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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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• Restoring Roots: Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Seed Stewardship

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

  Register

  
  

  Marianna G. M. Cota, MPH, Meskwaki Food Sovereignty (MFS) 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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• 2026 Fall Gardening Workshop

  • When
    22 Sep 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    ISU Polk County Extension Office, 1625 Adventureland Dr., Suite A, Altoona, IA
  • Spaces left
    36
  • Registered
    79 registrants

  Register

  

  September 22, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.

  Test your skills, ask burning questions and do some hands on learning. Come out to Altoona Extension Office for a fun, interactive event on various fall gardening tasks such as composting, growing and harvesting herbs, planting bulbs, and more! 

  Need help finding what counts for approved Master Gardener continuing education? At 6:00p.m., Gloria Morris from the Advisory Council will be conducting a session on approved education options available to Master Gardeners.

  2 hrs. of CEU credit is available at this session for Master Gardeners. This event is open to the public. We are asking the public to make a $10 cash donation to cover martials for this event. 

  Snacks and desserts will be provided for this event. Table topics include:

  1. Bulb Lasagna- Brie Hodges Miller

  2. Seeds Saving Station - Tamara Pool

  3. Plant Protection - Catherine Mc Bride

  4. Winter Sowing- Kay Oliver

  5. Iris, Canna, Lily, Allium, Dahlia--But, aren't they all the same? - Kathleen Owens and Jerry Eisenhower

  6. Herbs, Tulsie, and Propagation- Lynette Thornton

  7. Soil Testing- Bonnie McCaughey

  8. Plant prop with water.- Small vases and pathos cuts - Laura F 

  9. Winter Gardening Tips and Best Practices- Rita Perea

  10. MG Continuing Education Ops - Gloria Morris

  In the event of inclement weather – including snow and ice events – education nights may be cancelled for volunteer safety.  Updates and cancellation notices will be posted on the PCMG website/Facebook page or group/email for registrants.  Please check these for the most current information before heading out. 

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• 2026 Fall Harvest Celebration

  • When
    29 Oct 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Polk County Extension Office, 1625 Adventureland Dr., Suite A, Altoona, IA. 50009
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  The Polk County Master Gardener Program Committee invites you to our 2026 Fall Harvest Celebration!  Join Polk County Master Gardener's for an evening of learning and fun!   

  5:30     Arrival, Directory Photos, PCMG Advisory Council Voting and Year End Slideshow 

  6:00    Dinner -Taco Bar– Bring a Salad or Dessert of your choice

  6:30   PCMG Seed Exchange Committee will provide an update on our seed exchange program.  Please bring your seed donations tonight!

  6:45   Education: Climate Trends & Extremes in Iowa with Dr. Justin Glisan, State Climatologist of Iowa

  7:45  Stephanie Harrington- Extremes as the New Normal- Adapting Our Garden Practices 

  8:00  Social time and Photos for Directory 

  This event is open to the public.  

  Master Gardeners and trainees are encouraged to attend this important yearly meeting and celebration.  Non-Master Gardeners are welcome. Master Gardeners receive 1.25 hour of education for attending. 

  Please bring your own drink container. Water and coffee will be provided.  Please bring a salad or dessert to share. 

  
  

  In the event of inclement weather – including severe weather, snow and ice events – education nights may be cancelled for volunteer safety.  Updates and cancellation notices will be posted on the PCMG website/Facebook page or group/email for registrants.  Please check these for the most current information before heading out. 

  
  

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