One year ago, I was enjoying the beauty of the well-preserved architecture and natural sites in the Czech Republic during my first visit to the land of my ancestors. Less than nine months later, raging floodwaters tore through the country. Now, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids is leading efforts […]
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Tag: photos
Native plant yard tour set for Sept. 15 ...
If you’d prefer native plants over your turfgrass lawn, but weren’t sure how to go about it, Backyard Abundance offers a perfect opportunity to tour a spectacular example of one of these yards, for free. Fred Meyer, director of the Iowa City non-profit, passed along the following about this upcoming event: IOWA CITY, IA – […]
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. […]
Iowa City engages homeowner in a “right
IOWA CITY – Roses, hollyhocks, bee balm and numerous other plants grow harmoniously in Timothy Volm’s front yard, but the lush vegetation is creating dissonance with the city. Volm has been ordered to remove all of the plants by Tuesday, July 9, 2013, or city staff will clear the site and charge the costs to […]
Parallels seen between flooding in Iowa ...
I remember interviewing Petr Kolar, the Czech Republic’s ambassador to the United States, just a few months after floods devastated Cedar Rapids and other parts of Eastern Iowa in 2008. It was remarkable, I thought, that Kolar noted that good could somehow come out of something as tragic as the epic flood that inundated 10 […]
Awesome mushroom photos
My good buddy, Dave DeWitte, is at it again. Dave wrote a “reely” excellent review of reel lawn mowers and now is offering his expertise in fungi. Here is what he has to say about his mushroom finds: Morel season was almost a washout this year at my homestead, but the recent soggy weather has […]
Weekend photo gallery: Cedar Rapids Down...
Flood worries were set aside Saturday, June 1, as incessant rains let up in time for the first Downtown Farmers Market of the season and the Mount Vernon Chocolate Stroll. I missed out on the chocolate-covered bacon, but was able to feed my addiction for Mickey Miller’s handmade truffles at Mount Vernon Confections during the […]
Weekend photo gallery: Brucemore plant s...
CEDAR RAPIDS – Cool things were happening on a cool weekend in Eastern Iowa. Within blocks of each other in southeast Cedar Rapids, customers flocked to the annual Brucemore plant sale, while volunteers helped plant a community garden on Bever Avenue in the Wellington Heights Neighborhood. Brucemore’s sale centered around the historic Lord & Burnham […]
Happy Earth Day!
My hyacinth and daffodils seemed to be biding their time this spring, but finally opened today, in time for Earth Day. The Lenten rose that I thought succumbed to the elements also was found to be in bloom. I’ve felt behind on my planting, but thought it was appropriate to start that on Earth Day, […]
Flash flood warning continues in Johnson...
Today’s rain in Eastern Iowa has been incessant and the forecast calls for more. Iowa City has been especially hard-hit, with New Pioneer Food Co-op documenting the rising Ralston Creek near the store. I’ve been hearing that Solon is looking for volunteers to help sand bag, as well. Here is more from the National Weather […]