When Keith and Karen Lackore ran out of neighbors to bestow their extra large, extra sweet, candy onions, they turned to an alternative close to home. “They can only eat so much,” Karen joked about the couple’s neighbors, while selling vegetables at the Oxford Farmers Market. The Lackores were first-time vendors at the market, which […]
You are browsing archives for
Tag: Iowa
Are you seeing Naked Ladies?
It’s that time of summer. Not the one where people shed their clothes, though that might be happening somewhere, too. This is the magical moment when naked ladies, also known as surprise or resurrection lilies, simultaneously appear after being nearly invisible for the majority of the season.
Sneak peek of the new Cedar Rapids Publi...
The new Cedar Rapids Public Library doesn’t open until later this month, but I had the opportunity to tour the building during an assignment for the Corridor Business Journal and you can get a sneak peek here. Indoor space feels much larger than that at the former library, which was flooded in 2008, but it’s […]
Weekend Photo Gallery: Koi for a Cause a...
The first weekend in August was a beautiful one for Iowans to enjoy the outdoors. About 100 people walked through the sensational gardens tended by Monica Morley and her mother, Elena Murillo, in northeast Cedar Rapids during Koi for a Cause, a benefit for the HACAP Food Reservoir. Visitors at Abbe Hills Farm near Mount […]
Iowa outdoors photo contest winners anno...
It’s inspiring to see so many beautiful scenes from our state entered in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Healthy & Happy Outdoors Iowa Photo Quilt contest. You can see all of the entries on the Pinterest link, below, along with a list of winners and more information from the DNR:
Farm field day and open house set for Su...
MOUNT VERNON – If you’re a city dweller who wants a first-hand look at how food grows or a landowner interested in improving conservation practices, your opportunity comes this Sunday. Laura Krouse is hosting a farm field day and open house from 4-7 p.m. at Abbe Hills Farm on Sunday, Aug 4, 2013, in rural […]
Koi for a Cause to benefit HACAP Food Re...
CEDAR RAPIDS – Canned tuna might be the appropriate item to bring when visiting Monica Morley’s koi pond next Sunday in northeast Cedar Rapids. Peanut butter, soup or canned fruit would work, as well. Morley, an avid koi enthusiast, wanted to showcase her sensational pond and gardens for free, while supporting a good cause.
Viticulture: Night of the netting
I have to admit, I wasn’t particularly thrilled to hear we would be putting up bird netting during our viticulture class this week at Kirkwood Community College. I’ve tried bird netting on various plants. While useful, it’s not the easiest gardening tool to work with, often becoming tangled on branches or wire or body parts. […]
Urban chickens could soon roost in North...
UPDATE: The North Liberty City Council will consider the urban chicken ordinance at its Aug. 13 meeting, after the matter was tabled on July 23. Daniela Williams of North Liberty, one of the supporters of the measure, said new information was presented at this week’s meeting from the Cedar Valley Humane Society, which indicated that […]
Iowa moving back to dry mode
After the over-abundance of precipitation earlier this season, I’m amazed that my rain barrel is already running dry. I’m told Ames received a good drenching of rain on Sunday and I had hoped it would make its way to Cedar Rapids. Didn’t happen. Now, I’m keeping my fingers crossed, along with other gardeners, that those […]










