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Polk County Master Gardeners

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Polk County

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Events

The Polk County Master Gardeners host events throughout the growing season to provide educational opportunities to the community. Each year we host a few signature events, as well as other pop-up events throughout the spring/summer. 

Garden Tour


Our next Garden Tour is in the Works! Check out extraordinary gardens created by ordinary people across the county in this educational event! Check out more information on our 2024 Garden Tour page. 


Bus Trips

Take a charter bus to explore nearby gardens and sites in Central Iowa and beyond! Read more and register on this page. 


Ask a Master Gardener


Visit us at the Downtown Des Moines and Beaverdale Farmers' Markets during the growing season! Come with your burning questions, or check out timely gardening information you can use at home. 


Don't Miss out!

Check our page often for pop-up events, summer lecture programs, and more!

Upcoming events

  • Rooted in water: Home Hydroponic Basics

    • 20 May 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Enabling Garden - 1050 1st Ave S. Altoona, IA 50009
    Register

    Join Joe and Lindsay Leonetti as they discuss their experience with home hydroponics. 

    Show details

  • Bringing Gardening Home: Urban Conservation & Gardening

    • 19 Jun 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Demonstration Garden, 92 St. & Dewey Gibbs, Urbandale
    • 5 registrants
    Register

    Our urban areas are growing at a record pace!  Master Conservationist Andy James of Prairie Fire Restoration will speak about gardening that protects and preserves our urban green spaces.

    The public is invited to our summer lectures.

    Show details

  • Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Garden

    • 24 Jun 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Enabling Garden - 1050 1st Ave S. Altoona, IA 50009
    Register

    Eva Henderson, Master Gardener, will educate and discuss the little details you can do to make plants thrive, and the science behind it.

    This event is open to the public.

    Show details

  • The Making of a Garden: Past, Present, and Future

    • 25 Jun 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Discovery Garden 1207 E. Iowa St. at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
    • 1 registrant
    Register

    Marcia Leeper, garden enthusiast, will talk about all the tips and techniques that led to the evolving garden she has today with an emphasis on durable perennials and their maintenance.

    This event is open to the public. 



    Show details

  • Organic & Low Impact Gardening for Pollinators

    • 26 Jun 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Demonstration Garden, 92nd St. & Dewey Gibbs, Urbandale
    • 5 registrants
    Register

    Presented by Kelly Jensen from Ted Lare Garden Center:  

    Kelly will be talking about his personal methods for weeds and pest control, as well as tolerance for having those things around. "Organic gardening is a lot about give and take with nature -- not to control it and bend it to your will."


    Show details

  • Polk County Master Gardener Bus Trip

    • 28 Jun 2025
    • Start and End at: 1625 Adventureland Dr. Suite A. Altoona, IA

    Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for a day full of beautiful private gardens, a flower farm, a farm-to-table lunch, a prairie restoration and plant nursery shopping in Story and Boone County.

    Register Now!

    Registration fee: $85– includes bus travel, lunch, snacks and garden admissions. Physical activity: moderate walking stairs, occasional uneven terrain, will require walking on a gravel road for a short distance, and stairs on/off bus.

    Itinerary:

    • We are very excited to have the privilege of touring 4 very special private gardens. Highlights include:
    • A large urban garden that has numerous conifers, Japanese maples, sun and shade plants of various sizes and shapes.  While wandering through the garden you’ll find 6 water features and fish too! 
    • A five-acre perennial garden that is situated on three levels.  Each level contains distinct microclimates and plant ecosystems.  You will see over 1500 Hosta’s and hundreds of companion shade perennials displayed in various designs.  You will observe several pollinator gardens, a rose garden, a daylily collection, water features and several original art pieces.
    • A 10-acre home site of a local Story County Master Gardener that includes a reconstructed prairie, a large daylily collection Hosta, iris and a diverse collection of perennials, shrubs and trees.
    • A 3200 square foot garden that features 57 different plant species! This entire landscape was designed and planted by Kelly Norris.  Kelly is an award-winning author and plantsman, and the former director of horticulture and education at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens.
    •  Friend’s Flowers is a family run flower farm with over 70 varieties of flowers through the season.  There will be an opportunity to build a bouquet at their flower bar for $15 per person.  Please note your interest in participating on the registration and bring cash the day of the trip.
    • Nursery Red Granite Farm is a diverse, family-owned retail garden center operation.  Its garden center is full of unique perennials, succulents, shrubs and hardy vines.

    Learn More


    Show details

  • Wheatgrass: growing Health from the Ground Up

    • 9 Jul 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Discovery Garden 1207 E. Iowa St. at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
    • Be the first
    Register

    Learn more about this beneficial and nutritious crop with Kerri Rush, also known as The Wheatgrass Girl and is the owner, farmer and chef of Fresh Wheatgrass Girl Farm in Carlisle, Iowa.

    This event is open to the public. 



    Show details

  • Open House at the Demonstration Garden

    • 10 Jul 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Demonstration Garden 3305 92nd St, Urbandale

    Come enjoy this gem in the heart of the metro area! Spend some time exploring the different areas of the garden, enjoying some unique activities and refreshments, and connecting with neighborhood residents as well as other master gardeners.  Everyone welcome!

    Show details

  • Circle of Life: From Beginning to End of Life for a Tree

    • 17 Jul 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Demonstration Garden, 92nd St. & Dewey Gibbs, Urbandale
    • 1 registrant
    Register


    Eric Foley, an ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist, will be talking about the different life stages that trees experience, and how their habits and needs change over time. 

    This event is open to the public. 



    Show details

  • Allendan Seed Company Tour - MG Program Committee

    • 24 Jul 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Allendan Seed Company, 1966 175th Ln, Winterset, IA 50273
    Register

    The Polk County Master Gardener Program Committee invites you to join us on Thursday, July, 24th for a tour of the Allendan Seed Company in Winterset, lowa.  This company produces native wildflower and grass seed to sell wholesale and retail nationwide. This will be an exciting opportunity to learn about every stage of the native seed and plug production process.   Allendan has over 6,000 acres of wildflowers and grasses that produce the seed which they sell.  If wanting a preview, check out their website, (allendanseed.com) to learn more about this Company.

    If you wish to participate, please review all details of the tour below; click on the signup button and select an available slot. Your name, email address, and phone number are required.

    DETAILS: The PCMG will tour the facility from 9 AM to 11 AM.

    The tour is open for both Master Gardeners and Non-Master Gardeners.  Master Gardeners will receive two hours of
    education for this tour. 

    **There is a limit of 75 individuals for this tour.**

    **Master Gardeners must provide their own transportation, and we encourage you to carpool when possible.**
    **This is a walking tour of Allendan Seed.  Closed toe shoes are required for this tour.**

    Please register with your name and email address.
    Registration is available through July 23rd. 

    Show details

  • The Making of a Garden: Past, Present, and Future

    • 24 Jul 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Demonstration Garden, 92nd St & Dewey Gibbs, Urbandale
    • 1 registrant
    Register

    Marcia Leeper, garden enthusiast, will share her garden story of 38 years, providing tips and techniques that led to the evolving garden she has today.  Emphasis on ground bees and other pollinators.

    This event is open to the public. 



    Show details

  • Shade Gardening

    • 31 Jul 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Demonstration Garden, 92nd & Dewey Gibbs, Urbandale
    • 1 registrant
    Register


    Tired of only using hostas in your shade garden? Looking for something a little more special? Dustin, from Ted Lare Garden Center will be presenting some great options for your shade garden that will broaden your plant pallet and help you think about your shade beds, differently.

    This event is open to the public.

    Show details

  • The Care and Feeding of Roses

    • 7 Aug 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Demonstration Garden, 92nd & Dewey Gibbs, Urbandale
    • 1 registrant
    Register

    What do roses need to thrive?  Karri Rose, Chief Inspiration Officer from Rose Farmstead, will share some tips on how to care for roses and keep them healthy.

    The public is invited to our summer lectures.

    Show details

Contact Us
Office: 515-957-5768
polkmg@iastate.edu

ISU Extension and Outreach, Polk County:
1625 Adventureland Dr.
Suite A | Altoona, IA 50009

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For the full non-discrimination statement or accommodation inquiries, visit Iowa State Extension Legal

© Polk County Master Gardeners 2025

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