Tennessee Smart Yard Program Offered to Hardeman County Residents
Hardeman County residents have an opportunity this fall to learn how simple changes in the way they care for their yards can benefit their landscapes, their communities and Tennessee’s natural resources.
The UT/TSU Extension Office in Hardeman County will offer a three-part Tennessee Smart Yard series beginning Wednesday, September 30. Additional sessions will be held October 7 and October 21. Each session will begin at noonand last approximately 45 minutes.
The program will be held at the UT/TSU Extension Office, located at 210 Vildo Road in Bolivar. The cost is $25, which will provide all materials needed for the hands-on activities. Registration is required by September 28, 2026.
Tennessee Smart Yards is an Extension-led program designed to help Tennesseans create healthier, more environmentally friendly landscapes. The program is built around nine foundational principles: Right Plant, Right Place; Manage Soils and Mulch; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; Water Efficiently; Fertilize Appropriately; Manage Yard Pests; Reduce Stormwater and Pollutants; Provide for Wildlife; and Protect Water’s Edge.
Participants will learn how these principles can be applied right in their own yards. The goal is not to create a perfect landscape, but to make practical choices that work with Tennessee’s climate, soil, plants and wildlife.
The three-part Hardeman County series will include hands-on activities focused on Right Plant, Right Place, Kitchen Composting, and Providing for Wildlife and Pollinators. Participants will have the opportunity to take what they learn home and put these practices into action.
The Tennessee Smart Yard program is available to Tennesseans of all gardening experience levels. The statewide program also offers online lessons that allow residents to work at their own pace. Participants can work toward certification by completing Smart Yard actions and reaching 36 inches on the Tennessee Yardstick.
The program has received statewide recognition for its environmental education and outreach efforts. In 2025, Tennessee Smart Yards was selected as a recipient of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Environmental Education and Outreach.
“Whether you have a small flower bed, a vegetable garden or several acres, there are simple things you can do to make your yard smarter,” said Rachel Howell, TSU Horticulture Extension Agent for Hardeman County. “This class is designed to give residents practical information and hands-on activities they can use at home.”
Space is limited, and registration is required by September 28. For more information or to register, contact the UT/TSU Extension Office at 731-658-2421 or email rparker1@utk.edu.
Come learn how small changes in your own yard can make a difference—one yard at a time.
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