Author and photographer Susie Vanderlip (right) sells copies of “The Story of Chester,” about monarch butterflies, during the 2016 Winter Gardening Fair in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
CEDAR RAPIDS – Knowing that warmer days are near made the timing perfect for today’s Winter Gardening Fair at Coe College.
Monarch butterfly expert and author, Susie Vanderlip, gave a spirited keynote presentation about her work in California with monarch butterflies, and many master gardeners and other horticulture experts led workshops throughout the day.
Related: Winter Gardening Fair brings spring to Iowa
As they have for the past 11 years, the Linn County Master Gardeners produced a phenomenal fair, attended by about 500 people passionate about gardening.
With more than 70 sessions, it was difficult to narrow the choices to just four, but here are shots from the workshops I attended, on growing and arranging bouquets, fairy gardens, fruiting shrubs and hydroponics, plus some of the vendors and other images from the day.
Linn County Master Gardener, Judy Stevens, shares tips on flower arranging on Saturday, March 5, 2016, during the Winter Gardening Fair. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Miniature furniture, such as this hand-crafted bed, was shown during a workshop on fairy gardens led by Linn County Master Gardener, Sylvia Kelley, during the Winter Gardening Fair. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
About 500 gardening enthusiasts gathered to hear author Susie Vanderlip discuss her work with monarch butterflies during the keynote speech at the 2016 Winter Gardening Fair at Coe College. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Dustin Hinrichs, (center) talks to visitors at the Trees Forever table during the Winter Gardening Fair in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Linn County Master Gardener, Brenda Garbe (right) discusses edible fruiting shrubs during a workshop at the Winter Gardening Fair. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Succulents from In the Country Garden & Gifts of Independence, were among the items sold at the Winter Gardening Fair in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Jeremy Shechter explains hydroponics during a workshop at the Winter Gardening Fair on Saturday, March 5, 2016. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Gardeners gather in the Coe College cafeteria for lunch during the 2016 Winter Gardening Fair in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Linn County Master Gardeners brought a bit of spring to Cedar Rapids during the 2016 Winter Gardening Fair at Coe College. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Coe College was the setting for the 2016 Winter Gardening Fair in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
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