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

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> TONIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER WE'LL SEE RENOVATED LANDSCAPE BEDS AT KIMMEL ORCHARD AND HEAR HOW YOU CAN MANAGE IRON CHLOROSIS.

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

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

I'M YOUR HOST, ELIZABETH EXSTROM, FILLING IN FOR KIM TONIGHT.

AND I'M EXCITED.

YOU'VE JOINED US FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF ANSWERING YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS.

OUR EXPERTS ARE READY TO TAKE YOUR CALL AT 1-800-676-5446.

OR YOU CAN SEND EMAILS AND PICTURES TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

FOR A FUTURE SHOW.

PLEASE TELL US AS MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR GARDENING QUESTION AS POSSIBLE, AND DON'T FORGET TO LET US KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE.

MAKE SURE TO KEEP UP WITH BACKYARD FARMER ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES LIKE FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND YOUTUBE.

AND NOW IT'S TIME TO GET TO SOME SAMPLES.

KAIT, YOU BROUGHT SOME SPECKLY THINGS.

>> YEAH, WELL, YOU CAN'T SEE THE PROBLEM, AT LEAST THE THE MITES THEMSELVES.

BUT I REALLY WANTED TO SHOW EVERYONE WHAT SPIDER MITE DAMAGE LOOKS LIKE, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THESE THRIVE IN HOT AND DRY WEATHER, WHICH WHAT MANY OF US HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING LATELY.

SO THIS IS A LEAF FROM MY LANDSCAPE THAT HAS BEEN INFESTED WITH SPIDER MITES.

SO IF YOU TAKE A CLOSE LOOK, THIS LEAF IS IT'S GOT LIKE STIPPLES OF WHITE THROUGHOUT IT.

THAT'S THE DAMAGE THAT WE TYPICALLY SEE.

AND SO WHEN YOU BEGIN TO SEE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO ACT BECAUSE SPIDER MITES CAN KILL A PLANT IF LEFT UNCHECKED.

ANOTHER THING YOU CAN LOOK FOR IS REALLY FINE WEBBING ON THE LEAVES.

SO HERE'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE.

THIS IS MEADOW RUE.

AND WHEN YOU DO HAVE SPIDER MITES, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE PLANTS HEALTHY.

SO WATER REGULARLY YOU CAN DISLODGE THE MITES WITH A STRONG SPRAY OF WATER.

AND YOU CAN ALSO USE PESTICIDES SUCH AS INSECTICIDAL SOAP OR NEEM.

JUST BE WARY ABOUT APPLYING THOSE ON A HOT DAY BECAUSE THEY CAN BURN THE PLANT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KAIT.

ALL RIGHT, JEFF, LOOKS LIKE YOU BROUGHT A HEALTHY LOOKING PLANT.

>> YEAH, I DID, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF OUR WEEDS CAN BEVERY OF OUR WEEDS ARE ACTUALLY NATIVE PLANTS, BUT THEY CAN STILL BE WEEDS AND THEY CAN STILL CAUSE US PROBLEMS.

THIS PARTICULAR ONE HAS ATTRACTIVE FOLIAGE, HAS CUTE LITTLE YELLOW FLOWERS IN A FEW WEEKS.

THIS IS SPANISH NEEDLES.

AND SO IT'S ONE OF THESE THINGS THAT IF IT COMES UP IN YOUR LANDSCAPE, YOU MAY THINK, OH, COOL, I'VE GOT A BONUS PLANT HERE, BUT ONCE IT FLOWERS AND IT SETS ITS SEED, IT HAS A VERY CLINGY LITTLE SEED THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OFF OF YOU, YOUR ANIMAL'S FUR, YOUR CHILDREN'S HAIR, ANYTHING THAT IT WOULD GET TO, AND YOU'LL HAVE IT, YOU KNOW, FOREVER.

YOU'LL HAVE TO THROW THE PANTS AWAY THAT IT CLINGS TO BECAUSE THEY JUST DON'T COME LOOSE.

SO, SO IT'S ONE OF THESE PLANTS THAT PEOPLE WILL HAVE.

THEY'LL THINK IT'S KIND OF FUN, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST IT'S EASY TO PULL RIGHT NOW.

SO PULL IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JEFF.

ALL RIGHT.

AMY, YOU BROUGHT SOME PRETTY LOOKING LEAVES TOO.

>> I BROUGHT PRETTY LEAVES.

YOU KNOW, I'M LOOKING FOR SOME NEW COLOR AND VARIETY IN MY GARDEN, SO I BROUGHT SOME PEPPER LEAVES WITH ME TODAY.

THESE ARE ALL FROM MY CHOCOLATE PEPPER.

AND KEEP IN MIND, I HAVE TWO CHOCOLATE PEPPER PLANTS AND THEY BOTH LOOK THE SAME.

WHEN I BOUGHT THE PLANTS AT THE LOCAL GREENHOUSE, THEY LOOKED PERFECTLY FINE.

AND IN THE LAST WEEK OR WEEK TO TWO WEEKS I NOW HAVE MOTTLED LEAVES.

AND SO IT'S A REALLY NICE CONTRAST COLOR IN MY GARDEN, BUT NOT WHAT I'M AFTER.

SO I ACTUALLY HAVE PEPPER MOTTLE VIRUS THAT IS GIVING THAT WHITE STIPPLING OR POWDERING ON MY LEAVES.

THE REALLY INTERESTING PART ABOUT THIS IS BESIDES THIS SYMPTOM, I DIDN'T BRING THE WHOLE PLANT, WHICH I SHOULD HAVE.

MY INNER NODES HAVE GOTTEN REALLY SHORT ON MY PEPPER AND THEY'VE GOTTEN REALLY SQUATTY.

AND SO MY INNER NODES ARE LESS THAN A HALF AN INCH APART.

AND SO I HAVE A REALLY SHORT SQUATTY LITTLE PLANT THAT'S A GREAT INDICATION OF A VIRUS.

NOW, THIS ONE IS C TRANSMITTED AND MECHANICALLY TRANSMITTED.

SO I MADE SURE AFTER I PICKED THESE LEAVES, I DIDN'T PICK THE TOUCH ANY OF THE OTHER BELL PEPPERS IN MY LANDSCAPE OR IN MY GARDEN.

SO I DIDN'T MOVE THAT VIRUS.

THE BEST THING FOR ME TDO IN THIS CASE IS ACTUALLY REMOVE THE PLANT.

SO I DON'T MOVE IT TO THE OTHERS.

BUT OF COURSE I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT AND SEE WHAT MY PEPPERS LOOK LIKE.

AND IF THEY EVER TURN CHOCOLATE OR NOT.

>> GOOD EXPERIMENT AMY.

ALL RIGHT.

TERRI, WHAT DID YOU BRING TODAY?

>> WELL, I USUALLY AM OVER IN THAT TURF CHAIR.

I ALWAYS HAVE TO BRING WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL WEEDS LIKE THE SPANISH NEEDLES, WHICH I THINK YOU CAN BE FIVE FOOT AWAY AND HAVE THEM ON YOU.

SO I ACTUALLY GOT TO GO IN MY OWN BACKYARD AND BRING SOMETHING THAT I REALLY THINK IS PRETTY.

SO A FEW YEARS AGO I BROUGHT BOUGHT SOME SMOKE BUSH.

SO I GOT KIND OF THE GREEN ONE AND THE PURPLE ONE.

AND THEN THIS IS THE ACTUAL SMOKE THAT IT PUTS OFF.

SO THIS IS ONE OF THE SPENT FLOWERS.

THIS IS A GREAT SHRUB.

IT CAN GET TO BE ABOUT TEN-ISH FEET TALL, BUT YOU CAN KIND OF MANAGE IT.

BUT IT'S GOT SOME GREAT COLOR.

IT'S GOT SOME GREAT TEXTURE.

IT REALLY WILL OFFSET SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU MAY HAVE IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

SO ADDING ONE OF THESE TO YOUR LANDSCAPE MIGHT BE SOMETHING NICE TO ADD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU TERRI.

ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO QUESTIONS.

AND KAIT, YOU ARE FIRST.

THIS FIRST QUESTION COMES FROM BRADY.

AND LAST YEAR THEY HAD A HEAVY INFESTATION ON THEIR WALNUTS.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THIS YEAR IS EVEN WORSE.

THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT THESE ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO CONTROL THEM.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS HAS BEEN CAUSED BY WALNUT CATERPILLARS.

THESE CATERPILLARS ARE ACTUALLY PRETTY UNIQUE BECAUSE YOU WILL SEE THEM MOVING AND FEEDING IN BIG CLUSTERS.

AND AS THEY SHED THEIR EXOSKELETONS, THEY'LL ACTUALLY MOVE TO THE TRUNK OR A LARGE LIMB ALL TOGETHER AS A GROUP.

SO THEY'RE KIND OF EASY TO SPOT IN THAT SENSE.

AND YOU CAN ALSO KIND OF SEE THEIR EXOSKELETONS LEFT BEHIND ALSO.

SO OBVIOUSLY THIS TREE HAS BEEN VERY HEAVILY DEFOLIATED AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

AS THEY MOVE TO THAT TRUNK, THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS HANDPICK.

COME NEXT YEAR, IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO SCOUT LATE JUNE, EARLY JULY FOR THE LITTLE CATERPILLARS, BECAUSE THOSE YOU CAN USE A BT APPLICATION TO HELP MANAGE.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE YOUR BEST BET.

LAST THING IS, IS THAT TREE IS MISSING A LOT OF ITS LEAVES.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IT HEALTHY, WELL WATERED.

AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO DELAY FERTILIZATION UNTIL NEXT SPRING IF THAT'S WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ON YOUR NEXT SET OF PICTURES.

AGAIN IT IS, WHAT ARE THESE ON OUR PECAN TREE?

THERE'S HUNDREDS OF THEM.

THEY TRIED TO SPRAY THEM OFF WITH WATER, BUT THEY JUST MARCHED RIGHT BACK UP.

>> YEAH.

SO THESE ARE ALSO WALNUT CATERPILLARS.

PECAN IS ANOTHER HOST TREE.

AND THIS ONE HAS A REALLY GOOD VISUAL OF THOSE CATERPILLARS ON THE TRUNK.

AND SO WHEN THEY'RE BIG LIKE THAT, SPRING WATER IS NOT GOING TO HELP.

IN FACT, SOME RESEARCH SAYS YOU GOT TO MOVE THEM AT LEAST 25 FT AWAY FROM THE TREE, OR THEY'RE GOING TO FIND IT AGAIN.

SO SAME RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS CASE TOO.

>> ON YOUR NEXT PICTURE.

IT IS FROM BY HERSHEY.

THEY SAW THIS ON THE DECK IN THE MORNING AND THEY WERE WONDERING WHAT IT IS.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS A ROBBER FLY.

MOST FLIES ARE NOT COOL.

THESE GUYS ARE REALLY COOL.

SO THEY'RE PREDATORS.

THEY WILL CATCH PREY AS THEY'RE FLYING OUT OF THE AIR.

THIS PARTICULAR SPECIES IS CALLED A HANGING THIEF BECAUSE AS IT EATS ITS PREY, IT'LL HANG FROM ONE LEG OFF OF SOMETHING AND THEN HAVE A NICE MEAL.

FUN FACTS.

RIGHT?

>> FUN FACTS.

ON YOUR LAST PHOTO HERE.

THESE TWO BUGS WERE ON THE EGGPLANT.

THEY WONDERED WHAT THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO CONTROL THEM.

>> YEAH, SO THIS ONE'S KIND OF A HARD ONE.

THIS IS THE COLORADO POTATO BEETLE.

AND IT REALLY TAKES LIKE A MULTIFACETED APPROACH TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, PULL AS MANY AS YOU CAN AND CRUSH THEM OR REMOVE THEM, SOAPY WATER.

MONITORING EARLY NEXT YEAR IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT IN THE SPRING.

THEY'RE EASIER TO KILL WHEN THEY'RE LITTLER THERE.

THERE'S LOTS OF OPTIONS.

PYRETHROIDS, THERE'S BT TENEBROSUS, BUT IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT YOU'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO DEAL WITH YEAR AFTER YEAR AND START EARLY WITH THAT MONITORING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KAIT.

ALL RIGHT.

JEFF, WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM WISCONSIN AND THEY HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO IMPROVE THEIR FRONT YARD THE PAST FEW YEARS.

THEY'VE RESEEDED IT THEMSELVES.

THEY'VE HIRED A PROFESSIONAL.

BUT ALL THAT THEY END UP WITH ARE THESE SMALL PATCHES OF GRASS.

IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO THEY GET THE LUSH GREEN LAWN THAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR BACKYARD?

>> YEAH, THIS IS TOUGH, ISN'T IT?

WELL, I THINK A COUPLE OF THINGS WE CAN TRY.

THEY TALKED ABOUT NOT WATERING A LOT AND KIND OF RELYING ON, ON NATURE FOR THAT, I THINK TO GET THINGS ESTABLISHED.

FIRST OF ALL, I'D WANT TO PUT DOWN A COUPLE INCHES OF COMPOST IN THIS AND DO SOME AERATING, DO OUR OVERSEEDING WITH A FESCUE MIX AND FERTILIZING WITH THAT, AND THEN GET YOURSELF ON A WATERING PROGRAM WHERE YOU'RE WATERING IT THREE TIMES A WEEK, GETTING IT, YOU KNOW, PUTTING DOWN ABOUT A HALF AN INCH, BUT MAKING SURE THAT WE GET A GOOD WATERING IN THREE TIMES A WEEK AND DO THAT CONSISTENTLY.

AND YOU'LL HAVE TO STICK WITH THAT.

AND FOR WISCONSIN, YOU KNOW, IN NEBRASKA, I'D SAY WAIT TILL AFTER LABOR DAY FOR WISCONSIN.

I THINK WE'D LOOK AT MAYBE THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I THINK THINGS SHOULD BE COOLED OFF ENOUGH THAT THEY COULD DO THAT.

RIGHT.

BUT THEN THEY'LL HAVE TO KIND OF CONTINUE WITH THAT WATERING.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY A DRY AREA AND THAT'S PROBABLY, I THINK WATER MAY BE THEIR BIGGEST CULPRIT HERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU JEFF.

YOUR LAST TWO PHOTOS YOU HAD MENTIONED LAST WEEK ON HOW IT WAS TOO HOT TO SPRAY ANYTHING FOR CRABGRASS, BUT THIS VIEWER DID A COUPLE OF APPLICATIONS OF A PRE-EMERGENT.

THEY ALSO DID A FERTILIZER, BUT THEY ARE STILL CONTINUING TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CRABGRASS, AND THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY COULD DO.

>> WELL, I THINK AGAIN, AT THIS STAGE IT'S IT'S STILL TOO WARM.

CONTINUE MOWING, MAKE SURE THAT THE CRABGRASS DOESN'T PRODUCE ANY SEED.

SO AND KIND OF LOOK AROUND THE YARD, MAKE SURE MAYBE UNDER TREES AND SHRUBS YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO FLOWER AND PRODUCING SEED.

SO STICK WITH THAT.

YOU COULD USE A PRODUCT WITH QUINCLORAC IN IT.

AND AGAIN, WE WANT TO WAIT UNTIL OUR DAYTIME HIGHS ARE BELOW 85.

SO IT MIGHT BE A MONTH OR SO UNTIL WE HAVE SOME SOME GOOD DAYS LIKE THAT.

BUT REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU'RE DOING YOUR APPLICATIONS FOR PRE-EMERGE AND FERTILIZER AND ANY OTHER THINGS, MAKE SURE YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE LABEL.

I MEAN, AND YOU KNOW, THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT PERFECT.

AND IF YOU DIDN'T WATER AT THE RIGHT TIME OR DIDN'T GET ENOUGH WATER DOWN AND DIDN'T GET THE PARTY FULLY DISTRIBUTED, WELL, THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THAT, OR YOU JUST HAD SOME BAD LUCK.

>> AND YOUR LAST PHOTO, WE HAVE AN IDENTIFICATION.

THIS IS A PLANT THAT THEY CANNOT GET RID OF.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS AND HOW THEY CAN TRY TO CONTROL IT.

>> YEAH, THAT'S A TOUGH ONE.

THIS DAYFLOWER.

AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE PLANTS THAT IS FAIRLY RESISTANT TO HERBICIDES.

SO I THINK YOU'RE BETTER OFF MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE DIGGING THIS.

SO TERRI IS HERE ON THE TABLE.

SO I'LL LET I'LL BORROW THE KNIFE IDEA, BUT GET YOUR SOIL KNIFE OUT THERE AND DIG THIS AND GET AS MUCH OF THE ROOT OUT AS YOU CAN AND STICK WITH THAT.

BUT THAT'S PROBABLY YOUR BEST BET.

>> ALL RIGHT, AMY, THIS VIEWER HAS SOME HOSTAS AND THEY SEEM TO BE SUFFERING FROM THIS.

SO THE LEAVES TURN YELLOW AND THEN BROWN.

THEY FALL AWAY FROM THE BASE.

THERE'S THESE WHITE HAIR-LIKE GROWTHS AND TINY EGG-LIKE BROWNISH GREEN YELLOW BALLS NEAR THEIR.

THEY NEED TO KNOW IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY NEED TO IGNORE, IF THEY NEED TO TREAT IT, IF THEY NEED TO DESTROY THE PLANT.

LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> SO WHAT YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH HERE IS REALLY A TOUGH PATHOGEN.

IT'S ACTUALLY SCLEROTINIA ON HOSTAS AND SO ON THE PREVIOUS PICTURE, YOU CAN SEE THOSE LITTLE BROWN BALLS.

AND WHAT IT PRODUCES IS A SCLEROTIA.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE CALLED.

AND THAT'S THE OVERWINTERING BODY FOR THIS FUNGUS THAT STAYS IN THE SOIL.

AND IT WILL INFECT THAT CROWN AND CAUSE IT TO GET SOFT AND MUSHY.

AND WE'LL SEE THOSE LEAVES DIE OFF.

THERE ISN'T A GOOD FUNGICIDE FOR THIS.

THE BEST MANAGEMENT REALLY IS REMOVING THE PLANT, BUT ALSO REMOVING 2 TO 3IN OF SOIL ALONG WITH IT TO REMOVE ANY OF THOSE SCLEROTIA TO PREVENT THE SPREAD FROM GOING ON.

SO I WOULD RECOMMEND REMOVING IT NEXT YEAR.

THE BIG THING WITH SCLEROTINIA IS IT LIKES MOISTURE, SO WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT PROPER WATER MANAGEMENT OF OUR HOSTAS, TRYING TO IMPROVE AIRFLOW WHENEVER POSSIBLE, BUT YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO BE REALLY DEDICATED ON MONITORING THOSE PLANTS SO IT DOESN'T MOVE DOWN YOUR ROW OF HOSTAS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

OUR NEXT TWO PHOTOS COME FROM SYRACUSE.

THEY HAVE THESE SWEET POTATOES THAT HAVE THIS WHITE FUZZY, FLUFFY STUFF.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WILL IT AFFECT THE CROP AND IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THEY NEED TO DO?

>> SO THIS ONE ACTUALLY HAD ME STUMPED A LITTLE BIT WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT IT.

IF YOU LOOK REALLY CLOSE, IT HAS FUNGAL GROWTH ON THE PETIOLES.

TO ME, IT LOOKS MORE LIKE A SLIME MOLD THAT WE WILL SEE DEVELOP ON TURF.

SO I'M REALLY CURIOUS FOR THE VIEWER TO GO AND SEE IF THEY CAN WIPE IT OFF, OR IF A HARD BLAST OF WATER WOULD REMOVE IT.

THERE IS A DISEASE WE WILL SEE, JUST LIKE WE W IN THE HOSTA CALLED SCLEROTINIA.

IT'S SCLEROTINIA WHITE MOLD IN THIS CASE VERY AGGRESSIVE, BUT YOU TREAT THEM TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

SO I REALLY ENCOURAGE THE VIEWER TO SEE IF IT COS OFF EASILY.

IF IT'S SCLEROTINIA, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS JUST BASICALLY MONITOR WATERING AND UNDERSTAND IF IT IS SCLEROTINIA, THE VINES ARE GOING TO DIE OFF A LITTLE BIT SOONER, BUT I'M HOPING THAT IT'S JUST SLIME MOLD JUST BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS CONDUCIVE FOR IT RIGHT NOW AND THAT IT'S NOT A BIG PROBLEM.

SO JUST MONITOR.

>> ALL RIGHT, WITH THESE NEXT TWO PHOTOS.

THIS GARDENER NEEDS SOME HELP.

THEY NEED TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR TOMATOES.

THEY HAVE A VERY SMALL GARDEN WITH FOUR PLANTS.

AND IT SEEMS TO BE SPREADING FROM ONE PLANT TO ANOTHER PLANT.

AND THEY'RE WANTING TO KNOW CONTROL ON THIS ONE.

>> SO WE'RE IN THE WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR OF TOMATO EARLY BLIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT IS AFFECTING THESE LEAVES.

IT'S A FUNGAL INFECTION.

THE SPORES OVERWINTER IN THE SOIL AND IT CAN OVERWINTER ON OUR CAGES.

IT STARTS ON THE BOTTOM AND WORKS ITS WAY UP.

SO THE BIGGEST THING FOR MANAGEMENT FOR YOU RIGHT NOW, YOUR TOMATOES ARE NICE AND HEALTHY.

PINCH OFF THOSE LEAVES THAT ARE SHOWING SYMPTOMS.

I WOULD ACTUALLY PINCH OFF AT LEAST 1 TO 2 LEAVES ABOVE THAT TO HELP SLOW DOWN THAT SPREAD.

THE SPORES ARE RAIN SPLASH, SO TRY TO AVOID OVERHEAD IRRIGATION IF POSSIBLE, AND JUST ENJOY YOUR TOMATOES AS LONG AS YOU CAN.

IT IS A COMMON DISEASE THAT WE SEE IN EVERY TOMATO, EVERY PLACE IN NEBRASKA.

>> SO THEY'RE NOT ALONE.

>> THEY'RE NOT ALONE.

>> NOT ALONE.

OKAY, TERRI, WE HAVE A FEW PHOTOS HERE FOR YOU.

AUTUMN FLAME RED MAPLE SEEMS TO BE DEVOURED OR IS ILL, AND IT'S LOSING PATCHES OF BARK.

IT'S ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD AND IT'S IN EAST LINCOLN.

E VIEWER TRIED TO COVER UP THE AREAS WITH CHICKEN WIRE, BUT THEY'RE NOT SURE IF THAT'S GOING TO HELP, SO THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP THEIR TREE.

>> YEAH.

SO I'M NOT FOR SURE IF THE SECOND THERE'S THE SECOND PHOTO.

SO I'M GOING TO CHANNEL DENNIS RIGHT NOW.

I BELIEVE THIS IS CRITTER DAMAGE AND MOST LIKELY PROBABLY SQUIRREL DAMAGE.

I HAVE GOTTEN ACTUALLY A COUPLE CALLS ABOUT THIS.

IF DENNIS WERE HERE, HE WOULD TELL YOU THAT THEY COULD EITHER BE MARKING THEIR TERRITORY, GETTING MOISTURE, OR GRINDING DOWN THEIR TEETH.

SO ANY OF THOSE COULD BE HAPPENING FROM THAT.

BUT I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

I ALSO WOULD REALLY HIGHLY SUGGEST GETTING A HOLD OF AN ARBORIST.

IT LOOKS LIKE YOU NEED SOME PRUNING ON THAT TOO.

THERE'S NOT A LOT YOU CAN DO BESIDES TRYING TO DETER THE CRITTER AND TRY TO KEEP THEM AWAY.

AND THAT FENCING IS NOT GOING TO HELP MUCH ON THAT ONE.

>> OH DARN IT.

YOU HAVE TWO OTHER QUESTIONS THAT ARE ALSO MAPLE RELATED.

THIS VIEWER FROM LINCOLN ADDED THESE TO THEIR LANDSCAPE IN 2022.

THEY GREW REALLY GREAT FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS.

HOWEVER, THEY'VE NOTICED THIS YEAR THAT THE BARK ON BOTH OF THEM SEEMS TO BE SPLITTING IN SEVERAL PLACES, SO THEY'RE WONDERING IF THEY NEED TO BE CONCERNED OR IF THERE'S ANYTHING THEY NEED TO DO ABOUT THIS.

>> YEAH, THERE'S NOT A LOT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THIS.

THIS MOST LIKELY IS COMING FROM THE FREEZE AND THAW IN THE WINTER TIME.

MOST LIKELY.

THIS IS PROBABLY ON THE SOUTH OR SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE TREE.

WHAT HAPPENS IS, YOU KNOW, IT FREEZES IN THE WINTER AND THEN IT THAWS IN THE SUMMER WHEN THE SUN OR IN THE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SUN HITS IT.

SO IT'S KIND OF JUST CRACKING.

JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOUR TREE IS REALLY WELL WATERED GOING INTO WINTER.

I WOULD ALSO KIND OF GO, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S THEY'RE PLANTED PRETTY DEEP.

SO I WOULD ACTUALLY GO AND PULL SOME OF THAT MULCH AWAY FROM THE BARK TO KIND OF MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANY EXTRA CRITTERS OR ANYTHING IN THERE.

SO JUST KEEPING IT HEALTHY AND DOING THE BEST YOU CAN TO MAKE THEM AS HAPPY AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

FOR OUR FIRST FEATURE TONIGHT, WE HEAD TO KIMMEL ORCHARD AND EXTENSION CENTER TO SEE BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED LANDSCAPE BEDS.

HORTICULTURE GRAD STUDENT TREY LAMKINS TELLS US MORE.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> SO THE LANDSCAPE BEDS HERE AT THE KIMMEL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTER WERE REDONE IN THE SUMMER OF 2024 BY THEIR SUMMER INTERN, AND THEY APPLIED TO BE A CERTIFIED NEBRASKA POLLINATOR HABITAT THROUGH NEBRASKA EXTENSION, AND THAT HAS AN EMPHASIS ON NEBRASKA NATIVE PLANTS.

SO IN THE GARDENS, YOU'LL SEE SOME PLANTS THAT ARE CULTIVARS ARE NOT NATIVE, AND THEY'RE OKAY BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT INVASIVE.

BUT THERE IS AN EMPHASIS ON NATIVE PLANTS BEING NEXT TO AN ORCHARD.

POLLINATORS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR FOOD PRODUCTION, BUT WE'VE ALSO REALIZED THAT IT'S ALSO JUST FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

POLLINATORS ARE AT RISK, AND WE CAN DO SOMETHING HERE IN OUR LANDSCAPE THAT SUPPORTS THEM.

AND SO WE'VE DOCUMENTED SIX SPECIES OF NEBRASKA NATIVE BUMBLEBEES JUST THIS YEAR.

SOUTHERN PLAINS BUMBLEBEE, AN AT RISK SPECIES WAS DOCUMENTED HERE.

SAME WITH THE AMERICAN BUMBLEBEE.

SO EVERY YEAR, KIMMEL ORCHARD HIRES A SUMMER LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS INTERN.

AND SO THIS YEAR THEY HAVE THE INTERN, MYSELF AND THEN WE OCCASIONALLY HAVE VOLUNTEERS OR THE ORCHARD CREW WHO WILL HELP US MANAGE THESE LANDSCAPES.

SO THERE'S A COUPLE BEDS THAT NEED REDONE, MAYBE RESEEDED WITH SOME MORE PLANTS.

THIS YEAR I REALLY WANTED TO FILL IN GAPS IN SOME OF THE BEDS.

THERE'S SOME OF THE BEDS HAVE JUST BARE SPOTS, AND SO WE'RE CONSTANTLY PULLING WEEDS IN THOSE AREAS AND SO FILLING THEM IN WITH PLUGS.

AND THEN HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR, YOU KNOW, THEY START TAKING ROOT AND TAKING UP TSE SPACES.

SO WE'RE NOT ALWAYS PULLING WEEDS.

AND THEN EVENTUALLY, I WANT THIS TO BE A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW WHETHER IT'S A YARD, A BUSINESS, A STOREFRONT, HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT POLLINATORS WITH JUST A SIMPLE LANDSCAPE.

WELL, AS YOU CAN SEE BEHIND ME, THE PURPLE CONEFLOWER, ECHINACEA PURPUREA IS IN FULL BLOOM.

THEY'RE VERY SHOWY RIGHT NOW.

SO RIGHT NOW I LOVE IT.

BUT ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLANTS THAT WE HAVE HERE IS RUDBECKIA MAXIMA OR GREAT CONEFLOWER.

IT'S TALLER THAN ME.

IT'S DEFINITELY A STANDOUT, SHOWY, COOL PLANT.

(BIRDS CHIRPING) >> IT'S GREAT TO SEE HOW A FEW SIMPLE ORNAMENTALS CAN MAKE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DIFFERENCE.

AND SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR SECOND ROUND OF QUESTIONS.

SO KAIT, THIS VIEWER IS FROM UTICA.

THEY HAVE MILKWEED AND THEY'RE LETTING IT GROW ALL OVER THE PLACE.

AND THEY WERE HOPING FOR MONARCH LARVAE, BUT INSTEAD THEY GOT THESE YELLOW APHIDS.

AND THEIR QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT THE APHIDS ARE HARMFUL TO THE MONARCH EGGS, AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL GO OVER TO THE HOLLYHOCKS.

>> WELL, IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR MONARCH CATERPILLARS.

I JUST FOUND THE FIRST ONES ON MY PLANTS THIS MORNING, AND THEY'RE REALLY SMALL STILL.UT AS FAR AS APHIDS GO, THIS SPECIES WILL NOT MOVE TO THE HOLLYHOCKS.

THESE ARE OLEANDER APHIDS.

AND THERE'S REALLY INTERESTING RESEARCH OUT THERE THAT THE APHIDS ACTUALLY BENEFIT THE CATERPILLARS.

AND THE PLANTS ARE SO FOCUSED ON DEFENDING ITSELF AGAINST THE APHIDS THAT IT LOWERS DEFENSES AGAINST CATERPILLARS, AND THAT PREDATORS ACTUALLY PREFER THE APHIDS TO.

SO IT KIND OF DOES THE WHOLE BAIT AND SWITCH.

SO THE CATERPILLARS ARE PROTECTED.

SO THEY'RE KIND OF ANNOYING.

AND THEY ATTRACT FLIES.

THEY ATTRACT ANTS BUT OVERALL BENEFICIAL.

>> WHO WOULD HAVE EVER GUESSED APHIDS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL.

>> RIGHT?

RIGHT.

>> FOR YOUR NEXT TWO PHOTOS THIS VIEWER IS FROM BLAIR.

THEY HAVE A MAGNOLIA TREE AND IT SEEMS TO BE COVERED WITH THIS WHITE COATING.

THEY WERE WONDERING WHAT IT IS AND WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

>> YEAH, SO THIS IS MAGNOLIA SCALE.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO CONTROLLING SCALE INSECTS, TIMING IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE USUALLY WANT TO TARGET THAT CRAWLER STAGE.

AND FOR THIS SPECIES THAT'S GOING TO BE MID-AUGUST.

SO COME MID-AUGUST GET A PIECE OF DOUBLE SIDED TAPE AROUND ONE OF THOSE BRANCHES, CHECK THAT TAPE FOR LITTLE TINY CRAWLING INSECTS.

AND WHEN YOU START TO SEE THOSE, THAT'S THE TIME TO APPLY HORTICULTURAL OR SOME SUMMER OILS WORK GREAT.

SO YOU CAN APPLY THAT FROM MID-AUGUST TO FREEZING.

THERE'S ALSO DORMANT OILS YOU CAN USE EARLY BEFORE FLOWERING.

AND IF THERE'S REALLY HEAVILY INFESTED BRANCHES, YOU CAN TRY TO PRUNE THOSE OUT AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS NEXT QUESTION IS FROM BURT COUNTY.

THESE LITTLE GUYS ARE COVERING THE MISCANTHUS BY THE THOUSANDS.

AND WHAT ARE THEY?

>> THESE ARE FIVE BANDED THYNNID WASPS.

AND SO THE ADULTS ARE NECTAR FEEDERS, WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY YOU'RE SEEING THEM.

BUT THEY ARE ALSO PARASITIZED BEETLES TO FEED THEIR LARVAE, IN PARTICULAR SCARAB BEETLES, INCLUDING THE JAPANESE BEETLES.

SO IT'S GREAT THAT YOU'RE SEEING THEM BY THE THOUSANDS.

>> A GOOD GUY.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO JEFF, THIS VIEWER IS FROM NEBRASKA CITY.

THEY THREW SOME WILDFLOWER SEEDS OUT TO COVER THE GROUND, AND THEY ARE WONDERING WHAT THIS BIG FUZZY THING IS.

>> YEAH THAT'S COOL.

THAT'S NICE.

THAT IS VELVET LEAF.

SO YOU HAVE MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE MIX MAYBE OR IT WAS THERE, BUT IT IS A GINORMOUS WEED AND IT WILL ONLY GET BIGGER.

IT'LL HAVE NOT A REAL SHOWY FLOWER, BUT A FLOWER, A YELLOW FLOWER ON IT THAT THEN WILL PRODUCE A SEED PODS THAT CAN PRODUCE UP TO 17,000 SEEDS THAT LAST FOR 50 YEARS.

SO WHEN THE SHOW'S OVER, GO OUTSIDE AND PULL THE PLANT OUT OF THE BED.

YEAH, LET'S GET RID OF THEM ASAP.

>> NOT A WILDFLOWER.

>> NO.

>> YOUR NEXT FEW PICTURES COME FROM NORTH NORTHERN LANCASTER COUNTY.

SUDDENLY THIS SPRING, THIS TYPE OF PLANT STARTED SHOWING UP EVERYWHERE IN THEIR YARD.

THEY WANT TO GET RID OF IT.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS AND HOW THEY CONTROL IT.

>> SO THIS IS A WILDFLOWER KIND OF AS CAROLINA HORSENETTLE.

IT'S IN A SOLANACEAE GROUP.

SO IT'S IT'S POISONOUS.

ALL PARTS ARE POISONOUS.

SO YOU KNOW, DON'T EAT IT.

AND IT'S A PERENNIAL.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT IF YOU'RE JUST SEEING THEM.

NOW THIS IS THE TIME TO GET THOSE AGAIN WITH THE SOIL KNIFE BECAUSE IT'S TOO HOT TO SPRAY.

SO TERRI WILL COME OVER AND DIG THEM UP OUT OF YOUR YARD BECAUSE SHE LOVES IT.

>> THAT'S VERY NICE OF TERRI TO DO THAT.

>> I HOPE THEY'RE FEEDING ME WHILE I DO IT.

>> THEY WILL.

YEAH, SURE.

WHY NOT?

>> YOUR NEXT TWO PHOTOS, JEFF COME FROM LINCOLN.

THIS PLANT HAS TAKEN OVER THEIR PATCH OF WILDFLOWERS THIS YEAR.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT OUT, WHAT IT IS, AND IF THEY NEED TO ROUGE IT OUT.

THERE WE GO.

>> WELL, IT'S A WILDFLOWER.

IT'S ILLINOIS BUNDLE FLOWER.

AND A LOT OF FOLKS REALLY LIKE IT.

IT'S A COOL PLANT.

WE'VE HAD IT ON CAMPUS IN PLACES, AND IT CAN BE, I DARE SAY, USTHE WORD INVASIVE A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT CAN IT CAN BE A LITTLE BIT OF A GARDEN BULLY, LET'S SAY.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD ROGUE IT OUT.

WHAT I MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO DO IS CUT IT BACK OR CUT CERTAIN ONES BACK TO RELEASE SOME OF THE OTHER PLANTS THAT ARE IN THERE AND GIVE THEM A CHANCE.

SO MAYBE I WOULD START WITH THAT.

JUST CUT A FEW BACKGIVE SOME OF THE OTHER PLANTS A CHANCE AT LIGHT AND RAIN AND ALL THAT OTHER GOOD STUFF.

AND BEFORE YOU START DIGGING IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JEFF.

OKAY, AMY, WE HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS FROM THIS WAVERLY VIEWER.

THEY HAVE A MAPLE IN THEIR FRONT YARD THAT APPEARS TO HAVE A NUMBER OF THOSE UPPER BRANCHES THAT ARE DEAD OR DYING.

THEY'RE WONDERING, WOULD WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GOING BE GOING ON WITH THIS TREE?

AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO TRY TO SAVE IT.

>> SO THERE APPEARS TO BE MULTIPLE THINGS GOING ON WITH THIS TREE.

WE'LL START WITH THIS PICTURE HERE.

IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE IT HAS SOME GIRDLING ROOTS THAT ARE OCCURRING THERE.

PLANT DEPTH WASN'T GOOD.

THOSE GIRDLING ROOTS ARE REALLY GOING TO IMPACT THAT TREE AND ITS ABILITY TO GROW AND TO MOVE WATER AND NUTRIENTS IN THERE.

BUT THE WAY THE CROWN IS DYING BACK IS ALSO AN INDICATION OF POTENTIALLY VERTICILLIUM WILT.

AND SO THAT'S A FUNGAL DISEASE THAT COMES IN THROUGH THE SOIL, AND IT IMPACTS THE MOVEMENT OF WATER AND NUTRIENTS IN THAT PLANT.

SO WE'LL SEE THOSE DIEBACKS UP THERE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE PREMATURE COLORATION ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE TREES.

NOW LOOKING AT THE TREE, LOOKING AT THE DECLINE OF THE TREE, I AM GOING TO BRING LOREN T AND SAY IT'S PROBABLY TIME TO MAYBE CONSIDER ROGUING THAT TREE OUT OR PRUNE AT GROUND LEVEL AND LOOK AT POTENTIALLY REPLACING THAT IN YOUR LANDSCAPE EITHER THIS FALL OR NEXT SPRING, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY A TREE I WOULD DEFINITELY CONSIDER TAKING OUT.

>> OKAY.

THANKS, AMY.

YOUR NEXT FEW PHOTOS ARE FROM LINCOLN.

THEY'RE CONCERNED THAT THERE IS THIS SPOT ON THE TRUNK OF THEIR SERVICE.

BERRY.

THEY NEED TO KNOW IF IT'S SOMETHING THEY NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT, OR IF THERE'S ANYTHING THEY NEED TO DO TO HELP THIS SPOT HEAL ON THE TRUNK.

>> SO THIS SERVICE BERRY HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS, AND IT'S NOT THAT OLD.

IF YOU LOOK AT THAT SPOT, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A START OF MAYBE A BACTERIAL CANKER OR EVEN A FUNGAL CANKER ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

AND THAT HAS TO DEAL WITH STRESS OF THE PLANT.

IF YOU LOOK TO SEE WHERE THAT TREE IS PLANTED, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A FAIRLY NEW DEVELOPMENT.

WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME PROBABLY IT APPEARS TO BE SOME HEAVIER CONSTRUCTION SOILS.

I DON'T THINK THIS TREE IS GOING TO DO WELL.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK AT REPLACING IT, IT'S GOING TO BE INCORPORATING SOME MULCH.

AS YOU REPLACE THAT TREE.

TRY TO PROVIDE THAT POSITIVE ORGANIC MATTER.

TRY TO AERATE THAT SOIL SO IT ISN'T SO TIGHT AND COMPACTED JUST TO GIVE A BETTER HOPE FOR THE NEXT PLANT.

IT'S ALSO ON A BERM, SO YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO BE REALLY CAREFUL THAT YOU GET PROPER WATERING SO ALL THE WATER ISN'T RUNNING DOWN THE BERM AND INTO THE TURF AND THE TREE NOT GETTING THE WATER.

SO IT LOOKS REALLY STRESSED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ON YOUR LAST TWO PHOTOS, AMY.

THEY'RE FROM SIOUX CITY.

THEY HAVE A BLUE ONION ALLIUM THAT IS THREE YEARS OLD.

AND IT HAD NORMAL BLOSSOMS IN THE PAST, BUT THIS YEAR IT THREW UP THESE ODD LOOKING FLOWERS.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> IT'S TRYING TO GIVE YOU MORE FLOWERS AND BE MORE CREATIVE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY OUR NOTORIOUS PEST OF ASTER YELLOWS.

IT'S A PHYTOPLASMA.

IT'S MOVED BY INSECTS OR BY HUMAN CONTACT.

THE SAD PART WITH ASTER YELLOWS IS THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR IT.

IT BECOMES A DECISION OF YOUR OWN.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE LOOK, THEN YOU NEED TO REMOVE IT.

IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO THROW THOSE MULTIPLE FLOWERS, MULTIPLE LEAVES INSTEAD OF PETALS ON THOSE FLOWERS.

SO THAT'S REALLY A DECISION.

MOST PEOPLE WOULD JUST ROGUE IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

TERRI, WITH YOUR FIRST QUESTION.

THIS VIEWER IS FROM LINCOLN AND THEY WANT TO KNOW, IS THERE A WAY TO STOP TREES FROM THROWING SUCKERS?

>> WELL, IF YOU COULD TELL ME, THEN I WOULDN'T BE GOING OUT THIS WEEKEND TO CUT MINE BACK.

BUT YES AND NO.

NORMALLY, I'M JUST GOING TO TELL YOU JUST TO GET YOUR PRUNER OUT, SHARPEN IT UP, AND THEN CUT THEM BACK.

THERE IS A CHEMICAL CALLED SUCKER STOPPER THAT YOU COULD POTENTIALLY GO.

IT IS NOT A HERBICIDE, BUT IT'S A GROWTH REGULATOR.

YOU CAN CUT THEM BACK AND THEN PUT THAT ON.

AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO KIND OF SLOW THEM DOWN, BUT IT'S NOT A 100% GUARANTEE.

SO HONESTLY, TO SAVE SOME MONEY, I JUST GO OUT WITH MY PRUNERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

KEEP UP WHAT SHE'S BEEN DOING.

GOT IT.

ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT PHOTO IS FROM UTICA.

THE VIEWER HAS SOME TAILORED JUNIPERS, AND THEY WERE WONDERING, WITH THOSE GROWING TIPS NOT BEING VERTICAL, IF THEY NEEDED TO SUPPORT THEM SO THEY WOULD GROW UP STRAIGHT AND TALL.

>> SO THIS IS REALLY HARD TO ANSWER BECAUSE I WASN'T ABLE TO ACTUALLY SEE THIS WAS THE ONLY PICTURE THAT WE HAD.

I COULDN'T SEE THE WHOLE, THE WHOLE TREE AND THE WHOLE STRUCTURE OF IT.

I'M NOT FOR SURE THIS IS ACTUALLY A TAILORED JUNIPER WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE BOTTOM OF IT.

TAYLOR JUNIPER SHOULD BE MUCH MORE VERTICAL OF THIS AND I'M NOT SEEING THIS.

SO TH FIRST THING I'M GOING TO TELL YOU IS THAT DON'T TRAIN ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY IF THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR YOU HAVE IT.

AND THEN TRAINING USUALLY STARTS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD YEARS.

BUT YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO TRAIN A TAYLOR JUNIPER.

IT SHOULD JUST AUTOMATICALLY GROW THAT WAY.

SO IF YOU COULD SEND LIKE THE WHOLE PICTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT, THEN THAT WOULD HELP US.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT TWO PHOTOS COME FROM UTICA.

THIS IS A KOUSA DOGWOOD, AND IT'S NEVER THRIVED IN THIS LOCATION.

THE VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW IF THEY CAN TRANSPLANT IT AND IF SO, DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR TRANSPLANTING A TREE THAT IS SIX FOOT TALL?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW THIS.

THIS IS A STRUGGLING TREE.

SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO TRANSPLANT IT, YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT REALLY OUT ANYTHING.

THEY SAID THAT THEY DO HAVE SOME HAIL DAMAGE ON THIS.

I WOULD ALSO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE GIVING IT AS GOOD OF A START AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN BY REMOVING THAT TRUNK COVER, TAKINTHE SUPPORTS OFF OF IT.

YOU REALLY ONLY WANT TO LEAVE SUPPORTS ON FOR A YEAR AT THE MOST, AND YOU DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THOSE TRUNK COVERS ON IN THE SUMMERTIME.

YOU'RE NOT OUT ANYTHING IF YOU REALLY DO WANT TO MOVE IT.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO LOTS OF WEEDS AROUND IT AND THERE WAS NO MULCH.

SO JUST DO ALL THE GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT WE'RE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT, AND YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PULL IT OUT OF IT, BUT I DON'T KNOW.

YOU'RE NOT OUT ANYTHING.

>> FOR YOUR LAST PHOTO, TERRI.

IT COMES FROM MCCOOK AND THEY WOULD LIKE AN ID.

WHAT IS THIS TREE THAT JUST CAME UP?

>> THIS IS PURPLE LEAF CHOKE CHERRY.

SO IT'S PROBABLY MOST PLANTED BY A BIRD.

YOU CAN LEAVE IT THERE IF YOU WANT.

IF IT'S REALLY NOT IN YOUR WAY, AND IT'LL HAVE A GREEN FLOWER OR GREEN LEAVES IN THE SPRING AND PURPLE IN THE FALL.

AND YOU IF YOU CAN BEAT THE BIRDS TO IT.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE MAKE JAMS AND JELLIES OUT OF IT.

>> THANKS, TERRI.

IF YOU'RE A GARDENER, YOU'RE GOING TO RUN INTO PROBLEMS NEEDING YOUR ATTENTION.

TERRI'S GOING TO SHOW US A FEW PLANTS AT OUR GARDEN THAT NEED A LITTLE TLC.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> THIS WEEK, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK FROM LOOKING AT OUR ALL-AMERICA SELECTION WINNERS, AND WE'RE GOING TO WALK THROUGH THE GARDEN AND DO OUR LITTLE INSPECTION LIKE I'M ALWAYS TELLING YOU TO IN YOUR OWN GARDEN.

WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING SOME DISEASES ON OUR TOMATOES.

IT'S THE ZINGING ONE THAT WE HAVE.

IT'S A ROMA TYPE TOMATO.

THAT WAS AN ALL-AMERICA SELECTION.

NOT QUITE FOR SURE IF IT'S LIKE A LATE BLIGHT OR AN EARLY BLIGHT, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP A LOT OF AIR MOVEMENT THROUGH IT, AND WE ARE CUTTING OUT ALL OF THE DISEASED PLACES THAT WE SEE ONCE THEY ARE SHOWING UP.

WE'VE ALSO HAD SQUASH VINE BORER ATTACK, SO OF OUR CUCUMBER VINES.

SO WE FOUND IT EARLY.

WE PUT SOME SOIL ON IT.

WE ARE HOPING THAT IT WILL MAKE IT THROUGH, BUT IT'S REALLY LOOKING TOUGH.

AND SO I'M NOT FOR SURE IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLANT THIS ONE.

AND THEN I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN OUR BROCCOLI THIS YEAR.

WE PULLED A LOT OF IT OUT EARLY BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO HEAD OUT.

AND MY MASTER GARDENERS TOLD ME TO LEAVE SOME AND LOOK AT WE HAVE SOME GREAT HEADS OF BROCCOLI SHOWING UP.

SO WALKING THROUGH OUR OUR GARDEN, WE HAVE CHECKED A LOT OF STUFF OUT AND YOU CAN WALK THROUGH TO CHECK IT OUT TOO THIS WEEK.

(SOFT RUSTLING) >> OUR SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK COMES FROM A WOMAN IN GURLEY, NEBRASKA.

SHE SAYS THIS PLANT STARTED GROWING RANDOMLY NEXT TO THEIR LANDSCAPING AND IS WONDERING IF IT IS A WEED THAT SHE SHOULD PULL OR IF SHE SHOULD KEEP AND TERRI, WHAT ADVICE DO WE HAVE FOR HER?

>> WELL, I ALWAYS SAY A WEED IS ONLY IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

SO I WOULD SAY THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD KEEP.

THIS IS A YARROW MOST LIKELY PROBABLY EITHER BLOWN IN OR BROUGHT IN BY A BIRD OR AN ANIMAL OR SOMETHING.

BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE LOVELY FOLIAGE, GREAT FLOWERS, AND A WONDERFUL POLLINATOR.

>> AND IS THIS AN ANNUAL OR PERENNIAL?

>> THIS ONE MOST LIKELY IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A PERENNL.

SO YOU CAN PROBABLY KEEP IT.

AND IT MIGHT ACTUALLY KIND OF SEED ITSELF LIGHTLY ABOUT IN YEARS TO COME.

>> THANKS, TERRI.

WANT TO BE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA 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 PLANT OF THE WEEK AND WEEKLY WEATHER FORECAST.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

LATER IN THE SHOW, AMY HAS SOME TIPS FOR DEALING WITH IRON CHLOROSIS.

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.

BUT RIGHT NOW, IT'S TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

SO, TERRI, ARE YOU READY?

>> SURE.

I'M NOT USED TO GOING FIRST, BUT I'LL TRY.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO DO YOUR BEST TODAY.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO NORTH OF CERESCO.

WILL CUTTING THE TOPS OFF OF THE TOMATOES THAT GREW THERE.

FOUR FOOT CAGES ENCOURAGE FRUIT SET, OR SHOULD WE LEAVE THEM ALONE?

>> I JUST LEAVE THEM ALONE.

>> FREMONT WANTS TO KNOW IF YELLOW BOY TOMATOES THAT ARE FOUR FOOT TALL IN A CONTAINER THAT BLOOM CONTINUALLY, BUT THE BLOOMS FALL OFF AND THERE'S NO FRUITING.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THEY CAN DO?

>> MOST LIKELY NOT, BECAUSE IT'S PROBABLY JUST TOO HOT.

>> SHOULD THE PODS OR THE SEED PODS OF A DAYLILY BE CUT OFF OR LEFT?

>> YOU CAN CUT THEM OFF.

I THINK THEY'RE UNSIGHTLY.

SO I CUT MINE BACK.

>> CAN I TAKE THE BAD CLAY LIKE SOIL OFF FROM AROUND THE ROOTS OF A STRUGGLING BEE BALM AND REPLANT IT IN GOOD, DRAINING SOIL?

OR WILL IT SHOCK IT INTO EARLY DEATH?

>> I MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW, YOU CAN TRY IT.

YOU'RE NOT OUT ANYTHING.

>> THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEIR STRAWBERRIES.

THESE STRAWBERRIES HAVE CUPPED BROWN LEAVES AND THEY HAVE NOT SET ON ANY BERRIES.

>> I DON'T KNOW, IT'S PROBABLY THE WEATHER IS MOST LIKELY.

>> NOT TOO SHABBY.

NOT TOO SHABBY FOR HAVING TO GO FIRST.

ALL RIGHT AMY.

THIS VIEWER IN OMAHA WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE'S A WAY TO PREVENT WHITE MOLD ON PEONIES BEFORE IT HAPPENS.

>> NOT REALLY.

YOU COULD SPRAY IT, BUT IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

>> A NEWER NATIVE CULTIVAR OF THE COTTONWOOD HAS GROWTHS ON ITS TRUNK.

IS IT SOMETHING THAT THE VIEWER SHOULD CUT OFF, OR WILL IT SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE TREE?

>> I WOULD LEAVE IT DEPENDING ON THE AGE.

IT'S PROBABLY CONKS, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE A HEART ROT.

>> THIS VIEWER DUG INTO A WET MULCH PILE AND UNDERNEATH WAS OILY AND IT SMELLED ROTTEN.

CAN THEY USE IT AROUND THEIR PLANTS OR SHOULD THEY GET RID OF IT?

>> YOU PROBABLY CAN USE IT.

I'M NOT TOO WORRIED.

IT JUST STINKS.

LET IT COMPOST LONGER.

>> OPENED UP THE SWEET CORN HUSKS AND THERE WAS BLACK AND GRAY MOLD.

CAN THEY CUT IT OUT AND STILL EAT AROUND IT?

>> YOU SURE CAN OR YOU CAN EAT IT YOURSELF.

IT'S CORN SMUT.

IT'S EDIBLE.

>> THE RASPBERRIES ARE MOLDING ON THE PLANT.

IS THERE A CONTROL?

>> NO.

JUST HARVEST THEM AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN AND USE THEM AS FAST.

IT'S BOTRYTIS.

THERE'S NOTHING.

YOU CAN DO.

>> GOOD JOB, AMY.

ALL RIGHT, JEFF.

>> OKAY.

>> THE LAWN SERVICE HAS SPRAYED WITH A TEMPERATURE OF 87 DEGREES.

SHOULD LAWNS BE SPRAYED WITH THESE HIGH OF TEMPERATURES?

>> THEY SHOULDN'T BE SPRAYED.

NO, THEY.

AND I GUESS IF YOU HAVE A LAWN CARE SERVICE THAT'S DOING THAT, YOU SHOULD TALK TO THEM AND DELAY THE TREATMENT FOR A WHILE.

>> WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO KILL CLOVER WITHOUT HURTING EARTHWORMS OR INSECTS?

>> YOU COULD WAIT TILL LATER THIS FALL.

SO IN SEPTEMBER OR WHENEVER IT STOPS FLOWERING.

SO USUALLY JUST ONCE YOU WAIT, WAIT A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

>> AND WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU RECOMMEND TO KILL CLOVER?

>> YOU KNOW, THERE ARE ANY OF THE THREE WAY HERBICIDES.

THE OTHER REAL TREATMENT IS, IS TO FERTILIZE YOUR YARD.

IF YOU REALLY DON'T WANT THE CLOVER, THEN UP YOUR NITROGEN THAT YOU'RE APPLYING TO THE YARD AND THAT'LL HELP CONTROL IT AS AS GOOD AS ANYTHING.

>> THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW.

THE BEST WAY TO CONTROL WALNUT SAPLINGS IN A FOUR ACRE AREA UNDERNEATH MATURE WALNUTS.

DO THEY CUT THEM ALL OFF OR USE A BRUSH KILLER, OR WHAT'S THE BEST OPTION?

>> I THINK I WOULD JUST KEEP MOWING THEM.

YEAH.

>> IF THE TEMPERATURES DROP FOR A DAY OR TWO, CAN WE SPRAY WEEDS?

>> YOU KNOW, I WOULD SAY RELAX ON THE WEEDS.

YOU KNOW, JUST JUST TAKE A TAKE A BREAK.

MOW THEM OFF IF THEY BOTHER YOU.

OTHERWISE, JUST TAKE A BREAK, WAIT TILL WAIT A MONTH OR SO, AND THEN YOU CAN DO ALL THE SPRAYING YOU WANT.

>> SOIL KNIFE.

>> SOIL KNIFE, BUT IT'S TOO HOT.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE PASSING OUT IN THEIR YARD.

TRYING, YOU KNOW, FALLING ON THEIR KNIFE.

SO.

YEAH.

>> OKAY.

KAIT.

>> ARE YOU READY FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND?

>> SURE.

>> OKAY.

DOES PEPPERMINT OIL, WATER AND DAWN DISH WASHING SOLUTION WORK FOR SPIDER MITES ON A BUTTERFLY BUSH?

>> I WOULD KEEP IT SIMPLE AND GO WITH WATER OR INSECTICIDAL SOAP.

>> IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN PUT IN STANDING WATER THAT CAUSES MOSQUITO LARVAE TO PRODUCE STERILE OFFSPRING?

AND WOULD WE RECOMMEND IT.

>> SO IT WOULDN'T BE STERILE OFFSPRING?

BUT THERE'S GROWTH REGULATORS LIKE METHOPRENE OR BTI IS PROBABLY THE BEST TO USE.

>> WOULD JAPANESE BEETLES CAUSE A BLUEBERRY BUSH NOT TO PRODUCE BERRIES.

>> IF THERE'S ENOUGH DAMAGE AND THAT BUSH IS SUPER STRESSED OUT, IT COULD BE POSSIBLE, I SUPPOSE.

>> THIS VIEWER USED NEEM OIL ON JAPANESE BEETLES AND BABY GRASSHOPPERS.

DID IT SUFFOCATE THEM AND GLUE THEIR BODIES TOGETHER?

>> THAT IS SUCH A BIZARRE QUESTION.

>> I HAVE NO IDEA.

I'M SORRY.

SEND US A PICTURE.

THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

>> USING DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO CONTROL GRASSHOPPERS.

HOW HEAVY OF AN APPLICATION DO THEY NEED TO MAKE?

>> THERE'S PROBABLY BETTER OPTIONS OUT THERE FOR GRASSHOPPERS SUCH AS GRASSHOPPER BAITS.

I WOULD START THERE.

>> OKAY, SOME SOMETIMES PLACES BETWEEN SIDEWALKS AND STREETS ARE REALLY DIFFICULT TO TAKE CARE OF, AND SCOTT HIGHLIGHTS AN ORNAMENTAL THAT MIGHT HELP TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

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

SWAMP MILKWEED IS A MIDWEST NATIVE THAT DOES REALLY WELL IN THE HOME LANDSCAPE.

IT CAN TAKE A WIDE RANGE OF GROWING CONDITIONS, FROM WET SOILS TO DRY SOILS, BUT IT REALLY DOES PREFER FULL SUN FOR BEST PERFORMANCE.

SWAMP MILKWEED IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN OUR OTHER MILKWEEDS BECAUSE IT'S A CLUMP FORMING MILKWEED, WHICH MEANS IS WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THOSE RHIZOMES AND NEW PLANTS POPPING UP ALONG THE LANDSCAPE.

HOWEVER, SWAMP MILKWEED IS KNOWN TO SELF-SEED, SO YOU SHOULD KEEP THAT IN MIND.

SWAMP MILKWEED REALLY DOES LIKE A THREE BY THREE FOOTPRINT IN THE GARDEN, SO THAT WAY IT CAN REALLY SHINE.

IT CAN GROW AWHERE FROM 3 TO 5 FOOT TALL, AND IT'S A HOST PLANT FOR THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF OTHER BEES, BUTTERFLIES AND BELES CHECKING OUT THIS PLANT.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF HEIGHT TO YOUR LANDSCAPE THIS SUMMER, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT THE SWAMP MILKWEED.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO TURN IT OVER FOR GANNON FOR OUR WEATHER.

(WIND BLOWING) >> HEY, GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

I BRIEFLY MENTIONED IT LAST WEEK, BUT THESE NEXT FEW DAYS ARE GOING TO BE PRETTY TOASTY.

HIGHS WILL LIKELY BE IN THE 90S AND INTO THE LOW 100S FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY.

THE HEAT INDEX WILL ALSO BE A BIT OF CONCERN, PARTICULARLY ON MONDAY FOR AREAS EAST AND NORTH PLATTE.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THINGS WILL BE IN THE COOL DOWN ON TUESDAY IN THE BACK HALF OF NEXT WEEK WILL LIKELY BE NEAR NORMAL.

WE'VE BEEN SPARED THE WORST OF THIS HEAT WAVE.

PARTS OF THE DAKOTAS AND MONTANA WERE ABOVE 110 DEGREES.

PRECIPITATION CHANCES WILL ALSO BE LIMITED UNTIL THINGS COOL DOWN.

THE GREATEST ODDS OF ANY MOISTURE OUT WEST IN THE PANHANDLE, AND IT ISN'T ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT.

THIS RECENT HEAT AND DRYNESS HAS BEEN A BIT CONCERNING FOR DROUGHT CONDITIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE WESTERN HALF OF THE STATE WHERE THINGS AREN'T GREAT.

AND THAT'S YOUR WEEK OF WEATHER FORECAST.

BACK TO YOU GUYS.

>> WE'VE GOT A FEW QUESTIONS OR FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS.

THE FIRST ONE IS DAYLILY DAYS AT HARMONY NURSERY.

THAT IS, DATES AND TIMES ARE UP ON THE SCREEN.

THAT'S IN BRADSHAW, NEBRASKA.

OUR NEXT ANNOUNCEMENT IS A NIGHT IN BLOOM AT KIMMEL ORCHARD AND VINEYARD ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST FROM 5 TO 8 P.M.

IN NEBRASKA CITY.

AND NOW WE'VE GOT ANOTHER ROUND OF QUESTIONS.

SO KAIT, THIS VIEWER FROM OMAHA WANTS TO KNOW IF THESE INSECTS ARE GREEN JUNE BEETLES.

THEY'VE SEEN THEM FEEDING ON THEIR ORIOLE FEEDERS.

>> YES.

>> OKAY.

>> YES, THEY'RE ATTRACTED TO FRUIT.

SO YOU CAN PUT THEM IN SOAPY WATER, BUT THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO KEEP COMING BACK.

>> OUR NEXT VIEWER IS FROM BERTRAND, AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THEIR CHERRY TREE IS LOOKING VERY TERRIBLE.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> JUDGING BY THE LEAVES BEING SKELETONIZED LIKE THEY ARE, IT'S MOST LIKELY JAPANESE BEETLES.

JAPANESE BEETLES, ALSO BUCKET OF SOAPY WATER.

GET AS MANY IN THERE AS YOU CAN.

THERE ARE SPRAY OPTIONS, BUT THEY WOULD REQUIRE REAPPLICATION AND THE SOAPY WATER IS GOING TO BE YOUR BEST BET.

YEAH.

>> ON YOUR NEXT TWO PHOTOS, THERE OF A BLUEBERRY.

BUT THEY SEEM TO HAVE THESE STRANGE HOLES IN THEM AS WELL.

WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT CAN THEY DO TO TREAT.

>> YEAH, THIS ALSO LOOKS LIKE JAPANESE BEETLE DAMAGE TO ME.

SO SAME THING.

BLUEBERRIES WOULD PROBABLY BE A LITTLE EASIER TO GRAB THE BEETLES FROM, BUT SOAPY WATER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> YOUR NEXT TWO PHOTOS HAVE OOZING PEACHES, AND THEY WERE WONDERING, WHAT'S THE CAUSE OF THIS?

SHOULD THEY PICK THEM OFF?

TOSS THEM?

WHAT CAN THEY DO TO KEEP THIS AWAY FROM THEIR PEACH?

>> SO IF THIS IS AN INSECT, THERE'S A COUPLE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE.

REGARDLESS, I WOULD TOSS THOSE PEACHES THAT ARE INFECTED, BECAUSE THE INSECTS ARE JUST GOING TO EMERGE AND INFEST MORE THE NEXT YEAR AND FOLLOW A FRUIT TREE SPRAY SCHEDULE.

BUT START WITH CUTTING THAT OPEN AND SEEING IF THERE ARE BUGS INSIDE AND THEN GOING FROM THERE.

>> AND YOUR LAST ONE, THEY WANT AN IDENTIFICATION ON WHAT THIS IS ON THEIR RASPBERRY.

>> SO THIS IS A CLEARWING MOTH.

THIS ONE I THINK IS THE IRONWEED CLEARWING MOTH.

THAT BEING SAID THERE IS A VERY CLOSELY RELATED LOOKS VERY SIMILAR ONE THAT DOES BORE INTO RASPBERRIES.

BUT IF THEY YOUR PLANTS LOOK FINE JUST LET THEM BE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KAIT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JEFF, YOU GOT A BUNCH OF IDENTIFICATIONS HERE.

OKAY.

THE FIRST ONE IS THEY JUST SIMPLY WANT YOU TO IDENTIFY THESE WEEDS THAT THEY'RE FINDING IN OMAHA.

>> RIGHT?

THIS FIRST ONE IS JOHNSONGRASS BASED ON THE PLANT AND THE WHITE MIDRIB.

I WOULD SAY THIS.

JOHNSONGRASS.

>> OKAY.

ANY CONTROL FOR THAT ONE?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, WHY DON'T WE GO THROUGH THE PICTURES AND WE CAN TALK CONTROLS?

>> YOU BET.

OUR NEXT TWO PHOTOS ARE FROM LINCOLN.

THEY HAVE THIS PATCH OF UNKNOWN GRASS THAT'S IN THEIR FESCUE LAWN.

THEY TRIED TO PULL IT, BUT IT JUST KEEPS COMING BACK, RIGHT?

>> THE FIRST PICTURE WAS WATERHEMP THAT WE SAW JUST MOMENTARILY.

THIS IS NIMBLEWILL.

SO IT'S ANOTHER KIND OF WARM SEASON GRASS THAT GETS IN OUR COOL SEASON GRASSES.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER PICTURE OF THE NIMBLEWILL.

>> YEP.

>> AND THEN THE LAST COUPLE GRASS PHOTOS WE HAVE ARE FROM CHASE COUNTY.

THEY FOUND THESE GROWING UP AROUND THEIR BUILDINGS.

THEY'VE HAD THEM THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THEY'RE VERY HARD TO PULL.

AND THEY HAVE THESE BIG OLD RHIZOMES.

>> WITH THEM.

RIGHT.

YEAH.

I THINK WE'VE GOT QUACKGRASS GOING HERE.

SO BASED ON THAT PICTURE THERE, ESPECIALLY.

SO SO I THINK WITH ALL OF THESE, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE TEMP THING AND ALL THAT.

AND I RIGHT NOW, MY RECOMMENDATION FOR A LOT OF THIS IS JUST MAKING SURE WE DON'T PRODUCE SEED, KEEPING THINGS MOWED DOWN, TAKING YOUR STRING TRIMMER OUT, CUTTING STUFF BACK AS YOU CAN AND KEEPING UP WITH THAT UNTIL WE GET AGAIN INTO LATER IN THE SUMMER, LATE SUMMER, EARLY SEPTEMBER, WHEN THE PLANTS ARE MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ANY KIND OF HERBICIDE YOU'RE USING.

AND A LOT OF THESE ARE MULTI-PRODUCT HERBICIDES OUT THERE THAT WILL HANDLE ALL OF THESE, ALL OF THESE WEEDS HERE AND TAKE CARE OF THEM PRETTY EASILY FOR YOU.

BUT THIS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE REALLY RESISTANT TO HERBICIDES THIS TIME OF YEAR BECAUSE OF THE HEAT AND THE DROUGHT AND ALL THOSE THINGS.

SO THIS IS REALLY THE TIME TO JUST KIND OF LAY LOW, KEEP THINGS TRIMMED UP, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THINGS DOWN, DON'T LET THINGS GO TO SEED, AND THEN YOU'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF IT LATER.

>> ALL RIGHT, AMY, WE ALSO HAVE A PEACH QUESTION FOR YOU.

THEY FOUND SIMILAR ACRYLIC MASSES ON THEIR PEACHES, AND THEY'RE WONDERING IF IT'S A DISEASE.

>> SO THIS TIES IN EXACTLY WHAT KAIT HAD.

THIS IS PEACH GUMMOSIS.

AND SO WHEN THAT INSECT BURROWS IN, IT RELEASES THIS GOOEY SUBSTANCE.

THERE ISN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

YOU CAN USE THE PEACH, BUT MAKE SURE YOU FIND THAT INSECT BEFORE YOU EAT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT FEW ARE ASPENS.

THERE ARE ABOUT 3 TO 4 YEARS OLD, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LOWER BRANCHES START TO BE BLACKANE TREE.

WHAT IS IT AND IS THERE ANY TREATMENT?

>> SO THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE FUNGAL WITH THE WAY THE LEAVES ARE BROWNING FROM THE TIP AND WORKING ITS WAY BACK, IT LOOKS MORE ENVIRONMENTAL.

I WOULD BE INTERESTED IF THE TREES ARE GETTING ENOUGH WATER.

I KNOW THEY'RE IN THE LANDSCAPE OR IN THAT LAWN, BUT THE TREES NEED MORE WATER THAN WHAT THE TURF GETS.

>> AND YOUR LAST COUPLE PHOTOS ARE OF SOME PEONIES THAT DON'T LOOK VERY HEALTHY, AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM BLOOMED THIS SPRING.

>> THEY ARE NOT HEALTHY.

TO ME, THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU POTENTIALLY HAVE A CROWN WILT MAYBE A LITTLE TOO WET.

THE OTHER QUESTION I'M GOING TO HAVE IS HOW LONG AGO DID YOU MOVE THEM?

SOMETIMES, IF THEY'RE PLANTED TOO DEEP, PEONIES ARE NOT HAPPY.

>> ALL RIGHT, TERRI, YOU'VE GOT A BUNDLE OF HYDRANGEA QUESTIONS.

THEY PLANTED THESE A FEW YEARS AGO.

THEY BLOOMED GREAT THE FIRST YEAR, BUT THEY'VE NEVER BLOOMED AGAIN.

SO WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> SO YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHICH HYDRANGEA YOU HAVE.

SOME OF THEM, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE PRUNING THEM.

YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHEN TO PRUNE THEM.

SOME OF THEM BLOOM ON NEW WOOD.

SOME OF THEM BLOOM ON OLD WOOD.

SO FIGURE OUT WHICH ONE YOU HAVE.

THIS ONE KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A BIG LEAF ONE MACROPHYLLA.

SO MOST LIKELY THIS BLOOMS ON OLD WOOD.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT PRUNING IT BACK.

SO DON'T TOUCH IT THIS YEAR.

SEE IT.

SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> YOUR NEXT TWO HYDRANGEA PHOTOS.

THE LEAVES ARE REALLY YELLOW.

THEY'RE STARTING TO TURN BROWN.

THERE'S SOME CANE DIEBACK.

AND THEY'RE WONDERING IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN TELL THEM ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THESE TWO.

>> YEP.

SO I THINK THAT'S THE NEXT PICTURE.

I THINK THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TWO ISSUES, EITHER A WATER ISSUE OR A, OR A NUTRITION ISSUE.

NOT FOR SURE.

IF IT'S NUTRITION, MAYBE DO A SOIL TEST.

BUT I WOULD ALSO MAYBE GET RID OF THE ROCK MULCH AROUND IT AND CHECK TO SEE IF IT'S NOT DRAINING.

SO IT COULD BE EITHER OR.

SO CHECK AROUND THE PLANT.

IF IT'S TOO WET, THEN TRY TO DRY IT OUT A LITTLE BIT.

OR IF THAT'S NOT IT, THEN GET A SOIL TEST TO SEE TO CHECK THE NUTRIENTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE'RE SKIPPING TO ROSES RIGHT NOW.

THEY'VE GOT THESE HYBRID ROSE BUSHES AND THEY'RE ABOUT 10 TO 15 YEARS OLD.

BUT THEY'VE BEEN REALLY STRUGGLING.

THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE ISSUE WITH THESE.

>> SO HYBRIDS ARE A LITTLE TEMPERAMENTAL.

AND WITH OUR WITH OUR DRY WINTERS FOR THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, MY GUESS IS THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT IT IS.

I WOULD JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE KEEPING THEM WELL, MULCHED, KEEPING THEM WATERED.

IT ALSO LOOK LIKE THERE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BLACK SPOT ON IT AND SOME BUG ISSUES, SO DO NOT FERTILIZE IT.

IT SAID THEY ARE FERTILIZING IT.

I WOULDN'T FERTILIZE IT AND I WOULD JUST KIND OF TRY TO BABY IT BACK TO GOOD HEALTH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, TERRI.

IF YOUR LEAVES ARE TURNING YELLOW WHILE THE VEINS STAY GREEN, YOUR PLANTS MAY BE SUFFERING FROM ONE OF THE MOST COMMON NUTRIENT PROBLEMS IN NEBRASKA LANDSCAPES.

AND IT'S IRON CHLOROSIS.

NEBRASKA EXTENSION EDUCATOR AMY TIMMERMAN EXPLAINS HOW TO IDENTIFY IRON CHLOROSIS, WHY IT HAPPENS, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR TREES AND SHRUBS.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> IRON CHLOROSIS IS A COMMON PLANT ISSUE THAT WE CAN ENCOUNTER, AND THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS THAT WE SEE WITH IT IS LEAVES THAT ARE TURNING YELLOW TO WHITE, BUT THE INSIDE VEINS STAY DARK, DARK GREEN.

CLASSIC IRON CHLOROSIS SYMPTOMS.

NOW HERE'S THE BIG TRICK.

IN NEBRASKA, WE HAVE PLENTY OF IRON IN OUR SOIL.

THE PROBLEM IS IT'S A PH ISSUE.

THE PH IS BINDING THE IRON SO IT ISN'T AVAILABLE TO THE PLANT.

SO HOW DO WE MANAGE THIS?

NUMBER ONE, COLLECT A SOIL SAMPLE AND FIND OUT WHAT YOUR PH IS.

FROM THAT SOIL ANALYSIS, THEY CAN PROVIDE YOU INFORMATION ON HOW DO WE AMEND THE SOIL TO BRING THAT PH UP.

TYPICALLY, WE WANT OUR SOILS BETWEEN A PH OF SIX TO ABOUT 7.5 TO 8.

SO DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU'RE AT, WE MAY HAVE TO MAKE VARIOUS ADJUSTMENTS.

THE OTHER BIG COMPONENT WE CAN DO IS IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT A SET OF QUALITY, WE CAN SPRAY A FOLIAR IRON TO THE PLANT, AND THAT WILL ALLOW IT TO GREEN UP FOR ABOUT 2 TO 3 WEEKS.

AND SO IF YOU LIKE THAT, YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE YEAR.

OR YOU CAN JUST GO WITH THE OLD STANDBY.

YOU CAN JUST TELL FOLKS IT IS AN IRON CHLOROSIS.

INSTEAD, WE HAVE A NEW VARIEGATED PLANT.

AND ISN'T IT SO BEAUTIFUL TO PROVIDE NEW COLOR IN OUR LANDSCAPE?

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> THANKS, AMY, FOR HELPING US BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW SOIL PH AFFECTS PLANT HEALTH AND WHAT GARDENERS CAN DO TO MANAGE THIS COMMON PROBLEM.

FOR MORE RESEARCH BASED GARDENING TIPS AND SOLUTIONS, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO GET UPDATES ALL YEAR LONG.

WE HAVE TIME FOR JUST A FEW QUESTIONS.

SO KAIT, THEY WANT AN ID ON THIS SPIDER.

>> PROBABLY FOUND NEAR WATER BECAUSE THIS IS A FISHING SPIDER.

>> OH WELL, THERE WE GO.

>> VERY LARGE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> AND JEFF, THEY WOULD LIKE AN IDENTIFICATION ON THIS PLANT.

THEY WANT TO KNOW IF IT'S INVASIVE OR IF THEY SHOULD REMOVE IT.

>> IT'S TARTARIAN HONEYSUCKLE.

IT'S INVASIVE AND THEY SHOULD REMOVE IT.

SO CUT IT BACK.

USE A STUMP STUMP SPRAY AND SPRAY THE STUMP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AMY, THIS VIEWER HAS SIX YEAR OLD YEWS THEIR WEST FACING.

THEY HAVE FILTERED SUN AND THEY'RE STARTING TO NOTICE THESE YELLOWING AND BROWNING OF THESE NEEDLES.

THEY'RE JUST WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> THIS IS ENVIRONMENTAL.

SO MAKE SURE THE PLANTS ARE GETTING ENOUGH WATER.

AND IT'S JUST BEEN OUR DRY CONDITIONS.

>> OKAY.

AND TERRI, YOU ALSO GET A PEACH QUESTION TONIGHT.

THIS VIEWER HAS A BRANCH THAT HAS BROKEN.

AND THEY WERE CONCERNED OF WHAT THEY NEEDED TO DO WITH THE WITH THE BRANCH AND THE PEACHES.

>> YEAH.

SO THE PEACHES WILL NOT RIPEN.

WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET OUT THERE, CUT THAT BRANCH BACK, CLEAN IT ALL UP AND REMOVE IT AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A NICE CLEAN CUT MOVING FORWARD SO YOU DON'T GET ANY OF THE DISEASES OR INSECTS OR ANYTHING ELSE IN THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO KAIT, ANOTHER ID FROM LINCOLN.

THEY'RE CURIOUS AS TO WHAT THIS LITTLE GUY IS.

>> THIS IS THE NYMPH OF A GREEN STINK BUG.

SO THOSE VERY VIBRANT GREEN STINK BUGS THAT WE SEE EVERY SO OFTEN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND JEFF, WHAT IS THIS PLANT?

THEY CANNOT GET RID OF IT.

>> NO THEY CAN'T.

IT'S CREEPING.

CHARLIE.

SO I WOULD WAIT AGAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER AND THEN USE YOUR THREE WAY HERBICIDE ON IT THEN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AMY, THESE ARE PICTURES OF A PENSTEMON IN KEARNEY.

AND THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT CAUSED THE SPOTS.

>> YOU DIDN'T HAVE A HUSKER RED PENSTEMON AND WANTED SOME LITTLE COLOR ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

IF NOT, THIS IS ACTUALLY PENSTEMON RUST.

YOU CAN LOOK AT SOME CONTACT FUNGICIDES TO HELP MANAGE IT, BUT IT'S ALREADY STARTED TO SPORULATE, SO IT'S REALLY HARD TO MANAGE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> ALL RIGHT, TERRI, THIS MCCOOK VIEWER SAID THAT THIS PLANT CAME UP IN THEIR GARDEN AND THEY'RE WONDERING WHAT IT IS.

>> IT IS.

IT'S A MOSS ROSE.

SO YES.

AND I THINK SHE EVEN SAID IT WAS A MOSS ROSE.

>> SO THEY WERE RIGHT ON.

>> SHE WAS RIGHT.

>> SO THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR BACKYARD FARMER TONIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED QUESTIONS AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW HELPING US ON THE PHONES.

TONIGHT.

WE'RE GARY BELL LINDA HELTON AND CAROL RUSTAD.

NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'LL LEARN HOW HOMEOWNERS ARE DEALING WITH SEVERE DROUGHT ISSUES IN WESTERN NEBRASKA.

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

(UPBEAT MUSIC)