With abundant rain this season, gardens in Eastern Iowa are particularly lush this year and opportunities to enjoy the area’s beauty are coming up this month. The Linn County Master Gardeners 2016 Garden Walk will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 9, followed by the Eastern Iowa Pond Society’s Pond and Garden Tour […]
You are browsing archives for
Category: gardening
Japanese beetle watch begins
UPDATE (June 25, 2016) One day after posting this, I’ve seen the first Japanese beetles of the season. And of course, they’re after my raspberries! June 24, 2016 – It seems to be an especially bountiful season for raspberries, perhaps because of plentiful and timely rains in Iowa. But for the past decade or so, […]
Iowa couple grow “hosta heaven”
By Cindy Hadish/for Iowa Gardener Starting with one plant division from a friend, the gardens of Nancy and Jay McWherter have grown to include an impressive collection of more than 1,000 varieties of hosta, along with tropical plants and more. Variegated hosta, such as ‘Sagae,’ blues like ‘Blue Mammoth,’ and large-leaf cultivars including ‘Sum and […]
Plans set for open gardens in Cedar Rapi...
If you’re in the Cedar Rapids or Iowa City areas on Sunday, June 26, you have great opportunities during two free events to see lovely gardens and learn more about the project at the historic Johnson County Poor Farm. In Cedar Rapids, Wanda Lunn, 526 Bezdek Drive NW, is opening her gardens to the public […]
Heeding the Three Kings frost warning
With temperatures expected to hit the 80s in Iowa today, it might seem that the risk of frost is far behind for this season. But it’s often prudent to heed the Three Kings frost warning, regardless. According to the Czech legend, the three kings or saints – Pankrac on May 12, Servac on May 13 […]
Milkweed plants at Noelridge Mother’s Da
UPDATE (May 2, 2016): The city sent out a corrected press release to note that visitors don’t need to make a purchase to take home a free milkweed plant and also changes the schedule of events. Original post: Mother’s Day this year falls on Sunday, May 8, the earliest date possible for the celebration, which […]
Plant sales sprout in Eastern Iowa
We’ve been fortunate to experience beautiful weather this spring and recent rains should boost those seeds planted outdoors. If you’re looking for your own gardening boost, a number of plant sales scheduled in the coming weeks should do the trick. Master gardeners and other organizations sell perennials such as hosta and daylillies, along with vegetable […]
Easter Showcase happening at Noelridge G...
CEDAR RAPIDS – The warmth of the Noelridge Greenhouse can dispel the gray skies that sometimes tend to accompany this time of year. That’s particularly true during the annual Easter Showcase, held this Saturday, March 26, and Sunday, March 27, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Noelridge Greenhouse, 4900 Council Street NE. See […]
Second Sunday garden forums: search for ...
Project GREEN’s 2016 Second Sunday winter garden forums are already under way. All of the forums are 2-4 p.m. in Meeting Room A at the Iowa City Public Library and are free to attend, with refreshments and door prizes. I’m sorry I missed out on the first one, in January, in which Chuck Porto, retail […]
Iowa’s Rainbow Iris Farm receives Martha
Horticulturist Kelly Norris and his family’s Rainbow Iris Farm are being honored by Martha Stewart as one of this year’s 2015 Martha Stewart American Made Winners. Norris, an author who has visited Eastern Iowa a number of times, including as a speaker at this year’s Winter Gardening Fair in Cedar Rapids, is receiving the award […]