Are you eager to connect to the land? Grow your own food in a way that sustains the natural environment? Create a more sustainable way of life? If yes, the Homegrown Lifestyle Network is for you!
This is my favorite time of year! Why, you ask? The availability of fresh local food on my plate, the happy birds & bees, changing trees, and the cooler temperatures are just a few reasons. I have mentioned before that I am a member of the Iowa Valley...
The good news for gardeners is that echinacea is not only useful, it's also a beautiful addition to your perennial beds and borders, and is hardy even in very cold climates (Zone 4). Linn County Master Gardener Becki Lynch provides some tips for growing...
When growing raspberries, summer pruning is crucial for increasing yields and controlling diseases. However, based on the type of raspberry and the number of crops you are hoping to harvest, summer pruning techniques may vary. In this article, Richard...
Follow this link to learn more about the course and sign up by February 21st for the early registration price! Learn how to have a Homegrown Lifestyle this year with an engaging class that features experts on a variety of topics, local speakers, tours,...
Thanks to June Crow Schrader and her family for teaching us about goats, sharing their stories, and bringing some kids for us to see! This guide provides fundamental information relevant to all goats, especially about feeding, reproduction, and health....
Trees Forever and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold a two day Stewards program for owners of small backyard forests of 2 to 15 acres. Classes will take place on Saturday, May 31 and Saturday, June 14; attending both classes is required....
Want to learn how to build a maintenance-free edible forest garden? Reserve your space now at a free, hands-on workshop Friday April 19. Arrive at 11:30 a.m. We'll provide lunch and then get to ... Reserve your space now at a free, hands-on workshop Friday...
The City of Cedar Rapids will host two informational meetings concerning the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB), an exotic, destructive insect of ash trees, which is spreading in Iowa. 1:00-4:00 p.m. Green Industry Meeting for people working in the...
Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 2:00-3:30pm 4900 Council Street NE, Cedar Rapids Join us at the Noelridge Greenhouse to learn about successful greenhouse environments. Find out how they produce the annuals and perennials for Cedar Rapids public areas. We...
Despite the colder weather outside, gardeners are still potting and planning. Some are using season extension methods while others are thinking about next gardening season. In fact, the Linn County Master Gardener Speakers Bureau receives more speaker...
For those of you who are looking for additional sources of local, sustainable food, ISU Extension and Outreach has recently released a directory of the 2014 Iowa CSA Farms. The directory lists 75 Iowa farms that host CSA operations and includes contact...
It's that time of year again! The 2014 Creative Gardening Series, presented by the Linn County Master Gardeners, kicks off tomorrow, March 27th, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at the Cedar Rapids Public Library Whipple Auditorium (450 5th Ave SE). "Small Space...
It seems to be a constant battle; as our yards and gardens sprout in the spring, so do their noxious counterparts. Over the course of the growing season, weeds compete with our gardens for nutrients, moisture and sunlight and may become host to diseases...
While leafing through seed catalogs in preparation for the upcoming growing season, it becomes habit to envision the bountiful fall harvest that will result from our extensive labor. In our excitement, we often end up with many more seeds than we can...
The summer months are the perfect time to enjoy summer squash from the garden, but successful growers must clear hurdles to gain a bountiful harvest. In a recent article, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturalists, Richard Jauron and...
Join the Linn County Master Gardeners on Saturday, July 12th from 10am- 4pm for their annual Garden Walk ! During this event, participants will have the opportunity to explore five distinctive gardens at the homes of Linn County Master Gardeners. A visit...
As you visit garden centers to purchase yard and garden supplies, you may have spotted a new tree you'd like to plant to bring beauty and interest to your yard. In addition to appearance, trees offer numerous other benefits to their owners and the environment....
Learn about gardening in small spaces. Use herbs in landscaping, enrich your soil, use willow in your garden and more! Indian Creek Nature Center is holding a day-long workshop on Saturday, January 12th. Follow the link below to learn more about the session...
Confused about all the food hype? Wondering why so many of us are sick? Want to get back to Common Sense eating? Free Introduction Class taught by Cedar Rapids Weston A. Price Chapter Leader and Iowa Valley Food Co-op Member Elaine Micheals. April 4th...
As the days become warmer, the shocks of color we've been waiting for all winter are starting to appear. That means the days of planting our gardens are in the very near future. If you are considering strawberries for your home garden, early spring (April)...
Though we are moving out of winter and into spring, the effects of our long, cold winter may be lingering longer than the frigid temperatures. In addition to the usual fall death of annual plants, the extremes of this winter have also impacted many trees...
While caring for the yard and garden, it can be challenging to remember which garden chores should take place during each month. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has simplified the garden care process by creating a calendar that details the...
Interested in learning some new skills before spring has sprung? This year's FREE Expert Education Classes are coming up soon! Tomorrow, March 1st, from 1-3 pm, Kerry Culp from Iowa State University will be presenting Soil Fertility Analysis for Residential...
Thoughts of spring! And of the major thaw and April rain showers we will soon be experiencing. While the moisture is great for our gardens and yards, much of the water doesn't end up in the locations where it is most needed. It runs over the sidewalks...
Whether you are interested in practicing your naturalist skills, learning how to identify the trees on your own property, or just looking for relief from cabin fever, the naturalists at Wickiup Hill Learning Center invite you to join their Winter Tree...
