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• Demo Garden Worknight

  • Start
    4 May 2026
  •  
  • End
    19 Oct 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    25 sessions
  • Location
    Demonstration Garden, 92nd and Dewey Gibbs Rd. Urbandale, IA 50322

  Join us for work night at the Demonstration Garden.

  Volunteers can come to the garden any day or time but our official work nights are an opportunity for us to do some gardening AND enjoy some social time together. 

  You may work in a specific bed you are leading or have a special interest in or you may check in with our work night manager and perform random tasks around the garden that are of high priority that evening. 

  Work nights start at 5 and can go up until 8 (or when it starts getting dark) however our motto is "come when you can, leave when you must". You don't need to be in attendance for the full time. 

  
  

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• Jordan House Work Nights

  • Start
    26 May 2026
  •  
  • End
    29 Sep 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    19 sessions
  • Location
    Jordan House Gardens, 2001 Fuller Road, West Des Moines, Ia, 50265

  Join us for Tuesday Work Nights at the Jordan House. 

  Weekly work nights run from May 19 to September 29. 

  Work Night hours are 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  

  The fourth Tuesday of the month are Grow and Gather Education and Potluck Nights. 

  In the event of inclement weather - including heavy rain, lightning, tornado warning, high heat index, and/or high humidity-gardening work nights may be cancelled for volunteer safety. Updates and cancellation notices will be posted on the garden sites PCMG website/project Facebook page or group. Please check these for the most current information before heading out. 

  
  

  
  

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• Jordan House Grow and Gather Education and Potluck

  • Start
    26 May 2026
  •  
  • End
    22 Sep 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    Jordan House Gardens, 2001 Fuller Road, West Des Moines, Ia, 50265

  Join us for the Jordan House Grow and Gather Education
  and Potluck nights every fourth Tuesday of the month
  following garden work nights. 

  Grow and Gather Education & Potluck nights are
  May 26, June 23, July 28, August 25, and September 22.

  Work Night hours are 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  

  In the event of inclement weather - including heavy rain, lightning, tornado warning, high heat index, and/or high humidity-gardening work nights may be cancelled for volunteer safety. Updates and cancellation notices will be posted on the garden sites PCMG website/project Facebook page or group. Please check these for the most current information before heading out. 

  
  

  
  

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• Summer Lecture Series: Growing To Give, Empowering Donation Gardeners

  • When
    8 Jul 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    Discovery Garden, 1207 E. Iowa Street, Des Moines

  Register

  Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for their 2026 Summer Lecture Series in one of four demonstration gardens. Bring your own lawn chair and learn with us. 
  

  This presentation explores how donation gardening and community-based horticulture projects can strengthen local support networks and increase access to fresh produce.  Participants will learn practical ways to make an impact, donation garden basics, and the basics of partnering with food pantries to get produce to neighbors in need.

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• Children's Art in the Garden

  • When
    14 Jul 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    1050 1st Ave. S., Altoona, IA 50009, southeast of the Hy-Vee

  
  

  
  

  The Enabling Garden in Altoona, IA, will host its annual Children’s Art in the Garden event from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The event offers multiple art activity centers for children, live children's music, and a StoryWalk® featuring the book, Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn.
  

  Art Stations

  Paper Bag Masquerade, Nature Journals, Laminated Sun Catchers, Beaded Butterflies, Nature Backpack Keychains, Garden Rock Painting, Birdhouse and Flower Art, and Grow a Sunflower

  Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge-Native Prairie Seed Craft

  ISU Polk County Extension & Outreach-Parts of a Flower Craft, Bug Barn, Composting Display, Drawings for Summer Fun Bucket,

  Altoona Public Library-Create a Button

  Social Drumming-Interactive activity

  
  

    Registration not required for this public event!

  
  

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• Restoring Roots: Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Seed Stewardship

  • When
    14 Jul 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    Jordan House Garden, 2001 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265

  Register

  Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for their 2026 Summer Lecture Series in one of four demonstration gardens. Bring your own lawn chair and learn with us. 
  

  Marianna G. M. Cota, MPH, Food Sovereignty Coordinator for the Meskwaki Nation, will 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. The program invites gardeners and community members alike to consider how cultivating food can also cultivate cultural understanding and long-term sustainability.

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• Building Seasonal Interest — What’s Working Now & What’s Next

  • When
    30 Jul 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Demonstration Garden, 92nd and Dewey Gibbs Rd. Urbandale, IA 50322

  Register

  

  This event has been rescheduled from the original date and is now taking place on July 30th!

  Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for their 2026 Summer Lecture Series in one of four demonstration gardens. Bring your own lawn chair and learn with us. 
  

  In this class, Dustin Reese, Nursery Manager, Ted Lare Garden Center, will discuss bloom times, structure, and foliage to better understand how gardens evolve over a season and help ensure our gardens look their best all year long. We will also dive deeper into "off season" interest by looking at plant options to add to your garden. These options will bridge cold-season gaps and keep your garden the envy of the neighborhood even in the dead of winter.

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• Making Land Resilient and Supporting Habitat

  • When
    25 Aug 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    Enabling Garden, 1050 1st Ave S, Altoona, IA 50009

  Register

  Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for their 2026 Summer Lecture Series in one of four demonstration gardens. Bring your own lawn chair and learn with us. 
  

  Andy James with Prairie Fire restoration will present on land resiliency and supporting native habitats. Andy is a Master Conservationist and Woodland Steward. This program will increase your skills in managing the land you’re responsible for while creating an awareness of alien verses native flora & fauna.

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