ELY – This small town between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids is doing big things when it comes to gardening. I’ve mentioned that Ely already has its own farmers markets – both outdoor and indoor – as well as community gardens and a seed lending library within its public library. Now the town is tackling […]
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Tag: master gardeners
Plant sales are blooming in Iowa, plus a...
After such a long winter and cold start to the spring, I’ve heard from many gardeners eager to get their hands in the dirt. To kick-start the gardening season, area plant sales are getting under way. I think it’s especially cool to see that Friends of Hickory Hill Park will have milkweed plugs for sale, […]
Photo gallery: 2014 Winter Gardening Fai...
The name of the Winter Gardening Fair was especially fitting today. Looking out the windows of Kirkwood Community College, we could see the snow accumulating as, indoors, master gardeners and other experts discussed perennial plant combinations, straw bale gardening, mushroom hunting and more. This is one event that I return to year after year because […]
Registration opens for Winter Gardening ...
With the wind-chill at 50-below zero, this might not seem like the ideal time to think about gardening. But really, there is no better time to dream about what the summer may hold when you have the clean slate that an Iowa winter brings. The Linn County Master Gardeners’ Winter Gardening Fair provides that perfect […]
Free prairie walk provides peek at Iowa’
More than 30 million acres of prairie enhanced Iowa’s terrain before development drastically reduced that amount. According to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, 150 years ago, nearly 85 percent of the state was tall-grass prairie. Today, less than .1 percent of that prairie remains. Some Iowans have turned to prairie restoration to literally return the […]
Garden walks in Linn County and Iowa Cit...
Two spectacular garden walks are coming up next weekend, June 22 and June 23, 2013, in Linn County and in Iowa City. The tours offer a great way to see lush landscaping and be inspired by gardeners who really know what they’re doing. Here is more from ISU Extension about the Linn County Master Gardener […]
Uptown Marion Market kicks off Saturday,...
The Marion Chamber of Commerce sent the following about the first Uptown Marion Market of the season, this Saturday, June 8, 2013: Uptown Marion Market kicks off this Saturday, June 8 in City Square Park. This year’s market will feature over 50 vendors with fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, honey, organic meat, eggs, Iowa wines, […]
Spring plant sales kick off this weekend...
UPDATE: More plant sales have been added in Oxford and Iowa City. Scroll down to find sales in May 2013. If you’re hoping to add a bit more green – or color – to your landscape, local plant sales are the way to go. Not only are the plants reasonably priced, but because they are […]
Book review: “Getting Your Hands Dirty a
In reviewing their new book, I first have to admit a certain bias for Linn County Master Gardeners, who have been longtime contributors to Homegrown. At the same time, it’s those qualities I admire about this group of experts – their down-to-earth advice, practical experience and willingness to share their knowledge – that makes “Getting […]
“No mow” lawns; plants for problem areas
IOWA CITY – It sounds almost too good to be true: a beautiful, natural lawn that doesn’t need chemicals to maintain and even more remarkably, doesn’t require mowing. Fred Meyer of Iowa City was on board with a “no mow” lawn for all of those reasons.