2019 Spring Garden Conference

The West Pott. Master Gardeners hosted their 2019 Spring Garden Conference today at Holiday Inn & Suites at Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The conference sold out in just a few weeks at 160 attendees due to an impressive lineup of speakers. They included Kim Todd with Backyard Farmer, Scott Evans, Jan Riggenbach, Michelle Biodrowski,…

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Seed Exchange & Gardener Social

Several groups came together to host the March into Spring – Seed Exchange and Gardener Social today at Sherbondy’s Garden Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa today, March 24, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. “Seed swaps having been going on for thousands of years. Folks coming together at markets, town squares, in huts and…

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How To: Keep Seeds Organized

When you want to have a cut flower garden, seeds are a very important part to the process. Direct sewing is a great way to have loads of flowers in a short amount of time. You can buy new seeds every year or you can save seeds. Read my post about starting a cut flower…

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Garden Journal 01/13/2019

Several inches of snow came down between Friday night and Saturday afternoon here in southwest Iowa. It made for some pretty views from our house. Walking around our acreage is both a great way to get some exercise and it forces me to take a few moments to truly appreciate the beautiful place that we…

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Growing Snowy Paperwhites

Snow is gently falling outside our windows here on the farm in southwest Iowa. It started last night around dinner and seems to be still going strong here this afternoon. When you have really large windows in your house the difference between a brown view and a white view is huge. It’s so bright outside…

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Interview with Jan Riggenbach

I’ve had the honor of attending three of Jan Riggenbach’s lectures in the last few years. A regular contributor for the Omaha World Herald, author of Your Midwest Garden and all out garden-guru, she continues to impress with her breath of knowledge. Last year, I heard her speak at the West Pottawattamie Master Gardener’s Spring…

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Favorite Online Gardening Resources

Like many of you, I am constantly seeking new resources for advice on gardening and landscaping. I’ve scoured the web for the best of the best and thought it was time to share my favorite resources with you. Garden Answer The queen of annuals, perennials and just about anything related to home gardening, Laura with…

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Iowa State University Extension

This November, I was elected to the Iowa State University Extension Council for West Pottawattamie County. As an Iowa State University graduate, I am very honored to hold this position and proud to support the Extension Office’s efforts. Since then, I’ve had a lot of people ask me what ISU Extension does, so I thought…

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Six Favorite Garden Centers in Omaha/Council Bluffs

If you have the winter blues, you must visit a local garden center. It’s the only place that feels like summer in the dead of winter. After extensive research, these are my top six favorite nurseries or garden centers in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area in alphabetical order. Whether you are in Council Bluffs or out in…

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The Ultimate Gift Guide for Gardeners

Most gardeners love it when the seed catalogs start to arrive in our mailboxes, showcasing all of the newest tools and most unique new seed varieties. It’s a season for reflection on the last year – what worked and didn’t, what you want to grow again and what you vow never to try again (eggplant…

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Six Holiday Plants That Make Great Gifts

This holiday season, consider giving a beautiful seasonal plant as a gift to one of your friends, coworkers or family members. They provide great indoor color, freshness and delight all season long. Here are six great holiday plants to give this year. Poinsettia Cyclamen Dracenia Norfolk Island Pine Paperwhites Amaryllis First up is a classic…

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Cyclamen in the Conservatory

The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory at Lauritzen Gardens is a sight to see this time of year and all year, being one place that feels like summer forever. Right now the model train weaves through the “cold” front room in the conservatory with splashes of pink and red cyclamen stealing the show. Cyclamen The trick…

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