Burleson to host its first Texas SmartScape yard contest

by PegNews wire

The City of Burleson will host its first Texas SmartScape® yard contest in 2009! The Texas SmartScape® yard contest will recognize residential yards that utilize native or adapted species with low water requirements that need little or no fertilizers and pesticides.

Burleson residents have until July 31 to get their landscapes in tip-top SmartScape® shape and enter the yard contest. In August, members of Keep Burleson Beautiful will review entries. The first place winner will receive $100 cash, the second place winner will receive $75 and the third place winner will receive $25 cash.

Burleson residents can learn more about landscaping with native and adapted plants by attending a Texas SmartScape® presentation. The presentation will take place at the Burleson Public Library on Thursday, March 19, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Texas SmartScape® is a regional campaign that promotes the use of native and adaptive plants, shrubs, grasses and trees. Whether you want to replace plants that didn't survive the past year, design a whole new landscape, or discover new flowers for your garden, Texas SmartScape has the tools to help you succeed, including a searchable database that lists hardy plants by color, shape, amount of sunlight or water needed, and many other categories. A yard that is "smart" for Texas doesn't have to mean rocks and cactus. The site also provides information on landscape design and maintenance.

To enter the contest, you must submit an entry form and pictures of your yard to the City of Burleson environmental services division, 141 W. Renfro, Burleson, Texas 76028 by July 31. The entry form can be obtained by calling the City of Burleson environmental services division at 817-447-5410, extension 269, or by downloading the form from the city's web page at www.burlesontx.com (environmental services).

SmartScape® instructional CD-ROMs are provided at no direct cost to residents. For more information, call the City of Burleson environmental services division at 817-447-5410, extension 269. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

Source: Burleson