As winter memories melt and our next season springs to life, it’s time to begin thinking about your green space. "Backyard Farmer," a production of UNL Extension and NET Television is back on the air at 7 p.m. CT Thursdays on NET1/HD. It will repeat Saturdays at 3 p.m. CT on NET1/HD and Sundays at noon CT on NET3 Create.
This season, updated graphics and new segments may make the show look a little different, but the “Backyard Farmer” lawn and garden experts from the University of Nebraska will still offer the same, trusted advice they have since the show premiered in 1953. The show will also feature more “human interest” segments, including a focus on unique gardens and landscapes -- and the gardeners who grow them.
Host for the “Backyard Farmer” series is Kim Todd, UNL Extension landscape horticultural specialist. The panelists specialize in such areas as horticulture, plant pathology, turf grass management, landscape design and entomology.
“Backyard Farmer” will also be focusing on more pictures - both user submitted pictures as well as pictures submitted by the faculty panelists. “We want the show to be more visually appealing,” said producer Brad Mills. The experts will also be taking questions via e-mail and from social media sites for the series, including Facebook and Twitter. “But we will still be taking viewer phone calls like we have always done on the show,” added Mills.
Fans of the show can help it win a Telly People's Choice Award. Go to http://www.youtube.com/tellyawards, click on 'TV Programs and Segments,' and watch 'Turf 101 (film spoof) and give it a thumbs up. The video with the most thumbs up wins the award.
Now in its 61st season, Backyard Farmer inspires the gardener in all of us. From bugs to bacteria, vines to viruses, wilts to weevils, sustainable practices and reliable ways to kill cucumber beetles (the heel of a boot works well), The show’s live format with viewer call-ins often produces a surprise, a hearty laugh and the best practices for good gardening.
Although “Backyard Farmer” is deeply rooted in tradition, the series takes advantage of technology with segments on YouTube (youtube.com/user/bucslim) and on the "Backyard Farmer" website (byf.unl.edu). The site features gardening tips and a database of viewer questions and panelist answers.
Each show is also available on iTunes as a video podcast after the Thursday evening broadcast and is streamed live at byf.unl.edu. The show also appears as a podcast on the University of Nebraska iTunes U channel. And, a mobile phone app is available in the iTunes Store.
"Backyard Farmer" is underwritten in part by Earl May Nursery and Garden Centers and Finke Gardens. The series is a co-production of NET Television and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
NET1, NET-HD and NET3 are part of NET Television, a service of NET. For a complete program schedule, visit NET's website at netNebraska.org/television.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/f6z