By Cindy Hadish/for Radish Magazine Rhonda Dunn is interested in growing food, but not the way her mother gardened. “She’d till every spring and hoe it and weed it,” said Dunn, an Iowa City nurse practitioner. “That was the way she knew and it worked for her, but I don’t want to be out hoeing […]
You are browsing archives for
Tag: Fred Meyer
Garden party, solar food dehydrator demo...
IOWA CITY – Two events coming up in Iowa City in coming days offer great opportunities to expand your gardening knowledge. This Sunday, Aug. 24, New Pioneer Food Co-op is hosting a garden party at Earth Source Gardens. The following day, Aug. 25, Backyard Abundance is offering a solar food dehydrator demonstration, to put all […]
Free food project launched in Iowa City
Iowa City-based Backyard Abundance has another innovative project underway. Already, the nonprofit is at the forefront in designing edible landscapes and is helping Iowa City start its first edible forest, at Wetherby Park. Today, director Fred Meyer announced a new initiative called “Pick Me!” that goes back to the basics in offering free fresh fruits, […]
Orchard management classes set to begin ...
If you’ve thought about growing fruit and nut trees, berries, mushrooms and more, a new series of classes can help you get started. Iowa City-based Backyard Abundance is hosting the series of four classes, beginning March 8, 2014. Preregistration is required and class size is limited. Backyard Abundance recently gathered input on features and design […]
Local foods movement grows in Johnson Co...
Johnson County is really becoming a hot spot for the local foods movement. Michelle Kenyon Brown, chairwoman of the county’s Food Policy Council – newly created in 2011 – expects a great turnout at the council’s upcoming public forum. If you have anything to share or just want to hear from a great lineup of […]
Edible forest being planned for Wetherby...
Iowa City is fortunate to have such a progressive-thinking group in Backyard Abundance. The nonprofit, led by director Fred Meyer, is looking into creating an edible forest with fruit trees and more in Wetherby Park. The idea is for the orchard to serve as a gathering site for neighbors and to provide free nutritional food. […]
Experience the connection between health...
A relaxing day at Wapsipincon State Park this past weekend helped me appreciate the waterways that run through Iowa. Unfortunately, our state doesn’t have the best reputation for pristine rivers, streams and lakes, but efforts are underway to make changes, utilizing the sometimes overlooked connection between healthy soils and clean water. One of those projects […]
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 – […]
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 […]
Greenscaping your lawn
Should something this green be bad for the environment? I mowed today for the first time this year and only because my front yard was quickly becoming a sea of yellow. I don’t mind dandelions as much as some people do, but when you have neighbors, you need to be considerate,