Customers look at hellebores from In the Country Garden & Gifts during the 2025 Winter Gardening Fair in Hiawatha, Iowa. Co-owner Josh Spece will be among the presenters at this year’s annual event. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

HIAWATHA, Iowa — Gardeners can find respite from the arctic cold inundating Iowa and much of the nation as they look forward to the annual Winter Gardening Fair, hosted by the Linn County Master Gardeners.

This year’s event will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at the Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center, 1770 Boyson Road, Hiawatha.

See photos from 2025 Winter Gardening Fair

Registrants can choose six classes from about 80 sessions and hands-on workshops, led by Master Gardeners, local professionals and ISU Extension Specialists.

A special display by the Xerces Society will be included, where attendees can learn ways to support bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.

Register here: https://form.jotform.com/252934707982166

Topics include micro-prairies; container vegetable gardening; Iowa bumblebees; monarch butterflies; apple propagation; modern homesteading; invasive plants; succulents; moss gardening and more.

Tuition of $85 for the day-long event, or $42 for high school and college students, includes morning refreshments and lunch.

See photos from the 2024 Winter Gardening Fair

Participants pose for a photo during the 2025 Winter Gardening Fair. (photo/Cindy Hadish)