TN Smart Yards
A “Tennessee Smart Yard” is beautiful, earth-friendly, and saves money. Learn how to create one during the Greene County Shortcourse Series, where you’ll receive valuable resources and tools to help you measure your progress toward a “Tennessee Smart Yard” — one inch at a time...
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September 6, 2017
October 4, 2017 November 1, 2017 January 17, 2018 February 7, 2018 February 21, 2018 March 21, 2018 April 4, 2018 April 18, 2018 |
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TN Smart Yards-Right Plant, Right Place
Right Plant, Right Place
- Determine your family's needs for your yard
- Assess your yard's site conditions to determine the types of plants most suited
- Group Plants accourding to their maintenance needs
- Apply energy efficient landscaping strategies
- Remove or avoid using invasive exotic plants
- Preserve existing vegetation, especially trees, during home construction by maintaining a "do not disturb" barrier under the dripline of trees
- Manage turfgrass appropriately
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
6 pm - 7 pm @ the UT Extension Greene County Office
204 North Cutler Street, Suite 204
Greeneville, TN 37745
Downstairs in the County Courthouse Annex
TN Smart Yards-Manage Soils and Mulch
Manage Soils and Mulch
- Soil test using a certified lab
- Follow soil test recommendations
- Maintain a 2"-3" layer of mulch in plant beds and over tree and shrubs roots. Leave at least 2 inches of space between the mulch and the plant's trunk or stem
- Use organic pine straw, pine bark, leaves, or hardwood mulch
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
6 pm - 7 pm @ the UT Extension Greene County Office
204 North Cutler Street, Suite 204
Greeneville, TN 37745
Downstairs in the County Courthouse Annex
TN Smart Yards-Reduce, Reuse, Recylce
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Recycle grass clippings by leaving on lawn
- Create and maintain a compost pile that can include grass clippings, leaves, pruned plant parts, kitchen scraps (no meat or dairy)
- Use landscape waste (tree trimmings, fallen leaves, pine needles) on site
- Incorporate salvaged materials into landscaping (e.g., newspaper in gardens to suppress weed growth)
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
6 pm - 7 pm @ the UT Extension Greene County Office
204 North Cutler Street, Suite 204
Greeneville, TN 37745
Downstairs in the County Courthouse Annex
TN Smart Yards-Water Efficiently
Water Efficiently
- Place rain gauge in your yard
- Monitor plants for water needs. Apply about one inch of water per week, taking into consideration rainfall amounts
- Prioritize water use during extended dry periods. (High priority plants may include those newly installed, valued perennials, or difficult-to-replace woody species.)
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
6 pm - 7 pm @ the UT Extension Greene County Office
204 North Cutler Street, Suite 204
Greeneville, TN 37745
Downstairs in the County Courthouse Annex
TN Smart Yards-Fertilize Appropriately
Use Fertilizer Appropriately
- Follow fertilizer timing and formulation recommendations based on square footage of lawn
- Fertilize only as needed to maintain health of lawns and landscape plants
- Maintain soil pH in the recommended range
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
6 pm - 7 pm @ the UT Extension Greene County Office
204 North Cutler Street, Suite 204
Greeneville, TN 37745
Downstairs in the County Courthouse Annex
TN Smart Yards-Manage Yard Pests
Manage Yard Pests
- Identify and manage pests by checking landscape regularly
- Use mechanical and cultural approaches to pest control such as pruning affected areas and hand removing insects and keeping plants healthy
- Learn about and use beneficial insects to control pests
- Spot treat only affected areas, avoiding routine applicatoins of pesticides
- When needed, use pesticides that are environmentally-friendly such as horticultural oils, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and insecticidal soaps
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
6 pm - 7 pm @ the UT Extension Greene County Office
204 North Cutler Street, Suite 204
Greeneville, TN 37745
Downstairs in the County Courthouse Annex
TN Smart Yards-Reduce Storm-water Runoff
Reduce Stormwater Runoff and its Pollutants
- Direct downspouts onto lawn or garden
- Construct and maintain a rain garden to catch and filter stormwater
- Use permeable surfaces for hardscape areas such as driveways, walkways, or patios
- Collect rooftop runoff in rain barrels for future use
- Minimize exposed soils in lawns and gardens
- Sweep grass clippings, fertilizer, and/or loose soils off of hard surfaces to lawn
- Wash your car on the lawn or at the car wash
- Clean up oil and other car fluid spills or leaks from the driveway
- Keep pet waste from entering stormwater system ("Scoop the Poop")
- Properly discard kitchen grease ("Can the Grease")
- Properly store and dispose of household hazardous waste
- Provide a covered containment system for household waste and transport only under cover
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
6 pm - 7 pm @ the UT Extension Greene County Office
204 North Cutler Street, Suite 204
Greeneville, TN 37745
Downstairs in the County Courthouse Anne
TN Smart Yards-Provide for Wildlife
Provide for Wildlife
- Identify wildlife you want to retain and/or attract to your landscape and research their preferred habitat
- Install plants that will support habitat needs of desired wildlife
- Provide water source such as pond or bird bath
- Encourage wildlife by installing bat houses, bird houses, bird feeders, etc.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
6 pm - 7 pm @ the UT Extension Greene County Office
204 North Cutler Street, Suite 204
Greeneville, TN 37745
Downstairs in the County Courthouse Anne
TN Smart Yards-Protect Water's Edge
Protect Water's Edge
- Preserve or plant vegetation along water's edge to absorb pollutants
- Learn more about programs protecting area water bodies
- Create "no mow, no fertilizer, no pesticide" zone along water bodies
- Remove invasive plants that donimate water's edge and replace with native plants. Seek professional advice for questoins about approaches to plant removal
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
6 pm - 7 pm @ the UT Extension Greene County Office
204 North Cutler Street, Suite 204
Greeneville, TN 37745
Downstairs in the County Courthouse Annex