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

TONIGHT I'M BACKYARD FARMER.

WE'LL CHECK OUT A HORTICULTURAL GEM IN LINCOLN AND WE'LL SEE WHAT INSECT MAKES THESE PERFECT CIRCLES AND LEAVES.

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

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO BACKYARD FARMER.

I'M YOUR HOST, KIM TODD, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE BACK FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF GOOD GARDENING.

YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH US TONIGHT AND TALK TO OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS BY DIALING 1-800-676-5446, OR SEND US THOSE EMAILS AND PICTURES TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

ALL WE ASK IS THAT YOU GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR GARDEN ISSUE AS YOU CAN, AND PLEASE TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE.

FOLLOW BACKYARD FARMER DURING THE WEEK FOR MORE GREAT TIPS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES, INCLUDING FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND YOUTUBE.

SO LET'S START WITH SAMPLES.

YOU ARE ALL PREPARED WITH YOUR CREATURE THERE, JODY.

>> YES.

TODAY I BROUGHT A CATERPILLAR FROM MY GARDEN.

SO I GO AROUND SPRINKLING DILL.

IT'S KIND OF JUST LIKE WHAT YOU PICTURE, RIGHT?

I HAVE A LITTLE KIND OF SHAKER WITH SEEDS AND SPRINKLE IT ALL OVER.

SO I HAVE A LOT OF DILL.

IT'S COVERED IN BEES AND WASPS AND DIFFERENT THINGS RIGHT NOW.

BUT TODAY I FOUND THIS BLACK SWALLOWTAIL CATERPILLAR AND THIS TURNS INTO A BEAUTIFUL BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY.

HOPEFULLY YOU CAN SEE IT.

THEY'RE FEEDING ON THE DILL.

THEY IT FEEDS ON DILL, BUT IT ALSO FEEDS ON PARSLEY, ON FENNEL, CARROT, FAMILY THINGS, PARSNIP.

THERE'S A LONG LIST.

AND I'VE LOOKED IT UP BECAUSE WHEN I WATER SCOTT'S PLANTS AND HE HAS AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF CATERPILLARS, I GO IN AND I DIVVY THEM OUT ON THE DIFFERENT PLANTS.

SO IF YOU REALLY, REALLY LIKE YOUR HERBS, YOU CAN PLANT OTHER HOST PLANTS FOR THEM AND MOVE THEM AROUND.

>> HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE THAT GUY TO GROW UP?

>> SO RIGHT NOW IT'S REALLY SMALL.

AS THEY GET BIGGER, THEY FEED ON A LOT OF THE PLANT AND IN THEIR LATER STAGES OF THE CATERPILLAR, THEY EAT A LOT.

SO IT PROBABLY WILL BE A FEW WEEKS AND THEN IT WILL GO INTO A CHRYSALIS AND THEN IT'LL BE TEN DAYS AND THEN IT'LL COME OUT AS A BUTTERFLY.

AND THEY OVERWINTER IN A CHRYSALIS AS WELL.

>> WONDERFUL.

OKAY, JEFF, YOU BROUGHT A GIANT MILKWEED.

>> I BROUGHT A GIANT COMMON MILKWEED.

SO I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT MILKWEED IS A POPULAR PLANT A LOT OF TIMES FOR THE, THE OTHER REASONS WE TALKED ABOUT CATERPILLARS AND MONARCH BUTTERFLIES.

SO I KNOW IT'S POPULAR FOR THAT.

THERE WE GO.

SO THE GREAT THING ABOUT IT IS, IS THAT IT DOES REALLY WELL IN OUR AREA.

IT'S VERY HARDY.

IF YOU GET ONE, YOU WILL KEEP IT FOR A LONG TIME.

SO THEY'RE LONG LIVED.

THEY TEND TO SPREAD.

SO THEY'RE RHIZOMATOUS.

SO YOU Y WANT TO KIND OF CUT IT BACK AND THAT SORT OF THING.

IT'LL COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND THERE'LL BE A FEW MORE.

SO IF YOU WANT TO HAVE IT, I LIKE FOR INSTANCE, THIS PARTICULAR PLANT, THIS COLONY THAT I HAVE, THEY'RE ALL ABOUT FIVE FOOT TALL OR SO RIGHT NOW, AND THEY'RE BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND THE CURB.

SO IT'S A SAFE PLACE.

THEY CAN'T GET OUT OF IT.

THEY'RE TRAPPED.

BUT YOU CAN SEE IT'S DEVELOPING SEED PODS HERE.

SO WE'LL PROBABLY GO IN.

MY WIFE AND I WILL CLIP OFF THE SEED PODS SO WE DON'T SPREAD TOO MANY MORE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE THEY DO TEND TO DO THAT.

>> LOVE IT.

WE HAVE IT IN OUR BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, LOTS.

OKAY LOREN, WHAT IS THAT?

>> WELL, I BROUGHT ALONG TONIGHT.

LATER ON THE SHOW, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT FLOWERING CRABAPPLES AND A DISEASE THAT THEY HAVE.

AND THIS IS SCAB THAT I BROUGHT ALONG, JUST STARTING TO SEE THIS DEVELOP.

AND A LOT OF THE TREES PROBABLY THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

AND I'M NOT SURE IF WE'LL GET A PICTURE OF THIS OR NOT, BUT IF WE DO, YOU CAN KIND OF SEE THAT ORIGINAL.

WELL, YEAH, WE'RE WORKING ON ZOOMING IN ON THAT, BUT YOU CAN KIND OF SEE THIS YELLOW SPOTS.

A LOT OF TIMES THEY FALL ALONG THE MIDRIB.

AND THIS IS THE DISEASE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE DEFOLIATION IN PARTICULARLY OLDER FLOWERING CRABS, BUT EVEN SOME NEWER VARIETIES OR CULTIVARS ARE ALSO SUSCEPTIBLE.

SO YOU WANT TO WATCH OUT FOR THAT WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IDENTIFYING TREES TO PLANT IN YOUR YARD.

>> EXACTLY.

OKAY, SCOTT, I DON'T THINK WE'VE HAD THIS AS SOMETHING FROM THE HORT CHAIR.

PROBABLY EVER.

SO GOOD ON YOU.

>> IT'S A REALLY FUN PLANT.

WHAT I HAVTONIGHT IS RATTLESNAKE MASTER.

IT IS A MIDWEST NATIVE PERENNIAL.

IT DOES REALLY WELL IN THE LANDSCAPE SOMETIMES MAYBE A LITTLE BIT TOO WELL.

IT CAN MEANDER, BUT NOT AT AN EXPLOSIVE RATE.

BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S IN FULL FLOWER AND YOU HAVE SOME REALLY UNIQUE FLOWERS.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A PERENNIAL THAT DOES WELL IN HOT, DRY LOCATIONS, THIS IS A GOOD PLANT FOR YOU.

BEING IT'S IN THE CARROT FAMILY.

SO IT IS POLLINATED BY FLIES.

SO A LOT OF TIMES WE'LL GET CALLS ABOUT WHERE ALL THE FLIES ON MY RATTLESNAKE MASTER.

THAT'S NORMAL.

FUN PLANT THREE SEASON OF INTEREST WHEN IT'S EVEN OUT OF BLOOM.

WE HAVE A NICE STRUCTURE.

IT'S A REALLY NICE MOUNDING PLANT, BUT KEEP IN MIND IT CAN MEANDER.

>> AND IT SMELLS.

>> YES, IT DOES HAVE A FRAGRANCE.

KIM AND I TRIED THAT OUT BEFORE THE SHOW, SO.

>> YEAH.

EXCELLENT.

THANKS ALL.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE, JODY, THREE PICTURES FROM SIOUX CITY.

THIS IS A BROWN NEEDLE PROBLEM STARTED ON HER PINES A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.

SHE INSTALLED A SPRINKLER SYSTEM LAST YEAR AND WONDERS IF THAT'S THE ISSUE.

>> OKAY, I DON'T THINK IT'S THE SPRINKLER ISSUE, BUT IN ONE OF THE PICTURES, IT ZOOMS IN ON THE SHOOTS THERE.

AND SO I THINK IT'S A PINE SHOOT TIP MOTH.

AND I THINK THAT MOTH DOES LAY THE EGGS IN THAT NEW GROWTH.

SO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS PRUNE THOSE AREAS OFF BECAUSE THE PUPA OVERWINTER ON THE PLANT AND HEALTHY PLANTS AND WELL-ESTABLISHED PLANTS SHOULDN'T BE HARMED.

SO THIS MAY BE OKAY, ESPECIALLY IF SHE'S WATERING AND TAKING CARE OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THREE ON THE NEXT ONE.

THIS IS AN ESTABLISHED BURR OAK.

MATURE LEAVES ARE DRYING UP AND FALLING OFF PRETTY UNIFORMLY THROUGHOUT THE TREE.

DISEASE, INSECTS?

>> WHAT DO WE THINK?

>> IT COULD BE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

I'VE BEEN READING A LOT ABOUT OAK PROBLEMS, AND THERE ARE PAGES AND PAGES.

IT COULD BE A LOT OF THINGS I WOULD KEEP AN EYE ON THIS.

I WOULD WONDER IF IN THE PAST, LIKE LAST YEAR, IF YOU HAD SOME FLAGGING AND SOME TWIGS DROPPED, BECAUSE IF THAT'S THE CASE, IT COULD BE A TWIG GIRDLER OR A TWIG BORER.

THERE'S ALSO A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT INSECT PESTS, BUT THEN THERE ARE ALSO DIFFERENT DISEASES AND FUNGUS, RIGHT?

THAT CAN AFFECT THE OAKS.

SO YOU CAN ALWAYS BRING IN A SAMPLE.

SO WE CAN CHECK IT OUT.

>> GREAT.

AND ONE PICTURE FROM LINCOLN MOVED INTO THEIR HOUSE IN JUNE OF 22 MAGNOLIAS.

THEY TRIM THEM AND THEN THEY'RE SEEING THIS.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS MAGNOLIA SCALE.

AND WE'VE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS IN THE LAST WEEK ABOUT THIS.

I BELIEVE WE'VE HAD LIKE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS THAT HAVE MADE IT REALLY POP OUT.

AND MAYBE THE HOT HUMIDITY IS, HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD FOR THE MAGNOLIA SCALE.

SO WHAT YOU CAN DO IS TRY TO PHYSICALLY REMOVE THE SCALE THAT YOU CAN AND THEN WAIT UNTIL THE CRAWLER PHASE WHERE YOU CAN TREAT WITH HORTICULTURAL OIL.

THAT'S THE ONLY TIME THAT THEY'RE ACTIVE IN MOVING AROUND.

JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT THOSE ADULT SCALES WILL STILL BE THERE EVEN IF THE SCALES ARE DEAD.

IF YOU DO CONTACT A CERTIFIED ARBORIST OR SOMEONE THAT WOULD WANT TO TREAT PROFESSIONALLY, THEY WILL LIKELY SUGGEST A SYSTEMIC THAT YOU CAN USE EITHER IN THE FALL OR THAT THEY'LL DO IN THE FALL OR IN THE SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

GREAT.

THANKS, JODY.

JEFF, THREE PICTURES FROM JUST WEST OF KEARNEY.

>> OKAY.

>> HE HAS AN EMBANKMENT, BACKS UP TO AN OPEN AREA.

FOR 20 YEARS.

IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL.

2 TO 3 YEARS AGO, HERE CAME THE TUMBLEWEEDS.

AND THERE'S THIS GARDEN AND THERE'S HIS GARDEN.

AND HERE'S THE SLOPE.

AND HE WONDERS WHAT IN THE WORLD HE'S GOT RUSSIAN THISTLE AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

HE WONDERS HOW HE CAN MANAGE THIS, AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO DAMAGE EVERYTHING ELSE, THE GRASSES.

HE WANTS HE WANTS THE BAD GUYS OUT OF THERE.

>> SURE.

YEAH.

RIGHT.

WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST STAGE RIGHT NOW, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW OLD THESE PICTURES ARE, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE NOTHING'S FLOWERING.

SO YOU WANT TO STAY ON TOP OF THAT.

AND WHETHER YOU'RE GOING OUT WITH A STRING TRIMMER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND CUTTING THINGS BACK, YOU WANT TO KEEP ON TOP OF THAT.

RIGHT NOW, OUR TEMPERATURES ARE REALLY GOING TO BE TOO WARM OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS TO REALLY DO A LOT OF HERBICIDE SPRAYING.

SO I WOULD FOCUS ON KIND OF MECHANICAL WORK AS FAR AS THAT, MAKING SURE WE KEEP THINGS DOWN.

AND THEN AS WE GET IN LATER INTO THE YEAR, YOU COULD DO SOME SPOT SPRAYING ON THE BROADLEAF WEEDS AGAIN.

SO THAT WAY YOU'RE NOT AFFECTING ANYTHING ELSE.

AND THEN I WOULD SUGGEST LOOKING AT A SEED MIX.

YOU CAN TALK TO YOUR LOCAL SEED PROVIDER AS FAR AS MAYBE COMING IN AND RAKING IN SOME NATIVE SEEDS, MAYBE A MIX OF COOL SEASON AND WARM SEASON INTO SOME OF THOSE BARE AREAS AND SEE IF WE CAN GET THAT GOING.

BUT IT'LL PROBABLY BE A THREE YEAR PERIOD OF KIND OF STICKING WITH THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JEFF.

FROM FREMONT, ONE PICTURE TO KILL THE THISTLES AGAINST THE FENCE.

AND THEN FROM UNION, TWO PICTURES OF MUSK THISTLES, LARGE SCALE AREA.

AND WHAT HE IS SHOWING IN THESE PICTURES IS THE NUMBER OF SEED HEADS HE CUT OFF.

HE AGAIN DOESN'T WANT TO SPRAY BECAUSE THREATENED AMERICAN BUMBLEBEES LOVE THEM.

SURE SOW THISTLE, THISTLE, THISTLE TIME.

>> WELL WE HAVE REALLY TWO TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES HERE WITH CANADA THISTLE THE FIRST ONE.

SO THAT'S A AGAIN ANOTHER ONE THAT THAT WILL SPREAD THROUGH RHIZOMES.

SO YOU CAN CUT IT BACK.

YOU CAN DO SOME STUFF.

BUT IT'S IT'S GOT A LOT OF ENERGY IN THOSE RHIZOMES.

SO IT'S HARDER TO KILL.

THAT'S ONE THAT I WOULD DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE SURE I CUT IT BACK.

AND AS SOON AS I CUT IT BACK AND AGAIN, I KNOW I JUST SAID DON'T USE HERBICIDE.

YOU KNOW, AS THINGS COOL OFF, I ULD GO IN AND DO SOME SPOT SPRAYING ON THOSE, BUT CUT IT AND SPRAY IT.

AND THAT WAY YOU'RE NOT WASTING IT.

YOU'RE NOT SPRAYING THIS WHOLE GIANT STEM AND WASTING A LOT OF MATERIAL AND AFFECTING EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO THEN AGAIN, THAT'LL BE A MULTI-YEAR PROJECT.

SO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO.

THE OTHER ONE, THE MASTISOL, IT'S A BIENNIAL.

HE DID THE RIGHT THING BY REMOVING THE SEED HEAD.

YOU CAN THEY'LL PRODUCE ANOTR SEED HEAD.

IF YOU DIDN'T CUT THE STEMS ALL THE WAY DOWN.

SO THEY'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

I'D FOCUS ON AGAIN KEEPING THINGS CUT DOWN, LOOKING.

THEN AGAIN AT THIS FALL FOR THE NEW ROSETTES COMING AND TREAT THOSE.

THAT'S THE EASIEST TIME TO GET THEM.

GET THEM BEFORE WE'RE INTO YEAR TWO WITH THOSE.

>> GREAT.

THANKS, JEFF.

THEN WE HAVE TWO PICTURES FROM EWING.

OH WAIT, NO, IT'S YOUR TURN.

YEAH.

SO WE HAVE TWO ACTUALLY TWO PICTURES.

AND IT IS A LAWN THAT IS KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS.

AND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS, LOREN?

>> I LOOK AT THIS PICTURE AND THEN THERE'S A CLOSE UP.

ALSO, I DIDN'T REALLY SEE ANYTHING THAT I THOUGHT WAS A SPECIFIC LIKE FOLIAR DISEASE.

I'M WONDING ABOUT JUST SOME DRY AREA, HOW SPRINKLERS ARE WORKING.

I WOULD DO AN EVALUATION, MAKE SURE THE SPRINKLERS ARE COVERING EVERYTHING.

IF YOUR WATERING OR IF IT'S A LOCALIZED, SOME LOCALIZED AREA OF DRY SPOT.

ASCOCHYTA LEAF BLIGHT IS A DISEASE THAT'S FAVORED BY THAT.

AND THE WAY THE TIPS ARE ROLLING AND IT'S BLEACHED OUT, IT COULD EASILY BE THAT, BUT IT'S NOT ANYTHING TO TREAT.

YOU JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'VE GOT ADEQUATE MOISTURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND NOW TWO FROM EWING circle CIRCLES IN THE YARD.

>> THESE ARE GREAT REALLY NICE PICTURES.

THERE'S A COUPLE I THINK IN THIS ONE.

AND THIS IS A NICE EXAMPLE OF OF FAIRY RINGS.

AND FAIRY RINGS WILL DO THIS WHEN IT'S FORMING BASICALLY A HYDROPHOBIC AREA OR DRY ZONE AROUND WHERE IT'S BREAKING THE THATCH DOWN.

SO A FEW THINGS YOU CAN DO.

YOU CAN TRY TO AERATE THE AREA AND MIX IT UP, YOU KNOW, LATER THIS YEAR, SOMETIMES THEY WILL COMPETE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.

THAT'S ONE WAY YOU CAN.

I'VE SEEN PEOPLE USE TO GET RID OF THEM.

THE OTHER THING YOU CAN DO IS JUST TRY TO BREAK THAT AREA UP.

IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY DRY SO YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO WATER IT EASILY.

EVEN TAKING SOMETHING WITH PRONGS OR LIKE A POTATO SPADE OR SOMETHING, IT JUST MAKES SOME AERATED HOLES IN THERE SO YOU CAN GET SOME WATER INTO THE AREA.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO FROM FALLBROOK AREA OF NORTHWEST LINCOLN.

SHE HAS BLACK EYED SUSANS, AND SHE'S WONDERING ABOUT BLACK EYED SUSANS.

>> YEAH.

IT'S A COMMON DISEASE THAT THEY WE SEE ON BLACK EYED SUSANS IS A SEPTORIA LEAF SPOT.

AND I THINK I BROUGHT THIS IN ACTUALLY ON THE SHOW EARLIER THIS YEAR.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THIS PERSON IS DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT.

THEY'RE MULCHING, THEY'RE USING DRIP IRRIGATION.

SO THERE'S NOT OVERHEAD IRRIGATION, WHICH WOULD FAVOR THE DISEASE.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS JUST ONE THAT'S PRETTY COMMON, PARTICULARLY AS WE GET, YOU KNOW, STANDS THAT THE PLANT'S BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE.

IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE RESIDUE.

SO ANYTHING YOU CAN DO SANITATION AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO CLEAN IT UP IS GOING TO HELP, BUT YOU'RE PROBABLY STILL GOING TO HAVE IT.

IT'S NOT A DEVASTATING DISEASE.

IF YOU'RE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SPOTTING AND YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD GET JUST A GENERAL.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT FUNGICIDES WOULD HAVE ACTIVITY ON THAT.

BUT I HATE TO RECOMMEND THAT IN THIS SETTING.

I MEAN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE JUST YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME LEAF SPOTS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LITTLE DEFOLIATION, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO KILL THE PLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SCOTT FROM WAHOO SEVERE HERBICIDE DRIFT LEAVES, CURLED CONCORD GRAPE OR THE VINE IS ABOUT 25 YEARS OL WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> THERE'S NOT MUCH WE CAN DO WITH HERBICIDE DRIFT.

ALL WE COULD DO IS WAIT, WATER, WATCH, TRY TO KEEP THE PLANT HEALTHY, BUT DON'T FERTILIZE BECAUSE WE CAN MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE WITH FERTILIZERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM MCCOOK.

THREE PICTURES OF RED TWIG, DOGWOOD, AND SO SEVERE FROST AND THEN CRISPY.

AND THEN HERE WE HAVE WITH THESE WITCH'S BROOM.

SHE'S SHE'S HOPING THAT THIS WILL COME OUT OF IT BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF WEED KILLER GOING ON NEXT DOOR.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I DON'T KNOW, THIS IS A REALLY INTERESTING THING.

WITCH'S BROOM.

IT COULD BE CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS.

SOME HERBICIDES CAN CAUSE IT, PHYTOPLASMAS, VIRUSES.

THE BEST THING TO DO IS TRY TO KEEP THE PLANT HEALTHY AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR.

AGAIN, DON'T FERTILIZE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE WAIT AND SEE.

IF IT DOES CONTINUE NEXT YEAR, EN IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO NEED TO COME OUT OF THE LANDSCAPE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE OF WHAT IS THIS BLACK MESS ON MY TOMATOES?

>> YES.

THIS IS MY FAVORITE BLOSSOM END ROT.

IT'S NOT A FUNGUS.

IT'S A CALCIUM TRANSPORT ISSUE.

KEEP THE PLANT EVENLY MOIST MULCH, BUT DON'T ADD EPSOM SALT.

>> EXACTLY.

THAT'S FOR YOUR FEET WHEN THEY ACHE.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, SUNKEN GARDENS HERE IN LINCOLN HAS BEEN A TRUE HORTICULTURAL GEM FOR MANY YEARS.

THIS SEASON, THEY'VE PARTNERED WITH UNL'S INTERNATIONAL QUILT CENTER TO CREATE ANOTHER WONDERFUL GARDEN SPACE THAT BURSTS WITH COLOR AND TEXTURE, AND IS INTERESTING TO ANYONE WHO STROLLS THROUGH ITS PATHS.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> SO WE WERE AT SUNKEN GARDENS, 27TH AND CAPITAL PARKWAY, KIND OF THE CENTER OF LINCOLN HERE.

THIS IS THE GEM OF THE CITY AS FAR AS HUGE FLORAL DISPLAY.

WE PLANT AROUND 35000 TO 45,000 TROPICALS AND ANNUALS EACH YEAR.

KIND OF DID SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

IT WAS A COLLABORATION WITH THE QUILT MUSEUM.

THE QUILT MUSEUM REACHED OUT, AND WITH THIS YEAR BEING 250 YEARS OF AMERICA, THEY REACHED OUT AND KIND OF WANTED TO DO A COLLABORATION OF USING THE QUILT, SINCE THEY ARE SUCH A MAIN STAPLE IN AMERICA.

SO WE VISITED THE QUILT MUSEUM, WENT DOWN THERE AND GOT A HUGE REALM OF DIFFERENT QUILTS AND DIFFERENT DESIGNS.

A LOT OF THE PATTERNS, THE STAR PATTERNS, THE BORDERS AND INCORPORATED THEM IN THIS YEAR'S DESIGN AT SUNKEN GARDENS.

>> WHILE, YES, WE ARE DRAWING FROM THOSE QUILTS TO KIND OF HAVE THOSE DESIGNS, AS YOU KNOW, QUILTS ARE VERY LINEAR AND VE GEOMETRICAL, WHICH IS KIND OF TOUGH TO DO WITH PLANTS.

SO A LOT OF WHAT WE DO, WE ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE THE GARDEN AT THE END OF MAY IS DIFFERENT THAN THE GARDEN AT THE END OF JUNE IS DIFFERENT THAN THE GARDEN AT THE END OF JULY, AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

WHILE WE'RE DESIGNING, WE KIND OF ALLOW FOR THAT SPACE OF LIKE, OKAY, SO MAYBE THIS PLANT WILL TAKE OFF AND TAKE OVER THAT AREA.

WE ALLOW THAT STUFF TO HAPPEN BECAUSE YOU JUST CAN'T CONTROL SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BASICALLY, DUE TO EXPERIENCE.

WE KIND OF KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO WORK DOWN HERE.

SO WE HAVE OUR BREAD AND BUTTER PLANTS, OUR PENTAS, OUR ZINNIAS, OUR COLEUS, STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO WE KIND OF HAVE A PRETTY BROAD DEPTH TO DRAW FROM OF WHAT TO USE IN THESE GARDENS.

AND THEN WE ALSO COLLABORATE WITH A LOT OF FOLKS IN THE INDUSTRY JUST IN TOWN.

>> THIS PLACE IS REALLY SPECIAL BECAUSE IT IS A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

IT'S A HUGE KIND OF GROUP EFFORT DOWN HERE WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEER HELP THAT PUT THIS GARDEN TOGETHER.

WHEN WE INITIALLY INSTALL, WE HAVE ABOUT 60 TO 100 VOLUNTEERS HELP US WITH THE MAIN INSTALLMENT EACH YEAR ON MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND.

SO IT IS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON WITH THAT INSTALL.

THEN EACH WEEK WE HAVE TUESDAY AND THURSDAY GARDEN GAB WITH VOLUNTEER HELP AS WELL.

SO THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR, IT IS A PROCESS OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND IT'S A HUGE DISPLAY FOR LINCOLN THAT A LOT OF VISITORS CAN COME DOWN AND SEE THE DIFFERENT DESIGN PATTERNS AND COLOR THROUGHOUT THE GARDEN.

>> IT CHANGES EVERY YEAR.

SO EVERY YEAR WE'VE GOT A NEW DESIGN.

SO NOT ONLY JUST COMING ONCE A YEAR WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA.

BUT AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER WITH THE SEASONALITY, COME BACK ONCE EVERY MONTH AND SEE THE CHANGE.

WE HAVE HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF WEDDINGS HERE EVERY YEAR, SO IT DEFINITELY HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN PEOPLE'S HEARTS FOR THAT REASON.

AND THEN I THINK JUST THE HISTORY OF BEING THE GEM OF LINCOLN.

(RUSTLING) >> THERE'S SO MUCH COLOR AND TEXTURE IN THESE BEAUTIFUL BEDS TO SEE ALL SEASON LONG.

DO MAKE SURE YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT WHEN YOU ARE VISITING LINCOLN.

ALL RIGHT.

THREE FROM OMAHA.

GROUP OF ASTERS HAVE THIS STRANGE CURLING, JODY.

REST OF THEM LOOK OKAY AS THIS ASTER YELLOWS IS THIS INSECTS?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S INSECTS.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW.

I DON'T THINK IT'S INSECTS BECAUSE IT'S VERY UNIFORMLY WEIRD.

AND IT I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT ASTER YELLOWS AND IT'S NOT THE ROSETTE MITE, SO.

>> BRING US ONE.

>> YEAH.

CAN'T TELL YOU.

SORRY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE FROM LINCOLN.

THIS IS SHOWING UP ON SEVERAL LEAVES OF HER SWEET JOE-PYE WEED.

DOESN'T SEEM TO HURT THE HEALTH.

>> YEAH, IT WON'T HURT IT.

THIS IS A TYPE OF LEAF MINER WHICH IS A FLY.

SO THE LARVAE FEED BETWEEN THE LAYERS OF THE LEAF.

AND IT'S.

IT'S NOT A PROBLEM.

>> AND THESE TWO ARE FROM SUPERIOR.

THERE'S THE BACK SIDE OF THIS LEAF AND THERE'S THE FRONT, THESE LITTLE FLAT, TRANSPARENT BROWN HAPPY FACE THINGS THAT SHE THOUGHT WERE EGGS.

BUT THEY LOOK LIKE A SCALE.

>> THEY DO LOOK LIKE A SCALE AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE.

I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO REAR THEM OUT AND TELL ME WHAT THEY ARE.

WE'RE ALL DYING TO KNOW.

>> AND ONE FROM OMAHA.

SO SHE'S GOT THIS STRANGE GROWTH THAT SHE CUTS OFF HER HONEYSUCKLE.

AND EVERY YEAR IT COMES BACK.

>> YEAH, IT'S A HONEYSUCKLE APHID, ALSO CALLED A RUSSIAN APHID.

THEY HAVE THEIR EGGS OVERWINTER IN THOSE ON THE PLANT.

SO IF YOU CAN CUT THEM OFF EARLY BEFORE THEY START TO CURL UP BECAUSE THE ADULTS ARE STUCK IN THERE AND YOU CAN'T TREAT THEM, IT'LL JUST BE A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.

SO IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TIMING THERE.

>> AND THEY ALSO LIKE THE NEW GROWTH.

SO THE MORE YOU PRUNE, THE MORE THEY HAVE TO MUNCH ON.

>> THERE ARE SOME RESISTANT CULTIVARS THAT I WOULD SAY.

>> YES, THERE ARE, BUT IT'S HONEYSUCKLE.

OKAY.

LET'S SEE.

THREE FROM CRETE.

JEFF, THIS GRASS IS TAKING OVER HIS FLOWER BEDS.

THE STEMS BREAK OFF BEFORE THE ROOTS COME OUT.

IT GETS 4 TO 5FT TALL.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO CONTROL IT WITHOUT DAMAGING HIS DESIRABLE.

>> YOU KNOW, I'M THINKING THIS JOHNSONGRASS AS BIG AS THAT IS.

AND WITH THE RHIZOMES.

SO.

AND AGAIN, RIGHT NOW, MY SUGGESTION IS, IS TO PULL WHAT YOU CAN AND CONTINUE TO KEEP IT PULLED SO IT DOESN'T DO ANY MORE PROPAGATION.

IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO SPREAD.

AND THEN LATER THIS YEAR, AS WE GET INTO THE END OF AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, YOU CAN DO SOME SPOT SPRAYING WITH GLYPHOSATE PRODUCT AND IT SHOULD HANDLE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE FROM LINCOLN.

THIS IS A WEED GROWING IN HIS FLOWER BED.

AND HE WONDERS WHAT THIS ONE IS.

>> LOOKS LIKE.

NIMBLEWILL.

SO IT'S ANOTHER LITTLE WARM SEASON.

SO AGAIN SAME SORT OF THING.

RIGHT NOW I WOULD GO AHEAD AND TRY TO KIND OF KEEP IT PULLED AS BEST YOU CAN CONTROLLED.

AND AS WE GET LATER IN THE YEAR, YOU COULD LOOK AT SOMETHING WITH A MESOTRIONE.

SO TENACITY IS KIND OF THE NAME BRAND, BUT ONE OF THOSE PRODUCTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO FROM LINCOLN.

THIS WAS ACTUALLY A VISITOR IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN AND ASKED ABOUT THIS GRASSY WEED.

AND THAT PIECE IS ABOUT 24IN LONG ON THAT ONE.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, I'M THINKING BARNYARD GRASS OR PANIC GRASS IS ANOTHER NAME FOR IT.

AND AGAIN, THAT'S A MESOTRIONE TREATMENT.

KIM LATER THIS YEAR.

NOT RIGHT NOW.

SO I'LL BE WATCHING YOU.

>> I DON'T EVER USE THOSE THINGS.

I'LL JUST PULL IT UP.

>> CALL ME YOU PROBABLY NEED TO SPRAY IT.

>> WE'LL TELL THEM.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE.

LOREN.

TWO PICTURES.

THIS IS AN IVORY SILK TREE LILAC.

SEPTEMBER OF '22.

'23 HAD SOME FLOWERS.

NOW IT'S GOT THESE LEAVES AND GROUPS AND SHRIVELED.

SIMILAR TREE, SAME ISSUES.

GOOD BRANCH GROWTH.

I THINK KYLE TALKED ABOUT ASH YELLOWS IN LILAC.

AND THIS IS LILAC.

>> OH IT'S.

IT'D BE POSSIBLE.

WITH THAT, I WONDERED.

SOME OF THE LEAVES LOOK KIND OF LIKE IT HAD SOME STRAPPING ON IT.

THEY SAID THEY ALSO HAD ONE IN THE BACK THAT LOOKED GOOD.

I WONDERED ABOUT A HERBICIDE INJURY IN THIS, BUT.

RIGHT.

AND I WOULD KIND OF WATCH THIS AND SEE HOW IT GROWS OUT.

IF IT CONTINUES TO BE LIKE THIS, IT'S PROBABLY THE YELLOWS AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO REPLACE IT.

>> OKAY, THREE FROM ELKHORN.

HERE YOU GO.

THIS WAS YOUR SAMPLE.

THESE ARE SPRING SNOW CRAB APPLES.

AND THIS HAPPENED IN 24 TO 48 HOURS AND SPRING SNOW IS ONE OF THOSE VERY OLD ONES.

THEY ALSO BACK UP TO A FARM FIELD.

AND THERE WAS SOME SPRAYING BECAUSE THE WEEDS ARE DEAD.

>> SO THIS ONE IS E SAMPLE I BROUGHT TONIGHT, THE SCAB DISEASE.

YOU CAN SEE THE YELLOWING ON THE INSIDE.

AS THE TREE GETS LARGER IT HAS MORE CANOPY ALSO.

AND THAT MOISTURE IS REALLY FAVORABLE FOR DISEASE DEVELOPMENT.

AND AGAIN, IT WILL DEFOLIATE LIKE THIS EVERY YEAR.

AND THAT PARTICULAR CULTIVAR IS VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO SCAB.

SO THAT KIND OF MATCHES UP REALLY WELL UNFORTUNATELY.

BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO KILL THE TREE.

IT'LL BE FINE.

IT'LL KEEP IT FROM GROWING REALLY BIG, REALLY FAST.

AND IT'LL BE OKAY.

>> OKAY.

FROM LINCOLN, THE SECOND OF TWO OAK LEAF HYDRANGEAS THAT HAD A MAJOR BRANCH DIE SUDDENLY.

AND HE SENT SOME REALLY GOOD PICTURES.

HE FOUND DEAD, BROWN DEAD IN THE CENTER, NORMAL ON THE ENDS.

HE, I MEAN, DONE ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

AND THEN THIS ODD SILK LIKE MATERIAL.

AND YOU GOT IT.

BECAUSE WE'RE ALL STUMPED.

>> WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE SILK LIKE MATERIAL, I BELIEVE IS SOME SORT OF FUNGAL GROWTH.

RIGHT.

I CAN'T TELL FOR SURE WHAT THIS IS DISEASE-WISE.

I'M NOT SURE ON THE SITE.

SO I THINK THEY DID INDICATE IT'S ABOUT TEN YEARS OLD.

IF IT IS IN AN AREA THAT GETS, YOU KNOW, ANY EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AT ALL, THAT WOULD BE MORE PRONE TO A ROOT AND CROWN ROT.

AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT FUNGAL DISEASES THAT CAN AFFECT THESE.

AND AS PLANTS, ANY OF OUR PERENNIALS, AS THEY GET OLDER, THEY TEND TO SUCCUMB TO SOME OF THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

IF THEY'RE STRESSED, IF IT'S TOO DRY, IF IT'S TOO WET, ALL THOSE THINGS LEAD TO IT.

WHERE YOU'VE GOT INDIVIDUAL CANES.

I REALLY THINK IT'S SOME SORT OF A FUNGAL DISEASE HAPPENING THERE.

I CAN'T TELL WHICH ONE.

>> ALL RIGHT, MAYBE A SAMPLE.

>> A SAMPLE WOULD HELP.

I BELIEVE THERE ACTUALLY SOMEBODY THAT MIGHT EVEN BE ON CAMPUS, SO BRING ONE BY.

>> RIGHT.

OKAY.

SCOTT TWO FROM OMAHA.

FIVE CONCOLOR FIR'S PLANTED 30 YEARS AGO.

FROM THE OUTSIDE, THEY LOOK GREAT, BUT THEY TROTTED IN AND THEY FOUND ALL SORTS OF DEAD BRANCHES.

IS THIS LACK OF SUNLIGHT?

IS THIS CROWDING?

AND SHOULD THEY WHAT SHOULD THEY DO.

>> WITH THE LACK OF SUNLIGHT?

WE DO GET THOSE BRANCHES DYING BACK.

GO AHEAD AND PRUNE ANY DEAD BRANCHES, BUT YOU MIGHT WANT TO HAVE AN ARBORIST COME OUT THAT CAN ACTUALLY WALK AROUND, GET IN THERE AND TAKE A LOOK, BECAUSE THERE COULD BE OTHER ISSUES AT PLAY, BUT DEAD BRANCHES CAN COME OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO FROM SCOTTSBLUFF, EXCUSE ME.

AND THEN THREE FROM SCOTTSBLUFF IS ORNAMENTAL PEARS SURROUNDED BY TREATED FOR FUNGUS.

AND HE'S USED SOME FRUIT TREE SPIKES.

HE'S HAD THIS YELLOWING WATERS WITH A SPRINKLER SYSTEM.

SOIL IS CLAY.

>> RIGHT.

THIS IS CHLOROSIS, WHICH CAN BE CAUSED BY A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS FROM ROT DAMAGE, WATERLOGGED SOILS, DRY SOILS, NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES.

HAVE YOUR SOIL TESTED TO LOOK FOR WHAT THE PH MIGHT BE AND DO ANY TYPE OF ADJUSTMENT AS NEEDED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND FROM HOLDREGE, THREE PICTURES SEVERAL TREES WITH YELLOWING LEAVES.

SOME HAVE HAD TO BE CUT DOWN, AND SHE'S WONDERING IF ANY OF THE REST OF THEM CAN BE SAVED.

>> WORK WITH AN ARBORIST, DETERMINE WHAT THAT ACTION PLAN IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

THEY MIGHT BE SAVABLE, BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.

THE LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO FIX THE ISSUE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WELL, AS GARDENERS, WE LOVE THE COLOR OUR ORNAMENTALS BRING US EVERY SEASON IN OUR GARDEN.

THERE ARE SEVERAL FANTASTIC EXAMPLES.

AND TERRI HAS ANOTHER ALL-AMERICA SELECTION TO SHOW US IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

(UPBEAT MUSIC >> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE LOOKING AT OUR 2026 ALL-AMERICA SELECTION WINNERS.

THIS ONE'S A REALLY PRETTY ONE.

DIANTHUS SUPRA CHERRY PICOTEE.

IT'S REALLY GONNA BE A HUGE SPLASH OF COLOR.

THIS IS ONE OF THE HYBRIDS THAT'S JOINING THIS WHOLE SUPRA SERIES.

IT REALLY HAS THIS REALLY EYE-CATCHING COLOR AND BLOOMS.

IT STAYS VERY COMPACT SO FAR, VERY BUSHY.

THE JUDGES ALL HAILED IT AS STRONG AND VERY HEAT AND DROUGHT TOLERANT.

WE HAVEN'T HAD A TON OF HEAT YET THIS SUMMER TILL JUST NOW, BUT IT IS HOLDING UP PRETTY WELL.

IT HAS THESE REALLY NICE FRINGE EDGES TO THE PETALS, SO IT REALLY DOES ADD A LITTLE INTEREST TO YOUR GARDEN.

AND IT REALLY HAS THAT DARK CHERRY CENTER WITH THOSE SOFT PINK EDGES.

IT'S GOING TO BE EASY TO CARE FOR LIKE MOST OF THOSE OTHER DIANTHUS.

AND SO FAR NO DEADHEADING NEEDED.

SO A GREAT KIND OF LOW MANAGEMENT PLANT.

SO STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN THIS WEEK TO CHECK OUT THE DIANTHUS SUPRA CHERRY PICOTEE.

(RUSTLING) >> THANKS, TERRI.

OUR SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK COMES FROM TOM KIBURZ OF LINCOLN.

HE'S HAD A HONEY LOCUST TREE FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS, AND EACH YEAR THE LEAVES START TURNING YELLOW AND DROP EARLY.

IT COMES BACK IN THE SPRING AND IS GROWING, BUT HE'S WONDERING IF THERE'S ANYTHING HE SHOULD DO TO HELP IT NOW.

AND SCOTT, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON WITH THIS HONEY LOCUST?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS.

THE TREES NEED TO THE GROUND FOR JUST ABOUT THREE YEARS, SO IT DOES HAVE A SMALLER ROOT BALL.

WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY DRY SUMMERS UP UNTIL THIS YEAR, SO WE COULD BE SEEING SOME OF THAT STRESS CARRY OVER FROM THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

IT'S ALSO LOOKS LIKE NEW CONSTRUCTION SO WE CAN HAVE COMPACTED SOIL.

SO WHAT WE WOULD WANT TO DO IS TRY TO WATER THE PLANT WITH A HOSE AND NOT THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM, SO WE COULD GET SOME NICE DEEP WATERING, CHUCK THAT MULCH RING, EXPAND IT OUT AS FAR AS YOU WANT TO GO INTO THE TURF AND HOPEFULLY IT'S GOING TO RECOVER.

DON'T FERTILIZE BECAUSE THAT COULD ACTUALLY MAKE THINGS WORSE.

SO JUST LEAVE IT BE.

EXPAND THAT MULCH AND TRY TO DO SOME DEEP WATERING.

>> AND HOPEFULLY TOM WILL FOLLOW ALL OF OUR INFORMATION AND OUR DIRECTIONS.

AND NEXT YEAR HE CAN SHOW US PICTURES OF A GREEN ONE.

OR HE BOUGHT A SUNBURST HONEYLOCUST AND HE DOESN'T KNOW THAT YET.

>> EXACTLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

SCOTT.

DO YOU WANT TO BE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK?

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

NOW IT'S TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK.

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

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'LL CHECK OUT A SPECIAL INSECT THAT LOVES TO TAKE LITTLE CUTTINGS FROM YOUR ORNAMENTAL LEAVES.

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

NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

SCOTT, FROM CLARINDA, IOWA, WILL.

BURNING BUSHES THAT WERE DECIMATED BY JAPANESE BEETLES AND I MEAN DECIMATED, SET NEW LEAVES.

>> PROBABLY NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM WEST POINT HAD ALLIUM AND THE BUDS WERE WERE ON CURVED STEMS AND THE.

THEN THEY DIDN'T OPEN.

>> ENVIRONMENTAL.

IT COULD BE HERBICIDE DRIFT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SYCAMORES THROUGH THEIR BARK EVERYWHERE OVER THE LAST WEEKEND.

AND THIS IS IN 2 OR 3 LOCATIONS.

IS THAT COMMON.

BIG OLD STRIPS OF THE BARK.

>> YES, THEY CAN SLOUGH OFF BIG CHUNKS OF BARK IF IT LOOKS HEALTHY UNDERNEATH.

THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> OKAY.

HE HAS CUCUMBERS AND HE HAS ALL BLOOMS AND NO CUCUMBERS.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> THAT'S MOTHER NATURE.

HEAT IS THE FACTOR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM BEATRICE.

AN EIGHTH INCH DEEP VERTICAL CRACK IN A PIN OAK TRUNK APPEARED.

NOT ALL THE WAY UP, BUT IS THAT A PROBLEM?

>> IT WILL BE.

>> OKAY.

>> MAYBE NOT YET.

NICE JOB.

OKAY, LOREN.

READY?

>> READY IS A HOT DOG ON THE 4TH OF JULY, KIM.

>> ALL RIGHTY THEN.

LET'S SEE.

NOT SURE WHERE THIS ONE CAME FROM, BUT THE QUESTION IS, CAN SUMMER PATCH BE CONTROLLED NOW?

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND LEAF SPOT AND MELTING OUT IN A LAWN.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT GETS CONTROLLED NOW OR IN MID-SEPTEMBER?

>> AT LEAST ABOUT MELTING OUT.

USUALLY THE TREATMENT WINDOW ON THAT IS USUALLY A LITTLE BIT EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND THEN LATER IN THE YEAR.

SO IN THE MIDDLE NOW NOT IDEAL, BUT IF YOU'RE TRYING TO MANAGE IT, YOU MAY NEED TO MAKE AN APPLICATION IF IT'S GOING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM SYRACUSE, THERE IS A FUNGUS OR A MOLD OF SOME SORT ON THE STEMS AND LEAVES OF HIS SWEET POTATOES.

WILL THAT AFFECT THE CROP?

>> I DON'T KNOW, PROBABLY NOT.

I'M GOING TO TAKE SCOTT'S LEAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS FOR SURE.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> IS THERE ANY WAY TO PREVENT PEACH LEAF CURL NEXT YEAR WITHOUT SPRAYING FOR IT?

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE A DORMANT OIL APPLICATION BEFORE BUD BREAK.

>> OKAY.

NICE JOB.

>> WOW.

OH.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> OKAY.

WHEN I SAID APPLICATION FOR THE FOLIAR DISEASE CONTROL THE LAWN, IT WOULD BE A FUNGICIDE APPLICATION.

JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR.

>> JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW.

OKAY.

>> NO HERBICIDES THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> JEFF FROM SANDY POINT, SANDBURG'S GOAT HEADS.

NOTHING GOOD.

SHOULD THEY USE GROUNDCLEAR OR WHAT?

ON THAT SANDY BEACH SOIL?

>> WELL, I WOULDN'T USE ANY HERBICIDE RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT.

I WOULD LOOK AT USING A PRE-EMERGE LATER.

LATER IN AUGUST.

>> OKAY.

FROM WAHOO.

IN THESE LAST RAINS, THE SOIL ERODED AND THEN COVERED THE TURF 2 OR 3IN DEEP FOR ABOUT A WEEK.

WILL THAT RECOVER IF THEY GET THAT SOIL OFF OF THAT?

>> IT SHOULD.

YEAH.

>> A WATERING GUIDE FROM A COMMERCIAL SOURCE SAYS WATERING AT NIGHT IS OKAY.

CORRECT.

>> WELL, IF YOU ARE WATERING FOR US, TYPICALLY WE'RE GOING TO START WATERING AFTER MIDNIGHT.

>> OKAY, THAT'S STILL NIGHT.

FROM THE SAME SOURCE, WATER THREE TIMES A WEEK LIGHTLY.

IS THAT A.

>> WE TYPICALLY WANT TO WATER A LITTLE HEAVIER, MAYBE A HALF AN INCH.

IF YOU CAN PUT DOWN A HALF AN INCH AT A TIME, MAYBE ONCE A WEEK IS ALL YOU REALLY NEED.

>> OKAY.

SEDGE NUT IS HUGE SUDDENLY.

CAN IT BE TREATED OR SHOULD IT JUST BE PULLED?

>> WELL, IT'S TOO LATE TO DO EITHER ONE REALLY AT THIS STAGE.

SO AGAIN, I'D LOOK AT MAYBE LATER IN THE IN THE SUMMER TO USE LIKE A SLEDGEHAMMER SORT OF PRODUCT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHO WON?

>> WELL.

>> WE HAVE ONE MORE YET.

>> HOW ABOUT ME?

>> OH WE DO.

WE HAVE JODY, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES.

I FORGOT YOU LAST TIME, TOO.

I FORGOT YOU LAST TIME.

I WAS SO EXCITED FOR SCOTT.

OKAY.

FROM BLUE HILL.

JODY, WHAT WOULD CAUSE A MONARCH CHRYSALIS TO TURN YELLOW INSTEAD OF SAYING GREEN?

>> OH, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT BACTERIAL ISSUES AND THINGS THAT HAPPEN WITH MONARCHS.

>> SO THE FOLLOW-UP FROM THIS VIEWER IS WILTHE MONARCH LIVE?

>> NOPE.

>> OKAY.

FROM CRESCENT, IOWA.

THEY'RE SEEING VERY LARGE GREEN BEETLES.

WHAT ARE THOSE?

>> THOSE ARE GREEN JUNE BEETLES.

>> OKAY.

ARE THERE ANY OPTIONS FOR JAPANESE BEETLES NOW WHEN THERE ARE SO, SO MANY OF THEM THAT THEY JUST THEY'VE ABOUT GIVEN UP.

>> DON'T GIVE UP.

HAVE GET A BUCKET OF WATER WHATEVER AND SOAPY WATER.

AND IF YOU CAN PICK THEM OFF, YOU CAN REACH THEM, PUT THEM IN THAT BUCKET.

EVENING TIME OKAY.

>> FROM SYRACUSE BAGWORMS.

IS IT STILL OKAY TO SPRAY FOR THE CRAWLERS?

>> THE CATERPILLARS ARE PROBABLY ABOUT.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME PLACES MORE THAN A HALF AN INCH, SO MAY NOT BE TOO EFFECTIVE.

>> OKAY.

>> KEEP PICKING THEM.

>> OKAY.

FROM BOYS TOWN.

THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF WEBS ON THEIR HONEY LOCUST.

IS THAT SOMETHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT?

>> I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S MADE THOSE WEBS.

IF IT'S SPIDERS OR.

WELL, WEBWORMS.

>> OKAY.

PICTURES.

GOOD.

NICE JOB.

NOW SOMEBODY WON RIGHT.

>> OKAY.

WHO WON?

>> WHO WON.

>> THREE WAY TIE.

>> I LOST.

>> OKAY.

>> LOREN LOST.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

SO IF YOU HAVE VISITED THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN, YOU WILL HAVE NOTICED OUR FEATURED PLANT OF THE WEEK.

HERE'S DANA TO SHOW US ANOTHER GREAT PLANT YOU'LL WANT TO TRY.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> THIS WEEK'S PLANT OF THE WEEK IS LIATRIS SPICATA, OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS DENSE BLAZING STAR.

AND THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PERENNIALS.

IT'S A NATIVE AND IT'S GREAT FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPES AND POLLINATOR GARDENS ALIKE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT HAS THESE BEAUTIFUL, UPRIGHT, SORT OF FLUFFY LOOKING FLOWER SPIKES.

THE BLOOMS ARE REDDISH PURPLE COLOR, AND THEY JUST BLOOM IN SUMMER AND MAKE A PERFECT SORT OF VERTICAL EXCLAMATION POINT IN THE GARDEN, GROWING ABOUT 2 TO 4FT TALL.

WHAT MAKES THIS PLANT SO WONDERFUL IN DESIGN IS THAT IT'S UPRIGHT SHAPE CONTRASTS BEAUTIFULLY WITH OTHER, MORE ROUNDED OR MOUNDED FLOWERS.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, LOVED BY POLLINATORS ALIKE, WHETHER THOSE ARE BEES, BUTTERFLIES, ET CETERA.

AND, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE NICE THINGS ABOUT THIS PLANT IS THAT IF IN FALL YOU LEAVE IT STANDING, IT CAN ATACT BIRDS AS WELL.

YOU KNOW, THIS PLANT'S GOING TO WANT FULL SUN, OTHERWISE IT GETS A LITTLE SQUIRRELY AND IT'S GOING TO WANT A MEDIUM, YOU KNOW, OR AVERAGE TYPE SOIL.

IT DOESN'T LIKE SOGGY FEET AND OTHERWISE WILL.

IT MIGHT FAIL OVER WINTER.

THE FLOWERS ARE SHOWY.

THEY MAKE GREAT CUT FLOWERS.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GET A LOT OF PRAIRIE DRAMA WITH VERY LITTLE FUSS WITH THIS PLANT.

NOW IT'S TIME TO THROW IT BACKO GANNON FOR THE WEATHER.

>> HEY, GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE FOURTH.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE REACHED THE POINT IN THE SUMMER WHERE IT STARTS TO BECOME MISERABLY HOT.

THE COOLEST DAY THIS WEEK, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, IS TOMORROW.

HOWEVER, AREAS UP IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE STATE NEAR CHADRON WILL STILL BE IN THE 90S.

OVER THE WEEKEND, THE PANHANDLE AND NORTHERN BORDER OF THE STATE WILL BEGIN TO CREEP INTO THE TRIPLE DIGITS, AND WILL LIKELY REMAIN THAT WAY FOR QUITE A WHILE.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE HEAT INDEX SHOULDN'T BE A MAJOR ISSUE UNTIL LATE NEXT WEEK.

THE COMBINATION OF WARM AND DRY DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR DROUGHT CONDITIONS, DESPITE THE DROUGHT MONITOR LOING PRETTY ROUGH, IT'S ACTUALLY IMPROVED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT.

THE PERCENTAGE OF EXTREME DROUGHT HAS REDUCED NEARLY 50% SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JUNE, WHICH IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

HOPEFULLY, THIS UPCOMING STRETCH DOESN'T SET US BACK TOO FAR.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEK.

WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU GUYS.

>> GREAT THINGS GOING ON IN THE GARDENING WORLD.

CKYARD FARMER WILL BE AT EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS SATURDAY, JULY 11TH, 10 TO 1 IN THE GARDEN.

OUR SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT COMES TO US FROM DAYLILY DAYS, HARMONY NURSERY AND DAYLILY FARM ALL THE WAY THROUGH JULY IN BRADSHAW, NEBRASKA.

AND OUR THIRD ONE IS IN PLYMOUTH AND THAT IS ALSO SATURDAY, JULY 11TH.

FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW AT THE PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY CENTER.

ALL RIGHT, JODY, ONE PICTURE AND THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL CATERPILLAR DINING ON A BLUE FLOWER AND THEN TURNING BLUE.

AND SHE WONDERS WHAT ADULT INSECTS SHE WILL WELCOME LATER.

AND SHE DID SAY, THIS IS NATURE'S WONDROUS PAGEANTRY.

>> BEAUTIFUL IT IS.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

BUT THIS MOTH OR THIS TURNS INTO A BEAUTIFUL PINK MOTH, IT'S A SOUTHERN PINK MOTH.

AND THEY ALSO CALL IT THE INORNATE PINK MOTH.

SO THERE IS ONE THAT'S MORE ORNATE AND PRETTY, BUT THEY, THEIR HOSTS ARE THE SALVIA.

>> WONDERFUL.

ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES.

WHAT IS TH NAME OTHIS CATERPILLAR?

FOUND IT IN THE GARDEN.

AND I THINK THE SECOND ONE HAS THE SCALE WITH IT.

>> YEAH.

>> THIS LIKE THIS IS LIKE THE MOTH OF THE YEAR.

THIS IS THE POLYPHEMUS MOTH CATERPILLAR FORM.

>> THERE IT IS.

LOOK AT HOW BIG THAT GUY IS.

>> JUICY.

>> OKAY, SO TWO PICTURES HERE.

FOUND THIS GIANT DEAD LEOPARD MOTH IN PONCA HILLS.

THEY'VE LIVED HERE 25 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE.

>> I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE EITHER.

IN THE MOTH FORM.

I'VE SEEN CATERPILLARS.

THEY'RE KIND OF SPINY AND BLACK CATERPILLARS THAT HAVE, LIKE, RED SEGMENTS.

REALLY BEAUTIFUL.

BUT.

AND I'VE HEARD A COUPLE PEOPLE SEEING THEM THIS YEAR.

>> THAT'S AWESOME.

AND ONE MORE.

AND THIS IS A BEE NEST.

SO CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS BEE NEST?

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS ACTUALLY A BUMBLEBEE NEST.

SO THEY ARE SOCIAL BEES.

AND MOST BUMBLEBEES WILL START THEIR DISORGANIZED HONEY POTS IN PLACES LIKE THAT ARE NOT CONVENIENT FOR US BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW THAT THEY'RE THERE.

BUT IT COULD BE AN UNDERGROUND ABANDONED RODENT BURROWS.

ANYWHERE YOU'VE HAD VOLES OR MOLES OR MICE.

AND ALSO, LIKE UNDER SHEDS, SPRINKLER BOXES, COMPOST BINS.

SO THAT IS A BUMBLEBEE NEST THAT WAS UNDER THAT PLACE WHERE SHE FOUND IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, JEFF, FROM HEBRON, ONE PICTURE, A 50 BY 130 FOOT LOT.

HE'D LIKE TO PUT A GROUND COVER ON SO HE WOULDN'T HAVE TO MOW SOMETHING.

BUT IT WILL ALSO KEEP THE WEEDS OUT.

SO SUN, YES.

WATER, YES.

MINIMUM SHADE.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK I WOULD WANT TO START, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT WE'RE IN JULY, SEE IF WE COULD START WITH SOME SORT OF COVER CROP.

SO TALK TO YOUR LOCAL SEED PROVIDER AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE.

THAT'S THAT'S BECOMING MORE COMMON, THAT THEY HAVE DIFFERENT THINGS AVAILABLE FOR YOU FOR A COVER CROP.

I'D LIKE TO GET STARTED WITH THAT.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD DO A VARIETY OF THINGS.

I THINK DUTCH CLOVER AND FESCUE IS A GOOD MIX.

YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO MOW IT, YOU KNOW, ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR.

BUT YOU KNOW THAT I THINK THAT WOULD WORK AND BE SUSTAINABLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES HERE, FIVE SPRUCE LINED IN THE BACKYARD AND YOU GET THE TURF PIECE.

AND HIS QUESTION IS PROS AND CONS OF LIMBING THEM UP SO HE CAN MOW BENEATH.

>> WELL AT THIS STAGE I WOULDN'T LIMB THEM UP.

THEY'LL SELF-SELECT THOSE BRANCHES OVER TIME.

THEY'LL SHADE OUT THE LOWER ONES.

AND AS SOME OF THOSE ABOVE THAT WILL KIND OF DROP DOWN.

SO THEN THEY'LL SLOWLY LIMB THEMSELVES UP.

THEY'LL DO THAT.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, SO REALLY RIGHT NOW YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THINGS FROM THE TREE STANDPOINT, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BECAUSE THE LAWN LOOKS SO GOOD, MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT OVER WATERING THE TREES.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

THEN LOREN IS GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS ABOUT THE TREES.

SO AND THEN WITH THE RIVER ROCK, I DON'T KNOW HOW DEEP THAT GOES IN THERE, BUT I'D WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ROCK UP AGAINST THE BASE OF THOSE TREES.

PULL THAT BACK.

YOU COULD DO SOME LIGHT MULCHING IN THERE.

REALLY NOT EVEN HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MULCHING UNDERNEATH THERE.

SO THOSE WOULD BE THE OTHER THINGS I'D WORRY ABOUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO FROM OMAHA FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE AGAINST ROOT SUCKERS FROM A SILVER POPLAR.

THEY'VE TRIED ROUNDUP.

THEY JUST POP UP AGAIN.

THEY'LL KEEP DIGGING WHILE HOPING THAT WE WA PEOPLE NEVER TO PLANT ONE.

>> YEAH, UNFORTUNATELY.

AND I KNOW THAT THEY CAN BE A VERY PRETTY TREE, BUT THEY DO PRODUCE SUCKERS LIKE THAT.

SO I REALLY THINK DIGGING IS REALLY YOUR BEST SOLUTION.

I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF THE APPLYING A HERBICIDE TO THE SUCKERS, UNLESS YOU WANT TO GET RID OF THE TREE.

SO I THINK DIGGING IS ABOUT WHAT YOU COULD DO.

I ACTUALLY CHASED SOME SUCKERS EARLIER TODAY, SO I ENDED UP KIND OF FINDING THE ROOT AND PULLING IT OUT AND CUTTING IT.

SO, YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD BE THE OTHER THING.

IT'S GOOD EXERCISE TOO.

>> OKAY, SO ONE MORE.

THIS IS FROM BLAIR.

IS THERE ANY WAY TO KILL ALL THE BINDWEED WITHOUT KILLING THE SEDUM?

OR IS PULLING IT THE ONLY OPTION?

IT'S LIKE IT'S ON STEROIDS THIS YEAR.

>> YEAH.

SO NO.

>> LIGHTNING ROUND.

THERE WE GO RIGHT.

>> I THINK WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS, SOME PATIENCE USING THE GETTING YOURSELF A NITRILE GLOVE AND A CLOTH GLOVE OVER IT, COVERING THAT IN YOUR HERBICIDE, THEN KIND OF USING THAT TO WIPE THAT ONTO THE ONTO THE BINDWEED.

AND THAT'LL BE, YOU KNOW, LIKE YOUR SATURDAY MORNINGS GO OUT THERE WITH SOME COFFEE AND TREAT THE BINDWEED.

AND IN 4 OR 5 YEARS IT'LL BE GONE.

>> OKAY, SO LOREN FROM SEWARD, YELLOW SPOTS ON CUCUMBER LEAVES.

AND THEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE.

AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE THIS ONE'S FROM, BUT CUCUMBERS WERE LOOKING GREAT AND NOW THEY DON'T.

SO WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?

>> SO BOTH OF THESE ACTUALLY, I BELIEVE ARE ANTHRACNOSE ON CUCUMBERS.

THE ONE THERE'S SOME MULCH.

THE OTHER ONE THERE ISN'T.

SO A FEW THINGS.

JUST MANAGING FOLIAR DISEASES IN THE GARDEN.

MULCHING DRIP IRRIGATION.

AVOID OVERHEAD IRRIGATION.

IF YOU DECIDE TO USE A FUNGICIDE JUST MAKE SURE YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THAT PRE-HARVEST INTERVAL FOR APPLICATION SO WHEN YOU MAKE THAT APPLICATION, ALL LABELS ARE GOING TO SAY HOW MANY DAYS TILL YOU CAN HARVEST FRUIT.

SO AND MANY TIMES IT JUST IT'S NOT JUSTIFIED TO PUT A FUNGICIDE ON A HOME GARDEN MOST OF THE TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO FROM COLUMBUS, FOUR PACK OF TOMATOES, TWO SEEMED TO BE DOING WELL, BUT SHRIVELED UP AND TWO DID.

AND THEN FOUND THESE ODD ROOTS DON'T DOOMED.

AND ARE THE OTHER ONES DOOMED ALSO.

>> SO A COUPLE OF THINGS WERE TWO WERE BAD AND TWO ARE GOOD.

I DO BELIE IT'S A VIRUS THAT'S MOST LIKELY CAUSING THIS.

IF IT WAS HERBICIDE, ALL OF THEM WOULD LOOK LIKE IT.

MANY TIMES IN JUST THE SMALL CONTAINERS, YOU CAN GET SOME ROOT WRAPPING AND LIKE THAT.

I THINK MANY OF OUR PLANTS MIGHT LOOK THAT WAY JUST FROM BEING CROWDED IN A SMALL CONTAINER FOR YOUR TRANSPLANT.

SO I'M NOT TOO WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

YOU'VE GOT OTHER ROOT GROWTH, I BELIEVE IT'S JUST PROBABLY A VIRUS.

YOU DID THE RIGHT THING ROGUING IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO FROM SEWARD TOMATOES.

DOING THIS TO THE STEMS DON'T HAVE FRUIT.

THEY HAVEN'T HAD THIS BEFORE.

SO SHRIVELING LEAVES AND.

>> AND THE SHRIVELING LEAVES.

I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE SEPTORIA AS WELL.

SEPTORIA IS ACTIVE IN THAT 68 TO 75 DEGREE RANGE.

IT'S JUST PERFECT AT NIGHT WHEN IT'S NICE AND MOIST.

SO THESE WARMER DAYS ARE REALLY FAVORING OUR FOLIAR DISEASES.

YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

JUST REMOVE THEM.

AND THEN THE OTHER THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT MULCHING, DRIP IRRIGATION, AVOID OVERHEAD IRRIGATION.

>> ALL RIGHT SCOTT, ONE PICTURE FROM HICKMAN LAST FOUR YEARS MID TO LATE JUNE.

WE HAVE A CATALPA.

SOME OF THE LEAVES DIE AND FALL OFF SPRAYED WITH NEEM HAS NOT YET BLOOMED.

SO 15 YEARS OLD, ANY THOUGHTS?

>> FIRST THOUGHT.

I THINK VERTICILLIUM WILT.

MAYBE START SEEING RANDOM BRANCHES DYING IN THE TREE.

A LOT OF TIMES THAT COULD BE WILT.

CATALPA IS LISTED TO BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO IT.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO SEND US A SAMPLE, BUT OTHERWISE JUST TRY TO KEEP THE TREE HEALTHY.

MAYBE EXPAND THAT MULCH RING.

>> WHICH PROVES YET AGAIN THAT EVERYTHING IS A SYSTEM, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> SO THREE FROM BENNINGTON QUAKING ASPEN BLACK SPOTS AROUND JUNE DOESN'T CHANGE COLOR.

ALL SORTS OF THINGS DID TREAT WITH SEVEN.

AND YOU CAN SEE I THINK IN HERE WE HAVE ALL SORTS OF THINGS GOING ON.

GREEN SPACE, CRABAPPLE TREES, PAPER BIRCHES HAVE BEEN LOSING THEIR LEAVES EARLY AND WE HAVE REALLY PRETTY GRASS.

>> RIGHT.

WE HAVE SOME REALLY NICE DARK GREEN GRASS.

WANT TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVER WATER.

ASPEN TREES LIKE THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE STATE.

NOT NECESSARILY THE EASTERN SIDE, BUT WE'RE IN A REALLY EXPOSED AREA.

LOTS OF WIND COULD BE HERBICIDE DRIFT.

THEY DO GET VARIOUS FUNGAL LEAF SPOTS, BUT WATCH THE WATERING AND TRY TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH.

>> OKAY?

TWO FROM SEWARD LEMON BOY TOMATOES.

ONE BEGAN TO WILT PLANT NEXT TO IT, DOING THE SAME.

THEY ARE IN POTS.

AND THEN YOUR NEXT PICTURE IS ACTUALLY YUKON GOLD POTATOES IN A CONTAINER IN COMPOST WITH COCONUT COIR.

>> BOTH OF THESE PLANTS WOULD DO MUCH BETTER IN THE GROUND.

AGAIN, JUST LIKE WHAT LOREN SAID, THAT TIGHT ROOT SPACE.

TRY TO NEXT YEAR TRY TO PUT THEM IN THE GROUND.

THE POTATOES MIGHT HAVE A TOUCH OF HERBICIDE DRIFT BECAUSE THEY DID MENTION LEATHERY LEAVES, BUT STICK THEM IN THE GROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

SCOTT.

IT'S ALWAYS CURIOUS TO DISCOVER ALMOST PERFECT CIRCLES THAT HAVE BEEN CUT OUT OF SOME OF YOUR PLANTS.

KAIT HIGHLIGHTS A SMALL BEE THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THIS INTRICATE CARVING.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> TODAY WE'RE TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT LEAFCUTTER BEES AND THE DAMAGE THAT LEAFCUTTER BEES CAN CAUSE.

WE HAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL ROSE BUSHES AROUND US, WHICH IS A PARTICULAR FAVORITE OF LEAFCUTTER BEES.

AND THIS NATIVE SPECIES, THE FEMALES WILL ACTUALLY USE THEIR MOUTHPARTS AND CUT THESE DIME SIZED PERFECT CIRCLES IN THE LEAVES.

THEY'LL THEN TAKE THAT LEAF BACK TO AN EMPTY CAVITY THAT THEY FIND, AND THEY'LL USE IT TO LINE THEIR BROOD CHAMBER SO EACH LITTLE CHAMBER WILL HAVE AN EGG IN IT.

THAT'S WHERE THE LARVAE WILL DEVELOP.

AND THEN OUT COMES A NEW LEAF CUTTER BEE IN THE SPRING.

SO EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE IS A LITTLE BIT UNSIGHTLY ON THESE LEAVES, KEEP IN MIND THAT LEAFCUTTER BEES ARE NATIVE AND THEY'RE GREAT POLLINATORS TO KEEP AROUND.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> SO, AS KAIT SAID, MOST OF THE TIME THESE CUTTINGS DON'T REALLY HURT THE PLANT MUCH AND THESE BEES ARE GREAT POLLINATORS.

ALL RIGHT, KAIT, TWO FROM BOYS TOWN.

FLOWERS ARE.

THAT WAS KAIT.

YOU'RE JODY.

TWO OF THE FLOWERS ON ANNABELLE HYDRANGEA HAVE STARTED TO LK SPIKY.

IS THIS A DISEASE OR ARE THESE LITTLE BUGS CAUSING IT?

WHAT ARE THE BUGS?

>> OKAY, SO THIS IS A MARGINED LEATHERWING.

IT'S A SOLDIER BEETLE.

>> FUN.

>> IT IS NOT CAUSING THIS PROBLEM.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THESE HYDRANGEAS.

>> ALL RIGHTFROM AINSWORTH.

FOUND THIS MOTH WITH A 6 TO 7 INCH WINGSPAN.

>> IS AMAZING.

THIS IS A BLACK WITCH MOTH.

>> LOVELY.

SEVEN INCHES.

ONE PICTURE HERE.

SMALL INSECT DEAD ON THE WOOD FLOOR IN LINCOLN.

QUITE COLORFUL, WITH BEAUTIFUL MARKINGS.

>> THAT'S NICE THAT YOU CAN APPRECIATE THIS.

KYLE BROUGHT THIS LAST WEEK.

IT'S A EUROPEAN EARWIG.

THAT'S A MALE.

>> THAT'S A MALE EARWIG.

ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE QUESTION HERE.

WHY DOES THE NURSERY DISCOURAGE USING THESE BAGS FOR TRAPPING AND KILLING JAPANESE BEETLES?

BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO WORK REALLY WELL.

>> THEY DO WORK AT TRAPPING AND KILLING BEETLES, BUT THEY DO NOT WORK FOR THE OVERALL GOAL OF PROTECTING YOUR PLANTS, BECAUSE THEY'LL ATTRACT MORE BEETLES FROM MILES AWAY.

>> OKAY, SO THEY BELONG IN THE COUNTRY.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO JEFF FROM LINCOLN, CENTRALLY LOCATED HOME IN MARCH.

AND THEN THEY'VE GOT THIS POPPING UP ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

SHE THINKS IT IS VIRGINIA THREE SEED OR COPPER LEAF.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S WHAT IT IS?

>> I THINK I THINK SHE'S RIGHT, YES.

RIGHT.

>> AND DO WE CONTROL IT OR DO WE ENJOY IT.

>> YEAH SHE CAN SHE CAN ENJOY IT.

SHE CAN CONTROL IT.

I THINK SHE'D BE BETTER OFF HOLDING IT UP AND USING SOME PRE-EMERGE LATER, LATER THIS FALL, AND THEN AGAIN THIS SPRING, PLANTING SOMETHING ELSE IN THERE.

>> TWO FROM FREMONT, A LITTLE YELLOW FLOWERS POINT DOWN AND THEN TURN INTO LITTLE GREEN LANTERNS.

>> YEAH, SO THAT'S GROUND CHERRY.

SO ANYWAY, SO SHE CAN ENJOY THAT.

IT'S NOT TOO INVASIVE, KIND OF FUN TO HAVE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND FROM NORTH PLATTE YOU GOT THIS BECAUSE IT'S WHY ARE THESE HERE.

SHOULD THEY STOP MULCH MOWING AND WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IS IT STILL GOOD TO MULCH YOUR TURF.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE MILKY CONE CAP.

AM I RIGHT ON THAT, LOREN?

>> COULD BE.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SO IT MEANS THAT IT'S VERY FERTILE AND THEY'RE USING A LOT OF WATER SO THEY CAN BACK OFF OF THE WATER AT THIS STAGE.

>> GREAT.

ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE.

LOREN FOUND THIS UNUSUAL FUNGUS IN ONE OF THE GARDEN BEDS HERE IN RURAL LANCASTER COUNTY.

WHAT IS?

>> IT THAT IS A CORAL FUNGUS.

BEAUTIFUL PICTURE JUST GROWING ON ORGANIC MATERIAL.

IT LOOKS LIKE A CORAL.

>> WONDERFUL.

TWO FROM RAYMOND.

SO WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS A THIS IS NOT NORMAL TO LOOK THIS WAY, BUT THIS IS A CHICKEN OF THE WOODS, I BELIEVE.

JUST A SMALLER ONE WITH NOT AS MANY FOLDS AS YOU'D SEE IN IN MANY.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN WE HAVE TWO FROM.

>> THE CHICKEN.

>> OF THE WOODS.

YEAH.

THAT'S THE BOTTOM.

YEAH.

SO MUSHROOMS IN THE HOLE IN THE TREE AND MORE IN THERE.

SHOULD THEY PULL IT ALL OUT.

>> WELL, I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT PULLING IT OUT, BUT IN THIS CASE IT DOES INDICATE, YOU KNOW, POTENTIAL TO HAVE A HAZARD TREE.

THAT MEANS THERE'S DEAD MATERIAL INSIDE.

IT IS A LARGE MAPLE.

MOST OF THE MAPLES ARE DEAD INSIDE WHEN THEY'RE LARGE LIKE THAT.

BUT JUST EVALUATE IT FOR A HAZARD TREE.

YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH THE MUSHROOM INSIDE.

>> RIGHT.

AND I THINK SHE WAS COURAGEOUS TO STICK HER HAND IN THAT HOLE.

>> AND IT COULD BE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAN MUSHROOMS.

>> YEAH, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT OF OTHER THINGS IN THERE BESIDES A MUSHROOM.

>> I WOULDN'T DO THAT.

>> OKAY, SCOTT, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE HERE FROM LINCOLN.

CAN WE TELL THEM WHY THE POTATO PLANTS GET THESE TOMATOES ONCE IN A WHILE?

>> POTATOES PRODUCE FLOWERS TO PRODUCE SEEDS THAT YOU HAVE TO GET THE PLANT FROM SOMEWHERE.

JUST DON'T EAT THEM, OKAY?

MAYBE DON'T EAT THE FRUIT OF THE TOMATO POTATO.

>> EAT THE POTATO, NOT THE TOMATO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> EAST OF GRETNA POT WITH THESE PLANTS.

AND HE'S WONDERING WHAT THE ONE WITH THE BITTY WHITE BLOSSOMS IS.

>> IT'S A GREAT HOUSEPLANT.

THIS IS TRADESCANTIA.

IT'S CALLED A BRIDAL VEIL.

THERE'S DIFFERENT CULTIVARS, BUT IT'S A REALLY NICE HOUSEPLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE HERE.

AND A FRIEND SENT HER THESE PHOTOS THINKING THEY WERE HER CARROTS GONE WONKY, AND SHE THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS HEMLOCK.

WHAT IS IT?

>> IT'S NOT POISON HEMLOCK.

WE'RE NOT SEEING THOSE PURPLE SPLOTCHES, BUT CARROTS AND QUEEN ANNE'S LACE ARE THE EXACT SAME PLANT.

SO YOU DO GET THAT COMPOUND UMBEL.

THAT CAN BE QUITE ATTRACTIVE, BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET REALLY TASTY CARROTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SCOTT.

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED A QUESTION AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW HELPING US ON THE PHONES WERE JOHN CARIOTTO, TIM DUNGAN AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION EDUCATOR TERRI JAMES.

NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'LL CHECK OUT SOME RENOVATED BEDS AT KIMMEL ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS IN NEBRASKA CITY.

SO GOOD NIGHT, GOOD BACKYARD FARMER.

(UPBEAT MUSIC)