Polk County Master Gardeners, ISU Extension and Outreach upcoming events

Discovery Garden Pond Cleaning (25 Apr 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Learn more about pond maintenance and help Dean and the crew prepare and clean up the pond for this season over at the Discovery Garden!

We are located on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, on the south side of the Agricultural Building. For more information contact discoverygardenpcmg@gmail.com

PCMG 1st Biannual Leadership Summit (29 Apr 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

For Master Gardeners Only.

All Master Gardener project leads and garden leads are invited to gather together and share expereinces!

Why This Summit Matters

This summit brings PCMG leaders together to align on mission, coordinate a shared calendar, and strengthen collaboration across all gardens and projects—so no one is planning in isolation and no good work is duplicated or lost. By connecting leaders by role, surfacing shared challenges and resources, and clarifying responsibilities, we reduce burnout and increase impact. Just as importantly, the summit intentionally builds a leadership pipeline—identifying emerging leaders, creating mentorship connections, and ensuring knowledge, relationships, and momentum carry forward—so Polk County Master Gardener projects remain resilient, well-supported, and sustainable for years to come.

What We’ll Do (Snapshot)

10-minute lightning updates from each garden/project
Share wins, challenges, and collaboration opportunities
Align on events calendar (work nights, education, tours, special events)
Confirm roles, handoffs, and support needs
Identify cross-garden partnerships and shared resources
Break-out sessions per role/responsibility and/or interest.

If you are a leader or want to lead a project, please register now!

Demonstration Garden Plant Sale- Urbandale (2 May 2026)

Sat, 02 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The Demonstration Garden will be hosting our annual plant sale on Saturday, May 2. The Master Gardeners will have a variety of :

Gently used garden items- tools, décor, fencing, pots, gardening books, etc.
Healthy houseplants
Vegetable or annual flower transplants
Perennial plants

Demo Garden Worknight (4 May 2026)

Mon, 04 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (Thursdays) (7 May 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join us for work night at the Demonstration Garden.

(Monday work nights occur throughout the garden season, but due to the extra work required in spring, Thursday work nights are held May through early June.)

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (11 May 2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (Thursdays) (14 May 2026)

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join us for work night at the Demonstration Garden.

(Monday work nights occur throughout the garden season, but due to the extra work required in spring, Thursday work nights are held May through early June.)

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (18 May 2026)

Mon, 18 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (Thursdays) (21 May 2026)

Thu, 21 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join us for work night at the Demonstration Garden.

(Monday work nights occur throughout the garden season, but due to the extra work required in spring, Thursday work nights are held May through early June.)

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (25 May 2026)

Mon, 25 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (Thursdays) (28 May 2026)

Thu, 28 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join us for work night at the Demonstration Garden.

(Monday work nights occur throughout the garden season, but due to the extra work required in spring, Thursday work nights are held May through early June.)

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (1 Jun 2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Growing to Give: Empowering Donation Gardens (3 Jun 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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.

Alicia Herzog, Program Coordinator for Iowa State Extension and Outreach, Iowa Master Gardener Program, will present on 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.

Demo Garden Worknight (Thursdays) (4 Jun 2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join us for work night at the Demonstration Garden.

(Monday work nights occur throughout the garden season, but due to the extra work required in spring, Thursday work nights are held May through early June.)

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (8 Jun 2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Building Seasonal Interest — What’s Working Now & What’s Next (11 Jun 2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

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.

2026 Polk County Master Gardener Bus Trip (13 Jun 2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Registration: includes bus travel, meals, snacks and garden admissions. Physical activity: moderate walking stairs, occasional uneven terrain, and stairs on/off bus.

Hotel reservation is not included with the bus trip registration. Participants will be given instructions for booking their room from the block reserved for the group.

Saturday and Sunday,

June 13-14, 2026

Please join us as we take a tour through Eastern Iowa to tour both public and private gardens as well as stop at local nurseries. We will stay overnight in Moline. Educational hours will be available.

Highlights of the private gardens include:

We will visit a garden that has transitioned from larger trees to those focusing on intermediate and dwarf conifers. Numerous troughs and a rock garden showcase the miniature plants. This garden displays a wide variety of interesting trees, conifers, shrubs and perennials.
We will explore a garden filled with witch’s brooms along with other rare and unique conifers. Three ponds are home to water lilies and goldfish of various sizes. You will see metal artwork throughout the landscape and vegetable garden.
We will travel to the land of fairies on a ½ acre backyard that displays conifers, hostas and fairy gardens. Two ponds contribute to the soothing sound of water and a pavilion with a fire pit provides an entertainment area. There is also a playhouse for the younger family members. The entry to the garden has a brick patio made up of 8000 bricks that the owners installed themselves.
We will enjoy a one-acre yard that has several flowing beds and rock outcrops filled with a collection of over 800 conifer cultivars as well as many non-conifer trees and perennials set off by walkways and walls. A pond, streams, and waterfalls rea scattered throughout the garden as well.

Registration will be available March 27^th.

Please join us for a fun full weekend of gardens!

Demo Garden Worknight (15 Jun 2026)

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Urban Forestry in Action: Planting for the Future (16 Jun 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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.

Led by Austin Decker, Urban Forestry Supervisor for the City of West Des Moines’ Public Services Department, this program offers practical, research-based guidance on proper tree planting and long-term care. Attendees will learn how to select the right tree for the right place, avoid common planting mistakes, and address typical tree health issues in urban landscapes. A live planting demonstration will walk through correct techniques step by step. Participants will leave with the knowledge and confidence to support a healthier, more resilient community canopy.

Demo Garden Worknight (22 Jun 2026)

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Preventing Garden Injury (23 Jun 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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.

Seth Bonifas and Jake Stearns are presenting a program where you will learn simple exercises that help prevent injuries while gardening. Speakers are Physical Therapists with combined credentials: PT, DPT & ATC.

PCMG Garden Tour (27 Jun 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Visit gardens on the West Side of Polk County. $10 per adult, children under 12 are free.

Gardens are open 9am - 4 pm rain or shine.

During this one-day event, Master Gardeners and other gardening enthusiasts show off their extraordinary gardens. The tour will delight your senses, stimulate your curiosity, and inspire new garden ideas as you venture through several gardens on the West Side of Polk County.

These home gardens reveal a variety of backyard spaces with patios, garden paths, garden features, perennial beds, water gardens, pollinator gardens and bountiful vegetable spaces. Shade or sun - inspiration abounds, all with the addition of a few native plantings and other alternative spaces.

Enjoy a breathtaking display of color and fragrance as you experience the activities and wander through the vegetable and flower gardens of Polk County Master Gardeners!

Buy Tickets Now!

Demo Garden Worknight (29 Jun 2026)

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Honey Bees: The Other Livestock (1 Jul 2026)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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.

Join Tim and Christie Flickinger for a discussion on the challenges and joys of hosting honeybee hives in Iowa. Topics include starting a hive, maintenance, harvesting honey and dealing with environmental issues.

Demo Garden Worknight (6 Jul 2026)

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (13 Jul 2026)

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Children's Art in the Garden (14 Jul 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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.

This year's art and exploratory stations and activities coming soon!

Registration not required for this public event!

Learn more

Restoring Roots: Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Seed Stewardship (14 Jul 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (20 Jul 2026)

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (27 Jul 2026)

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (3 Aug 2026)

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (10 Aug 2026)

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (17 Aug 2026)

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (24 Aug 2026)

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Making Land Resilient and Supporting Habitat (25 Aug 2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (31 Aug 2026)

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (7 Sep 2026)

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (14 Sep 2026)

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (21 Sep 2026)

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (28 Sep 2026)

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (5 Oct 2026)

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (12 Oct 2026)

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Demo Garden Worknight (19 Oct 2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

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.

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.