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

>>> TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL DIAGNOSIS SOME OAK TREES, AND HEAR SOME TIPS ON FALL WATERING.

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

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

I'M KIM TODD AND WE'RE GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US AS WE ANSWER YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

JUST GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-676-5446 AND OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND US EMAILS WITH PICTURES, THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

AND WE DO NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE.

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

MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT "BACKYARD FARMER" ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND ON FACEBOOK.

AND OF COURSE WE ALWAYS START OUT WITH QUESTIONS, AND WE ALWAYS START WITH THE BUG PERSON.

SO JODY, YOUR VERY FIRST QUESTION HERE IS FROM WEST CENTRAL OMAHA.

I THINK YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

HE CALLED THIS -- HE CALLED THIS A SPIDER WEB.

IS HE RIGHT?

>> IT IS A LOT OF SILK, BUT IT IS NOT SPIDERS.

THESE ARE FALL WEBWORMS.

SO THESE ARE CATERPILLARS.

WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG, THEY FEED LIKE THIS TOGETHER IN THIS THICK, DENSE SILK.

AND THEN WHEN THEY GET OLDER THEY DROP DOWN, AND THEY'LL PUPATE, AND THEY'LL TURN INTO THESE WHITE MOTHS.

BUT RIGHT NOW IS WHAT YOU PROBABLY WANT TO GET RID OF IN YOUR TREES.

SO YOU CAN BREAK UP THAT WEBBING WITH A STICK OR A RAKE, AND PREDATORS WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.

SO WASPS LOVE EATING THOSE CATERPILLARS, SO DO BIRDS.

OTHERWISE YOU CAN JUST DO LIKE A COTTON CANDY TYPE THING, AND JUST TAKE THE WEBS AND TAKE IT OUT OF THERE.

AND IF YOU NEED TO, YOU CAN USE B.T.

BUT THAT WORKS BEST ON THE YOUNG CATERPILLARS, AND YOU'D WANNA STILL BREAK THAT WEBBING UP.

>> AND THAT WOULD NOT BE A GOOD THING TO TRY TO TRICK A CHILD INTO EATING.

>> YES, NOT THAT KIND OF COTTON CANDY.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HASTINGS.

AND HE HAD A ROBOTIC POOL VACUUM.

AND THEN THIS -- WHATEVER THESE ARE, WERE PICKED IN THE POOL VACUUM.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

>> OKAY, SO THESE ARE -- WE CALL THEM ROLY-POLIES HERE.

SO THEY'RE SOWBUGS AND PILL BUGS.

I SEE A CATERPILLAR IN THERE AS WELL.

BUT THEY'RE NOT COMING FROM INSIDE THE POOL, THEY'RE ON THE OUTSIDE.

THEY MAY BE IN A LANDSCAPE BED.

THEY REALLY LIKE MOISTURE.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE AROUND VEGETATION, UNDER LANDSCAPE TIMBERS OR ROCKS.

SO IF YOU WANT THEM TO STOP GETTING INTO THE POOL, MAYBE PUT LIKE A PLANK OF WOOD OUT ON THE -- YOU KNOW OUT THERE, SO THEY'LL HIDE UNDER THERE INSTEAD OF WALKING TO THE POOL.

BUT THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO GET IN THE POOL.

>> THE BLUE ONE, ARE THEY EVER BLUE?

>> UM, I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT ONE'S BEEN IN THERE, BUT IT LOOKED -- [ LAUGHTER ] >> IT WAS COLD.

>> YEAH, MAYBE.

>> IT WAS COLD.

ALL RIGHT.

TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE HERE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

SHE SAYS THIS WEED IS INVADING HER LAWN FROM A WETLANDS AREA.

IT'S KEPT MOWED SHORT, BUT IT CONTINUES TO SPREAD.

WHEN IT'S PULLED, IT SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF RUNNERS UNDERGROUND AND THEY DON'T PULL UP.

>> YEAH, THIS IS RAGWEED.

SO WE'VE KIND OF TALKED ABOUT THAT, AND WE'RE SEEING IT A LOT RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY IN THOSE LANDSCAPE AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE MOWING A LOT.

SO IT'S KEEPING IT WELL SHORT.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY START SEEING THOSE INFLORESCENT SHOWS.

RAGWEED IS ONE OF OUR MOST COMMON ALLERGY PLANTS THAT WE DEAL WITH THIS TIME OF YEAR.

SO THOSE OF US WHO ARE SNEEZING CONTINUOUSLY, RAGWEED IS USUALLY ONE OF THE CULPRITS.

USUALLY USING A SOIL KNIFE TO GET RID OF IT.

YOU CAN USE, LIKE, A BROADLEAF WEEDKILLER TO GET RID OF IT, BUT THIS TIME OF YEAR I PROBABLY WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THAT, 'CAUSE IT'S JUST GONNA TRY TO START PUSHING MORE OF THOSE FLOWERS RIGHT AWAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, TERRI.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM DODGE, NEBRASKA.

HE HAS A HUGE INFESTATION OF THIS.

HE DID SEND US THE RIGHT COMMON NAME, GOATHEADS.

SPREADING FASTER THAN HE CAN PULL THEM.

HE CAN'T FIND ANY WAY TO KILL IT, AND GET RID OF THE SEEDS, AND PREVENT THEM FROM GROWING BACK.

PLEASE, PLEASE HELP.

>> YEAH, SO REALLY THE ONLY THING THAT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU IS THAT THERE'S NOT A LOT YOU CAN DO NOW BESIDES TRY TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL BY HAND RIGHT NOW.

YOU'RE GOING TO PROBABLY HAVE TO USE LIKE A PENDIMETHALIN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, A PRE-EMERGENT IN THE SPRING.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO KINDA TREAT IT LIKE CRABGRASS, AND PUT THAT DOWN.

AND I WOULD PROBABLY RECOMMEND DOING LIKE, THE TWO TREATMENT ONE WHERE YOU PUT ONE DOWN AND THEN WAIT ABOUT FIVE WEEKS AND PUT IT DOWN THAT SECOND TIME.

>> AND DON'T GO OUTSIDE IN BARE FEET.

>> YEAH, AND DON'T TAKE YOUR BIKE TIRES THERE.

WE HAVE LOTS OF ISSUES WITH THAT WHEN I WAS AT THE STATE FAIR.

SO WE DEALT WITH PUNCTUREVINE A LOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

KYLE, YOUR FIRST ONE, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE.

THIS COMES FROM GRAND ISLAND.

SHE SAYS SOME, BUT NOT ALL OF THE POTATOES THAT THEY'VE HARVESTED LOOKS LIKE THIS.

WHAT IS THAT AND ARE THEY OKAY TO EAT?

>> WELL, I'LL ANSWER THE SECOND QUESTION FIRST.

THEY ARE MOST LIKELY OKAY TO EAT.

[ LAUGHTER ] SHOULD BE FINE.

THE -- WHICH IS A REALLY CONFIDENT ANSWER, I KNOW.

BUT IT'S -- WITHOUT ACTUALLY SEEING A SAMPLE, IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THAT DISCOLORATION.

THERE ARE FEW DIFFERENT DISEASES, ONE FUNGAL, ONE BACTERIAL THAT CAN CAUSE THAT VASCULAR DISCOLORATION OR THAT RING.

REGARDLESS IF IT'S FUSARIUM OR THE CLAVIBACTER ROT, AS LONG -- YOU CAN STILL EAT IT.

SO, STILL FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JUST COOK IT FIRST.

>> YES.

>> YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, KYLE.

THIS IS AN ALBION VIEWER.

PLANTED THIS CHERRY TOMATO IN A RAISED BED.

THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT, THEN THOUGHT HERBICIDE, NEVER GROWN OUT OF IT.

IS THIS A VIRUS?

AND THEN TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE WHICH IS A DIFFERENT VIEWER, WHICH IS ALSO TOMATERS.

>> YEAH, IT'S A LOT -- YOU KNOW, IT'S TOMATO SEASON RIGHT NOW.

AND WITH THESE HERE, NOT REALLY SURE WHAT IS GOING ON.

THERE'S JUST A GENERAL WILTING.

ONE THING THAT WE DID NOTICE IS THERE IS A BLACK WALNUT BEHIND THESE TOMATOES.

AND POTENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ALWAYS HAVE THAT PHYTOTOXICITY -- SORRY, THAT ALLELOPATHY THAT CAN OCCUR WITH THE JUGLONE TOXIN FROM BLACK WALNUTS.

OTHERWISE WITH THIS TOMATO, IF IT IS CONTINUING TO PRODUCE FRUIT, IT FRUIT WILL BE FINE TO EAT.

I WOULDN'T USE IT FOR CANNING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

BUT YOU CAN STILL CONSUME THE WILTED FRUIT.

THE OTHER ONE THAT WAS MAYBE A VIRUS OR SOME POTENTIAL HERBICIDE ISSUE, WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SAMPLE TO TEST, WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING.

YOU KNOW, COULD BE A HEAVY DOSE OF HERBICIDE AND SO IT JUST KIND OF STUCK WITH IT.

COULD BE VIRAL.

COULD BE A HERBICIDE IN THE MULCH AS WELL.

SO A FEW THINGS, BUT, REGARDLESS, IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO PRODUCE A WHOLE LOT FOR YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT -- >> SO, KYLE, LAST YEAR WE HAD A TOMATO IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN THAT LOOKED LIKE THAT SECOND ONE.

>> IT DID.

>> ALL THE TIME.

AND IT WAS JUST -- >> SAD.

>> IT WASN'T SAD.

IT PRODUCED VERY WELL.

IT JUST -- WE THINK THAT THAT'S JUST WHAT IT DID.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> SOMETIMES PLANTS JUST DON'T LOOK ALL THAT GREAT.

>> ALL RIGHTY.

JEFF, YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS IS REALLY FUN.

THIS IS BAYBERRY, 25 YEARS OLD.

HE WOULD LIKE TO CUT IT BACK, CUT THOSE BIG ONES BACK, AND KIND OF START IT, SINCE IT'S BEEN SPREADING TO THE EDGES.

REMOVE THE OLDER AND THE OUTER.

HE DOESN'T KNOW WHETHER IT WILL KILL IT, BUT HE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO CANE IT OUT ESSENTIALLY.

>> YEAH, SO I HAVE A CLOSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH BAYBERRY.

I'VE HAD 'EM AT HOME FOR A LONG TIME.

AND JUST THIS YEAR I DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND JUST ROGUE 'EM OUT AS SOMEONE LIKES TO SAY, JUST BECAUSE IT WASN'T PRODUCING VERY WELL.

AND IT WAS STARTING TO DIE BACK, AND IT WASN'T SPREADING VERY WELL.

SO I THINK ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IS WHILE BAYBERRY MAY GROW AND MATURE TO A CERTAIN LEVEL, FOR US, OUR SOIL'S REALLY ARE NOT RIGHT FOR IT.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE KIND OF IN THAT MIDDLE HERE, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY IN NEBRASKA.

SO WE CAN GROW SOME OF THESE THINGS, AND SOME OF 'EM DON'T DO SUPER WELL, BUT THEY DO WELL ENOUGH.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO CALL US TO FIND OUT WHY THEY'RE NOT DOING WELL ENOUGH.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] SO I THINK IF IT WAS ME, I WOULD CUT MY LOSSES AND -- I KNOW THEY WANT SOMETHING FOUR FOOT TALL, FOUR FOOT WIDE -- AND LOOK AT A VIBURNUM.

MAYBE LIKE A KOREAN SPICE VIBURNUM, OR EVEN AN ARROWWOOD WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY GET MUCH BIGGER.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF CHOICES OUT THERE.

SO I THINK I WOULD -- THAT'S WHAT I THINK I WOULD DO.

>> 25 IS A LONG LIFE FOR A BAYBERRY.

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

IT'S DONE WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, JEFF.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

HE BOUGHT SIX BLUE PRINCESS -- BLUE PRINCE HOLLYS, AND THE MALE AND THE FEMALE WERE IN THE SAME CONTAINER.

THIS SPRING THEY'RE KIND OF STARTING TO DO THIS.

FULL SUN ON THE EAST, LATE AFTERNOON SHADE, TWO OTHERS NEARBY ARE DOING THIS.

>> YEAH.

SO IT'S ANOTHER CASE OF -- WELL, FIRST OF ALL, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK TO TRY DO IT RIGHT.

AND THEY'VE PROBABLY PLACED THEM IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

SO, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE GIVEN THIS A LOT OF THOUGHT, AND I THINK THAT'S GREAT THAT THEY'VE DONE THAT.

I THINK HOLLYS ARE ANOTHER KINDA FINICKY PLANT.

AND CERTAINLY ON CAMPUS WE HAVE THEM A IN LOT OF PLACES.

AND THERE'S CERTAIN PLACES THEY DO REALLY WELL.

IN OTHER PLACES THEY JUST NEVER REALLY THRIVE.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, MONITOR YOUR MOISTURE.

MY FIRST SUGGESTION IS MAKE SURE THEY WEREN'T PLANTED TOO DEEP, THAT'D BE KINDA THE FIRST THING.

MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE MOIST, BUT NOT WET.

AND JUST BE PATIENT.

YOU KNOW, HOLLYS TEND TO LOSE SOME LEAVES THIS TIME OF YEAR, ESPECIALLY SOME OF THE WEATHER WE'VE HAD LATELY.

SO I WOULDN'T GIVE UP ON 'EM, KNOW THAT THIS IS -- AGAIN, WE'RE ON THE EDGE FOR THOSE.

>> WELL, AND THE BOY AND THE GIRL IN THE SAME POT MIGHT ALREADY BE ARGUING WITH ONE ANOTHER.

>> I WOULD NEVER SUGGEST THAT.

AND I KNOW THEY DO THAT WITH A LOT OF PLANTS, THEY'LL COMBINE 'EM, AND I WOULDN'T SUGGEST YOU DO THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, JEFF.

WELL YOU KNOW, MOST OAK TREES ARE GOING TO THRIVE IN NEBRASKA'S CLIMATE, AND WE'VE RECOMMENDED A LOT THEM FOR YEARS ON THE SHOW.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE TROUBLE FREE.

FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE, GRAHAM HERBST FROM THE NEBRASKA FOREST SERVICE SHOWS US ONE DISEASE THAT MIGHT NOT BE SO EASY TO DIAGNOSE.

♪♪ >>> WHEN IT COMES TO WILDLIFE HABITAT AND ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS, OAK TREES TOWER OVER ALL THE OTHER TREES THAT WE CAN GROW IN NEBRASKA.

FROM WILD TURKEY AND DEER, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MICROSCOPIC ORGANISMS IN THE SOIL, THESE ANIMALS AND LIFEFORMS FIND THE PERFECT HOME IN OAK FORESTS.

NOW ALL TREES HAVE DIFFERENT PESTS AND DISEASES THAT THEY'RE SUSCEPTIBLE TO, AND OAK TREES ARE NO EXCEPTION TO THAT RULE.

THE CHALLENGE WITH OAKS IS THAT THEY HAVE A LOT OF DISORDERS THAT CAN HAVE VERY SIMILAR SYMPTOMS.

AND ONE OF THOSE DISORDERS IN PARTICULAR IS NOT ONLY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE, IT'S ALSO DEADLY.

OAK WILT IS A VASCULAR DISEASE THAT'S CAUSED BY A FUNGUS THAT SPREADS FROM INFESTED TREES TO HEALTHY TREES IN TWO DIFFERENT WAYS -- EITHER THROUGH ROOT GRAFTS OR INSECT FEEDING.

WHEN TREES ARE GROWING CLOSE TO EACH OTHER THEY CAN SOMETIMES FORM UNDERGROUND CONNECTIONS CALLED ROOT GRAFTS, THAT ALLOW OAK WILT TO SPREAD FROM DISEASED TREES TO HEALTHY TREES.

IF YOU'VE EVER HEARD THAT IT'S BEST TO AVOID PRUNING OAK TREES IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, OAK WILT IS ONE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS FOR THAT PRACTICE.

DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS TREES THIS LARGE ARE MOVING A LOT OF MOISTURE FROM THE GROUND UP THROUGH THE LEAVES AND INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

SO ANY DAMAGE THAT OCCURS TO THE TREES AT THAT TIME -- HAIL, WIND DAMAGE, PRUNING WOUNDS -- THOSE ARE GOING TO OOZE SAP FROM THOSE CUTS AND WOUNDS THAT ARE ATTRACTIVE TO SMALL BEETLES.

THEN THEY CAN TRANSFER THOSE FUNGAL SPORES TO AN OTHERWISE HEALTHY OAK TREE.

TREES THAT HAVE CONTRACTED OAK WILT WILL HAVE LEAVES THAT DRY FROM THE OUTSIDE INWARD.

THIS PROCESS USUALLY STARTS IN LATE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER AND PROGRESSES INTO SUMMER.

THE LEAF VEINS ARE OFTEN THE LAST TO TURN BROWN, AND MOST LEAVES WILL HAVE SOME GREEN IN THEM WHEN THEY FALL ON THE GROUND.

IN THE OAK TREE FAMILY HERE IN NEBRASKA, WE HAVE TWO DISTINCT GROUPS -- WHITE OAKS AND RED OAKS.

WHITE OAKS LIKE BUR OAK, ENGLISH OAK, AND SWAMP WHITE OAK ARE GOING TO HAVE LEAVES WITH ROUNDED LOBES.

WHEREAS THE RED OAKS LIKE PIN OAK, NORTHERN RED OAK, AND BLACK OAK WILL HAVE POINTY LOBES AT THE END OF THE LEAF.

THE REASON THIS MATTERS FOR OAK WILT IS BECAUSE OAK WILT SPREADS SO MUCH MORE QUICKLY IN THE RED TYPES.

FOR WHITE OAKS, THEY OFTEN CAN HAVE OAK WILT FOR YEARS AT A TIME AND SOMETIMES EVEN COME BACK OUT OF OAK WILT AND NOT DIE FROM IT.

RED TYPES CAN SUCCUMB TO OAK WILT IN AS FAST AS THREE WEEKS.

IF YOU HAVE OAK TREES DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS LIKE THE ONES WE SHOW, YOUR BEST COURSE OF ACTION IS TO EITHER GET AHOLD OF AN NAA OR ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE, OR THE PLANT AND PEST DIAGNOSTIC LAB.

>> YOU KNOW WITH ANY TREE, SHRUB OR OTHER PLANT, THOSE DISEASES, THOSE PESKY SORTS OF THINGS THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, AS GRAHAM SAID, YOU CALL YOUR EXTENSION OFFICE, YOU GET A CERTIFIED ARBORIST, IF IT'S A TREE SITUATION.

OF COURSE YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK US OR YOU CAN SEND A SAMPLE TO KYLE.

SO, YOU KNOW WE HERE AT "BACKYARD FARMER" HAVE HAD A HOME FOR OVER 70 YEARS WITH NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

LET'S DO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HEAR ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR SHOW AND MANY OTHERS THAT RELY ON VIEWER DONATIONS TO CONTINUE TO CONTINUE TO ENRICH YOUR LIVES.

>> THANKS, KIM.

WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" IN JUST A MOMENT.

BUT FIRST WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FIRST OF ALL TO ANITA AND RICHARD IN LINCOLN WHO'VE ALREADY MADE THEIR DONATION BECAUSE THEY LOVE "BACKYARD FARMER."

HI, I'M IAN VOSBURG, DIRECTOR OF ANNUAL GIVING AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT, THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN ON AIR LONGER THAN ANY OTHER LOCALLY PRODUCED TELEVISION PROGRAM IN HISTORY.

WE'RE RIGHT NOW IN A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT YOU PROVIDE FOR "BACKYARD FARMER."

MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDE MUCH OF THE FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAMS YOU SEE AND LOVE RIGHT HERE.

SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN.

THIS SHORT BREAK IS ALSO A CHANCE TO ASK YOU TO CONTINUE THAT TREMENDOUS SUPPORT, AND WHEN YOU DO, YOU CAN SELECT ONE OF THESE "BACKYARD FARMER" THANK YOU GIFTS.

GIVE US A CALL RIGHT NOW.

MAKE YOUR DONATION AT 800-989-8236 OR ONLINE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

WHEN YOU DONATE $6 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, OR $72 WITH A ONE-TIME GIFT, THAT'S ONE DOLLAR FOR EVERY YEAR THAT "BACKYARD FARMER" HAS BEEN ON AIR, WE WOULD LOVE TO THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDENING GLOVES.

THESE GARDENING GLOVES ARE COMFORTABLE AND PROTECTIVE FOR YOUR WORK AS A "BACKYARD FARMER."

THEY HAVE A PIGSKIN PALM THAT'S CUT-PROOF AND PUNCTURE-PROOF, AND THEY'RE ALSO BREATHABLE.

AND OF COURSE THEY HAVE THAT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND "BACKYARD FARMER" LOGO ON THEM.

WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION OF $7 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" BUCKET HAT.

IT'LL HELP KEEP YOU COOL WHILE YOU'RE GARDENING, AND YOU'LL KNOW THAT YOU'RE SUPPORTING "BACKYARD FARMER" AND NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

IT HAS A CHIN CORD AND METAL SCREEN VENT TO KEEP YOU NICE AND COOL.

MAKE YOUR DONATION RIGHT NOW.

THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 800-989-8236 OR GO ONLINE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

THIS IS YEAR 72 FOR "BACKYARD FARMER," AND YOU'RE LOYAL TO THE PROGRAM FOR MANY REASONS.

YOU GET GREAT ADVICE FROM TOPICAL EXPERTS, SIMPLE EXPLANATIONS OF PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS, AND TIMELY ADVICE DURING THE GROWING SEASON.

YOU CAN SHOW YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT YOU LOYALLY SUPPORT "BACKYARD FARMER" BY MAKING YOUR DONATION RIGHT NOW.

YOU CAN DO THAT AT 800-989-8236 OR GOING ONLINE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION OF $6 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDENING GLOVES.

THEY'RE COMFORTABLE, THEY'RE PROTECTIVE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE CUT-PROOF AND PUNCTURE-PROOF.

AND YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE SUPPORTING NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND "BACKYARD FARMER."

WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION OF $7 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" BUCKET HAT.

IT'S GOING TO KEEP YOU COOL WHILE YOU'RE DOING ALL OF YOUR GARDENING WORK.

GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR DONATION RIGHT NOW.

THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 800-989-8236 OR ONLINE, NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING THIS EFFORT.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO KIM AND THE REST OF THE "BACKYARD FARMER" TEAM.

AGAIN, THAT NUMBER TO CALL IS 800-989-8236, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>>> WELL, THANK YOU, IAN, AND WE'RE UP WITH QUESTIONS AGAIN.

JODY, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM BAYARD IN MORRILL COUNTY.

SHE SAYS -- HE SAYS THIS ORGANISM HOVERS LIKE A HUMMINGBIRD.

WHAT IS IT?

>> THIS IS A FIVE-SPOTTED HAWK MOTH.

SO AS A CATERPILLAR IT WAS PROBABLY A TOMATO HORNWORM.

>> UH-HUH.

>> SO WE DIDN'T LIKE IT TOO MUCH THEN, BUT IT'S HARMLESS NOW AND IT'S A POLLINATOR.

>> NOW IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE ALSO, JODY.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

SHE'S SEEING THESE DIRT HILLS THAT HAVE APPEARED SUDDENLY.

FIRST THERE WAS ONE HOLE AND THEN SHE NOTICED A LARGE WASP-LIKE CREATURE FLYING PROTECTIVELY AROUND THE HOLE.

MORE DIRT, NO MORE INSECTS.

SHE DOES HAS A NATIVE POLLINATOR GARDEN IN PROCESS, AND DOESN'T WANT TO USE CHEMICALS.

>> YEP, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THESE.

THIS IS THE CICADA KILLER WASP AND THEY HUNT CICADAS, BUT THEY ARE HARMLESS TO PEOPLE.

YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO STEP ON THEM.

THEY SHOULD BE FINISHING UP HERE NOW, BUT THERE'S NOT ANY PROBLEM WITH THEM THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, JODY, ONE MORE PICTURE.

THIS ONE IS SEWARD.

LOTS OF GREEN WORMS AND CATERPILLARS IN THE TOMATOES.

A RED ONE.

DO THEY EVER -- YOU EVER SEE RED ONES IN TOMATOES?

>> YEAH, WELL, THERE'S A VARIETY OF CATERPILLARS THAT LIKE TO FEED ON TOMATO.

AND THIS ONE'S ACTUALLY THE TOBACCO BUDWORM.

SO THERE'S ALL DIFFERENT COLORS OF CATERPILLARS THAT FEED ON TOMATOES, AND DIFFERENT SPECIES AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

TERRI, TWO PICS ON THIS ONE.

UM -- SORRY, ONE PIC.

NUMEROUS TIMES YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT A SOIL KNIFE.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO SAID IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE ONE AND HAVE YOU TALK ABOUT HOW YOU USE IT.

>> WELL, I BROUGHT MINE IN.

YOU CAN TELL THAT IT'S WELL-USED.

IT'S JUST BASICALLY A LONG KNIFE.

[ LAUGHTER ] IT'S KIND OF GOT A NICE HANDLE.

I DON'T HAVE BIG HANDS SO THOSE OF US WHO HAVE SMALL HANDS IT FITS VERY WELL.

IT'LL GO DOWN SIX INCHES INTO THE GROUND.

IT'S GOT A CUTTING EDGE, SO IF YOU GET NEW PLANTS, YOU NEED TO KIND OF CUT UP SOME OF THAT ROOT ZONE OR SOMETHING, IF YOU HAVE ROOTS THAT ARE COMPACTED IN THE POT AND THEN YOU CAN EVEN CUT YOUR TWINE.

SO -- AND IT FITS IN YOUR BACK POCKET.

>> PERFECT.

POINTY SIDE UP.

ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM SOUTH LINCOLN.

HE PLANTED WILDFLOWERS.

THEY LOOK GREAT SURROUNDED WITH THESE PLANTS, THESE TWO PICS.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO GIVE HIM FOR ADVICE?

>> SO I'M NOT FOR SURE WHAT THESE ARE.

THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THEY WERE SPECIFICALLY, BUT MY GUESS IS THAT YOUR WILDFLOWER MIX MOST LIKELY HAD SOME PERENNIALS MIXED INTO IT.

SO YOU CAN LOOK AT THE BACK OF THE PLANT -- OR THE BACK OF THE LIST AND SEE IF YOU CAN SEE WHAT THEY ARE.

BUT MAYBE WAIT A YEAR AND SEE WHAT THEY DO AND SEE WHAT BLOOM COMES OUT OF THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT, PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT, KYLE, YOU HAVE TWO PICS ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM GRETNA.

LAST SEPTEMBER THEY HAD MILLENIUM ALLIUM AND ONE OF THEM STARTING DOING THIS.

>> AND THIS IS VERY COMMON RIGHT NOW.

WE THINK THIS IS ASTER YELLOWS, OR THE SAME TYPE OF ORGANISM AS ASTER YELLOWS.

WHETHER -- WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER OR NOT IT'S THE EXACT SAME, IF IT CAN MOVE TO YOUR CONE FLOWERS OR NOT.

BUT IT'S A PHYTOPLASMA.

NOTHING TO DO.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU'LL NEED TO REMOVE IT.

IF YOU DO LIKE IT, THEN IT'LL SPREAD TO THE OTHER ONES AND YOU'LL HAVE A LOT MORE FLOWERS.

>> PERFECT, OR NOT.

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

THIS COMES TO US FROM BRUNING, IT'S A FOUR-YEAR-OLD PEACH TREE.

SHOULD HE KEEP IT OR CUT IT WITH ALL THIS GUNK ON THE TRUNK?

>> YEAH, THERE'S SOME SORT OF BACTERIAL ISSUE GOING ON.

WHETHER IT'S BACTERIAL CANKER OR FIRE BLIGHT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS, IT'S A LOT EASIER TO TAKE OUT A 4-YEAR-OLD TREE THAN A 24-YEAR-OLD TREE.

AND THIS TREE IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE TOO LONG FOR THIS WORLD ANYWAYS.

SO I WOULD PROBABLY JUST START FRESH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, KYLE.

JEFF, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE FIRST ONE.

THEY WATCH OUR PROGRAM AND THINK THAT WE SAID PREEN MAY HARM NEW EVERGREENS.

CAN IT ALSO -- CAN IT HARM ANYTHING ELSE THAT'S NEW, AND -- OR DO THEY PUT IT DOWN AT SOME DISTANCE FROM TREES AND SHRUBS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THEY SHOULD LOOK AT THE LABEL OF THE PRODUCT.

AND THAT'LL TELL THEM HOW TO USE IT.

AND PREEN IS LABELED -- OR SPRUCE.

AND ARBORVITAE AND THE PLANTS THAT I SEE IN THE PICTURE ARE -- ARE ON THE LABEL.

SO, I THINK THAT THEY'RE SAFE TO USE IT.

AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK WITH ANY NEW, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PLANTS, YOU KNOW, I WOULD KEEP ANY KIND OF HERBICIDE, PRE-EMERGENT, OR OTHERWISE, OUT OF THE NEW ROOT ZONE OF THOSE PLANTS REGARDLESS, JUST TO BE SAFE.

SO -- >> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE ON THE NEXT ONE, JEFF.

THIS VIEWER HAS HAD IT WITH HER GARDEN.

SHE TRAVELLED A LOT.

SHE'S GETTING RID OF IT FOR THIS YEAR.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT SHE CAN SPRAY.

AND THE GARDEN I THINK IS THE WEED PATCH.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO, SHE WANTS TO KILL ALL THE WEEDS, AND THEN SHE'S WANTING TO GET IT CLEANED UP.

SHE WANTS TO TILL IT AND MAYBE PUT FERTILIZER DOWN.

>> YEAH.

SO, BASED ON THE TIME OF YEAR THAT WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW, AND I KNOW SHE WANTED TO GET THE TOMATO CAGES OUT OF THERE.

I THINK I'D GO AHEAD AND, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WORK A LITTLE HARDER, BUT I'D PULL THOSE OUT.

I WOULD SUGGEST JUST MOWING THAT DOWN AT THIS STAGE.

I DON'T SEE ANY POINT IN APPLYING A HERBICIDE.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANTED TO USE SOMETHING LIKE A GLYPHOSATE.

I WOULD MOW IT FIRST AND SEE.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME HERE.

OUR GROWING SEASON ISN'T OVER BY ANY MEANS.

SO, IF YOU HAVE BROME IN THERE, OR SOME OTHER KIND OF PERENNIAL GRASS THAT YOU'D WANT TO SPRAY OUT BEFORE NEXT YEAR, THAT WOULD -- THEN YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO DO THAT.

I WOULDN'T FERTILIZE.

YOU'RE JUST WASTING THE PRODUCT.

IF YOU WANT TO PUT COMPOST DOWN OR PURCHASE SOME COMPOST, THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO TILL THAT IN.

BUT, YEAH, I WOULDN'T -- I WOULDN'T APPLY FERTILIZER NOW.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

SO, YOU KNOW WE HAVE HAD SOME REALLY GREAT WELCOME COOLER WEATHER IN A PART OF THE STATE THIS -- IN JUST THE LAST COUPLE DAYS OR SO.

FALL IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

SO ONCE AGAIN, HERE'S GANNON RUSH FROM UNL'S HIGH PLAINS REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTER TO TELL US WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE COMING WEEK.

>>> THANKS, KIM.

TEMPERATURES ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY WILL BE IN THE 70S IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE, AND OUT WEST WILL BE NEAR NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

WE'LL BEGIN TO HEAT BACK UP ON SUNDAY, SO GET OUT AND ENJOY IT.

BY MONDAY, MUCH OF THE STATE WILL BE IN THE 90s.

THE RAIN OUTLOOK FOR THIS WEEK IS PRETTY BLEAK.

THERE ARE A FEW ISOLATED STORMS POSSIBLE OVER THE COMING DAYS, BUT THE GREATEST CHANCE OF RAIN SEEMS TO BE THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

WHILE WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT IT MUCH THIS YEAR, DROUGHT IS BECOMING A BIT OF AN ISSUE.

THERE IS CONFIDENCE OF ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE NEAR FUTURE, WHICH DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR THE STATE.

CURRENTLY, NEARLY 70% OF NEBRASKA IS ABNORMALLY DRY, AND 30% OF THE STATE IS IN A DROUGHT.

THERE ARE TWO EPICENTERS, ONE NORTH OF SCOTTSBLUFF, AND THE OTHER IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE NEAR SUPERIOR.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEKLY WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU, KIM.

>>> THANKS, WE THINK, GANNON.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] IT'S TIME FOR A BREAK, BUT STAY TUNED.

THERE IS 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, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP THOSE LANDSCAPE PLANTS GET THE PROPER WATERING THEY NEED THIS FALL.

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

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

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

SO, LET'S SEE.

LET US START WITH YOU, AS ALWAYS, JEFF.

YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW SHOULD SHE CUT HER ASPARAGUS DOWN AND FERTILIZE IT FOR THE WINTER?

>> SHE CAN CUT IT DOWN.

AGAIN, I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT FERTILIZING AT THIS TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE AN UNDERWOOD VIEWER WHO HAS BIG CLAY POTS IN OMAHA.

FOUR FEET TALL, 36 INCHES AROUND.

HE WANTS TO PLANT DAFFODILS IN THEM SO HE HAS A GREAT SPRING SHOW, AND HE'S WONDERING IF THEY'LL SURVIVE THE WINTER, OR WILL IT BE TOO MUCH FREEZE-THAW?

>> I THINK BETWEEN THE POTS AND THE DAFFODILS, BOTH WILL FAIL PROBABLY BY WINTER -- BY SPRING.

SO, I -- I WOULD -- I THINK YOU'D RUIN THE POTS AND THE DAFFODILS.

ITS HARD TO SAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A MADRID VIEWER WHO HAS A SMALL MULTI-STEM CATALPA AND A SMALL MULTI-STEM REDBUD.

SHE WANTS TO PRUNE THEM TO A SINGLE.

SHOULD SHE DO THAT NOW OR IN THE SPRING?

>> I'D WAIT 'TIL SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT, ANOTHER TULIP QUESTION.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO HAD TULIPS ONE SPRING AND THEN NOTHING.

>> OH.

>> ARE THEY NOT PERENNIAL?

>> WELL, THEY ARE BUT NOT IN ALL PLACES.

SO, SOMETIMES WITH TULIPS IT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO PLANT ANNUALLY, SO -- >> ALL RIGHT.

AND NO TIME FOR ANOTHER ONE.

[ THUNDER CRACK ] SO, YOU DID PRETTY WELL -- >> OKAY.

>> -- CONSIDERING THAT ONE WAS A LONG QUESTION.

[ LAUGHTER ] I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT TO SHORTEN IT.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT, KYLE, ARE YOU READY?

>> OF COURSE.

I EVEN HAVE, LIKE, SPARKLERS I CAN USE.

>> YEAH, IT LOOKS GOOD.

ASTOR YELLOWS IN THE STUDIO.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM BELLEVUE.

HE'S WONDERING HOW CLOSE TO AN OLD TREE, THAT WAS REMOVED BECAUSE OF ROOT ROT, HE CAN PLANT A NEW TREE.

>> IF IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPE OF TREE, YOU CAN PLANT IT RIGHT ON TOP OF IT.

IF IT'S THE SAME TYPE OF TREE, YOU WANNA BE AS FAR AWAY AS THE ROOTS WILL SPREAD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A COUNCIL BLUFFS VIEWER.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A TOXIC MUSHROOM ON THE SHOW LAST WEEK, AND FOR A COUPLE WEEKS.

WILL IT BE OKAY IN THE COMPOST, OR SHOULD IT BE THROWN IN THE TRASH?

>> IT WILL DECOMPOSE IN THE COMPOST.

BUT YOU MAY HAVE A CURIOUS KID, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT COULD GET INTO IT.

SO, I WOULD JUST THROW IT IN THE TRASH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A NEBRASKA CITY VIEWER.

SAYS THE WALNUTS ARE FALLING BEFORE THEY'RE ACTUALLY RIPE AND THE INTERIOR IS BLACK WITH NO GOOD NUT.

IS THAT THOUSAND CANKERS?

>> THAT IS NOT THOUSAND CANKERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WALNUTS DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] IS THERE A DISEASE OF VARIEGATED RED TWIG DOGWOOD THAT CAUSES WHOLE CANES TO SHRIVEL?

THIS CAME FROM TWO PEOPLE.

>> UM, YES.

THERE WOULD BE -- SO VERTICILLIUM COULD DO THAT.

SOME OTHER VASCULAR WILTS.

[ THUNDER CRACK ] >> ALL RIGHT.

ALSO, NICE JOB.

COMPLICATED QUESTIONS FROM OUR VIEWERS THIS TIME.

>> I KNOW.

DO YOU GUYS WANT MY SPARKLERS?

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> I'M -- I'M GOOD, THANKS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> ALL RIGHT, TERRI, READY?

SURE.

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE A PRINCETON VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHETHER THE TIMING IS GOOD TO SPRAY 2,4-D ON DANDELIONS AND HENBITS AFTER THE LEAVES FALL WITHOUT HARMING NEW YOUNG TREES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> NO.

THAT WOULD ALMOST TOO LATE.

YOU PROBABLY NEED TO START SPRAYING THEM NOW.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A COLUMBUS VIEWER WHO WANTS ONE HERBICIDE THAT WILL KILL NUTSEDGE, CRAB GRASS, AND CLOVER WITHOUT HARMING THE LAWN.

>> GOOD LUCK.

[ LIGHT LAUGHTER ] >> WE HAVE A WAVERLY VIEWER WONDERING -- THEY WANT TO SPRAY GLYPHOSATE TO RE-ESTABLISH FESCUE.

THIS IS GLYPHOSATE ON BROOM, THEY WONDER HOW LONG DO THEY HAVE TO WAIT BEFORE THE CAN RESEED IN THAT SPOT?

>> YOU CAN WAIT ONLY ABOUT A WEEK TO RESEED IF YOU'RE USING GLYPHOSATE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A VIEWER, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'RE FROM, THEY HAVE A NEW SEEDING, AND IT WAS MULCHED WITH HOMEMADE COMPOST.

THEY'RE WONDERING IS THAT A BETTER OPTION THAN STRAW OR HAY FOR THE HEALTH OF THOSE NEW SEEDLINGS?

>> THE ONLY THING I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, IS THAT COMPOST IS GONNA DRY OUT FASTER THAN THE STRAW OR THOSE KINDS OF OTHER THINGS.

[ THUNDER CRACK ] THEY'RE GONNA STAY MOIST LONGER TO KEEP THOSE -- THAT SEED BED MOISTURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JODY, YOU GET TO BE THE TIE BREAKER.

YOUR FIRST ONE COMES TO US FROM, SHE SAID, SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS LITTLE TINY BLACK BUGS THAT ARE EATING HER TOMATOES.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW TO GET RID OF THEM.

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.

THERE'S A LOT OF BUGS OUT THERE, GUYS.

>> SO SEND US A PICTURE, AND WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT.

>> YES, PLEASE.

SPRAY THEM OFF IF THEY'RE JUST REALLY TINY.

SPRAY THEM OFF.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A GRAND ISLAND VIEWER WHO WONDERS IS THERE ANYTHING TO CONTROL TOBACCO BUDWORMS, SHORT OF BT DUST, WHICH SHE SAYS LOOKS LIKE DUMPING A SACK OF FLOUR ON THE PLANTS.

>> I JUST HAND PICK 'EM OFF.

YOU JUST GOT TO FIND 'EM AND PICK 'EM OFF.

BECAUSE, YEAH, YOU DON'T WANT TO SPRAY ANY OF THE FLOWERS.

AND YOU DON'T WANT TO DUST THE PETALS EITHER.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE AN ALLIANCE VIEWER WHO HAS PURCHASED SOME BUG BE GONE, IT'S 1.47% IMIDACLOPRID WONDERING WHETHER THE BEST TIME IS TO APPLY NOW OR IN THE SPRING, AND THIS IS FOR ASH.

>> LIKE -- >> ASH TREES.

>> OGH, ASH TREES WOULD BE IN THE SPRING.

>>ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A NORFOLK VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE LEAVES TURN UP IF THEY'RE THRIPS OR DOWN FOR DRIFT.

OR IS IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND?

>> I THINK USUALLY FOR DRIFT IT'S TURNING UP.

WHEN THERE'S PLANTS SUCKING ON THE BOTTOM, IT'S ON THE OTHERSIDE THEY'LL TURN DOWN.

>> YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

THAT WAS A WILD ONE.

YOU ALL GET FOUR.

>>> WELL AS YOU KNOW OUR GARDEN IS HITTING IT'S PEAK RIGHT NOW AND GETTING EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL, IT'S A WONDERFUL PLACE TO VISIT.

AND FOR YOU CELOSIA LOVERS OUT THERE, TERRI HAS A REAL TREAT FOR YOU TO SEE AT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN WE'RE ENJOYING SOME MUCH APPRECIATED COOLER WEATHER.

THE GARDEN'S STILL LOOKING FANTASTIC.

SO EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NARROWING DOWN ON OUR TV SEASON, WE ARE GOING TO ALWAYS HAVE THE GARDEN OPEN FOR YOU TO COME AND VISIT.

WE WANT TO LOOK AT ANOTHER PLANT FOR AN ALL AMERICAN SELECTION WINNER THIS WEEK.

THE BURNING EMBERS CELOSIA.

WE'VE SEEN LOTS OF CELOSIA, AND THIS ONE I'M ACTUALLY PRETTY IMPRESSED WITH.

IT'S ONE OF THE FLAME ONES, ONE OF THOSE UPRIGHT FEATHER ONES.

IT'S STAYED REALLY TRUE, REALLY DARK.

HASN'T FADED MUCH AT ALL IN THE HEAT AND SUNLIGHT THAT WE'VE HAD.

IT'S BRED SPECIFICALLY FOR ITS BRONZE FOLIAGE.

SO IT KIND OF HAS THAT ADDED FEATURE OF DIFFERENT COLOR FOLIAGE UNLIKE MOST CELOSIAS THAT HAVE KIND OF THAT GREEN FOLIAGE.

THE DARK PINK VEINS ARE CONTRASTING NICELY WITH THAT VIBRANT PINK FLOWER BLOOM.

THE PLANTS ARE REALLY WELL BRANCHED.

I'M REALLY IMPRESSED WITH HOW WELL THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT.

A LOT OF THE JUDGES THAT JUDGE THIS DURING THE TRIAL SAID THAT IT WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND LONGEST LASTING FLOWERS OF CELOSIAS THEY'VE EVER TRIALED.

SO, STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" AND CHECK OUT THE CELOSIA BURNING EMBERS.

>> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHECK OUT THAT BEAUTIFUL CELOSIA, SCAN THE QR CODE WHICH WILL BE ON YOUR SCREEN PRETTY QUICK HERE.

AND WHILE YOU'RE DOING THAT, JEFF IS GOING TO TELL US ABOUT THIS WEEK'S PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

>> WE HAVE TWO VERY INTERESTING PLANTS HERE AND TWO KIND OF GIANTS IN THEIR FIELD.

WE HAVE THIS DALLAS BLUES SWITCH GRASS HERE WHICH IS A VERY BIG SWITCH GRASS.

HAS VERY WIDE BLADES, THREE QUARTER INCH WIDE BLADES.

IT GETS FIVE, SIX FEET TALL, FIVE FEET WIDE.

SO SWITCH GRASS, IT'S A BIG ONE.

THESE NICE LITTLE PINKS HERE.

THEY MIGHT GET SO BIG YOU'LL WANT TO TIE IT UP.

BECAUSE IT CAN GET FLOPPY.

I HAVE REGULAR SWITCH GRASS AT HOME AND IT DOES THATAS WELL.

THEN OUR OTHER FLOWERING SHRUB THAT WE HAVE HEREE IS A FAVORITE OF MINE.

IT'S SEVEN STRUM THREES.

HEPTACODIUM MINCONIOIDIES, I LIKE SAYING THAT A LOT.

BECAUS YOU DON'T HEAR THAT VERY OFTEN.

IT'S KIND OF A HONEY SUCKLE LIKE SHRUB.

IT HAS KIND OF A FLAKEY BARK.

IT CAN GET VERY LARGE.

I HAVE SOME AT HOME THAT ARE 15 FEET TALL.

IT FLOWERS LATER IN THE YEAR.

SO IT'S KIND OF NICE IN THAT IT FLOWERS IN THE FALL.

ONE OF THE FEW THINGS THAT DO.

AND IT HAS A FRAGRANT FLOWER.

IT REMINDS ME OF GARDENIA A LITTLE BIT.

THE UPSIDE TO IT IS BECAUSE IT FLOWERS SO LATE IN OUR CLIMATE, IS THHAT IT'S NOT INVASIVE SO DOESN'T SET SEED.

SO YOU WOULD THINK SOMETHING THAT FLOWERS SO MUCH, AND LOOKS LIKE IT DOES IS GOING TO BE KIND OF A PROBLEM, BUT IT NEVER SETS SEED.

SO IT'S NOT A PROBLEM FOR US.

IT'S A FUN PLANT TO USE.

IT'S A LITTLE UNUSUAL.

YOU NEED A BIG SPACE FOR IT THOUGH.

>>AND ALL THE POLLINATORS AND BUTTERFLIES LOVE IT.

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

THERE'S NOT MUCH OUT THERE, SO YEAH.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANKS, GREAT JOB, JEFF.

>>> SO OF COURSE WE ALWAYS HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF REALLY FUN THINGS IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

WE START PRETTY MUCH AS ALWAYS RIGHT NOW WITH OUR ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BYF GARDEN GROW-A-ROW PRODUCE DONATIONS.

THAT IS STILL ON TUESDAYS FROM 4:30 TO 6:30, 7:00ISH IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

OUR SECOND ONE IS ART IN THE GARDEN WHICH IS THIS COMING SATURDAY 10:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.

HERE IN SUNKEN GARDEN IN LINCOLN.

AND THAT'S ALWAYS A REALLY FUN EVENT.

>>> AND DON'T FORGET WE'RE IN A MEMBERSHIP DRIVE.

SO YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO SUPPORT SOME GREAT PROGRAMS HERE ON NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

IN A MOMENT WE'LL TALK TO KIM A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHATS GOING ON IN OUR NEW STUDIO BUT FIRST WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF SOME BUSINESS.

I'M IAN VOSBURG AND WE LOVE PARTNERING WITH NEBRASKA EXTENSION ON "BACKYARD FARMER" BECAUSE IT FITS THE MISSION OF BOTH ORGANIZATIONS, CONNECTING WITH AND PROVIDING AUDIENCES WITH SERVICES AND INFORMATION TO HELP THEM CONTINUE DOING WHAT THEY LOVE TO DO.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE RIGHT NOW.

WE'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO KATHLEEN IN OMAHA, NANCY IN OMHAMA, SANDRA IN LINCOLN AND JOHN IN LINCOLN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

BUT WE WANT TO HEAR FROM THE ENTIRE STATE.

I KNOW WE HAVE QUESTIONS, KIM, FROM NEBRASKA CITY, BELLEVUE, COLUMBUS, NEIGHBORLY, ALLIANCE AND NORFOLK.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM EVERY ONE OF THOSE PLACES MAKING DONATIONS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>>AND YOU CAN DO THAT RIGHT NOW, GIVE US A CALL AT 800-989-8236 OR ONLINE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

WHEN YOU DONATE $6 A MONTHAS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDENING GLOVES.

THESE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDENING GLOVES ARE COMFORTABLE AND PROTECTIVE FOR YOUR WORK AS A BACKYARD FARMER.

IT'S ALSO AT THAT $72 LEVEL THATS ONE DOLLAR FOR EVERY YEAR "BACKYARD FARMER" HAS BEEN ON THE AIR.

WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION OF $7 A MONTH, AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE KHAKI "BACKYARD FARMER" BUCKET HAT.

I'VE WORN THIS A LOT OVER THE LAST YEAR AND IT'S GREAT FOR ALL MY YARD WORK AND TRAVELS ACROSS THE STATE.

GIVE US A CALL AT RIGHT NOW 800-989-8236 OR ONLINE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

NOW KIM TODD'S HERE WITH ME.

KIM, AS THE "BACKYARD FARMER" HOST, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE FIRST SHOW IN OUR NEWLY RENOVATED RON PAUL STUDIO.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS STUDIO BRINGS TO THE PROGRAM?

>>I THINK IT DOES A COUPLE THINGS IAN.

THE FIRST IS WE'RE NOT 72 YEARS OLD IN THE STUDIO ANYMORE.

IT'S A LITTLE EDGIER, IT'S BRIGHT, IT'S BRILLIANT, THE LIGHTING IS PERFECT.

IT'S FREEZING COLD IN HERE WHICH IS FINE.

IT KEEPS US AWAKE.

IT BRINGS US INTO THE NEW CENTURY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, KIM FOR BEING HERE AND TALKING TO OUR MEMBERS.

WE'LL GET BACK TO "BACKYARD FARMER" IN JUST A MOMENT.

BUT FIRST, WE WANT YOU TO MAKE YOUR DONATION RIGHT NOW.

800-989-8236 OR GO ONLINE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

WHEN YOU DONATE $6 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THOSE "BACKYARD FARMER" GLOVES.

THEY'RE PUNCTURE PROOF, THEY'RE CUT PROOF.

THEY HAVE THAT "BACKYARD FARMER" LOGO AND THAT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA LOGO ON THEM AT $6 A MONTH.

WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION OF $7 A MONTH AS A SUSTAINING STAR MEMBER, WE'LL THANK YOU WITH THE KHAKI "BACKYARD FARMER" BUCKET HAT.

THIS HAT IS GOING TO BE GREAT FOR ALL YOUR BACKYARD FARMING.

GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR DONATION RIGHT NOW.

THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 800-989-8236 OR GO TO OUR SECURE WEBSITE NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/DONATE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND NOW BACK TO "BACKYARD FARMER."

>>>ALRIGHTY, THANK YOU IAN AND WE ARE GOINT TO YOU JODY WITH SOME REALLY COOL PICTURES THE FIRST ONE HERE COMES TO US FROM FROM NORFOLK.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS EATING HIS LEAFY SPURGE AND HOPES WE CAN GET A MILLION MORE OF THEM?

>> THIS IS A GORGEOUS CATERPILLAR.

THIS IS A SPURGE HAWK MOTH.

AND YEP THEY FEED ON ALL THINGS SPURGE.

>>PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM ALLIANCE.

SIMPLE QUESTION.

WHAT KIND OF CATERPILLAR IS THIS ONE.

I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE THAT'S MAYBE A LITTLE CLOSER.

>>YEAH THIS IS ANOTHER SPHINX MOTH.

THIS IS THE PANDORA MOTH.

ITS HOST PLANTS ARE VIRGINIA CREEPER AND GRAPE.

>> PERFECT ON THAT ONE ALSO.

ALSO TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES FROM SOUTH OF NORMAN, NEBRASKA.

A WIGGLY NONFUZZY CATERPILLAR AND THESE WERE IN THE SOY BEAN FIELDS.

>>YEP IT'S ONE OF THE TWO BUTTERFLIES ACTUALLY THAT FEED ON SOY BEANS.

AND THIS IS THE SILVER SPOTTED SKIPPER.

IF YOU SEE A BROWN BUTTERFLY WITH A WHITE SPOT, THAT'S WHAT THEY TURN INTO.

>>ALL RIGHT AND GRAETNA, ONE PICTURE.

HAS NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE.

IT'S ON A FERN IT WAS ABOUT THREE INCHES LONG.

>>WELL THESE USUALLY GET ONE AND A HALF INCHES LONG, BUT THIS IS THE FLORIDA FERN MOTH.

AND THEY FEED ON ALL FERNS.

>>AND HOW IN THE WORLD IT CAME FROM NEBRASKA TO FLORIDA -- >>WELL THEY'RE PRETTY COMMON IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE AND THEY GO AS FAR WEST AS NEBRASKA.

>>ALL RIGHT TERRI, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PAXTON.

AND SHE'S SAYING THIS IS VERY THICK IN THE LAWN.

WHAT IS IT AND WHAT CAN SHE DO ABOUT IT?

>> I THINK THIS IS YELLOW FOXTAIL.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE QUINCLORAC TO PUT THIS DOWN.

BUT MAKE SURE WHEN YOU APPLY IT, YOU GET A SPREADER STICKER AND THAT WILL HELP KEEP IT.

IT'S REALLY GLOSSY LEAVES AND THAT WILL KEEP THAT CHEMICAL ON IT AND GET BETTER CONTROL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE THREE PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM STAPLETON.

SHE SAYS THIS GRASS TOOK OVER THE DAY LILIES AND SHE WANTS TO KNOW HOW SHE CAN GET RID OF IT WITHOUT HARMING THE DAY LILIES.

>>YEAH I THINK THIS IS CRACK GRASS.

THERE'S NO SPECIFIC CONTROL, BUT LIKE A GLYPHOSATE IF YOU APPLY IT.

YOU CAN DO THE ROUND UP GLOVE METHOD IF YOU WANT TO TRY WITH THAT OR TAKE MY SOIL KNIFE OR GET ONE AND JUST START TAKING IT OUT THAT WAY SINCE IT'S IN SOMEPLACE YOU WANT TO KEEP PLANTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM ELBA, NEBRASKA.

OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THIS WEED HAS STARTED TO TAKE OVER.

WHAT DO THEY NEED TO DO TO GET RID OF IT.

>> THIS IS CREEPING CHARLIE.

SO THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO START CONTROLLING THAT, USING ONE OF THOSE BROAD LEAF WEED KILLERS.

YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO IT A COUPLE TIME THIS IS YEAR.

SPRAY IT NOW.

SPRAY IT IN ABOUT FIVE WEEKS BEFORE IT GETS TOO TOO COLD.

THEN YOU MOST LIKELY WILL HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR IN THE FALL.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE MORE FOR YOU.

THIS IS SIMPLY A WHAT SHOULD THEY DO.

OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE EYEBALLS THERE.

THEY'RE GREEN.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, I LOOKED AT THIS.

AND I KIND OF WONDERING IF IT WAS A DISEASE.

BUT IT'S TOO PERFECT TO BE A DISEASE.

MY QUESTION IS WHAT WAS GOING ON IN YOUR YARD WHEN THIS ALL HAPPENED.

SO I THINK I WOULD NEED A LITTLE MORE, BUT NOW WOULD BE THE TIME TO CONTROL OR TO FIX IT.

SO YOU KNOW, GET AN AERATOR OUT THERE AND AERATOR OVERSEED.

>> ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB.

KYLE -- >> READY.

>> ONE PIC ON THE FIRST ONE.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM AURORA.

SHE FOUND THIS UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE MULCH IN HER FLOWER GARDEN.

WHEN YOU BREAK THE OUTSIDE, THERE'S A JELLY-LIKE SUBSTANCE AROUND THIS THING.

YEAH YOU KNOW, FRY THEM UP.

>> YEAH A FRIED STEAMCORN EGG SANDWICH MAYBE.

THESE ARE EGGS OF THE STEAMCORN MUSHROOM.

YOU KNOW THAT KIND OF PHALLIC LOOKING PILLAR THAT COMES UP.

THAT GETS REALLY STINKY AND TYPICALLY HAS A SLIME ON THE EDGE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JUST KIND OF FUN.

>> YEP JUST DEAL WITH THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS ONE COMES TO US COURTESY OF JEFF'S SON WHO FOUND THIS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

WHAT IS IT?

>> THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE EVEN COME TO ME.

SO I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT OR SOMETHING.

BUT IT'S NOT A MUSHROOM.

IT'S A PARASITIC PLANT.

ONE THAT I HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT BUT, IT'S A GHOST PIPE.

AND IT FORMS A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH MICHAEL RYDAL FUNGI IN ORDER TO BASICALLY STEAL NUTRIENTS FROM THE TREES THAT IT'S AROUND.

IT'S A PARASITIC PLANT WITH NO CHLOROPHYLL.

SUPER COOL.

>> SO, JEFF SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

>> HE SHOULD HAVE.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM NORTHEAST LINCOLN.

THIS IS GROWING ON A DEAD TREE IN A VACANT LOT NEXT TO HIM.

AND WHAT IS IT, BESIDES PRETTY COOL?

>> THESE ARE DRYAD SADDLES.

ANOTHER COMMON NAME IS PHEASANT BACK MUSHROOMS.

POLYPORUS SQUAMOSUS.

THEY'RE VERY COMMON ON DEAD AND/OR DYING TREES.

IF CAUGHT EARLY ON, THEY CAN BE GOOD EATING.

BUT ONCE THEY'RE FULLY MATURE, THEY GET PRETTY HARD.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE.

IT'S SHROOM TIME.

THIS WAS FOUND SEVERAL TIMES IN THE BACKYARD IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO.

SHE'S PULLED THEM AND SEEMS TO GET THE WHOLE THING.

SHE'S WONDERING WHAT WAS THE CAUSE.

SHE IS DISCARDING THEM.

>> YEAH.

SO, THE CAUSE IS WET WEATHER.

WE'VE HAD -- IT'S BEEN WARM TOO.

THERE'S PROBABLY SOME SORT OF WOODY MATERIAL.

AS FOR WHAT TYPE OF MUSHROOM IT IS, IT'S HARD TO TELL FOR SURE FROM THESE PICTURES.

SOME SORT OF AGARCI.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE GREEN SPORED POLYPORES.

SO, IF YOU'RE SEEING WHITE MUSHROOMS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE THAT HAVE A GREEN PORES ON THE BOTTOM, YOU'LL WANT TO MAKE SURE TO GET RID OF THEM BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE TOXIC ONES THAT WE'VE MENTIONED.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND ONE MORE AND THIS IS WAY COOL.

SHE FOUND THIS THIS IN FONTENELLE FOREST.

>> YEAH, SO SOME SORT OF SLIDE MOLD, POSSIBLY THE RASPBERRY SLIME MOLD.

BUT AGAIN, YEAH, MUSHROOMS ARE AWESOME.

>> THEY ARE.

ALL RIGHT, JEFF, TWO PICTURES ON THE FIRST ONE HERE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM TALMAGE.

SHE HAS A MAPLE THAT'S BEEN LOSING LEAFS FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS.

SHE DOESN'T SEE ANYTHING ON IT.

SHE HAS BEEN WATERING IT.

>> YEAH.

MAPLES HAVE VERY SHALLOW ROOT SYSTEMS.

AND THESE ARE YOUNG TREES AND I DON'T SEE ANY MULCH AROUND THE BASE OF THESE TREES.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE OUT THERE.

EVEN THOUGH SHE'S BEEN WATERING IT THEY'RE FIGHTING THE CLIMATE AND THEY'RE FIGHTING THE TURF THAT'S TRYING TO TAKE THE MOISTURE AWAY.

SO, WE NEED TO GET MULCH RINGS AROUND THESE TREES.

SOMETHING FIVE, SIX FEET WIDE WITH TWO INCHES OF MULCH.

AND THAT SHOULD HELP THESE TREES GET THROUGH THIS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE, JEFF.

THIS IS ALSO A MAPLE.

HE'S CALLING IT NORWEGIAN.

IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THOSE HYBRIDS.

PLANTED LAST OCTOBER.

OVER THE SUMMER, THE TREE HAS GONE FROM GREEN TO YELLOW AND NOW LOOKS LIKE IT'S DYING.

>> YEAH.

WELL, TO ME AGAIN, I THINK IT'S STRESSED.

AND SO ,I THINK SAME SORT OF ANSWER AS THE FIRST ONE.

WE NEED TO GET SOME PROTECTIVE MULCH IN THERE.

I WOULD DOUBLE CHECK AND MAKE SURE THE TREE ISN'T PLANTED TOO DEEPLY.

SO, WE WANT THAT ROOT ZONE RIGHT AT THE SURFACE.

MAKE SURE IT'S A YOUNG ENOUGH TREE THAT -- THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME.

IF IT SEEMS TOO DEEP, GO AHEAD AND TRY TO WORK IT AND SEE IF YOU CAN LIFT IT UP AND WATER IT REALLY WELL TO GET A MULCH RING IN THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JEFF.

ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A RED BUD ABOUT 8 YEARS OLD.

THIS IS IN YORK.

WAS LOOKING GREAT ALL YEAR.

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HALF OF IT DIED.

IS THERE ANY HOPE OR CAN WE FIGURE OUT WHAT WENT WRONG FROM ONE PICTURE?

>> YOU KNOW, THE BASE OF THE TREE NARROWS AS IT GOES INTO THE GROUND WHICH IS KIND OF A CONCERN TO ME.

SO AGAIN, IS IT TOO DEEP?

WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON THERE?

BUT OBVIOUSLY, THE PLANT IS NOT GROWING AT THE BASE THERE.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, GET A NEW RED BUD.

>> EXACTLY.

AND ONE FROM LINCOLN.

SHE HAS A BIRCH.

AND SHE SAID IN JUST A FEW WEEKS THE TOP LOOKS LIKE IT'S DYING.

IF YOU LOOK CLOSE, IT LOOKS LIKE A RIVER BIRCH.

>> YEAH.

>> PROBABLY.

>> RIGHT.

SO RIVER BIRCHES ARE COOL TREES.

THERE'S A LOT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

I KNOW WHEN I WORKED IN OMAHA, THERE WAS A LOT IN OMAHA.

YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WE'RE ON THE EDGE FOR RIVER BIRCH.

AND THEY HAVE VERY SURFACE ROOTS.

SO AGAIN, YOU HAVE TO WATCH THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THOSE LIKE I ANSWERED IN THE PREVIOUS QUESTIONS.

RIVER BIRCHES DO THAT.

IT'S GONNA GET SMALLER.

YOU KNOW, KINDO F LIKE PEOPLE, THEY GET SMALLER AS THEY AGE.

RIVER BIRCHES TEND TO DO THAT.

SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO REMOVE THE TREE TO GET THE DEAD OUT OF IT.

BUT BE PREPARED FOR TO GET SMALLER.

>> AND THE WORD RIVER.

>> YEAH.

>> NOT VERY WET RIGHT NOW.

>> RIGHT.

>>> WELL YOU KNOW, SO MANY TIMES WE CARE FOR OUR LANDSCAPES AND GARDENS TO GET THEM GOING IN THE SPRING, KEEP THEM GOING IN THE SUMMER.

BY THE TIME FALL COMES AROUND, WE'RE TIRED OF THEM.

THEY'RE TIRED OF US.

AND THERE'S A LULL IN MAKING SURE THEY'RE TAKEN CARE OF.

SO HERE'S JEFF TO REMIND US THAT GOOD WATERING IN THE FALL IS CRITICAL TO YOUR LANDSCAPE'S HEALTH IN THE WINTER.

♪♪ >>> WELL THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO IS AS WE GO INTO FALL IS TO CONTINUE WATERING OUR PLANTS.

AS THINGS COOL OFF, AS WE GET INTO FALL ACTIVITIES, THAT MAYBE SOMETHING THAT WE JUST KIND OF SET ASIDE.

IT'S NOT SUMMER.

IT'S NOT THE HEAT OF SUMMER SO WE'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT IT AS MUCH.

BUT OUR LANDSCAPE PLANTS, IN PARTICULAR THINGS PLANTED IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO REALLY NEED TO BE WATERED AS WE GO INTO FALL, AS WE GET THOURGH LATE SUMMER -- ESPECIALLY THIS LATE SUMMER HEAT.

SO ONE THING YOU WANT TO THINK ABOUT IS MAKING SURE THAT YOU GET ABOUT AN INCH A WATER A WEEK IN THERE.

AND THAT MAY BE FROM RAINFALL.

SO YOU CAN MONITOR IF WE GET SOME RAIN.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING YOU WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT QUITE AS MUCH.

BUT THE OTHER THING IS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPLEMENT THE RAINFALL WITH SOME IRRIGATION.

AND YOU CAN DO THAT WITH EITHER SETTING A HOSE AROUND A BASE OF A TREE, USING SOAKER HOSES, KIND OF A LOW VOLUME SPRINKLER, THAT SORT OF THING.

AND THEN TESTING THAT SOIL USING A -- AT LEAST A 12-INCH-LONG PIECE OF REBAR, SCREWDRIVER, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE MOISTURE DOWN AT LEAST 12 INCHES.

WHILE IT'S STILL IN THE 80s, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WATERING AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH.

AS WE GET INTO THE 70s, AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.

AND THEN WE CONTINUE THAT REALLY UNTIL THE GROUND FREEZES.

SO UNTIL WE'VE HAD MAYBE THREE OR FOUR DAYS IN A ROW OF HIGHS IN THE 30s.

THEN, AS WE GO THROUGH THE WINTER, IF WE HAVE WARM DAYS, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TO GIVE OUR PLANTS SOME WATER.

>> YOU CAN USE THAT SOIL PROBE TO GUIDE YOU WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING THAT LANDSCAPE WELL WATERED THIS FALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND NOT MUCH TIME.

SO JODY, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM OCONTO, NEBRASKA.

WHAT KIND OF A SPIDER IS THIS?

>> THIS IS THE BLACK HAND YELLOW GARDEN SPIDER OR ZIG ZAG SPIDER BECAUSE OF THAT PATTERN IN THE WEB.

>> "CHARLOTTE'S WEB."

AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY IN OUR GARDEN YET.

DARN IT.

ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE ONE ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM MILFORD.

SHE SAID THIS SPIDER IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A DIME.

>> THIS IS A REALLY CUTE SPOTTED ORB WEAVER.

SO, THEY'RE MAKING THOSE BIG ORB WEBS OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW.

>> IS IT DYING?

GROWING UP?

>> THAT ABDOMEN IS PRETTY BULBOUS, YES.

BUT IT WILL GET BIGGER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM HALLUM.

HE FOUND IT IN A GARAGE TODAY AND WONDERS WHAT THIS IS.

>> THIS IS A REALLY LARGE MOTH CALLED THE BLACK WITCH.

>> COMMON?

>> IT'S PRETTY COMMON.

YOU CAN FIND IT THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND DEPENDING ON YOUR CULTURE IT'S EITHER LUCKY OR UNLUCKY.

>> OH.

>> THE MONEY MOTH OR THE BUTTERFLY OF DEATH.

YOU KNOW.

>> OH, DEAR.

>> GOOD LUCK.

>> YEAH, IT DEPENDS.

>> THEN I THINK YOU HAVE ONE MORE, JODY.

THIS ONE COMES TO US FROM COLUMBUS.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS A BLACK HORSE FLY AND THIS ONE'S A MALE.

SO IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SCISSOR LIKE BITING MOUTH PARTS, BUT THE FEMALES DO FEED ON MAMMALS.

>> WELL THE INTERESTING THING IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN AROUND HORSE FLIES, YOU CAN'T FEEL THEM UNTIL YOU ARE BITTEN.

>> IT HURTS.

>> IT HURTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TERRI, TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM ATLANTIC, IOWA.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS CRAWLING UP THE TREE AND OVER THE STUMP.

THEY KIND OF WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS.

WOULD WE WANT TO CONTROL IT?

>> THIS IS WOOD VINE.

YOU CAN CONTROL IT IF YOU WANT.

SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY USE THIS AS LIKE A GROUND COVER.

SO YOU CAN PULL IT DOWN AND LET IT GO OVER AND USE IT AS GROUND COVER.

SO, UP TO YOU.

>> TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS ONE ALSO COMES TO US FROM IOWA.

FROM AVOCA.

WHAT PLANT IS THIS?

IT JUST MOVED INTO THEIR AREA INTO THEIR TERRACES AND THEIR FIELDS.

>> SO THIS IS A CASSIA.

THEY ALSO CALL IT THE POPCORN PLANT.

SO IF YOU LIKE PET IT, IT SHOULD SMELL LIKE POPCORN.

IT'S AN ANNUAL HERE LIKE ZONES 9 TO 11.

SO IT WILL JUST SEED ITSELF ABOUT.

YOU CAN KEEP IT OR GET RID OF IT IF YOU WANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND FROM LINCOLN, WHAT IS THIS GROWING IN HIS YARD?

HE THINKS IT'S AN UNUSUAL PLANT GROWING.

>> WELL, IT IS A PLANT, BUT I BELIEVE THAT PERHAPS THERE WAS SOME PRE- EMERGENT OR POST-EMERGENT OF MISOTRIONE PUT DOWN AND THAT'S WHAT IS DOING THIS.

THAT'S WHAT IT DOES ON EXISTIN PLANTS.

>> YEAH, SO IN OTHER WORDS, ALL THAT GHOSTLY WHITE GRASS IN PEOPLE'S LAWN RIGHT NOW IS NOT ALIEN.

>> KYLE LIKES MUSHROOMS.

I LIKE WEIRD COLORED PLANTS.

>> OKAY.

KYLE, LET SEE.

YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THE FIRST ONE.

HELPING A NEIGHBOR.

LARGE PATCH OF LILY OF THE VALLEY NORTH FACING.

THE LEAVES ARE TURNING THIS RUST COLOR.

HAPPENED LAST YEAR.

IS THIS TOO MUCH SUN OR NOT ENOUGH WATER?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S A WATER ISSUE.

I DO THINK THERE'S A SUN COMPONENT OR AT LEAST A HEAT COMPONENT THAT THEY'RE GETTING A LITTLE BIT FRIED.

BUT THERE'S A FUNGAL LEAF SPOT, ORIDIO BOCYDIUM LEAF SPOT THAT CAN KIND OF COMES IN FROM THE TIP DOWN AND CAUSE SOME OF THOSE LESIONS.

A BROAD-SPECTRUM FUNGICIDE SHOULD CONTROL THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OMAHA, CUCUMBERS PLANTED FIVE WEEKS AGO AND THEY'RE DOING THIS.

IS THIS THE VIRUS?

>> IT'S NOT THE VIRUS WHATEVER THE VIRUS IS.

MOST LIKELY SOME SORT OF - ANGULAR LEAF SPOTM ONE OF OUR BACTERIAL DISEASES.

REALLY, NOTHING TO DO ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW ANYWAY.

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

THIS IS CHERRY TREES THIS SPRING AND THEY'RE SHOWING THESE LEAF SPOTS.

YEAH.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, CHERRY TREES GET A HANDFUL OF LEAF SPOTS.

I THINK THAT THIS MIGHT BE A BLUMERIELLA LEAF SPOT WHICH CAN CAUSE SOME OF THESE LARGER, LARGER YELLOW OR MORE CHLOROTIC AREAS ON THE LEAFS.

AS FAR AS CONTROL, REALLY NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

IT'S NOT GONNA HARM THE OVERALL LIFE THE TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JEFF, ONE PICTURE ON THE FIRST ONE.

WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE WATERMELON.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S PROBABLY OVERLY RIPE.

YOU KNOW, THE ONE THING WITH WATERMELONS TO KEEP IN MIND, IF THE WEIGHT OF THE WATERMELON SEEMS APPROPRIATE, THEN YOU CAN EAT IT.

MAYBE YOU WANT TO GET RID OF THE YELLOW SPOTS.

BUT IF IT SEEMS LIGHT, THEN I WOULDN'T EAT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICS ON THE NEXT ONE.

BIG OLD AMERICAN ELM.

STARTED DYING.

HAS NEW GROWTH ON THE TRUNK.

DO THEY JUST TRIM OUT THE DEAD AND WILL IT COME BACK TO LIFE OR IS THIS A GONER?

>> I THINK THIS IS A GONER.

I'M SEEING ADEVETITIUOS BUDS AND EPICORMIC SHOOTS AND THOSE ARE SIGNS THAT THE TREE IS DECLINING QUICKLY.

SO I TIHNK IT'S TIME FOR A NEW ELM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICS ON THIS VERY LAST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM PLATSMOUTH.

BIG OLD BLACK WALNUT.

THIS CENTRAL PIECE HAS NO BARK IN IT.

THEY'VE LOST TOP BRANCHES.

LOOSE BARK.

THEY HOPED TO GROW IT THROUGH WOOD HARVEST.

SO DO YOU SEE IN THAT?

AND I THINK WE HAVE MAYBE A SECOND PICTURE THAT'S A LITTLE CLOSER.

IS --YEAH.

>> YEAH, I THINK BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE TREE AND THE SIZE OF THE BRANCHES UP THERE, THAT UNION OF BRANCHES, THAT'S A CONCERN.

AS LONG AS YOU'RE NOT NEAR A HOME OR SIDEWALK OR SOMETHING WHERE SOMEONE MIGHT BE YOU'RE OKAY.

BUT I THINK THAT THAT IS LOOKING LIKE A TREE THAT WILL FAIL.

>> THAT MAY IN FACT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH ITS QUALITY AS LUMBER AS WELL.

>> YEAH.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE IT, YOU SHOULD TAKE IT SOONER THAN LATER.

>> RIGHT, BEFORE IT DOES THAT ALL THE WAY DOWN.

>> RIGHT.

>>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS.

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED THOSE PICTURES AND QUESTIONS.

THANKS TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW, ESPECIALLY LIGHTNING.

HELPING US ON THE PHONE THIS EVENING WERE LINDA HELTON, CAROL RUSTAD AND JOHN CARIOTTO.

NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL BE HELPING YOU WITH ANOTHER FALL TIP FOCUSING ON EASING THOSE HOUSE PLANTS BACK INTO THE HOUSE.

SO GOODNIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

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

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪