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

(UPBEAT MUSIC) TONIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'LL SEE A UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STATION'S UNIQUE APPROACH TO FIRE SUPPRESSION AND SHOW YOU HOW TO AERATE YOUR LAWN FOR THE FALL.

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

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

I'M KIM TODD, AND WE'RE HAPPY YOU CAN JOIN US FOR THE NEXT HOUR OF GOOD GARDENING.

IF YOU HAVE GARDENING QUESTIONS, GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-676-5446.

AND OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL HELP YOU OR SEND US YOUR PICTURES AND YOUR EMAILS.

THAT ADDRESS IS BYF@UNL.EDU.

TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE AND GIVE US AS MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR SITUATION AS YOU CAN.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT DUE TO THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS WE RECEIVE EACH WEEK, WE CAN'T ANSWER EVERYONE'S QUESTION ON AIR, BUT YOU CAN FIND MORE TIPS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND VIDEOS ON THE BACKYARD FARMER'S SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND YOUTUBE.

LET'S GET TO SAMPLES.

JODY, YOURS IS TAKING UP THE DESK.

>> I KNOW I FINALLY BROUGHT A BIG DIRTY GROSS SAMPLE, SO I BROUGHT MIMOSA WEBWORM, WHICH IS THE TALK OF ALL THE SUBURBS AND ALL OF OUR HONEYLOCUST TREES.

THIS ONE DOESN'T LOOK TOO BAD, BUT CHECK THESE ONES OUT.

RIGHT?

SO YOU CAN SEE THEY LOOK SCORCHED.

THEY LOOK KIND OF DEAD.

THERE'S A LOT OF LEAVES MISSING, SO TOO LATE TO TREAT.

BUT THIS IS DONE BY A TINY LITTLE CATERPILLAR.

AND SO THIS CATERPILLAR FEEDS IN BETWEEN THESE MATS THAT IT MAKES WITH SILK.

AND AS WE'RE FEEDING, THE LEAVES TURN BROWN WITH THE HEAT THAT WE'VE HAD AND THE DROUGHT, IT JUST MAKES IT MORE NOTICEABLE.

SO WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THERE'S TWO GENERATIONS.

AND SO THE FEMALE TINY LITTLE MOTH WILL LAY EGGS AT THE TERMINAL ENDS OF THE HONOLULU TREE.

AND THEN THEY WILL HATCH, THEY WILL FEED.

AND THERE'S TWO GENERATIONS.

SO IF YOU DID WANT TO DO A TREATMENT, THAT WOULD BE IN MID JUNE.

LATER ON THIS FALL, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF LITTLE CATERPILLARS DESCENDING DOWN, AND THEY WILL PUPATE IN THE CRACKS OF BARKS AND ALSO PROBABLY ON YOUR STRUCTURE.

SO IF YOU SEE THAT, TRY TO KNOCK THAT DOWN.

BUT THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT THAT LITTLE MOTH LOOKS LIKE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S VERY SMALL.

>> TINLITTLE THING.

>> SO THEY DO A LOT OF DAMAGE, BUT THEY ARE TINY LITTLE MOTHS.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR THE UGLINESS.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> DENNIS.

>> YES.

IT'S AFTER JULY.

AND WHAT DO WE SAY ABOUT BATS?

LET THEM FLY TO JULY AND THEY'RE FLYING AROUND NOW.

THE YOUNG OF THE YEAR ARE OUT AND ABOUT, SO NOW IT'S THE TIME TO CONTROL THEM.

YOU CAN USE EXCLUSION THE BEST WAY.

SO IF YOU HAVE A CRACK, THE BATS ARE GETTING IN AND OUT OF.

YOU CAN HANG WIRE OVER IT OR NETTING WITH WEIGHTS.

THAT WAY THEY GO OUT AND CAN COME BACK IN AFTER TWO WEEKS.

WITH THE EXCLUSION.

YOU CAN SEAL THAT UP PERMANENTLY, EXCLUDE THEM, AND THEN YOU DON'T HAVE A BAT PROBLEM.

OR YOU CAN BUY AN EXCLUDERS.

AND THERE'S SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES.

THIS ONE GOES IN A CORNER, THE BACK GOES OUT BUT CAN'T FIND ITS WAY BACK IN.

THERE'S EVEN OTHERS.

THE BAT GOES OUT AND CAN'T FIND THEIR WAY BACK IN.

NOW THE YOUNG ARE AND EVERYBODY'S LEAVING.

THE WHOLE COLONY IS LEAVING.

SO DO THIS FOR A WEEK AND THEN YOUR BATS WILL BE GONE.

YOU WON'T BE SEEING THEM ANYMORE.

>> AND YOU HOPE YOU CAN GET THAT OFF.

ALL RIGHT.

KYLE, THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> IT IS BEAUTIFUL, RIGHT?

MOTHER NATURE IS AWESOME.

SO I WAS OUT TODAY AND ACTUALLY.

FOUND A GIANT RING OF MUSHROOMS GROWING IN SOME GRASS.

IT WAS A FAIRY RING.

AND SO I JUST THOUGHT, WELL, SHOW THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF MUSHROOM DEVELOPMENT AND KIND OF HOW THEY GROW.

SO THEY START OFF PRETTY SMALL LIKE THIS.

YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE COVERING ON TOP OF IT.

AND THEN AS THEY CONTINUE TO AGE, WE CAN SEE THAT UNIVERSAL VEIL, AS IT'S CALLED, STARTS TO BREAK APART AND BREAKS APART EVEN MORE.

AND MORE.

AND THEN HERE YOU CAN SEE THE BOTTOM STARTING TO OPEN UP JUST A LITTLE BIT.

AND WE HAVE THIS STRUCTURE HERE THAT EVENTUALLY WILL BECOME.

THE RING THAT WE HAVE HERE ON THE BOTTOM.

SO HERE WE HAVE BASICALLY MULTIPLE STAGES.

HERE'S THE ADULT STAGE.

AND THEN THIS IS THE ADULT STAGE THAT WE HAVE.

AND SO AGAIN, WHY, WHAT SORT OF INFORMATION DO WE NEED WHEN IT COMES TO IDENTIFYING MUSHROOMS.

IDEALLY A PICTURE OF THE ENTIRE SHROOM.

ALSO WE WANT TO SEE WHAT THE TOP LOOKS LIKE.

ARE THERE DO WE HAVE ANY OF THESE SCALES?

IS THERE EVIDENCE OF A UNIVERSAL VEIL?

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND THEN ON THE UNDERSIDE.

OH, THAT'S NICE AND GREEN.

THIS IS PERFECT.

WE WANT TO SEE WHAT ARE THE GILLS LOOK LIKE.

DOES IT HAVE A RING.

AND THEN ALSO WHAT DOES THE BASE LOOK LIKE.

NOW WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT THIS IS GREEN.

WELL THIS IS THE GREEN SPORED PARASOL MUSHROOM.

ANOTHER NAME FOR IT IS THE FALSE PARASOL.

MY FAVORITE NAME FOR IT IS THE MITER.

WHY IS IT CALLED THE VOMITER?

PATHOLOGISTS ARE NOT CLEVER NAMERS YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT, BUT IF YOU SEE THESE THINGS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE, JUST TOUCHING THEM IS NOT WON'T HURT YOU.

IT WON'T HURT ANYTHING.

YOU CAN WASH YOUR HANDS.

THEY'LL BE FINE.

JUST DON'T EAT THEM.

PLEASE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, KYLE.

LOVELY.

SCOTT, AS USUAL.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> TONIGHT I BROUGHT ASHY, ASHY SUNFLOWER.

IT'S ONE OF OUR MIDWEST NATIVE PERENNIALS.

IT'S A, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF DEBATE IN OUR HOUSEHOLD IF WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT OR IF WE'RE GOING TO WORK IT OUT.

IT'S A NICE SUNFLOWER.

IT'S TALL, MAYBE ABOUT 4 OR 5 FOOT TALL.

THE DOWNSIDE TO IT, IT'S A FLOPPER AND IT'S ALWAYS WINDY IN NEBRASKA, SO IT NEEDS A LITTLE BIT OF SUPPORT, MAYBE SHRUBS OR SOMETHING NEARBY TO HELP KEEP IT UPRIGHT, BUT IT'S A NICE LOOKING PLANT.

WHAT'S REALLY FUN ABOUT IT IS THAT THE SEED HEADS, IF YOU LET THEM GO TO FRUIT, THEY WILL ATTRACT BIRDS.

AND GOLDFINCHES LIKE TO FEED ON THE FRUIT OF THIS PARTICULAR ONE.

IT CAN SPREAD BY RHIZOMES.

SO KEEP THAT IN MIND.

AND BUT IT'S A FUN PLANT TO TRY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS.

ALL THREE PICTURES FROM PALMYRA ON THIS ONE, JOD THIS IS TOMATILLOS INFESTED WITH A CRITTER THAT SEEMS TO PUPATE INSIDE.

SHE'S GOT LOTS OF GOOD PICTURES HERE.

AND WHAT IS THIS ANNOYING BUG THAT IS KILLING HER SALSA VERDE DREAMS?

>> OH, YEAH.

THIS IS.

THIS WAS NOT SUPER EXPECTED.

THERE ARE A FEW CATERPILLARS THAT LIKE TOMATILLOS, BUT IF THEY'RE PUPATING INSIDE, WE THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE.

WE CALL THEM MICRO MOTHS OR THE TWIRLER MOTH, AND THAT PUPATION INSIDE THE FRUIT IS A GOOD GIVEAWAY.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO IS PICK AND DISCARD ANY OF THOSE DAMAGED FRUITS TH YOU SEE EARLY.

YOU CAN TREAT THE PLANT WITH TEA.

WHEN YOU START SEEING, YOU KNOW, SEEING THEM OR WHEN THE PLANT IS YOUNG.

AND THEN IF YOU NEED TO TREAT LIKE SPINOSAD WILL PROBABLY WORK, BUT YOU KNOW, YO DON'T WANT THEM TO COME OUT OF THE FRUIT AND THEN START LAYING MORE EGGS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THREE PICTURES FROM LODGEPOLE.

A TON OF THESE INSECTS, DO THEY CAUSE DAMAGE THERE ON THE VINING PLANTS?

OCCASIONALLY ON BEANS.

THE BUGS LOVE THE BLOOMS.

WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?

>> YEAH.

SO YOU'VE GOT A VARIETY OF CUCUMBER BEETLES.

I SEE SPOTTED CUCUMBER BEETLE STRIPED CUCUMBER BEETLE.

AND THEN THERE'S THE NORTHERN CORN ROOTWORM BEETLE WHICH IS LIKE IT'S THE SAME GENUS.

IT'S A BEETLE.

A LOT OF TIMES THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO DAMAGE.

BUT THERE ARE SOME LIKE PATH ISSUES THAT YOU COULD GET WITH SQUASH AND CUCUMBER DUE TO THESE BEETLES, BACTERIAL WILT OR CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS OR SQUASH MOSAIC VIRUS.

A LOT OF TIMES WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO, YOU KNOW, DUMP THEM IN SOAPY WATER IF THEY FIND THEM.

BUT THE KEY IS IT'S THE STRIPED CUCUMBER BEETLE THAT'S THE WORST.

AND IF THE PLANT HAS MORE THAN FOUR LEAVES, IT SHOULD BE OKAY.

IT'S THE YOUNGER THE PLANT, THE MORE DAMAGE IT COULD BE.

SO GET OUT THERE AND START SCOUTING EARLY.

WHEN YOU GET THOSE PLANTS ON THE GROUND.

>> GREAT.

AND ONE PICTURE FROM OMAHA.

THIS COMES FROM TWO GREAT GRANDSONS OF THESE PEOPLE, AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE GOLD COLOR ON THIS CHRYSALIS.

>> OH, THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

AREN'T THESE THE MOST GORGEOUS THINGS?

THESE LIKE JADE CHRYSALISES OR LIKE POTS AND THEY'VE GOT THESE LITTLE GOLD FLECKS.

AND SO WHAT THAT IS, IS TO HELP WITH CAMOUFLAGE.

SO IF IT'S UNDER A LEAF AND YOU LOOK UP, YOU CAN'T SEE IT.

SO IT PROTECTS IT FROM PREDATORS.

>> FUN.

>> YEAH.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> DENNIS.

THIS IS AN ODD ONE FOR YOU, WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS.

YOU HAD A POND, BIG ONE.

AND HIS ISSUE ON HIS IS CATTAILS.

HE WANTS TO GET RID OF THEM.

HE DOESN'T WANT TO HURT ANY CREATURES.

>> RIGHT.

SO THERE'S NO CHEMICAL I KNOW OF THAT YOU CAN USE.

WHEN I HAD PONDS UP TO A QUARTER ACRE, I WOULD HAVE A LINER THAT WAS GBUM64 MILL RUBBER, AND NOTHING COULD GET INTO THAT.

AND I PUT SAND AND GRAVEL ON IT, AND I WAS ABLE TO JU PULL THE CATTAILS UP.

AND I GO IN ONCE A YEAR, YOU CAN'T LET IT GET BY YOU AND PULL THOSE ROOTS UP.

AND I KEPT THEM IN ONE AREA AND NOT THE OTHER AREAS.

SO IT'S JUST A MANNER OF GETTING IN THERE AND JUST DIGGING THEM OUT AND ROGUING THEM OUT.

AND THAT'S HOW THAT'S HOW YOU GET RID OF THEM.

BECAUSE ANY CHEMICALS ON THE MARKET ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR AQUATIC SITUATION.

>> GREAT.

THREE PICTURES FROM OMAHA.

SOMETHING PULLED HIS CUKES OFF THE TRELLIS AND NO FRUIT ATE MOST OF THE LEAVES AND THE VINES.

THE TOP OF A GREEN BEAN.

ANY IDEA?

>> WELL, THE WAY IT'S DONE, I WAS LOOKING BETWEEN RABBITS AND SQUIRRELS.

ALL OF THEM WOULD DO IT.

AND PROBABLY MORE.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LARGER ANIMAL, LIKE A RABBIT.

BUT IF A WOODCHUCK IS AROUND, A WOODCHUCK WOULD PROBABLY CAUSE A LITTLE MORE DAMAGE.

BUT THEY WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT AS WELL.

SO I WOULD DEFAULT TO RABBITS RIGHT NOW.

>> OKAY, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE AND SHE'S WONDERING WHAT ANIMAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BEDDING DOWN IN HER GARLIC.

>> ITALIAN CAT.

YEAH, A CAT WOULD DO THAT.

I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT OF ANIMALS THAT LIKE THE SMELL OF GARLIC.

I WOULD THINK A FOX WOULD AS WELL.

SO AND IT'S NOT REALLY EATING IT OR HURTING IT, BUT I KNOW CATS LIKE GARLIC.

WE'VE HAD A CAT AND ALWAYS LOVE THE GARLIC.

>> OKAY.

>> BUT YET WE'RE ITALIAN, SO I DON'T KNOW.

>> GOOD GRIEF.

ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES FROM GUTTENBERG, IOWA FOR YOU, KYLE.

REALLY NICE LOOKING.

AND LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL SHROOMS.

THEY THEY SIMPLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.

>> YEAH.

THE I MEAN HERE IT'S JUST KIND OF A STUMP WITH SOME ORANGE ON IT.

BUT WHEN WE GET CLOSER, WE'LL SEE SOME GREAT GOLDEN OYSTER MUSHROOMS.

SO THESE ACTUALLY ARE AN INVASIVE MUSHROOM.

THEY COME FROM ASIA, BUT THEY CAN NOW BE FOUND PRETTY MUCH WIDESPREAD ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, VERY COMMON ON MULTIPLE DIFFERENT HARDWOODS.

THEY SEEM TO LIKE ELMS THE BEST.

BUT IF YOU WOULD SEE THOSE ON A LIVING TREE, THAT'S A SIGN OF CONCERN BECAUSE THEY ARE WOOD DECOMPOSERS.

SO THEY WOULD BE ROTTING AWAY.

THAT WOULD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES FROM PLEASANTON.

THIS IS AN HEIRLOOM BILTMORE TOMATO.

IT RIPENED LIKE THIS.

SHE SENT TWO DIFFERENT PICTURES, I THINK.

IS THERE SOMETHING MISSING IN THE SOIL TO CAUSE THIS AND IS IT EDIBLE?

>> IT'S A COUPLE DIFFERENT QUESTIONS THERE.

IT IS EDIBLE, YES.

IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE SOIL CAUSING IT?

NO THERE'S NOT.

YOU KNOW, IT LOOKED LIKE THERE HAD THERE WERE SOME CRACKS ON IT TYPICALLY THAT THOSE HAPPEN DUE TO UNEVEN RIPENING OR KIND OF UNEVEN GROWTH GREW A LITTLE BIT TOO FAST.

BUT THEN WE HAVE THOSE LIGHTER SPOTS THAT ARE ON THERE.

AND THAT'S MOST LIKELY TOMATO SPOTTED WILT VIRUS.

AND SO IF YOU CUT IT OPEN AGAIN, IT'S NOT GOING WON'T HAVE RIPENED EVENLY.

YOU'LL FIND SOME GREEN SPOTS IN THERE, BUT YOU CAN STILL EAT IT.

YOU CAN HAVE A BLT WITH IT, BUT DON'T USE THEM FOR CANNING BECAUSE THE ACID LEVELS CAN GET A LITTLE BIT WONKY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND MORE TOMATOES.

SO TWO PICTURES FROM LINCOLN.

WHAT ABOUT THESE?

THEY'RE EARLY GIRLS.

>> YEAH.

AND THESE LOOK TO BE TOMATO SPOTTED WILT AS WELL.

THERE IS A TOMATO RINGSPOT VIRUS.

THE TREATMENT BOTH THE RESULTS FOR BOTH ARE THE SAME.

THE SAFE TO EAT YOURSELF.

BUT AGAIN THAT GREEN IN THERE, THAT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT CHEWY.

AND THEN DON'T MAKE SURE NOT TO USE THEM FOR CANNING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICTURES FROM TREYNOR, IOWA.

WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING MAYBE TOOK A BITE OUT OF IT.

MAYBE THERE WAS SOME SUN SCALD THAT HAPPENED TO KIND OF WEAKEN THAT PART OF THE FLESH, AND THEN IT JUST DRIED OUT.

I HOPE THAT'S THE ONLY ONE THAT YOU FOUND THAT ON.

IF IT WAS AN ENTIRE PLANT, I WOULD BE CONCERNED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

KYLE.

THREE PICTURES FROM UNADILLA.

THIS IS A 100 YEAR OLD AMERICAN ELM.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT SHE CAN DO TO KEEP IT ALIVE.

12FT IN CIRCUMFERENCE.

>> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL TREE.

I HAVE NEVER I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SEEN ONE MYSELF PERSON.

THEY ARE MAJESTIC.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IS DEFINITELY MULCH THAT LANDSCAPE.

GO OUT AS FAR AS YOU'RE WILLING TO GO.

YOU DON'T NEED TURF UNDERNEATH THE TREE.

GOOD PLANT HEALTH CARE PRACTICE.

WHEN WE'RE IN TIMES OF DROUGHT, GIVE IT A GOOD DRINK OF WATER.

THE THE GOOEY STUFF, THE SLIME FLUX.

THAT'S NOTHING TO BE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT.

>> OKAY, TWO PICTURES FROM LAKE WACONDA.

THEY HAD SEVERE WINDS, MAYBE A TORNADO LIMBS BROKE OFF.

HE KNOWS WE DON'T REALLY SAY PRUNE, BUT IT'S TWO MONTHS LATER.

IS IT TIME?

>> GO AHEAD AND STILL CLEAN THAT UP BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT IT TO BECOME A FUTURE HAZARD.

DECAY COULD SET IN AND WE COULD GET FUTURE ISSUES.

SO GO AHEAD AND STILGET IT CLEANED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICTURES FROM FREMONT.

THIS IS A YOUNG TREE.

LEAVES LOOK HEALTHY, BUT THE SECOND PICTURE SHOWS WHAT HERE.

>> YEAH.

THIS COULD BE FROST CRACKING.

SUNSCALD.

THE TREE MIGHT BE IN THE GROUND A LITTLE BIT TOO DEEP.

IT'S FRUSTRATING TO SEE, BUT MIGHT BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE BESIDES A RED MAPLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

SCOTT.

WELL, WESTERN NEBRASKA IS STILL RECOVERING FROM A TERRIBLE WILDFIRE THIS SPRING.

JOHN GARBISCH TELLS US HOW THEY MITIGATE POTENTIAL FIRE DAMAGE AT THE CEDAR POINT BIOLOGICAL STATION NEAR OGALLALA, AND HOW THEY USE THE HARVESTED CEDAR WOOD TO BUILD STEPS, BRIDGES AND RESIDENCE BUILDINGS ON SITE TO HOUSE RESEARCHERS, FACULTY AND STUDENTS.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, WE HAD FUELS REDUCTION MONEY, WHICH BASICALLY MEANS YOU REMOVE A FEW TREES, YOU LIMB UP THE REMAINING ONES, AND FIRE HAS A LOT HARDER TIME STARTING.

WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT HERE.

WE REMOVED, OH, I'D SAY 60 TO 80% OF THE TREES.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY STILL UP THERE.

WE HAD A BIG SHREDDER ON THAT SURFACE.

THE SHREDS STILL SITS DOWN IN THE GRASS.

SO IN THIS CASE, I THINK I ACTUALLY HAVE REDUCED STORMWATER RUNOFF AS WELL AS REDUCED OUR FIRE HAZARD ON THIS SLOPE.

A LOT OF THAT WATER WILL STAY UP THERE.

IN THE CASE OF THIS UNL FACILITY, MOSTLY IT MEANS IT GIVES US A FEW EXTRA MOMENTS TO MBE PUT OUT A SMALL FIRE.

BUT WE ARE IN THESE DEEP CANYONS AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF TREES.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTT TO BE REALISTIC THAT IF SOME REALLY BIG FIRE CAME THROUGH HERE, I REALLY HOPE IT'S BEEN STOPPED BEFORE IT GETS TO US.

WE GET ANYWHERE FROM 8 TO 12IN OF RAIN A YEAR OUT HERE.

PARTS OF EASTERN NEBRASKA, ESPECIALLY SOUTHEAST, ARE GETTING CLOSE TO 40.

SO OF COURSE HERE WE HAVE EASTERN RED CEDAR, LOTS OF GRASS.

IT IS JUST A DRIER ENVIRONMENT ALL AROUND.

SO AND WINDIER.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT EASIER TO FOR A LARGE FIRE TO PICK UP AND CATCH HERE.

WITH SOME LUCK IN EASTERN NY WETTER.

DECIDUOUS TREES HAVE A HARDER TIME CATCHING FIRE.

SO THERE'S REALLY A DIFFERENCE.

EVERYTHING IS SET BACK FROM THE BUILDINGS AND EVERYTHING IS SPACED.

WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ON THIS SLOPE IS IS INTENDED TO MAINTAIN SORT OF A HISTORIC EASTERN RED CEDAR FOREST, BUT WITH ENOUGH SPACING THAT FIRE COULDN'T JUMP BETWEEN THE TREES.

COMING BACK TO LANDOWNERS, I'LL TELL YOU MY SORT OF RULE OF THUMB WHEN I'M LOOKING FOR FUNDING AND TRYING TO CONVINCE SOMEBODY WE'RE DOING THIS, IS WE TRY HARD NOT TO BULLDOZE IT UP INTO A BIG PILE AND BURN IT.

WE TRY TO USE EVERYTHING.

SO THE SHRED FROM THESE REMOVED TREES STAYED ON THAT SURFACE.

OTHER TREES ARE CHIPPED.

WE'RE USING THE CHIPS ON OUR GROUNDS.

HERE YOU CAN SEE A STAIRS GOING UP THERE.

YOU CAN SEE FENCE POSTS.

THAT'S ALL EASTERN RED CEDAR.

WE HAVE BUILDINGS, DECKS WE'VE WORKED ON WITH EASTERNED CEDAR FOOTBRIDGES, ALL OF THAT.

SO IF THERE'S SORT OF A EASTERN RED CEDAR MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY ON MY PART, IT'S FIND A WAY TO USE ALL OF IT.

DON'T BURN IT.

(NATURE SOUNDS) >> WE'RE VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE TECHNIQUES TO KEEP WILDFIRE DAMAGE TO A MINIMUM, AND HOW THEY RECYCLE THE WOOD FOR THE STRUCTURES AT THE STATION.

THAT'S REALLY NEAT.

OKAY, THREE FROM AN ACREAGE NEAR MURRAY, LEMON LACE, ELDERBERRY BUSH, THREE YEARS AGO PLANTED AND TOO MUCH MOISTURE SHE THOUGHT.

OTHERS ARE THRIVING IN THE SAME AREA.

AND THEN YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE AFTER THIS SET OF THR FROM MINDEN WITH A TRUNK OF ELDERBERRY DYING, SO.

HAPPENED QUICKLY.

IS IT A BORE?

HOW DOWN?

WHAT?

WHAT SHOULD THEY DO ON THIS ONE?

>> YEAH, THESE ARE LIKELY BOTH BORERS, BUT THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT KIND OF BORES.

SO THERE IS A BORER THAT'S A MOTH LARVAE WHICH IS THE ELDER SHOOT BORER.

AND THEN THERE'S ONE THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL BEETLE.

THE LARVAE IS CALLED THE ELDERBERRY BORER.

SO THE SAME THING FOR BOTH.

YOU WANT TO PRUNE THOSE INFESTED CANES OUT.

AND YOU WANT TO REMOVE THEM AND DESTROY THEM BECAUSE SOME OF THEM WILL PUPATE IN THE DYING CANE AND OTHERS WILL PUPATE IN THE SOIL.

SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CUT THOSE DOWN AND DISCARD THEM.

SO IT'S USUALLY WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE HOLE.

IF YOU DON'T SEE THE HOLE, JUST TAKE THE WHOLE CANE OUT.

>> PERFECT.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S SEE ONE FROM WE DON'T KNOW WHERE, BUT HE SAID, CAN YOU SLIP THIS IN?

HE FOUND THIS AND HE'S HOPING IT'S A GOOD BUTTERFLY.

>> WELL IT'S GOING TO BE A COOL MOT IT LOOKS LIKE YOU DUG IT UP FROM THE SOIL.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A SPHINX MOTH OR A HAWK MOTH, OR WE CALL IT A LIKE A HORNWORM MOTH.

>> OKAY.

BEAUTIFUL MOTH AND ONE HERE.

AND HIS QUESTION IS THIS THE FRIEND OR IS THIS A FOE?

>> WELL, AT THIS POINT I WOULD CALL IT A FRIEND IN THIS SITUATION.

THIS IS A GREEN JUNE BEETLE.

>> OKAY, A FRIEND.

>> IT'S NOT EATING ANY SAP OF ANY PEACHES.

SO THIS WAY IT'S A FRIEND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DENNIS, ONE PICTURE FROM WEST OF HYANNIS.

SO THEY FOUND, THEY THEY SAID THEY TURTLES, THEY'RE WONDERING IF THEY ARE BOX TURTLES.

DID SAY MANY SMALLER ONES DIDN'T MAKE IT.

>> YEP.

I WAS UP ON HIGHWAY 61 FROM ARTHUR TO HYANNIS DOING BLANDING'S TURTLE WORK.

BUT THIS IS A PAINTED TURTLE, THE MOST COMMON TURTLE IN THE STATE.

IT'S A MALE AND THEY DO GREAT.

AND THEY'RE IN ALL THOSE LITTLE LAKES.

THEY'RE ON EACH SIDE OF HIGHWAY 61.

THERE'S PLENTY OF THEM.

>> OKAY, SO THEY DID THE RIGHT THING.

>> YEP.

JUST LET IT GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM MIDTOWN OMAHA.

HER QUESTION IS W TO GET RID OF HER EARLY MORNING VISITOR.

SHE HAS GROUNDHOGS, VOLES, AND NOW RACCOONS.

IS THERE AN OPTION BESIDES REMOVING ALL THE VEGETATION OR MOVING?

>> REALLY, THE BEST WAY IS TO HAVE THEM PROPERLY CAGE OR LIVE TRAPPED AND REMOVED BY A PROFESSIONAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> MARSHMALLOWS IS THE BEST BAIT, BUT THE PROFESSIONAL WOULD KNOW THAT FOR RACCOONS.

>> OKAY, ONE PICTURE HERE.

THIS IS TWO SQUIRRELS AT THE CORNER OF THE GARAGE DOING THIS.

WHAT IS CAUSING IT AND HOW DO THEY KEEP THEM FROM DOING IT?

AGAIN.

>> THIS IS MARKING THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO GET IN THE GARAGE.

THIS IS TERRITORIAL MARKING.

THEY DO IT EVERY MORNING, RUB THEIR CHIN ON IT.

SO YOU WANT TO MIX VEGETABLE OIL WITH CAYENNE PEPPER OR GHOST PEPPER AND PAINT IT ON THERE.

SO WHEN THEY GO TO CHEW AGAIN, THEY BURN THEIR MOUTH AND THEY'LL PICK ANOTHER PLACE TO MARK THEIR TERRITORY.

>> SO THEY'LL JUST CHEW ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GARAGE.

>> PAINT BOTH SIDES OF THE GARAGE.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES.

THIS IS FROM DOUGLAS COUNTY.

SO SPEAKER IS UNDER AN ENCLOSED DECK.

AND THEN HE FOUND THIS.

AND HE'S WONDERING IS THIS FROM A BAT.

AND SO HOW DID THE SPEAKER SO HOW DOES HE ERADICATE IT IS A BAT.

>> WELL IT'S A BAT.

THEY'RE JUST GOING THERE TO FEED.

YOU CAN USE NETTING TO STOP THEM FROM GOING UP ABOVE AND HIDING UNDER THE SPEAKER.

AFTER THEY'RE GOING AFTER THE MOTHS, MAKE SURE THE LIGHTS ARE DOWN.

SO BECAUSE THE MOTHS ARE ATTRACTED TO ANY KIND OF LIGHT AND THEY'RE JUST FEEDING THERE, THEY'RE NOT LIVING THERE, THEY'RE JUST FEEDING THERE EVERY NIGHT.

>> OKAY, TWO PICTURES FROM MILFORD, KYLE.

SHE HAS CEDARS, 40 YEARS OLD.

SHE SAYS AN AWFUL LOT OF THEM LOOK LIKE THEY ARE DYING.

CHECKED FOR BAG WORMS.

HAVE NOT SE ANY.

IS THIS DROUGHT AN INSECT OR DISEASE?

>> YEAH.

SO I THINK IT'S I THINK IT'S PRIMARILY AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE.

IT'S BEEN HARD TO BE A TREE.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF CEDARS THAT ARE DECLINING ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

AND I PRIMARILY DUE TO DROUGHT.

IF I GOT SOME OF THESE BRANCHES, I WOULD ALMOST GUARANTEE I COULD ALSO FIND CAVATINA OR PHOMOPSIS TIP BLIGHT ON THERE.

BUT THE LARGER ISSUE, AGAIN, IF YOU'RE SEEING IT ACROSS QUITE A FEW TREES AS WELL, IT'S MOST LIKELY THE ENVIRONMENT THAT'S CAUSING THE MAIN PROBLEM.

SO WATER IF YOU CAN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

THREE PICTURES FROM BENNINGTON, 18 FOOT ALBERTA SPRUCE.

SO MUST BE NOT THE LITTLE ONE.

PLANTED FOUR YEARS AGO.

NOTICED THE MIDDLE IS STARTING TO DROOP AND SOME NEEDLES HAVE DROPPED.

AND HE SENT US A GOOD PICTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND THEN SOME OF THE CLOSE UPS.

>> YEAH, I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT THOSE BRANCHES LOOK LIKE A LOT CLOSER TO THE TRUNK.

THERE MIGHT BE SOME RHIZOSPHERE OR STIGMINA CAUSING SOME OF THAT, SOME OF THE DISCOLORATION IN THERE.

BUT TYCALLY THOSE DISEASES DON'T CAUSE THAT SORT OF WILTING.

SO I WOULD WONDER ABOUT A CANKER CAUSING THAT PROBLEM, BUT I WOULD, YEAH, I WOULD NEED MORE INFORMATION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS A 30 PLUS YEAR OLD SPRUCE THAT'S STARTING TO LOSE NEEDLES.

NOT SURE IF THIS IS BLIGHT OR AGE.

>> AND I THINK THAT'S COMBINATION AGAIN.

SO IT DOES LOOK LIKE THERE'S MAYBE SOME SARAH CAUCUS CANKER ON THERE.

AND THAT TENDS TO CAUSE ENTIRE BRANCHES TO KIND OF TURN BROWN LIKE THAT.

BUT THEN WHEN LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE TREE, WHICH IS HOW IT'S KIND OF SPLOTCHY THROUGHOUT, THAT ALSO LOOKS LIKE THERE COULD BE SOME ROOT ISSUES GOING ON.

THE GRASS LOOKS PRETTY DRY AROUND THERE TOO.

AGAIN, I THINK IT'S BEEN HARD TO BE A TREE.

IT'S THIRSTY AND IT'S TIME FOR THAT TREE NOT TO BE A TREE ANYMORE.

>> OKAY, FOUR PICTURES ON THIS ONE, SCOTT, FROM PLATTSMOUTH, HOW DO YOU KEEP RAISED BEDS FROM DRYING OUT SO FAST?

HE SENT GREAT PICTURES.

WE ANSWERED A BIT OF THIS QUESTION EARLIER, BUT HIS ARE 16IN DEEP.

DOES HE WATER LESS?

MORE?

DOES HE COMPOST?

HE'S GOT A BEAUTIFUL SETUP HERE.

HE'S GOT TOPSOIL AND OMA GROW IN THESE BEDS.

HE HAND WATERS EVERY OTHER DAY WITH THE HOSE.

SHOULD HE PUT IN A SPRINKLER SYSTEM, THEY'D USE GRASS CLIPPINGS.

SO HE'S DOING A LOT OF THINGS RIGHT.

IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE IT'S AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK.

>> IT IS.

IT IS A LOT OF WORK.

THESE ARE AMAZING RAISED BEDS.

IT'S JUST A REALLY BEAUTIFUL SETUP.

BUT WE'VE HAD A REALLY CHALLENGING SUMM.

ADDING IN COMPOST PERIODICALLY WILL HELP WITH MOISTURE RETENTION.

I THINK HE DID MENTION SOMETHING ABOUT PERLITE.

PROBABLY NOT SO MUCH THAT ISSUE, BUT ADDING IN SOME COMPOST PERIODICALLY, DRIP IRRIGATION OR SOAK CREWS WOULD REALLY HELP SAVE TIME.

BUT IT'S BEEN A DRY SUMMER HIT OR MISS WITH THE SUMMER, BUT WATERING WITH A RAISED BED IS JUST A CONTINUOUS THING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SCOTT.

TWO PICTURES.

HERE IT COMES TO US FROM GRANINGER, IOWA.

WHAT IS CAUSING THESE OTS ON THE TOMATOES?

YOU GOT THESE JUST IN CASE IT'S BLOSSOM END ROT.

>> OH THIS IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I DID ASK KYLE ABOUT THE SECOND SET OF PHOTOS.

IT DOES KIND OF LOOK LIKE BLOSSOM END ROT.

IT COULD BE PHYSICAL INJURY.

IT COULD BE TOMATO HORNWORM WITH THAT E UP TOP.

AND WE GOT SOME DISCOLORATION.

THAT BOTTOM ONE, WHO KNOWS.

BUT YOU CAN'T EAT.

YOU CAN CARVE OUT THE, DISCARD THE BAD STUFF AND YOU CAN EAT THE HEALTHY STUFF, BUT GOOD WATER AND KEEP EVEN CONSISTENT MOISTURE AND MULCH THE PLANTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, SCOTT.

WELL, OUR GARDEN LOOKS GREAT.

AND OUR ANNUALS, PERENNIALS AND PRODUCE ARE PUTTING ON SHOW.

TERRI RETURNS WITH ANOTHER FANTASTIC ALL-AMERICA SELECTION IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

(NO AUDIO) (UPBEAT MUSIC) >> THIS WEEK IN THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN.

AS WE ARE WINDING DOWN THE GARDENING SEASON FOR THE SHOW, WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT ANOTHER ALL-AMERICA SELECTION WINNER.

THIS ONE I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH.

THIS IS A COREOPSIS SUN GLOBE.

IT'S BRILLIANT.

IT'S BEEN BLOOMING ALL SEASON LONG.

AGAIN, THIS ONE IS ANOTHER ONE THAT WE STARTED FROM SEED, SO I'M PRETTY IMPRESSED.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BLOOM FROM LATE SPRING SUMMER INTO FALL.

IT'S NOT VERY TALL, ONLY ABOUT 12IN, AND IT IS A DOUBLE ROSETTE.

SO IT'S GOT LOTS OF PETALS.

VERY BRIGHT.

AGAIN, A PERENNIAL HARDINESS ZONE 4 TO 9, FULL SUN, PART SUN.

IT WILL TAKE AITTLE BIT OF DRY AREAS.

SO BUT IT IS A GREAT EDGER.

WE'RE REALLY IMPRESSED WITH THIS ONE.

MOST OF THE JUDGES SAID THAT IT BLOOMED ALL YEAR, DID GREAT.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO SEE HOW WELL IT DOES WITHIN OUR WINTERS HERE.

BUT SO FAR, SO GOOD.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LIKE A SUNFLOWER, A LITTLE BIT SHORTER, HAS THAT BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN COLOR, TRY THE COREOPSIS SUN GLOBE AND STOP BY THE BACKYARD FARMER GARDEN THIS WEEK TO CHECK IT OUT.

(NO AUDIO) >> THANKS, TERRI.

NOT ONE, BUT TWO SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK TONIGHT BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING LOTS OF POSTS.

THE FIRST COMES FROM JOSH LEWIS IN NORFOLK.

HE POSTED PICTURES OF A TOMATO HE BOUGHT AT THE GROCERY STORE, AND WHEN HE CUT INTO IT, HE DISCOVERED THE TOMATO WAS SPROUTING FROM THE INSIDE.

SO LET'S BRING SCOTT IN FOR THIS INTERESTING PROBLEM.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE, SCOTT?

>> IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE A BAD SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE, BUT IT'S NOT.

WHAT HAPPENS IS A LOT OF OUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES HAVE LIKE A NATURAL HORMONE THAT WILL PREVENT THE SEEDS FROM GERMINATING INSIDE.

AND WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THIS PARTICULAR TOMATO IS THAT BROKE DOWN.

THAT HORMONE BROKE DOWN FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER.

SO THE TOMATO SEEDLINGS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT REALLY WARM, MOIST ENVIRONMENT AND STARTING TO GERMINATE.

NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

PROBABLY WOULDN'T EAT IT, BUT NO ALIEN CREATURES COMING OUT.

IT'S GOING TO BE JUST FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, SCOTT.

HE'LL HAVE TO GO BUY A NEW TOMATO.

>> YES, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BUY SOME MORE NEW TOMATOES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS.

OUR SECOND SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION COMES FROM DARREN BUTLER IN AUBURN ON FACEBOOK.

DARREN WAS REMOVING BAGWORMS FROM PECAN TREES WHEN HE FOUND THIS WHITE SUBSTANCE ON THE LIMB.

JODY, WHAT IS THIS?

AND WE HAD AN IDEA AND WE WERE WRONG.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD CASE OF THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT IT SEEMS.

AND LUCKILY DARREN WAS REALLY, REALLY GREAT AT ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS.

I HAD SO MANY AND SENDING MORE PICTURES.

BUT THIS IS ACTUALLY A PECAN SPITTLEBUG.

AND SO THAT IS LIKE A FOAMY, WET, FROTHY MASS THAT THE NYMPHS OF THESE TRUE BUGS THAT SUCK ON THE PLANT, THEY ACTUALLY BLOW BUBBLES WITH THEIR BUTTS SO THAT THEY CAN GET AWAY FROM PREDATORS AND STAY ALL KIND OF MOIST AND NOT DEHYDRATE.

SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT HE SHOULD WORRY ABOUT.

THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY HAVE IN T SOUTH.

THERE'S A LOT OF PUBLICATIONS ON IT, AND IF IT HAPPENS TO HICKORIES AND PECANS AND THEY IF YOU SEIZE IT EARLY, HE CAN WIPE THOSE OFF WITH HIS HAND, OR HE CAN DO A STRONG BLAST OF THE HOSE AND GET THOSE OFF.

>> WONDERFUL.

AND WE DID THINK THAT WAS THE LEG OF A GRASSHOPPER.

I THOUGHT.

>> IT WAS THE LEG OF A GRASSHOPPER ON A SCALE INSECT.

>> NOT THE CASE.

NOT THE CASE.

ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JODY.

I WANT TO BE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK.

IT'S EASY.

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

IT'S TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK.

COMING UP, WE'VE GOT THE LIGHTNING ROUND, PLANT OF THE WEEK AND (UPBEAT MUSIC) >> WELCOME BACK TO BACKYARD (NFARMER.)

LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'LL GIVE YOU SOME TIMELY TIPS ON AERATING YOUR TURF.

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

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

SCOTT SHOOTS FROM THE ROOTS OF CRAB APPLES AND PEARS THAT WERE REMOVED.

KEEP COMING UP IN THE YARD.

HOW CAN YOU KILL THEM WITHOUT, FOREVER?

>> THERE IS A HORMONE BASED PRODUCT LIKE SUCKER STOPPER SUCKER PUNCH THAT YOU CAN USE.

>> OKAY, A N CRAB APPLE PLANTED IN JUNE.

HE'S WONDERING HOW OFTEN TO DEEP WATER AND WHAT DOES DEEP WATER MEAN?

>> A DEEP WATER IS WHERE WATERING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ROOTS.

SO THAT COULD BE ANYWHERE FROM 18 TO 24IN AND ABOUT ONCE A WEEK.

>> FROM PLATTSMOUTH, IS IT OKAY TO USE SUN SHADE OVER A GARDEN IN THESE HIGH TEMPS?

>> YES.

SUN CLOTH OR SHADE CLOTH, YET CAN DEFINITELY MAKE A GOOD IMPACT.

>> OKAY, FROM LINCOLN, SURPRISE LILIES ARE ALREADY FLOWERING.

IS THIS EARLY?

>> NOT REALLY.

>> OKAY.

FROM LINCOLN, ALSO COLEUS IS FLOWERING.

IS IT TOO LATE OR TOO EARLY TO TAKE CUTTINGS OFF OF IT?

>> IT'S A SMIDGE EARLY, BUT GO AHEAD AND TAKE THOSE FLOWER STALKS OFF TO MAKE IT LOOK NICE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, KYLE.

READY?

>> OF COURSE.

MAYBE I DON'T... >> FROM LEXINGTON.

HE SUSPECTS FUNGUS IN HIS LAWN.

SHOULD HE TREAT NOW?

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, DON'T TREAT.

>> OKAY.

THERE ARE ORANGE AND BLACK SPOTS ON THE LEAVES OF A NATIVE RUDBECKIA, WHICH IS BLACK EYED SUSAN.

SHOULD THAT BE TREATED?

>> I WOULDN'T, IT COULD.

IT MOST LIKELY A TYPE OF RUST.

A BROAD SPECTRUM FUNGICIDE COULD BE USED, BUT I WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING.

>> OKAY.

FROM SIOUX CITY THERE ARE DARK SPOTS ON BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER SURFACE OF A BIG LEAF HYDRANGEA.

IS THAT A DISEASE?

>> MIGHT BE A BOTRYTIS?

WOULD BE MY GUESS.EAH.

>> OKAY.

MUSHROOMS ARE GROWING IN THEIR YARD.

EY'RE EITHER EARS OR BOLETES.

THAT'S WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.

ARE THERE ANY OPTIONS OTHER THAN CONTINUALLY CUTTING THEM OUT TO GET RID OF THEM?

>> THE YOU CAN FERTILIZE THE TURF, TRY TO STIMULATE THE ROOTS TO GROW AND THAT COULD DO SOMETHING.

>> OKAY.

LAYERS OF DIFFERENT FUNGI ARE ON EACH OTHER ON A STUMP.

ARE THEY CANNIBALIZING EACH OTHER OR SYMBIOTIC?

>> THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY BOTH, BECAUSE FUNGI ARE AWESOME AND THEY WILL EAT EACH OTHER.

THEY WILL GROW EACH OTHER AND THEY'LL GROW LIKE MUTUALISTIC ONLY.

SO PROBABLY ALL OF THE ABOVE.

>> OKAY, DENNIS.

>> YEP.

>> AFTER THE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS, THIS MAN FOUND A BAT LYING IN THE YARD.

HE PUT IT IN A TREE AND THEN IT WAS GONE.

WAS IT RECOVERED OR DID IT BECOME A MEAL?

>> I CAN'T TELL.

EITHER ONE IS POSSIBLE.

>> A FROM CHACO RECREATION AREA, A DARK BIG SEEDY POOP.

IS THAT RACCOON?

>> YEAH, PROBABLY.

RACCOON.

>> WHY ARE THERE SO MANY GARTER SNAKES THIS YEAR?

>> THERE'S NOT ENOUGH.

THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH.

THERE CAN'T BE TOO MANY.

I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

>> OKAY.

FROM HASTINGS, THERE ARE SHREDS OF BARK COMING OFF A BIG OLD HACKBERRY FALLING ALL OVER EVERYTHING.

WHAT ANIMAL IS DOING THAT?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY.

IT COULD BE A DEER IF IT'S COMING FROM A HIGHER LOCATION.

>> OKAY, BUT FROM WAY UP HIGH IN THE TREE.

>> COULD BE A COULD BE A SQUIRREL TOO.

IT'S HARD TO SAY WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT.

>> OKAY, FROM SIOUX CITY, IS IT NORMAL FOR BADGERS TO BE OUT IN THE DAYLIGHT?

>> NOT NORMAL, BUT IN THE MORNING THEY'RE USUALLY OUT.

>> ALSO FROM SIOUX CITY.

IF THEY SAW A BADGER, WILL THERE BE MORE THAN ONE?

>> USUALLY NOT.

THERE ARE NOMADIC AND THEY'RE PRETTY SOLITARY.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, JODY.

FROM ARTHUR, NEBRASKA.

HE LOST A YELLOW CROOKNECK SQUASH TO BORERS.

WANTS TO USE BENEFICIAL NEMATODES TO MANAGE.

THAT A GOOD OPTION?

>> I WOULD SAY IT'S NOT A GOOD OPTION BECAUSE THEY'RE GREAT IN THE SOIL.

AND THERE'S A VERY LITTLE SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME THAT SQUASH VINE BORER LARVAE ARE IN THE SOIL.

AND THAT'S TO PUPATE.

>> OKAY.

THERE ARE ANT LION HOLES BY HER HOUSE.

SHOULD SHE DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

>> JUST BE FEEL SO LUCKY.

THEY'RE AWESOME.

>> FROM LINCOLN.

HE TREATED TWICE FOR GRUBS AND FOUND ONE BIG AND TEN PLUS LITTLE ONES.

EVERY TIME HE PULLS UP THE TURF CAN HE TREAT AGAIN?

>> AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY TREATED NO.

>> OKAY, WHAT INSECT MIGHT EAT IRREGULAR HOLES IN HER SWEET POTATO LEAVES?

THEY'RE NOT JAGGED AND IT'S NOT JAPANESE BEETLE FEEDING.

>> IRREGULAR HOLES.

GRASSHOPPERS.

>> OKAY.

FROM LA VISTA, ARE EIGHT SPOTTED SKIMMER DRAGONFLIES RARE?

>> NO.

>> FROM OMAHA, CARPENTER BEES.

HOW DO YOU CONTROL THEM?

>> YOU HAVE TO TREAT EACH HOLE INDIVIDUALLY AND THEN PLUG UP THE HOLE BEFE THE WINTER, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO OVERWINTER.

>> DO I SEE FIVE FIVES UP THERE?

>> YOU COULD HAVE.

BUT JODY DECIDED TO SHOW US UP.

>> TO GET OUT OF HERE.

>> SHE GOT ONE AT THE END.

WE'LL GIVE IT TO JODY.

>> NICE JOB.

MOST PLANTS BLOOM FOR A LIMITED TIME AND AFTER THEY'VE FINISHED THE FOLIAGE MIGHT NOT BE VERY INTERESTING.

BUT JEFF KENNEDY FROM KENNEDY LANDSCAPING SERVICES IN GOTHENBURG SHOWS US A VERSATILE PLANT THAT HAS FANTASTIC FLOWERS AND IS JUST AS BEAUTIFUL WHEN NOT IN BLOOM.

IT'S OUR PLANT OF THE WEEK.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> SO TOY I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE BARTZELLA PEONY.

BARTZELLA IS AN INTERSECTIONAL PEONY, WHICH MEANS THAT IT'S A CROSS BETWEEN WHAT'S CALLED A TREE PEONY AND A GARDEN PEONY.

THEY'RE RATHER UNCOMMON, BUT I THINK IT'S AN EXCELLENT CHOICE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I LIKE ABOUT THE THE INTERSECTIONAL PEONIES IS, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE, OF COURSE, THE BARTZELLA IS THAT THEY HAVE A RANGE OF COLORS THAT'S NOT OFTEN AVAILABLE IN THE GARDEN PEONIES.

SO YOU DO HAVE THAT.

THE BARTZELLA IS A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL YELLOW, SOFT YELLOW.

PEOPLE REALLY LOVE IT.

THE OTHER THING THAT'S REALLY NICE ABOUT IT, AS YOU CAN TELL BY THE FOLIAGE, IS IT'S VERY CLEAN FOLIAGE.

I THINK IT INHERITS SOME OF THAT FROM THE TREE PEONY.

SO THIS TIME OF YEAR, A LOT OF HUMIDITY, A LOT OF HEAT.

YOUR GARDEN PEONIES ARE LOOKING PRETTY TOUGH.

DON'T REALLY WANT THEM IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.

YOU JUST HAD THEM FOR THE FLOWERS EARLIER IN THE YEAR.

THESE LOOK AWESOME.

SO YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, THIS CAN BE A FOUNDATION PLANT PEOPLE.

PEOPLE ASSUME IT'S A SHRUB OF SOME SORT BECAUSE IT LOOKS SO NICE.

SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT REALLY CAN BENEFIT YOUR LANDSCAPE.

TRUST ME, YOUR, YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS ARE GOING TO BE ASKING YOU WHAT THAT PLANT IS AND WHERE CAN THEY GET IT.

SO I'M ASKING YOU TO GO OUT AND PLANT THE BARTZELLA PEONIES.

AND NOW IT'S TIME FOR WEATHER WITH GANNON.

(NO AUDIO) >> HEY, GOOD EVENING EVERYO.

WITH A QUIETER WEEK AHEAD OF US, I FIGURED IT'D BE A GOOD TIME TO DO A QUICK RECAP OF JULY.

FOR THE MOST PART, THE STATE WAS ON THE WARMER SIDE WITH TEMPERATURES UP TO FOUR DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL, FOR MANY.

THE PANHANDLE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT RECORD.

THE HOT SPOT WAS THE CHADRON AREA, WHERE THEY HAD OVER TEN DAYS ABOVE 100 DEGREES.

THE PRECIPITATION MAP MAY LOOK A LITTLE MESSY, BUT THAT'S JUST TYPICAL OF SUMMERTIME.

THOSE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RECEIVE OVER SIX INCHES OF RAIN INCLUDED LINCOLN, DOWN BY HEBRON, AS WELL AS OUT WEST BY BROKEN BOW.

THE SCOTTSBLUFF AREA WAS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THINGS, WHERE THEY RECEIVED BETWEEN AROUND A HALF INCH, JUST OVER AN INCH.

AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR YOU THIS WEEK.

BACK TO YOU GUYS.

(SOFT RUSTLING) >> WE HAVE ONE ANNOUNCEMENT, WHICH IS BACKYARD FARMER WILL BE AT THE UNL EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH FROM 10 TO 1.

COME VISIT AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY.

ALL RIGHT.

JODY, ONE PICTURE COMES TO US FROM UNDERWOOD, IOWA.

HE SAYS, I KNOW PEOPLE THINK THESE ARE GIANT MOSQUITOES.

HE'S NEVER TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE.

IT'S OUR TURN.

>> OH, YEAH.

THERE'S A LOT OF THEM THIS YEAR.

THIS IS CALLED A HANGING THIEVES ROBBER FLY.

SO IT'S A PREDATORY FLY.

>> OKAY.

TWO PICTURES FROM CENTRAL LINCOLN.

AN ICE CREAM BUCKET OUTSIDE HAD SOME COMPOST MATERIALS, RAIN FILLED IT.

AND THEN HE FOUND THESE TWO BUGS FLOATING.

ARE THEY SOME SORT OF A ROACH?

WHAT ARE THEY?

>> THEY ARE.

THESE ARE ORIENTAL COCKROACHES.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE CALL THEM WATER BUGS BECAUSE THEY'RE ASSOCIATED WITH MOISTURE.

THE ONE AT THE TOP IS A MALE, AND THE ONE AT THE BOTTOM IS A FEMALE.

>> SO HE SHOULD BE WORRIED.

>> WELL, DUMP THE COMPOST IN THE COMPOST.

>> OKAY.

>> THAT PROBABLY WON'T BE A PROBLEM.

>> ALL RIGHT, ONE PICTURE HERE.

WHAT ARE THESE THREE GRAIN OF RICE SIZED BUGS DOING THEIR THING ON THE HYSSOP.

THIS IS IN DAVEY.

>> YEAH.

SO THESE ARE SEED FEEDERS.

THESE ARE IT'S A TYPE OF STINK BUG.

THEY'RE TINY.

THEY'RE CALLED THE TWICE STABBED STINK BUG.

>> OKAY.

>> NOT A PROBLEM.

>> ONE PICTURE HERE.

FOUND THIS BEETLE ON A CUCUMBER LEAF.

GOOD, BAD OR INDIFFERENT.

>> BECAUSE IT'S ON A CUCUMBER LEAF.

IT'S INDIFFERENT.

THIS IS A GRAPEVINE BEETLE.

>> OKAY, DENNIS, ONE PICTURE FROM BELLEVUE.

IT APPEARS THEY HAVE SOMETHING DIGGING IN THEIR YARD.

WHAT IS DIGGING THIS?

>> WELL, I SEE NO HOLE IN ITS FAN SHAPED, SO THAT'S GOING TOWARDS A POCKET GOPHER.

A GOPHER OF SOME TYPE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM ITHACA.

SO GROUNDHOG LAST WEEK.

HE USUALLY LETS THEM BE DESTROYED.

HIS GARDEN THEY TRAPPED WITH LETTUCE AND BROCCOLI.

THEY ATE HIS FENCE.

AND THEN AN OLDER GENTLEMAN TOLD HIM TO USE MUSKMELON SLICES.

CAUGHT ONE RIGHT AWAY.

IS THAT UNUSUAL?

>> NO.

THEY'LL TAKE ANY VEGETATION.

I USE CUCUMBERS AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS.

SO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO USE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES FROM FALLS CITY, AFTER A RAIN HOLE SHOWED UP IN THEIR YARD NEAR A CREEK.

THE DIRT IS ALWAYS WET AND THE HOLE IS ABOUT TWO INCHES IN DIAMETER.

>> TWO INCH DIAMETER AND ALWAYS WET IS A CRAYFISH.

AND AS LONG AS THERE'S HYDRIC SOIL, EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE NOT NEAR A LAKE, YOU CAN GET CRAYFISH.

SO IT'S EITHER PRAIRIE CRAYFISH.

BUT IF IT GOT WET FROM THE RAIN, THEN IT COULD BE SOMETHING OTHER, LIKE A RODENT OR IT LOOKS VERY SIMILAR TO A CRAYFISH CHIMNEY.

>> TWO PICTURES FROM HOSKINS, NEBRASKA.

QUARTER SIZED HOLES IN THE YARD.

WHAT IS CREATING THESE?

>> IT'S A VOLE.

MEADOW VOLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> AND YEP.

DEFINITELY MEADOW VOLES.

USE A CATCH ALL TRAP OR A TRAP THAT'S MULTI-CATCH.

DON'T HAVE TO DON'T HAVE TO PUT ANY BAIT.

JUST DO IT AT NIGHT.

>> OKAY.

AND ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

WHAT IS CAUSING THIS DAMAGE.

>> THAT IT'S HARD.

I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY A 13-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL BECAUSE THEY DON'T LEAVE ANY DIRT OR ANY BARENESS AROUND IT.

THEY LOVE A LOT OF VEGETATION.

SO I'LL GO WITH 13 LINED GROUND SQUIRREL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FOUR PICTURES FOR THIS KYLE, WE WENT BACK AND RTH.

THIS IS A GARDEN IN SHELBY, NEBRASKA.

CUCUMBERS DYING FROM THE GROUND UP, TOMATILLO LEAVES, SPINDLY TOMATO PLANTS AND A WORM ON THE STEM AND THE ROOT OF A ZUCCHINI.

>> YEAH, THERE'S A FEW THINGS GOING ON HERE.

YOU KNOW, THE STARTING WITH THE CUCUMBERS THAT ARE KIND OF DYING, ONE FROM THE GROUND UP, THE OTHERS COMPLETELY DEAD, LOOKS TO ME LIKE SOME SORT OF ROOT ISSUE THAT'S MOST LIKELY GOING ON THERE.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET A WHOLE LOT.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET VERY MUCH PRODUCTION OFF OF THAT.

HERE'S A PICTURE OF ONE OF THE SQUASH VINE BORERS THAT MAY BE IN ONE OF THE CUCUMBERS AS WELL.

SO THAT COULD BE CONTRIBUTING TO, TO THE CUCUMBER PROBLEM.

YOU KNOW, THERE WAS THE TOMATO PLANT THAT HAD THE, THE SPINDLY LEAVES THAT JUST NEVER LOOKED VERY GOOD, LOOKED LIKE THAT WAS IN A POT AS WELL.

SO I, YOU KNOW, JUST NOT GREAT, NOT GREAT CONDITIONS FOR THAT TOMATO TO BE GROWING IN AND SAME KIND OF THE SAME THING WITH THE TOMATILLO, YOU KNOW, THE UNIFORMITY OF THOSE WHITE SPOTS ON THE TOMATILLO THAT LOOKS MORE ENVIRONMENTAL, KIND OF LIKE A SUNSCALD TYPE THING.

BUT IT'S A, IT'S NOT JUST ONE THING, IT'S MOTHER NATURE NOT WANTING YOU TO HAVE A GREAT GARDEN THIS YEAR.

>> OKAY, TWO PICTURES FROM LAKE OF THE OZARKS.

WHAT IS CAUSING HIS GLADIOLUS TO TURN WHITE AND THEN A RUSTY NGUS LOOK NEAR THE BOTTOM?

>> YEAH, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THESE TWO THINGS ARE CONNECTED OR NOT.

HERE AT THE BOTTOM, THIS LOOKS LIKE A FUSARIUM.

A FUSARIUM CROWN ROT.

EASILY COULD BE IF THE SOIL IS KIND OF MOIST, THAT WHITE.

THOSE WHITE LEAVES AT THE TOP THERE IS A VIRUS.

THE GLADIOLAS GET WHITE BREAK VIRUS.

IT'S ACTUALLY CAUSED BY CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS.

SO THAT'S MY GUESS FOR THAT ONE.

BUT I WOULD NEED A SAMPLE TO TELL FOR SURE.

>> ALL RIGHT SCOTT, TWO PICTURES.

HE PLANTED BLUE MUFFIN AND AUTUMN JAZZ VIBURNUMS EIGHT WEEKS AGO.

LEAVES STARTED CURLING AND DROPPING.

IT WAS WET, SO HE CUT BACK ON WATERING.

IS THIS WATER OR IS THIS NOT R NATURE?

>> OH, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

NOT EXACTLY FOR SURE WHAT MIGHT BE GOING ON.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IF THE PLANT IS STILL GREEN, IF THE LEAVES ARE STILL ON THE PLANT, WHEN WE GET HOT WEATHER, SOMETIMES PLANT PLANTS CAN WILT AND THEY NEVER UN-WILT.

THEY WILL ALWAYS LOOK DROOPY.

YOU COULD MULCH THE PLANTS TO HELP EXTEND THAT MULCH RING OUT.

WHEN YOU WATER WATER DEEPLY.

THOSE MOISTURE METERS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES FROM LINCOLN.

HE PLANTED A BEECH TREE TWO YEARS AGO THIS YEAR, THE LEAVES ARE BROWNING.

HE'S WONDERING, IS IT WATER?

IS IT JUST MOTHER NATURE AGAIN?

>> IT'S MOTHER NATURE.

IT'S BEEN A. LIKE KYLE SAID EARLIER, IT'S HARD TO BE A TREE IN NEBRASKA.

BUT ONE THING ABOUT THE BASE OF THAT TREE.

PLEASE PUT SOME SORT OF PROTECTION AROUND IT, BECAUSE WE CAN GET LOTS OF CRITTERS THAT MIGHT NIBBLE ON IT, AND WE WANT TO TRY TO REDUCE ANY OF THAT FUTURE STRESS AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM YORK.

WHY DOES HER RED CREEPING THYME DIE OUT IN THE MIDDLE LIKE THAT?

>> BECAUSE IT RAN OUT OF TIME.

I REALLY DON'T.

KNOW IT.

THEY CAN'T DIE OUT IN THE MIDDLE.

JUST PRU OUT, CLEAN UP SOME OF THAT DEAD STUFF AND IT SHOULD KNIT ITSELF BACK TOGETHER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, SCOTT.

YOUR TURF HAS ENDURED RECENT STREAKS OF HOT AND HUMID WEATHER AND MIGHT NEED SOME TENDER LOVING CARE EXTENSION.

TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT EDUCATOR AMANDA FOLCK GIVES US TIPS TO HELP YOUR TURF GO INTO THE FALL HEALTHY AND VIBRANT.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AERIFICATION, IT'S A VERY COMMON CULTURAL PRACTICE WE HAVE IN TURFGRASS AREAS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS IN GOLF COURSES, SPORTS FIELDS.

BUT YOU ALSO SHOULD DO THIS IN HOME LAWNS AS WELL.

SO ABOUT IS TIMING.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS IN FOCUS, IF YOU HAVE A COOL SEASON GRASS LIKE KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS, PERENNIAL RYEGRASS, TALL FESCUE AREAS, YOU CAN DO AERATION DURING THE LATE SUMMER, EARLY FALL.

BUT IF YOU HAVE A WARM SEASON, GRASS LIKE BUFFALO GRASS, PERENNIAL GRASS OR ZOYSIA GRASS.

YOU HAVE TO DO THAT IN THE LATE SPRING EARLY SUMMER.

THE IMPORTANCE OF VARIATION IS THAT UNLIKE OTHER PLANT SYSTEMS WHERE YOU CAN JUST TILL AFTER YOU DO HARVEST TURF GRASSES, WE CAN'T REALLY DO THAT.

AERATION HELP BRINGS IN MORE OXYGEN AND MORE NUTRIENTS, AND ALSO LESSEN THE COMPACTION IN AREAS FROM TRAFFIC AND MOTHER NATURE ITSELF.

YOU ALSO CAN LOOK AT THIS AS WELL TO HELP WITH YOUR GROWTH OF YOUR TURF GRASS AREAS.

SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WITH YOUR AERATION, ALSO THINK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF AERATION DO YOU WANT TO DO.

YOU CAN DO A SOLID TINE WHICH IS JUST SLICING INTO THE TURF GRASS AREA FOR AERATION.

BUT ALSO YOU CAN DO PULL COURSE, BUT YOU'LL GET MORE RECOVERY IN THE SOLID THAN YOU DO THAT.

BUT YOU WANT TO DO ANY TYPE OF, YOU KNOW, REMOVAL OF SOME THATCH.

IF YOU HAVE LIKE A WARM SEASON GRASS OR KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS, YOU CAN DO THAT AS WELL.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT CULTURAL PRACTICES TO CONSIDER IN YOUR HOME LAWN AREAS.

(MACHINE ENGINE RUMBLING) >> YOU MAY BE ABLE TO WAIT A BIT BEFORE YOU AERATE.

THE BENEFITS THAT COME WITH THAT ARE ELIMINATING SOME THATCH AND HELPING PREPARE SPOTS THAT MIGHT NEED SOME OVERSEEDING.

ALL RIGHT.

JODY FROM JUNIATA FOUND THIS GUY ON ONE OF THE PEPPER PLANTS.

SHE'S THINKING IT'S SOME KIND OF A CICADA.

AND IS IT HARMFUL?

>> IT IS A CICADA.

THIS IS A BUSH CICADA.

VERY COOL.

AND IT IS NOT HARMFUL UNLESS IT'S A MALE AND IT'S SCREAMING AT YOU.

>> AND ARE THERE VY MANY?

OR IS THIS JUST BECAUSE IT'S A BEAUTIFUL ONE?

NORMALLYHEY'RE NOT THIS PRETTY.

>> ARE THEY?

THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT SPECIES THAT WE HAVE, BUT I LIKE THE BUSH CICADAS.

THEY'RE PRETTY.

>> ALL RIGHT FROM WEST OMAHA, KIND OF THE MILLARD AREA.

HE NOTICED THIS UNUSUAL LOOKING INSECT ON AN AMARANTH PLANT LAST WEEK.

IS IT?

AND IS THIS A GOOD GUY OR A BAD GUY?

>> IT'S A GOOD GUY.

IT'S ANOTHER ROBBER FLY.

THIS ONE'S CALLED A HAMMERTAIL ROBBER FLY.

>> AND WHY ARE WE SEEING SO MANY ROBBER FLIES THIS YEAR?

>> I DON'T KNOW, IT WAS A GOOD YEAR FOR THEM AND WE SHOULD THANK THEM FOR ALL THEIR FREE PEST CONTROL.

>> OKAY, TELL ME WHAT KIND OF SPIDER THIS IS IN THIS NEXT PICTURE.

AND WHAT IS THE WHITE THING?

SHE THOUGHT IT WAS ITS BELLY AND THEN SAW THE HEAD AND EYES AND THE DEVIL HORNS.

>> NO, DON'T SAY THAT.

THIS IS A WOLF SPIDER.

AND SHE'S GOT AN EGG CASE AT THE END OF HER BODY.

AND SOON SHE WILL HAVE SPIDERLINGS ON TOP OF HER BODY.

>> HOW LONG IS IT BETWEEN EGG CASE AND SPIDERLINGS?

ONCE THE SPIDERLINGS ARE FORMED?

>> I DON'T KNOW, IT WAS TOO LONG.

I KEPT ONE FOR A LONG TIME, THAT ONE.

IT WAS PROBABLY A MONTH OR TWO.

>> OH, MY.

ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM HASTINGS.

CAN YOU NAME THIS LITTLE GUY?

HE CAME INTO THE SHOP WHILE HE WAS WORKING ON THE PORCH SWING AND STAYED.

>> THAT IS VERY COOL.

THIS IS A BLACK SADDLEBAGS DRAGONFLY, AND THEY DON'T USUALLY STOP AND PERCH, SO.

LUCKY.

>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE.

DENNIS, THIS IS A CABIN ON LAKE WAKANDA.

IN THAT COMMUNITY, THEY SAID, IS IT NORMAL TO SEE A SNAKE IN A TREE?

WHAT KIND IS THE SNAKE?

SHOULD THEY BE AFRAID OF IT?

>> WELL, NO, NOT THIS ONE.

THIS IS A SEMI-ARBOREAL BLACK RATSNAKE, PANTHEROPHIS OBSOLETA.

VERY COMMON IN COUNTIES THAT TOUCH THE MISSOURI RIVER.

AND IT IS A LOVES TO BE UP IN TREES AND IT'S ALWAYS UP IN THE TREES.

AND IT'S HARMLESS.

COMPLETELY HARMLESS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM NORTHEAST LINCOLN.

THIS GUY WAS HIDING UNDER THE GARAGE GARBAGE CAN.

IT'S ABOUT A FOOT LONG.

WHAT IS THIS ONE?

>> THAT'S A FULL GROWN.

LOOKS LIKE A FEMALE DECAYS BROWN SNAKE.

IT EATS SNAILS AND SLUGS.

SO IT'S LIKE ALL SNAKES.

A GOOD GUY, A GIRL.

EXCUSE ME.

>> ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE, A BAT.

WHAT KIND?

AND DOES IT LOOK?

>> BIG BROWN BAT, EPTESICUS FUSCUS.

MOST COMMON AROUND HOMES IN THIS PART OF THE STATE.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S JUST HANGING OUT LIKE A BAT DO.

>> SO IT'S HEALTHY.

YEAH.

>> IT LOOKS VERY HEALTHY.

>> OKAY.

AND ONE PICTURE.

THIS IS 120TH AND DODGE.

IS THIS RACCOON?

>> YES.

SCAT.

I KNEW I COULDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH A SHOW WITHOUT GETTING SCATTERED.

YEP.

RACCOON DROPPINGS OR SCAT.

>> OKAY, LET'S SEE.

TWO PICTURES FROM YORK FOR YOU.

KYLE.

THIS VINE IS COVERED WITH THIS WHITE STUFF AND LOSING LEAVES.

IT'S A HONEYSUCKLE.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

IT'S ABOUT A 15 YEAR OLD PLANT.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS IS POWDERY MILDEW.

YOU HAVE THE WHITE FUZZY GROWTH ON THE TOP OF THE LEAF.

IT PROBABLY RUBS OFF WITH YOUR THUMB.

THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LEAF IS GOING TO BE MOSTLY GREEN.

YOU KNOW, TYPICALLY WE WOULD SAY DON'T WE TYPICALLY DON'T NEED TO CONTROL FOR POWDERY MILDEW.

IT'S A MOISTURE ISSUE.

AND SO IF WE CAN TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WEE ONLY WATERING FROM THE BASE OF THAT PLANT, THAT CAN REALLY HELP.

THAT SAID, THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF DIEBACK ON THERE, SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER ONE OF OUR BROAD SPECTRUM FUNGICIDES.

>> OKAY, TWO PICTURES FROM OMAHA ON THIS ONE.

CURIOUS AS TO WHAT THIS IS AND WHAT SHOULD HE DO WITH IT.

IT'S WHERE A NEARLY 100 YEAR OLD SILVER MAPLE WAS REMOVED.

>> YEAH.

SO IT'S SOME SORT OF GANODERMA.

I DON'T, CAN'T TELL MORE THAN THAT WITHOUT SEEING THIS, SEEING THE PORES A TTLE BIT MORE CLOSELY.

OF COURSE IT'S GROWING ON A TREE.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT?

I WOULD JUST LEAVE IT AND IT'S GOING TO GET BIGGER AND WILL LOOK EVEN MORE COOL IN THE FUTURE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THREE PICTURES HERE.

WHAT IS THIS FAST GROWING MUSHROOM?

>> YEAH.

SO I BROUGHT SOME.

>> EARLIER TODAY.

AND THIS IS JUST THE NEXT STAGE OF THE HERE'S THE ADULT, THE ONE THAT WE WERE SEEING WHERE THE, THE TOP WAS KIND OF CUPPED UP.

THAT WAS THE EXACT SAME THING.

MOST LIKELY THE EXACT SAME THING LOOKED LIKE IT WAS A LITTLE BIT GREEN.

BUT YEAH, AS THESE AS THESE DRY, THEY WILL PUCK UP, CUP UP LIKE THAT.

>> EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM KEARNEY, SCOTT.

HE TOOK PICTURES OR CUTTINGS FROM HIS NORTHERN LIGHTS AZALEAS TWO MONTHS LATER.

NO NEW GROWTH.

BUT THEY'RE STILL LOOKING GOOD.

WHAT SHOULD HE DO?

AND HE'S HOPING IT INCLUDE.

OUR ANSWER INCLUDES 150 SQUARE FOOT VICTORIAN GREENHOUSE.

>> YOU KNOW, A GREENHOUSE WOULD REALLY SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

BUT IF THE SPOUSE ISN'T IN ON THAT DEAL, YOU COULD TRY A COLD FRAME.

IT MIGHT BE A NICE, SIMPLE WAY.

THEY'RE INEXPENSIVE, BUT A GREENHOUSE WOULD REALLY HELP.

>> ALL RIGHT, TWO PICTURES FROM BELLEVUE BLUE SHADOW FOTHERGILLA WAS PLANTED IN JUNE.

SOME OF THE BRANCHES ARE GREEN.

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN HERE?

>> THE CRAZY THING IS I HAVE THE SAME PLANT AND WE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THIS YEAR.

IT CAN REVERT OR SUCKER FROM THE BASE OF THE PLANT.

YOU NEED TO FOLLOW IT DOWN TO THE GROUND AND CUT IT OUT.

>> OKAY?

IN ONE PICTURE HERE, TOMATOES GROWN IN POTS THEY'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH RS.

WHAT DO WE THINK HERE?

NO PESTS NOTED.

>> A LOT OF TIMES POTTING MIXES DON'T HAVE CALCIUM, SO MAYBE THROWING IN SOME GYPSUM MIGHT HELP.

OR TAKING SOME NATIVE SOIL AND MIX IT IN WITH THE POTTING MIX.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SCOTT.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS WEEK'S BACKYARD FARMER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED A QUESTION.

AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES TONIGHT WERE JOHN CARIOTTO, TIM DUNGAN AND GARY BELL.

NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE'LL HEAR FROM EXTENSION EDUCATOR GARY STONE ABOUT HOW THE PRAIRIES AND RANGELAND AFFECTED BY WILDFIRE ARE RECOVERING.

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

(UPBEAT MUSIC)