Join us for this free one-hour educational program, Healthy Lawns, Healthy Streams, presented by the Hamilton County Conservation District. This session will explore practical, low-impact alternatives to traditional lawn care, including fertilizing practices, soil testing, mowing and lawn management, and simple ways to reduce runoff. The program is designed to be approachable and informative for homeowners at all experience levels.
What to expect:
Easy-to-understand, science-backed information
Guidance on when fertilizing helps and when it doesn’t
An introduction to soil testing and what it can tell you
Options for maintaining a traditional lawn or exploring alternatives
Q & A with presenter, Nicole Gunderman
Bonus for attendees:
Those who attend this event will receive a discount code for native and eco-friendly seed mixes.
FREE soil testing kits (max of 2). Results will be provided directly to each participant. The Soil test results will clearly outline what your soil needs or does not need for your lawn or home garden.
Soil Testing Process (Free - Courtesy of KHCC):
Kit Distribution (3/19):
Soil testing kits will be distributed after the event on Thursday, 3/19/26.
Maximum of 2 kits per person.
Collecting Your Sample (3/20 to 3/26):
Follow the provided instructions to collect soil from your lawn or home garden.
Allow soil to dry for 4–5 days.
Label both the baggie and the soil testing sheet with the same field ID (e.g., garden bed, backyard, front yard).
Place 1 cup of dried soil into the provided ziplock baggie and seal tightly to prevent moisture.
On the soil testing form, fill in the “crop code” using the crop name listed on the back (e.g., strawberries, mixed veggies, oak tree, home lawn).
Submitting Your Sample (due by 3/30):
Submit up to 2 samples. Each sample must be bagged individually.
Each sample must include:
A completely labeled baggie (name and field ID)
A completed soil testing form with your name at the top, field ID, and crop code
Drop off samples at the designated location (shared during the presentation and included in your kit) no later than Monday, March 30 at 7:00 PM.
Samples submitted after this deadline will not be processed.
Soil Testing Kit Results (April, 21st):
Kate Kern and Carren Herring of the KHCC Parks & Greenspace Committee will provide a brief presentation at the next Kennedy Heights Community Council, Tuesday, April 21st at 7 pm meeting highlighting overall soil composition results and trends.
Individual results will be distributed at the end of the meeting. If you are unable to attend please reach out to Kate Kern directly at kkern@kennedyheights.org.
Your soil test results will include detailed guidance on what your soil does and does not need based on the crop code selected at submission. If you’d like additional insight or guidance, contact Nicole Gunderman at the Hamilton County Conservation District: 📞 513-485-6820 or ✉️ nicole.gunderman@hamilton-co.org.