO LOOK.

>> RIGHT, AND THIS IS SWEET AUTUMN CLEMATIS AND THEY WILL -- THEY'LL DO THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> HOW WOULD THE VIEWER KNOW IF IT WAS A VIRUS?

>> THE BIG THING WITH THE VIRUS IS IF YOU LOOK AT THE NEW FOLIAGE, IT DOESN'T HAVE THE STRIPE PATTERN ON THE INSIDE.

IF IT WAS A VIRUS, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO SHOW THOSE SYMPTOMS ON THE NEW GROWTH.

SO, THAT'S THE BIG THING TO LOOK FOR.

AND THE OTHER VIRUS IS IT'S USALLY THE PLANT ISN'T AS THRIFTY.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE WIMPY WIMPY.

THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO EXPLAIN IT.

AND THOSE WOULD BE THE INDICATIONS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT A VIRUS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THREE QUEST -- OR THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE, AMY.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LOVELAND, COLORADO.

ARBIVIDA AND ONE OF THEM IS LOOKING POORLY.

SO, HERE'S THE ENVIRONMENT THAT'S ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

THIS ONE'S SMALLER.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN SMALLER.

A LOT OF HEAVY, WET SNOW THAT SHE DID SHAKE OFF.

SHE HAS TRIMMED THIS OUT BUT SHE'S WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

>> OKAY.

IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

LOOKING AT IT, IT DOESN'T LOOK PATHOLOGY WISE.

I WOULD LEAN TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL.

MAYBE SOME WINTER DESICCATION BUT THE COLOR DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT.

WHERE IT WAS AT, IT SHOULDN'T BE SALT INJURY.

BUT YOU DID MAKE THE COMMENT THAT IT'S SMALLER THAN EVERYTHING ELSE.

MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THAT ROOT SYSTEM THAT WE CAN'T SEE AS A WHOLE.

MAYBE IT'S ROOT BOUND OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHICH WOULD INHIBIT THE MOVEMENT OF WATER AND MAKE IT MORE PREVALENT TO WINTER INJURY.

SO, IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT IT, MAYBE PULL IT OUT AND PUT A NEW ARBORVITAE IN THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM ELKHORN.

WE WANT TO POINT OUT THE MEASURING TAPE THERE.

WHAT IS THIS, AND ARE WE JEALOUS?

>> I AM SUPER DUPE PERFECT JEALOUS.

THIS IS A SIX-INCH MOREL BY THE LOOKS OF IT.

HOLY COW, THAT'S GONNA FEED LIKE TWO PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ARE.

JUST A TRICK ON THOSE MORELS, I KNOW LAUREN TALKED ABOUT IT LAST WEEK.

MAKE SURE YOU CUT THEM IN HALF TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A TRUE MOREL AND NOT A FALSE ONE.

FALSE MORELS WILL BE SOLID ON THE INSIDE, AND THEY ARE POISONOUS.

TRUE MORELS ARE GONNA BE HOLLOW ON THE INSIDE.

SO, EVEN THOUSE ON THE OUTSIDE YOU WANT TO CUT THEM IN HALF TO MAKE SURE THEY LOOK GOOD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

ELIZABETH, THREE PICTURES FOR THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A NORTHEAST LINCOLN AND ASH TREES WERE REPLACED IN 2017 WITH RED SUNSET MAPLES.

DID FINE.

BUT ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, STARTED NOTICING HUGE, LONG SPLITS IN THE BARK ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE TRUNK.

INTERESTED ABOUT THE CAUSE, THE IMPACT ON THE HEALTH AND WHAT CAN BE DONE.

>> WHAT CAN BE DONE, RIGHT NOW THERE'S NOT A LOT WE CAN DO ONCE IT'S ALREADY HAPPENED AND THE CRACKS ARE THERE.

WE WANT TO LEAVE THOSE CRACKS OPEN TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

WE DON'T WANT TO SEAL THEM OR TAPE THEM OR TAR THEM OR DO ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES.

IN TERMS OF WHAT CAN CAUSE IT, WE COULD HAVE SOME ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS, WHETHER IT'S A FROST CRACK OR SUN SCALD WHERE THE LIGHT IS HITTING IT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

ALSO, SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, IF THAT PLANT WASN'T TREATED NICELY WHEN IT WAS DROPPED OFF THE TRUCK, SOMETIMES WE'LL HAVE SOME SHEERING INJURY ON THE INTERIOR OF THE TREE AND THEN IT TAKES THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY TO COME FOR IT TO COME OUT THROUGH THE BARK.

SO, ABOUT THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS MAKE SURE THAT TREE IS IN OVERALL GOOD HEALTH, PROVIDE THAT SUPPLEMENTAL IRRIGATION WHICH IT'S GETTING PROBABLY FROM THE LAWN AROUND IT, AND JUST WAIT AND SEE HOPEFULLY THE TREE WILL BE IN GOOD HEALTH TO SEAL OVER THE WOUNDS.

THEY'LL ALWAYS BE THERE BUT HOPEFULLY IT WILL CAUSE SOME CALLOUS TISSUE TO SEAL IT UP SO IT CAN TAKE SOME WATER NUTRIENT ON THE SIDES OF THOSE CRACKS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN ELK HORN VIEWER.

TWO RED BUDS PLANTED 2021.

SAME NURSERY, SAME PEOPLE.

ONE'S BEEN BEAUTIFUL FROM THE BEGINNING, THE OTHER ONE HAS BEEN STRUGGLING EVER SINCE.

SHE DID USE SUPER THRIVE IN THE FALL AND TWICE IN THE SPRING.

THEY'RE ABOUT 30 YARDS APART.

BABY, OR REPLACE OR WHAT DO WE THINK ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT?

>> SO, THE ONE THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY BLOOMS ON IT, DOESN'T HAVE ANY LEAVES ON IT, I WOULD PROBABLY GO OUT AND TEST SOME OF THE BRANCHES IF IT'S BRITTLE AND SNAPS OFF, WE'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT REPLACEMENT.

IT COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH HOW IT WAS PLANTED, THE PLANTING DEPTH, WHY THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.

AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME THERE'S NOT A LOT WE CAN DO OTHER THAN WAIT AND PROBABLE REPLACE.

>> AND PROBABLY FERTILIZING WHEN THEY LOOK LIKE THAT IS NOT GOING TO DO ANY GOOD.

>> SO, WE DON'T WANT TO FERTILIZE OUR STRESS TREES.

ADDING FERTILIZER TO STRESS TREES HAS THEM PUT ON MORE GROWTH THAN WHAT THEY CAN SUSTAIN.

SO WE REALLY DON'T RECOMMEND FERTILIZER FOR ANY TREE, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE GOING TO BE STRESSED.

WATER IS JUST GOING TO BE THE KEY THING THAT WE RECOMMEND.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

WELL, FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE TONIGHT, SCOTT EVANS AND DANA FREEMAN FROM THE DOUGLAS-SARPY COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE WILL TALK ABOUT MULCH.

THEY'LL SHOW YOU THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER MULCHING AND WHAT KINDS OF MATERIALS MAKE THE BEST MULCH.

♪ >> SPRING'S FINALLY SHOWED UP IN NEBRASKA AND WE'RE OUT IN OUR LANDSCAPE CLEANING IT UP AND GETTING IT READY FOR FOR THE SEASON.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE LIKE TO DO IS MULCH THE LANDSCAPE.

BUT, DANA, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF MULCHING?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF BENEFITS TO MULCHING, SCOTT.

BEYOND THE AESTHETIC PURPOSES, MULCH MAKES OUR LANDSCAPES LOOK NICE AND TIDY BUT IT ALSO HELPS SUPPRESS WEEDS, ESPECIALLY OUR ANNUAL WEEDS THAT WE BATTLE.

IT ALSO HELPS KEEP OUR SOILS MOIST.

KEEPS EVAPORATION AT A MINIMUM.

IT ALSO KEEPS OUR SOIL TEMPERATURES COOLER IN THE SUMMER.

THERE'S ALSO A NICE WAY YOU CAN WIDEN THE INTERFACE BETWEEN YOUR TURF AND YOUR -- ESPECIALLY YOUR TREE BEDS AND THEN THE MULCH CAN ALSO WIDEN THAT SPACE AND PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM OUR STRING TRIMMERS AND OUR LAWNMOWERS.

SO, SCOTT, DO YOU WANT TO TELL US HOW WE GO ABOUT MULCHING OUR LANDSCAPES?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN WE'RE MULCHING THE LANDSCAPE IS WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO USE LANDSCAPE FABRIC.

FABRIC IS A KIND OF A FEEL GOOD ITEM BUT IT'S REALLY NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT ANY OF THOSE WEEDS POPPING UP, JUST PUT DOWN A COUPLE OF LAYERS OF NEWSPAPER AND THEN THE MULCH ON TOP OF IT.

WHEN WE'RE MULCHING OUR PLANTS LIKE OUR TREES, WE NEED TO REMEMBER MULCH -- TREES LIKE DONUTS AND NOT VOLCANOS.

WE DON'T WANT TO MOUND THE MULCH UP AGAINST THE TRUNK BECAUSE THAT CAN CAUSE ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD.

SO GO OUT ABOUT 18 TO 24 INCHES, AS MUCH SPACE AS YOU WANT TO GIVE UP, AND ABOUT 2 INCHES THICK.

WHEN WE'RE DOING OUR PERENNIAL BEDS, WE'RE FOLLOWING THE SAME PRACTICE.

WE'RE GOING TO JUST MULCH IT ABOUT AN INCH TO TWO INCHES DEEP AND GO OUT AS FAR AS WE'D LIKE TO.

AND IT JUST REALLY HELPS THE LANDSCAPE LOOK A LITTLE BIT CLEANER.

DANA, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MULCHES PEOPLE CAN CHOOSE FROM?

>> SURE.

WE TEND TO RECOMMEND ORGANIC MULCHES.

AND THAT MEANS PRODUCTS THAT BREAK DOWN IN OUR SOILS, THAT SORT OF RECREATES THE FOREST FLOOR.

SO WE RECOMMEND THINGS LIKE HARDWOOD MULCH.

STAY AWAY FROM YOUR CYPRESS MULCH, SOMETHING THAT MATS DOWN.

YOU CAN ALSO USE YOUR GRASS CLIPPINGS IF YOU DON'T MULCH THOSE BACK INTO THE LAWN BUT THEY NEED TO NOT HAVE BEEN TREATED.

GIVE IT SOME TIME BEFORE YOU PUT THOSE DOWN.

WE ALSO RECOMMEND STRAW, ESPECIALLY IN VEGETABLE GARDENS.

IT HAS A BIT MORE OF AN AGRICULTURAL LOOK, BUT THAT DOESN'T MATTER SO MUCH IN OUR GARDEN SPACES.

AND THEN THERE'S OTHER PRODUCTS OUT THAT ARE INTERESTING.

COTTON HOLES.

COCO MULCH.

LOTS OF DIFFERENT PRODUCTS.

WE'D SAY STAY AWAY FROM THE RIVER ROCK.

THOSE THINGS THAT DON'T BREAK DOWN IN THE SOILS.

BUT -- BECAUSE THOSE TEND TO GET HOT IN THE SOIL.

AND REMEMBER, WHEN WE'RE OUTSIDE IN OUR LANDSCAPES GETTING OUR GARDENS READY, REMEMBER, WE'RE DOING DONUTS, NOT VOLCANOS, FOR MULCHING.

>> ORGANIC MULCH DOES SO MUCH GOOD FOR THOSE TREE SHRUBS AND GARDEN BEDS INCLUDING BREAKING DOWN ADDING THAT ORGANIC MATTER TO THE SOIL.

PICK THE RIGHT ONE AND USE THOSE TIPS TO APPLY IT PROPERLY.

NONE OF THIS AROUND THE TREE TRUNK.

>>> ALL RIGHT.

KAIT, ONE PICTURE HERE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

IT'S A -- DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE INSECTS ARE?

THEY TOOK THIS ACTUALLY LAST JULY IN OMAHA SO WE LIKE THOSE PICTURES FROM LAST YEAR SO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO.

THEY SNUCK INTO THE HOUSE BUT THEY OFTEN SWARM.

>> YES, SO THIS IS MOST LIKELY A NONBITING MIDGE.

AND IF I HAD TO GUESS, YOU PROBABLY LIVED NEAR SOME BODY OF WATER, WHETHER IT BE A LAKE OR A CREEK.

BECAUSE SIMILAR TO MOSQUITOS, THE LARVAE OF THESE ARE ALSO AQUATIC.

SO THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE COMING FROM.

EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T BITE LIKE MOSQUITOS, WE DO SEE THEM ATTRACTED TO LIGHTS.

SO REALLY THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT THOSE SWARMS IS KEEP THAT PORCH LIGHT OFF, CLOSE THE BLINDS IN THE EVENING.

THERE ARE SPRAYS YOU CAN DO AROUND THE HOUSE SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU WOULD DO TO MOSQUITOES BUT IT'S REALLY NOT PRACTICAL OR SUSTAINABLE FOR LONG-TERM CONTROL.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, KAIT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

AND THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL STAND OF PHLOX PANICULATA AND THIS IS A WHITE ONE WITH A RED EYE, WHICH IS THE GARDEN PHLOX.

AND THEN THIS JUST HAPPENED TO THE FOLIAGE.

HE'S PUZZLED.

WHAT CAN HE DO TO TREAT THIS INSECT THAT IS SUCKING ON THE LEAVES?

>> SO THOSE LOOK LIKE SYMPTOMS OF PHLOX PLANT BUG FEEDING.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT SLOW EVERY TIME.

PHLOX PLANT BUG.

AND THE GOOD NEWS IS, IT HAS TWO GENERATIONS PER YEAR AND RIGHT NOW THIS FIRST GENERATION IS VERY SMALL SO IT'S A GREAT TIME TO TREAT.

YOU CAN USE SOMETHING LIKE AN INSECTICIDAL SOAP OR HORTICULTURE OIL, BUT THE KEY HERE IS THAT THEY LIKE TO SPEND TIME ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LEAVES.

YOU HAVE TO BE REALLY THOROUGH IN GETTING THAT PESTICIDE EVERYWHERE.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT ABOUT PHLOX PLANT BUGS, IS THAT WHEN THE GROWING SEASON IS OVER, CUT BACK THOSE STEMS, GET RID OF THE LEAF WINTER BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE OVER WINTERING.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, KAIT.

YOUR FIRST ONE HERE, MATT, COMES TO US FROM BROWNVILLE.

HE WONDERS CAN WE IDENTIFY THIS GRASSY WEED WHICH IS GROWING PROFUSELY AMONG THE DAY LILLYS AND HOW DO YOU CONTROL IT?

>> YEAH, IT'S KIND OF A TOUGH ONE TO TELL WHAT IT IS JUST BY LOOKING AT IT IN THIS PICTURE, BUT THE CLOSEST THING I COME TO WOULD BE LIKE WOODLAND SEDGE.

IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOT THAT SEDGE LEAF ON IT SO -- I WOULD GUESS THAT IT'S A WEED, BUT THAT ONE DOESN'T SPREAD BY RHIZOMES OR STOLONS OR ANYTHING, IT KIND OF JUST MAKES A BUNCH AND IT JUST GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER OVER THE YEARS.

SO TREATING THAT ONE SELECTIVELY WITH ROUNDUP IF IT'S IN THAT CASE, WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE AND THIS IS -- THIS LITTLE WEED.

SHE'S HAD IT BEFORE, BUT NOT IN THE 100s.

GERMINATES EARLY IN THE SPRING, LITTLE WHITE FLOWERS AND SHE WANTS TO KNOW THE NAME OF IT SO THAT SHE CAN CURSE AT IT MORE MEANINGFULLY.

>> WATER POD.

AND YEAH, IT'S PRETTY PREVALENT ALL OVER.

I'VE SEEN IT USUALLY IN WETTER AREAS, BUT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS FAVOR THE WET AREAS.

SO THIS ONE IS A SUMMER ANNUAL SO TREATING IT -- MOST HERBICIDES WORK ON THIS.

ANY BROWN LEAF HERBICIDE WORKS ON IT.

OTHERWISE THEY PULL OUT REALLY EASY, SO JUST -- YOU CUT THEM OFF AT THE TOP AND THEY WON'T REGROW, SO -- >> PRE-MERGE?

OR?

>> I DON'T KNOW, IT'S A BIGGER SEED, SO PRE-MERGE MIGHT WORK IF YOU USE SOME SORT OF LANDSCAPE PRE EMERGENT, PENDIMETHALIN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT I WOULD GUESS IT MIGHT GROW THROUGH IF IT'S A LITTLE BIG BIGGER SEED.

>> I JUST FOUND OUT LAST NIGHT THIS IS ALSO CALLED AUNT LUCY.

SO SHE CAN CURSE OUT AUNT LUCY.

>> SHE CAN CALL -- [ LAUGHTER ] >> AS LONG AS SHE DOESN'T HAVE A REAL ONE.

>> YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE MORE PICTURE FOR YOU, MATT.

AND THIS IS A VIEWER IN COUNCIL BLUFFS.

SAYS THESE HAVE BEEN COMING UP FOR SEVERAL YEARS, PULLED CONTINUOUSLY, SEEMS INVASIVE, WHAT IS IT?

AND SHE THINKS IT'S ASIATIC DAYFLOWER.

>> YES AND I AGREE THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

AND IT IS KIND OF INVASIVE 'CAUSE IT GROWS VERY FAST AND IT PRODUCES A FLOWER FOR A DAY AND THEN IT MAKES A SEED.

SO IF YOU HAD IT LAST YEAR AND IT PRODUCED A LOT OF FLOWERS, OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD SEED BED.

IT'S ACTUALLY AN ANNUAL, SO JUST GETTING RID OF IT UP FRONT OR TREATING IT, SAME THING, MOST BROAD LEAF HERBICIDES WORK PRETTY WELL ON IT, BUT JUST BE CAREFUL WITH THOSE SURROUNDING PLANTS WHEN YOU'RE TREATING FOR IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, AMY, THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER, BARBERRY -- >> MM-HMM.

>> TWO PICTURES HERE.

HE THINKS IT HAS VERTICILLIUM WILT AND THEN HE'S WONDERING ABOUT -- HE PLANTED SOME BARBERRIES AND THE RESULT -- AND HE'S SEEING WILT AND DEAD BRANCHES AGAIN, INCLUDING ON THE NEW PLANTS.

SO THE SOIL, THE VERTICILLIUM, WHAT DO WE DO HERE?

>> OKAY, I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING A PICTURE OF THE CUT STEM SO WE CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE VASCULAR SYSTEM OF THE PLANT.

THAT'S VERY HELPFUL ON THIS.

THIS IS VERTICILLIUM WILT.

IT IS A -- A PATHOGEN THAT'S IN THE SOIL.

AND IF YOU'RE IN THE OMAHA AREA, VERTICILLIUM IS VERY COMMON.

SO THERE ISN'T A LOT OF MANAGEMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SOIL, SO MY BEST RECOMMENDATION, DON'T REPLANT A BARBERRY NEAR, 'CAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT'S SUSCEPTIBLE.

YOU WANT TO LOOK AT SOMETHING THAT ISN'T AS SUSCEPTIBLE TO VERTICILLIUM WILT TO REPLACE THAT BARBERRY.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND TEAR OUT ANYTHING THAT'S GOT IT.

>> YEP, ANYTHING THAT HAS SYMPTOMS.

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

THIS IS McCOOK, SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA.

THIS IS A WEEPING JUNIPER.

RUSTY ON THE SOUTH -- OR NOT -- EXCUSE ME, SHE SAID JUNIPER, IT'S A SPRUCE.

SORRY.

SHE SAID JUNIPER, I SAID SPRUCE.

SHE'S -- SHE'S -- SHE LOST HER SHADE.

SHE'S WONDERING IS THIS SUN SCALD, IS -- WHAT'S GOING ON HERE DO YOU THINK?

>> SO I SPENT A LOT OF TIME LOOKING AT THIS, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU FIRST LOOK AT IT, I WAS LEANING TOWARD A NEEDLE CAST, BUT THERE ISN'T ANY SIGNS THAT WOULD INDICATE A NEEDLE CAST.

IF IT WAS NEEDLE CAST, WE'D SEE ALL THESE LITTLE BLACK FRUITING BODIES AROUND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE NEEDLE RIGHT WHERE THE STOMAS ARE AT.

IT COULD BE A SUN SCALD 'CAUSE THEY DO LIKE PARTIAL SHADE.

THE ONE NICE THING I DID SEE WITH THIS, IS IT'S TRYING TO SHOOT OFF A BUNCH OF NEW -- NEW GROWTH, BUT ALSO IN THE PREVIOUS PICTURE, YOU SAW A LOT OF CONES BEING BEARING ON THIS TREE.

IT'S AN INDICATION THAT IT'S STRESSED.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS SO YOU'RE GONNA WANT TO BABY IT.

MAKE SURE IT'S GETTING AMPLE WATER.

IF YOU CAN PROVIDE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE SHADE IT'S GONNA MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE BENEFICIAL.

I KNOW YOU CAN'T OVERNIGHT CREATE SHADE, BUT BABY IT ALONG AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS FROM THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, AMY.

ELIZABETH, ONE PICTURE HERE, BUT WE HAD TWO PEOPLE WHO SENT IN WHAT IS CAUSING THESE TO STRUGGLE?

>> WE SAW A LOT OF IT ACROSS THE STATE.

WE'VE GOT A WHOLE BUNCH IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA TOO.

IT'S JUST THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS THIS LAST FALL AND WINTER THAT WE HAD.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN REALLY DO TO MAKE THOSE GROW AND MAKE THOSE HAVE ANY NEW GROWTH ON THEM.

SO IF THERE'S NO NEW GROWTH ON ANY OF THOSE ORNAMENTAL GRASSES, GO AHEAD AND REMOVE THEM.

OR IF THERE'S JUST VERY LITTLE AND VERY SPARSE -- IN ORDER TO HAVE A FULL LANDSCAPE YOU'RE PROBABLY GONNA WANT TO REMOVE AND REPLACE IN THOSE INSTANCES.

>> WE ARE BEING REMINDED THIS YEAR THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY NOT IN CHARGE.

>> FOR SURE.

>>> ALRIGHT, WELL WE HAVE HAD OUR PLANTS READY TO GO FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WE FINALLY GOT A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO GET OUR GARDEN STARTED.

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

HERE'S ♪ >>> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, AS YOU CAN SEE, LIKE WE SAID LAST WEEK, PLANTS ARE IN THE GROUND.

WE'RE PRETTY EXCITED.

WE STILL HAVE A FEW MORE TO PLANT BUT WE ARE WELL OVER 75% DONE.

AND WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT SEEING GREEN IN THE GARDEN AGAIN.

REMEMBER HOW WE PLANTED THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” GARDEN WHERE WE'RE MIXING BOTH VEGETABLES AND FLOWERS TOGETHER.

SO YOU CAN DO THAT AT HOME, IF YOU ONLY HAVE ONE OR TWO TOMATOES -- OR MAYBE A COUPLE OF TOMOATOES.

AND A COUPLE OF PEPPERS.

GO OUT, FIND A LITTLE BIT OF COLOR AT YOUR LOCAL NURSERY AND JUST TUCK THOSE UNDERNEATH THOSE PLANTS AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ADD A SPLASH OF COLOR IN YOUR GARDEN FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON.

SO STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN THIS WEEK AND SEE HOW WE'RE PLANTING.

♪ >> AND WE'RE OFF TO ANOTHER GREAT START.

SO IT WILL BE AMAZING TO WATCH IT GROW ONCE AGAIN.

IT'S TIME FOR US TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

COMING UP ON THE SHOW IS THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

STAY TUNED FOR MUCH MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

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

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW, JODY GREENE WILL SHOW US A CARPENTER ANT AND WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE IT CAN DO.

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.

RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

ALRIGHT ELIZABETH, YOU ARE UP FIRST.

ARE YOU READY?

>> SURE.

>> SURE.

>> YOUR FIRST LIGHTNING ROUND QUESTION IS, IS COCO MULCH A GOOD IDEA IN THE LANDSCAPE IF YOU HAVE DOGS?

>> NOPE, IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA.

IT CAN BE TOXIC TO DOGS SO IT CAN ATTRACT OTHER DOGS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL.

>> ALRIGHT.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO HAD A 10-YEAR-OLD ASPARAGUS PATCH.

HAS BEEN MANAGING IT.

IT'S GETTING SMALLER EVERY YEAR.

HE HAS BEEN PUTTING THE ASH FROM HIS SMOKER ON IT TO GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT OF A BOOST.

IS THAT A GOOD IDEA?

>> NO.

I WOULD TRY SOME COMPOST OR SOME OTHER KIND OF ORGANIC MATTER AND NOT THE ASH.

>> ALRIGHT.

AND A VIEWER HAS SAID IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO BURN OFF THE ASPARAGUS EVERY YEAR TO GIVE IT A BOOST?

>> YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO.

LET IT STAND AND HAVE SOME WINTER INTEREST.

>> ALRIGHT.

THIS IS A HAMPTON VIEWER WHO HAD WINE AND ROSES WEIGELA.

REJUVENATED IT SIX YEARS AGO.

IT'S LOOKING PRETTY SAD.

CAN THEY GO AHEAD AND DO THAT NOW?

>> IT'S GETTING TO BE A LITTLE LATE NOW TO REJUVENATE THOSE.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED TO LEAF OUT.

>> ALRIGHT.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE WAY TO KILL ENGLISH IVY ON A FENCE?

>> GOOD LUCK.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> PRUNE IT OFF.

>> PRUNE IT OFF.

YOU CAN USE A HERBICIDE SELECTIVELY.

BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY.

YOU GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUALLY DO IT THERE.

THERE'S A FULL ANSWER.

>> THAT ONE DOESN'T COUNT.

>> OH.

>> ARE YOU READY, AMY?

>> YES, I AM.

>> UNFORTUNATELY NEBRASKA HAD HAIL AGAIN AND WHAT COULD WE EXPECT IN TERMS OF PATHOGENS RELATED TO HAIL DAMAGE.

>> SO I SHOWED SPHAEROPSIS, OR DIPLODIA TIP BLIGHT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY COMMON FOR ANY DAMAGE AND CAN CAUSE A CANKER ON ALL OF OUR PINE TREES IF THEY WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED.

THAT'S THE BIG ONE I'D BE LOOKING FOR.

>> ALRIGHT.

APPARENTLY WE HAVE A LOT OF SMOKE COMING AT US DOWN AT US FROM CANADA RIGHT NOW.

WHAT ISSUES OR WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE BE LOOKING FOR?

>> SO REMEMBER LAST YEAR WE HAD A LOT OF SMOKE ALSO.

THAT SMOKE IS GOING TO PREVENT THE UV LIGHT FROM PENETRATING.

SO WE CAN SEE SOME YELLOWING OF THE PLANTS.

JUST BECAUSE OF LACK OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

BUT IT'S ALSO A PRIME OPPORTUNITY FOR PATHOGENS BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO BURN OFF THE DEW.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LONG PERIODS OF DEW.

MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PATHOGENS TO GO LIKE GANGBUSTERS.

>> ALRIGHT.

SOME PARTS OF THE STATE HAVE BEEN WET.

WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS FOR BOTRYTIS AND PEONIES?

>> SO DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE AT IN THE STATE THAT RECEIVED RAIN LAST WEEK, YOU'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO WANT TO BE LOOKING OUT PUTTING SOME PREVENTIVE FUNGICIDES DOWN TO PROTECT THOSE PEONIES.

SO YOU DON'T GET THAT NICE BLACK BOTRYTIS BLIGHT ON YOUR BLOSSOMS.

OR PREVENT THEM FROM BLOOMING ALTOGETHER.

>> ALRIGHT.

NICE JOB.

ARE YOU READY, MATT?

>> OH YEAH.

WE'RE GOING TO WIN THIS ONE.

>> I'M GOING TO MAKE STUFF UP.

>> OKAY.

>> OKAY.

>> THIS IS ACTUALLY A BENSON VIEWER WHO HAS A NEW LAWN.

NEWLY SEEDED, HAS A LOT OF WEEDS AND IS WONDERING WHETHER PENDIMETHALIN OR A 2,4 D PRODUCT CAN BE USED ON A NEWER TURF TO CONTROL THE WEEDS.

>> I THINK FOR NEW SEEDING THE GRASS YOU WANT TO WAIT AFTER TWO MOWINGS TO USE ANYTHING WITH 2,4 D IN IT.. OR AT LEAST THAT -- PROBABLY FOUR WEEKS TO FIVE WEEKS AFTER YOUR EMERGENCE IS UP.

>> ALRIGHT.

WE HAVE A KENNARD VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS LABELED FOR SMOOTH BROME TO GET RID OF IT?

>> SMOOTH BROME.

TENACITY ACTUALLY WORKS ON SMOOTH BROME.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE SELECTED METHODS THAT TAKE IT OUT OF GRASS.

AND IT WORKS BEST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A HOSKINS VIEWERS WHO HAS BINDWEED TAKING OVER PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING ON THEIR ACREAGE.

THEY'RE WONDERING IF ANY PRODUCT THAT WE TO USE CONTROL BINDWEED WILL AFFECT NEW, YOUNG GRASS?

>> SO IF WE TRY AND CONTROL >> YES, THAT'S PROBABLY ITS >> YES, THAT'S PROBABLY ITS SCIENTIFIC NAME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> IT'S THE LITTLE TINY BLACK PEONY BUG.

>> YES.

YES.

>> ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH, WHAT ARE OUR PLANTS OF THE WEEK?

>> SO WE HAVE SOME REALLY NICE LOOKING PLANTS OF THE WEEK THIS WEEK.

SOME OF THE ONES THAT DRAW A LOT OF ATTENTION EARLIER IN THE SPRING ARE GOING TO BE THESE ALLIUMS.

OR THESE FLOWERING ONIONS.

THESE ARE A BULB THAT YOU'LL WANT TO PLANT IN THE FALL.

THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT KINDS, WHETHER THEY'RE THE WHITE ONES, GIGANTIC ONES.

SOME OF THEM WILL BE A LITTLE BIT SHORTER, SOME OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE TALLER.

SO LOTS OF VARIETY AND VARIABILITY WITHIN THE FLOWERING ONION -- THE ALLIUM FAMILY.

THE OTHER ONE THAT'S REALLY FUN THAT WAS BROUGHT IN WAS THIS BUTTERFLY BUSH.

AND IT'S NOT THE COMMON BUTTERFLY BUSH THAT WE THINK OF.

THE DAVIDII.

THIS ONE IS ALTERNIFOLIA.

THIS ONE IS GOING TO BE A BIGGER TYPE OF A SHRUB, LIKE ITS NAME, ALTERNATE.

AND THEN ALSO THE COOL PART ABOUT THIS ONE IS IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME ISSUES OF WINTER DIE-BACK LIKE DAVIDII DOES.

THE OTHER ONE.

AND IT ONLY BLOOMS ONCE A YEAR.

SO IT'S REALLY FUN AND IT'S BLOOMING AT THIS POINT IN TIME OF THE YEAR.

WIDE RANGE OF SOIL CONDITIONS.

CAN HANDLE DRY, CAN HANDLE JUST SO MANY DIFFERENT SOIL CONDITIONS.

IT WOULD BE A FUN ONE TO GO AHEAD AND TRY AND GOOD FOR ZONE 5.

AND THE OTHER ONE IS GOING TO BE OUR AJUGA.

A REALLY FUN ONE.

GROWS LOW AND THEN SENDS UP THESE REALLY FUN FLOWER SPIKES.

SO LOTS OF VARIABILITY IN THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK THIS WEEK.

>> AND IF YOU COULD SMELL THE BUTTERFLY BUSH.

>> YEP.

I MIGHT JUST LEAVE IT HERE ALL THROUGH THE REST OF THE SHOW.

BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD SMELL.

>> ALRIGHT, THANKS ELIZABETH.

ALRIGHT.

KATE, ONE PICTURE HERE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

NOTICED A SWARM OF SMALL BLACK FLYING INSECTS AROUND THE LARGE ASH TREES.

TODAY THEY'VE SEEN THOUSANDS COVERED.

AND THEN YOU HAVE A SECOND PICTURE WHICH IS THIS TINY LITTLE GREEN WORMS AND POPPY SEEDS.

AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE.

AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE.

AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE.

>> SEE IT WASN'T AN EXAGGERATION.

AND THERE ARE -- THAT FIRST PICTURE, THERE'S HUNDREDS, IF NOT, THOUSANDS OF CATERPILLARS OUT THERE.

SO THE ADULTS ARE BROWNHEADED ASH SAWFLY.

WHICH IS A STINGLESS WASP.

WHICH IS PROBABLY THOSE LITTLE BLACK FLYING BUGS THAT YOU SAW.

THE BLACK LITTLE POPPY SEEDS ARE PROBABLY -- WELL THEY ARE THE LARVA'S EXCREMENT.

WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE THESE GO IN ACROSS THE STATE MAYBE UNTIL EARLY JUNE.

AND IF YOU WANT TO KIND OF REDUCE THE POPULATIONS THAT YOU'RE SEEING BECAUSE THEY CAN BE A NUISANCE.

HONESTLY, GET OUT THE SHOP VAC.

VACUUM THEM UP.

SWEEP THEM UP.

REALLY, YOU DON'T NEED AN INSECTICIDE.

BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM ARE GOING TO DIE ANYWAYS.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE PRETTY ANNOYED WITH THEM BEING AND RAINING ON THEM IN THEIR PORCH.

SO, JUST AN OPTION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE HERE IS GRAND ISLAND VIEWER.

GOOD GUY OR BAD GUY?

>> I THINK IT'S A GOOD GUY.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SPHINX MOTHS THAT WE HAVE MENTIONED EARLIER.

MAYBE IT'S THE KIND THAT CAME OUT OF THAT PUPAE.

THIS ONE IS CALLED A WHITE LINED SPHINX MOTH, AND THEY ARE NECTURE FEEDERS SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE VISITING FLOWERS.

THE CATERPILLERS FEED ON LIKE GRAPE, APPLE, TOMATOE, AND THAT'S ABOUT AS MANY FACTS AS I KNOW ABOUT THEM.

>>ALRIGHT, AND I THINK YOU HAVE ONE MORE OF THE WORMS SHOWING THE DAMAGE.

>> YES.

YEP.

THEY WILL DEFOLIATE THE TREES, BUT AS I SAID THOSE OLDER WELL ESTABLISHED TREES BOUNCE BACK PRETTY EASILY.

>> AND ONE MORE.

INSECT CENTRAL AND THIS IS AN ANTELOPE COUNTY VIEWER CAME ACROSS THIS WORM SATURDAY AFTER THE RAINS.

CONCERNED THIS IS AN ASIAN JUMPING WORM.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS.

YOU CAN TELL ASIAN JUMPING WORMS, FIRST BY THEIR BEHAVIOR BECAUSE THEY MAKE VERY RAPID ALMOST JUMPING MOTIONS.

THEY ALSO HAVE A WHITE FLOATELLUM WHICH IS THE BAND YOU SEE ON EARTHWORMS.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE ASIAN JUMPING WORMS HAVEN'T BEEN FOUND IN THAT COUNTY.

NOT SAYING THEY'RE NOT THERE, BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE ANY CONCERNS.

IF YOU DID, THERE IS LITERALLY NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT AT THIS POINT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KATE.

LET'S SEE, MATT.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

A NORFOLK VIEWER WONDERING WHAT IS THIS GRASS?

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO CONTROL THIS GRASS?

>> THIS LOOKS LIKE IT'S MAYBE JUST A KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS PLANT OUT OF PLACE IN A TALL FESCUE LAWN OR IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT VARIETY.

LIKE A COMMON FORRAGE TYPE.

AND IT'S SEEDING OUT.

SO DIFFERENT VARIETY OF SEE OUT OF DIFFERENT TIMES OF YEAR SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.

AND FOR CONTROL, IF IT'S JUST ONE DIG IT OUT.

IF YOU HAVE SPOTS OF THEM, YOU COULD TREAT WITH NONSELECTIVE PRODUCT SUCH AS GLYCOSYLATES, BUT YOU MIGHT HAVE A NICE BROWN SPOT IN YOU LAWN.

I'D SAY JUST PULL IT OUT IF IT'S ONE.

>> ALRIGHT, ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, THIS IS A FRIEND, NEBRASKA VIEWER.

PLANTED GRASS THIS FALL AND HAS THIS WEED ALL OVER THE NEWLY SEEDED AREA WHAT AND WHAT?

>> YES,THIS ONE TO ME LOOKS LIKE DOWNY BROME AND THAT IS VERY POPULAR WHEN YOU HAVE A NEW SEEDING.

ESPECIALLY IN THE FALL BECAUSE IT JUST THRIVES IN THAT OPEN SOIL CONDITIONS.

IT'S SOME WHAT OF A WINTER ANNUAL AND CAN ALSO BE A SUMMER ANNUAL.

SO IT PROBABLY CAME UP LAST FALL AND NOW YOU'RE SEEING IT IN YOUR LAWN.

IT SHOULD DIE OUT WHEN TEMPERATURES GET UP IN THE 90s OR MID JUNE, LATE JULY.

BUT JUST KEEP MOWING IT OFF AND DON'T LET THOSE SEED HEADS COME OUT AND SPREAD MORE FOR YOU.

>> ALRIGHT, AND WE'VE SEEN SOME SEED ALREADY AROUNG HERE.

>> YEAH.

>> TWO MORE PICTURES.

THIS IS A FAIRFIELD VIEWER.

THIS GRASS IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YARD A TALL FESCUE, THE PATCH IS ABOUT A 4 FOOT CIRCLE.

WIDER BLADE WITH A PRETTY BIG STEM.

>> THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE ORCHARD GLASS.

CAUSE IT'S KIND OF A FLAT STEM AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THE LEAF SHEET KIND OF COMES UP BEHIND IT WITH THAT LITTLE WHITE ELONGATION SO THAT'S WHAT I'M LEANING TOWARDS WITH THIS ONE.

IT'S A PERENNIAL SO YOU HAVE TO KILL IT WITH A NON-SELECTIVE HERBACIDE BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY NO SELECTIVE HERACIDE TO USE FOR THIS SPECIFIC WEED.

>> ALRIGHT, THANKS MATT.

AMY, THREE PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THIS IS THE YOUNG PERSIMMON TREE.

THAT HE HAD THEN AND THEN IT JUST LOOKED TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE, THE BLACK OOZE COMING OUT OF OPEN GASHES.

THE OOZE HAS DISAPPEARED FOR THE WINTER, HAS NOT COME BACK, WHAT IS THIS AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

>> SO YOU LOOK AT THE BLACK BUT YOU LOOK HERE THERE'S A HUGE CANKER THERE DAMAGE OF SOME SORT THERE.

AT FIRST I REMEMBER THINKING IT'S JUST OOZING AND WEEPING AND IT'S TURNING BLACK BECAUSE WE HAVE OTHER FUNGI COMING IN EATING ALL OF THE SUGARS AND THAT'S WHAT'S CAUSING IT TO BE BLACK.

BUT I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SIZE OF THIS CANKER.

I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THE TREE IS GOING TO SURVIVE JUST BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE.

ELIZABETH YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HELP ME HERE I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MUCH OF PERCENTAGE OF THE TREE IF IT'S IMPACTED SHOULD BE REMOVED.

>> MORE THAN 1/3 AND IT REALLY DEPENDS ON IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE GOOD CALLISED TISSUE ON EITHE SIDE TO SEAL OVER THAT WOUND.

IF IT'S ABLE TO DO SO QUICKLY, IT'S GOING TO HAVE A BETTER CHANCE.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU I COULDN'T REMEMBER.

>> THAT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE PERSIMMON IS A GOOD TREE.

>> IT IS.

IT DOESN'T LOOK REAL HEALTHY.

>> NO AND TWO PICTURES HERE.

SHE WAS ON A NEIGHBORHOOD WALK.

THE FIRST,-- SHE'S GOT TWO DIFFERENT MUSHROOM SPECIES.

SHE'S GOT THIS ONE AND THEN THE SECOND ONE WAS A DAY LATER, SAME SPOT, AFTER A GOOD RAIN.

ANY IDEAS ON THESE?

>> THE FIRST ONE, I COULDN'T COME UP WITH A NAME.

IT KIND OF FALLS ON THOSE LITTLE BROWN MUSHROOMS.

FEEDING ON DEAD ORGANIC MATTER.

THIS ONE IS PRETTY NEAT, THIS DOES APPEARS TO BE INK CAPS WITH THAT BLACK COLORATATION.

ONCE AGAIN IT'S JUST FEEDING ON DEAD ORGANIC MATTER.

THEY'RE VERY SHORT LIVED.

NOTHING TO BE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT.

>> AND DON'T EAT THEM.

>> YES, DON'T EAT ANY OF THESE.

THE ONLY ONE TO EAT IS THE MORELES THAT I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

>> ELIZABETH, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES HERE.

THIS IS A BARGAIN JAPANESE MAPLE 20 YEARS AGO.

DONE ALL RIGHT, OBVIOUSLY NOT GROWING FOR NEBRASKA, BUT STARTS OUT WITH BEAUTIFUL CLASSIC REDISH, PURPLE JAPANESE MAPLE LEAVES AND THEN IT GOES GREEN.

HE WANTS TO KNOW CAN HE DO ANYTHING TO KEEP IT RED?

>> THERE'S REALLY NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO CHANGE THAT COLOR, THAT FOOLIAGE.

I QUESTION IF THAT FOOLIAGE THAT'S TURNING GREEN IS IN MORE OF THE SHADED AREAS AS TO WHY IT'S REVERTING AND GOING TO GREEN, BECAUSE IT NEEDS MORE CHLOROPHYLL BUT THERE'S REALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT YOU CAN DO AND JUST ENJOY IT THE WAY IT IS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S SEE.

I THINK YOUR NEXT PICTURE, PICTURES HERE, THIS IS ANOTHER JAPANESE MAPLE.

HE'S WONDERING -- I THINK THIS IS OMAHA WHAT ABOUT THAT TOP?

ANYTHING DEAD, DAMAGED, OR DISEASED CAN BE REMOVED.

SO IT MIGHT NOT BE MUCH LEFT BUT THEY CAN GO AHEAD PRUNE OUT ANYTHING DEAD.

ALRIGHT, THREE PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE THIS IS A COZED VIEWER.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THE TREE.

THE WHOLE TREE HERE, YOU CAN SEE THERE'S BARE SPOTS WHERE THE BARK HAS KIND OF PEELED OFF AND SHES KIND OF GOT A CLOSE UP OF THAT BARK ISSUE GOING ON.

>>> SOME TREES WILL HAVE EXFOLIATING BARK BUT WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING DISEASE WISE, SO I MEAN WE COULD HAVE A CREATURE, WE COULD HAVE A KIDDO.

JUST SOMETHING CAUSING SOME DAMAGE TO THAT BARK THAT'S CAUSING IT TO ROUGH OFF.

>> ALRIGHT SO KEEP IT HEALTHY AND KEEP THE CREATURES AWAY, OR THE KIDS.

>> IF YOU CAN.

>> ALRIGHT WELL ANTS ARE PART OF OUR OUTDOORS AND SOMETIME THE INDOOR WORLD.

>> MOST OF THE TIME THEY'RE ARE HARMLESS BUT THERE IS ONE SPECIES THAT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO WOOD STRUCTURES, INCLUDING YOUR HOME.

LET'S HEAR FROM JODI GREENE ABOUT CARPENTER ANTS AND HOW YOU CAN KEEP THEM FROM MUNCHING ON YOUR HOUSE.

♪ ♪ >>> THERE ARE LOTS OF ANTS OF CONCERN HERE IN NEBRASKA IN THE GARDEN, IN THE HOUSE, AND IN THE LANDSCAPE BUT THE ONE WE'RE GOING TO TALK TODAY ABOUT ARE CARPENTER ANTS.

WE GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT CARPENTER ANTS BECAUSE THEY ARE WOOD DESTROYING ORGANISMS AND THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BREAK DOWN THINGS THAT ARE OF STRUCTURAL VALUE, IN OUR HOUSES, IN OUR YARDS.

OUR WOODEN FENCES, GAZEBOS, PERGOLAS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN WE'RE LOOKING FOR CARPENTER ANTS.

MOST PEOPLE KNOW WHAT AN ANT LOOK LIKE.

THEYRE INSECTS THAT HAVE A PINCHED WAISTE.

THEY HAVE THREE SEGEMENTS THAT ARE EASILY DISTINGUISHED.

AND WITH CARPENTER ANTS, THEY HAVE A SINGLE QUEEN IN THEIR COLONY.

AND SHE'S THE ONE WHO LAYS ALL THE EGGS.

THERE ARE OTHER ANTS THAT HAVE MULTIPLE QUEENS, BUT THE CARPENTER ANT COLONY ONLY HAS ONE.

SO IN ORDER TO GET RID OR ELIMINATE THE COLONY, ON HAS TO TREAT THE NEST DIRECTLY AND KILL THE QUEEN.

IN ORDER TO TELL A CARPENTER ANT FROM OTHER ANTS YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THE THORAX.

HEAD, THORAX AND ABDOMENT THEY HAVE AN EVENLY ROUNDED THORAX >> WHEN YOU LOOKING AT IT, IT IS A PERFECT SEMICIRCLE IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY BUMPS AND IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY SPINES.

IT HAS ONE NODE BETWEEN THE THORAX AND GAPSTER WHICH WE ALSO CALL THE ABDOMENT.

THEY ARE QUITE LARGE.

IF YOU COULD TAKE A GOOD PICTURE OF AN ANT IT'S PROBABLY A CARPENTER ANT BECAUSE THEY ARE ONE OF OUR LARGER ANTS.

AND WE KNOW THAT ANTS DO SWARM OCCASIONALLY.

>> AND THAT IS WHEN THEY ARE MATURE COLONIES AND THEY WANT TO DISBURSE.

IF YOU SEE A LARGE ANT FORAGING, AND IT LOOKS LIKE A CAPENTER ANT ONE THING TO DO IS LOOK AT IF IT'S GOT FOOD.

IF IT DOES, FOLLOW IT BACK TO THE NEST.

THAT'S HOW YOU CAN FIND THE NEST.

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO FIND THE NEST BECAUSE CARPENTER ANTS LEAVE FRASS IN THE FORM OF COURSE SAW DUST.

AND SO THEY MAY BE IN PILES UNDER WOOD BEAMS OR OUT IN THE YARD AND THAT FRASS WILL ALSO CONTAIN INSECT BODY PARTS.

CARPENTER ANTS DO LIKE SUGAR BUT THEY ALSO NEED A SOURCE OF PROTEIN.

AND THAT IS WHY NORMAL SUGAR ANT BAITS WILL NOT WORK.

YOU WANT TO FIND THE BATES THAT SAY IT TREATS CARPENTER ANTS AND A HOUSEHOLD ANT IS NOT A CARPENTER ANT THOSE ARE SUGAR BASED.

SO IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE AND YOU SEE CARPENTER ANTS IN AN OLD LOG, OLDS STUMP, YOU CAN LEAVE IT THERE.

HOWEVER, THEY DO HAVE A TENDANCY TO FORAGE IN LONG DISTANCES FOR FOOD.

IF THEY'RE JUST COMING IN FOR FOOD YOU CAN SEAL THEM OUT WITH EXCLUSION METHODS.

IF THEY NESTING IN YOUR HOME, THAT IS WHEN YOU WANT TO TEAT.

YOU WANT TO LOCATE THE NEST AND TREAT IT DIRECTLY.

SOME OF THE BEHAVIORS OF CARPENTER ANTS ARE THEY CAN FORAGE LONG DISTANCES FOR FOOD.

THEY MIGHT HAVE SATELLITE COLONIES.

SO THEY MAY HAVE DIFFERENT NESTING LOCATIONS.

THEY ARE NOCTURNAL SO IF YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THEM, THE BEST TIME IS GOING TO BE IN THE EVENING.

YOU CAN OFFER THEM A LITTLE BIT OF DILUTED HONEY OR SUGAR SOLUTION AND THEN FOLLOW THEM BACK.

IF THEY ARE GOING OUTSIDE THAT MEANS THEIR NEST IS OUT THERE.

AND YOU JUST NEED TO EXCLUDE THEM.

IF THEY ARE GOING SOMEWHERE IN THE HOUSE, THEN YOU WANT TO FIND THAT NEST AND TREAT DIRECTLY.

JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE SEEING CARPENTER ANTS OUT IN THE LANDSCAPE.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE TO BE A PROBLEM.

IN ORDER TO KEEP THEM OUT OF YOUR HOME REDUCE THE MOISTURE.

THE SOIL TO WOOD CONTACT.

CLEAN OUT YOUR GUTTERS AND DON'T LET ANY TREES TOUCH YOUR HOUSE.

>> SO AS JODI SAID, THE SIMPLE SOLUTION IS PLUGGING UP OUTSIDE HOLES, ELIMINATING THE MOISTURE TO CONTROL THOSE CARPENTER ANTS.

CHECK FOR THOSE SYMPTONS JODI TALKED ABOUT AND YOU SHOULD HAVE NO TROUBLE KEEPING THEM OUT OF YOUR HOUSE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE NUMEROUS VIDEOS FOCUSING ON INSECT APPRECIATION AND CONTROL AT THE BACKYARD FARMER YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

IT'S REALLY A GREAT RESOURCE FOR YOU TO LEARN HOW TO GROW YOUR PLANTS THE RIGHT WAY.

SEE WHAT'S CURRENT IN THE HORTICULUTRE WORLD.

OR CONTROL THOSE INSECTAND DISEASE PESTS.

CHECK IT OUT AFTER THE SHOW, MAKE SURE YOU HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON.

WE HAVE TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT OF INTERESTING THINGS.

THE FIRST IS THE FREE COMPOSTING DEMONSTRATION.

NEBRASKA EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERS.

PIONEER'S PARK ACROSS FROM THE NATURE CENTER SATURDAY AT 10 A.M. AND THE SECOND ONE IS THE 54th ANNUAL MONROE MEYER GARDEN WALK JUNE 11th IN OMAHAE.

SO GOOD STUFF IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

ALL RIGHT, KATE.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A VIBURNUM PROBLEM.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

THE VIBURNUM HAS DONE THIS IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

SHE CAN'T SEE ANY INSECTS WHEN SHE UNROLLS THE LEAVES, BUT PERHAPS THEY'RE TOO SMALL.

>> YES, THIS IS LIKELY CAUSED BY THE SNOWBALL APHID.

THOSE APHIDS ARE HIDING BEHIND ALL THAT WHITE WAX THAT IS INSIDE THE LEAVES.

THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT THE SNOWFALL APHID IS THEY WILL LAY THEIR EGGS ON THE TWIGS AND LEAF BUDS.

THOSE EGGS WILL HATCH AT BUD BREAK.

THE BEST TIME FOR CONTROL IS WHEN THOSE LEAVES ARE LESS THAN 2 INCHES LONG.

YOU CAN DO A PRODUCT LIKE INSECTICIDAL SOAP.

BUT ONCE AGAIN YOU NEED TO DO IT WHEN THE LEAVES ARE SMALL, CAUSE WHEN THEY'RE IN THAT CURLED LEAF, THEY'RE PROTECTED.

USUALLY YOU CAN LET IF GO.

BUT IF IT BECOMES A BIG ISSUE, YOU CAN THINK ABOUT TREATING.

>> ALL RIGHT TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS ALSO A LINCOLN VIEWER.

INFESTATION ON A SERVICE BERRY.

WHAT IS THIS AND WHAT TO DO?

>> THESE ARE ALSO APHIDS.

I PROBABLY SAY THIS EVERY TIME BUT MY FAVORITE INSECTS ARE APHIDS.

THESE ARE WOOLLY ELM APHIDS.

EVEN THOSE THEY ARE ON SERVICE BERRIES THERE, THEIR PRIMARY HOST PLANT IS ACTUALLY ELMS.

AND THEN THEY'LL MOVE TO SERVICE BERRY IN THE SUMMER.

WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THESE IS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO INFEST THE ROOTS AND THE CROWN AS WELL.

BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THOSE LEAF CURLS.

IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO TREAT THOSE.

BUT YOU CAN DO A DRENCH INSECTICIDE AT THE BASE OF THE PLANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE ONES THAT ARE ON THE ROOTS.

>> THANK YOU, KATE.

MATT, ONE PICTURE HERE FOR YOU.

THIS IS FROM NORTHWEST IOWA.

SHE THINKS THIS IS A WEED GROWING IN A LOT OF AREAS IN HER YARD COMING ON IN NEW SEEDING.

WHAT IS IT?

AND HOW TO TREAT IT?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A WEED.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE KNOT WEED.

AND THAT IS SOME PRETTY YOUNG KNOT WEED.

TREATING IT, IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GROW A LAWN, YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL WHICH PRODUCTS YOU USE AND STAY AWAY FROM 240.

IF YOU ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT A NEW LAWN COMING IN, THEN THOSE PRODUCTS CAN BE USED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THE QUESTION IS, IS THIS A PLANT OR A WEED?

WHAT IS THIS?

>> I THINK IT'S A WEED.

IT LOOKS LIKE COMMON MULLEIN.

ESPECIALLY IF IT'S GOT FUZZY LEAVES.

WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SEE THAT IN THE PICTURE.

BUT IT'S A BIANNUAL.

SO IT STARTS OUT AS A ROSETTE AND THE NEXT YEAR IT SHOOTS UP A FLOWERING STEM THAT HARBORS THE SEED AND IT WILL SPREAD PRETTY PROLIFICALLY, ESPECIALLY IN YOUR AREA.

SO I WOULD PROBABLY REMOVE THAT ONE.

>> CONSIDERED INVASIVE AT A LOT OF LOCATIONS?

>> YES.

YES.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS IN OMAHA.

SHOWED UP IN HER YARD LAST YEAR.

CAME BACK THIS YEAR.

WHAT IS THIS PARTICULAR WEED?

>> I'M NOT 100% SURE.

ONE THING THAT I FOUND IT'S CLOSE TO WOULBE BE SWEET SICILY.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS IN THE AREA.

IT'S A NATIVE HERB.

SO I'M GUESS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT NEEDING TO BE THERE BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S A HARMFUL PLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S SEE.

THAT'S ALL YOU HAD ON THAT?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT ONE IS.

I THINK IT'S A PERRENIAL FOR SURE >> YOU NEED A SAMPLE.

YOU NEEDA SAMPLE, RIGHT?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF LEAVES THAT LOOK LIKE THAT.

BUT THAT'S THE CLOSEST I COULD COME TOO.

>> DARN LEAVES ANYWAY.

WHY DO PLANTS NEED THEM?

AS KYLE SAYS.

>> EXACTLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICS FOR YOU ON THIS FIRST ONE, AMY.

THIS IS A SMOKE TREE LOOKING LIKE THIS.

12 TO 15 YEARS OLD.

FIRST TIME IT'S HAPPENED.

>> OKAY.

SO WE'RE SEEING THE BROWNAGE DYING BACK THERE.

THE FIRST THING I WOULD LOOK FOR IS CANKER BACK ON THE BASE OF THE PLANT.

BUT THE OTHER THING WITH SMOKE JUST LIKE THE BARBERRY, IT CAN BE VERTICILLIUM.

DEPENDING WHERE YOU ARE IN THE STATE.

SMOKE TREES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A SHROOM GROWING ON A LYNDON TREE IN DODGE.

IS IT EDIBLE?

>> TO ME, IT LOOKS TO BE AN OYSTER BUT I CAN'T GUARANTEE IT.

THAT IT IS EDIBLE.

YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU GET PROPER IDENTIFICATION.

THE BIG TRICK WITH THIS, IT PROBABLY INDICATES YOU HAVE HEART ROCK THAT IS OCCURING.

THAT'S WHEN THE ARE MUSHROOMS COMING OUT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT LOSS OF INTEGRITY OF THAT TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE.

THIS IS A PLATSMUTH SHROOM.

WHAT'S THIS ONE?

>> IT'S A TYPE OF POROUS.

VERY SIMILAR TO THE SHELL FUNGUS THAT WE'LL SEE.

IT'S ACUTALLY PRETTY COOL.

I COULDN'T I.D.

IT PRECISELY ON WHAT IT IS.

>> ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH.

TWO PICTURES FOR YOU ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A TREE THAT HAS SOME LIMBS WITH NO LEAVES.

THEY'VE USED FERTILIZER STAKES.

HOPING WE COULD TELL YOU WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS ONE.

>> PRUNE OUT ANYTHING THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY FOLIAGE AND WE WANT TO AVOID THE FERTILIZER.

ESPECIALLY ON THOSE STRESS PLANTS LIKE THAT.

>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A VIBURNUM, NOT A TREE.

>> WE STILL WANT TO AVOID FERTILIZER.

>> EXACTLY.

>> NOT A HEAVY FEED.

>> AND PRUNE OUT ALL THAT STUFF.

>> PRUNE OUT ALL THE DEAD.

>> NEBRASKA, THIS IS AN ELDERLY FRIEND THAT GAVE THE PLANT.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

YELLOW FLOWERS, PODS IN THE SUMMER.

>> SO THIS IS A FUN PLANT IT'S CALLED THERMOPSIS CAROLINEA.

CAROLINA LUPINE IS THE OTHER COMMON NAME FOR IT.

IT HAS A REALLY DEEP TAP ROOT IN IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, VERY NICE ONE.

WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR "BACKYARD FARMER" TONIGHT.

THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED QUESTIONS TO THE SHOW AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING WE HAD JOHN CARIOTTO, LINDA HELTON AND EXTENSION EDUCATOR TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER," WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU TWO MORE INSECT PESTS THAT NEED YOUR ATTENTION.

WAYNE WILL HELP YOU GET A HANDLE ON GRASSHOPPERS THIS SPRING.

JODI RETURNS TO WARN YOU ABOUT LONE STAR TICKS.

SO GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

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

♪ ♪