CEDAR RAPIDS – Between the various vineyard diseases, voracious bugs, birds and other predators, I’m amazed that any grape can survive to maturity. At our most recent viticulture class at Kirkwood Community College, we learned about fungal diseases of grapevines, such as anthracnose or
You are browsing archives for
Tag: photo
Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapi...
The Indian Creek Nature Center has appointed a new executive director of operations. Longtime leader, Rich Patterson, notes that he isn’t retiring, but will focus his efforts on fund-raising from a downtown Cedar Rapids office. Here is more from the Nature Center:
Where to find morel mushrooms in Iowa
Morel mushroom, singular, would be more accurate, but I might be the only Iowa morel hunter to reveal the precise location of my find. After writing about the morel season and whether or not you can grow them, I finally found my own. In my own backyard.
Vineyard trellis-building and “wine” jok
Anyone who regularly drives Interstate 380 south of Cedar Rapids knows about the Nesper sign jokes, those often-corny puns that flash across the giant electronic billboard alongside the interstate. Tonight’s joke was particularly fitting as I drove to Kirkwood Community College for Viticulture class… “What did the grape do when it got stepped on? It […]
Weekend Photo Gallery: Backyard Abundanc...
Spring has finally arrived in Iowa, with decent weather, plant sales beginning and Iowans eager to dig in their gardens. Backyard Abundance hosted its annual plant sale in Iowa City and residents of Ely shared plants during an exchange at their Community Center. The Ely Public Library is also the site of a Seed Lending […]
No surprise: drought threat diminishes i...
Today’s water summary update from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources may seem a gross understatement to residents of Eastern Iowa with flooded basements this week. The DNR reported this week’s drought monitor continues the improvement trend that began in early March 2013.