If you’re looking for a greener lawn, check out the Johnson County Healthy Yards Expo for ideas and receive a free tree seedling, native plants and chances to win a compost bin or rain barrel.
The free expo will be held Saturday, April 2 and will feature businesses and non-profit organizations that can help Johnson County and surrounding area residents become “greener” in their lawn and garden care.
The event will include:
- Door prizes for compost bins and rain barrels
- A free tree seedling, courtesy of Overland Park, for the first 100 visitors
- An assortment of native plants, courtesy of Johnson County Stormwater Management, for the first 300 visitors
- Expert advice on gardening and plant cultivation from Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners and local plant societies
- Information on city cost share programs for rain garden and rain barrels
- Informative speakers on topics such as native plants, pollinators, vegetable gardening and landscaping
- Soil trailer, an underground experience for young and old.
- Educational activities for children, including the Stone Lion Puppets
The expo focuses on Kansas Healthy Yards and Communities (KHYC), a program developed by Kansas State University Research and Extension to help homeowners make better choices for environmentally friendly lawn and garden care techniques. Johnson County K-State Extension is teaming with Johnson County Stormwater Management and the cities of Lenexa, Overland Park and Shawnee to present the event.
“The expo promotes eco-friendly practices and provides education so that you can do your part for clean water, air and healthy soils, while maintaining an attractive landscape,” said Dennis Patton, horticulture agent for Johnson County Extension. “Without proper care, the practices that we do to manage our landscape will have an effect on our water supply. Runoff or misapplications of products can move into our rivers, and ultimately in our drinking water.”
Johnson County residents will be able to get a free soil test, provided by Johnson County Stormwater Management and Johnson County Extension. Visit the Johnson County Extension Office website to learn how to take a soil sample to bring to the expo. There is a limit of one per Johnson County households.
This free event will be held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 2 at the Shawnee Civic Center, 13817 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS. Check here for more information on the Healthy Yards Expo.