We shouldn’t be surprised that in mid-to-late October, we have a frost warning in Iowa. Normally, we would have seen at least a light frost by now, if not already a killing freeze. In fact, this map from The Weather Channel shows that Iowa is already past the average date of the first freeze. Here […]
You are browsing archives for
Month: October 2013
Meet the meat chickens this Saturday in ...
This upcoming event has a special connection for me. My cousin, Judy Beuter, has been raising chickens in a sustainable way for years at her farm in rural Solon. I’ve visited during her “Baby Chicks Day,” and am sure that “Meet the Meat Chickens” will be just as educational. New Pioneer Food Co-op is helping […]
Witness the creative side of the season ...
CEDAR RAPIDS – Brucemore is offering a fun way to experience the scary, and sometimes silly, side of the season. Visit the historic estate to view the Scarecrow Invasion and see dozens of decorated installments created by businesses, schools and organizations. Here is some of what you can see for free during the next two […]
Community grows in Czech heritage garden
CEDAR RAPIDS – I’ve never seen kids so excited about vegetables as I did earlier this month on a visit to our community garden in southeast Cedar Rapids. Several neighborhood children picked tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, with one of the boys vowing to make a salad for his dad’s birthday that day. They rode their […]
Public invited to participate in Trees F...
CEDAR RAPIDS – Our friends at Trees Forever are busy with planting projects and much more this fall. Besides the popular TreeKeepers program, coming up Oct. 12 and Oct. 19 in the Corridor, Trees Forever’s expert staff is working on Branching Out plantings, including one in Marion. Also, the group’s annual symposium will be held […]
Farmers market season continues in Easte...
As our own Iowa gardens near their end, it’s comforting to know that local foods fans can still get their fill at area farmers markets. Markets in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Iowa City and other towns continue to operate, with some running through the end of October. If your travels take you to Belle Plaine, Independence […]
Iowa mystery caterpillar looking for an ...
UPDATE: Laura Jesse, entomologist with Iowa State University Extension, said while she is not 100 percent certain from the photograph, it appears the mystery caterpillar is what several of us suspected: a white-lined sphinx moth. “They have a lot of variability,” she noted, and sent along this link: http://bugguide.net/node/view/3071 Previous post: A Homegrown reader is […]
State parks remain open during governmen...
I won’t get into the politics of the federal government shut-down, but there’s no doubt that the measure – or lack of one – has left many people confused. That extends to which entities are affected by the shut-down. I saw a TV news report that listed Honey Creek as one of the parks that […]
TreeKeepers program offers timely opport...
Now more than ever – especially in Iowa, where Emerald Ash Borer is on the move – it’s important to know how to be a good steward of trees. Trees Forever is offering the perfect opportunity, with TreeKeepers programs this month in both the Cedar Rapids area and Iowa City. Sign up is happening now, with […]
Emerald Ash Borer found in Cedar County;...
MECHANICSVILLE – We knew it was only a matter of time before the devastating emerald ash borer would make its way across Iowa. This time, the invasive beetle has been positively identified in a residential tree in Mechanicsville in northern Cedar County, the fourth location in Iowa. Allamakee County was declared infested in May 2010, […]