2026 Region One Meeting Open Garden—The Backyard Farmer Garden

 Ruby Red Jubilee

 2026 ADS Region One Meeting • Lincoln, Nebraska • July 10-12, 2026
Hosted by the Nebraska Daylily Society
Carole Hunter of Prairie's Edge Gardens, Guest Speaker

The Backyard Farmer Garden—University of Nebraska

The Backyard Farmer is the longest-running locally-produced television program nationally. It is co-produced by University of Nebraska Extension and Nebraska Public Media. It's my favorite TV show, and it airs seasonally on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. from April through September on Nebraska Public Media. Click HERE to access The Backyard Farmer's website and click HERE to follow The Backyard Farmer on Facebook.

The Backyard Farmer Garden is on the University of Nebraska's east campus. It's open daily to the public and is almost a quarter of an acre in size. 

Welcome to the Backyard Farmer Garden (all pics are courtesy of Jenny Cich)

The Backyard Farmer Garden features ornamental perennials, annuals, and grasses plus herbs and vegetables in addition to an All-American Selections (AAS) Display Garden. Click HERE for more information about the Backyard Farmer Garden, and click HERE for more information about the AAS Display Garden.

Who can resist this path?

Or taking this one

The Backyard Farmer Garden is not only beautiful and inspirational, but is also an educational example of organic farming practices, including a rain chain that distributes rainwater on surrounding plants. 

Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' (blue grama grass) fronting hibiscus

Who says vegetable gardens have to be monotonous, or that you can't interplant veggies with ornamentals? 

Colorful annuals highlight a tall caged tomato plant

Another look

Design a visual mixtape with blooming and foliage plants.

Sandwiching coleus in between compact fiery zinnias and towering red salvias

Create colorful container gardens with fillers, spillers, and thrillers.

Some of many on-site container gardens

Attached trellises on raised beds provide sturdy support for vining veggies and climbing ornamentals.

Raised beds with vertical options

This bee house provides sanctuary for solitary bees in the Backyard Farmer Garden. Click HERE for info on how to build one for your yard.

Solitary bee lodging

Eye candy, inspiration, and ideas galore—visit the Backyard Farmer Garden to explore!