Special Event
Nature & Outdoors
Family Friendly
Food & Drink
Free Admission
Kansas Healthy Yards Expo in Shawnee
Learn practical ways to care for your lawn, garden, and home with more Earth-friendly habits at the Johnson County Healthy Yards Expo. This free community event brings together local experts, plant resources, educational talks, and hands-on ideas for greener living.
📅 When: Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Where: Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66216
⏳ Duration: 5 hours | 🎟 Cost: Free
What to Expect at the Expo
- 🌱 Explore greener yard and garden ideas for everyday homeowners
- 🌳 Free tree seedlings for the first 150 visitors, while supplies last
- 🪴 Shop locally grown organic native plants selected for area gardens
- 👩🌾 Visit with Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, plant groups, and nonprofit organizations
- 💧 Learn about rain gardens, rain barrels, and neighborhood cost-share opportunities
- 🏡 Pick up a DIY radon kit and learn how home testing works in Johnson County
- 🧼 Discover ideas for greener cleaning and cooking with herbs
- 🎤 Attend educational talks on pollinators, native plants, composting, vegetables, and more
- 🧒 Enjoy kid-friendly activities including a puppet show and the Soil Tunnel Trailer
- 🍳 Buy breakfast or lunch from the on-site concession stand
- 🧪 Johnson County residents can bring a soil sample for a free soil test
- 🎁 Register for door prizes during your visit
This free Shawnee event is a helpful stop for anyone interested in gardening, landscaping, conservation, healthier soil, and practical ways to make more sustainable choices at home.
Highlights for Families, Gardeners, and Homeowners
🌿 Yard and Garden Inspiration
Pick up ideas for maintaining an attractive landscape while being mindful of soil health, water quality, and pollinator-friendly practices.
🪻 Native Plants and Local Experts
Talk with knowledgeable volunteers and community groups about native plants, landscaping choices, and ways to build a healthier outdoor space.
🌧 Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels
Learn more about stormwater-friendly projects and programs that can help homeowners add eco-conscious improvements to their yards.
🧪 Free Soil Testing for Johnson County Residents
Bring a soil sample to the expo and receive a free soil test, a useful tool for understanding what your yard or garden may need.
🎭 Kids Activities
Families can catch the free StoneLion Puppet Theatre performances (10:30am & 12pm) and explore the Soil Tunnel Trailer, which gives children a fun look at the world beneath the ground.
🌳 Free Tree Seedlings
The first 150 visitors can receive a free tree seedling, with varieties available while quantities last.
🥪 Food Available for Purchase
Breakfast and lunch will be sold on-site, making it easy to stay for the speaker sessions and browse the expo at a relaxed pace.
2026 Speaker Schedule
- 9:15 AM – Rain Barrel Demonstration
- 9:30 AM – Healthy Habits for Healthy Water
- 10:00 AM – Tips for Maintaining Natives in the Landscape
- 10:15 AM – Residential Radon Issues and Their Health Risks
- 10:45 AM – Fruit Trees in the Landscape
- 11:00 AM – Harvesting Health: How Produce Promotes Health and Prevents Disease
- 11:30 AM – Why Compost is the Key to a Healthy Lawn
- 11:45 AM – Native Elegance
- 12:15 PM – Managing Insect Pests in the Yard and Garden
- 12:30 PM – Rain Gardens
- 1:00 PM – Weed Control in Vegetable Gardens
- 1:15 PM – Alternatives to Turfgrass in the Shade
Speaker sessions are scheduled throughout the event, so visitors can browse exhibitors, shop plants, and still catch several useful presentations during the day.
Location
FAQs for the Kansas Healthy Yards Expo
Is the Healthy Yards Expo free to attend?
Yes. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
Are there activities for children?
Yes. Families can enjoy free puppet shows at 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM, plus the Soil Tunnel Trailer, which gives kids an interactive look at soil and underground ecosystems.
Can I buy plants at the event?
Yes. Visitors can shop a selection of locally grown, organic native plants chosen to do well in area gardens.
Is food available on-site?
Yes. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase during the expo.
What should Johnson County residents bring for the free soil test?
Residents should bring a soil sample to the event in order to take advantage of the free soil testing offer.
Do I need to arrive early for the tree seedlings?
Arriving early is a good idea because the free seedlings are limited to the first 150 visitors and are available only while supplies last.
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Shawnee Civic Centre
13817 Johnson Drive
Shawnee, KS 66216
(913) 631-5200
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