♪♪ >> Announcer: "BACKYARD FARMER" IS A COPRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

>> TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE WILL HELP GET YOUR INDOOR PLANTS BACK INDOORS AND HELP REDUCE INSECT PESTS FOR NEXT YEAR'S GARDEN WITH A LITTLE CLEANING UP.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP NEXT.

RIGHT HERE ON "BACKYARD FARMER."

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

I'M KIM TODD.

I'LL BE YOUR HOST FOR THE NEXT HOUR OF ANSWERING THOSE GARDENING QUESTIONS.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

THOSE VOLUNTEERS ARE STANDING BY TO TAKE YOUR CALLS.

SO JUST DIAL 1-800-676-5446.

WE HAVE ONE MORE SHOW THIS SEASON WHERE WE WILL TAKE YOUR PICTURES AND EMAILS.

THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

SO PLEASE TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE.

GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN, SO WE CAN GIVE YOU THE BEST ANSWERS.

AND DO NOT FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.

BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL SO YOU CAN WATCH PAST SHOWS AND SOME GREAT VIDEOS.

SO WE START, AS ALWAYS, THIS WAY -- MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE WILL START THAT WAY.

KAIT, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PILGER.

HE IS ASKING, ANY IDEA WHAT CAUSES THESE APPLE DEFECTS?

>> YEAH, SO THIS IS WHAT WE CALL CAT FACING ON THE APPLES.

IT'S MOST COMMONLY CAUSED BY INSECTS LIKE STINK BUGS AND THE BROWN MARMORATED STINKBUG.

THEY HAVE THESE PIERCING, SUCKING STRAW-LIKE MOUTH PARTS THAT PIERCE INTO IT, DRINK UP THE SAP.

AS THE FRUIT GROWS, IT STARTS TO DEFORMS.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE A CAT'S FACE.

I DON'T SEE IT.

BUT THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED.

AND UNFORTUNATELY DEALING WITH STINK BUGS IN ORCHARD TREES CAN BE A LITTE BIT DIFFICULT.

BECAUSE A LOT OF INSECTICIDES ARE GOING TO BE SHORT-LIVED.

IT'S THE YOUNG STINK BUGS THAT ARE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE.

THERE ARE SPRAYS YOU CAN DO.

BUT IT TAKES MONITORING, STARTING IN MARCH AND APRIL.

SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE STINK BUGS EARLY.

AND JUST AVOID SPRAYING DURING THAT FLOWERING TIME.

>> SO IF THEY DO ONE OF THOSE TYPICAL EVERYTHING FRUIT SPRAYS, IS THAT GOING THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE EARLY ON OR NOT?

>> NOT REALLY.

LIKE I SAID, IT'S KIND OF DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

SO YOU CAN TRY YOUR BEST.

JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE VERY EFFECTIVE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KAIT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM CAMPBELL.

SHE SAYS, IT'S A PICTURE OF A BUG THAT HER MOTHER FINDS ON HER FLOOR AND ON THE COUNTERTOPS AT RANDOM.

>> THIS IS A LARDER BEETLE.

IT'S WHAT WE CALL ONE OF THE PANTRY PEST, BECAUSE THEY ARE COMMONLY FOUND IN PANTRIES.

BECAUSE THEY INFEST DRIED GOODS.

LARDER BEETLES IN PARTICULAR LIKE CURED MEATS.

SO A LOT OF CLIENTS COMMONLY FIND IT IN DOG FOOD, PET FOOD.

THINGS THAT ARE HIGH IN PROTEIN LIKE THAT.

BUT THEY'LL ASLO INFEST THINGS LIKE TAXIDERMY AND DEAD ANIMALS.

AND REALLY JUST A MATTER OF FINDING WHAT'S INFESTED WHERE ARE THEY COMING FROM AND DISCARDING WHATEVER THAT IS.

IN THE MEANTIME YOU CAN SIMPLY VACUUM UP THE BEETLES THAT YOU DO FIND.

>> ALL RIGHT EXCELLENT.

I HOPE NO DEAD ANIMALS IN THE KITCHEN.

>> HOPEFULLY NOT.

MAYBE OUTSIDE THE KITCHEN.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM, BOTH A LINCOLN AND A MALCOLM VIEWER.

ALL THE WALNUTS LOOK LIKE THIS INSIDE.

WHAT IS THIS?

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

HOW DO THEY PREVENT IT?

THEY ARE MATURE TREES.

>> YES.

SO THIS IS ANOTHER KIND OF DIFFICULT ONE, UNFORTUNATELY.

BUT THESE ARE WALNUT HUSK MAGGOTS.

WHICH ARE THE LARVAE OF A TYPE OF FRUIT FLY.

SO THEY'LL LAY THEIR EGGS ON THE HUSK OF THE WALNUT.

THEY'LL EAT INSIDE THERE.

BUT LUCKILY THEY DON'T ENTER THE NUT.

SO THE NUT IS GOING TO BE UNAFFECTED IN THIS CASE.

ONE GOOD PRACTICE IS PROPER SANITATION AROUND THE TREES, IF POSSIBLE.

SO THE LARVAE WILL PUPATE IN THE SOIL.

SO IF YOU'RE ABLE TO GET THE WALNUTS UP BEFORE THAT PUPATION TIME, BEFORE THE WINTER, THAT'S A REALLY GREAT PRACTICE.

OTHERWISE, THERE ARE INSECTICIDES THAT ARE LABELED TO CONTROL THE ADULTS.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY TIMELY AROUND AUGUST.

BUT IF THEY'RE MATURE TREES, IT'S ONCE AGAIN -- JUST UNDERSTANDING THAT IT CAN BE A DIFFICULT AND ONGOING PROCESS.

>> THANK YOU.

OKAY, MATT -- TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS AN OAKLAND VIEWER.

THEY HAVE BEEN MOWING THIS PASTURE FOR YEARS.

THEY'VE PLANTED TREES AND SHRUBS, FOR BEAUTY, ETCETERA.

THIS YEAR IT SEEMS THEY HAVE MORE CLOVER THAN TURF OR PRAIRIE.

THEY WANT TO TREAT THIS WITH A PREEMERGENT NEXT SPRING.

WHAT WILL WORK IF ANYTHING?

THEY WOULD LIKE TO CONTROL CRABGRASS.

>> OKAY.

SO IF IT IS INDEED A PASTURE AND YOU HAVE IT AROUND TREES, I WOULD SAY IF IT'S JUST WHITE CLOVER IN THERE, IT'S A KIND OF BENEFICIAL PLANT TO HAVE IN THERE.

IT'S GOOD FOR POLLINATORS.

IT WILL NOT OUTCOMPETE THE GRASS.

AT CERTAIN TIMES OF YEAR IT WILL.

AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY HAVE GRASS AND CLOVER GROWING TOGETHER.

THE CLOVER WILL CREATE FERTILIZER OR NITROGEN IN THE SOIL AND FERTILIZE THE GRASS.

SO IF IT'S SOMETHING YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY INTO, BY LIKE RESEEDING AND SPRAYING I WOULD STAY WITH THE WHITE CLOVER.

IF YOU WANT TO PREVENT CRABGRASS, NEXT SPRING GO AHEAD AND PUT DOWN PENDIMETHALIN -- THAT BE A SAFER ONE TO GO AROUND ALL THE TREES.

THAT WOULD PREVENT A LOT OF THOSE SUMMER ANNUAL WEEDS.

PERENNIAL IS THE CLOVER.

SO I WOULD SAY LEAVE THAT ONE IN THERE IN THAT BIG OF AN AREA.

JUST BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF BENEFICIAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, MATT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS ONE SAYS IT WAS TOTALLY WOODED WITH TREES.

THIS IS LINCOLN.

AND THEN VOLUNTEER SHRUBS AND THINGS WERE TORN OUT.

IT WAS GRATED.

IRRIGATION WAS INSTALLED.

THEN IT WAS ACTUALLY A BLOWN ON GRASS SEED.

CAME IN BEAUTIFULLY, BUT NOW THERE ARE ALL THESE WEEDS.

HOW AND WHEN DO THEY CONTROL THEM?

AND WILL THIS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN SINCE THIS AREA WAS NEGLECTED?

>> I'D SAY WHAT YOU HAVE THERE IS A REALLY GOOD STAND OF GRASS.

IF YOU CONTINUE TO FERTILIZE AND WATER, IT WILL GROW IN.

SO NOW IS THE TIME TO TREAT.

LOOKS LIKE THE GRASS IS OLD ENOUGH TO USE A 240 PRODUCT.

IF THERE'S GROUND IVY, YOU CAN USE ONE CONTAINING TRICLOPYR AND THAT ONE WILL WORK A LITTLE BIT BETTER ON THOSE TOUGHER TO CONTROL WEEDS.

IT'S AVAILABLE IN SOME MIXES OR IT'S CALLED -- IF YOU'RE GETTING IT FROM A STORE, USUALLY TOUGH TO CONTROL WEEDS, AND IT WILL HAVE TRICLOPYR IN THERE.

AND THAT ONE WORKS WELL ON GROUND IVY.

SO NOW IS THE TIME TO TREAT.

IF YOU DO HAVE REGROWTH, LET'S SAY FOUR WEEKS FROM NOW, YOU CAN TREAT AGAIN.

IT'S STILL GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT TO GO LATER IN THE FALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM UTICA.

HE WANTS TO KNOW, IS THERE A HERBICIDE HE CAN PUT ON IN THE FALL IN THE GARDEN TO HELP WITH WEEDS IN THE SPRING AND THIS IS ALL OVER SOME BARE PATCHES.

>> OKAY, SO, IF YOU HAVE WEEDS IN THOSE GARDENS RIGHT NOW AND YOU WANT TO KILL THEM, AN EASY WAY IS JUST TO EITHER TILL IT OR TEAR IT UP AND RIP THEM OUT.

ANOTHER PRODUCT THAT WOULD WORK WOULD BE DIQUAT WHICH IS A BURN-DOWN PRODUCT.

THAT'S LABELED FOR LANDSCAPES OR FOR GARDENS.

THAT WILL JUST KILL ANYTHING IN THERE.

BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO TRY AND PREVENT NEW STUFF FROM GROWING, PREEN IS THE BEST SELECTION FOR A GARDEN.

IT'S SAFE.

IT WOULD COVER SOME OF THE WINTER ANNUALS AND MAY STAY IN THE SPRING TO COVER EARLY SPRING, SUMMER ANNUALS OR WINTER ANNUALS.

SO I WOULD GO WITH THAT IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRY TO PREVENT WEEDS FROM COMING UP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, MATT.

DENNIS, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS CARNEY.

KAIT GOT SNAILS LAST TIME, SO IT'S YOUR TURN.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YEAH.

>> SO IT'S A FISH POND.

THOUSANDS OF THESE SMALL SNAILS.

HE THINKS ALSO SOME RAMS HORN.

GOOD, BAD AND DEFINITELY UGLY.

AND DOES HE NEED TO GET RID OF THEM?

AND HOW?

>> WELL, THEY'RE PROPAGATING BECAUSE YOU HAVE HIGH NITRATES AND HIGH PHOSPHATES.

A LOT OF FERTILIZER IN THERE.

WHICH CAUSES ALGAE BLOOMS, WHICH IS THEIR FOOD.

SO YOU CAN CONTROL THEM BY CONTROLLING THE AMOUNT OF FERTILIZER GETTING INTO THE POND.

OTHERWISE, THEY ARE NOT CAUSING TOO MUCH OF A PROBLEM.

AND THER IS SMALL, LITTLE ANIMALS THAT WILL EAT THEM IN THE POND.

THERE ARE CERTAIN FISH THEY'LL EAT THEM AND CRAYFISH WILL EAT.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, DENNIS.

THIS COMES TO US FROM DES MOINES, IOWA.

SHE'S GOT TWO OWLS IN THE BACKYARD THAT SHE REALLY ENJOYS.

YOU CAN SEE ONE ON THE BIRDBATH THERE.

THEY SCARE AWAY THE OTHER BIRDS.

IS THERE A LEGAL METHOD TO GET THEM TO LEAVE?

WOULD A FAKE LARGE PLASTIC OWL DETER THEM?

AND THEN GET RID OF THE FAKE ONE -- SHE WANTS THE SONGBIRDS, TOO.

>> YEAH, WELL -- THEY WILL STICK AROUND.

THESE ARE BARN OWLS.

THEY ARE PROTECTED.

THERE IS NO REALLY LEGAL WAY TO DETER THEM.

PERSONALLY, I LIKE THE OWLS BETTER THAN THE SONGBIRDS.

ONCE ENOUGH SONGBIRDS GET EATEN, THE OWLS WILL MOVE ON AND THE SONGBIRDS WILL COME BACK.

THEN THE OWLS WILL COME BACK AND THE SONGBIRDS WILL GO AWAY.

IT WILL BE A NICE CYCLE.

JUST KEEP FEEDING THE SONGBIRDS.

THEN THE OWLS WILL HAVE FOOD TOO.

EVERYBODY IS HAPPY.

>> OKAY.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS HAWK WAS DISCOVERED ON EAST CAMPUS BY SOME OF MY STUDENTS.

WHAT IS IT?

>> KRIDER'S HAWK, IT'S ACTUALLY A SUBSPECIES OF THE REDTAIL ONLY FOUND IN THE GREAT PLAINS.

THEY GO FROM NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS, TO SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS.

SO IT'S A MORPH OR SUBSPECIES OF THE REDTAIL HAWK, CALLED THE KRIDER'S HAWK.

>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

SARAH, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A VIEWER IN OMAHA WHO SAYS HE HAS SEEN THIS ON THREE ASH TREES IN NORTH OMAHA.

DIEBACK ABOVE, THE LUSH GROWTH BELOW.

WHAT'S UP?

>>SO YEAH, WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF TREES IN LINCOLN LOOKING LIKE THIS THESE DAYS.

THIS IS A COMBINATION OF EMERALD ASH BORE DAMAGE AND DROUGHT.

SO I THINK DROUGHT HAS LOWERED THE VIGOR OF THE TREES, WHICH HAS ALLOWED THE SURVIVAL OF THE EMERAL ASH BORE LARVA.

AND THEY'RE STARTED TO KILL THOSE UPPER BRANCHES.

SO UNFORTUNATELY EMERALD ASH BORE IS JUST GETTING STARTED IN LINCOLN.

AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT MORE OF THIS OVER THE NEXT 10 TO 15 YEARS TO COME.

NOT TO MUCH -- YOU CAN'T REALLY DO ANYTHING FOR THAT TREE AT THIS POINT.

>> CUT HER DOWN.

>> OKAY.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS FROM DWIGHT.

A NEW TREE HERE.

SHE WAS TOLD NOT TO PRUNE THE FIRST YEAR.

SHOULD SHE DO ANY PRUNING AT ALL ON THIS ONE JUST YET?

IT'S PRETTY YOUNG.

>> YEAH, YOU NEED TO START DOING SOME SHAPING.

IT'S GROWING IN KIND OF AN ODD PATTERN HERE.

SO KEEP IN MIND WITH ANY TREE, A STRONG CENTRAL LEADER SYSTEM IS THE STRONGEST BRANCHING STRUCTURE.

SO I WOULD CHOOSE THE MIDDLE CHUTE TO BE THE CENTRAL LEADER.

ON THE LONG SIDE CHUTES, I WOULDN'T REMOVE THEM BUT SHORTEN THEM.

SO THAT THEY BECOME SHORT THAN THE CENTRAL LEADER.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT OVER THE NEXT YOU KNOW -- SEVERAL YEARS TO ENCOURAGE THAT CENTRAL LEADER TO TAKE OFF AND FOR THIS TREE TO DEVELOP A GOOD UP BRANCH STRUCTURE.

DON'T LIMB UP ANYMORE.

IT'S ALREADY BEEN LIMBED UP, I WOULD SAY A LITTLE TOO FAR AT THIS POINT.

SO LEAVE THOSE LOWER LIMBS ATTACHED, JUST SHORTEN THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, SARAH.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT CAUSED THE SPLITTING OR CRACKING IN THE TRUNK OF THIS CRAB APPLE.

>> SO THERE COULD BE A COUPLE CAUSES FOR THIS.

IT COULD BE A SUN SKULL DAMAGE.

WHICH IS COMMON IN YOUNG TREES WHEN THE BARK IS THIN AND THE SUN SHINES ON THE BARK IN THE WINTER AND THEN WE END UP WITH SOME BARK DAMAGE.

IT COULD ALSO BE RELATED TO ROOT ISSUES.

SOMETIMES WITH TREES THAT ARE PLANTED TOO DEEPLY OR TREES THAT HAVE GIRDLING ROOTS, AS THOSE ROOTS COMPRESS THE TRUNK, IT CAN RESULT IN DEATH OF THE BARK ABOVE THOSE ROOTS.

SO THE TREE -- YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURE THE TREE IS PUTTING ON NEW TISSUE TO TRY TO COVER AND SEAL OVER THAT DEAD AREA OF BARK.

THAT'S THE BEST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN FOR THAT TREE.

SO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO TO SUPPORT THIS TREE AT THIS POINT, IS TO PUT A MULCH RING AROUND THE BASE.

I WOULD COME OUT AT LEAST THREE FEET FROM THE TRUNK IN A NICE CIRCLE.

THREE INCHES IN A FLAT, PANCAKE LAYER OF MULCH.

MAKE SURE IT STAYS WELL WATERED.

DEEP AND INFREQUENT DURING DRY PERIODS.

AND ENABLE THAT TREE TO RECOVER AS WELL AS IT CAN.

>> GREAT, THANKS SARAH.

WELL, WITH FALL RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, IT'S TIME TO GET THOSE CONTAINER HOUSEPLANTS BACK INDOORS.

THERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND.

SCOTT EVANS WILL TELL US HOW TO PREPARE YOUR PLANTS FOR THE MOVE BACK HOME.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE WE ARE WRAPPING UP SUMMER AND GETTING READY FOR FALL.

AND WITH THAT, WE NEED TO START THINKING ABOUT GETTING OUR HOUSEPLANTS THAT HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE ALL SUMMER READY TO COME IN FOR THE WINTER.

I WANT TO SHARE TIPS THAT WILL MAKE THIS A LITTLE BIT LESS STRESSFUL FOR BOTH YOU AND YOUR PLANTS.

THE FIRST THING THAT WE NEED TO DO IS STOP FERTILIZING OUR HOUSEPLANTS WITH FULL STRENGTH.

DURING THE GROWING SEASON, THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO KEEP OUR PLANTS HAPPY AND HEALTHY.

BUT AS WE MOVE INTO FALL AND WINTER, HOUSEPLANTS ARE NOT GOING TO BE GROWING AS AGGRESSIVELY.

WHEN WE FERTILIZE, THIS COULD PUSH GREEN GROWTH THAT COULD CAUSE ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD.

MAKE SURE YOU HOLD OFF ON FERTILIZING OUR PLANTS.

THE NEXT THING THAT WE WANT DO IS TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS AND GET OUR PLANTS HOSED OFF.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT WAY TO DISLODGE ANY TYPE OF HITCHHIKING INSECTS SUCH AS SPIDERS, APHIDS MEAL BUGS.

WE WANT TO FOCUS ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE LEAVES.

THIS IS WHERE THE SPIDER MITES AND WHITE FLIES LIKE TO HANG OUT.

SO MAKE SURE YOU FOCUS YOUR WATER ON THE BACK SIDE.

WE DON'T NEED TO ADD SOAP.

JUST USE WATER.

WE WANT TO DO THIS A COUPLE TIMES, TWO OR THREE, TO MAKE SURE OUR PLANTS ARE FREE OF INSECTS.

WHILE WASHING OFF YOUR PLANTS TRY TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SAUCER OR DRIP TRAY THAT MIGHT BE ATTACHED TO THE CONTAINER.

SOMETIMES WE GET MILLIPEDES, ROLLY-POLLIES AND EVEN CENTIPEDES THAT LIKE TO HANG OUT IN THOSE SPACES.

SO BEFORE YOU BRING THEM IN, GIVES THOSE SAUCERS A GOOD ONCE OVER.

WE ALSO WANT TO TRY TO START TRANSITIONING OUR PLANTS TO LOWER LIGHT ENVIRONMENTS.

ONE WAY WE CAN DO THIS IS TO TAKE THE PLANTS OUT OF FULL SUN AND PLACE THEM UNDERNEATH A DECK OR IN THE SHADE OF A TREE FOR A COUPLE HOURS.

AND THEN MOVE THEM BACK OUT INTO THEIR ORIGINAL SPACE.

THIS ISN'T ALWAYS THE EASIEST THING TO DO.

A LOT OF US WORK DURING THE DAY.

BUT WE CAN TRY OUR BEST AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP REDUCE SOME OF THAT STRESS FROM COMING INSIDE.

THE NEXT THING WE WANT TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PREPARED.

MOST OF US ARE GOING TO WAIT FOR THE FIRST FROST WARNING BEFORE WE START BRINGING PLANTS IN.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WE CAN MAKE SURE WE HAVE ANY TYPE OF CLEAR PLASTIC TRAYS, PLANT CADDIES, AND THE SPACES CARVED OUT INDOORS FOR OUR HOUSEPLANTS.

A LOT OF US PROBABLY HAVE A NEW PLANT OR TWO SINCE THE GROWING SEASON HAS STARTED.

SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SPACE TO PUT YOUR NEW PLANTS INTO.

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE PAGE WHERE YOU CAN FIND OTHER SEGMENTS THAT WE TALK ABOUT HOUSEPLANTS AND GROW LIGHTS.

THAT CAN HELP EASE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU MIGHT BE DEALING WITH THROUGHOUT THE WINTER.

HOPEFULLY, YOU CAN FIND SOME OF THE TIPS HELPFUL TO MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM OUTSIDE TO INSIDE A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

>> THANKS, SCOTT.

IF YOU FOLLOW THOSE SIMPLE RULES, YOUR PLANTS WILL CONTINUE TO THRIVE INDOORS DURING THOSE COLDER MONTHS.

KAIT, ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM VALLEY.

HE SAYS, "ARE THESE HARMFUL?

AFTER ALL, THERE ARE A LOT OF COTTONWOODS IN NEBRASKA."

>> YES.

SO THIS IS A COTTONWOOD BORE BEETLE.

AND THEY CAN CAUSE SOME DAMAGE.

THE ADULTS WILL FEED ON NEWER GROWTH OR STEMS ON THE TREES.

AND THEY'LL ACTUALLY LAY THEIR EGGS AT THE BASE OF THE TREE UNDER THE SOIL LINE AND THAT'S WHERE THE BORERS GO INTO AND MAY CAUSE SOME DAMAGE TO THE ROOTS OR THE BASE OF THE TREE.

USUALLY MOST OF THE DAMAGE THAT'S CONCERNING IS FOR YOUNGER COTTONWOOD TREES.

OLDER TREES TEND TO BOUNCE BACK OKAY.

BUT REALLY WHEN IT COMES TO BORERS, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS JUST KEEP THE TREE HEALTHY.

MAKE SURE IT'S IRRIGATED CORRECTLY, FERTILIZE, HAVE THAT MULCH RING THAT SARAH HAD TALKED ABOUT.

AND THEY'LL BOUNCE BACK PRETTY WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KAIT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER THAT HAS THREE CITY TREES, SWAMP WHITE OAKS.

EVERY YEAR THEY GET MORE AND MORE BULLET GALLS, AND THEN OF COURSE THE HAVE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS THOUSANDS OF ANGRY WASPS.

IS THERE A WAY THEY CAN STOP THE CYCLE HERE?

>> I DON'T DOUBT THE WASPS.

SO WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS THESE BULLET GALLS HAVE WHAT WE CALL EXTRAFLORAL NECTARIES.

SO THEY ARE PRODUCING NECTAR WHICH IS ATTRACTING THESE WASPS.

LUCKILY, WASPS LIKE THESE YELLOWJACKETS AND PAPER WASPS THAT WE SEE IN THE PICTURE, IF THEY'RE AWAY FROM THEIR NEST, AND THEY ARE JUST FORAGING AND FEEDING, THEY'RE USUALLY NOT THAT AGGRESSIVE AS COMPARED TO WHEN THEY ARE PROTECTING SOMETHING.

DEALING WITH THE BULLET GALLS, I FEEL BAD SAYING THIS FOR LIKE EVERY TREE QUESTION, BUT IT CAN BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE LITTLE TINY CYNIPID WASPS THAT LIVE IN THE GALLS ARE PROTECTED.

AND SO YOU CAN DO SOME PRUNING.

THERE'S SOME RESEARCH INTO SYSTEMICS OR TREATING IN APRIL WITH A SPRAY, BUT REALLY, THOSE OPTIONS ARE LIMITED AND NOT VERY EFFECTIVE.

AND THEN ONE LAST THING IS THAT HE MENTIONED THAT THIS IS A CITY TREE.

SO BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING TO THESE TREES, YOU NEED TO CONTACT YOUR CITY OR THE GAME AND PARKS DEPARTMENT JUST TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER YOU DO IS PERMITTABLE.

>> GREAT, THANKS.

TWO MORE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT IS CAUSING THE DAMAGE TO HER RED OAK TREE ON THE LEAVES.

CAN IT BE TREATED?

>> YEAH, SO THIS IS CAUSED BY THE OAK SKELETONIZER MOTH.

AND SO THE CATERPILLARS ARE WHAT ARE FEEDING ON THESE LEAVES AND CAUSING THAT SKELETONIZATION.

AND THEY WILL ACTUALLY FORM LITTLE COCOONS AND PUPAE ON THESE LEAVES.

SO ONE THING YOU CAN DO IS TO SIMPLY PRUNE OUT THESE DEAD LEAVES AND DESTROY THEM TO PREVENT THAT NEXT GENERATION FOR NEXT YEAR.

ANOTHER THING YOU CAN DO IS, YOU KNOW, SPRAY THE TREES AS WELL.

THERE'S A COUPLE GENERATIONS PER YEAR THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TARGET FOR THESE.

YOU CAN USE A BT SPRAY IN THIS CASE.

YOU'RE GONNA WANT TO DO THAT BY EARLY JULY -- SORRY, EXCUSE ME, EARLY JUNE AND THEN THE SECOND GENERATION'S GONNA BE AROUND IN AUGUST.

SO THOSE ARE THE TWO TIMES YOU WOULD WANT TO TARGET FOR THIS.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

MATT, ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

SHE LIVES IN NORTH PLATTE.

SHE SAYS THIS WEED, NOT THE TOE OF HER SHOE THERE, IS TAKING OVER THE FRONT YARD.

THE ROOTS ARE REALLY TOUGH TO PULL.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> YES, THIS IS WILD VIOLET OR BLUE VIOLET.

AND IT IS A PERENNIAL WEED THAT WILL SPREAD BY SEED.

SO IF YOU CAN CONTROL IT NOW, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S FULL, I MEAN, LIKE, THICK.

GENERALLY, USING BROAD LEAF HERBICIDES WITH TRICLOPYR, LIKE I MENTIONED WITH CREEPING CHARLIE, WORK BEST ON IT.

BECAUSE IT GETS A LITTLE BIT BETTER DOWN INTO THAT ROOT SYSTEM AND KILLS THE PLANT.

SO, APPLICATION NOW.

THE ONLY THING I WOULD MENTION IS MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ADEQUATELY WATERED.

IT'S NOT DROUGHT STRESSED.

BECAUSE IF YOU'RE SPRAYING DROUGHT-STRESSED WEEDS, ODDS ARE THE HERBICIDE ISN'T GOING TO TRANSLOCATE TO THOSE ROOTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

ONE SAYS TO ALSO GIVE ADVICE ON THIS.

IMAGINE THAT.

SAME THING, PROBABLY.

A SECOND ONE AND WONDER IF HE SHOULD DO ANYTHING TO PREPARE FOR NEXT SPRING IN HIS TURF.

SO WE'VE GOT THIS ONE.

I THINK WE HAVE A SECOND PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

>> OKAY, SO THIS ONE, SAME THING THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT WITH THE LAST ONE.

NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO TREAT THESE.

BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOING DORMANT FOR THE WINTER.

THEY WILL TAKE THAT DOWN INTO THE ROOT AND KILL THEM.

THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE AN APPLICATION THAT YOU'RE GONNA DO NOW.

THAT LOOKS LIKE GROUND IVY AS WELL IN THE SECOND ONE.

TREATING THOSE NOW.

AND IF YOU DO HAVE THIN AREAS THAT YOU NEED TO OVERSEED, NOW IS STILL IN THE WINDOW OF DOING IT.

GET WATER ON IT AND GET IT GERMINATED.

LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STAY WARM ENOUGH TO GET THAT PLANT THROUGH THE WINTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

IT SAID THEIR BEAUTIFUL, IRRIGATED, WELL-MANAGED LAWN NOW LOOKS LIKE THIS IN A COUPLE OF SPOTS.

ONE SPOT WAS WHERE THEY DID HAVE A TREE REMOVED BUT UNTIL VERY RECENTLY IT LOOKED GOOD.

WITHIN A COUPLE DAYS, SOMETHING TORE IT UP.

THEY SAW A SKUNK, DENNIS.

BUT WHAT DO THEY DO NOW TO RE-ESTABLISH AND MATCH THE TURF?

>> OKAY, SO IT'S MOST LIKELY WHITE GRUB DAMAGE.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, THEY ARE PRUNING ON THOSE ROOTS AND THEY'RE BIG AND THEY'RE CLOSE TO THE TOP.

SO THE SKUNK IS GOING TO PEEL BACK THE TURF AND JUST HAVE A SMORGASBORD.

THAT IS ONE THING THAT IS GOING TO KEEP HAPPENING.

TREATING NOW REALLY DOESN'T DO MUCH BECAUSE THEY'RE GONNA STAY THERE.

THEY ARE HARD TO KILL.

THERE'S A COUPLE PRODUCTS, CONTACT PRODUCTS, THAT WOULD WORK.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD RECOMMEND THEM IN THAT SITUATION.

SO GOING IN THERE AND OVERSEEDING IS PROBABLY YOUR BEST BET, OVERSEEDING WITH SOMETHING SIMILAR THAT YOU HAD IN THERE.

AERIFYING, TRYING TO GET IT IN THERE.

AND SEE WHERE ELSE THE TURF IS LOOSE.

MAYBE YOU CAN JUST PULL UP ON IT.

AND IF IT DOES PULL UP AND YOU CAN TEAR IT OUT, MAYBE JUST TAKE THAT OUT AND SEED THOSE AREAS, TOO.

OR TRY AND KEEP IT WELL WATERED SO IT CAN RE-ROOT BEFORE THE WINTER COMES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND SPEAKING OF SKUNKS, DENNIS, YOUR FIRST PICTURE IS ACTUALLY A MOVIE.

>> OKAY.

>> THIS COMES TO US FROM NORTH PLATTE.

SHE SAID SHE SEES A SURFEIT OF SKUNKS.

LOOK AT THOSE GUYS.

THEY SENT THE VIDEO, HAD TO LOOK UP THE WORD.

LEARNED IT WAS RARE.

THAT'S A LOT OF SKUNKAGE.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE TWO LITTERS.

BECAUSE THEY DON'T LOOK -- IT'S HARD TO SAY.

YEAH, IT IS RARE.

AND SURFEIT IS A GROUP OF SKUNKS.

LIKE MURDER IS A GROUP OF CROWS.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT A GROUP OF PORCUPINES IS?

A PRICKLE.

>> A PRICKLE.

>> SO DON'T LAND IN A PRICKLE OF PORCUPINES, THAT'S REALLY BAD.

AND YOU DON'T WANT TO LAND IN A SURFEIT OF SKUNKS, EITHER.

YOU WON'T SMELL TOO GOOD.

BUT I WOULD JUST ENJOY IT.

IT'S RARE.

THEY'RE NOT CAUSING ANY PROBLEMS.

NOW, IF YOU HAVE ANY GRUBS, THEY'LL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO GET RID OF THOSE GRUBS REALLY QUICK.

>> IT'S REALLY COOL THAT THEY SAW THAT, AND THANKS FOR SENDING THAT.

>> I'M SURE THAT ONLY HAPPENS IN AREAS THAT HAVE ACREAGES.

>> YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LONGMONT, COLORADO.

SHE'S WONDERING, WHAT WOULD MAKE SUCH A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF HER HOUSE.

SHE HASN'T HEARD PECKING.

SHE HASN'T SEEN A CRITTER.

SO, WHAT IS THE MYSTERY SPECIES?

>> BY THE WAY THE HOLE IS DONE, IT'S NOT ROUND, AND DOESN'T LOOK LIKE SQUIRREL.

BUT WITH ALL THAT, WE CALL RUB MARKS FROM THE OILS IN THE FUR AND PROBABLY URINE, THAT'S POINTING TO NORWAY RATS.

IF IT WAS IN NEBRASKA WHERE WE DON'T HAVE ANY CLIMBING RATS, LIKE ROOF RATS, I WOULD SAY NORWAY RAT.

BUT I'M NOT SURE IF LONGMONT HAS ROOF RATS.

IT MAY BE ROOF RATS.

BUT JUST THE AMOUNT OF RUBBING AND URINE AND THE WAY THAT HOLE IS DUG, IT'S POINTING TO A RAT.

>> SO, CALL SOMEBODY.

>> YEAH.

DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THESE COME TO US FROM OUR OWN JODY.

A SQUIRREL WAS STEALING WHOLE SUNFLOWER HEADS.

THEN A SQUIRREL WAS STEALING HER NUTS.

HOW DO YOU STOP THE SUNFLOWER THIEF?

AND DO THEY REALLY BURY THOSE NUTS?

>> YEAH, WELL THEY'LL EAT SOME AND GET FAT RIGHT NOW.

AND THEN THEY'LL BURY SOME TO GET LATER ON.

HE IS DOING PRETTY GOOD.

HE'S GOT TWO IN ONE BITE.

IT'S HARD FOR HIM TO DO THAT.

TAKING THE WHOLE THING BACK, OR FINDING A PLACE, THAT'S -- THEY'RE SMART.

I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK YOU CAN SPARE SOME ACORNS AND SPARE SOME SUNFLOWER SEEDS.

>> WELL, THEY TOOK THE WHOLE HEAD OFF THE -- LOOK AT THAT GUY.

>> GIVE THEM ONE HEAD.

AND YOU CHEW ON THE OTHER HEAD.

EVERYBODY IS FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHY ARE WE NOT SURPRISED WITH THAT ANSWER?

>> YEAH, I DON'T THINK THERE'S MUCH YOU CAN DO.

MAY AS WELL ENJOY IT.

ESPECIALLY IF IT'S JODY.

>> HE'S OUTSIDE OF CITY LIMITS, IN SEASON, ISN'T IT?

>> NO, THIS IS IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

>> NO FIREARMS.

>> ALL RIGHT, SARAH, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS CENTRAL CITY.

SHE HAS A LILAC LEAFED OUT AND FLOWERED IN APRIL AND THEN LEAVES TURNED BROWN AND FELL OFF.

AND THEN IN AUGUST, IT LEAFED OUT AND THEN IT'S FLOWERING.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

IS THIS -- SHOULD SHE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?

>> WELL, THERE'S RELLY NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

SOMETIMES EARLY SPRING BLOOMING PLANTS WILL DO THIS.

THEY'LL BLOOM LATE IN THE SUMMER, COMPLETELY OUT OF SEASON.

IT CAN BE CAUSED BY A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

IF THE FLOWER BUDS DIED IN THE SPRING, LIKE SAY DUE TO A LATE SPRING FREEZE, THEN SOMETIMES THE PLANTS WILL SET BUDS AGAIN AND THEY'LL BLOOM LATER IN THE SUMMER.

SOMETIMES DROUGHT STRESS OR ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES CAN CAUSE THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

REALLY, ALL IT'S DOING IS -- YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE QUITE AS MANY FLOWERS IN THE SPRING BECAUSE THESE BUDS HAVE BLOOMED RIGHT NOW.

BUT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE A REALLY SEVERE IMPACT ON THE PLANT OVERALL.

AND AGAIN, THERE'S REALLY NOT ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT ANYWAY.

SO I WOULD JUST KIND OF ENJOY IT.

AND HOPEFULLY, YOU'LL STILL HAVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF FLOWERS IN THE SPRING TO ENJOY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, SARAH.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE HERE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PLATTSMOUTH.

SHE GOT A POTTED MOTHER'S DAY HYDRANGEA, AND SHE'S WONDERING WHEN SHE SHOULD PUT IT IN THE GROUND.

>> SO THE FLORAL HYDRANGEAS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS THE SPECIES BIG LEAF HYDRANGEA, WHICH IS A SOUTHERN SPECIES.

THEY HAVE THOSE BEAUTIFUL BIG FLOWER HEADS, WHICH OF COURSE IS WHY THEY ARE SOLD AS A FLORAL PLANT.

BUT THEY ARE NOT RELIABLY WINTER HARDY IN NEBRASKA.

SO THE CHANCES OF THIS PLANT SURVIVING IF YOU PLANT IT OUTSIDE, I WOULD SAY ARE ABOUT 10%.

>> OKAY.

>> KEEP IT IN THE HOUSE AND GROW IT AS A HOUSEPLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

WE HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS IS OMAHA.

THIS IS FALSE DRAGONHEAD, WHICH IS PHYSOSTEGIA.

AND THEY'RE TALL AND THEY'RE LEANING OVER.

IS THERE A WAY HE CAN SHORTEN THOSE AND KEEP THEM FROM LEANING OVER LIKE THAT?

>> SOMETIMES PERENNIALS DO -- THIS IS CALLED LODGING.

YOU KNOW, WHERE THEY GET A LITTLE TOO TALL AND THEN THEY TEND TO KIND OF FLOP OVER.

THE THINGS THAT HELP WITH THAT, MAKE SURE THIS PLANT IS IN AS MUCH SUN AS YOU CAN PROVIDE IT.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE PROVIDING AS LITTLE WATER AS POSSIBLE.

TOO MUCH WATERING CAN MAKE THE STEMS GROW TOO TALL.

DON'T FERTILIZE IT.

IF THOSE THINGS AREN'T ENOUGH, THE OTHER STRATEGY YOU CAN DO IS ABOUT THE END OF MAY OR EARLY PART OF JUNE, CUT THE STEMS DOWN ABOUT HALFWAY.

SO YOU CUT THEM DOWN TO ABOUT SIX TO EIGHT INCHES.

AND THE LET THEM REGROW.

THAT WILL MAKE THE BASE OF THE STEM STRONGER AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL STAND UP BETTER.

>> ALL RIGHT, GREAT.

THANKS, SARAH.

WELL, WE HAVE A BREAK COMING UP, BUT BEFORE THAT, LET'S HEAR FROM GANNON RUSH FROM UNL'S HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER ABOUT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT ON THIS WEEK'S WEATHER FORECAST.

>> THANKS, KIM.

WE HAVE A PRETTY SEASONABLE WEEK AHEAD OF US WITH HIGHS IN THE 80s FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE STATE.

OUT WEST, WHERE IT'S CONSISTENTLY BEEN THE HOTTEST THIS YEAR, TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 90s FROM SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

SUNDAY WILL BE THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE WEEK.

AND THERE COULD BE A SLIGHT DIP IN TEMPERATURES ON WEDNESDAY.

THE GOOD NEWS IS, CHANCES OF RAIN ARE UP THIS WEEK, BUT THE AMOUNTS ARE STILL NOT QUITE THERE.

CHANCES OF SCATTERED STORMS ARE POSSIBLE LATE FRIDAY INTO EARLY SATURDAY ACROSS THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE, BUT THE GREATEST ODDS ARE LIKELY NEXT WEEK.

CURRENTLY, THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED UP NORTH NEAR VALENTINE.

LOOKING AHEAD, THERE IS CONFIDENCE OF ABOVE NORMAL RAINFALL AND MUCH NEEDED PRECIPITATION LATE NEXT WEEK.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEKLY WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU, KIM.

>> THANKS, GANNON.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS TO GET TO.

RIGHT NOW, WE NEED TO TAKE A BREAK.

THERE'S MUCH MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" COMING UP RIGHT AFTER THESE MESSAGES.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [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, KAIT IS GOING TO GIVE US SOME GOOD FALL SANITATION TIPS TO HELP REDUCE INSECT PESTS IN NEXT YEAR'S GARDEN.

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

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

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

SARAH, READY?

>> YOU BET.

>> OF COURSE.

SO YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM SIDNEY.

HE HAS A NEW HYBRID ELM -- NEW-ISH -- THREE OR FOUR YEARS.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL TREE BUT IT'S GOT SOME TWO INCH DIAMETER LIMBS DOWN LOW.

SHOULD HE GO AHEAD AND TAKE THOSE OFF OR HEAD THEM BACK, AND DO IT ALL AT ONCE, OR OVER SOME TIME?

>> DON'T DO IT ALL AT ONCE.

YOU'LL WANT TO LIMB THOSE BRANCHES UP GRADUALLY OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL YEARS.

BRANCHES LOW ON THE TRUNK ACTUALLY ARE REALLY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THEY HELP DEVELOP GIRTH.

SO DON'T CUT 'EM OFF TOO SOON.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OMAHA, WHY WOULD A CLEMATIS LOOK LIKE A SHRUB AND NOT HAVE ANY FLOWERS THIS YEAR?

>> I WOULD SAY THE FLOWER BUDS HAVE DIED.

BUT I CAN'T SAY EXACTLY WHY.

>> OKAY.

SIOUX CITY, IS IT TOO LATE FOR A COVER CROP IN A 4 BY 25 FOOT RAISED BED?

>> NOPE, YOU CAN STILL PLANT ANNUAL RYE OR OATS.

YEAH, THERE'S STILL TIME.

>> OKAY.

BELLEVUE, THEY JUST PLANTED A WHOLE BUNCH OF FALL SALE PLANTS FROM A GOOD SUPPLIER.

SHOULD THEY USE FISH EMULSION NOW TO GET THEM STARTED?

>> NO, DON'T FERTILIZE IN THE FALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO WANTS KNOW WHETHER THEY CAN CUT BACK AN INTERSECTIONAL BARTZELLA PEONY IN THE FALL, LIKE THEY DO A HERBACEOUS PEONY.

>> NO.

>> OKAY, NORTH PLATTE, IF THEY NEED TO TRANSPLANT RHUBARB IN THE FALL, IS THAT OKAY?

>> YEAH, RHUBARB WILL SURVIVE.

JUST TAKE AS BIG OF A ROOT BALL AS YOU CAN, AND MAKE SURE IT STAYS WELL WATERED THROUGH THE REST OF THE FALL.

[ THUNDER ] >> NICE JOB.

ALL RIGHT, THE BAR IS SET.

DENNIS, YOU READY?.

>> YEP.

LIKE A FROG'S BUTT, SEMI-PERMEABLE.

>> OKAY, THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO SAW A LITTLE SKINNY FOX WITH BIG EARS, KIND OF A REDDISH THING, WHAT KIND OF A FOX COULD THAT BE?

>> RED FOX.

>> A RED FOX?

>> YEAH, THE YOUNGER ONES, SKINNY.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A BLAIR VIEWER WHO PUT A TEASPOON -- TABLESPOON OF MOLE AND GOPHER POISON DOWN A HOLE, AND IS WONDERING, WILL -- DOES THAT MOVE IN THE SOIL?

'CAUSE THE HOLE WAS BY HIS GARDEN, SO WILL IT POISON PLANTS?

>> NOT KNOWING WHAT POISON IT IS, I CAN'T SAY.

>> OKAY.

WHAT ANIMAL WOULD STEAL AN ENTIRE TOMATO AT NIGHT AND LEAVE NO TRACE?

>> PROBABLY A WOODCHUCK OR A RACCOON.

>> OKAY.

"WE HAVE BATS FLYING" -- THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

AND THEY ARE SAYING THEY SEEM LARGER THAN NORMAL.

IS THAT A DIFFERENT KIND OF BAT?

>> PROBABLY NOT.

IT'S PROBABLY A LARGE BROWN BAT, AND IT'S JUST THAT THEY'RE SEEING MORE ADULTS THAN YOUNG.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS A VIEWER -- WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS ONE IS FROM -- THEY'RE SEEING HOLES AN INCH OR LESS IN DIAMETER, ABOUT A FOOT APART IN ALL SORTS OF SPOTS IN THE GARDEN AND IN THE MULCH.

>> PROBABLY A BIRD GOING AFTER GRUBS OR SOMETHING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ARE THE CAMPUS FLYING SQUIRRELS STILL ON CAMPUS?

>> FAR AS WE KNOW, YES.

[ THUNDER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

ALSO A NICE JOB.

NOT NICE ENOUGH, BUT, A NICE JOB.

>> YEAH, I GUESS.

>> OKAY, MATT, YOU READY?

>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S DO IT.

>> OKAY, THIS IS A BENNINGTON VIEWER.

THEY ACTUALLY -- THEY HAD AN OUTBUILDING REMOVED.

THEY NOW HAVE 10,000 SQUARE FEET OF TOTALLY BARE SOIL.

THEY'RE WONDERING WHETHER THEY CAN DORMANT SEED BUFFALO GRASS IN THAT SPACE.

>> YOU COULD DORMANT SEED IT, IF IT'S FAIRLY LEVEL, JUST DO THAT AROUND NOVEMBER, DECEMBER.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND THEIR FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, ALSO LIGHTNING, IS DO THEY NEED TO COVER IT WITH SOMETHING, OR JUST -- OR DRILL IT, OR WHAT?

>> JUST GET IT IN THE SOIL, AND IF YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN COVER IT, IT'LL HELP KEEP IT THERE OVER WINTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE AN OAKLAND VIEWER WHO WONDERS, IS IT STILL OKAY TO OVERSEED THEIR LAWN?

AND IF SO, WHAT SEED SHOULD THEY USE?

>> YES, IT'S STILL OKAY.

AND USE THE SEED THAT MATCHES YOURS, OR SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO GO TO.

TALL FESCUE OR BLUEGRASS IF IT'S THE LAWN YOU'RE TRYING TO DO.

USUALLY TALL FESCUE, BECAUSE BLUEGRASS FILLS IN.

>> OKAY, AND THEN TWO PEOPLE HAVE ASKED -- THEY STILL WANT TO OVERSEED, BUT SHOULD THEY WAIT UNTIL THE HEAT KIND OF SLOWS DOWN A LITTLE?

>> NO, GET IT IN NOW.

IT'LL GERMINATE, IT'LL COOL OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

A GRAND ISLAND VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER VINEGAR CAN BE USED EFFECTIVELY TO KILL WEEDS UNDER A TREE WITHOUT HARMING THE TREE.

>> IT CAN AT A HIGH ENOUGH RATE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

[ THUNDER ] NICE JOB.

THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT, KAIT.

>> I KNOW.

>> SOMEBODY'S GOTTA WIN, RIGHT?

>> THE PRESSURE.

>> OKAY, FIRST UP, WE HAVE AN ALLIANCE VIEWER WHO IS ASKING, IS THERE ANYTHING TO DO IN THE FALL OR THE WINTER TO COMBAT SCALE ON MATURE PINES?

>> YOU CAN DO DORMANT OILS TO COMBAT SCALE.

THAT WOULD BE MY BEST EDUCATED GUESS.

>> OKAY, THE SAME VIEWER IS WONDERING, WOULD YOU DO THE SAME FOR SCALES ON SPRUCE, OR ARE SCALES ON SPRUCE NOT THE SAME ISSUE?

>> IT'LL BE THE SAME ISSUE, YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS CAME FROM, BUT SHE IS SAYING, WHEN WILL THE CHIGGERS DISAPPEAR, AND WHAT INSECT REPELLENT CAN YOU USE ON THEM?

>> UM, SO THE CHIGGERS THEY LIKE THE HOT WEATHER.

SO AS WE WIND DOWN FROM SUMMER, THEY'RE GONNA START DISAPPEARING.

UM, DEET DOESN'T WORK REALLY WELL, BECAUSE DEET IS USED FOR INSECTS THAT LOOK FOR CARBON DIOXIDE.

UM, SO NOTHING.

SORRY.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> WE HAVE A PLEASANT DALE VIEWER WHO IS SAYING THEY'RE SEEING SOLDIER BEETLES EVERYWHERE.

ARE THEY HARMFUL?

>> NO, THEY'RE ACTUALLY BENEFICIAL POLLINATORS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS VIEWER SAYS THEY HAVEN'T SEEN ANY WALKING STICKS.

DO THEY OVERWINTER OR THERE JUST AREN'T VERY MANY THIS YEAR?

>> I HAVEN'T -- I DON'T THINK THEY'RE ACTUALLY VERY COMMON TO BEGIN WITH.

BUT THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO OVERWINTER AS EGGS.

[ THUNDER ] >> ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB.

ALL RIGHT, SARAH AND DENNIS, YOU CAN ARM WRESTLE.

>> YOU CAN TAKE IT, SARAH.

I GOT IT LAST TIME.

>> WE CAN SHARE.

>> OH, HOW POLITE.

HERE WE GO.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD ANOTHER GREAT SEASON OUT IN OUR GARDEN.

OUR ORNAMENTALS HAVE PUT ON A VERY COLORFUL SHOW.

WE'VE HAD A BUMPER CROP WITH OUR VEGETABLES.

LET'S HEAR FROM TERRI FOR OUR FINAL UPDATE OF THE SEASON FROM THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

♪♪ >> THIS YEAR IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, WE ARE REALLY HAPPY ABOUT HOW EVERYTHING TURNED OUT.

WE STRUGGLED THIS SPRING WHEN WE WERE GETTING OUR PLANTS IN THE GREENHOUSE UP AND GOING, BECAUSE JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, WERE SO WARM.

A LOT OF OUR COOL SEASON SEEDS JUST REALLY DIDN'T GERMINATE.

ACTUALLY I HAD TO REPLANT PANSIES, LIKE, THREE TIMES AND STILL REALLY DIDN'T GET MUCH OF A CROP.

SO WE WERE KIND OF WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WE WERE GOING TO GET.

BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, ALL SEASON LONG, WE HAVE HAD A GORGEOUS GARDEN.

OUR GARDEN WILL LAST WELL INTO FALL, AND WE ARE STILL PICKING ALL OF OUR PRODUCE.

IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WE'VE AVERAGED ABOUT 100 POUNDS OF PRODUCE SO FAR, AND WE ARE STILL GETTING ALL THOSE DONATIONS FROM YOU HOME GROWERS ON TUESDAY NIGHTS.

THAT WILL GO THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER.

SO COME ENJOY THE REST OF THE 2024 SEASON IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT ON TV, WE ARE STILL OUT HERE IN THE GARDEN WEEKLY, TENDING TO THE GARDEN, AND MAKING SURE THAT IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.

SO STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND CHECK IT OUT.

♪♪ >> BE SURE TO JOIN US NEXT WEEK WHEN WE'LL SHOW YOU OUR ANNUAL GARDEN REVIEW IN THAT TIME LAPSE, WHICH IS ALSO REALLY INTERESTING.

WITH THAT, SARAH, PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

WHAT DO WE HAVE THIS TIME?

>> SO THE TALL YELLOW FLOWERS, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MY FAVORITE GOLDENROD.

THIS ONE IS CALLED WICHITA MOUNTAIN GOLDENROD.

AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SHAPE OF THE -- OF THE STALKS HERE, THIS PLANT GROWS MUCH MORE LIKE A LEATRIS IN A GARDEN THAN IT DOES LIKE WHAT WE WOULD THINK OF AS A TRADITIONAL GOLDENROD, WITH THOSE GREAT BIG WIDE HEADS.

IT'S VERY UPRIGHT AND VERTICAL IN A GARDEN, AND IT JUST BRINGS A REALLY BRIGHT POP OF COLOR WHEN IT'S BLOOMING IN THE FALL.

POLLINATORS LOVE IT OF COURSE, LIKE ALL -- THEY LIKE ALL THE GOLDENRODS.

THIS ONE WILL GET TO BE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THREE, THREE AND A HALF, SOMEWHERE IN THAT HEIGHT RANGE.

SO A REALLY EXCELLENT GOLDENROD TO ADD TO THE GARDEN.

THEN HERE IN THE FRONT, WE HAVE ANOTHER PLANT WITH REALLY GREAT FOLIAGE COLORATION.

THIS IS CHOCOLATE SATIN NINEBARK.

NINEBARK IS A VERY NICE SHRUB TO ADD TO A LANDSCAPE.

IT'S PRETTY TOUGH.

ONE PROBLEM WE RUN INTO WITH NINEBARK SOMETIMES IS THEY TEND TO BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO POWDERY MILDEW, BUT THIS ONE IS VERY RESISTANT.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS -- THE SAMPLE THAT WE HAVE HERE, THERE'S NOT ANY LITTLE BIT OF POWDERY MILDEW ON THIS ONE.

SO A GREAT SELECTION OF NINEBARK TO CHOOSE FROM.

THEY BLOOM IN THE EARLY PART OF THE SUMMER, HAVE WHITE WITH A LITTLE BIT OF A SHADING OF PINK FLOWERS.

AND, YOU KNOW, JUST A VERY NICE SHRUB, ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT HAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT FOLIAGE COLOR TO IT.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANKS, SARAH, THAT'S KIND OF A FUN COMBINATION TOO.

>> DEFINITELY.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF REALLY FUN THINGS TO GO ON IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

AND I THINK OUR FIRST ONE IS OUR "BYF" GARDEN GROW-A-ROW, THE PRODUCE DONATIONS.

AUGUST 6th, OCTOBER 8th, SO WE'RE STILL DOING THAT.

4:30-7:00 IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN ON TUESDAYS.

AND THEN A FREE COMPOST DEMONSTRATION, EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERS, SATURDAY THE 28th, 10:00-11:00 AT PIONEERS PARK, SO THAT'S A GOOD WAY TO LEARN HOW TO DO THINGS.

ALL RIGHT, KAIT, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM MONDAMIN, IOWA, IN THE MIDDLE -- SHE'S IN THE MIDDLE OF A CORN AND SOYBEAN FIELD.

SWARMS OF THESE.

WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW CAN THEY BE CONTROLLED?

>> SO THESE ARE NORTHERN CORN ROOTWORM BEETLES, WHICH MAKE SENSE BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT NEXT TO A CORNFIELD.

SOMETIMES THEY'LL CAUSE DAMAGE TO FLOWERS, BUT IF THEY'RE NOT REALLY HARMING ANYTHING, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST GOING TO BE TEMPORARY, LET IT PASS.

OTHERWISE, YOU KNOW, A BUCKET OF SOAPY WATER WORKS WONDERFUL WITH BEETLES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

WHAT ARE THESE BIG BUGS?

AND THIS IS ARTHUR.

BIG BUGS EATING TOMATERS, THEY WERE ALSO IN THE CORN.

>> SO THESE ARE BUMBLE FLOWER BEETLES.

SO THEY'RE A TYPE OF SCARAB BEETLE.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO CALLED FRUIT CHAFERS, WHICH, AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY'RE EATING THE FRUIT.

BUT THEY GO FOR DAMAGED OR OVERRIPE FRUITS, SO MAKE SURE YOU'RE PICKING THOSE FRUITS BEFORE THEY GET TOO JUICY FOR THEM.

OTHERWISE, THEY USUALLY DON'T CAUSE ANY ISSUES.

BUT IF IT DOES BECOME KIND OF A BIG THING, A LOT OF THE TOMATOES ARE BEING AFFECTED, THEN YOU CAN DO THAT SOAPY WATER METHOD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PIC ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS NEOLA, IOWA.

HE SAYS HE THINKS THESE ARE JAPANESE BEETLES.

THEY RETURN.

IS THERE ANY BEST SOLUTION, NOW OR WHENEVER?

>> YEAH, SO, IT'S HARD TO TELL FROM THE PICTURE, BUT IF THEY ARE JAPANESE BEETLES, IT'S A LITTLE TRICKY, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY'RE IN THE FLOWERS.

SO USING AN INSECTICIDE IS NOT GOING TO BE RECOMMENDED, BECAUSE WE WANT TO CONSERVE POLLINATORS, AND DON'T WANT TO AFFECT THEM.

SO ONCE AGAIN, GO TO THAT HAND PICKING OR BATTING THEM INTO THE SOAPY WATER, THAT'S GOING TO BE YOUR BEST OPTION HERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE PICTURE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM NORFOLK.

SHE WAS IN THE BACKYARD WHEN THIS BUG BIT HER ON THE WRIST.

WHAT IS IT?

>> SO THIS IS THE LARVAE OF A GREEN LACEWING.

THEY'RE ALSO COMMONLY CALLED APHID LIONS, BECAUSE THEY'RE PREDATORY ON APHIDS AND OTHER SMALL INSECTS.

AND EVERY SO OFTEN THEY WILL BITE PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T MEAN ANY HARM, THEY JUST MIGHT THINK YOU'RE A GIANT APHID, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT THEY DO HAVE KIND OF A NASTY LITTLE BITE TO THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MATT, ONE PICTURE FOR YOU ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM WEST POINT.

SHE HAD UNDERGROUND SPRINKLERS INSTALLED A YEAR AGO.

SHE RUNS HER IRRIGATION WELL IT SOUNDS LIKE, SEEMS SUFFICIENT, BUT NOW SHE'S GOT THIS PARCHED TURF.

SHOULD SHE INCREASE THE WATERING TIME?

AND WHEN SHOULD SHE STOP WATERING?

>> OKAY, SO THIS IS PRETTY COMMON RIGHT NOW, THIS TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE'RE HAVING THIS DRY WEATHER WITH VERY LOW HUMIDITY.

I THINK IT'S MORE OR LESS JUST DROUGHT.

AND IF YOU'RE WATERING THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME AS YOU WERE EARLIER IN THE YEAR, NOW THE TURF IS PROBABLY USING MORE WATER, AND THE E.T.

IS PROBABLY IN THE 30s EVERY DAY, SO DEPENDING WHAT YOU'RE WATER, MAYBE JUST UP IT A LITTLE BIT, AND KEEP THAT WELL WATER GOING INTO THE FALL UNTIL IT GOES DORMANT.

YOU DON'T WANT IT TO GO DRY INTO THE FALL, OR INTO THE WINTER.

YOU WANT TO HAVE SOME MOISTURE IN THERE, SO I WOULD KEEP IRRIGATING AS LONG AS IT'S GROWING, AND THEN USUALLY THE SYSTEMS SHUT OFF SO YOU DON'T HAVE AN OPTION TO WATER AT THAT POINT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE FROM LINCOLN.

SO THIS STRIP BETWEEN SIDEWALK AND CURB HAS NEVER BEEN IRRIGATED OR WATERED THIS YEAR, NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THIS.

IS THERE ANY RECOVERY POSSIBLE?

>> UH, THERE IS SOME RECOVERY POSSIBLE.

IF WE WERE TO PUT WATER TO IT NOW TO TRY AND HELP IT THROUGH THE WINTER.

IF YOU COULD SOAK THAT AREA AND SEE WHAT COMES BACK.

IF IT IS -- THERE'S A LOT OF BLUEGRASS IN THERE, IT SHOULD JUST BE DORMANT AND PROBABLY COME RIGHT BACK.

TALL FESCUE, IF IT'S BEEN DORMANT FOR A LONG TIME, IT MIGHT BE DEAD, AND YOU MIGHT HAVE TO DO OVERSEEDING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

IT'S A STRIPED LAWN.

AND GOT STRIPES AND CLUMPS THERE.

SO ANY SUGGESTIONS HERE?

>> WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IS WELL-WATERED LAWN.

SO MAYBE CUT BACK ON THAT A LITTLE BIT, AND THAT WOULD REDUCE THE CLUMPS.

BUT IT DOES LOOK HEALTHY.

MORE OR LESS THE DARK SPOTS ARE JUST WHEEL TRACKS FROM THE SAME PATTERN USED OVER AND OVER, SO TRY TO ALTERNATE THAT, OR STAGGER OVER WHEN YOU'RE MOWING EVERY OTHER TIME, OR WHOEVER'S DOING IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE, IT COMES TO US FROM SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA.

THEY WANT TO THICKEN UP THEIR BUFFALO GRASS WHICH HAS ALL THESE WEEDS IN IT NOW.

WHEN DO THEY KILL THE WEEDS AND WITH WHAT?

>> SO RIGHT NOW IS PROBABLY NOT THE BEST TIME TO TREAT WHEN BUFFALO GRASS IS GOING DORMANT.

BUT -- AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF FOXTAIL IN THERE, SO YOU REALLY CAN'T TREAT THAT WHEN IT'S MATURE LIKE THAT.

YOU CAN SPRAY IT, BUT IT'S ALREADY, YOU KNOW, TO THE POINT OF THROUGH SEED.

YOU'RE BETTER OFF MOWING IT OFF.

IF THERE IS BROADLEAVES IN THERE, YOU COULD DO A BROADLEAF TREATMENT NOW, WHICH IS THE BEST TIME, OR YOU CAN WAIT 'TIL IT GOES DORMANT, AND THEN YOU COULD USE GLYPHOSATE FOR SOME OF THOSE COOL SEASON GRASSES IN THERE.

JUST MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NO GREEN LEFT IN THE PLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DENNIS, TWO PICS ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS AN ARTHUR VIEWER.

BEEN FIGHTING THESE CRITTERS ALL SUMMER.

THEY'RE USUALLY TWO OR THREE IN A GROUP.

MOUNDS, HOLE IN THE MIDDLE, 45 DEGREE ANGLE, WITH A PLUG.

WHAT WOULD KILL THEM?

HE SAYS 2% ZINC PHOSPHIDE AND WHAT ARE THEY?

>> WELL, IF IT'S ON AN ANGLE WITH A PLUG, IT WOULD BE A POCKET GOPHER.

BUT THOSE FIRST TWO MOUNDS WERE CHUNKY AND ROUND, SO THAT'S A MOLE.

WHICH DOESN'T TAKE ANY TYPE OF BAIT, IT TAKES EARTHWORMS.

SO THOSE LOOK MORE LIKE MOLES.

BUT THEY COULD BE POP HOLES, FROM -- YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE WITH A 45 DEGREE ANGLE.

PLUGGED HOLE, WHICH IS A POCKET GOPHER.

POCKET GOPHERS USUALLY SUCCUMB FROM A BAIT, BUT THE BAIT HAS TO BE PUT DOWN IN THE HOLE, AND THEN NO LIGHT CAN GET DOWN ON THE BAIT, SO YOU HAVE TO FIND THE MAIN RUN.

AND THE MAIN RUN IS NOT UNDER THE HOLES, IT'S OFF TO THE SIDE.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE BAIT HAS TO BE PUT IN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> OTHERWISE, THEY JUST PUSH THE BAIT OUT.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO HAD A WOODCHUCK/GROUNDHOG -- THERE'S HIS LITTLE FACE -- BURROW UNDER THE SIDEWALK.

AND THEY TRIED TO GET RID OF HIM, TRIED TO DO ALL SORTS OF THINGS/ THEY FINALLY ENDED UP PUTTING A ROCK OVER IT, AND HE HASN'T COME BACK.

BUT THEY'RE WONDERING, WILL HE COME BACK NEXT YEAR TO THE SAME SPOT?

>> PROBABLY NOT, IF YOU LEAVE THAT ROCK THERE.

IT'S -- AS LONG AS IT'S ALL PLUGGED UP AND PACKED GOOD -- USE SOME ROAD OR PEA GRAVEL, MAKE IT DIFFICULT.

IT HAS TO FIND A NEW PLACE TO HIBERNATE.

SO IT'S GONNA GO SOMEPLACE DIFFERENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PIC ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR HER GARDEN'S BEEN FENCED, AND CRITTER INVOLVEMENT HAS GONE AWAY, BUT LAST -- WHAT -- WHAT CAUSED THIS?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE BITES.

SO THAT'D BE A THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL, OR A SQUIRREL, DEPENDING ON HOW LOW IT'S HANGING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SAME THING HERE?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE A SQUIRREL BITE.

>> SQUIRREL BITES?

SAME SQUIRRELS.

ALL RIGHT, SAME THING.

THAT ONE'S FIRTH.

OKAY, AND ONE MORE DENNIS.

THIS IS LINCOLN, THIS HOLE APPEARED IN THE BIG RETAINING WALL.

WHAT WOULD HAVE MADE THAT?

>> THAT'S LIKE A CICADA KILLER.

THE WAY ITS FUNNELED OUT, AND THE WAY IT HAS A GROOVE IN IT, THAT'S AN INSECT, IT'S A CICADA KILLER.

>> OKAY, EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT, SARAH, TWO PICS ON THIS FIRST ONE FOR YOU.

THEY'RE WONDERING ARE THEY LOSING THIS BIG HONEY LOCUST?

BROWNING ALL THE WAY AROUND.

IT'S HARD TO TELL, I KNOW.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

THIS LOOKS MORE TO ME LIKE MAYBE THE BEGINNINGS OF FALL WEBWORM WEBBING IN THE TREE, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, THOSE CATERPILLARS WOULD JUST FEED ON THE FOLIAGE, THEY WON'T FEED ON THE UNDERLYING BRANCHES, SO THOSE BRANCHES SHOULD LEAF OUT JUST FINE NEXT YEAR.

SO I DON'T REALLY THINK THERE'S ANYTHING YOU NEED TO DO AT THIS POINT.

>> EXCELLENT.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WONDERING ABOUT THIS NINEBARK.

DOES IT LOOK LIKE A GONER?

>> WELL, IT'S CERTAINLY HAVING A HARD TIME.

YOU KNOW, ROCK MULCHES LIKE THAT, LIKE THE LAVA ROCK IN THAT PICTURE ARE NOT GREAT FOR PLANTS.

AND USUALLY THERE'S LANDSCAPE FABRIC UNDERNEATH THAT AS WELL, AND SO THAT EVEN MORE LIMITS OXYGEN PENETRATION INTO THE SOIL.

WE CAN HAVE ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH ROOT ISSUES.

EITHER THE SOIL STAYS TOO WET OR IT STAYS WAY TOO DRY.

I WOULD SUGGEST REMOVING THE ROCK FROM AROUND THE PLANT, TAKING UP THE LANDSCAPE FABRIC, PUTTING IN A WOOD CHIP MULCH AROUND THE BASE OF THIS PLANT, CUT OUT THE DEAD BRANCHES, MAKE SURE IT STAYS WATERED THROUGH THE FALL, AND LET'S SEE HOW IT DOES IN THE SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN AZALEA.

SHE'S WONDERING IS THIS DISEASE OR CHLOROSIS AND BAD PLANT -- BAD SPOT.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THIS PLANT IS JUST VERY UNHAPPY WITH WHERE IT'S GROWING.

I MEAN, AZALEAS THEY PREFER VERY HIGHLY ORGANIC SOIL WITH A LOT OF ORGANIC MATTER, AND WITH AN ACIDIC TYPE OF A pH LEVEL.

SO WORK SOME ORGANIC MATTER, SOME COMPOST, SOME PEAT MOSS, SOMETHING ORGANIC INTO THE SOIL.

APPLY SOME MULCH.

THAT PLANT'S NOT MULCHED EITHER.

MAKE SURE IT STAYS WELL WATERED -- GOOD, DEEP, INFREQUENT WATERINGS.

BUT OVERALL THAT PLANT'S JUST NOT HAPPY WITH THE SITE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE.

SHE'S A NOVICE PLANTER.

SHE KEPT THESE TOMATOES IN THE HOUSE.

AND SHE'S WONDERING -- THEY NEVER DID ANYTHING.

SHOULD SHE NOT DO THAT NEXT YEAR?

>> SO GROWING -- TOMATOES DON'T GROW WELL IN A HOUSEPLANT -- IN A HOUSE ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S JUST -- IT'S NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH LIGHT.

IT'S JUST NOT WHERE THEY WANT TO GROW.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SPACE IN THE GARDEN TO GROW THEM, THEN I WOULD SUGGEST GETTING SOME LARGE CONTAINERS AND PUTTING THEM OUT IN THE CONTAINERS OUTSIDE.

I THINK THE PLANTS WILL DO MUCH BETTER FOR YOU IF YOU PUT THEM OUTSIDE IN THE SUN AND THE HEAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, SARAH.

WELL, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF GARDENERS WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEY CAN SPRAY ON THEIR PLANTS TO KEEP THOSE INSECTS FROM DEVOURING THEIR PRODUCE.

SOMETIMES THAT'S THE ONLY SOLUTION, BUT KAIT DOES SAY A LITTLE CLEANUP THIS FALL WILL GO A LONG WAYS TO KEEPING THAT INSECT POPULATION DOWN FOR NEXT SEASON.

♪♪ ♪♪ >>> AS FALL ARRIVES, IT'S TIME TO CONSIDER CLEANING UP YOUR GARDEN.

PROPER GARDEN SANITATION PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN CONTROLLING PESTS AND PROTECTING YOUR PLANTS FOR THE NEXT GROWING SEASON.

FALLEN LEAVES AND OLD PLANT DEBRIS ARE PERFECT HIDING SPOTS FOR PESTS.

IF LEFT UNTOUCHED, PROBLEM INSECTS AND EVEN DISEASES CAN OVERWINTER AND REEMERGE THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

THIS CAN REQUIRE WHAT WE CONSIDER A FALL CLEANUP, OR CLEARING AWAY AND DISCARDING DEAD LEAVES, PLANT MATERIAL, AND OTHER DEBRIS.

SOME OF MOST COMMON PESTS THAT REQUIRE A FALL CLEANUP INCLUDE THOSE FOUND IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN, SUCH AND CUCUMBER BEETLES, SQUASH BUGS, AND ASPARAGUS BEETLES.

HOWEVER, NOT ALL DEBRIS IS HARMFUL.

IT ALSO PROVIDES VALUABLE WINTER SHELTER FOR BENEFICIAL INSECTS SUCH AS POLLINATORS AND NATURAL PREDATORS.

SO IF YOUR GARDEN HASN'T HAD ANY PEST ISSUES, CONSIDER LEAVING BEHIND SOME LEAVES AND DEAD PLANT STEMS TO HELP THESE INSECTS SURVIVE.

KEEPING THE GARDEN AND THE LANDSCAPES CLEAN IS A BALANCING GAME.

REMEMBER, GARDENS THAT HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF PEST ISSUES SHOULD BE TIDIED UP TO PREVENT THE SAME ISSUE FROM HAPPENING NEXT YEAR.

HOWEVER, HEALTHY AND THRIVING LANDSCAPES CAN BE LEFT A LITTLE BIT MESSIER TO KEEP THE GOOD BUGS AROUND.

>>> SO DO NOT FORGET THAT FALL CLEANUP.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO TAKE CARE OF ALL THOSE PESTS FOR NEXT YEAR.

ALL RIGHT, KAIT, WE HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM FILLMORE COUNTY.

WHAT'S THIS?

>> THESE ARE REALLY COOL.

THESE ARE COMMONLY CALLED WATER SCORPIONS.

SO THEY ARE AQUATIC PREDATORY INSECTS, AND EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE CALLED WATER SCORPIONS, THEY ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE A STINGER.

THAT TUBE AT THE END OF THEIR ABDOMEN IS TO HELP THEM BREATHE.

>> PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT, ONE PIC ON THE NEXT ONE.

FOUND THIS BEAUTY IN THE HOUSE A FEW NIGHTS AGO, WHAT WAS HE DOING?

WHAT KIND, AND WHY WOULD HE FLY AT NIGHT?

>> YEAH, SO THIS IS A DRAGONFLY, AND THEY CAN BE ATTRACTED TO LIGHTS, SO THERE WAS PROBABLY A PORCH LIGHT ONE, OR MAYBE JUST THE WINDOW WAS -- THE SHADES WERE OPEN AND THE LIGHTS WERE ON INSIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND NO IDEA WHAT KIND OF DRAGONFLY?

>> UM, IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE DARNER DRAGONFLIES, WHICH ARE KIND OF THE BIG SPECIES THAT WE SEE.

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

THIS IS A BEATRICE VIEWER.

SHE'S WONDERING IF THIS BEAUTIFUL INSECT WILL HURT THOSE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS ON HER BARREL CACTUS.

>> I HAVE CACTUS ENVY RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S GORGEOUS.

THIS IS A KATYDID, SO THEY'RE CLOSELY RELATED TO CRICKETS AND GRASSHOPPERS, BUT CHANCES ARE IT'S NOT GOING TO CAUSE ANY ISSUES HERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

MATT, TWO HAVE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

IT'S A ONE TO ONE SLOPE.

HAD FERNS AND OTHER PLANTS THAT WERE VOLUNTEERS.

IT WAS DRIVEN OVER, COMPACTED, SEEDED INTO A MULCH BLANKET.

GRASS CAME IN, BUT THEN THIS STUFF HAS STARTED TO DETERIORATE.

SHOULD THEY RIP THAT OUT, OR WILL IT DISINTEGRATE, OR JUST LEAVE IT BE?

>> UM, I WOULD SAY, IF IT'S ON THE EDGES AND IT'S COMING UP AND YOU'RE MOWING OVER IT, YOU COULD MAKE A SLIT WITH A SHARP KNIFE AND THEN JUST TAKE THOSE OUT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO RIP IT ALL OUT, BECAUSE THE GRASS WILL EVENTUALLY JUST GROW UP AND YOU WON'T EVER SEE IT AGAIN.

BUT WHERE IT'S COMING UP, IT'LL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO COME UP AND YOU'LL BE MOWING OVER IT.

AND IT'S KINDA UNSIGHTLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THEY HAD A HUGE PIN OAK REMOVED ON THIS NEXT ONE, GROUND THE STUMP.

NOW THEY'VE GOT THIS GOING ON.

SO SHOULD THEY PELL THIS UP AND START OVER AND TRY TO SEED INTO IT?

>> UM, I THINK THIS WILL PROBABLY BE AN ISSUE FOR YEARS TO COME.

BECAUSE IF THAT STUMP WAS GROUND DOWN -- LET'S SAY IT WAS GROUND DOWN A FOOT OR TWO FEET, THERE'S PROBABLY STILL A LITTLE BIT OF STUMP UNDERNEATH.

SO IN DRY TIMES IT'S GOING TO DRY OUT NO MATTER WHAT.

IN THE SPRING, IT PROBABLY LOOKS GREAT.

YOU CAN GET GRASS TO GROW OVER IT, BUT JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU ADD A LITTLE WATER THROUGHOUT THE SEASON WHEN IT IS DRY, OTHERWISE IT MIGHT END UP LOOKING LIKE THIS AGAIN.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

DENNIS, ONE PICTURE FOR YOU ON THE FIRST ONE.

TWO PICTURES, SORRY.

THIS IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE BEASTIES.

WHICH ONE IS THIS?

>> THIS IS A JUVENILE BLACK RAT SNAKE.

VERY COMMON IN THE EASTERN EDGES.

HARMLESS, EATS RODENTS, AND WHEN IT GETS OLDER EATS BABY BIRDS OR BIRD EGGS.

>> AL RIGHT, AND THEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE COMING UP, WHICH IS WHAT KIND OF SNAKE IS THIS ONE?

>> IT'S A BULLSNAKE.

JUST A NICE BULLSNAKE, EATS RODENTS.

REMEMBER, ALL SNAKES SHAKE THEIR TAILS AND MAKE NOISE WHEN THEY'RE FRIGHTENED OR SCARED.

DOESN'T MEAN IT'S A RATTLESNAKE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> RATTLE OCCURRED MILLIONS OF YEARS LATER TO ENHANCE THAT ORIGINAL.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE ON NEXT ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO SAYS THIS ANIMAL SCAT KEEPS GETTING LEFT EVERYWHERE.

>> YEAH, THE WAY IT -- IT'S ALMOST OPOSSUM.

THERE WASN'T A GOOD SCALE THERE.

BUT IT'S BLACK AND LONG AND THIN, SO I WOULD -- I'LL WOULD OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD SAY OPOSSUM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SARAH, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE FIRST ONE.

IT COMES TO US FROM STROMSBURG.

HE SAID THIS DOUBLE CUKE GREW IN HIS GARDEN.

IT WEIGHED 3.6 POUNDS.

WHAT MADE IT DO THIS?

>> SO IT'S JUST A FLUKE OF POLLINATION.

SOMETIMES THINGS GO WRONG WHEN FLOWERS ARE POLLINATING AND WEIRD THINGS HAPPEN, AND THIS IS -- APPARENTLY YOU'VE GOTTEN TWO OVARIES THAT HAVE FUSED TOGETHER, AND ENDED UP WITH THIS DOUBLE CUCUMBER.

>> STILL EDIBLE.

>> YEAH, DEFINITELY, STILL EDIBLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

SHE SAYS THIS CAME UP IN HER POTTED CACTUS.

WHAT IS IT?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE A BAPTISIA TO ME.

SO I MEAN, YOU COULD TRY PLANTING IT OUTSIDE, AND SEE IF IT COMES UP NEXT YEAR.

BAPTISIA IS A NICE PERENNIAL, VERY, VERY TOUGH, DOES VERY WELL UNDER OUR CLIMATE, AND BLOOMS IN THE EARLY SUMMER WITH SPIKES OF BLUEISH FLOWERS.

>> OH, OKAY.

>> FABACEAE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO SEE THE STEM STRUCTURE THERE TO KNOW IF THIS IS GONNA BE AN UPRIGHT OR A VINE.

>> EXACTLY.

LITTLE BITTY GUY.

THEN WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAID HE PLANTED THIS CANNA.

THIS IS OUT NORTH PLATTE WAY.

WILL IT BE OKAY TO LEAVE THEM IN THE GROUND, OR DOES HE NEED TO DIG THEM UP?

AND DOES HE DEADHEAD THE FLOWERS?

>> SO OCCASIONALLY IN VERY PROTECTED LOCATIONS, CANN RHIZOMES WILL OVERWINTER.

BUT YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW UNTIL YOU DO IT TO SEE IF THEY'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.

THE MORE RELIABLE TECHNIQUE IS TO DIG THEM UP AND TO OVERWINTER THEM IN A COOL, PROTECTED LOCATION.

YOU COULD CUT THOSE FADING FLOWERS OFF, AND THERE'S A CHANCE.

WELL, I KNOW SOME CANNAS DID REBLOOM THIS SUMMER, NOT ALL.

BUT IF YOU DO IT EARLIER -- EARLIER IN THE SUMMER, YOU MIGHT GET A SECOND FLUSH OF FLOWERS AND MORE COLOR FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON.

>> EXCELLENT.

AND I KNOW WE HAD SOME OF THE BIG RED ONES ON CAMPUS THAT CAME BACK FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.

>> MM-HM.

IF IT'S IN JUST THE RIGHT LOCATION, SOMETIMES THEY WILL.

>> THEY'LL DO THAT SOMETIMES.

YEAH, CANNAS ARE KIND OF A PRETTY COOL PLANT.

ALL RIGHTY.

WELL, THAT'S GOING TO HAVE DO IT FOR "BACKYARD FARMER" TONIGHT.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED THOSE PICTURES AND QUESTIONS.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING, WE HAD GARY BELL, TIM DUNGAN, GEORGE MALY, AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION EDUCATOR TERRI JAMES.

NEXT WEEK IN "BACKYARD FARMER" IS OUR FINAL SHOW OF THE SEASON.

WE'LL SEE HOW AN HORTICULTURE INTERN IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN, AND WE'LL ALSO SHOW YOU SIX MONTHS OF GARDEN GROWTH IN THREE MINUTES.

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

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪