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

(UPBEAT MUSIC) TONIGHT ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE HAVE OUR SPECIAL ANNUAL SHOW FROM RAISING NEBRASKA AT THE NEBRASKA STATE FAIR.

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

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

COMING TO YOU FROM THE NEBRASKA STATE FAIR.

WE HAVE A GREAT SHOW IN FRONT OF A GREAT GREAT AUDIENCE TONIGHT.

REMEMBER THIS IS A PRE-RECORDED SHOW.

SO, YOU CANNOT PHONE IN THOSE QUESTIONS, BUT YOU CAN THAT LATER.

PHONE IN THE QUESTIONS OR EMAIL.

SEND US EMAILS TO BYF@UNL.EDU, FOR THE LAST SHOW OF THE SEASON.

YOU CAN ALSO GET A HOLD OF US, SEND US THINGS TO FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND YOUTUBE.

AND WITH THAT NOTE WE HAVE SAMPLES.

SO, JODY WHAT DID YOU BRING?

>> I BROUGHT A HORNWORM.

SO MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR TOMATOES.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE INSECTS THAT CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE.

AND THIS IS NOT EVEN ITS MATURE LARVAL SIZE.

SO IT GETS WAY BIGGER THAN THIS.

THEY'VE GOT CHEWING MOUTHPARTS SO THEY CAN CHEW INTO THE FRUIT, AND WHEN THEY GET INTO THE FRUIT, OTHER INSECTS WILL GET IN.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT'S GOT SEVEN DIAGONAL LINES IN A RED HORN AND IT'S AT THE END, SO IT'S NOT A UNICORN.

THE HORN IS AT THE END.

IT'S A HORNWORM.

THESE TURN INTO REALLY COOL BIG MOTHS.

THEY PUPAE IN THE SOIL.

SO SOMETIMES PEOPLE WILL FIND THOSE COCOONS UNDER THE GROUND WHEN THEY'RE DIGGING.

AND WE CALL THOSE CAROLINA SPHINX MOTHS OR HUMMINGBIRD MOTHS, BUT THEY ARE RATHER LARGE MOTHS.

SOMETIMES YOU'LL SEE THESE WITH LITTLE COCOONS ON THEM.

THEY LOOK LIKE LITTLE EGGS, BUT THEY REALLY ARE.

IT MEANS IT'S BEEN PARASITIZED AND THE THE CATERPILLAR IS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT.

SO THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IF YOU SEE THAT.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT JUST A LITTLE A LITTLE HORNWORM.

>> A BIG HORNWORM.

A BIG HORNWORM.

ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JODY.

OKAY, DENNIS, THAT IS NOT LIVING.

>> NO, I DIDN'T BRING ANY LIVING TODAY.

>> THAT WILL MAKE SOME PEOPLE HAPPY.

>> BUT IT'S THE TIME OF YEAR.

WHERE WE HAVE TO START THINKING ABOUT WHEN LIVING THINGS ARE GOING TO MAYBE GIRDLE OR EAT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE IN OUR LANDSCAPE THAT WE JUST SPEND A LOT OF TIME PUTTING IN.

AND SO WE HAVE VOLES AND RABBITS THAT WILL GIRDLE THE BOTTOM OF A NEW SMALL TREE.

SO WHAT YOU CAN DO IS PROTECT IT IS USE SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE ON THE MARKET.

I LIKE TO USE THE DRAIN TILE AND YOU PUT IT IN THE SUN DAY LIKE TODAY, AND THEN YOU JUST CUT IT WITH A CIRCULAR SAW.

AND IF YOU'RE GOING AFTER A VOLE, YOU ONLY HAVE TO BE ABOUT THIS HIGH ALL THE WAY DOWN INTO THE MULCH.

IF YOU WANT TO STOP RABBITS, YOU WANT TO BE AT LEAST TWO FOOT HIGH.

AND IF YOU GET A LOT OF SNOW, GO THREE FOOT FOR THE RABBITS AND THIS COMES IN UP TO TWO FOOT DIAMETER SIZES.

AND I'VE USED IT TO STOP BEAVER FROM CHEWING ON TREES.

NOW THE BIGGEST THING IS YOU WANT A SPACE AND YOU REMOVE IT IN THE SPRING SO THE TREE CAN GROW WITHOUT BEING GIRDLED.

SO YOU CAN USE THE DRAIN TILE.

YOU CAN USE HARDWARE CLOTH.

AND THEY DO SELL DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROTECTION SUCH AS THIS.

BUT ESPECIALLY WITH THIS TYPE YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO REMOVE IT IN THE SPRING SO THE TREE CAN GROW BIGGER.

AND THIS IS MAINLY FOR VOLES.

IT'S SHORT AND IT WRAPS RIGHT TIGHT ON THE TREE.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, DENNIS.

YES.

PAY ATTENTION TO THAT AUDIENCE.

>> YEP.

>> OKAY, AMY, THAT'S DEAD.

>> IT'S DEAD.

I LIKE DEAD THINGS, THOUGH.

SO I WAS WALKING THE WONDERFUL GARDEN OUT HERE AT RAISING NEBRASKA.

AND THIS IS A RASPBERRY OR THE BRAMBLES THAT ELIZABETH PROBABLY HELPED PLANTS EONS AGO.

BUT THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIND ANTHRACNOSE, CANE ANTHRACNOSE.

SO, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE CANE, YES, IT'S DEAD, BUT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THESE WHITE SPOTS SHOWING UP ON OUR CANES.

AND THAT IS THE FUNGAL INFECTION THAT IS IMPACTING THOSE CANES.

WE CAN ALSO SEE VARIOUS YELLOW SPOTS THROUGH FURTHER DOWN ON THE CANE, ALSO.

THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BE LOOKING FOR THESE CANES.

AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE FOR THIS DISEASE IS ACTUALLY TO REMOVE THESE CANES FROM YOUR LANDSCAPE.

SO I KNOW IT'S NOT ALWAYS A FUN JOB TO PRUNE OUT YOUR BRAMBLES.

MAKE SURE YOU PULL OUT YOUR LEATHER GLOVES, GET YOUR PRUNERS OUT THERE AND START SNIPPING AWAY BECAUSE THEY STICK OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONLY THING THAT IS BROWN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

ELIZABETH, BEAUTIFUL.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> SO I ALSO WENT OUT TO THE RAISING NEBRASKA OUTDOOR SPACE.

AND THEY HAVE A VERY GREAT JUST DISPLAY OF ALL THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF MILLET THAT IS OUT THERE.

NOW, THE GREEN ONE IS THE STRAIGHT SPECIES.

THIS IS WHAT WE WOULD NORMALLY SEE.

BUT UNL HAS A REALLY GREAT BREEDING PROGRAM.

WHERE DIFFERENT MILLET LIKE PURPLE MAJESTY, WHICH IS ONE OF THESE, HAS COME OUT OF OUR BREEDING PROGRAM.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME OTHER ONES LIKE JADE PRINCESS COPPER PRINTS.

THERE'S A WHOLE WIDE VARIETY OUT THERE AND THEY NOT ONLY LOOK REALLY COOL, THEY ADD A LOT OF INTEREST ALL THE WAY UNTIL WINTER, BUT ALSO BIRDS CAN EAT THE SEEDS OFF HERE AS WELL.

THERE'S ALSO A FUN ONE OFF TO THE SIDE THAT'S THE FOXTAIL MILLET.

AND THAT ONE'S REALLY COOL BECAUSE IT HAS A NICE ARCHED WEEPING HABIT TO IT AS WELL.

SO LOTS OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES.

IF YOU'RE OUT AT THE STATE FAIR, COME AND CHECK IT OUT AT THE NEBRASKA OUTDOORS GARDEN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU PANEL.

TWO QUESTIONS, JODY, FOR YOUR FIRST ROUND HERE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM HOOPER.

CHERRY TOMATOES, CURIOUS AS TO WHAT IS EATING THEM.

ASSUMING IT'S A TOMATO OR A MELON APHID OF SOME SORT.

AND THEY'VE USED DISH SOAP VEGETABLE OIL AND WATER.

AND ONLY ONE IS GETTING THIS AND OTHERS ARE NOT.

SO WHAT DO WE HAVE GOING ON HERE?

>> OKAY.

SO THIS IS NOT AN APHID.

SO APHIDS HAVE PIERCING SUCKING MOUTHPARTS.

THEY WOULDN'T DO THESE KIND OF DAMAGE.

AND THAT INSECT THAT'S ON HER HAND THAT LOOKS LIKE A NORTHERN CORN ROOT WORM BEETLE.

SO THAT BEETLE DOES NOT MAKE THOSE DAMAGE IN THE CHERRY TOMATOES.

BUT IF ONLY ONE OF HER CULTIVARS OR I WOULD PLANT THE ONES THAT AREN'T GETTING THOSE.

I GUESS THE FEEDING.

BUT AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THERE ARE ONLY CERTAIN INSECTS LIKE THE THE HORNWORM OR THE FRUITWORM THAT ACTUALLY HAVE THE MOUTHPARTS TO CHEW INTO THE FRUIT.

BUT ONCE THEY CHEW INTO THAT FRUIT, OTHER THINGS WILL GET TO IT.

SO THAT'S NOT WHAT IT NORMALLY IS.

IF YOU DO WANT TO TREAT YOUR TOMATOES EARLY, YOU CAN USE LIKE A BT, BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE LIKE WEEKLY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JODY.

ONE PICTURE FROM DUNCAN.

HE'S NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE.

WASPS ARE DESTROYING THE TOMATOES.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

>> OKAY, SO THE WASPS AND THE FLIES ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE JUICES AND THE ROTTING TOMATOES, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN THE ONES THAT ORIGINALLY DID THE DAMAGE.

SO AGAIN, SOMETHING HAPPENS.

SOMETIMES THE FRUITS ARE CRACKING AND THEN THE THE OTHER INSECTS ARE OPPORTUNISTIC AND WE'LL GET IN THERE.

SO THEY DIDN'T DO THE INITIAL DAMAGE BUT THEY'RE AROUND.

>> ALL RIGHT AND ONE PICTURE FROM LINCOLN.

HOW TO TREAT THIS TOMATO BUG?

THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A SQUIRREL BUT NOW THEY SEE BUGS.

OKAY, SO DENNIS AND I WERE TALKING.

THIS LOOKS LIKE RABBIT OR SQUIRREL.

>> RABBIT OR SQUIRREL BECAUSE OF THE INCISORS.

>> SO THE BUGS ARE JUST TAKING ADVANTAGE, AGAIN.

>> RIGHT.

YEAH.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN FROM OMAHA, COLLECTING JAPANESE BEETLES, NOTICE SEVERAL CATERPILLARS CHEWING ON THE ROSE BUDS.

THEY'VE BEEN PICKING THEM OFF.

WHAT SHOULD THEY BE DOING?

SO THIS DOESN'T COME BACK NEXT YEAR.

>> SO THIS IS A GERANIUM BUDWORM OR IT'S ALSO CALLED A TOBACCO BUDWORM.

BUT AS AS MENTIONED THEY LOVE THE BUDS.

SO THEY WILL EAT THE ROSEBUDS AS WELL.

THERE IS A BT AND WE CALL IT BTK.

IT'S A CERTAIN LIKE SUBSPECIES FOR CATERPILLARS.

AND YOU CAN TREAT THE ROSES WITH THAT.

BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO DO THAT WEEKLY AND DO IT EARLY.

>> ALL RIGHT DENNIS THREE PICTURES FROM ATLANTIC, IOWA.

TWO ACRE YARD, FIVE SPOTS THAT HAVE ALL OF THIS DAMAGE.

AND IT'S A LOT OF DAMAGE.

SOMETHING'S DIGGING IT UP.

SOME ARE IN FULL SUN AND SOME ARE IN THE SHADE.

WELL, LOOKING AT IT, IT'S SOMETHING GOING AFTER GRUBS.

AND SO IF IT'S ROLLED BACK, THAT'S RACCOONS GOING AFTER THE GRUBS.

BUT WHEN YOU SEE IT, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE WHEN IT GETS CLOSER, THE NOSE GOING INTO IT IS USUALLY OPOSSUMS OR SKUNKS.

BECAUSE THEY WON'T USE THEIR PAWS TO GET THE GRUBS, THEY'LL NOSE DOWN IN IT.

SO THE GRUBS ARE THE PROBLEM, KILLING THE GRASS AND THE OPOSSUMS, OR POSSIBLY THE SKUNKS, ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THOSE GRUBS AND FEEDING ON THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT, THREE PICTURES FROM ELKHORN.

DENNIS, WHAT IS EATING THE TOMATOES?

SQUIRRELS, RABBITS, GROUND SQUIRRELS.

SOMETHING ELSE.

WHAT WOULD LEAVE THE PUNCTURE MARKS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S GOING ON.

>> THIS ONE HAS SMALL PUNCTURE MARKS.

SO IT'S NOT A SQUIRREL OR RABBIT WITH WITH SMALL NEEDLE TYPE TEETH.

THAT'S AN OPOSSUM.

OPOSSUMS HAVE SMALL NEEDLE LIKE TEETH, AND THEY'RE NOT A RODENT, SO THEY DON'T HAVE THE INCISORS.

SO THAT'S AN OPOSSUM.

>> AND SO HE ALSO HAS THE ONES THAT HAVE LITTLE TRAILS IN HERE.

THAT'S A COUPLE OF HIS PICTURES.

>> SO THAT'S THE MOLES.

SO MOLES ARE GOING IN THE NICE SOFT SOIL.

AND AS WE LEARNED EARLIER THAT MOLES EAT EARTHWORMS.

AND WITH THE LARGE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE AND MOISTURE IN THE SOIL, THE EARTHWORMS ARE VERY PLENTIFUL IN THE GARDEN.

AND THE MOLES ARE UPHEAVING THAT SOIL.

LOOKING FOR THE EARTHWORMS.

>> OKAY, FROM OMAHA, ONE PICTURE THIS HOLE SHOWED UP IN THE LAST WEEK.

IT'S DEEP.

SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE THE DIRT WENT.

WHAT IS IT?

>> YEAH, SO THIS BECAUSE THERE'S VERY LITTLE DIRT AROUND IT.

IT'S PROBABLY A VOLE.

VOLES MAKE SMALL HOLES ABOUT THE SIZE OF A HALF DOLLAR TO THE SIZE OF TWO INCHES.

AND VOLES ARE GRANIVORES SO YOU CAN CATCH THOSE WITH A REPEATING TRAP WITH BIRDSEED.

THEY'RE NOCTURNAL, AND THEY LEAVE NICE CLEAN HOLES ON THE ON THE SIDES, NOT GOING STRAIGHT DOWN LIKE A 13 LANE GROUND SQUIRREL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE MORE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM SUPERIOR.

SOMETHING TOOK A BITE INTO A FEW TOMATOES IN THE BACKYARD.

THEY WERE ON THE VINE TOWARD THE BOTTOM.

WHAT'S THIS AND HOW TO PREVENT THIS DAMAGE?

>> SO THIS YOU CAN SEE THE INCISORS.

AND SO THIS IS MOST LIKELY SQUIRREL OR RABBIT.

AND BECAUSE THEY WERE TAKEN FROM THE BOTTOM I WOULD GO WITH THE RABBIT.

>> OKAY.

SO YOU JUST HAVE TO CAGE THEM OUT.

>> WHAT'S THAT?

>> YOU JUST HAVE TO CAGE THEM OUT, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

FENCE THEM OUT.

THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> RABBIT PROOF IT.

>> OKAY.

GO TO FARMER'S MARKET FOR THE TOMATOES.

>> FOR THE TOMATOES.

>> OKAY.

>> OR FOR THE RABBITS.

>> OR FOR THE RABBITS.

OKAY, AMY.

TWO PICTURES FROM RURAL PLYMOUTH.

SO AN APRIL TREE JUST DIED.

THE LEAVES DROOPED, AND THEN IT JUST TOTALLY DIED.

THE APRICOT NEXT TO IT IS STILL LIVING.

WE SEE SOME PRETTY GOOD TURF.

AND THEN WE TALKED AGE HERE.

>> WE DO SEE SOME NICE TURF THERE.

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO ACTUALLY DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE DEATH OF THIS APRICOT TREE.

IT DOES LOOK LIKE IT'S AN OLDER TREE.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THAT YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO REMOVE.

THIS LAST SUMMER WAS VERY STRESSFUL IN ALL OF OUR TREES, BETWEEN THE VERY DRY WINTER AND THEN THE WHOLE DRY SPRING AND SUMMER.

SO IT WAS JUST TOO MANY PROBLEMS AND IT JUST WASN'T ABLE TO OVERCOME IT.

IT SHOULDN'T CAUSE A PROBLEM TO YOUR OTHER APRICOT TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

TWO PICTURES FROM LINCOLN.

THIS IS AN ASPEN.

LESIONS ON THE LEAVES OF THE LEADER IN PARTICULAR, IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

CAN'T SEE A CANKER, CAN'T SEE INSECTS.

WHAT'S THE CAUSE HERE?

>> SO THIS IS ACTUALLY CAUSED BY A FUNGAL LEAF SPOT?

IT'S A FAIRLY COMMON FUNGUS THAT WE'LL SEE IN ASPEN.

AND THE NEXT PICTURE, YOU'RE ACTUALLY ABLE TO SEE THE DAMAGE ON THE LEAVES.

IT WILL CAUSE BROWNING AND BLACKING ALONG THOSE TIPS.

THIS IS NOT A DISEASE.

WE TYPICALLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU'RE GOING TO TREAT SANITATION IN THE WINTER OR LATE FALL.

IT'S GOING TO BE THE BIG KEYS WITH IT AND WITH IT BEING A YOUNG TREE.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE WATERING IT THOROUGHLY AS WE GO INTO THIS FALL.

AND IF WE HAVE AN EXTREMELY DRY WINTER, WHEN THE WEATHER ALLOWS IT TO CONTINUE TO WATER IT THIS WINTER ALSO.

>> ALL RIGHT AND FOUR PICTURES ON THIS ONE, AMY.

THIS IS FROM HOOPER.

THE TREE IS A WILLOW.

THERE IS AN INSECT EATING THE LEAVES.

IGNORE THAT, JODY.

THE TRUNK IS SPLITTING.

AND WHAT LOOKS LIKE MUSHROOMS ARE GROWING IN THE TRUNK.

>> SO YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT ON THE NEXT COMING PICTURES.

THE WILLOW TREE IS A LITTLE THIN.

IT'S NOT HAPPY.

I THINK THE NEXT PHOTOS WHERE YOU'RE ACTUALLY ABLE TO SEE THAT SPLIT, IT'S A SIGNIFICANT SPLINT, SPLIT ON THAT LOWER PART OF THAT TRUNK.

THERE ARE ALSO SOME WHITE MUSHROOMS COMING OUT OF IT.

I CAN'T IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHAT MUSHROOMS ARE, BUT IT'S NOT A GOOD SIGN.

TYPICALLY, WHEN WE START SEEING MUSHROOMS GROWING OUT OF A WOUND IN A TREE, IT'S USUALLY AN INDICATION OF HEART ROT.

AND SO THIS IS A TREE THAT I'M REALLY GOING TO LEAN TOWARD.

PROBABLY GOING TO BE LOOKING AT REMOVAL AND REPLANTING.

I KNOW IT'S A YOUNGER TREE, BUT YOU'RE BETTER OFF REMOVING IT NOW VERSUS IT GETTING LARGER AND NOT HAVING STABILITY TO BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND WINDS LATER THIS WINTER OR IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

ELIZABETH, THREE PICTURES FROM SPENCER, IOWA.

THEY HAVE AN ENDLESS SUMMER HYDRANGEA.

THEY'VE HAD IT FOR MANY YEARS.

THEY GROW NICELY.

NO FLOWERS.

THEY PRUNE EVERYTHING TO THE GROUND IN THE SPRING.

WHAT SHOULD THEY DO DIFFERENTLY?

>> SO ENDLESS SUMMER IS ONE OF THE SPECIES THAT BLOOMS ON OLD WOOD.

SO WITH THIS ONE, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE DON'T WANT TO PRUNE IT BACK BECAUSE THEN WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT OLD WOOD THAT'S GOING TO HAVE THAT FLOWER ON THERE.

SO HOLD OFF.

MAKE SURE YOU GIVE IT GOOD WINTER PROTECTION.

DON'T PRUNE IT.

AND THAT SHOULD HELP THOSE FLOWERS TO TO SET ON.

AND YOU'LL HAVE THEM IN THE FUTURE.

>> AND IT BLOOMS ON NEW WOOD AND SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T WORK.

>> I DID SAY THAT, YEAH.

>> YEAH,OKAY.

BOTH.

SO TWO PICTURES FROM BELLEVUE.

IT'S AN ENORMOUS ROSEBUSH.

SHE ADORES IT.

IT'S CLEARLY HEALTHY, BUT IT'S GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT OUT OF CONTROL.

LOOKS LIKE TROLL DOLL HAIR.

SO WHEN SHOULD SHE PRUNE THIS?

SO IT'S A LITTLE MORE ORGANIZED IN APPEARANCE AND HOW?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD A CLIMBING ROSE THERE AND THAT IT'S NOT COMING FROM THE ROOTSTOCK, BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE STOCK IS MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN THE TOP GROWTH IS GOING TO BE.

SO IF THE FLOWERS ARE DIFFERENT OR MAYBE THEY'RE SUPER SMALL, YOU KNOW, THEN WE'RE LOOKING AT REVERSION AND IT'S COMING UP FROM THE ROOT STOCK.

IF HOWEVER, IT IS THE CLIMBING VINE THAT YOU STARTED WITH MOST OF THE TIME WITH OUR ROSES, WE'RE GOING TO HOLD OFF UNTIL LIKE LATE SPRING BEFORE WE GO AND DO ANY OF THAT PRUNING.

IF WE WANT TO FOLLOW THOSE PRACTICES OVER REMOVING A THIRD, A THIRD AND A THIRD, WE CAN DO THAT.

OR IF WE DON'T LIKE HOW BIG IT'S GETTING, WE CAN GIVE IT A GOOD HARD CUT TO REMOVE SOME OF THOSE LONGER BRANCHES THAT ARE COMING OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ELIZABETH, AND ONE FROM CEDAR CREEK.

WHAT IS CAUSING SEPARATE BRANCHES DYING IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS OF A FLOWERING ALMOND?

ENVIRONMENT, WHAT HERE?

>> THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE THIS.

YOU KNOW, THE THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS WE'RE LOOKING AT EITHER ENVIRONMENT.

WE'RE LOOKING AT WATER STRESS.

THERE'S A FEW DISEASES THAT CAN CAUSE THIS.

SO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE REMOVING THOSE DEAD ONES, DISINFECTING OUR PRUNING TOOLS, LIKE AMY WOULD USUALLY RECOMMEND, AND THEN MAKE SURE WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE GETTING ENOUGH MOISTURE AND ENOUGH WATER, AND THAT THEY'RE NOT STRESSED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

WELL, MANY FOLKS HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF THEIR EXPERIENCES IN THE GARDEN AS KIDS.

STEWART MUSEUM IN GRAND ISLAND PUT TOGETHER A REALLY GREAT SUMMER FUN EXPERIENCE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF LITTLE GARDENERS, WHICH IS REALLY GOING TO BE GREAT TO SEE.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> THIS IS HENRY.

AND LIKE MOST THREE YEAR OLDS, HE LOVES BEING OUTSIDE.

>> PUT IT IN YOUR POT.

>> ESPECIALLY WHEN HE CAN GET HIS HANDS DIRTY.

>> NOW WE HAVE TO FILL ALL THE WAY AROUND THE OUTSIDE.

>> HE'S A LITTLE GARDENER.

>> LITTLE GARDENERS THIS YEAR WAS A NEWER CLASS, FOR TWO AND THREE YEAR OLDS.

WE REALLY WANTED TO ENGAGE THOSE YOUNG STUDENTS WITH NATURE AT AN EARLY AGE, BEFORE THEY HAD A CHANCE TO SPEED UP WITH THE PROCESS OF LIFE.

LEARNING HOW TO BE SLOW AND AWARE OF YOUR NATURE SURROUNDINGS, ESPECIALLY INTEGRATING COMPONENTS LIKE LITERACY AND ART WITH NATURE.

JUST GIVING THEM THAT FULL EXPERIENCE EARLY ON.

>> WITH MULTIPLE COMPONENTS, THIS KEPT KIDS BOUNCING AROUND TO NEW ACTIVITIES AND ENGAGED LONGER.

>> WE STARTED WITH A LITERACY COMPONENT, SO WE READ A STORY, AND THEN WE WENT AND DID A HANDS-ON GROUP ACTIVITY WHERE THEY THEY CREATED THEIR POTS.

THEN THEY WERE ABLE TO GO WITH THEIR ADULT OUT AND PLANT THEIR POT AND PICK A FLOWER.

>> WHAT IS THAT?

>> THE RED AND WHITE?

AND THEN WE HAD A GARDEN FRIENDS SCAVENGER HUNT FOR THEM TO NOT ONLY ENGAGE WITH LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC COLOR, BUT THEN LOOKING IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND THEN FINDING GARDEN FRIENDS ON THOSE THINGS.

>> A SNAIL.

>> WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SHORT ACTIVITIES.

LITTLE GARDENERS ALLOWED KIDS TO, WELL, BE KIDS.

>> THESE CLASSES ARE REALLY ABOUT THE FUN.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT A STRICT SCHOOL SETTING.

IT'S A PLACE WHERE YOU GET TO LEARN WHILE YOU'RE HAVING FUN.

IT'S OKAY TO GET DIRTY SOMETIMES.

IT'S OKAY TO KNOW WHERE OUR FOOD COMES FROM.

YOU KNOW, IT'S OKAY TO NOT DO EVERYTHING PERFECT THE FIRST TIME.

>> CAN YOU FIND A WORM?

>> WHILE KIDS HAVE FUN WITH ACTIVITIES, THE USE OF NATURE AND GARDENING SERVES A DEEPER PURPOSE BY STARTING THE LEARNING PROCESS.

DOING AN ACTIVITY FOR FUN ENGAGES YOUNG MINDS.

IN MORE COMPONENTS ARE BETTER.

>> THE WAY STUDENTS' BRAINS WORK SO YOUNG IS THEY'RE MAKING CONNECTIONS, AND THE MORE CONNECTIONS YOU CAN MAKE WITH THEM, THE BETTER THEY ACTUALLY LEARN.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THEM STARTED SO YOUNG BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THEY CAN DEFINITELY DO AND BE PROUD OF, MAYBE EVEN SOMETHING THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH ON THEIR OWN AT HOME.

>> DO YOU LIKE YOUR CHIME?

>> YEAH.

>> THE SHARED TIME OUTSIDE IN THE GARDEN BRINGS SOMETHING MORE MEANINGFUL.

LIFELONG MEMORIES.

>> I REMEMBER GOING TO MY GRANDPA'S HOUSE.

THERE WAS A GARDEN THAT WE ALWAYS GOT TO PICK PEAS FROM.

I GREW UP ON A FARM AND WE ALWAYS HAD A GARDEN AS WELL.

AND SO AGAIN, AS A PARENT, IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS FUN TO PASS DOWN TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> BECAUSE IT'S OUTSIDE AND AWAY FROM EVERYTHING ELSE.

YOU HAVE THOSE GENUINE TRUE CONVERSATIONS WHEN YOU'RE DOING GARDENING ACTIVITIES, BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING ELSE.

YOU'RE HAVING THAT DISCOVERY AND THAT HANDS ON EXPERIENCE TOGETHER.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU DO REMEMBER FOR A LONG TIME.

>> FOR ME, THE BEST PART WAS THAT I GOT TO BRING MY SON.

HE'S JUST OLD ENOUGH TO START TAKING CLASSES OUT HERE.

AND SO TO BE ABLE TO SHARE MY LOVE OF THE MUSEUM AND GARDENING AND JUST GETTING TO DO THAT TOGETHER WAS REALLY SPECIAL.

>> A LADYBUG.

>> A LADYBUG.

>> I LOVE IT.

>> BY DEVELOPING A CURRICULUM WITH GARDENING, THE STUHR MUSEUM HAS LAID A FOUNDATION FOR YOUNG KIDS TO GRASP CONCEPTS.

>> WHAT IS IT?

>> A SPIDER.

>> WHILE MAKING MEMORIES WITH THEIR FAMILY, EVEN IF IT MEANS GETTING A LITTLE DIRTY.

>> IT'S HONESTLY, IT'S A REALLY GOOD ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE A PLACE LIKE THIS, TO BE ABLE TO JUST HAVE SOMEWHERE FOR KIDS TO COME AND HAVE FUN AND ACCIDENTALLY LEARN SOMETHING ALONG THE WAY IS REALLY A GOOD THING.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS TO LEARN AT DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLACES, BUT THIS ONE IS JUST A UNIQUE SETTING FOR IT.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) (APPLAUSE) >> THERE ARE PLENTY OF WAYS FOR THAT LITTLE GREEN THUMB TO BE DEVELOPED IN THOSE LITTLE GARDENERS, WHETHER THEY ARE YOUR KIDS OR YOUR GRANDKIDS, DENNIS.

SO WHAT DO WE THINK, PANEL?

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OF HOW TO ENGAGE THEM IN THE IN THE GARDEN?

>> WELL MY GRANDKIDS.

I NOTICED THERE IS NO IPADS THERE.

IF THEY'RE WITH ME THERE'S NO IPADS.

THEY'RE OUT CATCHING STUFF.

>> PERFECT.

>> I GREW UP THAT WAY.

MY MOTHER ALWAYS SAYS, GO OUTSIDE, GET THE STINK OFF.

I WASN'T ALLOWED TO WATCH TV.

>> ELIZABETH OR AMY OR.

>> OH, YEAH.

GETTING HANDS DIRTY.

PLANTING THOSE VEGETABLES THAT HOPEFULLY THEY'LL TRY THEM WHEN THEY'RE WHEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY RIPE IS JUST SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY FUN.

>> AND LEARNING WHEN TO PICK THE VEGETABLES AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

THAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST DEBATE AT OUR HOUSE.

HOW BIG SHOULD THE ZUCCHINI BE WHEN THEY COME IN.

THIS BIG OR THIS BIG?

>> EIGHT INCHES IS ALL THE BIGGER ZUCCHINI SHOULD BE.

BASEBALL BATS ARE FOR ZUCCHINI BREAD.

>> PRECISELY.

>> JODY.

>> HELLO, BUGS.

THEY GOT TO LOOK AT BUGS.

THERE'S SO MANY COOL THINGS OUT IN THE GARDEN AND TOAD HOUSES, YOU KNOW?

>> YEAH.

>> ALL THE STUFF THAT.

>> EXACTLY.

EVERYTHING ABOUT IT IS WONDERFUL.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, PANEL.

LET'S SEE ONE PICTURE JODY, ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS FROM LINCOLN AND IDENTIFIED BEAUTIFUL CATERPILLAR PHOTO.

AND THEN THE MOTH.

>> OKAY.

>> WHAT IS THIS MOTH.

>> SO TWO SHOWS AGO IN JULY.

I WAS SENT IN PICTURE OR IT WAS ON THE SHOW.

THIS REALLY BLUE CATERPILLAR ON SALVIA.

AND THE SAME VIEWER SENT THE PICTURE OF THE MOTH, WHICH IS AMAZING BECAUSE I LOVE SEEING THE LIFE CYCLE.

SO THIS IS THE SOUTHERN PINK MOTH.

CAN YOU IMAGINE, LIKE LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL.

THIS IS LIKE A BARBIE MOTH.

IT'S SO PINK.

SO ANYWAY.

THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THREE PICTURES FROM SYDNEY.

SO SHE SAW THIS ON THE TIP OF HER SAGE.

AND ALSO ON THE TIP OF HER WINTER MINT.

PLANTS SEEMED FINE.

SHE'S SAYING, IS THIS A DISEASE OR SOME LIFE-SUCKING FORCE?

>> OKAY.

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW?

THESE ARE TWO JAGGED AMBUSH BUGS MATING.

SO THERE'S THE CIRCLE OF LIFE HAPPENING THERE AND EVERYWHERE.

AND YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING IT FOR DAYS.

>> OKAY.

AND WE HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE.

>> YEAH.

THEY'RE PREDATORS.

THEY'RE GOOD BUGS.

THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF OTHER THINGS.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF A DIFFERENT ISSUE, BUT.

>> THIS ONE COMES TO US AND IT'S A LARGE TREE OBVIOUSLY.

AND OR A FORMER TREE HOPEFULLY.

IT'S A SILVER MAPLE, PRUNED.

HER CONCERN HERE IS THERE ARE BEES NESTING.

AND I THINK WE CAN SEE THAT IN THE NEXT PICTURE.

AND SHE'S WONDERING CAN THEY BE RELOCATED.

SHOULD THEY DO IT NOW?

THEY WANT TO CUT THE TREE DOWN.

WHAT ARE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS HERE?

>> OKAY.

SO I TALKED TO OUR HONEYBEE SPECIALIST ABOUT BEES IN A TREE.

SO THERE'S THIS SAVING THE TREE, WHICH IS NOT GOING TO BE DONE BECAUSE THAT TREE LOOKS NOT HEALTHY.

THEY'RE SAVING THE BEES, WHICH WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEY ARE HIGH UP IN THE TREE.

AND THEN THERE'S LIKE THERE'S SAFETY.

SO REMOVING THEM IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT.

IF YOU TRY TO DO IT NOW, THEY'LL BE STUNG.

EVERYONE WHO'S HELPING.

IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, TO REMOVE THE TREE SAFELY, IT'S GOING TO BE CLOSEST AFTER FROST WHERE THERE WILL BE LESS STINGING.

BUT AFTER WINTER IS WHEN YOU USUALLY DO LOSE THE COLONY, SO IT MIGHT NOT SURVIVE THE WINTER IN THERE.

SO IT'S A TOUGH SITUATION.

IT DEPENDS WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, JODY.

AND ONE MORE.

AND THIS IS AN OMAHA VIEWER.

WHAT KIND OF A WASP IS THIS?

>> THIS IS A STEEL BLUE CRICKET HUNTER.

GOOD GIRL.

VERY COOL.

TWITCHY BLUE JEWEL.

>> SHE LOOKS LIKE SUPERWOMAN.

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, DENNIS, TWO PICTURES THIS COMES TO US FROM LINCOLN.

APPRECIATES THE WORK THAT BATS PERFORM.

HOWEVER, HE IS TIRED OF THE BAT GUANO ON HIS PATIO AND THIS IS UNDERNEATH THE DECK, AND HE'S CURIOUS AS TO HOW MANY BATS THERE MIGHT BE AND WHAT CAN HE DO TO DISCOURAGE THEM.

AND I THINK THEN WE HAVE A PICTURE OF A BAT.

SO IS THAT THE CULPRIT?

>> SO THE BAT IS THE BIG BROWN BAT, WHICH IS THE MOST COMMON BAT IN NEBRASKA, THAT GETS AROUND HOMES.

THE DROPPINGS, YOU CAN SWEEP THEM OFF EVERY DAY, BUT IF THAT'S A PROBLEM, THEN YOU CAN PUT NETTING WHERE THEY'RE ROOSTING AND FEEDING.

SO IT MAY NOT BE MORE THAN 1 OR 2 BATS BY THE LOOK OF THAT DEFECATION.

YOU GOT TO REMEMBER THEY'RE CONSTANTLY INSECTS AND THEY'RE CONSTANTLY DEFECATING.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT BIG PILES.

SO IF YOU SWEEP IT OFF, IT'S GOING TO BE FERTILIZER FOR THE THE GRASS AND WHATEVER IS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PORCH.

OR IF YOU WANT TO PUT BIRD NETTING, THEY WON'T GO UP THERE ANYMORE AND ROOST AND FEED.

BUT THEY'RE NOT NESTING THERE.

THEY'RE JUST FEEDING THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND WE HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THE NEXT ONE.

SO THIS IS KIND OF FUN.

WHOSE SCAT IS THIS?

AND IT'S ONES WITH A MACRO LENS TO SHOW WHAT IT IS.

SO FIRST WE HAVE THE WICKER CHAIR AND THEN WE HAVE THE NEXT ONE.

>> SO IT'S BATS AGAIN.

SO DROPPINGS THAT SPARKLE BECAUSE THEIR EXOSKELETONS WITH POINT AT ONE END, ARE BAT DROPPINGS.

AGAIN THE BATS NOT SITTING IN THE CHAIR ROCKING THE BAT IS ABOVE FEEDING ON INSECTS BECAUSE THERE'S LIGHTS IN YOUR HOUSE.

MOTHS AND INSECTS ARE ATTRACTED AND IT'S JUST A BUFFET FOR THEM.

SO IF YOU HAVE ANY LIGHTS WHATSOEVER IN THAT AREA, IT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR THEM TO JUST HANG THERE AND HAVE THEIR GREAT BUFFET AGAIN, HANGING BIRD NETTING OR NETTING THAT STOPS THEM FROM HANGING UPSIDE DOWN AT NIGHT IN THAT AREA WOULD CURTAIL ANY OF THOSE DROPPINGS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ONE PICTURE FROM LINCOLN ON THIS ONE, DENNIS.

THIS IS AN EAR OF DECORATIVE CORN EATEN THROUGH THE HUSK.

OTHER ITEMS HAVE BEEN EATEN ALSO.

SOME OF THE CORN IS TEN FEET TALL.

LAST YEAR SQUIRRELS GOT IT BY BRINGING IT TO THE GROUND.

WHAT ATE THIS?

>> WELL, LOOKING AT THIS, THERE'S NO SIGNS OF A RACCOON OR SQUIRREL BRINGING IT TO THE GROUND.

SO IT'S BIRDS.

CROWS AND OTHER BIRDS WILL ACTUALLY STRIP THE HUSK OFF AND GO FOR THE CORN.

SO WHEN WE SEE THAT IT'S NOT BROUGHT DOWN TO THE GROUND, AND THERE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A LOT OF THE LEAVES ARE STRIPPED DOWN, THEN IT'S PROBABLY BIRDS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICTURES FROM BELLEVUE HE SAYS, IS THIS TREE TOAST?

HE THINKS IT'S DEER DAMAGE.

>> WELL, I CAN'T TELL YOU WHETHER THE TREE IS TOAST OR NOT, BUT IT IS DEER DAMAGE, AND THERE'S ONLY A 50/50 CHANCE THE DEER WILL COME BACK.

NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THAT DAMAGE IS OLD, LIKE IT WAS DONE IN THE LAST RUNNING SEASON, SO I WOULD THINK SOMEONE ELSE HAS TO WEIGH IN WHETHER THE TREE IS TOAST.

>> IF YOU COULD.

>> THE TREE'S TOAST.

>> OKAY.

(LAUGHING) >> ELIZABETH'S FACE IS SHOCKED.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S A FORMER TREE.

ALL RIGHT.

AMY, YOU HAVE FOUR PICTURES.

THIS COMES TO US FROM FREMONT.

IT'S A WHOLE SERIES OF HER PERENNIALS AND AN ANNUAL DYING IN HER LANDSCAPE BED, HERE.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S WRONG.

IS IT THE SAME PROBLEM, FROM ALL?

WE KNOW, VERY HEALTHY TURF AND MAYBE A LITTLE DRAINAGE.

SHE DID SAY SHE USES 2,4D ON THE WEEDS IN HER LAWN, SO SOME INTERESTING DAMAGE.

>> IT IS INTERESTING DAMAGE.

SO I'LL START WITH THE FIRST PICTURE WITH ALL THE WAVE PETUNIAS.

I CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT'S GOING ON THERE.

IT COULD BE A WATERING ISSUE.

THE TURF IS VERY GREEN.

PETUNIAS DON'T LIKE REALLY WET FEET.

BUT THE OTHER TRICK WITH PETUNIAS.

WE ALL KNOW, WHEN IT GETS IN THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS, THEY DO DECLINE DOWN.

THEY JUST.

THEY JUST NEED A LITTLE TIME.

THEY LIKE THE COOLER WEATHER.

NOW THE PHOTOS THAT WE'RE SEEING HERE, THIS IS AN INTERESTING SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE THE STEM SPLITTING APART.

THERE'S ANOTHER PHOTO THAT WILL COME UP WHERE YOU CAN SEE IT A LITTLE BIT CLOSER.

THIS TO ME LOOKS A LITTLE BIT LIKE HERBICIDE INJURY.

WHEN WE HAVE 2,4D INJURY, WE CAN SEE SOME OF THESE ADVANTAGEOUS ROOTS TRY TO START TO GROW BECAUSE THE PLAN IS STRESSED.

THE NEXT PHOTO THOUGH, THIS LOOKS A LITTLE BIT LIKE CROWN GALL WHICH IS A BACTERIAL INFECTION.

AND YOU GET THOSE GROWTHS THAT WILL OCCUR ALONG THE STEM.

THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

SO AS WE LOOK AT NEXT SUMMER.

BE CAREFUL WITH THE 2,4D APPLICATIONS.

JEFF HAS TALKED ABOUT IT MULTIPLE TIMES THIS SEASON.

ONCE IT STARTS GETTING WARM, WE NEED TO WALK AWAY FROM THOSE HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS, ESPECIALLY ONCE WE GET INTO THE MID TO UPPER 80S.

ALL HERBICIDES NEED TO BE PUT AWAY FOR THE SEASON BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF DAMAGE ON OUR OTHER PLANTS THAT WE WANT TO HAVE IN OUR LAND, WANT TO HAVE IN OUR LANDSCAPE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

ONE PICTURE FROM OAKLAND.

SO TWO YEAR OLD LILACS FLOWERED ON THIS ONE.

AND THEN THEY WERE DOING VERY WELL A WHOLE ROW.

AND THEN THEY LOOK LIKE THIS.

AND THEN THEY STARTED PUTTING ON NEW FOLIAGE.

>> SO THIS IS OUR WONDERFUL FRIEND, POWDERY MILDEW.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF HUMIDITY THIS YEAR.

I THINK WE ALL CAN ADMIT TO THAT, MADE THE SUMMER A LITTLE ROUGH.

THAT'S FAVORABLE CONDITION FOR POWDERY MILDEW.

THIS IS A VARIETY THAT IS VERY SUSCEPTIBLE.

BECAUSE OF THAT STRESS, THE PLANT HAS GONE AHEAD AND WENT AHEAD AND RESHOOT NEW LEAVES.

TYPICALLY, WE DON'T RECOMMEND ANY FUNGICIDE.

APPLICATIONS FOR POWDERY MILDEW.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO LOOK AT TRYING TO MAINTAIN GOOD AIRFLOW, PRUNING PROPERLY WHEN THAT LILAC IS OF THE CORRECT AGE THAT WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME JUST MAKE SURE WE KEEP IT WATERED AND IT WILL GROW BACK NEXT YEAR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

TWO PICTURES ON THIS ONE FROM OMAHA, ELIZABETH.

HE'S CONCERNED THAT HE MIGHT HAVE ACCIDENTALLY EXPOSED HIS SOUR PIE CHERRY TO TORDON, AND HE'S WONDERING WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS, BASICALLY.

>> SO THERE'S A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE ANYTIME WE HAVE A TREE THAT'S CLOSE TO ANOTHER TREE, AND IF WE APPLY A PICKLER M PRODUCT, LIKE TORDON, IT CAN MOVE ROOT TO ROOT.

AND SO THAT COULD BE WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS IT'S MOVING ROOT TO ROOT.

NOW THE HARD PART IS I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THAT SOUR CHERRY.

IT'S ALL A MATTER OF HOW MUCH WENT OVER, HOW STRESSED THE TREE IS.

LIKE THERE'S SO MANY FACTORS THAT PLAY A ROLE IN THAT.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS WHETHER OR NOT HE SHOULD EAT THE CHERRIES OFF OF THAT.

AND I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND WE EAT THE TART CHERRIES THAT COME OFF OF THAT, JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF EXPOSURE THERE'S GOING TO BE FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> OKAY, SO IS THAT A FOREVER OR JUST NEXT YEAR?

>> FOR SURE NEXT YEAR AND THEN WE SEE IF THE TREE SURVIVES, TO BE VERY HONEST WITH YOU.

>> OKAY.

TWO PICTURES FROM HARTINGTON.

SO THIS HAS BEEN LOSING BRANCHES AND THE FOLIAGE DOESN'T LOOK AS GOOD AS IT USUALLY IS.

HE THINKS THIS IS THE RIVER BIRCH.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A WHITE BIRCH.

PAPER BIRCH?

>> YEAH.

AND THAT'S WHERE, YOU KNOW, I NEED A LITTLE BIT CLOSER PICTURES OF WHERE THE TRUNK ENTERS THE GROUND.

I'M NOT REALLY SEEING A REALLY DEFINED ROOT FLARE WHERE IT GETS WIDER, WHERE IT ENTERS THE GROUND.

AND SO IN THAT INSTANCE, WHAT WE CAN SEE IS WE'LL SEE A ROOT THAT'S CROSSING OVER THE TRUNK OR GIRDLING THE TRUNK OF THE TREE, KIND OF INHIBITING THAT WATER UPTAKE.

AND SO WITHOUT THAT REALLY NICE ROOT FLARE, ALL WE CAN DO ARE THE THREE W'S JUST WATER, WATCH AND WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

REMOVE ANY DEAD, DAMAGED OR DISEASE BRANCHES AS THEY START TO SHOW UP.

>> OKAY.

AND YOU CAN KIND OF SEE IN THIS PICTURE TOO, IT'S PRETTY.

NO FLARE AT THE BASE.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE A POST IN THE GROUND.

THAT'S PRETTY GOOD INDICATION.

WE EITHER HAVE A PLANTING DEPTH ISSUE OR A ROOT ISSUE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

WELL, GARDENING CAN GROW THINGS MORE THAN JUST BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND BEAUTIFUL VEGETABLES.

OH, WE HAVE ANOTHER PICTURE I FORGOT.

IS THAT YOU?

WAS THAT, YOU?

NO.

>> YEP, THEY'RE LOSING BRANCHES.

>> THEY'RE LOSING BRANCHES.

THAT'S THE LOSING BRANCHES.

SORRY.

I ALWAYS MESS UP ON ONE SHOW OR MORE.

SO LOSING BRANCHES.

WHAT?

>> YEAH.

AGAIN.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE ROOT FLARE.

IF IT LOOKS LIKE A POST IN THE GROUND, WE HAVE ISSUES.

WE COULD HAVE A ROOT ISSUE.

WE COULD HAVE A TRUNK ISSUE.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE'LL SEE IT KIND OF UP IN THE CANOPY AS WELL.

SO THAT'S PROBABLY SIMILAR TO THE OTHER TREE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO THAT GOOD SEGMENT.

WHICH IS GARDENING CAN GROW A LOT MORE THAN JUST BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND BEAUTIFUL VEGETABLES.

ONE CENTRAL NEBRASKA FAMILY SHOWS US HOW.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> FOR MANY FAMILIES, SUMMER MEANS POOL TIME, VACATIONS AND BALLGAMES.

FOR THE BOWDER FAMILY, IT ALSO MEANS GARDENING, PIG CHORES, AND 4-H PROJECTS.

>> THAT'S HUGE.

>> I REALLY LIKE LISTENING TO THE BIRDS, LOOKING AT THE GRASS, SMELLING THE FLOWERS, STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> WHEN WE START IN THE SPRING AND TILL IT UP AND DIG STUFF UP, THERE'S ALWAYS, IT SEEMS TO BE ONE PERSON THAT WANTS TO COME OUT AND HELP.

SOMETIMES IT'S TO DIG UP THE BUGS AND ROLY POLLIES AND THINGS THAT THEY FIND.

>> OH, THAT'S A BIG CATERPILLAR.

>> AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER THIS WAS ALL, IT WAS JUST DIRT.

AND THEN WE PLANTED THE SEEDS AS IT PROGRESSED AND PROGRESSED, AND THEN THEY JUST SHOT UP LIKE THAT CORN.

I DIDN'T EVEN SEE IT GROW BECAUSE IT WAS SO FAST.

>> BOYD AND LACEY BOWDER ARE RAISING FOUR DAUGHTERS IN SAINT PAUL, NEBRASKA.

FOR THEM, GARDENING IS MORE THAN GROWING VEGETABLES.

IT'S TEACHING THEIR KIDS RESPONSIBILITY, PATIENTS AND A LIFELONG LOVE OF LEARNING.

>> I SEE THEM DOING A LOT OF PROBLEM SOLVING.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF THEIR PROJECTS THAT THEY DO.

IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF FOCUS AND ATTENTION AND GRIT AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE GREAT SKILLS TO DEVELOP.

IT'S HELPING US TO SHAPE OUR KIDS SO THAT THEY ARE VERY WELL ROUNDED, AND THEY HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES.

(CLUNKING) >> BRING THEM UP THERE, GUYS.

SO DAD CAN BACK UP.

>> THIS ONE'S THE BEST LEADER TOO.

HERE YOU OF THE GATE.

YOU HOLD THE GATE.

I'LL GET THEM.

>> THROUGH 4H THE KIDS ARE RAISING HOGS, SEWING QUILTS, WELDING BENCHES AND DEEPENING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF AGRICULTURE.

>> WE DON'T LIVE ON A FARM, SO I WANT THEM TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT CROP IS GROWING IN THAT FIELD.

WHAT ARE THESE ANIMALS OVER HERE?

WHEN WE DO PIG TOURS, WE HOP IN THE PICKUP AND WE ALL CRAM IN THERE TOGETHER, ALL SIX OF US.

WE SPEND THOSE TIMES BONDING AND LEARNING TOGETHER AS THEY TRAVEL TO DO CHORES.

>> THIS IS LIKE THE LEAF BLADE.

THIS IS THE ORACLE.

THIS IS THE COLLAR.

THE LEAF SHEATH.

>> LAYLA, JUST LIKE MY HUSBAND, CAN IDENTIFY ALMOST EVERY PLANT THAT IS KNOWN TO MAN.

>> I TAKE PRIDE IN LIKE IDENTIFYING THEM, TELLING PEOPLE WHAT KIND OF LEAF THAT IS OR WHAT KIND OF PLANT THAT IS, OR WHAT WEED THAT IS.

>> SHE DEFINITELY IS COACHING HER SISTERS.

THERE'S NEVER A MOMENT WHERE THERE'S NOT LEARNING INVOLVED, AND THAT'S SUCH A COOL THING TO SEE.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> THEY HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR EVERYTHING THAT CAN HAPPEN, YOU KNOW, LIKE STARTING SOMETHING FROM A SEED, AND THEN IT GROWS INTO A CUCUMBER THAT YOU CAN EAT.

JUST UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE'S A PROCESS TO EVERYTHING IN LIFE, I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

>> I REALLY LIKE ZINNIAS.

THEY GIVE LIKE A, THEY'RE VERY VIBRANT.

THEY GIVE LIKE A NICE POP OF COLOR IN THE GARDEN.

WE USE A LOT OF THE FLOWERS AND WE MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS.

I'M GOING TO DEADHEAD THESE FOUR O'CLOCKS.

>> I JUST THINK THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT RAISING KIDS WHO SPEND THEIR DAYS OUTDOORS, INSTEAD OF INSIGHT ON TECHNOLOGY ALL OF THE TIME.

>> I WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO BE INVOLVED IN AN AGRICULTURE CAREER WHEN THEY GET OLDER, BUT I KNOW THAT THAT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN.

SO JUST FOR THEM TO HAVE AN APPRECIATION OF WHAT AGRICULTURE CAN PROVIDE YOU BOTH IN AN URBAN SETTING, LIKE A GARDEN OR IN A LARGER SCALE, LIKE AT A FARM OR A FEEDLOT, A LOT OF THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND, SO THAT THEY KNOW WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM.

(GENTLE MUSIC) >> EVERY GARDEN BEGINS WITH A SEED.

BOYD AND LACEY ARE PLANTING SOMETHING THEY HOPE LASTS A LIFETIME.

A LOVE FOR NATURE, A CURIOSITY ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND THEM, AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF BACKYARD FARMERS.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) (APPLAUSE) >> AND THE BOWDER FAMILY IS HERE WITH US TODAY.

SO THAT'S JUST FABULOUS.

ALL RIGHT.

SO JODY, WE HAVE ONE SAMPLE AND THEN WE HAVE A FACEBOOK POST.

SO WHAT'S THIS BONUS SAMPLE TODAY OKAY.

>> SO I BROUGHT IN TWO DIFFERENT CHRYSALISES.

WE'VE GOT A MONARCH UP AT THE TOP.

SO THE MONARCH CATERPILLAR CHRYSALIS LOOKS LIKE A GREEN POT WITH GOLD SPOTS.

AND WHAT THEY DO IS THEY NEED A HORIZONTAL SURFACE AND THEY WILL HAVE THEIRS HANGING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THAT.

WITH THE BLACK SWALLOWTAIL CHRYSALIS, WHAT THEY NEED IS A VERTICAL SURFACE.

AND SO IF YOU ARE READING THESE OUT, WHAT I FOUND IS YOU CAN PUT LIKE A TOILET PAPER ROLLS OR PAPER TOWEL ROLLS IN FOR THE BLACK SWALLOWTAIL.

SO THEY'LL PUPATE ON THE SIDES OF THAT.

AND THEN IF YOU HAVE MONARCHS PUT SOMETHING OVER THE TOP SO THEY'RE NOT EATING ON THE TOP OF THE MASH OR ON THE TOP OF THE AQUARIUM.

SO SOMETHING LIKE EGG CRATE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

SO ON OUR FACEBOOK POST THIS WEEK, WE GOT MARTHA JOHNSON FROM EDISON, NEBRASKA.

SHE FOUND A BUG THAT SHE HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

SHE GOOGLED IT.

SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A SOUTH AMERICAN FANCY TORTOISE BEETLE LARVA, WHICH IS A LONG NAME.

WAS SHE RIGHT?

>> PARTIALLY.

SO, IT IS A TORTOISE BEETLE LARVAE.

BUT WHEN YOU GOOGLE SOMETHING OR USE AI, IT DOESN'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE LOCATED.

SO IT WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY LOCAL.

THE ONE THAT I THINK IT IS A MOTTLED TORTOISE BEETLE LARVAE.

AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE THAT IS BECAUSE WITH TORTOISE BEETLE LARVAE, THEY KIND OF ACCUMULATE THEIR FRASS OR POOP AND EXOSKELETONS THAT HAVE BEEN SHED, AND THEY WAVE THAT AROUND IN PREDATORS' FACES SO THEY DON'T GET EATEN.

>> WHICH IS AWFUL ON SO MANY LEVELS.

>> DEFENSE MECHANISM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, YOU WANT TO BE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE WEEK.

JUST ADD YOUR QUESTION IN COMMENTS TO ONE OF OUR COMMENT SECTIONS IN FACEBOOK.

YOU MIGHT BE ON THE VERY LAST POST OF THIS SEASON.

IT'S TIME FOR US TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) (SOFT RUMBLING) (UPBEAT MUSIC) >> ONE QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE WE GO BACK TO QUESTIONS.

AND THAT WOULD BE KIMBALL ORCHARD AND VINEYARDS, APPLEJACK FESTIVAL IS COMING UP 19TH AND 20TH.

WAY FUN IN NEBRASKA CITY.

ALL RIGHT.

PLANT OF THE WEEK.

ELIZABETH, IT'S IN FRONT OF YOU.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> SO EARLIER THIS SEASON, JEFF BROUGHT IN GRANDMA.

SO THIS IS BLUE GRANDMA.

BUT THIS IS A NATIVAR.

OR A NATIVE CULTIVAR CALLED BLOND AMBITION.

IT'LL GET ANYWHERE FROM A FOOT TO TWO FEET.

OR AS YOU CAN SEE HERE IN FRONT OF THE STAGE, A LITTLE TALLER THAN THAT.

REALLY FUN.

DROUGHT TOLERANT HAS THESE REALLY COOL EYEBROW FLOWER HEADS ON THEM.

JUST A REALLY FUN GRASS TO ADD TO THE LANDSCAPE.

>> EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT.

THREE PICTURES FROM TEKAMAH, JODY.

WHAT ARE THESE?

ARE THEY PRAYING MANTIS BUG EGGS?

>> NO.

THIS IS SOME TYPE OF CATERPILLARS FRASS OR POOP.

>> END OF DISCUSSION ON THAT ONE, RIGHT?

IT'S REALLY PRETTY.

>> IT'S VERY PRETTY POOP.

>> OKAY.

AND THERE'S THE PRAYING MANTIS.

>> YES, THAT'S A CAROLINA PRAYING MANTIS.

BUT THAT IT'S NOT ITS POOP OR IT'S EGG CASE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN YOU HAVE ONE FROM A FEW MILES WEST OF KEARNEY.

FOUND, OH, AND THIS FLEW INTO HIS YARD.

THAT WAS A CHINESE MANTIS.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS A MALE CHINESE PRAYING MANTIS.

IT PROBABLY FLEW OUT.

THEIR PRETTY MOBILE.

>> RIGHT AND WE DON'T WANT TO KILL THEM.

>> WELL, SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO.

>> I DON'T KILL ANYTHING UNLESS I HAVE TO, BUT THEY'RE SO WELL ESTABLISHED, IT'S NOT REALLY GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> ALL RIGHT, NOW WE HAVE A FEW MILES WEST OF KEARNEY.

FOUND THIS MASS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF A ROSE LEAF.

WHAT IS IT?

>> THEY'RE HATCHING CATERPILLARS.

>> AND WE DON'T KNOW WHICH ONES, DO WE OR?

>> NO.

BUT.

CATERPILLARS GENERALLY EAT PLANTS, SO IF YOU DON'T WANT THEM, JUST SQUISH THEM.

>> A LOT OF THEM.

>> I THOUGHT YOU DON'T KILL ANYTHING.

>> SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT THEY LIKE WHEN I SAY THAT.

AND IF I HAVE TO SAY THAT ABOUT SOMETHING.

>> IT DESERVES IT.

>> SQUISH THESE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS OMAHA, JODY.

WE HAD THIS.

YOU HAD A SAMPLE OF THIS.

LEAVES WRAPPED IN WEBS.

THIS IS HONEY LOCUST.

AND WHAT ARE THESE AND WHAT CAN THEY DO?

>> THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WE'VE HAD THIS YEAR.

THIS IS MIMOSA WEB WORM.

NOTHING TO REALLY DO RIGHT NOW EXCEPT BREAK DOWN SOME OF THE PUPA AND SILK THAT YOU SEE ON STRUCTURES THIS FALL.

AND THEN YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER TREATING NEXT JUNE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DENNIS, WE HAVE TWO PICTURES.

HE CALLS THIS AN EGG REMNANT, IN A RAISED BED.

WHAT CRITTER?

THE SHELL IS HARD.

IT'S NOT LEATHERY.

HE'S NEVER SEEN A DUCK.

>> OKAY.

NOW, I'VE LOOKED AT IT CLOSELY AND BLEW IT UP.

AND SINCE THERE'S NO REMNANTS OF AN EMBRYO, IT'S NOT AN ANIMAL.

AND NO ANIMAL WOULD GO UP INTO THAT RAISED BED AND LAY EGGS.

SO IT'S A FUNGUS.

IT'S STAGHORN FUNGUS.

>> STINK HORN.

STINK HORN EGG FUNGUS.

YEAH, BECAUSE THE UNIFORMITY OF THAT EGG SHAPED THING.

IT'S NOT A VERTEBRATE ANIMAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE TWO PICTURES FROM NEAR GURLEY, NEBRASKA.

FOUND THESE GUYS HANGING OUT UNDER A PAVER IN THE GARDEN.

ARE THEY BABIES?

>> YES.

SO RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH.

>> MID-AUGUST IS BIRTHING TIME FOR OUR GARTER SNAKES AND OUR WATER SNAKES.

AND THEN OTHER SNAKES LIKE RACERS ARE ALSO HATCHED THIS TIME OF YEAR.

AND IT'S JUST A LITTER OF PLANES, YOU KNOW, GARTER SNAKES.

AND THEY'LL START EATING SMALL BUGS RIGHT AWAY.

>> AND THE CHICKENS WILL THE CHICKENS NAB THEM?

THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH, THE CHICKENS WILL EAT THEM.

THEY WON'T HURT THE CHICKENS.

>> MIGHT HURT THE SNAKES.

>> EAT THEM LIKE, I MEAN, YEAH.

>> OKAY.

>> WAY LIFE GOES.

BIRDS EAT MOST OF THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ONE PICTURE FROM LINCOLN AND THIS IS.

SHE'S BEEN TOLD THEY CAN'T HAVE TOO MANY GARTER SNAKES.

SHE'S IN A VERY OLD HOME, AND SHE'S FOUND A LOT IN THE BASEMENT.

AND SHE THINKS THIS IS THE HOLE THAT IS CAUSING THE SNAKES TO COME INTO THE HOUSE.

>> IT MIGHT BE.

SO, GARTER SNAKES AND ALL SNAKES EXCEPT FOR SNAKES CANNOT MAKE THEIR OWN HOLES, BUT THEY USE HOLES AND CREVICES OF OTHER ANIMALS.

SO WITHOUT THE SNAKE COMING IN AND OUT, I CAN'T TELL YOU IF IT'S A SNAKE HOLE.

IS IT A HOLE THE SIZE WHERE A SNAKE CAN UTILIZE IT?

YES.

>> OKAY.

SO WOULD THEY BE LIVING IN THE FOUNDATION?

>> NOT THIS TIME OF YEAR, BUT AS SOON AS IT GETS COLDER, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD PLACE TO STAY WARM.

>> LIKE JUST IN THE FOUNDATION.

>> YEP.

GREAT.

JUST REALLY GREAT.

>> YEAH.

(LAUGHING) >> OKAY.

>> I WISH IT WAS MY HOUSE, BUT.

>> OKAY.

THEN YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE FROM HOLDREGE.

>> YEAH.

>> FOUND THIS ONE UNDER SOME OLD RAILROAD TIES.

>> YEAH.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY VERY COMMON.

THIS IS A FULL GROWN, VERY LARGE, ACTUALLY, BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET USUALLY BIGGER IN THE 16IN RING-NECKED SNAKE AND THEY EAT SPIDERS AND ANT EGGS.

AND THEY'RE USUALLY JUST ON THE EASTERN HALF OF THE STATE, BUT THEY'RE MAKING THEIR WAY ALL THE WAY TO HARLAN COUNTY NOW.

SO IT'S A GREAT THING OKAY.

>> IT'S A GOOD ONE.

>> ENJOY THEM.

>> OKAY.

>> I KNOW THEY EAT SPIDERS, BUT YOU STILL CAN ENJOY THEM.

>> AND I LIKE SNAKES.

I'M FINE WITH SNAKES.

OKAY.

FOUR, AMY, FROM MCCOOK.

WHAT'S CAUSING THE BROWN NEEDLES AND THE NEEDLE LOSS IN THESE PINES, IN THE WINDBREAK?

THEY'RE NEW TO THE PROPERTY.

THEY DON'T KNOW HOW OLD THE TREES ARE.

WILL IT SPREAD?

SHOULD THEY HAVE THEM REMOVED?

>> SO AS WE GO THROUGH THESE PICTURES, WE CAN SEE WIDE VARIETIES OF THIS TIP BLIGHT.

MAJORITY OF THESE ARE PONDEROSA, THEIR AGE PONDEROSA.

THIS IS DOTHISTROMA NEEDLE, OUR TIP BLIGHT.

IT OCCURS ON THE OLDER NEEDLES.

WE ALWAYS SEE IT IN OLDER TREES.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE SLOW KILLING DISEASES.

THE TREES CAN SURVIVE 20-30 YEARS WITH IT.

IT IS SLOWLY DECLINES OUT.

ON THE PICTURES, THERE'S A FEW OF THEM THAT ARE PRETTY DECLINED.

I WOULD PROBABLY CONSIDER REMOVING THOSE IN THE MEANTIME, IF IT ISN'T THAT.

IF YOU DON'T.

IF IT DOESN'T BOTHER YOU, I WOULD LEAVE THEM LONGER.

THE ONES THAT ARE JUST SLIGHTLY BROWN.

I DON'T RECOMMEND A FUNGICIDE APPLICATION BECAUSE INFECTION OCCURS ALL SEASON LONG.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE THREE PICTURES FROM BLAIR.

WE'VE KIND OF ALREADY ANSWERED THIS ONE, BUT IT'S A QUAKING ASPEN THAT APPEARS HEALTHY.

IT'S GOT A HOLE AT THE BASE.

IT'S GOT ALL SORTS OF THINGS WRONG WITH IT.

WE HAVE DAMAGE TO THE FOLIAGE, TOO.

IS THIS THE SAME ISSUE?

>> SO IT'S PROBABLY THE FUNGAL LEAF SPOT.

BUT ON THE BOTTOM HERE YOU SEE A LITTLE BIT OF MUSHROOM GROWING THERE.

THAT'S ALL SLIME MOLD EATING THE MULCH.

SO NOTHING OF CONCERN.

JUST MAKE SURE WE KEEP IT WATERED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, AMY.

THREE PICTURES.

ELIZABETH, THIS IS 16 LILACS IN A HEDGE PLANTED IN EARLY JUNE.

THEY LOOK LIKE THIS.

ARE THEY STILL VIABLE?

IT IS CORN, SOYBEANS, HE'S WONDERING IF THIS IS DRIFT.

>> IT'S A POSSIBILITY.

IT COULD BE DRIFT, OR IT COULD BE DROUGHT STRESS AS WELL, DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH WATER THAT IT GOT.

SO, I MEAN, IF YOU SCRAPE THE BARK AND IT'S STILL GREEN, THEY'RE STILL TECHNICALLY STILL ALIVE.

SO I MEAN, ALL WE CAN REALLY DO IS JUST KIND OF WATCH AND WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

AND IF THEY COME BACK IN THE SPRING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND TWO PICTURES FROM GRANT.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS OAK?

IT WAS PLANTED LAST FALL.

>> WITH THE OAK PLANTED LAST FALL.

WE'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT SCORCH OR DROUGHT STRESS.

SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.

IF YOU'RE REALLY CONCERNED, YOU CAN SEND A SAMPLE INTO THE PLANT, PEST AND DIAGNOSTIC LAB.

BUT FOR NOW, JUST MAKE SURE IT GETS ABOUT AN INCH OF SUPPLEMENTAL WATER A WEEK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN WE HAVE TWO PICTURES FROM KEARNEY MOVE TO THIS LOCATION.

TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO.

MOST OF THE SUGAR MAPLES ARE LOOKING LIKE THIS.

AND THEN THEY KNOW THIS.

AND THEN THERE IS A LOT OF SPOTTING ON THE SECOND PICTURE.

WHAT'S THIS?

>> SO THAT IS IRON CHLOROSIS AND SCORCH.

DUE TO THAT I KNOW THEY'RE LOCATED IN KEARNEY, SO HAVE THEM REACH OUT TO THE BUFFALO COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE, AND I'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A LOT MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE TREES, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SOME ISSUES AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

EXCELLENT.

THANKS.

WELL, OUR FAVORITE GARDENING PROGRAM IS CELEBRATING A MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY NEXT YEAR.

WE WILL BE 75 YEARS OLD.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK BACK AT HOW WE GOT STARTED.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) >> BACKYARD FARMER, A 60 MINUTE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT LAWN AND GARDENING PROBLEMS.

NOW, HERE IS YOUR BACKYARD FARMER FOR THIS EVENING, GEORGE ROUND.

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO ANOTHER SESSION OF THE BACKYARD FARMER.

(UPBEAT MUSIC) (INSECTS CHIRPING) >> KUON TV THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA TELEVISION STATION SIGNED ON THE AIR NOVEMBER 1ST, 1954.

BACKYARD FARMER HAD ALREADY BEEN ON THE AIR THAT HAD BEEN THE BRAINCHILD OF GEORGE ROUND.

GEORGE ROUND PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN THE HISTORY OF EARLY EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION, IN NEBRASKA.

>> IT BECAME ONE OF THE EARLY, ONE OF THE VERY EARLY AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS AS WELL.

AND THE FASCINATING THING ABOUT IT IS SUCH PRACTICAL, USEFUL INFORMATION IN AN ENTERTAINING MANNER, COVERING ANY AND ALL SUBJECTS OF LAWN AND GARDEN, THAT IT CONTINUES WITH THAT SAME BASIC FORMAT TO THIS DAY.

>> IT HAS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE LONGEST RUNNING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN ALL OF PUBLIC TELEVISION IN THE COUNTRY.

I THINK I CAN SUPPORT THAT.

(GENTLE MUSIC) >> WE'LL CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF THE LONGEST RUNNING, LOCALLY PRODUCED TELEVISION SHOW IN THE COUNTRY NEXT YEAR, AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THAT.

ALL RIGHT, ELIZABETH, TWO PICTURES FROM.

I'M SORRY, JODY, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES, PALMYRA.

WHAT IS THIS INSECT UNIVERSE THAT WE HAVE CAUGHT?

AND IT'S FEARFUL.

>> IT IS AN OBSCURE BIRD, GRASSHOPPER.

AND IT JUST FLIES LIKE A BIRD.

SO THAT'S PROBABLY WHY IT SEEMS SCARY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THERE'S ITS FACE.

SO, FROM LINCOLN, ONE PICTURE FOUND THIS MOTH ON A BUCKTHORN BUSH.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> THESE ARE ACTUALLY TWO VIRGINIAN TIGER MOTHS MATING.

(CROWD LAUGHING) >> THEN WE HAVE ONE PICTURE FROM STELLA.

IS THIS A GOOD GARDEN SPIDER?

>> YES.

THEY'RE ALL GOOD.

>> THEY'RE ALL.

WHICH ONE IS IT?

>> THIS IS THE.

WE CALL IT THE YELLOW GARDEN SPIDER.

IT'S VERY, VERY COOL.

>> AND THEN WE HAVE ONE FROM NEMAHA COUNTY.

THIS GUY WAS SITTING ON HER CAR MIRROR FOR SIZE REFERENCE.

>> YES.

THIS IS THE EASTERN COMMA BUTTERFLY.

>> BEAUTIFUL.

>> YES.

VERY NICE.

>> ALL RIGHT, DENNIS, ONE PICTURE.

SHE'S ATTACHED A PHOTO OF A TREE FROG TRYING TO BLEND INTO A DECK RAILING.

WHAT KIND OF FROG?

>> WELL, IT WASN'T TRYING TO BLEND IN BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THAT FUNCTION.

IT'S PROBABLY THEY'RE WAITING TO FEED ON MOTHS, BUT IT IS THE COPE'S GRAY TREE FROG.

OUR ONLY TRUE TREE FROG IN NEBRASKA.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE FROM NEBRASKA CITY.

THIS FROG HAS BEEN HANGING OUT ON THE SLIDING GLASS DOOR AT NIGHT.

>> YEAH, IT'S PROBABLY THE SAME SPECIES.

IF IT'S OVER AN INCH, IT'S JUST THAT THE LIGHT HAS IT.

SO IT'S NOT LIME GREEN OR GRAY, BUT IT IS OUR COMMON GRAY TREE FROG OR COPE'S GRAY TREE FROG.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY, THIS LITTLE GUY APPARENTLY CRAWLED UP HER JEANS LEG.

WHAT IS HE OR SHE?

>> SAME.

YEAH.

I CAN'T TELL IF HE OR SHE, BUT IT'S AGAIN COPE'S GRAY TREE FROG.

>> OKAY.

SO AMY, GOLDEN DELICIOUS APPLE HAS NEARLY PERFECT INSECT AND DISEASE FREE FRUIT.

HER DAD USED TO SAY, IF YOU CAUGHT A RAIN AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME, THIS IS WHAT YOU'D GET.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YOU ARE TRULY BLESSED.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> BECAUSE IT'S DISEASE PRONE.

>> IT IS.

AND IT'S AMAZING THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY SPOTS ON IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

FROM CHAPMAN, WE HAVE TWO PICTURES.

THE FUNGI THAT SHE FOUND EARLIER.

IT'S GOTTEN BIGGER AND MORE INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL.

WHAT IS THIS?

>> IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

THIS IS CHICKEN OF THE WOODS, NOT HEN OF THE WOODS.

THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT.

CHICKEN OF THE WOODS IS THIS BEAUTIFUL ORANGE AND YELLOW COLORATION.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TWO PICTURES.

EAST LINCOLN, 5 OR 6 YEARS AGO, GOT THIS.

WHAT DOES IT NEED FOR PRUNING?

ELIZABETH.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ON THIS NEXT ONE?

TWO PICTURES FILLED OUT.

NOT GAINING HEIGHT.

NO LEADER.

>> IT NEEDS A IT NEEDS A LEADER IN ORDER TO MOVE VERTICAL.

SO IT NEEDS TO BE PRUNED AND TRAINED IN ORDER TO GO VERTICAL.

>> NOT NOW.

>> YEP.

>> TWO PICTURES FROM FREMONT, VOLUNTEER CYPRESS VINE ATTACKING HER HONEYSUCKLE.

SHE'S WONDERING, WILL IT KILL HER HONEYSUCKLE?

>> NO, BECAUSE THE CYPRESS VINE IS AN ANNUAL.

SO WAIT FOR THE FROST AND IT'LL GET ITS REVENGE.

>> OKAY.

SO THEN FROM OMAHA, VIRGINIA CREEPER CLIMBING OVER A FENCE.

WILL IT KILL THE TREE?

>> NO, IT'S GOING TO HANG ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME, BUT IT'S ONE OF OUR NATIVE ONES, AND IT TURNS A BEAUTIFUL RED COLOR, SO I'D JUST LEAVE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WITH THAT, WE HAVE ACTUALLY RUN OUT OF TIME FOR BACKYARD FARMER.

WE WANT TO SAY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED THOSE QUESTIONS AND TO OUR PANEL FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE ALSO SAYING GOODBYE TO ONE OF OUR PANELISTS WHO IS LEAVING US.

THIS IS AFTER NEARLY A DECADE OF BEING WITH THE BACKYARD FARMER FAMILY.

JODY GREEN IS LEAVING US.

I KNOW.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

SHE HAS BROUGHT EVERYTHING TO US SINCE 2017.

SHE HAS BEEN FABULOUS KNOWLEDGE, ENTHUSIASM, HELPING PEOPLE, BUGS MAKING A LASTING IMPRESSION ON US AND ON PEOPLE.

AND THIS IS JODY AT HER BEST, OF COURSE.

SHE'S BEEN AN INSPIRATION AND A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR STORY.

WE'RE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO HER FOR EVERYTHING SHE'S DONE AND EVERYTHING SHE'S GIVEN TO BACKYARD FARMER.

WE ARE GOING TO MISS HER VERY, VERY MUCH.

WE ALSO WANT TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR AUDIENCE AND TO, OF COURSE, NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA FOR EVERYTHING THEY'VE DONE AND TO ALL OF YOU AND TELL YOU THE NEXT TIME ON BACKYARD FARMER, WE WILL BE BACK AT KIMMEL.

WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE HARVEST THOSE DARN GRAPES IF WE CAN, IF THEY LIVED.

SO GOOD NIGHT, GOOD GARDENING FROM NEBRASKA STATE FAIR.

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

(APPLAUSE) (UPBEAT MUSIC)