general information
Event Dates
Jun 16, 2009
Contact Information
508 N. Cusick Street
Maryville, TN 37804
Phone: 865-982-0981
Email Contact
places to stay
American Classic Suites - Maryville
thingstodo
Ecofriendly Landscaping Ideas by Master Gardeners to be at Blount County Public Library
Protecting Blount County’s natural resources can extend even to landscaping. By using an environmentally friendly approach, creating and maintaining healthy landscapes, homeowners can enhance the community and improve the environment.
John Wilson, Director of UT Extension, Blount County, will present the ten principles of “Blount-friendly landscaping” at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, at the Blount County Public Library. Lisa Phipps, Mark Sharp and a panel of members of the Blount County Master Gardeners Association will also be on hand to answer questions.
Eco-friendly landscaping emphasizes ten principles, according to “Blount-Friendly Landscaping,” a brochure published by the UT Extension Service and the Blount County Soil Conservation District. These principles include:
1) “Right Plant, Right Place: Plants selected to suite a specific site will require minimal amounts of water, fertilizer and pesticides.
2) Know Your Soil: Consider the soil-type characteristics and root zone properties in meeting plant needs and maintaining water quality.
3) Water Efficiently: Irrigate only when your lawn and landscape need water. Efficient watering is the key to a healty Blount-Friendly Landscape and conservation of natural resources.
4) Fertilize Appropriately: Less is often best. Over-use of fertilizers can be detrimental to your landscape and the environment.
5) Mulch: Maintaining a 2” to 3” lanyer of mulch will help retain soil moisture, prevent erosion and suppress weeds.
6) Attract wildlife: Plants in your landscape that provide food, water and shelter can promote Blount County’s diverse wildlife.
7) Manage Yard Pests Responsibly: Unwise use of pesticides can harm people, pets, beneficial organisms and the environment.
8) Recycle: Grass clippings, leaves and yard trimmings recycled on site provide nutrients to the soil and reduce waste disposal.
9) Reduce Storm Water Runoff: Water running off your yard can carry pollutants such as soil, debris, fertilizer and pesticides that can adversely impact water quality. Reducing this run-off will help prevent nonpoint source pollution.
10) Protect the Waterfront: Waterfront property, whether on a river, creek or lake, is very fragile and should be carefully protected to maintain the freshwater ecosystem.”
In addition to helping preserve Blount County’s future natural resources, ecofriendly landscaping also benefits the homeowner and family. Creating a nature-friendly landscape can enhance the aesthetic quality of a home and neighborhood by being simply beautiful.
Minimal pesticides protects humans and pets. Letting nature do the work of landscaping reduces the need for fertilizers, pesticides and other products. Reduced pollution helps preserve aquatic ecosystems.
Using plants that naturally belong in the landscape conditions helps reduce need for irrigation and conserves water resources.
Wildlife habitats can be preserved by selecting plants that provide food and shelter for native animals and by reducing use of pesticides.
Blount-Friendly Landscaping techniques (such as using natural mulch) can help control weeds and reduce soil erosion while retaining water.
Free and open to the public, the program is at the Blount County Public Library, located at 508 N. Cusick Street, Maryville.
For further information about library programs or services, call the library at 982-0981 or visit the Web site at www.blountlibrary.org.
To print a one-page monthly calendar of events at the library, go to the library Web site at www.blountlibrary.org, and click on the calendar icon at right side of Home Page to view the monthly calendar of events in printable format or sign up to receive a monthly calendar by email by clicking on “Programs and Events” on the Home Page; scroll down and click on libnews@blounttn.org and put “subscribe” in the subject line. To “unsubscribe,” simply send a reply email after receiving a calendar or email at your computer.
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Blount County does not discriminate based on race, color or national origin in federal or state sponsored programs, pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d).
upcoming events
Nov 21, 2009 - Nov 22, 2009
Centennial Holiday Show
Franklin, TN
Nov 20, 2009 - Nov 22, 2009
32nd Annual Santa's Workshop
Cookeville, TN
Nov 20, 2009 - Nov 22, 2009
7th Annual Stoddart Open House
Crawford, TN
Nov 10, 2009 - Nov 22, 2009
6th Annual Trees of Christmas
Lawrenceburg, TN
Nov 22, 2009
Mannheim Steamroller
Chattanooga, TN