Iowa may have one of its most fleeting morel seasons this year. With winter weather lingering well into late April, soil temperatures in the state have only recently been favorable to see the rare delicacies “pop.” Experts say soil at 50 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for morels to make an appearance, and almost […]
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Month: April 2018
Final photos: Younkers store at Westdale
CEDAR RAPIDS – The final two days of the Younkers store at Westdale represents the beginning of the end for the department store that launched in Iowa more than 160 years ago. Three Polish immigrant brothers opened a dry goods store in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1856 that eventually expanded through the Midwest, with stores in […]
Ready or not: farmers market season kick...
Dawn Troutner has seen snow at one of the first farmers markets in Toledo, but never a spring like this. “We already had things growing: asparagus, rhubarb, onions,” she said of that late-season snowfall. “I’m not sure what we’ll have this year.” Iowa’s seemingly endless winter finally broke its grip on the state this week, […]
Eastern Iowa plant sales usher in spring
With snowfall still fresh on Iowans’ minds, it’s hard to believe that gardening season is finally here. Local plant sales offer a great way to jump-start your efforts, with plants grown by master gardeners and others with gardening expertise for Iowa’s conditions. One major change for plant sale enthusiasts: given the unpredictable weather in May, […]
Photos: EcoFest 2018
CEDAR RAPIDS – More than 2,000 visitors took a shuttle to the top of Mount Trashmore to see views of the city during EcoFest. With an elevation of 948 feet, the man-made peak is the highest point in Linn County, offering stunning views of downtown Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas. Originally a quarry, the site […]
EcoFest 2018 features view from Mount Tr...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Attendees at last year’s EcoFest wore light jackets and some were in shorts. This year, the hope is that the snow will be gone for the annual celebration, scheduled for Saturday, April 21. While some activities can be moved indoors into the NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, some of […]
Iowa woman grows paradise for pollinator...
By Cindy Hadish/for Iowa Gardener Becki Lynch’s approach to gardening has changed over time, ultimately benefiting bees, butterflies and birds. “It started as a very formal garden,” Becki said of the early years at her Cedar Rapids home, where she and her husband have lived since 1987. With about 3 acres of land, half of […]
Guts & Glory tells forgotten WWI story o
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A multimedia exhibit that opened Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library offers a number of unique twists. The background story, itself, is a little-known narrative of 60,000 Czech and Slovak soldiers who seized the Trans-Siberian railroad during World War I and fought their way […]
Gardening during Iowa’s endless winter
As winter drags on in Iowa, some gardeners might be concerned about plants that already have foliage up out of the ground. Tulips, daffodils and other bulb plants that typically bloom in the spring should be OK, even with the unseasonably cold April temperatures we’ve been experiencing. Unless they have blossoms on them already, which […]
Master gardeners to share advice during ...
This month is off to a cold start in Iowa, but gardening season is not far away. The Linn County Master Gardeners and other experienced gardeners will share their expertise during talks at area libraries in April 2018, which are free and open to the public. See the list of talks here: Linn County Master […]