Show-Me Yards & Neighborhoods

Show-Me Yards & Neighborhoods is an educational program designed to raise awareness about the role urban storm water runoff plays in the water quality of nearby streams, creeks, rivers, and lakes. Through voluntary educational activities, SMY&N offers environmentally responsible alternatives to traditional lawn care and construction practices that contribute to the runoff of contaminants and excess nutrients. SMY&N also recognizes and commends individuals and professionals who put the SMY&N techniques into practice - homeowners can earn an attractive yard sign and professionals can become certified.

What's New?

• 2/7/12 - Sustainable Landscape Professionals Certification Workshop (pdf 661k) Powerpoint presentations from this workshop are available below, under "Resources."
• 8/25/11 - Homeowner Fall Lawn Program (pdf 278k)
• Heart of the Tree Information Guide (pdf 1.6m)
• Fertilize Responsibly - Contact James River Basin Partnership for a soil test.
• Rain Barrel Rebate Program
• Rain Gardens are shallow depressions filled with native plants that capture stormwater, allowing infiltration into the ground.
• Check out Ozarks Environment.

How Can I Have a Show-Me Yard?

To qualify as a Show-Me Yard, the landowner may choose from a menu of approved practives from the Yard Certification Checklist to earn credits or "inches". When 36 inches have been earned, the yard is certified as a Show-Me Yard.

Why Should I Want a Show-Me Yard?

• Landowners receive valuable information including cost-saving, environmentally-responsible lawn and landscape tips.
• Certified lawns will earn a handsome yard sign and positive publicity in the community.
• Participants have immediate access to lawn and landscape professionals.

Homeowners, contractors and other professionals associated with lawn care are encouraged to participate in Show-Me Yards and Neighborhoods. For more information, please call Barbara Lucks at 417.864.2006.

Resources

• Cool-Season Grasses Lawn Care and Maintenance Calendar - Organic and non-organic monthly practices for a healthy lawn.
• Take Home Tips - Your Prescription for a Healthy Yard
• Certified Professionals List & What To Ask Your Lawn Care Company
• Working with Arborists
• How to Mulch a Tree
• Soil Testing for Better Lawns & Gardens, contact James River Basin Partnership to get a soil test

SMYN / PGMS Professional Workshop 2012 Materials:

• How to Grow the Strongest Tree, presented by Cindy Garner (ppt 24,578k)
• IPM in the Home Landscape, Patrick Byers (ppt 32,118k)
• Big Urbie, presented by Tiffany Frey (ppt 60,106k)
• Turfgrass Management, presented by Brad Fresenburg, Ph.D. (ppt 21,533k)
• Water Quality 101, presented by Stacey Armstrong (ppt 16,181k)
• Landscaping with Native Plants, presented by Paul Armstrong (ppt 5,064k)
• Native Plants in the Designed Landscape, presented by Ronda Headland (ppt 14.6m)
• Native Plant References (pdf 369k)
• Erosion and Sediment Control, presented by Sarah Davis (ppt 15,483k)

SMY&N Homeowners Workshop 10-10-09 Rain Gardens and Rainwater Harvesting (ppt file 24.25mb)