Smart Yards and Friends Festival Pre-Registration

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The Fourth Annual Smart Yards and Friends Festival presented by the Knox County Master Gardeners is almost here! Let us know you intend to come and be entered to win a bat house, 2 rain barrels, worm compost bin, a rabbiteye blueberry bush plants and more! Registration is not required for attendance. More opportunities for giveaways will be available on site. Prize winners will be drawn after each talk. Must be present to win.

This festival is brought to you by Knox County Master Gardeners and Tennessee Smart Yards with additional support from TVA

When:  Saturday, Sept 12, 2026.  10am - 2pm

Where:  UT Gardens, 2518 Jacob Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996 

Agenda:

10am - Doors Open

Ongoing at the pavillion:    10am-2pm   

                      How to get started

                      Native plants and Lawn Alternatives

                      Watering Efficiently

                      Stormwater Management and Water's Edge

                      Beneficial Insects

                      Worm Bins and composting options

                      Soils/mulch/fertilizer    

                      Self-directed exploration of all 9 smart yards principles in practice at the UT Gardens

Ongoing at the Plaza:  

                     Ask a Master Gardener - expert answers to your growing questions 

                     Knox County Master Gardener information

                     Wild Ones (Smoky Mountains Chapter)

Native Plant Rescue Squad

                     UT Gardens

                     Selfie Booth

Friends on the lawn opposite the pavilion:

                     Knox County Stormwater / Water Quality Forum

                     Trees Knoxville

Talks:

10:45 am   "All About Bats", Jesse Troxler, TVA (at bat house) followed by raffle of bat house

11:30am   “Our living sponge: Water harvesting with earthworks”:  Karen Caspary (UT Gardens) at water  management area + raffle of rain barrel 

12:15pm   "Native Food Plants in Landscaping" - Daniel Aisenbrey - in the UT kitchen garden + raffle of edible plant

1:00pm      "From Waste to Wonder: Composting for Greener Yards"  - J. D. Burnette (in circle close to pavilion) + raffle of compost bin

1:30pm     HOW TO GET STARTED discussion (pavilion)  + Smart Yards Yard-Sign Awards to SPROUT Certifiers

2pm           That's a wrap!

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Name

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Email Address *

Do you plan to attend on September 12, 2026? *

Yes

Have you attended a Smart Yards and Friends Festival in previous years? *

Yes

How did you hear about this event? *

Social Media

Local Paper

Word of Mouth

Flyer

Everything Knoxville

Other:

What attracts you to this event?

Explore the UT Gardens

Learn about rain barrels

Learn about composting

Learn about native plants

Learn how to certify your yard as a smart yard

Get your plant and garden questions answered

Other:

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