I first visited Wanda Lunn’s garden back in 2008, when she invited me to see her iris in bloom in one of only two display gardens in Iowa for the Historic Iris Preservation Society. Anyone in this area who enjoys viewing beautiful gardens is in luck. Wanda hosts periodical open gardens at her home in […]
Just a month ago, we worried about another drought in Iowa. Now the concern is too much water. Earlier today, I traveled to Tama County and saw the flooding up close, a reminder of what we experienced in Cedar Rapids in 2008. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources noted in its water summary of May […]
CHELSEA – It was odd seeing ducks and geese today, next to Highway 30, swimming in farm fields. I traveled to my uncle’s farm near Chelsea, in Tama County. I’m grateful that the past generations of my family chose to settle on high grounds in the rolling hills of East-central Iowa, but even that land […]
The past two weeks have been busy ones for the Vineyard Management class at the Kirkwood Vineyard in Cedar Rapids. We’ve planted more than 30 grapevines, learned to string trellis wire, attached grow tubes to the new vines and tonight, had our chance to play with fire.
With more than 220 vendors, the Downtown Farmers Market in Cedar Rapids is one of the largest markets in Iowa. The season kicks off Saturday, June 1, 2013, with markets following on June 15 and every first and third Saturday of the month, through Sept. 21. Find details on more than 40 Eastern Iowa farmers […]
Cody Zoss, of the Iowa Food Systems Council, passed along the following about an innovative concept under way at the Farm Bureau office in West Des Moines: Farm Bureau is planning to launch a weekly farmers market and is looking for farmers and vendors to supply vegetables, fruits, baked goods and other items for sale […]
The National Weather Service issued the following on Sunday, May 26, 2013: A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 1:45 am CDT for Southwestern Cedar, Southern Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Southwestern Linn and Northwestern Muscatine counties. At 7:57 pm CDT, National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated that the heavy rain producing
When rain is forecast for days on end, it might seem that having mulch on a garden bed is of little importance. It’s true that mulching lessens the need for watering by retaining moisture in the ground, but mulch also can prevent soil-borne diseases that might otherwise splash up on un-mulched plants from bare soil.
Good news for our state’s vegetable farmers, for farmers markets and for you! Though cool weather has slowed some early spring produce, timely rains and no late killing frost bode well for Iowa’s fruit and vegetable crops. You can find full details about Eastern Iowa farmers markets on the Homegrown list and read on for […]
Danielle Martin, market coordinator for the Mount Vernon Farmers Market, said the market will be moving as of Thursday, May 30, 2013. Danielle said Memorial Park, where the outdoor market is held, at 311 First St., W., will be closed beginning next week, due to the renovation of the water tower. The market will be […]