Article Archives
New Sculpture Shines on Project GREEN Gardens
By Linda Schreiber During Open Gardens Weekend on June 27-28, visitors were treated to the debut of “Lunar Horizon,” a new sculpture created by Nick Goergen. The local artist volunteers at Project GREEN Gardens, helping…
Keep readingGet Ready to BioBlitz
The public is invited to explore, observe, and document biodiversity across the 8-acre garden site. Working alongside local experts, you’ll contribute to a multi-year effort tracking how species diversity changes over time—real science happening right…
Keep readingUpcoming Events/Volunteer Activities
City of Iowa City – icgov.org Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.-noon IOWA CITY FARMERS MARKET. 415 E. Washington St. The City of Iowa City continues its popular open-air farmers market on Saturday mornings at Chauncey Swan parking…
Keep readingBuilding a Dead Hedge
By Jodee Miller This spring, as I was considering the gardening projects I wanted to accomplish this year, an interesting idea presented itself on my Instagram feed – a dead hedge. Similar to brush piles…
Keep readingTrolling at Bickelhaupt Arboretum
By Sharon Rude I had the opportunity to visit Bickelhaupt Arboretum on Thursday, April 30. It is located in a residential neighborhood, one mile northwest of Eastern Iowa Community College in Clinton, Iowa. It is…
Keep readingComposting and Community in the Tropics
By Jairo Munoz Composting in the tropics should be easy given the year-round heat and abundant rainfall. Implementing a simple, sustainable composting program in my neighborhood in Medellin, Colombia, has been complicated at times, though…
Keep reading7th Annual Open Gardens Weekend Blooms in June
By Linda Schreiber Garden enthusiasts are invited to Open Gardens Weekend 2026, a free self-guided tour showcasing more than 20 residential and prairie gardens in Iowa City, Coralville and across Johnson County. The annual event,…
Keep readingNative Plant Series: Summer Blooms & Prairie Gardening
By Linda Schreiber The Native Plant Series at Johnson County Conservation continues Sunday, June 14, at the Education Center at F.W. Kent Park with a native plant sale, educational program, and optional guided prairie hike.…
Keep readingA Garden Success: Growing to Meet Food Needs
By Linda Schreiber Retirement gave Jeff Disterhoft time to consider how he wanted to spend his next chapter. Passing the Lacina berry farm near Oxford inspired an idea: what if unused land could help feed…
Keep readingDesktop Hydroponics: Fresh Greens All Year
By Angela Lambertz Long before I brought a desktop hydroponics unit into my home, I learned an important lesson: edible plants don’t need soil to grow if they’re given the right conditions. In 1999, I…
Keep readingSpring Ephemerals at Maquoketa Caves Park
By Sharon Rude My husband and I took a day trip to Maquoketa Caves State Park on April 10. I’m not a fan of caves unless I can see daylight, but I was intrigued by…
Keep readingUpcoming Events/Volunteer Opportunities
EarthMind – earthmindpractice.org Sunday, May 17, 1-2:30 p.m. FORAGING SPRING EDIBLES. Hickory Hill Park South Entrance, 1439 E. Bloomington St., Iowa City. Spring is bursting with edible treasures, from tender greens to delicate flowers. Join…
Keep readingJohnson County Conservation Late April Activities
johnsoncountyiowa.gov/department-of-conservation Sunday, April 26, 1:30-3 p.m. EARLIEST FLOWERS OF SPRING WALK. Ryerson’s Woods State Preserve, 2961 Old Hwy. 218 S., Iowa City. Do you know the time in spring when the woodland ground has thawed,…
Keep readingAmerica’s 250th Celebration to Feature Plum Grove Gardens
By Carolyn Murphy The Johnson County Master Gardeners are proud to partner with the Lucas Farms Neighborhood to celebrate Lucas Farms History Days at Plum Grove. Lucas Farms will host numerous activities throughout the neighborhood from…
Keep readingThe Art of Bonsai at Swisher Library
By Alice Linhart Bonsai, a Japanese word, roughly translates to “tree in a tray.” The Japanese have spent a thousand years perfecting the art of creating miniature living trees. Bonsai is a living art form,…
Keep readingUpcoming Events / Volunteer Opportunities
***Check organization websites for cancellations before event dates.*** Bur Oak Land Trust buroaklandtrust.org/ Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m. HIDDEN PRAIRIE: PHOTOGRAPHING LIFE IN ONE SQUARE METER. Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth St., Coralville.…
Keep readingEarthMind to host classes in April
EarthMind (formerly Backyard Abundance) will offer a series of hands-on learning opportunities throughout the month of April. The nonprofit organization helps people and communities cultivate calm, connection, and resilience through nature-based coaching, hands-on learning, and…
Keep readingIowa Master Gardeners 2026 Home Gardening Webinar Series wraps up
Iowa Master Gardeners has wrapped up it’s weekly webinar series. If you missed a session or would like to re‑watch any of the webinars, the recordings are available on our Iowa Master Gardener YouTube Channel.…
Keep readingCelebrate Sustainability at Earth Expo
Hosted by Iowa City Recreation, the Earth Expo invites the community to explore sustainability, connect with local organizations, and take part in hands-on activities on Saturday, April 11, from 1-4 p.m. at the Robert A.…
Keep readingCalathea Crazy: Life with This Fussy Tropical
By Melissa Serenda I’ve been growing calatheas for more than 20 years; during that time I’ve watched them go from a relatively uncommon houseplant to a genus with a reputation as lovely but fickle heartbreakers.…
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Johnson County Master Gardeners of Iowa 