Garden Legend 🌻

Happy Friday Ledgers,

Smell that? And no, I’m not talking about your upper lip, pal. That smoky tang in the air is courtesy of wildfires drifting up from Oklahoma, adding a hazy filter to our Nebraska skies. Unfortunately, it’s not just their problem. Fire season is already underway here too, with multiple wildfires reported across the state and a red flag warning issued today.

Just another reminder that the world is, in fact, kind of on fire — literally and existentially.

In this week’s issue:

• Green Thumb: A backyard legend returns

• What To Do: Pedicures, rooftops, and nurseries

• Sportz: EA Sports, it’s in the game

• Neighborhood Watch: Big red

We’re so back.

- Landon

GREEN THUMB

The Backyard Legend 🌻

While Bob Ross may have painted his way into America’s hearts with happy little trees, it turns out Nebraska has been out-gardening him for decades. Tucked right here in Lincoln, Backyard Farmer is not only the longest-running locally-produced television show in the country — it’s been answering your lawn and garden questions since 1953.

Now entering its 73rd season, the show is a staple of Nebraska Public Media and proof that yes, you can build a media empire on mulch and mystery weeds.

What Is Backyard Farmer?… Produced in partnership with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, Backyard Farmer is a weekly Q&A-style show that brings together a panel of experts in horticulture, entomology and weeds to help Nebraskans (and curious viewers from far beyond the state borders) tackle their most persistent backyard dilemmas.

Airing live Thursdays at 7 p.m. from April through September, the show takes viewer-submitted questions via email and Facebook — and provides real-time answers and advice that are grounded in science and tailored to Nebraska’s unique climate.

Still Growing… Somehow, after 73 seasons, it’s still going strong. Hosted by landscape horticulturist Kim Todd, the new season premieres April 3, 2025. You can catch it live on Nebraska Public Media, with past episodes available on YouTube or PBS. Got a mystery weed or lawn SOS? Send in your question — you just might hear it answered live on air.

A few questions from the TLL editor’s desk…

• Which of my neighbors are letting their dog sh*t in my yard?

• What plants water themselves?

• Who ACTUALLY waters the lawn more, me or my wife?

• What variety of grass will make my father proud?

• Indica or sativa? Ope, wrong gardening.

WHAT TO DO

Pedicures, rooftops, and nurseries

💅 Pedicures
Warm weather means sandals, and sandals mean those dirty dogs are coming out of hiding whether they’re ready or not. This weekend, you and a friend are getting pedicures— because it’s time. We recommend Organic Nails or Mindy’s, but let’s be honest, there’s no version of a pedicure that’s going to make things worse. Call ahead to make your appointment & ensure the power sander is on the charger.

PSA to Pedicure Deniers: If your rat claws (toenails) are turning your bed sheets into shredded paper or making a scratching symphony in your socks, consider this your sign. Let the professionals step in.

🍻 Rooftops
Rooftop season is here, and tonight is the night you fully embrace it. For the downtown crew, stick with the classics—Barry’s (still undefeated) or the Bierhaus rooftop in the Haymarket. Not downtown? No problem. North Lincoln calls for Zipline Tap and Grill, while South Lincoln has Catalyst or Corn Coast Brewing with solid patio energy.

What we’re having: a wheat beer with a citrus wedge and pretzels for dinner.

🪴 Nurseries
This weekend, you’ll channel your inner Backyard Farmer and reignite the green thumb you forgot you had. Take a slow stroll through Campbell’s, Oak Creek, or Canoyer’s and quietly whisper to yourself, “This is the year I get it together.”

Whether you actually plant anything is beside the point. This is about vision. Pick a pot you’ll eventually use, adopt a houseplant you’ll inevitably name (and most likely kill within 1-3 months), and mentally redesign your entire backyard while doing absolutely no yard work. It’s called manifesting. 🪄

SPORTZ

Sporting headlines from around the capital.

• 🙌 Champs: Nebraska is filled with National Champions (*Rips shirt to reveal Herbie Husker chest tattoo)

• 🏈 Football: Analysts are drooling, because it is spring football camp for the ‘Skers

• ⛹️ NCAAMB: Fred Hoiberg made it on a list no coach wants to be on…

• 🏀 NCAAWB: Huskers Women’s Basketball fell short in NCAA Tournament to Louisville last week

• 👑 Le-Streak: Lebron James almost didn’t score double digit points for the 1st time in 18 years. But then he did…

Bonus: The March Madness Special ✂️
Want to watch March Madness from your couch instead of sneaking scores at your desk? This doctor has you covered… Schedule a vasectomy for next week—doctor’s orders: beer in hand, ice pack on, and full control of the remote.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

16600 S 82nd St, Roca, NE 68430

Big Red 🐾 🟥

Somewhere between Clifford the Big Red Dog and the stylings of a haunted house, lives this wild card of a property. And while we could talk about the exterior color (it’s giving Fairbury hot dog), let’s instead focus on the bigger picture: this home might be one of the most intriguing design challenges we’ve seen. Not for the faint of heart, and certainly not for the basic of style, this house demands a bold visionary. But for the right buyer? This could be something special.

Set on over 6 acres with a long, dramatic driveway, the home offers nearly 4,800 sq. ft. of possibility: soaring ceilings, a stone fireplace, natural light for days, two bonus rooms, a walk-out basement with a second kitchen, and even a heated dog kennel. The layout’s a little quirky, but we’d argue that’s part of the charm — this place just needs a direction (and, okay, a color correction).

The Details:

• 3 beds, 4 baths

• 4,891 sq/ft

• Built in 2002

• Rooms and rooms filled with carpet.

❤️ KEEP:
The abundance of windows, the multiple garages (dreamy), the green bathroom tile (kind of a vibe), and the big front porch that’s ready for summer days and rocking chairs.

🗑️ TOSS:
The red. Let us repeat: ditch the red. You have our permission to go with a Joanna Gaines color palette here. Beige mom it up.

CHECKLIST

An over-ambitious weekend to-do list.

• Power wash everything that the dust has touched

• Settle a longstanding debate with your partner by taking a color blindness test (& pray you aren’t color blind)

• Retire your car window ice scraper

• Restock your car snacks and remove the chocolate (melting season)

• Replace your expired sunscreen

• Clean the grill and get it ready 🍔 (no wire-brushes people!)

HEADLINES

More news from around the capital.

• Books: Karen Russell, a Pulitzer finalist, will be speaking at Francie and Finch next Tuesday

• Road Work: Lancaster County engineer says hiring freeze is delaying road projects, stretching workers thin

• Screenings: Colon cancer is the #2 cause of cancer-related deaths in Lancaster County. Get a free screening test through April 30th

🐯 Weekly Wildcard:
One headline (or post) we never saw coming.

• Booze: Lincoln is getting yet another gigantic liquor store