April 16, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

85º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:05 a.m. | Sunset 8:20 p.m.
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Share your yard with some KY native plants

Also called coral honeysuckle, don’t confuse this native plant with invasive bush honeysuckle. | Photo by Wikimedia Commons

If you’ve ever wanted to swap your manicured lawn for a native plant garden, have we got the city ordinance for you.

Chapter 156.052 of the Louisville Code of Ordinances usually prevents vegetation over 10 inches tall, but you can get around that restriction by keeping a “managed natural landscape.” All you have to do is follow these guidelines:

The natural landscape must be set five feet back from the property line unless it abuts a similar property or a natural feature like a wetland or stream, or if a fence is built along the lot line.
Mow or cut back the area at least once per year in addition to ordinary maintenance.
Clearly define the area with a fence, garden edging, or two feet of mowed grass.
Your natural landscape can’t extend into the public right of way.
Post a sign advising that natural plants are being established.
Noxious weeds are not allowed — more details below.
Managed natural landscapes can’t be overgrown turf-grass lawns.

Noxious weeds are defined by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Think: Kudzu, Amur honeysuckle, marestail, and multiflora rose. Fortunately, there are plenty of native alternatives to these prohibited species.

LOU gardeners looking to build up a managed natural landscape should check out Dropseed Native Plant Nursery (1205 S. Buckeye Ln., Goshen) or the Kentucky Native Plant Society. You can also to one of these upcoming plant sales:

Yew Dell Botanical Gardens Plant Sale | 6220 Old Lagrange Rd. | Friday, April 26 + Saturday, April 27
This two-day event will feature annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and more, many of them grown on-site. Access to the plant sale is included with admission.

Louisville Zoo Spring Plant Sale | 1100 Trevillian Way | Saturday, April 27
Shop all native plants to help attract pollinators and other native wildlife to your own backyard zoo.

Asked

What’s your favorite native Kentucky plant?

A. Purple Coneflower
B. Black-Eyed Susan
C. Coral Honeysuckle
D. Carolina Rose
E. Eastern Redbud
F. Other

Plant the seeds

Events

Wednesday, April 17

Nature Play | Wednesday, April 17 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevillian Way, Louisville | $35-$40 | Bring your four or five-year-old child for this drop-off educational experience that encourages them to explore outside.

Thursday, April 18

Absinthe Julep Cocktail Class | Thursday, April 18 | 5:30-6:45 p.m. | Copper & Kings Distillery, 1121 E. Washington St., Louisville | $40 | Celebrate mint julep month with a twist as you enjoy a distillery tour, absinthe tasting + cocktail class.
I Would Rather Be Reading Bourbon Barrel Pick Release | Thursday, April 18 | 7-9 p.m. | Against the Grain, 401 E. Main St., Louisville | Free | Celebrate Derby while promoting literacy with a Log Still Distillery bourbon at this fundraiser — registration required, $100-150 suggested donation.
Originals Night: A Evening of Two One-Acts | Thursday, April 18-Sunday, April 21 | Times vary | Highview Arts Center, 7406 Fegenbush Lane, Louisville | $10 | Enjoy two new one-act plays developed from last year’s Ten Minute New Play Festival.

Friday, April 19

“Alice in Derbyland” | Friday, April 19, Sunday, April 21 | Times vary | Art Sanctuary, 1433 S. Shelby St., Louisville | $10-$140 | Watch Alice face off against the evil Delta Queen with the help of the Mad Milliner and the Fascinate-Hare in this Louisville-themed drag musical.

Saturday, April 20

Family Farm Days | Saturday, April 20 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg | $0-$16 | Meet new “farmily” members including lambs, chicks, and piglets, and enjoy activities like hay wagon rides, sheep shearing, and pony rides.*
RESTORE: Healthy Planet, Healthy You | Saturday, April 20 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd., Clermont | Free | Learn how healing the planet and healing yourself go hand-in-hand + enjoy drop-in self-care activities.

Sunday, April 21

Nursery Open House | Sunday, April 21 | 12-4 p.m. | Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, 6220 Old Lagrange Rd., Crestwood | Free | Check out the garden’s spring displays and get a sneak peak at the end-of-month Spring Plant Sale.
Earth Day Linoleum Print Workshop | Sunday, April 21 | 12:30-4:30 p.m. | Preston Arts Center, 8101 Warwick Ave., Louisville | $85 | Learn how to make your own nature-themed linoleum print, all materials provided — just bring a 4 x 6 printout of a nature-inspired element.

Events calendar here

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Eat

🌎 6 items to eat clean + clean green this Earth Day

From produce to meats tp snacks to household cleaners and more, Simple Truth items offer simpler, greener, better-for-you ingredients that you can feel good about. | Photo provided by Kroger

Earth Day is next Monday, April 22 — so we rounded up six earth-friendly items you can buy at Kroger to help you celebrate the day (and every day thereafter).

🥑 Eat clean

💦 Clean Green

Get Earth Day tips, tricks + recipes

News Notes

Traffic

The 2nd Street Bridge will close Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in preparation for Thunder Over Louisville. It will reopen Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m. The Big Four pedestrian bridge will be closed Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. for air show practice and again Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 a.m. for the day’s events. (WHAS11)

Coming Soon

A Washington-based winery is bringing a tasting room to 2704 Frankfort Ave. this May. The Wine Room will offer boutique natural wines + small eats. J. Bell Wine Co. will also open a small production facility on Gilmore Boulevard to produce a limited number of Kentucky wines. (Louisville Business First)

Cause

Looking to ditch those eclipse glasses? Know Waste Louisville shared an effort to collect glasses + send them to kids around the world in preparation for other eclipses. Send yours in by August 1.

Theater

Actors Theatre received a $1 million grant from the New York City-based Mellon Foundation in recognition of executive director Barry Fleming’s leadership. The grant will help fund the 2024-2025 season, which includes new work by students and the return of “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy.” (WDRB)

Closed

The Iroquois Park amphitheater parking lot is closed this week for a paving project. While the parking lot will be closed, the playground and sprayground remain open.

Number

$2.50. That’s how much you can pay for a taco at 20 Louisville locations during Taco Week, April 15-21. Read the full list of participating restaurants and plan your taco route with the Taco Week app. (WHAS11)

Older Adults

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America will host a free conference tomorrow as part of its Educating America Tour. Doctors, financial planners, and other professionals will offer talks to help people with dementia and caregivers prepare for and handle dementia + Alzheimer’s.

Sports

‘Tis the season for coaching changes. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Home

Lower your energy bills before summer. Renewal by Andersen^® will replace old windows with beautiful, energy-efficient windows — get a free quote and shop a limited-time spring savings event.*

Event

🌎 Celebrate the pale blue dot

Celebrate our home planet with live music, food + drinks. | Photo via the Parklands

Between Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 26, this month is for the trees.

The Parklands of Floyds Fork is hosting its annual Earth Day festival on Friday, April 19, 5-9 p.m. with live music, food + beer trucks, vendors, and activities at the Ogle Foundation Woodland Pavilion in Broad Run Park (11551 Bardstown Rd.).

Get a head start on your managed natural landscape — we learned about those earlier — with free native trees donated by Louisville Metro’s Office of Urban Forestry. Then explore the Moss Gibbs Woodland Garden while you listen to live acoustic violin, flute, and dulcimer music. Parklands staff will also host field games and guided hikes throughout the evening.

Close out the night with more music + nature-themed trivia starting at 7 p.m., and keep the party going on Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., with an Earth Day creek sweep.

The Buy

This sleek outdoor side table that doubles as a cooler, perfect for the warmer days ahead. Pop the top off to reveal ice and your refreshing beverage of choice.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Declan

From the editor

I hope you enjoyed Jeff’s story on Louisville’s beer history yesterday as much as I did. My great grandfather was a foreman for Fehr Brewery and worked there until they closed — if only Ed could have saved all that wasted beer.

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