The 2025 Intern Class was held in on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 until noon at the Blount County Extension Office. The next class has not been announced. Check back in the Fall for dates and times of the next session.

Questions? contact John Wilson at jawilson@utk.edu or call 865-982-6430 ext. 5.

Firewise Garden: Wildland fires can occur in residential development areas with disastrous loss of life, property and resources.  But, recognizing the problem and knowing how to protect your family, home, property and your neighborhood before a fire happens. View the building and plants used in the Extension Office Firewise Garden project. click on the link. In August, 2022, the Master Gardeners unveiled a Firewise Landscaping  at the Blount County Extension Office. This demonstration landscape received a Search for Excellence Award at the 2023 International Master Gardener Conference.

Slope Garden: While working on other demonstration garden projects at the Extension Office, the Master Gardeners discovered a grassy slope too steep for mowing. Use of hand trimmers was labor-intensive and the use of herbicides threatened the habitat for bees and other wildlife nearby. An easily replicated plan was implemented, replacing the grass with a garden thereby eliminating the need to mow, hand trim, or use herbicides while controlling weeds, using plants well-suited to a slope and our local environment. click on the link.