New season of ‘Backyard Farmer’ sprouts April 4

by by Nebraska Public Media

March 22, 2024

The popular lawn and garden series “Backyard Farmer” begins its 72nd season at 7 p.m. CT, Thursday, April 4 on Nebraska Public Media.

The popular lawn and garden series “Backyard Farmer” begins its 72nd season at 7 p.m. CT, Thursday, April 4 on Nebraska Public Media.

Host Kim Todd, Nebraska Extension landscape horticulture specialist, and a panel of Nebraska Extension experts and other horticulture professionals help viewers answer questions about insect pests and disease, turf, and fruits and vegetables, as well as best practices for landscape design and general horticulture topics.

Several features are being planned this season including information on how to submit a good picture for the show, soil preparation for the growing season and weekly updates from the “Backyard Farmer” garden on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus.

Experts will also discuss the change in the USDA hardiness map, the warm, dry winter in eastern Nebraska and the early spring. A new weather outlook feature will also be added to the show each week, and new Facebook reels and YouTube shorts will also focus on horticultural program solving this season.

“Backyard Farmer” producers plan to take the series on the road this season to record shows in Hastings in June and in Grand Island at the Nebraska State Fair in August.

Viewers can submit their lawn and garden questions and photos via e-mail or Facebook messages. To submit a question or photo for the experts, email byf@unl.edu or visit Facebook at facebook.com/backyardfarmernebraska.

The “Backyard Farmer” website at byf.unl.edu features more about the series and its Facebook page also includes announcements and other garden information. In addition, past features and episodes are available for viewing on the program’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/backyardfarmer and as a free podcast.

The longest running, locally produced television series in the nation, “Backyard Farmer” airs on Nebraska Public Media Thursdays at 7 p.m. through September. It repeats at 10 a.m. CT Saturdays on Nebraska Public Media and at 4 p.m. Sundays and 5 p.m. Mondays on Create.

“Backyard Farmer” is a co-production between Nebraska Public Media and Nebraska Extension.