Home Gardening Webinars
Join us for a variety of webinars that will expand your knowledge, introduce you to new topics, and allow you to connect with experts from across the field. All ages and backgrounds are welcome to attend. Attendees can choose to join in the Zoom room or on Facebook Live.
Previously recorded webinars will be available on this page as they become available to the public. Subscribe to our YouTube to be notified when new recordings are available.
2024 Series
All webinars will be Tuesday evenings from 6 - 7 pm central time. Register for the series on Zoom or register for the Facebook Live events.
January 9: Defying Tomato Disorders & Diseases with Dan Goodspeed (Jung Seed)
In defiance of tomato plant disorders and diseases, Dan will discuss and guide us in a general overview of methods, measures, strategies and tactics used for the management & control of some of the most common tomato problems all gardeners can encounter.
January 16: Grape Pruning & Canopy Management with Randall Vos (ISU Extension & Outreach)
Grapevines require different management than other fruit crops due to their indeterminate growth habit. The key dormant pruning steps and growing season canopy management practices we will review can put you on the path to increasing your odds of having a successful crop.
January 23: Identification & Management of Common Vegetable & Fruit Insect Pests in Iowa with Zach Schumm (ISU Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic)
Several common vegetable and fruit crop insects can be found in Iowa gardens. Proper management, requires accurate identification, knowledge of insect biology and phenology (timing of development), and timely scouting. This presentation will cover common fruit and vegetable crop pests in Iowa, their identification characteristics, look-alikes, and how to make proper management decisions.
January 30: Seed Saving for the Home Gardener with Briana Burke (Seed Savers Exchange)
In this session, we'll go over the basics of seed saving that will empower you to save and store seeds from your favorite garden varieties. Covering topics including what types of plants you can save seed from, cross pollination, knowing when to harvest seed, and proper storage conditions, you'll leave this talk with information to get you started on your seed saving journey.
February 06: DIY Soil Health Methods with Marshall McDaniel (ISU Department of Agronomy)
A rapid growth in interest about all things soil health – particularly measurements – has come from farmers and researchers alike in the past few decades. However, soil health measurements are expensive and sometimes tricky to interpret. Marshall will talk about some research his team has done on simple, affordable, DIY soil health measurements that can expand soil health monitoring.
February 13: Are Extremes the New Normal? with Justin Glisan (Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship)
From derechos, droughts and flooding, extreme events have been in the news at what seems like at a higher rate compared to previous decades. Have weather extremes become the new normal? What are the impacts of climate change on extremes? This talk will cover climatological trends across Iowa and their impact on current and future events.
February 20: Cover Crops for the Home Gardener with Ajay Nair (ISU Department of Horticulture)
This presentation will provide basic knowledge and information on cover crops and cover cropping techniques. The presentation will discuss different cover crops, their seeding rates, growth habits, overwintering potential, weed suppression capabilities, etc. After attending the webinar, participants should have a clear understanding of cover cropping principles and practices and identify cover crops that suit their purposes.
February 27: Compost Quality and Use with Jean Bonhotal (Cornell Waste Management Institute)
In this session, we'll discuss quality of the composts from the major categories of feedstocks. Curious how to make soil compost blends? Is there ever too much compost? We'll also talk about using composts for building turf, in Ag, erosion control, horticulture, urban settings, storm and disaster resiliency.
March 05: How to Create an Out-of-the-Ordinary Theme Garden with Lisa Nunamaker (Paper Garden Workshop)
This presentation will show how to add that extra spark to your landscape by designing a garden about anything and more importantly, about YOU. Warning: Traditional themes like butterfly and moon gardens (though those are nice) will not be covered. Instead the idea of theme gardens will be stretched to a new level. Bring your creative spirit and an open mind.
March 12: Smart Design Elements for Your Garden with Lisa Nunamaker (Paper Garden Workshop)
Installing and maintaining your garden can get pricey, but let’s not allow that to hold us back from creating a lovely outdoor space. Whether you're looking to save money or simply trying to be less wasteful, this presentation will share tips on ways you can create a beautiful, budget-friendly garden. Be ready to share ways you’ve also incorporated smart design elements into your garden…so we can all inspire each other too.
2022-2023 Series
View the 2022 - 2023 series playlist on YouTube.
2021-2022 Series
View the 2021 - 2022 series playlist on YouTube.
If you want to support our programming and scholarships for future Master Gardeners, visit the Iowa State University Foundation.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For the full non-discrimination statement or accommodation inquiries, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/diversity/ext.