Miniature fairy gardens are shown at the gardens of Monica Morley and Elena Murillo in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Fairy gardens are among the topics during a series offered in 2017 by Linn County Master Gardeners. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

The calendar says “winter,” but Iowa gardeners are always looking ahead to the growing season.

Linn County Master Gardeners will present nine different gardening topics at the Northwest Recreation Center, 1340 11th St. NW, every Thursday, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 5 through March 2, 2017.

The sessions are free of charge and open to all ages.

Read on for more from the city of Cedar Rapids:

Topics to be discussed are: Organic Vegetable Gardening at Home; Containers: Beyond Thrillers, Spillers and Fillers; Gardening with Color; A Taste of Herbs; Bee Houses – Hands On; Raised Bed Gardening; Living with Bambi; Miniature Gardens for Fairies & Other Tiny Things; and Composting. More information on these topics is available at www.mastergardener.iastate.edu.

Advance registration is recommended due to space constraints. Participants may register for as many topics as they choose at www.CRREC.org or by calling the Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation Department at 319-286-5566.

Master gardeners also will be among the speakers during the 2017 Winter Gardening Fair. Learn more about the annual event.