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• 2025 - Plant Propagation Lab, IPM, & Seed Starting 101

  • When
    20 Oct 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    Greater DM Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
  • Spaces left
    0

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  This event is for Master Gardeners (MGs) only. This event is required for new trainees for Fall 2025 MG Class. Up to 20 more slots for already active MGs. 

  GROUP A - Trainees_ Starts with Seed Starting 101, goes to Plant Propagation, then ends with IPM.

  GROUP B - Trainees _Starts with Plant Propagation, goes to IPM, then ends with Seed Starting 101.

  GROUP C - Active MGs _Starts with IPM, then goes to Seed Starting 101, ends with Plant Propagation

  Choose your group when you register. All groups will attend each session. The group determines where you begin and end. 

  Please remember your group assignment, when you arrive and check in we will also have the list with instructions.

  Overall lab descriptions:

  Master Gardener Trainees will have the opportunity to practice seed starting and propagation skills at the DM Botanical Gardens. This event is only open to MG Trainees. There are 3 groups so please remember your group assignment, or look on your app, when you arrive. This counts as 1 of 3 required in-person sessions. 

  Sow Seeds and transplant basil in your kitchen window this winter! You can transplant what you grow next spring. 

  Training includes Integrated Pest Management Techniques, Watering and Soils/Potting Media, Sowing Seeds including Supplemental Lighting, Transplanting, "Watering in" transplants, and Care for you transplants at home, as well as Propagation where you can learn how to propagate leaf cuttings, divisions, and more!

  
  

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• 2025 Fall Harvest Celebration

  • When
    30 Oct 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Polk County Extension Office, 1625 Adventureland Dr., Suite A, Altoona, IA. 50009
  • Spaces left
    4

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

  5:30     Arrival, Directory Photos, and Year End Slideshow 

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

  6:30    Housekeeping and Social Time

  6:45   Education:  Dustin Reese from Ted Lare Garden Center, presents
                               "Fantastic Fall Perennials"

  7:45   Seed Exchange Presentation

  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 hour of education for attending. 

  Please bring your own drink container. Water and coffee will be provided. 

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• Fall Clean-up at the Demo Garden

  • When
    1 Nov 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Demonstration Garden, 92nd St & Dewey Gibbs, Urbandale

  Join us for the Demonstration Garden fall clean up on Saturday, November 1, beginning at 9:00 AM until around noon or so.   Come when you can....leave when you must.

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• Winter Sowing with Kay Oliver & Stephanie Harrington

  • When
    8 Jan 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Polk County Extension Office, 1625 Adventureland Dr., Suite A, Altoona Ia 50009

  Register

  

  Polk County Master Gardener Program Committee Winter Event

  Don’t put your green thumb away this winter. Polk County Master Gardeners, Kay Oliver and Stephanie Harrington, will talk you through a step-by-step plan on how to do Winter Sowing and Seed Starting Indoors. They will cover all things to consider when doing winter sowing such as when to plant, what type of equipment you will need, maintenance needed though the winter months and when to transplant. Discover the benefits of sowing seeds outdoors in the winter!

  Join Polk County Master Gardeners for an evening of learning and fun!  Master Gardeners and non-Master Gardeners are welcome. Master Gardeners receive 2.5 hours of education for attending. This event is open to the public. 

  The Program Committee is asking for five volunteers to bring soup for the evening.  Please use the link below to register on the Sign Up Genius. Participants are asked to bring a side or dessert for this event. 

    Please bring your own drink container.
  Water and coffee will be provided.

  The meal will begin at 6 p.m. and our speakers will begin at 6:30 p.m.

  

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• Spring Kick Off PCMG Awards and Recognition

  • When
    9 Apr 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Polk Extension Office 1625 Adventureland Dr. Suite A
  • Spaces left
    81
  • Registered
    19 registrants

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  This evening is to celebrate all the accomplishment of 2025! There will be special awards and dinner is provided. 

  Education Session is TBD soon. This evening will include 2025 Awards and Recognition.

  Evening Agenda:

  Agenda:

  6-6:30 dinner & social time

  6:30 p.m. Speaker TBD  (earn 1 hour of education)

  7:30 p.m. Break

  7:40 Awards and Celebration. In addition to the MG Special Awards, folks with milestone MG years will be honored.

  This event is open to the public. Please bring family and friends! Master Gardeners and non-Master Gardeners are welcome. Master Gardeners receive 1 credit CEU for attending. 

  UPDATE: The Program Committee will be supplying the main course- chicken, hamburgers and the vegetable dishes for this event, as well as coffee and water.  Please plan to bring your favorite dessert to share for this event.  

  Let's keep it green, please bring your own reusable water bottle. 

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