IOWA CITY – Two events coming up in Iowa City in coming days offer great opportunities to expand your gardening knowledge. This Sunday, Aug. 24, New Pioneer Food Co-op is hosting a garden party at Earth Source Gardens. The following day, Aug. 25, Backyard Abundance is offering a solar food dehydrator demonstration, to put all […]
Vacant flood lot proves value as garden ...
CEDAR RAPIDS – While the city awaits its fabled casino to appear on a large swath of vacant prime real estate and threatens a nearby gardener with legal action for taking care of a smaller plot of vacant land, here is what is happening at our little Czech garden. The garden was planted this spring […]
August events in Eastern Iowa include da...
(Updated Aug. 22) Summer isn’t quite over yet, as events scheduled for later this month attest. The next Downtown Farmers Market in Cedar Rapids isn’t until Sept. 6, but others are ongoing, with most running through the end of August. See the Homegrown list of markets for details. This weekend, the Cedar Valley Iris & […]
Tomatoes still green? This could be the ...
Iowa’s unseasonably cool nights this August may be perfect for sleeping, but temperatures are among the factors that play a role in our gardens. I’ve heard from several gardeners whose tomatoes are slow to ripen this year, and Linn County Master Gardeners who take calls at the “Hortline” for Iowa State University Extension, are hearing […]
Brucemore Garden & Art Show returns with
CEDAR RAPIDS – As of today, Eastern Iowa’s weather doesn’t get much better than this, and hopefully, that will hold out for the upcoming Brucemore Garden & Art Show. If you enjoy lovely formal gardens, want to learn more about seed saving techniques from expert Master Gardeners, make simple summer appetizers (and get to sample […]
Cedar Rapids man ordered to remove garde...
By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS – In a city that touts itself as a healthy, “Blue Zones” community, Ed Thornton faces a trespassing violation. His crime? Growing vegetables. “If I’m doing something and it’s not hurting anyone, why am I being punished for it?” Thornton asked of his garden, which he started 4 years […]
Market news: reason behind Marion’s chan
Some customers are put off by the crowds at large farmers markets, but I think it’s exciting for the vendors, who often do more business in one day than they can in several weeks of smaller markets. With that in mind, the next Downtown Farmers Market in Cedar Rapids is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to […]
Northern Ridge: Evolution of an Iowa ber...
By Cindy Hadish for Radish Magazine OXFORD – With growing interest from restaurants, schools and grocery stores for fresh, local produce, Northern Ridge Berry Farm has evolved beyond its namesake berries. “We put close to 35,000 to 40,000 plants in the ground this year,” co-owner David Lacina said of the broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, peppers, […]
Native wildflowers highlighted in Iowa C...
IOWA CITY – Backyard Abundance will host a free yard tour this Saturday, Aug. 2, to help residents learn how to create beautiful yards that are low-maintenance and benefit our environment. The free tour will be at the townhome of Judy Joyce, at 903 Walker Circle in Iowa City, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. […]
Healthy oak among trees to be removed fo...
UPDATE: This photo (at right) shows what remained of the once-healthy oak tree as of the end of July 2014. CEDAR RAPIDS — The Kell family is saying good-bye to their front-yard tree. It’s not torrential rains, high winds or even a lightning strike that is spelling the end for the mature pin oak. This summer’s […]