Backyard Farmer | Hydroponic Gardening & Dead and Dying Trees & Shrubs

August 2024 · 23 minute read

>>> "BACKYARD FARMER" IS A CO-PRODUCTION OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA AND NEBRASKA EXTENSION.

TONIGHT ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'LL SHOW YOU SOME WAYS TO GROW YOUR OWN FOOD USING HYDROPONICS AND HELP YOU WITH DEAD OR DYING TREES AND SHRUBS.

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

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

I'M KIM TODD AND I'LL BE YOUR HOST FOR ANOTHER HOUR OF GOOD GARDENING.

YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH US WITH YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS BY DIALING 1-800-676-5446.

OUR PHONE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU.

YOU CAN ALSO SUBMIT THOSE QUESTIONS AND PICTURES FOR A FUTURE SHOW BY EMAILING US AT BYF@UNL.EDU.

WE DO NEED TO KNOW AS MUCH AS WE CAN ABOUT YOUR QUESTION AND INCLUDE THOSE PICTURES WHEN YOU CAN.

THAT WILL HELP OUR PANELISTS GIVE YOU THE BEST SOLUTION TO YOUR GARDENING PROBLEMS.

YOU CAN ALSO WATCH OUR VIDEO FEATURES ON OUR "BACKYARD FARMER" YOUTUBE PAGE, YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.

AS ALWAYS, WE'VE GOT A FEW SAMPLES TO LOOK AT TO START THE MAINLY THEY LIVE OUTSIDE AND THEY DON'T GET -- THEY DON'T REPRODUCE INSIDE IF THEY GET INSIDE.

WHAT WE HAVE HERE -- ON THE FAR LEFT WE'VE GOT THE NYMPHS, SO THE IMMATURES.

THEY DON'T HAVE WINGS.

SO YOU CAN SEE THEY'RE REDDISH BROWN.

THEY CAN ALSO BE BLACK.

THE MIDDLE ONE IS AN ADULT FEMALE.

SHE HAS WINGS, BUT THEY DON'T COVER HER ABDOMEN.

BESIDE HERE THERE'S AN EGG CAPSULE OR WE CALL THAT AN OOTHECA.

IN THERE CAN BE 32 NYMPHS.

AND THEN BESIDE HER WE'VE GOT AN ADULT MALE.

YOU CAN SEE THEY LOOK VERY DIFFERENT.

HE'S GOT REALLY LONG WINGS AND SO HE CAN FLY.

THAT IS THE ONLY ONE THAT FLIES.

LAST NIGHT WHEN I WAS AT THE PET STORE AND THOUGHT I AM GETTING A LOT OF CALLS OF THESE LATELY, SO I'LL BRING ONE IN.

SO YOU HAVE TO IDENTIFY WHAT ROACH YOU HAVE.

AND IF IT IS A WOOD ROACH, YOU OFF THOSE LIGHTS AT NIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT, PERFECT.

THANK YOU, JODY.

BIG DANDELIONS, TERRI.

HUGE PUFF BALL.

PROBABLY SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT IN THEIR LANDSCAPE.

YOU'LL HAVE LOTS OF THEM.

THEY'LL BE MUCH BIGGER THAN A DANDELION AND YOU CAN'T REALLY JUST MOW THEM OVER AND PRETEND TTY SITTING IN THE PRAIRIE.

THAT'S WHERE I GOT IT BASICALLY.

>> THANKS, TERRI.

AMY, I SEE SOMETHING, BUT I'M E YARD.

THIS IS IRIS LEAF SPOT.

THIS IS A DISEASE WE'LL SEE DEVELOPING ON IRIS NOW.

WE CAN SEE IT IN OUR LANDSCAPES BECAUSE WE'RE WATERING.

SO THIS IS A FUNGAL-BASE LEAF SPOT.

AS YOU SEE WE'VE GOT THOSE NICE BROWN SPOTS, WHITE ON THE INSIDE AND DARK BROWN HALOS ON THE OUTSIDE.

NOW EVERYBODY HAS TO REMEMBER I'M A PATHOLOGIST SO I LIKE SPOTS.

SO THE BEST MANAGEMENT FOR THIS IS CULTURAL CONTROL, CLEANING OUT YOUR IRIS BEDS.

AND ME BEING THE PATHOLOGIST I YOU DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO CUT YOUR IRISES BACK BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE EARLY DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU'RE AT.

THIS FALL CLEAN IT OUT AND THAT WILL REDUCE THE PREVALENCE OF IRIS LEAF SPOT.

>> ALL RIGHT, EXCELLENT.

THANKS, AMY.

A PIECE OF THE TREE, KELLY.

>> OKAY, YEAH.

I HAVE A BRANCH.

THIS IS A YELLOW WOOD.

I'LL SHOW YOU.

THIS IS ONE LEAF RIGHT HERE.

SO WE HAVE A COMPOUND LEAF WITH EIGHT LEAFLETS AND I LIKE IT BECAUSE IT HAS A TROPICAL APPEARANCE WITH THOSE LARGE COMPOUND LEAVES.

AND I ALWAYS SAY WITH TREES THERE'S PROS AND CONS.

THE PROS WITH THIS ONE IS THAT IT IS DIFFERENT.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF THEM PLANTED.

IT IS NATIVE TO MISSOURI SO IT IS REGIONALLY NATIVE.

IT HAS BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS IN THE SPRING UNLESS THEY FREEZE.

THE FLOWERS ARE KIND OF WISTERIA-LIKE, KINULD BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS TREE AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH PRUNING IT AND MAKING SURE IT HAS GOOD STRUCTURE AND IDEALLY YOU DON'T WANT TO PLANT WOOD, BEAUTIFUL.

THANKS, KELLY.

JODY, FIRST ROUND OF PICTURE QUESTIONS IS FOR YOU.

THIS COMES TO US FROM UNDERWOOD, IOWA.

HE'S SEEN THESE FOR YEARS.STEM SOMEWHERE IN THE YARD TO USE INSTEAD.

>> AND WE SEE THEIR LEAF CUTTING >> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, JODY.

TERRI, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A LA VISTA VIEWER.

HE SAYS TH >> THAT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

ALL RIGHT, AMY, YOU HAVE TWO PICS ON THIS ONE.

THANKS.

KELLY, YOU HAVE ONE PICTURE ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS IS A LINCOLN VIEWER, RED THE TREE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KELLY.

WELL, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES GARDENING TAKES ON DIFFERENT FORMS.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SPACE OR MAYBE YOUR SOIL CONDITIONS ARE POOR, YOU COULD TRY A HYDROPONIC SYSTEM IN YOUR HOME.

UNL HORTICULTURE PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE STACY ADAMS SHOWS US THE SYSTEM WE HAVE HERE ON CAMPUS.

♪ ♪ >> HYDROPONICS IS A FASCINATING WAY OF GROWING PLANTS AND WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE INTEREST IN THAT BY HOME OWNERS AS WELL AS THOSE THAT ARE NEW ENTREPRENEURS.

NOW HYDROPONICS DIFFERS IN TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS AS WE NO LONGER ARE USING SOIL TO PROVIDE SOME OF OUR NUTRIENTS, BUT IN OUR CLOSED SYSTEM WE'RE USING WATER AS THE METHOD IN WHICH OUR NUTRIENTS ARE BEING PROVIDED.

NOW CHALLENGES PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE WHEN THEY MOVE INTO HYDROPONICS IS THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY SELECT THE APPROPRIATE SYSTEM TO MEET THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS ON WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE GROWING, AS WELL AS FOR THEIR PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT.

CHALLENGES WE OFTEN SEE IS THAT PEOPLE DO NOT MAINTAIN CLEAN WATER.

SO THEY WILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BIOLOGICALS THAT TEND TO GET IN THERE.

SO SANITIZATION IS CRITICAL.

THAT MEANS THAT WE SOMETIMES HAVE TO USE VARIOUS FILTERS AS WELL AS UV LIGHT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS.

IN ADDITION, WE MAY HAVE TO REDUCE OUR LIGHT THAT WE HAVE IF WE'RE GOING TO BE GROWING THEM OUTDOORS.

SOME OF OUR PLANTS SUCH AS LETTUCE REQUIRE SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT COOLER, AN ENVIRONMENT THAT HIGH SUN MAY CAUSE IT TO GO INTO FLOWER WHEN WE DON'T NEED IT.

ANOTHER CHALLENGE WE CAN SEE HAPPEN IS INSECTS.

BEFORE WE START GROWING OUR CROP, WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHAT OUR POTENTIAL INSECT PROBLEMS COULD BE, AS WELL AS WHAT THE PLANT MIGHT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO GETTING.

ONCE AGAIN, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS SANITIZING AND THEN MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A PLAN FOR HOW WE'RE GOING TO CONTROL ANY OF OUR PEST PROBLEMS.

THERE ARE ORGANIC WAYS THAT WE CAN DO THAT.

WE CAN USE SCREENS IN ORDER TO PREVENT INSECTS FROM COMING IN THERE OR WE COULD USE SOME BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL SYSTEMS, BUT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO KEEP TRACK AND MONITOR WHAT THOSE PROBLEMS WOULD BE AND BE PREPARED TO TREAT FOR THEM.

SO, AS YOU CONSIDER HYDROPONICS AS A SYSTEM YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO USE FOR YOUR HOME, THINK ABOUT THE BENEFITS IT CAN DO FOR YOU.

WE CAN GROW FRESH PRODUCE IN AREAS THAT MIGHT BE WITH CONTAMINATED SOILS OR WE HAVE SOME WAY THAT WE CAN PRODUCE PRODUCE QUITE QUICKLY IN COMPARISON TO WHAT WE WOULD HAVE IF WE WERE GROWING IN THE FIELD.

ALSO, WE CAN SAVE ON WATER.

AS WE GET INTO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS OF WATER RISK OR MAYBE WATER CONTAMINATION IN A CLOSED SYSTEM AS THIS, WE USE A LOT LESS WATER.

SO, IF WE HAVE TO TREAT OUR WATER, IT WILL SAVE US MONEY ON THE FILTRATION PROCESS.

SO, HYDROPONICS IS ACTUALLY A FUN WAY TO PRODUCE PLANTS.

IT OFFERS US THE POTENTIAL TO GROW PLANTS WHEN WE HAVE LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE OR WE MAY HAVE SOILS THAT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GROW PLANTS VERY WELL.

THE SYSTEM YOU CHOOSE WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO MAKING SURE THAT YOU CAN GROW THE CROPS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO GROW.

>>> YOU KNOW, THIS MIGHT BE A FUN PROJECT FOR YOU TO TRY SOMEWHERE AT HOME.

DO BE SURE TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH BEFORE YOU START BUYING THAT EQUIPMENT.

YOU KNOW, "BACKYARD FARMER" HAS ENJOYED A LONG-LASTING RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR PARTNERS HERE AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

LET'S TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HEAR HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE GARDENING PROGRAM.

>>> THANKS, KIM.

WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE "BACKYARD FARMER" IN JUST A MOMENT.

BUT FIRST, I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK YOU.

I'M NIKKI BATES, A PRODUCER HERE AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

AND BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT, THIS SHOW, "BACKYARD FARMER," HAS BEEN ON THE AIR LONGER THAN ANY OTHER LOCALLY PRODUCED TELEVISION PROGRAM IN HISTORY.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT WITH ONE OF THESE GIFTS.

CALL 800-989-8236 OR GO TO NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG.

WHEN YOU DONATE $7 A MONTH, THAT'S A ONE-TIME GIFT OF $84, WE'LL SEND YOU THIS BUCKET HAT.

IT'S PERFECT FOR GARDENING, DOING YARD WORK OR SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS.

IT HAS A CHIN STRAP AND IT'S VENTED SO IT WILL STAY PUT AND KEEP YOUR COOL WHILE YOU WORK.

OR AT THE SAME LEVEL YOU CAN CHOOSE OUR "BACKYARD FARMER" T-SHIRT.

ALL OF THE FIVE AREAS THAT REPRESENT OUR PANELISTS ARE ALSO REPRESENTED ON THIS SHIRT, ENTOMOLOGY, WILDLIFE, PATHOLOGY, LANDSCAPE AND TURF.

OR DON'T CHOOSE, GET BOTH THE T-SHIRT AND THE HAT.

DONATE $12.50 A MONTH, THAT'S $150 ONE-TIME GIFT.

AND YOU'LL RECEIVE BOTH OF THOSE GIFTS AND YOU'LL BE SUPPORTING PUBLIC TELEVISION AND OUR LOCAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING "BACKYARD FARMER."

HOST KIM TODD OF "BACKYARD FARMER" JOINS ME NOW AND, KIM, EVERY WEEK YOU AND THE EXPERTS ARE HERE ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS.

AND THEY'RE NOT JUST SENDING QUESTIONS.

THEY'RE SENDING SUCCESS STORIES TOO, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE GET LOTS AND LOTS OF SUCCESS STORIES.

AND IT'S THE FUN ONES ARE ONES THAT PEOPLE HAVE WATCHED FOR YEARS.

THEY'VE TRIED SOMETHING WE'VE TOLD THEM ABOUT.

THEY'VE DONE IT.

IT'S WORKED.

THE NEXT YEAR, THEY MIGHT SAY, "GOSH, HOW DO I STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING IN THE FALL," AND THEY SEND US THE QUESTION IN THE SPRING.

>> THAT'S GOT TO FEEL GOOD TO SEE THAT IMPROVEMENT.

>> IT'S GREAT.

>> SO, WE HAVE AN EMAIL JUST LIKE THAT FROM A VIEWER THAT I WANT TO SHARE.

CHRIS SAYS, "I LIKE 'BACKYARD FARMER' BECAUSE MY MANHATTAN SCALE IS CURED.

I KNOW ABOUT POLLINATOR GARDENS.

I KNOW HOW TO TRIM LILACS AND OTHER BUSHES.

I KNOW NOT TO USE ROUNDUP CARELESSLY.

I LOVE THE CATERPILLARS THAT ARE ATTRACTED TO THE DILL.

I KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF POWDERY MILDEW.

I KNOW WHEN TO TRIM MY TREES.

I HAVE MULCH UNDER THE MAPLE TREE WITH A WIDE MARGIN AND ONLY ADD A FEW SHADE-LOVING PLANTS THERE TOO."

THERE'S JUST A VERY LONG LIST OF THINGS THAT CHRIS IS SAYING YOU HELPED THEM WITH.

AND THEY SAY, "I'M GRATEFUL TO EVERY PANELIST AND EVERY MASTER GARDENER AND EVERY TECHNICIAN WHO WORKS TO MAKE 'BACKYARD FARMER' HAPPEN.

I AM A BETTER GARDNER EACH YEAR.

AND I AM GRATEFUL."

THAT'S FROM CHRIS YOUNG.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THOSE VIEWERS.

THAT'S GOT TO FEEL PRETTY GOOD, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S PRETTY FABULOUS, YES.

>> SO, I MENTIONED EARLIER THIS PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1953 AND IT'S STILL EXTREMELY RELEVANT.

YOU HAVE A HUGE YOUTUBE FOLLOWING.

>> WE DO.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S SO POPULAR?

>> WELL, FIRST OFF, IT'S LOCAL.

>> MM-HMM.

>> AND WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> MM-HMM.

>> WE'RE THE EXPERTS.

WE'RE PRACTICAL.

WE'VE BEEN THERE.

WE'VE DONE THAT.

WE'RE FUN MOST OF THE TIME.

>> I AGREE.

>> ESPECIALLY ON AIR.

AND THEY CAN COME VISIT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN.

SO, I THINK IT'S EVERYTHING THAT OUR AUDIENCE REALLY WANTS RIGHT NOW.

>> THAT LOCAL PIECE IS SO IMPORTANT -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> -- BECAUSE A LOT OF THE GARDENING SHOWS YOU SEE ON TV, THEY MIGHT BE OUT ON THE COAST, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT CONDITIONS, DIFFERENT SOIL CONDITIONS, DIFFERENT WEATHER.

>> THEY'VE NEVER BEEN TO NEBRASKA.

>> SO, IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE THIS RESOURCE.

WE HAVE ALL OF THEM HERE.

>> YES.

EXACTLY.

RIGHT.

>> SO, THANK YOU, KIM.

I WILL SEE YOU LATER IN THE SHOW AND WE'LL CHAT.

>> YES, YOU WILL.

>> BUT FIRST, WE'RE GONNA GO OVER THOSE THANK YOU GIFTS AGAIN.

FOR $7 A MONTH, YOU CAN GO TO NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG, MAKE THAT DONATION OF $7 A MONTH OR A ONE-TIME $84 DONATION AND YOU'LL GET THAT GARDENING HAT -- THAT BUCKET HAT.

THAT'S PERFECT FOR GARDENING, YARD WORK OR SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS.

IT HAS A CHIN STRAP, IT'S VENTED.

THAT'S GONNA KEEP YOU COOL WHILE YOU'RE DIGGING UP THAT POKE WEED.

OR AT THE SAME LEVEL YOU CAN CHOOSE OUR "BACKYARD FARMER" T-SHIRT.

ALL OF THE FIVE AREAS -- YOU CAN PICK YOUR FAVORITE -- OF ALL OUR PANELIST ARE REPRESENTED ON THIS SHIRT, ENTOMOLOGY, WILDLIFE, PATHOLOGY, LANDSCAPE AND TURF.

OR DON'T CHOOSE, GET BOTH THE T-SHIRT AND THE HAT.

THIS IS PERFECT FOR COUPLES, TOO.

YOU GUYS CAN FIGHT OVER THEM AND DECIDE WHO GETS WHAT.

DONATE $12.50 A MONTH, THAT'S $150 ONE-TIME GIFT.

AND YOU'LL GET BOTH OF THOSE.

YOU'LL BE SUPPORTING PUBLIC TELEVISION AND OUR LOCAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING "BACKYARD FARMER."

I'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO A LIVE TAPING OF "BACKYARD FARMER."

OUR JUNE 13th TAPING AT LAURITZEN GARDENS IS FULL, BUT WE HAVE TWO MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE PART OF OUR LIVE AUDIENCE.

NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA WILL TAPE AN EPISODE AT UNL'S CITY CAMPUS IN LINCOLN.

THAT HAPPENS WEDNESDAY, JULY 19th.

OR YOU CAN JOIN US MONDAY, AUGUST 28th AT THE NEBRASKA STATE FAIR IN GRAND ISLAND.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BE IN THE LIVE AUDIENCE AS WE FILM THE EPISODE.

SO, I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US.

IF YOU MISSED THAT INFORMATION, DON'T WORRY.

I'LL BE BACK LATER IN THE SHOW.

BUT FOR NOW, LET'S SEND IT BACK TO KIM AND OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, NIKKI.

AND SEND IN THOSE DONATIONS.

ALL RIGHT.

JODY, YOU HAVE TWO PICTURES ON THIS FIRST ONE.

THIS COMES TO US FROM OMAHA.

IT'S A BURNING BUSH WITH SEVERAL DEAD BRANCHES, WILTING LEAVES, >> OKAY, PERFECT.

TERRI, ONE PICTURE ON THIS ONE.

SEVERAL GARDENS MOSTLY FILLED PEONY QUESTIONS HERE.

>> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, PERFECT.

SO WELL, OUR GARDEN IS REALLY PUTTING ON A SHOW RIGHT NOW WITH BRIGHT COLORFUL FLOWERS AND CONTAINERS BURSTING WITH COLOR.

WITH RAIN WE'VE HAD THERE ARE A FEW CHORES WE NEED TO GET DONE.

SO HERE IS TERRI AT THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN TO TELL US MORE.

FARMER" GARDEN TO TELL US MORE.

♪ >> THIS WEEK IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN WE'RE WATCHING OUR PLANTS GRO THEY ARE LOOKING REALLY WELL AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

BUT STARTING TO DO A LITTLE MANAGEMENT IN THE GARDEN.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE, ESPECIALLY IN THOSE CONTAINERS, YOU'RE WATCHING THEM, MAKING SURE THEY'RE GETTING WATERED IN BETWEEN THESE TINY LITTLE RAINFALLS THAT WE'RE HAVING SO THAT THEY ARE WELL WATERED GOING INTO THE REALLY, REALLY HOT PARTS OF THE SUMMER.

IF YOU DIDN'T PUT THAT SOIL FERTILIZER IN THOSE CONTAINERS, MAKE SURE THAT YOU KIND OF TRY TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF THAT INTO IT OR YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT SOME OF THAT LIQUID FERTILIZER ON ABOUT EVERY TWO WEEKS TO KEEP THOSE PLANTS LOOKING GREAT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.

ONE OTHER MANAGEMENT THING YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO DO WITH THESE CONTAINERS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING THIS WEEK GETTING READY FOR OUR EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS OPEN HOUSE IS DEAD HEADING.

GETTING ALL THOSE SPENT FLOWERS OFF THERE WILL REALLY PUSH THOSE NEW FLOWERS TO COME OUT AND MAKE ALL YOUR PLANTS LOOK FANTASTIC.

SO, STOP BY THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN THIS WEEK OR COME VISIT US ON SATURDAY AT EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS.

♪ ♪ >> AND WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE THIS SATURDAY.

EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD.

SOME OF US MIGHT BE WONDERING AROUND TO MEET YOU.

LET'S TAKE A SHORT BREAK.

STAY TUNED.

COMING UP ON THE SHOW IS THE LIGHTNING ROUND PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

THERE'S MUCH MORE OF "BACKYARD FARMER" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

♪ [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] [Up-lifting Music] >>> WELCOME BACK TO "BACKYARD FARMER."

COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT SOME EXAMPLES OF HEALTHY TREES AND SHRUBS AND OTHERS THAT ARE DECLARED DEAD.

YOU CAN STILL GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY DIALING 1-800-676-5446 OR SEND US AN EMAIL FOR A FUTURE SHOW TO BYF@UNL.EDU.

RIGHT NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

KELLY, YOUR FIRST QUESTION COMES TO US FROM FORT CALHOUN, NEBRASKA.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER SHE CAN PRUNE HER JAPANESE TREE LILAC AFTER IT FLOWERS.

>> CAN CARDBOARD BE USED AS A WEED BARRIER?

IT'S YOUR CHOICE.

>> WE HAVE TWO VIEWERS FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, ONE IN YORK, WHO HAS CRISPY EDGES ON THE LEAVES OF THEIR BEE >> WE HAVE A VIEWER IN OMAHA WHO HAS THREE 12-YEAR-OLD MAPLES DEAD TOPS.

SHOULD HE FERTILIZE THEM?

AMY, YOU'RE UP.

>> LET'S GO.

>> THIS IS A -- WE'RE NOT SURE WHERE THIS VIEWER IS FROM.

SHE HAD A DAPPLED WILLOW AND IT DROPPED ALL ITS LEAVES AND THERE ARE THESE BLACKISH LEAVES ON THE DROP.>> IT'S DEAD.

REPLACE.

>> ANOTHER VIEWER HAS CEDAR APPLE GALLS ON HER CEDARS.

SHE WONDERS IF PICKING THEM OFF >> AN OMAHA VIEWER SAYING HE HAS YELLOWING IN SPOTS OF HIS LAWN.

DOES THAT SOUND LIKE DISEASE?

YARD.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WITH LITTLE SHROOMS.

SHOULD HE USE SOMETHING OR IGNORE IT?

>> NICE JOB.

TERRI.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THIS IS A VIEWER WHO WONDERS -- THIS IS AN IOWA VIEWER WONDERING IF PREEN WILL WORK IN THE GARDEN AFTER PLANTS HAVE GERMINATED?

I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON PERFECT.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHETHER BABY SHAMPOO IS A GOOD SUBSTITUTE FOR HIGH-PRICED CHEMICALS AS A -- FOR CHEMICALS IN THE LAWN?

>> THIS IS A VIEWER -- >> DOES THAT COUNT?

>> SURE.

THIS IS A VIEWER WHO HAS TEXAS AMBERS.

>> IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO PUT IN A CLOVER LAWN MIX AS A REDO AND, >> WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT.

I THINK WE'RE DOING A SEGMENT ON THAT.

JODY, YOU READY?

>> UH-HUH.

>> SOMEBODY IS THINKING THEY HAVE SPRING TAILS IN THEIR GARDEN OR YARD NOW.

ARE THEY HARMFUL OR WOULD THEY BE BUGS?

>> ARE THEY HARMFUL?

>> NO.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WONDERS WHETHER BBAGE WARMS WOULD EAT THE BROCCOLI STEM AND ALL OR IS THAT RABBITS?

>> PROBABLY RABBIT >> THIS IS A DILLARD VIEWER WHO HAS BIG ANT MOUNDS.

THEY'RE RED ANTS.

ARE THEY FIRE ANTS?S.

>> WE HAVE A PIERCE VIEWER WHO HAS SCALE ON THEIR CITRUS.

IS THERE A GOOD CONTROL FOR THAT?

>> THIS VIEWER WONDERS WHETHER PLANTS LIKE BEE PALMS WOULD BE ATTACKED BY APHIDS?

I DON'T SEE WHO WON, BUT I THINK YOU ALL WON.

JODY WON.

>> I DID?

>> YOU HAD SIX.

>> I FRAGRANCE IS BEAUTIFUL.

I WISH YOU COULD SMELL IT.

IT'S PART OF THE EASY ELEGANT SERIES.

THESE ARE IN THE "BACKYARD FARMER" GARDEN AND HAVE BEEN THERE FOR OVER 15 YEARS.

THEY'RE HARDY.

GET UP TO ABOUT FOUR FEET TALL AND THREE FEET WIDE.

THE ONLY THING THAT BOTHERS IT IS JAPANESE BEETLES.

THE WHITE BLOOMING ONE IS CILANTRO.

BY POLLINATORS.

>> THANKS, KELLY.

YOUR FIRST QUESTION ON THIS ROUND, JODY, IS A SUNNY KNOCK-OUT ROSE, THREE YEARS OLD AND SHE'S GOT THESE FUNKY >>> WE'VE HAD MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WILL MY TREE OR SHRUB SURVIVOR IS IT DEAD?

WE TOOK OUR CAMERAS OUT TO SHOW YOU SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS DYING TO TRY TO HELP YOU DECIDE IF YOUR TREE OR SHRUB WILL RECOVER OR IS IT TIME FOR A NEW ONE.

♪ ♪ >> WE TELL YOU TO WAIT UNTIL JUNE 1st TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT YOUR TREE OR SHRUB IS DEAD.

IT'S JUNE 1st, ACTUALLY LATER.

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE A RELATIVELY NEWER SHRUB AND PIECES LOOK LIKE THIS, THESE ARE NO LONGER VIABLE.

THESE ARE NO LONGER ALIVE.

IT IS TIME TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE THEM OFF.

PEOPLE ASK US WHETHER THEY CAN GO AHEAD AND PRUNE AND THOSE WILL COME BACK.

THE ANSWER IS NO.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE HAVE THESE ON STANDARD, SOME OF WHICH HAD DEAD BRANCHES.

A LOT OF PLANTS ON STANDARD THIS YEAR, ROSES AND OTHER PLANTS, ABSOLUTELY THE TOP DID NOT REMAIN HARDY.

IT IS GONE.

THEY'RE GOING TO COME FROM THE BASE AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME SHRUB AT ALL.

WE'RE SEEING THE SAME THING WITH OLDER ESTABLISHED SHRUBS LIKE THESE DOG WOODS.

THEY WOULD HAVE NEEDED MORE MOISTURE THAN THEY GOT.

THEY'RE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DISEASE AND IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S PRETTY TOUGH.

WE HAVE TOTALLY DEAD AND PARTIALLY DEAD WITH DECENT FOLIAGE.

THE OLDER ONES WERE SHOWING A LOT OF THAT DAMAGE OR SMALLER FOLIAGE.

SOME LILACS, SAME THING, TAKE OUT THE OLDER ONES.

THE NINE BARK REALLY, REALLY SUFFERED THIS YEAR.

LOOK AT THE OLDER ESTABLISHED SHRUBS.

IMAGINE BACK TO WHAT KIND OF CONDITION THEY WERE IN AND WHAT KIND OF CARE THEY RECEIVED.

WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT CONIFERS, PINES AND EVERGREENS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE ASKING US, WELL, I'M SEEING NEW GROWTH ON MY SPRUCE OR PINE AND ALL THESE OTHER TWIGS, THE QUESTION IS WILL THIS RECOVER?

THE ANSWER IS NO.

IF IT'S LIKE THIS, IT'S A FORMER BRANCH.

IF IT'S LIKE THIS AND HAS A LITTLE GROWTH, IT'S NEVER GOING TO TURN BACK INTO WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE.

CUT YOUR LOSSES.

START OVER.

IF IT'S SMALLER DAMAGE, JUST A BRANCH OR TWO, YOU CAN TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO BACK TO THE DEAD TISSUE.

MAYBE YOU'LL GET SOMETHING THAT APPROXIMATES WHAT YOU HAD IN MIND.

DEAD TOPS ON TREES ARE THE MOST PROBLEMATIC.

WE GOT A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT RIVER BIRCH.

OCCASIONALLY AN OAK AND CERTAINLY A LOT OF MAPLES, ESPECIALLY THE NEWER MAPLES.

IF YOU LOOK HERE, WE DON'T HAVE A VIABLE LEADER.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SIDE BRANCHES THAT ARE POORLY ATTACHED.

WEAY HAVE SOME PLANTING ISSUES.

THIS WILL NEVER REJUVENATE ITSELF.

DOESN'T MATTER HOW LONG YOU WAIT.

TIME TO GET THAT OUT OF THERE.

IF IT'S DEAD, YOU CAN DO THE SCRATCH TEST.

IF THERE'S SUPPOSEDLY GREEN TISSUE UNDER IT BUT IT SNAPS, THIS IS A FORMER BRANCH OR FORMER TREE.

GIVE IT UP.

GET IT PRUNED OUT.

TAKE CARE OF THOSE TREES AND SHRUBS PROPERLY.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL NOT HAVE THE SAME SORT OF DAMAGE NEXT YEAR.

OBVIOUSLY SOME OF WHAT MIGHT BE GOING ON IN YOUR HOME LANDSCAPE WILL BE ON A WAIT AND SEE BASIS, BUT WE HOPE THESE EXAMPLES WILL HELP YOU ELIMINATE WHAT IS TRULY DEAD.

IF YOU ENJOY "BACKYARD FARMER," WE HOPE YOU'LL SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS HERE AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

HERE'S NIKKI BATES ONCE AGAIN TO TELL US MORE.

>> THANKS, KIM.

APPRECIATED SEEING THOSE EXAMPLES SO WE KNOW WHEN TO SAVE IT AND WHEN TO LET IT GO.

I'M NIKKI BATES, A PRODUCER AT NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

"BACKYARD FARMER" IS IN ITS 71st SEASON AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF MEMBERS LIKE YOU.

IF YOU'RE NOT YET A MEMBER, PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING US WITH A MONTHLY DONATION.

WHEN YOU DONATE $7 A MONTH, THAT'S A ONE-TIME GIFT OF $84, WE'LL SEND YOU THIS BUCKET HAT.

JODY ON OUR PANEL IS MODELLING IT.

ALL OF THE FIVE AREAS ON OUR PANEL ARE REPRESENTED ON THIS SHIRT, ENTOMOLOGY, WILDLIFE, PATHOLOGY, LANDSCAPE AND TURF.

OR DON'T CHOOSE, GET BOTH THE T-SHIRT AND THE HAT.

DONATE $12.50 A MONTH, THAT'S $150 ONE-TIME GIFT.

YOU'LL RECEIVE BOTH GIFTS AND YOU'LL BE SUPPORTING PUBLIC TELEVISION AND OUR LOCAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING "BACKYARD FARMER."

JOINING ME AGAIN IS KIM TODD.

HI AGAIN, KIM.

THIS IS THE 71st SEASON FOR "BACKYARD FARMER."

TELL ME ABOUT THE GARDENING TRENDS THIS SHOW HAS SEEN.

>> EVERYTHING IN HOUSE PLANTS WHICH ARE STILL TRENDING TO SUSTAINABILITY, BEST PRACTICES.

NOW WE'RE SEEING GREEN WALLS, GREEN ROOFS, LOTS OF CONTAINER GROWING AND GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD.

>> I LOVE BEING ABLE TO EAT YOUR YARD.

THAT'S THE BEST.

YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME TACKLING VERY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, IDENTIFYING PLANTS OR DISEASES AND GIVING ADVICE, BUT I'LL LIKE YOU TO STEP BACK FOR A SECOND AND TALK ABOUT GARDENING IN GENERAL.

WHY IS IT BENEFICIAL?

>> IT'S THE MENTAL HEALTH, THE PHYSICAL HEALTH, ALL THAT ACTIVITY, JUST BEING OUT THERE BREATHING, SMELLING, SENSE OF COMMUNITY, WORKING WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

JUST ENJOYING LIFE IN GENERAL.

>> DO YOU STILL GET THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ALL THE TIME.

I GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY ALL THE TIME.

>> I THINK I NEED TO GET MY HANDS DIRTY.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS ON ANOTHER SEASON.

THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION AND NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

WE ENJOY WORKING WITH YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AS DO WE WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

ELAINE FROM NORFOLK JUST SUPPORTED US.

SHE SAID JUST KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO SO WELL.

AN ANONYMOUS DONOR FROM FREEMONT JUST DONATED, SO THANK YOU.

WHEN YOU DONATE $7 A MONTH, THAT'S A ONE-TIME GIFT OF $84, WE'LL SEND YOU THIS BUCKET HAT.

IT'S PERFECT FOR GARDENING, DOING YARD WORK OR SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS.

IT HAS A CHIN STRAP AND IT'S VENTED SO IT WILL STAY PUT AND KEEP YOUR COOL WHILE YOU WORK.

OR AT THE SAME LEVEL YOU CAN CHOOSE OUR NEW "BACKYARD FARMER" T-SHIRT.

OR DON'T CHOOSE, GET BOTH THE T-SHIRT AND THE HAT.

DONATE $12.50 A MONTH, THAT'S $150 ONE-TIME GIFT.

YOU'LL RECEIVE BOTH GIFTS AND YOU'LL BE SUPPORTING PUBLIC TELEVISION AND OUR LOCAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING "BACKYARD FARMER."

PLUS, ALL OF OUR MEMBERS WHO CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST $5 A MONTH GET ACCESS TO OUR MOST POPULAR MEMBER BENEFIT, PASSPORT.

PASSPORT IS AN EXTENDED ON-DEMAND LIBRARY FOR THE PBS APP YOU USE ANYWAY.

AND IF YOU'RE NOT YET USING THE PBS APP, YOU'RE MISSING OUT ON A LOT OF GREAT HOME AND GARDENING PROGRAMS.

OF COURSE YOU CAN WATCH "BACKYARD FARMER" ON THE APP, BUT YOU CAN ALSO WATCH "J SCHWANKE'S LIFE IN BLOOM," "GROWING A GREENER WORLD," "PRAIRIE YARD AND GARDEN" AND DOZENS OF OTHER GARDENING PROGRAMS ON DEMAND.

EXPLORE THAT PBS APP.

PUT IT ON YOUR PHONE OR YOUR SMART TV.

TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY ACTIVATING PASSPORT AT NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG/PASSPORT AGAIN, THAT NUMBER IS 800-989-8236 OR GO TO NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG TO BECOME A MEMBER.

TO OUR EXISTING MEMBERS WHO HAVE MADE THIS PARTNERSHIP AND PROGRAM POSSIBLE, THANK YOU.

LET'S SEND IT BACK FOR MORE "BACKYARD FARMER."

>>> THANKS, NIKKI.

WE HAVE A BUNCH OF ANNOUNCEMENTS.

IT'S WILD FLOWER WEEK.

WE'RE IN IT AS WE SPEAK.

WE HAVE THE BENSON GARDEN WALK JUNE 10th.

THAT BENEFITS OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THE MONROE MEYER GARDEN WALK IS GOING ON IN OMAHA.

WE'LL BE AT LAURITZEN GARDEN.

WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF QUESTIONS >> IT'S KIND OF EARLY FOR SCAB.

>> IT IS A LITTLE EARLY.

I DON'T KNOW.

I'M SEEING LEAVES BLOOMING THAT I TYPICALLY DON'T SEE IN JULY.

MOTHER NATURE IS PLAYING TRICKS.

>> KELLY, ONE PICTURE ON THIS.

THIS IS A SILVER MAPLE.

THEY CUT IT DOWN.

IT GREW BACK.

NOW THEY HAVE THIS.

GOOD, BAD, UGLY, CUT IT DOWN?

>> NOT A GOOD SITUATION.

WHENEVER THAT HAPPENS, YOU WANT TO TRY TO RETURN IT TO A SINGLE TRUNK.

NOW YOU HAVE THOSE CO-DOMINANT TRUNKS.

THEY'LL GET WATER AND CRACKS AND DECAY.

THE LIKELIHOOD OF FAILURE WITH THIS TREE COULD BE PRETTY HIGH.

>> START OVER?

>> START OVER.

>> THEN WE HAVE TWO PICS ON THIS NEXT ONE.

THIS COMES FROM GLENWOOD, IOWA, A TREE GROWING OUT OF ANOTHER TREE.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER SHE CAN CUT THAT TREE OUT OR WILL THAT KILL THE EXISTING TREE?

>> IT WILL KILL THE EXISTING TREE.

DON'T CUT THAT OUT.

ELM.

>> EXACTLY.

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

WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS TO THE SHOW AND TO OUR PANELISTS OF ALL WOMEN FOR HELPING YOU GET THOSE ANSWERS.

HELPING US ON THE PHONES TONIGHT WERE MASTER GARDENERS TIM DUNGAN, GEORGE MALY AND CAROL RUSTAD.

>>> NEXT TIME ON "BACKYARD FARMER" WE'VE GOT A SPECIAL TAPED PROGRAM FROM LAURITZEN GARDENS IN OMAHA.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO ONCE AGAIN VISIT THEIR WONDERFUL GARDENS AND HAVE A FUN SHOW ON SITE.

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

♪ ♪

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