Yard and Garden Information

Local News

2012 Winter Gardening Fair
(Posted on 2/3/2012)
Linn County Master Gardeners will present the 2012 Winter Gardening Fair on February 18th at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A wide variety of classes and workshops will be offered from lawn care, theme gardens, yard art and ponds to mulch, daylilies, backyard wildlife, ornamental grasses and dealing with pests. Classes are filling fast, register today!

Project GREEN & the IC Public Library's 2012 Winter Garden Forums
(Posted on 2/3/2012)
Project GREEN & the IC Public Library's 2012 Winter Garden Forums will be held this spring. The topics include, Zora Ronan, "Daylilies -- All the Pretty Faces", Dick Baker, "One Acre at a Time", Susan Appleget-Hurst: "From Plant to Plate: Growing and Using Herbs". Click on the title for more information.

2012 Come to the Table Summit Scheduled for Feb 10th in Iowa City
(Posted on 1/17/2012)
This marks the second year of the Summit. The Summit is now a full day featuring a panel of local food businesses, formal networking of buyers, farmers and food entrepreneurs and four afternoon workshops. This year’s panel of local food businesses and representatives will showcase the many different ways to find, sell and buy local food in the area. Click on the title above to find out more information!

Master Gardener "Hort Line" Opens for Season
(Posted on 5/2/2011)
The Johnson County Master Gardeners have opened their seasonal "Hort Line" and are ready to take your home horticulture questions. The Hort Line is available every Monday and Thursday from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and can be reached by calling the Johnson County Extension Office at 319-337-2145.

News from Iowa State University Extension

Morel Mushroom Certification Workshops Scheduled for March and April
(Posted on 2/9/2012)
Individuals who would like to be able to sell morel mushrooms legally within the state of Iowa can take a three-hour certification workshop in March or April. Workshops are being offered at several locations across the state.
Yard and Garden: Starting Seedlings
(Posted on 2/9/2012)
ISU Extension and Outreach horticulturists share information about starting flower and vegetable seedlings indoors. Learn how to avoid spindly, collapsed or yellow-green seedlings and minimize mold on peat pots.
Yard and Garden: Tomatoes
(Posted on 2/2/2012)
Home gardeners can chose from a variety of sizes, shapes and colors when growing tomato plants. ISU Extension horticulturists share information about tomato varieties that growers can use in selecting tomatoes.
New Plant Hardiness Zone Map Has Iowa in Zone 5
(Posted on 1/27/2012)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the new version of the plant hardiness zone map this week — the first update since 1990. Much of Iowa now is considered Zone 5.
Yard and Garden: Vegetable Seeds
(Posted on 1/26/2012)
Selecting seeds is one of the first steps in planting a home garden – along with preparing the seedbed and deciding when to plant. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists share information that will guide gardeners as they select vegetable seeds.
Yard and Garden: Cherry Trees
(Posted on 1/19/2012)
Cherry trees can be grown in Iowa, though some are not reliably hardy in all parts of Iowa. The trees produce beautiful white flowers in early spring and are a popular choice for edible landscapes. ISU Extension and Outreach horticulturists tell how to select and plant cherry trees in Iowa.
Yard and Garden: Gooseberries, Currants and Jostaberries
(Posted on 1/13/2012)
Home gardeners who like a tart tasting berry or just want to grow a not-so-ordinary berry might consider planting gooseberries, currants or jostaberries. ISU Extension horticulturists tell how to select and plant these berries.
Conference to Cover Production and Marketing of Fruits and Vegetables
(Posted on 1/11/2012)
The Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Annual Conference will be held Jan. 27-28 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.
Yard and Garden: Grow Plants from Fruit
(Posted on 1/5/2012)
Mothers often remind children not to play with their food, but kids and houseplant enthusiasts may find it interesting and fun to start plants from the seeds and leaves of fruit.
Research Looks at Strategies to Grow Late Season Vegetables
(Posted on 1/5/2012)
Research is evaluating a couple of strategies that may extend the growing season for vegetable growers.

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