Polk County Master Gardeners, ISU Extension and Outreach upcoming events

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.

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.

Jordan House Work Nights (18 Aug 2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Jordan House Work Nights (25 Aug 2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Jordan House Grow and Gather Education and Potluck (25 Aug 2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Jordan House Work Nights (1 Sep 2026)

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Jordan House Work Nights (8 Sep 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

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.

Restoring Roots: Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Seed Stewardship (8 Sep 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Originally Scheduled for July 14th, this event has been postposed and rescheduled to Sept 8th due to heat. 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 (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.

Jordan House Work Nights (15 Sep 2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

Jordan House Work Nights (22 Sep 2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

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.

Jordan House Grow and Gather Education and Potluck (22 Sep 2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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.

2026 Fall Gardening Workshop (22 Sep 2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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:

Composting Basics

Build a mini compost jar using browns, greens, moisture, and airflow. Volunteers prep shredded leaves, food scraps, and carbon‑to‑nitrogen ratio cards. Participants layer materials and observe early decomposition. This station teaches how fall yard waste becomes nutrient‑rich compost.

Dividing Perennials

Learn how to lift, split, and replant perennials like hostas or daylilies. Volunteers provide plant clumps, hand tools, and small pots. Participants practice safe cutting techniques and proper replanting depth. This station shows how dividing improves plant vigor and prevents overcrowding.

Seed Saving Station

Collect, clean, and store seeds from spent annuals and vegetables. Volunteers bring dried seed heads, envelopes, and labels. Participants thresh, separate, and package viable seeds. This station teaches preservation techniques for next year’s garden.

Soil Testing & Texture

Perform a soil jar test to reveal sand, silt, and clay layers. Volunteers prep jars, funnels, soil samples, and interpretation charts. Participants shake samples and compare settling layers. This station helps gardeners understand drainage and amendment needs.

Fall Bulb Planting

Plant fall bulbs in take‑home pots or trays. Volunteers provide bulbs, potting mix, and depth‑guideline cards. Participants learn spacing, planting depth, and chilling requirements. This station prepares gardeners for spring blooms.

Leaf Mold Making

Turn fall leaves into nutrient‑rich leaf mold using mesh bags or bins. Volunteers bring shredded leaves, moisture spray bottles, and mesh bags. Participants start their own leaf mold bag and learn moisture maintenance. This station highlights slow fungal decomposition and soil conditioning.

DIY Plant Protection

Create simple frost protection covers using burlap, stakes, and twine. Volunteers prep materials and demo plants. Participants assemble a small model cover and learn when to use it. This station teaches how to protect tender plants from early frost and winter wind.

Herbal Cuttings & Propagation

Take fall cuttings from herbs like rosemary, sage, or thyme. Volunteers bring mother plants, snips, rooting hormone, and pots. Participants prepare cuttings and learn rooting timelines. This station helps gardeners propagate herbs for overwintering or gifting.

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.

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.

Jordan House Work Nights (29 Sep 2026)

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

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.

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.

2026 Fall Harvest Celebration (29 Oct 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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.