>>> BACKYARD FARMER IS A PRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA >>> "“BACKYARD FARMER"” IS A PRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

NIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT FANTASTIC NATIVE WILDFLOWERS, AND HEAR ABOUT HOW DIFFERENT WESTERN NEBRASKA HORTICULTURE CAN BE.

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

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

"” I'M KIM TODD, AND WE'RE GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF GOOD GARDENING.

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR AUDIENCE.

YOU CAN SUBMIT THOSE QUESTIONS AND PICTURES FOR A FUTURE SHOW BY SENDING US AN E-MAIL TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

YOU DO NEED TO TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE.

GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR GARDENING ISSUE.

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO FOLLOW "“BACKYARD FARMER"” ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS, YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK.

AS ALWAYS, WE START THE SHOW WITH SAMPLES AND WE'VE GOT A CREATURE IN THE BOX.

>> YES.

SO TODAY I BROUGHT WITH ME SOME SLIMY SLUGS.

AND YES, SLUGS CAN BE PLANT PESTS, HOSTAS, FOR EXAMPLE ARE ONE OF THEIR FAVORITES.

AND A LOT OF THE TIMES THEY KIND OF GO UNNOTICED IN THE LANDSCAPE.

THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE KIND OF MORE NOCTURNAL IN NATURE.

THEY HIDE AWAY FROM THE HEAT OF THE DAY.

AND PEOPLE JUST END UP SEEING THESE IRREGULAR SHAPED HOLES IN THE LEAVES AND AREN'T QUITE SURE WHAT'S CAUSING IT.

SO FIRST AND FOREMOST, FOR MANAGEMENT OF SLUGS, YOU WANT TO MAKE THE ENVIRONMENT AS LEAST FAVORABLE FOR THEM AS POSSIBLE.

MULCH, FOR EXAMPLE, MAKE SURE YOUR MULCH ISN'T TOO THICK OR DEEP SO THE DEEPER THE MULCH, THE MORE HIDING SPOTS, THE COOLER IT GETS FOR THEM.

TRY TO KEEP IT ABOUT ONE INCH THICK.

YOU CAN ALSO WATER DURING THE MORNING TO MAKE SURE THAT EXCESS WATER HAS MORE TIME TO EVAPORATE DURING THE DAY.

AND THEN JUST MAKE SURE YOUR GARDEN JUST GENERALLY CLEANED UP OF LEAF LITTER, AS WELL.

TRAPPING SLUGS IS ALSO RELATIVELY EASY.

YOU CAN PUT DOWN A BOARD.

YOU CAN PUT DOWN WET BURLAP, NEWSPAPERS.

I'VE ALSO HEARD THAT STALE BEER WORKS PRETTY WELL, BUT THE NEXT TIME YOU VISIT YOUR GARDEN YOU CAN SIMPLY LIFT UP THAT BOARD OR THAT BURLAP AND THEN JUST PICK SLUGS UP ONE BY ONE, THROW THEM INTO SOME SOAPY WATER TO KILL THEM AND THAT DOES THE TRICK REALLY WELL.

LASTLY, IF YOU HAVE REALLY SEVERE INFESTATIONS OF SLUGS YOU CAN USE PESTICIDE LABELED FOR SLUGS, SO LOOK FOR ACTIVE INGREDIENTS LIKE METALDEHYDE, IRON PHOSPHATE OR FERRIC SODIUM.

>> AND REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE NOT INSECTS.

>> THEY ARE NOT INSECTS.

THEY'RE GASTROPODS.

>> EXACTLY.

EDIBLE, OR NOT.

OKAY, MATT, WHAT DID YOU BRING?

>> I KNOW.

I AIN'T EATING THOSE.

>> I ACTUALLY BROUGHT A LIST OF SOME HERBICIDES.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, YOUR YARD AND YOUR LET'S SAY DRIVEWAY ARE GOING TO HAVE WEEDS THAT ARE JUST GROWING LIKE CRAZY.

WHEN IT GETS HOT LIKE THIS, THEY JUST SEEM TO BLOW UP.

I'D SAID IN THE LAST WEEK, PURSLANE HAS PROBABLY QUADRUPLED IN SIZE, SAME WITH SPURGE.

AND SOME OF THESE AREAS WHERE YOU'RE TREATING THEM THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT PRODUCTS THAT CAN WORK.

SOME ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS FOR CERTAIN PLACES.

SO I JUST BASICALLY MADE A LIST OF CERTAIN HERBICIDES HERE THAT ARE SOLD AS KIND OF A GROUND CLEAR.

THERE'S A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT TYPES.

YOU GET INTO THE STORE AND YOU LOOK AT THEM.

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT ONES LIKE WEED AND GRASS KILLER.

YOU KNOW, GROUND CLEAR, 365, SO ROUNDUP MAKES A FEW PRODUCTS, ORTHO.

THIS A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT BRANDS, ALSO.

SO I JUST WANTED TO GO THROUGH A FEW OF THESE.

SO IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THE TOP LEFT HERE, THIS ONE IS SOLD AS WEED AND GRASS KILLER.

IT HAS GLUFOSINATE IN IT.

IT'S NOT GLYPHOSATE.

IT'S A DIFFERENT ACTIVE INGREDIENT, AND IT IS MORE OF A -- YOU WANT TO GET GOOD CONTACT ON YOUR WEEDS AND IT WILL KILL THEM PRETTY WELL AS LONG AS YOU'RE IN OVER THAT 50 TO 60-DEGREE TEMPERATURE.

A LOT OF OTHER THAT ONES WE USUALLY USE HAVE DIQUAT OR FLUAZIFOP.

DIQUAT IS A CONTACT HERBICIDE THAT KILLS QUICKLY.

A LOT OF THESE PRODUCTS DO HAVE DIQUAT IN THEM.

SO IF WE GET OVER TO THE RIGHT, ROUNDUP MAKES ONE WITH GLYPHOSATE IN IT, IMAZAPIC WHICH IS THE 365, SO IMAZAPIC ACTUALLY HAS A PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDE.

IT PREVENTS NEW WEEDS FROM GROWING.

THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT ROUNDUP 365 AND THAT ALSO HAS DIQUAT IN IT FOR A QUICK BURN DOWN.

SO IF WE GO DOWN TO THE BOTTOM HERE, ROUNDUP FOR LAWNS, YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE IS NO GLYPHOSATE OR ANY NONSELECTIVE WEED CONTROL IN HERE.

THERE'S MCPA, 2,4-D, QUINCLORAC, DICAMBA, AND SULFENTRAZONE THESE ARE ALL, YOU KNOW, SAFE ON TURF.

THAT'S WHY IT'S CALLED ROUNDUP KILLS -- KILLS THE WEEDS, NOT THE LAWN.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE PICKING THE RIGHT PRODUCT.

THIS ONE IF YOU'RE SPRAYING IT AROUND ANY SENSITIVE PLANTS, IT HAS DICAMBA IN IT AND QUINCLORAC AND 2,4-D. ALL OF THESE ARE VOLATILE.

IF YOU'RE SPRAYING ON A DAY LIKE TODAY NEXT TO TOMATOES OR SOME SENSITIVE PLANTS, IT HAS VERY HIGH POTENTIAL OF MOVING OFF TARGET AND KILLING ANYTHING CLOSE, EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE TRYING TO STAY WITHIN A SMALL AREA.

MOVING TO THE NEXT ONE, HERE IS SOME OF THE ORGANIC PRODUCTS.

SODIUM CHLORIDE, WHICH IS JUST SALT.

WHEN WE HAVE HIGH TEMPERATURES LIKE THIS, IT WORKS VERY WELL AT KILLING ALMOST ANY WEED OR ANY GRASS OUT THERE.

GRASSES TEND TO GROW BACK, BUT A LOT OF BROADLEAVES IT WILL KILL PRETTY WELL.

ANOTHER ONE AMMONIUM SOAP -- AMMONIATED SOAP BY NATRIA, THAT IS ANOTHER ONE THAT WORKS WELL, AND IT KILLS A LOT OF THE BROADLEAF WEEDS AND IT SAYS DOWN TO THE ROOTS.

SO THERE IS SAFER PRODUCTS, AND THESE ARE LABELED THAT YOU CAN USE AROUND VEGETABLES BECAUSE THERE IS NO ACTIVE IN THERE THAT IS GOING TO BE DANGEROUS IF WE DO LET'S SAY GET IT ON THE PLANT, EXCEPT FOR YOU DON'T WANT TO GET IT ON THE PLANT BECAUSE IT WILL STILL KILL IT.

THE LAST ONE IS ANOTHER ONE, IT'S JUST A SOAPY SALT BASICALLY, THAT KILLS THE PLANT AND IT'S VERY QUICK.

SO YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THE RESULTS FROM SOME OF THESE ORGANICS WITHIN THREE, FOUR HOURS.

SO THERE ARE OPTIONS OTHER THAN SOME OF THOSE THAT ARE THE NORM.

BUT SOME OF THOSE YOU DO NOT WANT TO USE NEXT TO SENSITIVE ANTS OR NEAR A GARDEN OR TYPES LIKE THAT.

>> EXCELLENT.

SO READ THE LABEL.

>> YES, READ THE LABEL.

MANY PRODUCTS TO CHOOSE FROM, SOME ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS, AND SOME WORK BETTER IN OTHER AREAS.

>> PERFECT.

THANKS, MATT.

ALL RIGHT, JOHN, IT'S NOT WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE, IS IT?

>> IT'S NOT.

SO THIS IS FROM MY OWN PERSONAL GARDEN.

AND AS YOU CAN TELL THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL CONEFLOWER.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE NEWER CONEFLOWERS.

I THINK IT'S SOMBRERO, SANGRITA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE AN ORANGE-Y RED CONEFLOWER.

IF YOU'VE SEEN ECHINACEA, THE PURPLE CONEFLOWERS, AN ORANGE VERSION OF THAT, USUALLY TWO, THREE FEET TALL, AND BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS.

SO THIS IS THE WHOLE PLANT THAT CAME UP.

AND THIS IS THE FLOWER.

SO YOU SEE THAT IT DOESN'T EXACTLY LOOK HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO LOOK.

IT POPPED UP, I WAS LIKE I DON'T REMEMBER PLANTING A WEIRD LITTLE GREEN FLOWER.

AND THEN I REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON.

THE MOTHER PLANT IS STILL THERE.

THIS IS LIKE A BABY PLANT THAT POPPED UP OFF OF THE SIDE SHOOT AND IT'S UNUSUAL THAT THE MOTHER DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE -- DOESN'T ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE.

THIS IS CALLED ASTER YELLOWS.

AND IT'S A DISEASE.

AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT IT -- THE DISEASE CAUSES WHAT'S -- WHAT WE WOULD CALL MAYBE A WITCHES BROOM.

YOU SEE THE SAME THING IN A TREE WHERE YOU SEE THE BRANCH AND LIKE THERE IS A BUNCH OF GROWTH AND IT LOOKS LIKE A BROOM.

THIS IS JUST THAT VERSION IN A SMALL PLANT.

AND WE CAN ACTUALLY BLAME -- IT'S NOT A BACTERIA, IT'S NOT A VIRUS.

IT'S CALLED A PHYTOPLASMA, A BACTERIA-LIKE MICRO ORGANISM.

BUT WE CAN ULTIMATELY BLAME A BUG BECAUSE IT IS SPREAD BY AN ASTER LEAFHOPPER.

THIS DISEASE CAN ONLY LIVE WITHIN THE VEINS OF A HOST PLANT, LIKE A CONEFLOWER OR SOMETIMES LIKE A BLACK-EYED SUSAN.

THOSE TYPES OF PLANTS ARE THE ONES THAT GET THIS.

OR IT CAN LIVE IN THE GUT OF THAT LEAFHOPPER.

SO THE WAY THAT IT SPREADS, IT DOESN'T SPREAD BY THE AIR OR OTHER PLANTS.

IT SPREADS BY THE BUG FEEDING ON THIS PLANT AND GOING AND FEEDING ON ANOTHER PLANT AND INFECTING IT.

THE ONLY THING THAT YOU CAN DO IS TO REMOVE IT OR AS NEBRASKANS WOULD SAY, "“TO ROGUE IT OUT.

"” WE DON'T USE THAT TERM WHERE I COME FROM.

SO I HAD TO LIKE LOOK IT UP IN A NEBRASKA DICTIONARY TO FIGURE IT OUT.

BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT THIS SPREADING TO YOUR OTHER PLANTS.

I'LL HAVE TO WATCH ALL MY OTHER PLANTS IN THIS FAMILY TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T HAVE IT NEXT YEAR.

>> AND PUT THAT IN THE TRASH CAN BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

>> IT WILL GO IN THE TRASH CAN.

YOU CAN PUT IT IN THE COMPOST AS LONG AS YOU GET YOUR COMPOST LIKE ABOVE I THINK 90 DEGREES, IT WILL KILL THE PHYTOPLASMA.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANKS, JOHN.

ALL RIGHT, YOU HAVE FOUR OF -- QUESTIONS FOR YOUR FIRST ONES, KATE.

FIRST YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES OF, THIS IS OMAHA VIEWER, ABNORMAL PHLOX PLANTS.

THOUGHT IT WAS DRIFT, BUT THEN SHE SENT PICTURES THAT HAVE SEVERAL SMALL STRIPED INSECTS.

WHAT IS THIS AND WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

>> YES.

SO THOSE ARE PHLOX PLANT BUGS AND THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING THAT DAMAGE YOU'RE SEEING ON THE PHLOX PLANT RIGHT THERE.

SO ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT THE PHLOX PLANT BUG, THAT'S KIND OF A TONGUE TWISTER, PHLOX PLANT BUG IS THAT THEY OVERWINTER AS EGGS IN THE DEAD PHLOX STEMS.

SO COME WINTERTIME IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO CLEAN UP THE AREA, GET RID OF THE OLD STEMS, GET RID OF THE LEAF LITER TO PREVENT A RE-INFESTATION THE NEXT YEAR.

RIGHT NOW IT'S A LITTLE LATE TO SPRAY SOMETHING.

YOU CAN KNOCK SOME THAT YOU SEE INTO SOAPY WATER OR PERHAPS AN INSECTICIDAL SOAP WILL DO THE TRICK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

YOUR NEXT ONE THIS IS A BLAIR VIEWER.

THAT SAYS WHAT ARE THESE INSECTS ON THE BACK OF THEIR OAK LEAVES, AND HOW DO WE GET RID OF THEM?

>> SO THOSE ARE REALLY TEENY TINY APHIDS.

SO APHIDS ON TREES USUALLY AREN'T A HUGE ISSUE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO CAUSE LONG-TERM PROBLEMS FOR THE TREE.

THEY'RE KIND OF RELATIVELY HARMLESS AND A LOT OF NATURAL ENEMIES USUALLY DO THE TRICK FOR YOU.

IF IT BECOMES A HUGE ISSUE, YOU CAN GET A HOSE AND START SPRAYING THEM OFF BUT USUALLY THAT IS AS FAR AS OUR RECOMMENDATIONS GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS ALSO AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THIS IS A RED OAK.

CUT OFF A SMALL BRANCH, FOUND THIS INTERESTING SMALL ROUND BALL AND WE ACTUALLY HAD TWO OR THREE PEOPLE SEND US EXACTLY THE SAME THING.

>> YES.

SO THIS IS A REALLY COOL EXAMPLE OF AN OAK APPLE GALL.

AN OAK APPLE GALL IS CAUSED FROM A CYNIPID WASP LAYING ITS EGG ON THE LEAF.

WHAT HAPPENS IS THE PLANT KIND OF OVERREACTS TO THAT EGG BEING THERE.

IT PRODUCES A LOT OF HORMONES, WHICH PRODUCES THIS GALL.

AND USUALLY GALLS AND TREES ARE GOING TO BE COMPLETELY HARMLESS, YOU KNOW.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO, YOU CAN TRIM OFF THE GALLS THAT YOU SEE AND KIND OF RAKE IN THE FALL TO GET RID OF THE WASPS.

BUT I WOULD LEAVE IT BE.

>> I THINK THEY'RE JUST SORT OF FUN.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MATT, YOUR QUESTIONS, YOU HAVE TWO FOR THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THEY TOOK OUT A LARGE SILVER MAPLE ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO.

REPLACED IT WITH A RED MAPLE.

THE ROOTS BEGAN TO SHOW AROUND THE NEW TREE BUT THE HILLSIDE WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, SO THERE IS THE ROOTS AND THERE IS THE HILL.

DEEP DEPRESSIONS, THE GRASS WON'T GROW.

THEY KNOW WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T DO ABOUT THE EXPOSED ROOTS, BUT WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THAT HILLSIDE IN PARTICULAR?

IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET TURF TO GROW IN THERE?

>> PROBABLY THE MAIN REASON THE HILLSIDE ISN'T GROWING IS IF THEY DID TAKE OUT AN OLD TREE AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT A DEPRESSION IN THERE TOO IT'S PROBABLY OLD DECAYING EITHER THE STUMP OR ROOTS THAT ARE DECAYING AND IT'S ACTUALLY INHIBITING WATER FROM GETTING DOWN THERE BECAUSE IT'S HYDROPHOBIC MOST LIKELY OR IT'S JUST NOT ALLOWING WATETO STAY SATURATED IN THE SOIL.

AND ON A SIDE HILL LIKE THAT, WATER RUNS OFF PRETTY EASILY.

SO WITHOUT HAVING SOME SORT OF IRRIGATION NORMALLY THERE, MAYBE A BETTER WAY TO DO THAT WOULD BE TO DO A MULCHED AREA AND PUT IN A FLOWER BED OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT BECAUSE THE GRASS IS NEVER GOING TO REALLY WANT TO GROW THERE.

IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU WOULD MOW THAT ANYWAY.

>> IT'S A LITTLE TOO STEEP FOR MOWING, SO IT MIGHT BE BETTER TO DIG SOME OF THAT SOIL OUT AND MAKE A FLOWER BED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE HERE ACTUALLY YOU HAVE TWO MORE HERE AND THEY'RE FROM DIFFERENT VIEWERS.

THE FIRST WHAT IS CAUSING THESE BROWN SPOTS IN THE BLUEGRASS?

HE THINKS IT'S DOLLAR SPOT.

IT'S IN THE SHADE.

>> THIS ONE YOU CAN SEE IN THE CENTER OF EACH OF THESE THERE IS A GREEN SPOT AND THAT'S KIND OF TYPICAL OF BROWN PATCH.

>> UH-HUH.

>> IT WILL START AND IT WILL KIND OF MOVE OUTWARDS AND SOMETIMES THAT CENTER HAS A GREEN -- GREEN APPEARANCE TO IT.

USUALLY YOU CAN SEE IF YOU ZOOM IN CLOSE ENOUGH ON SOME OF THE LEAVES THERE IS A LESION IN BETWEEN THE TOP AND THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAF.

SO RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE THERE IS A BROWN LESION ON THAT LEAF.

AND THAT'S USUALLY A TELLTALE SIGN OF BROWN PATCH.

IN A LAWN LIKE THIS, USUALLY IT WILL RECOVER.

IF YOU WANT TO PREVENT IT IN FUTURE, TRY NOT TO WATER OVERNIGHT, TRY TO WATER EARLIER IN THE MORNING OR EARLIER IN THE AFTERNOON TO WHERE THAT LEAF WETNESS ISN'T STAYING ON THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.

AND USUALLY IT'S WHEN WE HAVE 70-DEGREE TEMPERATURES AT NIGHT OR ABOVE, AND THAT'S WHEN IT REALLY KICKS INTO ACTION.

ANOTHER THING WOULD BE AERATE THE LAWN WHEN NOT NOW BUT IN THE FALL, TRY AND GET RID OF SOME OF THAT THATCH TO PREVENT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS -- THEY'RE SAYING THIS IS THE THIRD OF THESE BROWN SPOTS THAT APPEAR.

THEY EVENTUALLY DISAPPEAR.

AND THIS IS -- THIS IS IN COLUMBUS.

>> OKAY.

THIS ONE KIND OF LOOKS SIMILAR TO THAT BROWN PATCH, BUT WHAT I'M SEEING ON -- IF I ZOOMED IN ON IT, THE LEAVES WERE DYING FROM THE TOP DOWN.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT JUST KIND OF SMOKED THEM BUT THERE IS NEW GROWTH AT THE BOTTOM.

IT CAN BE ASCOCHYTA, WHICH HAPPENS A LOT WHEN WE HAVE THIS REALLY HOT TEMPERATURES THAT STRESSES THE GRASS WHEN WE'VE HAD YOU KNOW INADEQUATE MOISTURE OR PERIODS OF WET AND DRY.

AND THIS ONE REALLY SHOWS UP IN SOMETIMES EVEN BIGGER PATCHES OR EVEN ON THE WHEEL TRACKS OF THE MOWER WHERE THE GRASS IS STRESSED.

SO GENERALLY IT JUST GROWS OUT OF IT.

THERE'S NOT MUCH TREATMENT YOU CAN DO IF THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

BUT GENERALLY THEY GROW OUT OF IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MATT.

ALL RIGHT.

JOHN, THIS IS A VIEWER YOU'VE GOT TWO PICTURES HERE.

HER HUSBAND IS A FARMER PUZZLED ABOUT THE DYING GARDEN.

PLANTED IN MAY.

SO THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE GROUND ABOUT THREE WEEKS.

ONE TO TWO PLANTS ARE DYING EACH DAY.

HE'S RULED OUT SPRAY BECAUSE THE PLANTS ARE DYING A COUPLE AT A TIME, AND THE WEEDS AREN'T DYING, JUST THE PLANTS.

SO WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

THEY HAVE GOTTEN PLENTY OF RAIN.

THEY'RE IN TEKAMAH, SO THEY'RE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

ANY IDEAS ON THIS OR WHAT DO WE TELL THEM TO DO NOW?

>> SO THIS IS -- THIS IS WEIRD LIKE I HAVE NOT SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

I WOULD DO A LITTLE INVESTIGATION TO SEE IS THERE SOMETHING MAYBE AFFECTING THE ROOTS?

IS IT OVERWATERING AND ROOT ROT?

DO YOU HAVE LIKE A CALL UP DENNIS AND TALK ABOUT VOLES, SEE IF SOMETHING IS EATING THE ROOTS.

IF YOU DON'T THINK IT'S SPRAY, AND THESE CROPS IT LOOKED LIKE MORE LIKE A COLD CROP, LIKE A CABBAGE, THOSE TYPICALLY DON'T HAVE AS MUCH LIKE SPRAY LIKE DRIFT ISSUES, AS SAY TOMATOES.

WE'LL TALK A LOT ABOUT TOMATOES IN A MINUTE.

SO THAT ONE IS KIND OF A MYSTERY TO ME.

>> SOIL SAMPLE MAYBE?

>> I WOULD DO A SOIL SAMPLE.

I WOULD DO A LITTLE INVESTIGATION, JUST TO SEE YOU KNOW DID YOU -- IS THERE TOO MUCH FERTILITY?

IS THERE TOO MUCH WATER, YOU KNOW.

>> OR A VOLE.

THAT'S A REALLY INTERESTING THOUGHT ON THAT, TOO.

>> IF ONE OR TWO -- BECAUSE THEY EAT ROOTS.

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW, WE TYPICALLY SEE THEM EATING LIKE WOODY PLANTS IN THE WINTER, AND MAYBE THEY'RE HAVING A NICE SUCCULENT CABBAGE FOR A SPRING SNACK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

OKAY.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS A WAHOO VIEWER.

DRIFT FROM SPRAY HIT THE TOMATOES AND THE PEPPERS.

YOU'VE GOT TWO PICTURES HERE.

HE'S WONDERING WILL THEY RECOVER.

AND CAN THE FRUIT BE EATEN OR SHOULD HE START OVER?

>> SO THOSE -- WE SEE THAT, THAT CURLING IN THE TOMATOES AND YOU CAN LEARN MORE ON THE NEXT "“DIGGING DEEPER,"” RIGHT?

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT DRIFT AND YOU CAN SEE -- YOU CAN LOOK IT UP A LOT ON THERE, ONLINE, WHERE YOU SEE THAT CURLING.

THIS LOOKS MAYBE -- THIS ONE LOOKS MORE LIKE GLYPHOSATE DAMAGE WHERE IT TURNS WHITE.

SO REALLY YES THEY PROBABLY WILL GROW OUT IF THE DAMAGE IS NOT BAD ENOUGH.

BUT WE ALWAYS TRY TO RECOMMEND THAT YOU NOT DO THAT, BECAUSAS MATT WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER SOME OF THOSE PRODUCTS WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SAFETY IS FOR USE ON VEGETABLE CROPS LIKE IF YOU DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS, AND SO WE WOULD RECOMMEND AGAINST USING -- USING THOSE.

SO TAKE THOSE PLANTS OUT, REPLANT THEM IF YOU CAN FIND PLANTS TO DO THAT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

MOST OF THOSE THINGS ARE NOT TESTED FOR USE ON A VEGETABLE SO WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S SAFE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, JOHN.

WELL, WE HAVE A REAL TREAT FOR YOU TONIGHT AS WE SHOW YOU SOME FANTASTIC NATIVE WILDFLOWERS PROPAGATED IN A LINCOLN RESIDENT'S BACKYARD.

AND THE AMAZING THING IS THEY STARTED GROWING THESE SPECIMENS JUST LAST YEAR.

LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HEAR FROM MASTER GARDENER GARY BELL AND SEE HIS AMAZING YARD.

.

♪♪ >> I STARTED BACK IN GARDENING AGAIN ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO.

I WAS A FRUIT AND VEGETABLE KIND OF GARDENER, AND I DECIDED TO GET BACK TO MY ROOTS.

I TOOK ENTOMOLOGY IN COLLEGE AND I STARTED A BUTTERFLY GARDEN.

AND THEN I LEARNED MORE ABOUT BUMBLEBEES AND I DECIDED TO EXPAND IT TO A BUMBLEBEE GARDEN, AS WELL.

AND THEN EXPANDED IT TO A WILD BEE GARDEN, AS WELL.

SO IT WAS A FULL POLLINATOR GARDEN.

AND I STARTED FILLING UP ALONG FENCES, BESIDE THE HOUSE, IN FRONT OF THE BARN, AND ABOUT THE TIME THAT I RAN OUT OF SPACE I GOT INTERESTED IN PRAIRIES.

AND I REALIZED THAT MOST OF MY POLLINATOR PLANTS WERE ACTUALLY PRAIRIE PLANTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GROWING HERE 200 YEARS AGO.

SO I DECIDED TO TAKE PART OF MY YARD AND CONVERT IT TO NATIVE GRASSES AND SEDGES AND WILDFLOWERS.

I HAD EXPERIENCE ON GROWING PLANTS IN A LARGE SCALE FROM MY POLLINATOR GARDENS.

I DUG UP ONE PART OF THE YARD, AND COMPLETELY FILLED IT WITH PLANTS.

AND I HAD PLANTS LEFT OVER.

SO I STARTED PLUGGING THEM IN ALONG THE EDGES OF MY BUFFALOGRASS PART OF THE YARD.

IT WAS AN EXPERIMENT.

I WASN'T SURE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.

AND THEN THE NEXT SPRING, IT WAS LIKE A MIRACLE.

EVERYTHING CAME BACK UP AGAIN.

IT GREW TO SIZE.

IT BLOOMED.

THE WILDFLOWERS KIND OF TOOK OVER THE GRASSES, WHICH I NEED TO STILL FINE TUNE.

BUT IT WAS A SUCCESS.

AND SO THEN THE NEXT YEAR, I GREW A LOT OF PLANTS FOR A CHARITY SALE, WHICH DIDN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE COVID.

SO I STARTED DIGGING UP MY PROPERTY NEXT DOOR, AND FILLED IT WITH PLANTS, AS WELL.

SO THAT'S ABOUT WHERE WE ARE NOW.

THE PLANTS THAT I'M STANDING AROUND RIGHT NOW STARTED -- I STARTED THE SEEDS ABOUT A YEAR AGO FEBRUARY.

SO THIS IS REALLY ABOUT ONE YEAR'S GROWTH.

AND THE OTHER PART OF THE PRAIRIE, THOSE SEEDS WOULD HAVE BEEN STARTED A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO.

AND THEY'RE MATURE PLANTS NOW, SO IT DOESN'T TAKE VERY LONG.

SO THERE IS A BIG MOVEMENT RIGHT NOW OF USING NATIVE PLANTS IN URBAN LANDSCAPES AS OPPOSED TO ALIEN ONES.

AND ONE OF THE REASONS IS THE URBAN LANDSCAPE IS A HABITAT FOR NATIVE INSECTS AND BIRDS.

AND IN SOME CASES, URBAN HABITAT IS IMPORTANT AS THE RURAL HABITAT AROUND IT, BECAUSE THE URBAN HABITAT CAN BE MORE DIVERSE THAN WHAT'S LEFT OVER AROUND THE EDGES OF TOWN WITH THE FARMING AND DEVELOPMENT AND SO FORTH.

AND IF EVERYONE WERE TO PLANT PART OF THEIR YARD IN NATIVE POLLINATOR PLANTS, IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE A HUGE ENVIRONMENT, ALMOST LIKE A NATIONAL PARK FOR INSECTS.

AND SO AS I'VE INCREASED MY DIVERSITY HERE IN MY YARD, THE DIVERSITY OF BUTTERFLIES AND BEES KEEPS GOING UP EVERY YEAR.

>> IT'S JUST WONDERFUL TO SEE ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL PLANTS.

AND WE MIGHT HEAR FROM GARY AGAIN LATER IN THE SEASON AS HE TELLS US HOW TO PROPAGATE THEM.

SO THAT WILL BE FUN, TOO.

THAT'S REALLY A NEAT PLACE.

ALL RIGHT, KATE, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS AN I.D.

NORTH OF NORTH PLATTE.

WHAT IS THIS CREATURE AND HOW DOES HE CONTROL IT ON HIS PLANTS?

>> SO THAT IS AN AMERICAN ROSE CHAFER, WHICH IS A SCARAB BEETLE.

THEY TEND TO LIKE ROSE FLOWERS AND PEONIES AND THE LIKE AND THEY ARE BIG ENOUGH WHERE YOU CAN SIMPLY PLUCK THEM OFF, DUNK THEM IN SOAPY WATER.

WE GENERALLY DON'T RECOMMEND ANY INSECTICIDES, ESPECIALLY ON THE FLOWERS, BECAUSE THAT CAN AFFECT POLLINATORS.

>> EXCELLENT.

YOUR NEXT PICTURE IS SAC CITY, IOWA.

FOUND THESE HAIRS ON AN ONION PLANT.

WHAT ARE THESE?

>> YEAH, SO THIS IS A REALLY COOL PICTURE.

THESE ARE ACTUALLY LACEWING EGGS.

LACEWINGS ARE BENEFICIAL PREDATORS IN THE LANDSCAPE BOTH AS LARVAE AND AS ADULTS.

THEY'RE LAID ON KIND OF THESE STALKS TO PREVENT CANNIBALISM BETWEEN THE LARVAE AND THEY ALSO PROTECT THE EGGS FROM FORAGING ANTS.

>> ONE MORE I.D., THIS IS A CREATURE FOUND ON N OKES ASTER, WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> YEAH, SO THIS IS A PRETTY INTERESTING ONE.

I'M PRETTY SURE IT IS A MOTH PUPA, SO THAT IS KIND OF THE COCOON STAGE, BUT NOT REALLY A COCOON FORM OF THE MOTH.

AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE HARMLESS.

IT'S JUST GOING TO TURN INTO A MOTH AND PROBABLY FLY AWAY.

>> THANKS, KATE.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S SEE.

MATT, YOU HAVE TWO VIEWERS WHO SENT US PICTURES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT IS THERE A WAY TO GET RID OF BINDWEED OTHER THAN PULLING IT?

THIS IS -- ACTUALLY ONE OF OUR VIEWERS SAYS THEY'RE TERRIBLY ALLERGIC AND THE OTHER ONE THAT'S AN OMAHA VIEWER, THE OTHER ONE IS IN LINDSAY, NEBRASKA, AND SAYS PLEASE HELP.

>> YEAH, I FEEL BINDWEED IS A PAIN IN THE BUTT.

IT'S A PERENNIAL, ACTUALLY.

IT HAS RHIZOMES UNDERGROUND AND IT CAN SPREAD PRETTY RAPIDLY, ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR IT WILL GROW SEEMS LIKE A FOOT IN A DAY, AND THEN YOU PULL IT AND IT COMES BACK.

IF IT'S IN A TURF SETTING AND YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SUSCEPTIBLE PLANTS AROUND, LIKE TOMATOES, PRODUCTS CONTAINING QUINCLORAC WORK VERY WELL ON THIS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS QUINCLORAC SHOULD BE ONE OF THEM.

A LOT OF OTHER 2,4-D LET'S SAY DICAMBA WORKS TOO.

BUT THIS TIME OF YEAR IT'S TOUGH TO SPRAY THOSE AROUND ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY WITHIN A LANDSCAPE.

SO IF IT'S IN BARE GROUND OR IN LANDSCAPE BEDS, SOME OF THOSE PRODUCTS I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT ARE SOMEWHAT SAFER FROM VOLATIZING WOULD BE A GOOD SELECTION FOR CONTROLLING THIS AND IT WOULD WORK QUITE WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> OTHERWISE, KEEP PULLING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS A I.D.

SHE THOUGHIT WAS BINDWEED BUT IT'S NOT AND CLEARLY THE FLOWERS ARE DIFFERENT, PRIMARY LEAVES, NO MILKY SAP.

IS IS SHENANDOAH, IOWA.

>> THIS ONE IS ACTUALLY SIMILAR, BUT NOT -- YEAH, NOT FIELD BINDWEED -- IT'S WILD BUCKWHEAT WHICH IS CALLED BLACK BINDWEED BECAUSE OF THE SEEDS.

BUT SAME THING, IT IS A WEED.

IT'S USUALLY IN CROP SETTINGS.

IT CAN BE A DETRIMENTAL WEED BECAUSE IT WRAPS AROUND AND JUST CREATES A LOT OF CHAOS WHEN IT COMES TO HARVEST.

SAME THING FOR LANDSCAPE, THEY'LL GROW REALLY FAST AND TAKE OVER WHATEVER PLANT THEY'RE GROWING ON.

THE BEST WAY TO GET RID OF THESE IF THERE'S NOT VERY MANY IS GET DOWN AND FIND WHERE IT'S THE ROOT IS, AND PULL THE WHOLE PLANT OUT AND THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.

BECAUSE IT IS AN ANNUAL.

SO IF YOU PULL THEM OUT, DON'T LET THEM SEED THEY WON'T BE AROUND NEXT YEAR.

>> EXCELLENT.

THEN YOU HAVE AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO SAYS THIS CLOVER-LIKE GROWTH, AND IT'S CLOVER, CONTINUES TO SPREAD.

HE'S WONDERING IF WEED-BE-GON WILL GET RID OF CLOVER.

>> I WOULD WAIT UNTIL FALL.

THIS IS A REALLY GOOD STAND OF CLOVER.

EITHER THAT OR DON'T FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN AND LEAVE THE CLOVER AND YOU CAN HAVE A CLOVER GRASS LAWN INDEFINITELY.

>> ALL RIGHT, PERFECT.

AND THEN ONE MORE FROM BEATRICE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW THIS CAME UP IN A WILDFLOWER PLANTING, WEED OR WILDFLOWER?

>> DEFINITELY A WEED.

COMMON LAMBS QUARTERS.

THIS ONE IS COMMON ACROSS THE WHOLE CONTINENT AND WORLD.

IT IS A SUMMER ANNUA AND IT WILL GROW RAPIDLY FROM HERE ON OUT SO BEST -- REALLY EASY TO CONTROL, JUST BY CHOPPING OFF AT THE BASE AND THEY WON'T COME BACK.

SO JUST PULL THEM OUT OR CHOP THEM OFF AT THE BASE.

>> OR EAT THEM.

>> THEY'RE RELATED TO SPINACH.

>> ARE THEY DELICIOUS?

>> NEVER HAD ONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JOHN, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS A SEWARD, VIEWER.

THEY PLANTED ZEBRA GRASS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MISCANTHUSES.

LAST SPRING, GREW GREAT.

LOOKED GREAT.

THEY OVERWINTERED IT, CUT IT DOWN, BUT IT'S DOING THE DEAD CENTER THING.

SO THEY'RE WONDERING SHOULD THEY DO -- HAVE DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY?

WHAT DO THEY DO ABOUT THIS DEAD CENTER?

>> IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT ACTUALLY CAUSED THAT.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPER PLANTING.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE PLANT WHEN YOU BOUGHT IT.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN WINTER.

SO IT'S REALLY HARD TO KNOW.

BUT WHAT YOU WOULD DO NOW IS JUST TO REMOVE THAT.

IF YOU WANTED IT TO GROW MORE BACK TOWARDS THE CENTER YOU WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU AMEND THAT SOIL TO GIVE IT SOMETHING NICE TO GROW BACK TOWARDS.

OTHERWISE YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO END UP WITH A GRASS DONUT.

>> EXACTLY.

ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT TWO PICTURES ARE EMERALD ARBORVITAE.

THIS IS ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND WHICH IS GREAT FUN.

FIVE OF THESE PLANTED A YEAR AGO, THEY'VE BEEN DOING WELL, BUT THEN WE'RE GETTING THESE BROWNISH BRANCHES, BROWN AREAS.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS?

WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

>> I'M THINKING PROBABLY JUST BECAUSE OF THE PATTERN OF THAT, IT PROBABLY LOOKED MORE LIKE WINTER DAMAGE, WHICH WE GET DRYING OUT IN THE WINTER.

IT GETS COLD.

THE AIR IS REALLY DRY.

PROBABLY LIKE WIND BLOWI THROUGH THAT LITTLE TUNNEL OF TREES THAT YOU GOT THERE.

YOU SEE IT ON THE INSIDE EDGES THERE.

THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THAT.

THERE ARE ALWAYS INSECTS AND DISEASES THAT AFFECT THINGS BUT GIVEN THAT KIND OF DAMAGE, THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND YOUR FINAL ONE HERE IS KIND OF CLASSIC THIS YEAR.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS JAPANESE MAPLE, BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT THEY'VE GOT FOR GROWTH.

>> YEAH, SO YOU KNOW YOU HAD SOME WINTER DAMAGE OR SOME SORT OF DAMAGE THAT IS KILLED OUT THE MAJORITY OF THAT TREE.

SO YOU KNOW, WHAT DOESN'T HAVE LEAVES ON IT IS NOT GOING TO HAVE LEAVES ON IT.

IT'S GONE.

SO PRUNE IT OUT.

SEE WHAT YOU HAVE LEFT.

DO YOU LOVE IT?

THEN YOU CAN LEAVE IT, YOU KNOW.

SORT OF LIKE THE -- YOU KNOW THE SHOW WHERE YOU LOVE YOUR HOUSE OR YOU SELL YOUR HOUSE.

SO YOU EITHER GOT TO LE THIS TREE THE WAY IT IS, OR YOU GOT TO DIG IT OUT AND PLANT SOMETHING ELSE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JOHN.

WELL, HOT AND DRY THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE.

AND SINCE WE JUST GOT OUR GARDEN PLANTED, SOIL MOISTURE WILL BE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT IN THE WEEKS TO COME.

HERE TO TELL US MORE FROM THE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” GARDEN IS TERRI JAMES.

♪♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” GARDEN, WE ARE GETTING READY FOR ALL OF THOSE DRY SUMMER DAYS THAT ARE AHEAD OF US.

WE'VE SEEN A FEW OF THEM ACROSS THE STATE, A FEW RAINS COMING ACROSS, BUT VERY HIT AND MISS.

SO WE'RE MAKING SURE OUR SOIL IS READY AND WE'RE GOING TO PRESERVE AS MUCH MOISTURE IN OUR GARDENS AS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE ALL OF OUR BEDS MULCHED.

WE ARE USING DIFFERENT KINDS OF MULCH, WHETHER IT BE WOOD MULCH OR SOME STRAW THAT WE'VE HAD EXTRA THAT HAS BEEN SITTING AROUND.

WE'RE ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ON A GOOD WATER SCHEDULE, SO WE'RE WATERING EARLY IN THE DAY, LETTING THAT WATER AND MOISTURE DRY OFF THOSE LEAVES ALL DAY LONG, SO THEY'RE NOT GOING INTO THE NIGHT SO THAT WE'RE NOT HARBORING ANY KIND OF DISEASES OR GETTING ANY DISEASES ON OUR PLANTS.

OUR PLANTS ARE LOOKING GREAT AND HAVING THIS SOIL MOISTURE PRESERVED IN THESE UPCOMING HOT SUMMER DAYS IS REALLY GOING TO BENEFIT US IN THE FUTURE.

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

>> THESE PRINCIPLES ARE ALSO TRUE IN YOUR HOME GARDEN.

KEEP THAT SOIL MULCHED.

YOU'LL HAVE MUCH MORE SUCCESS KEEPING YOUR PLANTS HAPPY IN THE HEAT.

OKAY.

IT IS TIME FOR US TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

WE DO HOPE YOU'LL STAY WITH US FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND AND THE PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE ON "“BACKYARD FARMER"” RIGHT AFTER THIS.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO "“BACKYARD FARMER.

"” COMING UP LATER, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT HOW GARDENING IS MUCH DIFFERENT AS YOU GO WEST IN NEBRASKA.

REMEMBER WE CAN'T TAKE YOUR PHONE CALLS TONIGHT BUT YOU CAN STILL SEND US PICTURES AND E-MAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

ALL RIGHT, JOHN, ARE YOU READY?

>> ALWAYS.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO HAS 30 TOMATO PLANTS, HAS A CURLING TOP ON ONE OF THE 30.

HE PRUNED IT OUT.

IS THAT ENOUGH OR SHOULD HE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

>> I WOULD GO AHEAD AND TAKE IT OUT.

YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT'S DRIFT OR CURLY TOP VIRUS.

EITHER WAY YOU WANT IT GONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER WHO USED WEED BARRIER AND THEN MULCH IN THE GARDEN.

THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY SHOULD CHECK TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT THEY NEED TO WATER.

>> YOU WOULD WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET UNDERNEATH THERE AND -- WE DON'T RECOMMEND A LOT OF THAT ANYMORE.

SO HAVE FUN.

>> THIS AS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO HEARD THAT CRUSHED EGG SHELLS WOULD BENEFIT PEPPERS AND TOMATOES.

IS THAT A YES OR NO?

>> EVENTUALLY BUT IT WILL TAKE SO LONG FOR THEM TO BREAK DOWN REALLY YOU WOULD INCORPORATE THEM INTO THE COMPOST.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HELP IMMEDIATELY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A UTICA VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IS IT TOO LATE TO PLANT A PEACH TREE AND IF SO WHEN SHOULD IT BE PLANTED?

>> IT'S TOO LATE TO PLANT A PEACH TREE.

YOU WOULD PLANT THEM IN THE FALL.

PEACHES ARE REALLY HARD TO GROW HERE.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO DOUBLE THINK THAT, AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A PLATTSMOUTH VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW IF THEY CAN START A JUNE BEARING STRAWBERRY BED IN THE FALL.

>> YES, YOU CAN PLANT THOSE IN THE FALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NICE JOB.

ALL RIGHT, MATT, YOU READY?

>> YUP.

>> OKAY.

YOUR FIRST QUESTION IS LOGAN, IOWA, IN THE LOESS HILLS.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHETHER WEED AND FEED WILL KILL BROME.

>> NO.

>> THIS IS A CASS COUNTY VIEWER WHO HAS CHICKWEED CLOVER, AN OXALIS, FOUND A SPRAY THAT SAYS IT WOULD CONTROL ALL THOSE, BUT WONDERS WHETHER THEY SHOULD WAIT UNTIL FALL.

>> SOME OF THOSE ARE SUMMER ANNUALS SO THEY WON'T MATTER, BUT YES, FALL IS THE BEST TIME FOR PERENNIAL WEEDS.

NOW SUMMER ANNUALS ARE GOING TO BE DYING NOW IN THE SUMMER.

>> THIS IS AN ALLIANCE VIEWER WHO IS GOING TO SEED A MIX OF BUFFALO AND BLUE GRAMA.

WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE ANY COOL SEASON GRASS THAT HAS THE SAME LOW MANAGEMENT, LOW HEIGHT AND LOW WATER REQUIREMENTS?

>> SOME OF THE FINE FESCUES WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE TO GO WITH THOSE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A PAPILLION VIEWER WHO SAYS WHAT IS THE NAME FOR THE HERBICIDE THAT KILLS WILD ONIONS, ROUNDUP DIDN'T WORK.

>> 2,4-D ACTUALLY HAS GOOD ACTIVITY ON WILD ONIONS, BUT USUALLY IT'S IN THE SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NUTSEDGE IS SIX INCHES TALL.

WHAT TO USE NOW.

>> SEDGE HAMMER, STILL WORKS REALLY WELL, WHICH IS HALOSULFURON OR SULFENTRAZONE, WHICH IS DISMISS WORKS -- BOTH OF THOSE WORK PRETTY GOOD ON CONTROLLING.

>> EXCELLENT.

NICE JOB.

ALL RIGHT, KATE, YOU READY?

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A -- THIS IS A VIEWER FROM YORK WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THE APHIDS ON THEIR MILKWEED PLANTS.

>> LEAVE THEM BE OR SPRAY WITH A HOSE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A WESTERN NEBRASKA VIEWER, WESTERN THE CITY, THE TOWN, HAS TWO TREES WITH CARPENTER ANTS ANDHEY CUT THE TREES DOWN.

HOW SHOULD THEY DISPOSE OF THE WOOD SO THE CARPENTER ANTS DON'T COME BACK.

>> YOU CAN TREAT IT WITH SEVEN DUST OR JUST DISPOSE OF NORMALLY.

>> THIS IS A PLATTSMOUTH VIEWER WHO IS ASKING FOR THE MAGIC PLANT AFTER DATE FOR SQUASH PLANTS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF SQUASH LINE BORER.

>> THERE IS NONE.

THE FALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A SIOUX CITY VIEWER WHO IS OVERRUN WITH CHIGGERS AND TICKS.

IS THERE A WAY TO TREAT BUT AVOID HURTING THE POLLINATORS?

>> THE BEST THICK YOU CAN DO IS KEEP YOUR LANDSCAPE MANICURED, MOWED.

THEY LIKE THE TALL GRASSES.

>> THIS IS A MICHIGAN VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO CONTROL WEB WORMS IN THEIR ORCHARD.

>> PRUNE BEFORE IT GETS TOO BAD.

SPRAY WITH BT EARLY ON.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ANTS UNDER A DRIVEWAY SLAB.

>> ANTS CAN LIVE OUTDOORS.

>> SO LET THEM BE.

IT'S A WIN.

WE GAVE YOU THAT LAST ONE SINCE YOU SORT OF KNEW.

ALL RIGHT.

THE GRACE PERIOD IS OVER FOR HER, NOT EVER AGAIN.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

THAT'S YOUR LAST GRACE PERIOD THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, JOHN, WHAT DO WE HAVE FOR PLANTS OF THE WEEK?

>> WE HAVE THREE NICE ONES HERE IN THE GARDEN.

THIS LITTLE WHITE DEAL HERE, THIS IS FEVERFEW.

IT'S A PERENNIAL FULL SUN.

IT DOES NEED DEADHEADING TO KEEP IT FROM SEEDING BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE OVER.

IT WILL RESEED ITSELF QUITE A BIT.

AND WE HAVE THIS NICE YELLOW ONE HERE.

THIS IS A COREOPSIS.

THIS STIFF COREOPSIS, PROBABLY BECAUSE THE STEMS ARE VERY STIFF.

IF YOU -- LIKE IT'S VERY STIFF THERE.

PERENNIAL, IT'S A NATIVE.

NICE FULL FOLIAGE AND GOLD COLOR AND POLLINATORS TEND TO LIKE THESE THINGS.

AND THEN THE PURPLE ONES HERE THESE ARE LARKSPUR.

IT IS AN ANNUAL BUT IT WILL RESEED ITSELF.

SO WE HAVE THOSE -- WE HAVE -- THEY COME IN BLUE, WHITE, PINK, THOSE KIND OF COLORS.

AND SO THAT'S THE PLANT OF THE WEEK.

THAT'S WHAT YOU'LL FIND OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

>> EXACTLY.

>> IF THEY HAVEN'T ROASTED TODAY.

>> EXACTLY.

AND SO FAR THEY HADN'T BUT WHO KNOWS BY NOW.

ALL RIGHT.

KATE, YOUR NEXT SET OF QUESTIONS HERE, THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER, NOTICED THESE STRANGE RED SPOTS IN THE KNOCK OUT ROSES.

WILL THEY KILL THEM?

ALL THE ROSES ARE NOT AFFECTED.

>> THOSE LOOK IT COULD POSSIBLY DONE BY FLOWER THRIPS AND THOSE ARE GENERALISTS AND THEY'RE KIND OF HARD TO GET RID OF BECAUSE THEY MIGRATE FROM PLANT TO PLANT REALLY EASILY.

I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'LL KILL THE PLANT, BUT YOU CAN JUST PRUNE OFF ALL THE DEAD AND DYING FLOWERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THERE ACTUALLY WAS A ROSE VARIETY CALLED FRECKLES ONE YEAR THAT LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE THIS.

ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS A MALCOLM VIEWER.

THEY HAVE RASPBERRY PLANTS STARTING TO DIE.

THEY FOUND A SMALL HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF ONE OF THE STEMS.

STEM WAS HOLLOW.

AND, OF COURSE, THE TOPS ARE DOING THIS.

WHAT IS CAUSED IT AND WHAT CAN THEY DO?

>> SO THIS IS THE RASPBERRY CANE BORER, WHICH IS THE TYPE OF BEETLE.

AND YOU'LL NOTICE ON THAT SECOND PICTURE THERE WAS KIND OF TWO LINES OF ABOUT PUNCTURE MARKS AROUND THE -- BELOW THE WILTED STEMS.

SO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PREVENT THAT BEETLE FROM CAUSING MORE DAMAGE IS TO PRUNE ONE OR TWO INCHES BELOW THAT BOTTOM PUNCTURE LINE, AND THEN GET RID OF THE INFESTED STEMS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

OKAY.

MATT, THIS IS A VIEWER AT JOHNSON LAKE.

AND APPARENTLY WHATEVER THIS IS, IS TAKING OVER THE YARD AT JOHNSON LAKE.

WHAT IS IT AND I THINK WE HAVE A PICTURE OF IT TAKING OVER.

>> YES, IT IS TAKING OVER.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS WILD VIOLET.

IT CAN SPREAD BY RHIZOMES AND ALSO SEED.

SO YEAR AFTER YEAR WHEN IT HAS THIN BARRIERS LIKE THIS, IT'S GOING TO KEEP SPREADING.

SO IF YOU -- IF YOU WANT GROUND COVER OF SOME SORT, STICK WITH IT.

OTHERWISE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EITHER YOU KNOW MAKE SURE THIS AREA IS SPRAYED OUT WITH PRE-EMERGENT TO PREVENT IT FROM COMING UP WHILE DOING A FALL APPLICATION OF HERBICIDE CONTAINING EITHER TRICLOPYR OR 2,4-D TO CONTROL THESE WILD VIOLET FROM COMING BACK FOR NEXT YEAR.

> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR NEXT ONE IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THIS PLANT SLASH WEED IS.

POPS UP EVERYWHERE THAT SHE HAS A BARE SPOT.

>> YEAH, AND IT'S PRETTY -- DOES A GOOD JOB OF FINDING THE BARE SPOT, TOO.

IT'S A WATER POD.

AND THIS ONE IS A SUMMER ANNUAL AND IT TYPICALLY HAS ALMOST NO ROOTS ON IT.

WHENEVER I FIND IT AND I PULL IT UP IT'S LIKE HOW IS THIS EVEN GROWING.

IT HAS A REALLY WEAK TAP ROOT.

BUT IT IS AN ANNUAL, SO YOU WANT TO GET IT BEFORE -- IT MAKES LIKE A PEA-LIKE SEED STRUCTURE UNDERNEATH, HAS LIGHT BLUE FLOWERS AND IT WILL BE FLOWERING HERE SOON AND MAKING SEED ALREADY SO EITHER JUST PULL IT OUT, AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE EASIEST WAY TO DO IT.

>> YOUR FINAL ONE HERE IS A HOSPERS, IOWA VIEWER.

SHE SEES A LOT OF THESE WEEDS.

WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO CONTROL THIS?

>> THIS IS CURLY DOCK.

AND IT IS PROBABLY FOUND IN EVERY STATE, AND EVERY CONTINENT AROUND THE WORLD.

IT'S PRETTY COMMON.

ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY SPREAD WEEDS AROUND.

AND TO KILL THIS ONE IT HAS A REALLY DEEP TAP ROOT.

SO SOME SORT OF BROADLEAF HERBICIDE IS GOING TO BE NEEDED BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO TRANSLOCATE DOWN INTO THE ROOT TO KILL THE PLANT.

IF YOU CHOP IT OFF IT'S JUST GOING TO REGROW.

SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU USE SOME OF THOSE 2,4-D, DICAMBA, THE TWO THAT WILL WORK REALLY WELL.

IF IT'S IN A PASTURE, GRAZON, PICLORAM, THOSE WORK REALLY WELL ON IT, AS WELL GETTING DOWN TO THAT ROOT AND KILLING IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MATT.

OKAY.

YOUR FIRST ONE, JOHN, IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

SO DWARF APPLE TREE, HAD 72 APPLES SET ON IT THIS YEAR.

IS THAT TOO MANY AND WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

>> YEAH, THAT IS TOO MANY FOR THAT LITTLE TREE.

SO YOU CAN REMOVE SOME OF THOSE.

I'M SURPRISED IT'S A TREE THAT ACTUALLY HASN'T DROPPED SOME ON ITS OWN.

IT USUALLY WILL ABORT IF IT HAS TOO MANY AND YOU MIGHT SEE THAT ESPECIALLY AFTER OUR HEAT THAT THE TREE MIGHT ABORT SOME.

SO IF YOU -- YOU SHOULD REALLY CATCH THEM EARLIER BEFORE THE APPLES BEGIN TO GET TOO LARGE, AND THIN THEM OUT, BECAUSE THE TREE IS PUTTING A LOT OF RESOURCES INTO THOSE APPLES.

AND SO THEY WON'T GROW AS BIG.

SO GET THEM OFF SO YOU HAVE NICER APPLES AND YOU DON'T HAVE BROKEN BRANCHES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> SO FIVE, SIX-INCH SPACING?

>> YEAH, YOU WANT TO DO SOME SPACING BETWEEN THEM, SOMETIMES YOU'LL SEE THAT THIS A BUNCH MUCH OF THEM IN A CLUSTER.

YOU REALLY DON'T WANT MORE THAN TWO TOGETHER IN A BUNCH.

SO THIN THEM OUT.

THE TREE WILL BE HAPPIER AND YOU'LL HAVE BETTER FRUIT.

>> EXCELLENT.

YOUR NEXT VIEWER HERE HAS FIVE, BARTZELLA PEONIES, WHICH IS AN ITOH OR INTER-SPECIFIC.

THEY PLANTED THEM THE SPRING OF 2020.

THEY WERE VERY SMALL WHEN PLANTED.

NO FLOWERS LAST YEAR.

ONE THIS YEAR.

THEY'RE WONDERING WHY.

SLOW TO MATURE, PLANTED TOO DEEP, YOUNG, WHAT?

>> PATIENCE.

SO IF YOU PLANTED THEM AS A SMALL PLANT, WHICH USUALLY YOU GET A LOT OF BARE ROOT PLANTS OR SMALLER PERENNIALS THAT ARE CHEAPER, SO JUST PATIENCE.

IT WILL TAKE A FEW YEARS TO GET IT ESTABLISHED, AND THEN GET IT REALLY BLOOMING.

SO THERE IS A LITTLE SAYING YOU MIGHT HEAR THE FIRST YEAR IT SLEEPS, THE SECOND YEAR IT CREEPS.

THE THIRD YEAR IT LEAPS.

AND THAT IS HOW PLANTS DO.

THE FIRST YEAR IS SORT OF GETTING ITS ROOTS ESTABLISHED.

SECOND YEAR IT WILL SORT OF START CREEPILY GROWING, AND HOPEFULLY BY THE THIRD YEAR OR THE FOURTH YEAR, DEPENDING ON THE PLANT, IT WILL START REALLY GROWING AND FLOWERING.

>> RIGHT.

AND IT'S LITTLE HARD TO TELL WHETHER THESE ARE PLANTED TOO DEEP.

THAT WOULD AFFECT FLOWERING, BUT THEY'RE PRETTY YOUNG SO --.

>> YEAH, YOU COULD TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT LIKE THE PLANTING DEPTH AND HOW MUCH MULCH YOU PUT AROUND IT.

AND YOU WANT THE LOOK AT THAT.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU, JOHN.

THIS IS ALSO A PEONY QUESTION.

THIS IS IN NORFOLK VIEWER.

VERY LARGE PEONY, THREE FEET IN DIAMETER, SOME OF THE BUDS WERE VERY SMALL.

SHE IS WONDERING IF SHE CUTS OUT THE SMALLER ONES NEXT YEAR, WILL THE OTHERS GET LARGER OR DOES SHE JUST LET IT BE AND THEY OPEN DIFFERENTLY?

>> RIGHT.

SO YOU CAN JUST LET IT BE AND YOU'LL HAVE A MIX OF FLOWER, FLOWER SIZES ON THERE.

IF YOU JUST WANTED BIG FLOWERS, THEN IF YOU CUT THEM EARLIER YOU COULD CUT THOSE SMALL ONES OFF LIKE YOU KNOW LIKE A -- IF YOU'RE PICKING THEM FOR A FLORIST OR SELLING THEM AS BIG FLOWERS OR LIKE YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE THEM FOR YOUR COUSIN'S UNCLE'S WEDDING OR WHATEVER, YOU CAN CUT THE LITTLE ONES OFF AND HAVE BIGGER FLOWERS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT DISBUDDING THING.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

THANKS, JOHN.

WELL, I DON'T HAVE TO REMIND ANYBODY ABOUT THE HOT AND DRY WEATHER WE'VE BEEN HAVING, AND THAT IS TRUE FOR FURTHER WEST OF LINCOLN, OF COURSE, ALSO.

WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HEAR FROM ROCKY STEINBRINK OF STEINBRINK LANDSCAPING IN KEARNEY ABOUT THE GARDENING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WEST CENTRAL NEBRASKA AND BACK HERE IN LINCOLN AND OMAHA.

>> ONE OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IS THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

AND OMAHA AND LINCN WILL GET ON THE AVERAGE OF ABOUT TWO TO FOUR, FIVE INCHES MORE RAIN THAN WE WILL ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

THE WIND IS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER OUT HERE ON A CONSTANT BASIS, AS WELL.

SO YOU KNOW, YOU'RE MORE PROTECTED.

YOU GOT LOT MORE ATMOSPHERE TO WORRY ABOUT.

WE'RE ON THE EDGE OF WHAT I'LL CALL THE SAND HILLS OF NEBRASKA.

AND SO WE GET A LITTLE BIT MORE EXTREME TEMPERATURES GOING BACK AND FORTH.

OUR WINTERS WE GET A LITTLE BIT MORE SNOW.

WE GET A LITTLE BIT MORE RAIN, OF COURSE, AND SLEET.

WE GET A LITTLE BIT OF COLDER TEMPERATURES.

WHEN YOU PUT ALL THOSE TOGETHER THAT REALLY CREATES A CHALLENGE BECAUSE OUR PLANTS GO THROUGH A LOT MORE EXTREME.

THERE'S A LOT LESS WATER, LITTLE BIT MORE CONDITIONS OF WIND.

WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT PLANTS "“WELL, I GREW THIS IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA,"” WELL, YES IT COULD PROBABLY GROW OUT HERE TO A CERTAIN DEGREE BUT WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM A LOT MORE PROTECTION.

IF WE DON'T, THEN THEY DON'T REALLY DID AS WELL TYPE SITUATION FOR US.

ONE OF THE GOALS THAT WE ALWAYS TRY TO ACHIEVE IS WE WANT OUR PLANTS FOR OUR CUSTOMER, ONE, THAT WE WANT THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND WE ALSO WANT THE PLANT TO THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE.

SO SOME OF THE PLANTS THAT WE CARRY THAT ARE MADE FOR THIS AREA ARE REALLY, REALLY HARDY.

THEY CAN TAKE A LOT OF CONDITIONS FROM THAT STANDPOINT.

SOME OF OUR TREES YOU KNOW SOME OF THE MORE DELICATE CRABAPPLES AND A FEW OTHER OF THE FLOWERING THINGS, LIKE A WEEPING CHERRY, THEY DO OKAY IN OMAHA AND LINCOLN BUT OUT HERE WE GET A LITTLE BIT OF DIEBACK EACH YEAR.

WE TRY TO SAY YOU NEED TO HAVE THESE IN A PROTECTED AREA.

YOU CAN'T GO AND PUT THEM OUT THERE.

SOME OF THE OTHER SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS, IT'S ALWAYS EASY FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK ONLINE AND SAY I LIKE THIS PLANT, YOU KNOW, TYPE SITUATION.

AND THEY FORGET THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN ZONES THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO LIVE.

DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE LITTLE MORE EXPOSED, ALL DIFFERENT AREAS, OUR INSECTS AND DISEASES HAVE A TENDENCY TO REALLY THRIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS, BECAUSE IT'S HOTTER.

LOT OF INSECTS LIKE WARM TEMPERATURE SO WE SEE A LOT MORE DIVERSIFIED MIX.

WE GET A LOT OF DIFFERENT ONES THAT POP THROUGH.

AND SO AGAIN WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO WATCH FOR THE CUSTOMER AND WHEN WE DO SEE AN INSECT INVASION OF A CERTAIN TYPE OF BUG OR WORM OR SOMETHING, WE TRY TO NOTIFY A LOT OF OUR CUSTOMERS THROUGH FACEBOOK AND OTHER DIFFERENT SOCIAL MEDIAS SO WE CAN ALERT THEM THAT HEY BE ON THE LOOK OUT, THIS IS WHAT YOU LOOK FOR.

DISEASES SAME WAY.

WE -- IF WE GET REAL HOT TEMPERATURES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE GET A LOT OF MOISTURE, A LOT OF OUR FUNGUSES AND DISEASES START TO STEP IN AND SO WE REALLY TRY TO WATCH FOR THE CUSTOMER TO BE AWARE OF WHAT GOES ON, BECAUSE WE GO THROUGH A LOT MORE EXTREME TEMPERATURES.

THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLANTS OUT THERE.

YEARS AGO IT USED TO BE LET ME PUT IN COUPLE EVERGREENS ACROSS THE FRONT AND SOMETHING ON THE CORNER BUT TODAY THERE ARE SO MANY PERENNIALS, SO MANY MORE SHRUBS, SO MANY MORE TREES THAT THE SELECTION IS JUST UNREAL.

AND NEW HYBRIDS COME OUT ALMOST YEARLY.

AND THERE IS SO MANY THINGS.

DO YOUR EDUCATION.

DO THE STUDYING BUT YOU CAN ALSO COME OUT HERE, A LOT OF OUR PLANTS ARE LABELED.

THEY TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO, AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP YOU OUT.

>> YOU KNOW, ROCKY IS TOTALLY RIGHT WHEN HE SAYS GARDENERS NEED TO THINK CREATIVELY THE FURTHER YOU GO WEST AND EVEN IN THE EAST SO YOU'RE NOT USING EXACTLY THE SAME PLANTS ALL THE TIME.

PLENTY OF THOSE PLANTS THAT GROW FINE HERE IN EASTERN NEBRASKA ARE EITHER GOING STRUGGLE OUT WEST OR THEY'RE JUST GOING TO GIVE UP THE GHOST.

OKAY.

SO KATE, LAST ROUND HERE OF PICTURES.

YOUR FIRST TWO ARE FUN.

THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

THEY HAVE THESE DIVOTS IN THE GROUND BETWEEN THE SHRUBS, CLOSE TO THE FOUNDATION.

WHAT COULD IT BE?

>> SO THOSE ARE IMMATURE ANTLION, ALSO CALLED DOODLEBUGS BUT CALLED ANTLIONBECAUSE THEY MAKE THOSE LITTLE HOLES TO TRAP ANTS.

SO THEY LIE IN WAIT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOLES, WAIT FOR AN ANT TO ACCIDENTALLY FALL IN.

SOMETIMES THEY'LL EVEN FLICK UP SAND OR DIRT AT THE ANT TO MAKE IT FALL IN.

BUT THEY'RE JUST BENEFICIAL PREDATORS.

>> THAT IS WHAT IS IT CALLED THE SARLACC, FROM "“STAR WARS," THE THING.

>> YEAH, ENTERTAINMENT, THROW ANTS AND WATCH THEM.

>> EXACTLY.

ALL RIGHT, YOUR NEXT PICTURE IS A LINCOLN VIEWER.

IS THIS A FRIEND OR A FOE?

AND DO YOU TREAT FOR IT IF IT'S A FOE?

>> THIS IS A FRIEND, SO THIS IS ANOTHER BENEFICIAL PREDATOR AND THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT LADYBEETLES LOOK LIKE AS A LARVA ON THE RIGHT AND THEN A PUPA ON THE LEFT.

AND THEY'RE REALLY HUNGRY AND THEY LIKE APHIDS, SO LEAVE THEM BE.

>> EXCELLENT.

AND YOUR FINAL PICTURE IS THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER WHO FOUND SOME VISITORS ON THE MILKWEED, LOTS OF THEM.

SHE IS WONDERING WHAT TO DO TO ENSURE THAT THESE CATERPILLARS BECOME PUPA AND, OF COURSE, BECOME BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES.

SHOULD SHE AVOID MOWING, HOW MUCH SPACE SHOULD SHE GIVE THEM.

SHE DON'T USE PESTICIDES.

WHAT ABOUT WATERING?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

CATERPILLARS ARE GOING TO GET ALL THE WATER THEY NEED FROM FEEDING ON PLANT.

THESE CATERPILLARS IN PARTICULAR LOOK LIKE THEY'RE JUST ABOUT READY TO PUPATE ANYWAY.

WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO THEY'RE GOING TO LEAVE THE HOST PLANT, MAYBE GO PUPATE ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, ON A FENCE SOMEWHERE KIND OF FAR AWAY.

THAT BEING SAID, I DON'T THINK YOU NEED TO DO ANYTHING SPECIAL FOR THEM.

YOU'RE ALREADY DOING ENOUGH BY GIVING THEM THEIR HOST PLANT.

>> EXCELLENT.

THAT'LL BE SO MUCH FUN.

OKAY.

YOUR PICTURES, YOUR FIRST THREE ARE FROM ONE VIEWER AND THEN A SECOND, A FOURTH PICTURE.

SO HE HAS PICTURES OF A THISTLE, AND HE IS WONDERING IS THIS ONE OF THE NOXIOUS WEEDS.

THEY'RE COMING INTO HIS YARD.

HE KNOWS THAT IF IT IS ONE OF THE NOXIOUS ONES THEY DO NEED TO BE REMOVED.

SO HE SENT PICTURES OF THE LEAVES IN BUD, AND I THINK WE HAVE ONE THAT IS IN FLOWER, AS WELL.

>> YES.

AND THIS ONE IS A NOXIOUS WEED.

AND IT'S A BIG PAIN IN THE BUTT.

I'VE SEEN IT IN A LOT OF AREAS THAT I MANAGE, AS WELL.

AND THEY TOLERATE MOWING.

IT'S CANADA THISTLE OR CREEPING THISTLE.

SO, IT DOES START OUT AS ONE PLANT AND THEN IT WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD IN A LARGER AND LARGER CIRCLE, IF LEFT UNTREATED IT CAN COVER THOUSANDS OF SQUARE FEET.

BECAUSE THAT SEED WILL SPREAD AND ALSO THE RHIZOMES FROM ONE PLANT TO NEXT SPREAD EVERY YEAR, SO IT JUST KEEPS GROWING.

AND IT IS REAL -- EVEN TOLERATES MOWING, SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE TREATED WITH -- IF IT'S IN A -- LET'S SAY A PASTURE, PRODUCTS WITH LET'S SAY TRICLOPYR PLUS PICLORAM, WHICH IS GRAZON WORK REALLY WELL, BUT A LOT OF THE OTHER 2,4-D PRODUCTS WORK.

SO SPRAYING IT NOW WOULD BE REALLY BENEFICIAL TO KEEP IT FROM SEEDING OUT.

AND ALSO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SPRAY AGAIN IN THE FALL, JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THOSE PLANTS THAT YOU'RE NOT KILLING NOW.

SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO TREAT, OTHERWISE IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND GET WORSE.

>> AND IF IT'S A NOXIOUS WEED, YOU HAVE TO.

>> YOU SHOULD SPRAY IT.

>> YES.

AND THEN YOUR FINAL ONE IS ALSO A THISTLE.

THIS IS IN COUNCIL BLUFFS.

SHE SENT JUST A COUPLE PICTURES OF THE FOLIAGE.

WONDERS IS THIS NATIVE OR NONNATIVE.

DO WE NEED --?

>> MOST OF THESE THISTLES ARE NOT NATIVE.

THEY ACTUALLY CAME FROM EUROPE HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO, AND THEN THEY PRETTY MUCH SPREAD TO ALL THE STATES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND THEY'RE PRETTY WIDELY DISTRIBUTED.

THIS ONE IS ACTUALLY BULL THISTLE, AND IT'S VERY SHARP, SHARP LOOKING.

THAT'S ONE OF THE I GUESS MORE AGGRESSIVE ONES.

THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT BULL HISTLE.

BUT THIS IS ANOTHER ONE.

IT'S NOT -- IT MIGHT BE INVASIVE TO SOME COUNTIES IN THE -- IN NEBRASKA BUT NOT ALL OF THEM.

IT'S ONE THAT YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO GET RID OF TO PREVENT IT FROM SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE LANDSCAPE.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

THANKS, MATT.

JOHN, YOUR FIRST ONE HERE IS A GRAND ISLAND VIEWER, AND THEY WANT TO KNOW THE IDENTITY OF THIS ROADSIDE FLOWER.

IT'S IN A NEW WILDFLOWER BED.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> SO THIS IS A POPPY MALLOW.

ISN'T THAT A CUTE LITTLE FLOWER THERE?

SO IT IS A NATIVE, AND SORT OF LIVES ROCKY HILLSIDES, DRIER AREAS.

AND IT -- AND IT IS LIKE A GOOD GROUND COVER KIND OF PLANT.

YOU CAN -- I DON'T KNOW IF EVER SEEN IT FOR SALE.

I'M SURE YOU CAN BUY IT.

SO IT MAKES A GREAT GROUND COVER PLANT IF YOU SEE IT OUT THERE, POPPY MALLOW.

>> IT'S ACTUALLY FAIRLY WILDLY AVAILABLE AND WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL ONE IN THE "“BACKYARD FARMER"” GARDEN IN EXACTLY THOSE CONDITIONS YOU SUGGESTED.

>> YEAH, SO IF YOU HAVE A ROCKY AREA THAT YOU NEED SOMETHING TO GROW, OTHER THAN SOME SORT OF WEED THAT YOU'LL HAVE TO SEND TO MATT FOR I.D.

YOU CAN GET SOME POPPY MALLOW.

>> ALL RIGHT, YOUR NEXT ONE, TWO PICTURES ARE ALSO A CAN YOU TELL US THE NAME OF THIS PLANT.

THIS IS IN PAPILLION.

>> SO THIS ONE IS A LITTLE HARDER NAME.

I DON'T GET LIKE FUN NAMES LIKE DOODLEBUG AND ANTLION.

THIS IS LYSIMACHIA.

THIS IS NOT A NATIVE, BUT YOU CAN GROW IT.

YOU CAN BUY IT.

SOMETIMES IT'S CALLED YELLOW LOOSESTRIFE.

AND SO YOU CAN GROW IT IN THE GARDEN.

IT WILL SPREAD, SO YOU CAN LIKE KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL.

YOU MIGHT NEED TO LIKE MOW IT BACK OR PRUNE IT BACK IF IT STARTS TO, YOU KNOW, MISBEHAVE.

BUT THAT IS ONE THAT YOU CAN YOU KNOW, YOU CAN FIND.

SO LYSIMACHIA.

>> EXCELLENT.

AND THEN YOUR FINAL ONE HERE IS -- THIS PLANT IS GROWING IN A CEMETERY BY HER GRANDPARENTS' HEADSTONE IN TECUMSEH.

SHE IS FROM HILDRETH.

SO, WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS ACTUALLY THE SEED STAGE.

NOT THE FLOWER STAGE.

IF YOU WOULD HAVE CAUGHT IT YOU KNOW LIKE A FEW WEEKS EARLY, YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN YELLOW FLOWERS ALL OVER THIS.

THIS IS CALLED YELLOW ROCKET.

ROCKET IS SOMETHING THAT WE DESCRIBE SOME THINGS IN THE MUSTARD FAMILY, SO YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD OF ARUGULA CALLED ROCKET AS A SALAD PLANT.

THERE IS DAMES ROCKET, WHICH IS A PURPLE FLOWER.

THIS IS YELLOW ROCKET.

IT IS A WEED.

IT'S NOT AN UNATTRACTIVE WEED.

IT'S LIKE A YELLOW FLOWER.

IT WILL SPREAD BY THOSE SEEDS, YOU KNOW.

WE HAVE ALL THOSE LITTLE PODS THAT WILL BURST OPEN AND SPREAD.

IT'S NOT ANYTHING THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU WOULD HAVE TO RUN AND CONTROL.

YOU MIGHT -- IT WILL SPREAD, SO IF YOU DON'T WANT IT GROWING EVERYWHERE YOU CAN DO THAT.

BUT IT'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAVE, EITHER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

THANKS, JOHN.

WELL, THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WE HAVE OF FUN THINGS IN THE GARDENING WORLD HAS TO DO WITH "“DIGGING DEEPER"” ABOUT RAIN GARDENS, SINCE WE REALLY NEED THE RAIN.

YOU CAN WATCH US ON FACEBOOK, THURSDAY 8:00 P.M.

RIGHT AFTER THE SHOW.

WE LOVE TO DO "“DIGGING DEEPER.

"” AND WE DO NEED THAT RAIN.

SO MAYBE SINCE KELLY IS TALKING RAIN GARDENS WE'LL GET SOME RAIN OUT OF IT.

>> HOPEFULLY.

FINGERS CROSSED.

>> FINGERS CROSSED.

KATE, WE HAVE TIME FOR JUST REALLY ONE QUESTION PROBABLY.

THIS IS A VIEWER FROM FREMONT WHO HAD OLD POTTING SOIL IN AN OLD ROTTED BARREL.

NOTICED SOME INSECTS SHAPED LIKE ANTS BUT THEY WERE SEE THROUGH AND TANNISH IN COLOR.

ANY IDEA WHAT THOSE COULD HAVE BEEN, AND ARE THEY HARMFUL TO THE SOIL?

>> MOST INSECTS THAT YOU FIND IN THE SOIL AREN'T GOING TO BE HARMFUL.

DEPENDING ON HOW BIG THEY COULD BE, THEY COULD BE SPRING TAILS ARE PRETTY COMMON RIGHT NOW.

AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY REALLY GOOD DECOMPOSERS.

THEY HELP AERATE A LITTLE BIT.

SO, I WOULD JUST LEAVE IT BE.

>> AND PROBABLY NOT TERMITES IF THEY LOOK MORE LIKE ANTS.

>> PROBABLY NOT TERMITES.

>> OKAY.

THAT WOULD BE --.

>> MAYBE.

WE'LL SEE.

>> WE'LL SEE WHETHER OR NOT THEY SEND US A PICTURE, THEY DIDN'T SEND US A PICTURE ON THAT ONE.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR "“BACKYARD FARMER"” TONIGHT WE WANT TO SAY THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO SUBMITTED A QUESTION AND PICTURES AND THANKS TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

NEXT TIME ON "“BACKYARD FARMER"” WE'LL BE VISITING THE HOME OF A FORMER HOST OF BACKYARD FARMER.

WE'LL SEE THE BEAUTIFUL ACREAGE OF REGGI CARLSON.

WE'LL HEAR ABOUT HOW SHE KEEPS THAT GARDEN GROWING AND GREEN.

SO GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING.

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

"” CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC.

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