By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – An annual three-day event that celebrates the morel mushroom kicks off Friday, May 18, in Czech Village. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of Houby Days and this year promises more music, food and fun, beginning with the Taste of Czech on opening night at the National […]
The Monarch Research Project, a nonprofit based in Marion, Iowa, is distributing free milkweed and pollinator seeds during “The Million Seed Giveaway.” They had a good crowd this past Saturday and hope for more of the same this upcoming Saturday, May 12. The pollinator seed mix was created by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation with […]
CEDAR RAPIDS – Dotted throughout the city, community gardens have been helping bring neighbors together, while providing fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables at the same time. The Mound View Neighborhood Community Garden held a planting day on Monday, May 7, led by Carol Sindelar, the neighborhood association’s president, who goes above and beyond to find […]
Don’t let Iowa’s picture-perfect weather fool you. Even in May, we could still experience a night or two of frost, as noted in a Czech tale brought to the United States by immigrants. According to the Three Kings legend, the three kings or saints – Pankrac on May 12, Servac on May 13 and Bonifac […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]