Polk County Master Gardeners, ISU Extension and Outreach upcoming events

Gardening With Roses (23 Jul 2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 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.

Leslie Hunter, Horticulture Manager and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, will discuss the principles and reasoning behind gardening WITH roses and how this can be done organically. Despite what you may have heard, roses do need friends and enjoy the company of other plants beside themselves. Interplanting provides not only a beautiful garden, but also attracts beneficial insects, disrupts disease processes, and provides seasonal interest all while using less chemicals.

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.

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 (28 Jul 2026)

Tue, 28 Jul 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.

Jordan House Grow and Gather Education and Potluck (28 Jul 2026)

Tue, 28 Jul 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.

Building Seasonal Interest — What’s Working Now & What’s Next (30 Jul 2026)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

This event has been rescheduled from the original date and is now taking place on July 30th!

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.

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.

Jordan House Work Nights (4 Aug 2026)

Tue, 04 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.

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.

Jordan House Work Nights (11 Aug 2026)

Tue, 11 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.

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.

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.

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

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 propagating coleus, growing and harvesting herbs, planting bulbs, and more!

2 hrs. CEU for Master Gardeners. This event is open to the public.

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 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

6:30 Housekeeping and Social Time

6:45 Education: Climate Trends & Extremes in Iowa with Dr. Justin Glisan

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.