Polk County Master Gardeners

10/29/2026

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🌿🍄 Interested in foraging? Join us for “Intro to Foraging ID” with Lindsey Coyne of Herb & Forage!
🗓️ Monday, Nov. 16, 2026
🕕 6–7pm 📍 ISU Extension Polk County Office, Altoona
💲 $15 Learn safe foraging, plant ID, and what’s in season.
Perfect for beginners, plant ID, and what's in season!
Register: https://go.iastate.edu/4QDTTF
Discover the world of foraging—see you there! 🌱

10/22/2026

🌱 Master Gardeners: need volunteer hours this winter? Here's an indoor option!

WesleyLife Meals on Wheels welcomes volunteers at its Prairie Meadows Hydroponic Farm in Des Moines — a 3,000-sq-ft indoor farm growing up to 20,000 lbs of leafy greens a year for older Iowans, veterans, and neighbors facing food insecurity.

Tasks include:
🌱 Seeding — peaceful, seated-friendly
🧹 Tear Out — clearing old plants and rafts (great for groups)
🪴 Transplanting — moving seedlings into the towers
✂️ Harvesting & Packing — greens washed, bagged, and sent out to the community
🧽 Cleaning — the most important job of all!

No experience needed — training is provided, and tasks accommodate different mobility levels, including seated work. Learn more at the link in the comments 👇

10/13/2026

🪴 Love succulents or want to learn more about them?
Join Natural Resource Program Coordinator Stephanie Harrington with ISU Polk County Extension for a fun, hands-on program all about succulents!
We’ll talk about the basics of keeping your succulents happy and healthy, including the right amount of light, when and how to water, and easy ways to propagate new plants.
And the best part? You’ll get to create your own planter with three succulents to take home and continue growing and propagating!

Whether you’re new to succulents or already have a collection at home, you’ll pick up some helpful tips and get a chance to get your hands in the dirt. 🌱🪴

🪴Nov. 3rd, 6-7 p.m.
🍃Giovanetti Community Shelter, 8900 Douglas Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322
🌿Register by 10/26 at: https://facebook.com/events/s/succulent-care-propagation-wor/1656637862492795/ under "tickets"
⭐Cost: $40

09/30/2026

🍂🌸 Asters and Mums: More Than Just Fall Color! 🌸🍂
Fall gardens are putting on quite a show! As summer blooms begin to fade, asters and mums step in with beautiful pops of purple, pink, blue, white, yellow, orange and red. 🌼
But did you know these fall favorites do more than brighten up your garden? They also provide an important source of food for pollinators when fewer plants are blooming.
🐝🦋
Those late-season blooms can help support insects as they prepare for winter or, for some species, complete their fall migration.

Learn more about why these late-season favorites are important for pollinators from:
https://ow.ly/cIQa50ZRzH7

09/26/2026

🍂🌱 Fall 2026 Gardening Workshop Recap! 🌱🍂

We kicked off the first day of fall with hands-on learning at the Altoona Extension Office! Master Gardeners and participants explored fall gardening topics like soil testing, seed saving, plant protection, winter sowing, and more.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our Master Gardeners for sharing their expertise. 🍁🌻

📸 Check out a few highlights from the workshop!

09/23/2026

🎃 Pumpkin Fact! 🎃
Did you know that the “pumpkin” in your canned pumpkin puree might not be the pumpkin you picture at the pumpkin patch? 👀
Generally, very little of the traditional pumpkins we think of—like jack-o’-lantern pumpkins—is used for canned pumpkin puree. Instead, most canned pumpkin is made from butternut or other winter squashes! That’s because “pumpkin” is a general term used for several different species and varieties of squash. The types used for puree are selected because they have the qualities that make them especially good for eating. 🥧

Want to learn more about pumpkins? Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has resources covering growing, harvesting, storing, selecting, and even common pumpkin problems.

👉 Check out the All About Pumpkins resource from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: All About Pumpkins
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/all-about-pumpkins

What’s your favorite way to enjoy pumpkin this time of year—pie, soup, bread, or something else? 🍂🎃

09/22/2026

🍂 Happy First Day of Fall! 🍁

Can you believe fall is here already? It’s a great time to get outside and enjoy the cooler weather while getting a few things done in the garden. 🌱

🍂There are plenty of fall gardening tasks to tackle, and if you’re looking to add a little color, fall plantings are a great way to keep your garden looking beautiful as the seasons change.

Not sure where to start? Check out these helpful resources from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Yard and Garden for tips and ideas:

🌿 Fall Garden Tasks: https://ow.ly/ApVh50ZONHe

🌸 Planting in Late Summer and Early Fall: https://ow.ly/uu3C50ZONHa

Take advantage of these beautiful fall days and enjoy a little time in the garden! 🍁🧤🌻

09/09/2026

💧In this Pond Study program you will have an introduction to the world of micro & macro-organisms and understanding what kind of water quality aquatic organisms live in. Folks will use nets to catch and observe aquatic organisms and conduct a water quality test on a pond.

⌚Thursday, Sept. 17th from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at Thomas Mitchell Pond Parking Lot
⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19th from 10:30am - 11:30am at Jester Park Wetland Shelter

⭐Register at: https://ow.ly/agWR50ZKN92

💸This program is being offered at NO COST - all equipment (pond nets, ID sheets, water quality testing supplies) will be provided!

09/03/2026

See below location change! +++Marianna G. M. Cota, MPH, Food Sovereignty Coordinator for the Meskwaki Nation, will join our Summer Lecture Series on Sept. 8 to share insights on Indigenous food systems, seed stewardship, and community-centered approaches to land and nourishment. 🌽

This lecture will explore the meaning of food sovereignty, the cultural and ecological importance of traditional crops, and ongoing efforts to restore Native foodways in Iowa. Attendees will gain perspective on how history, resilience, and environmental care intersect in Indigenous agriculture.

When: Sept. 8, 6 to 7 PM
Where: Valley Community Center, 4444 Fuller Road in West Des Moines
Cost: Free, bring your own lawn chairs.