Altoona, Iowa (June 8, 2023) – The Polk County Master Gardeners, a signature program of Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach in Polk County, will host the 2023 Summer Lecture Series beginning June 13. This free Lecture Series will feature 12 talks covering a wide variety of topics for the home gardener and horticulturist. It’s free, open to the public and will take place at one of the three Polk County Master Gardener demonstration gardens.
“Each lecture will be led by a Master Gardener volunteer or community professional teaching on topics that range from everything you want to know about tomatoes to how to create a living wall,” said Stephanie Harrington, natural resources coordinator for ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County. “It’s also a great opportunity for volunteers to expand their knowledge, share their expertise and answer questions from local residents.”
The 2023 Summer Lecture Series will take place June through September at one of the Polk County Master Gardeners demonstration gardens: Enabling Garden in Altoona (1050 1st Ave. S, Altoona, IA 50009); Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair Grounds in Des Moines (1207 E Iowa St., Des Moines, IA 50317), or the Demonstration Garden in Urbandale (92nd St. & Dewey Gibbs Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322). Seating is limited so registration is encouraged, but not required. To view full descriptions or to register visit www.polkcountymastergardeners.org/Calendar.
2023 Summer Lecture Series Topics at a Glance
JUNE 2023
Plants that Make Beer
June 13, 2023 – 6:00 p.m.
Enabling Garden, Altoona
Master Gardener volunteer Aaron Ostrem will share the various plants used to brew beer and why their qualities make them ideal candidates for beer.
Seed Saving
June 15, 2023 – 7:00 p.m.
Demonstration Garden, Urbandale
Sydney Christensen, Dallas County Master Gardener, will present how to harvest, save, and store seeds.
A Sustainable Garden for Climate Change
June 21, 2023 – 6:00 p.m.
Discovery Garden, Des Moines
Participants will learn how to plan a climate resilient landscape by designing flower beds, vegetable gardens, and other landscapes to withstand extremes from wind, temperature, and moisture. They will discover short- and longer-term strategies for their lawns and gardens from Polk County Master Gardener Nancy Eichmann.
Blindness and Gardening, Easier Than You Think
June 22, 2023 – 7:00 p.m.
Demonstration Garden, Urbandale
Polk County Master Gardener, Roger Erpelding, will share his experience as a blind gardener. Attendees will learn about his approach to the garden and get a fresh perspective on gardening from a new point of view.
Creating a Living Wall Arrangement
June 28, 2023 – 6:00 p.m.
Discovery Garden, Des Moines
Biophilic design is the art of bringing the outdoors inside by incorporating natural elements into the built environment. Hunter Frescoln at Trendy Garden will take attendees step by step through what is needed to create a living wall arrangement regardless of space.
Container and Small Space Vegetable Gardening
June 29, 2023 – 7:00 p.m.
Demonstration Garden, Urbandale
Kelly Jensen from Ted Lare Garden Center will share the ins and outs of small space gardening. Guests will learn how to make the most of small spaces while maximizing their garden goals, learn tips for best container use and design, as well as things to consider when planning a container vegetable garden.
JULY 2023
Native Pollinators
July 13, 2023 – 7:00 p.m.
Demonstration Garden, Urbandale
Sarah Nizzi from the Xerces Society will talk about pollinators: bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and moths that are mistaken for butterflies. She will identify some the helpful wasps/bees and those to stay away from.
Everything You Wanted to Know about Tomatoes but Were Afraid to Ask
July 19, 2023 – 6:00 p.m.
Discovery Garden, Des Moines
This lecture led by Marcia Leeper, retired from Garden Gate magazine, will dive deep into the art of growing tomatoes including varieties, growing methods, supports and trellising, and much more!
Edible Flowers
July 20, 2023 – 7:00 p.m.
Demonstration Garden, Urbandale
Nancy Eichmann will be present on edible flowers where attendees learn what ones are edible, how to use them safely and ways to take garden to table with style!
Water Quality and Rain Barrels
July 27, 2023 – 7:00 p.m.
Demonstration Garden, Urbandale
Cassie Druhl from Des Moines Public Works will present on water quality and rain barrels.
AUGUST 2023
Wild Birds in the Garden
August 22, 2023 – 6:00 PM
Enabling Garden, Altoona
This conversation with Wild Birds Unlimited will cover how to attract wild birds and create a garden that welcomes and incorporates them into it!
SEPTEMBER 2023
Garden Lessons with Master Gardeners
September 12, 2023 – 6:00 PM
Enabling Garden, Altoona
Learn from three veteran Master Gardeners, Ruth O’Connor, Eva Henderson, and Sharon Nelson-Vaux. They will share general garden knowledge, personal experiences, and tips and tricks. Participants can ask also questions about various gardening topics.
About the Polk County Master Gardeners
Polk County Master Gardeners is a volunteer service organization where advanced horticulture education and training is provided in exchange for volunteer service within the community. In 2022, 346 active Master Gardener volunteers served the community by:
- Donating over 5,000 pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries.
- Providing community spaces for education and respite through three community gardens.
- Demonstration Garden, Urbandale
- Discovery Garden, Iowa State Fairgrounds
- Enabling Garden, Altoona
- Serving over 12,000 service hours!
For more information about the Master Gardener program or other agriculture and natural resources programming reach out to Harrington at sharring@iastate.edu or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/polk/agriculture-environment.
About ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County
For over 100 years, ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County has served its residents by connecting them to research and resources developed by Iowa State University. Knowledge and programs offered through the ISU Extension Polk County office have been specifically tailored to represent, enhance, and meet the needs of Polk County residents and community. For 2022 ISU Extension in Polk County will focus on local issues including: K-12 youth outreach; family and food; and agriculture and the environment. ISU Extension and Outreach in Polk County is a part of a 99-county campus backed by research to serve all Iowans to create a strong Iowa.