There's a new pollinator garden at Ravenwood High School that was a project of the school's student-led garden club. In it's first season of growth, it's brimming with native wildflowers. An integral partner in this amazing instillation was the Tennessee Environmental Council who supported it with manpower and specialty seed mixes.
Jeff Poppen, an experienced biodynamic farmer, shares his techniques for enhancing the compost pile comprised of hay, manures and plant residue. He chooses a variety of weeds and herbs that he adds to the pile, and these are in three different forms: live, dried and fermented. Jeff explains the attributes each herb or weed adds to the power of the finished product.
The Wetlands Garden at the UT Botanical Garden in Knoxville has been established in a low-lying area that once had been a difficult space to maintain. Now this area is working in harmony with nature. It features a series of ponds, plus a wide variety of native plants that together form a sustainable ecosystem that filters water and provides habitat for wildlife. Troy Marden tours the area and gains tips for homeowners who may have a situation on their property with water run-off and retention.
The team at UT Botanical Garden in Knoxville Tennessee have put together a garden area that is delighting children, and piquing their interest in plants and gardening. This zoo garden features those plants that have a common name associated with an animal such as monkey grass and Lamb's Ear.
Residents of Montgomery County Tennessee who desire a yard that has ecological value are finding support and encouragement from Healthy Yards Clarksville. This initiative promotes the use of native perennials, shrubs and trees in the home landscape to support insects and birds. We tour a participant's yard that has had tremendous results in a short span of time.
What a treat to visit the home garden of a horticulture power couple! Rita Venable is amazed by all the great plants that support pollinators in a very long border bed. Also on the property is a utility right-of-way that they are transitioning into a beneficial plant palette. In the 4 years of garden transitions,, the goal is to continue to shovel out plants of an invasive growth habit, and replace with environmentally beneficial trees, shrubs and perennials. Plus, we'll be introduced to a new and unique spot in the garden they call the 'loggery'.
We learn about healthy fertile soil on a visit to Red Thread Farm, a micro family farm in Franklin TN. There's no mechanized tillage that happens here, just a liberal use of broadforks. Keeping the soil covered is a priority, either with a thick mulch or cover crops. And there's no commercial pesticide use on the premises. All methods used are meant to enhance microbial activity in the soil, and in turn, produce nutrient-rich vegetables.
A backyard can come to life, just like you've envisioned. Sheri Gramer visits with homeowners who made their plan a reality. They always wanted a pond, so they built one. They installed attractive border beds, raised beds, and have provided a supportive space for birds, bees, and butterflies.
