Gardeners looking for an affordable way to add native plants to their yards will have an opportunity to learn how to grow them from seed this fall.
The Mahaska County Master Gardeners will host a presentation on growing native plants from seed on Saturday, October 3, at 10 a.m. at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Mahaska County office, located at 212 North I Street in Oskaloosa.
Dan Sears, vice president of the Iowa Prairie Network, will lead the program. Sears will explain how gardeners can get started growing native plants from seed and why late fall is a good time to begin the process.
Attendees will also receive free samples of beginner-friendly native plant seeds to take home and try in their own gardens.
The program is open to the public and welcomes both adults and youth. There is no cost to attend, thanks to support from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Mahaska County and the Mahaska County Master Gardeners. Registration is not required, but advance registration is appreciated.
The Iowa Prairie Network is a grassroots, volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990. The organization works to preserve Iowa’s prairie heritage through education, conservation and restoration efforts.
According to the organization, less than 0.01% of Iowa’s original remnant prairie remains. IPN works with individuals, organizations and government agencies to protect and restore Iowa’s remaining prairie resources.
For registration or more information about horticulture programs, contact Suzette Striegel, Mahaska County Extension Horticulture and Education Program Coordinator, at 641-673-5841 or striegel@iastate.edu. Information is also available through the Mahaska County Extension office.
The Mahaska County Master Gardener program is celebrating its 23rd year. The local program began following the county’s first Master Gardener training in 2003 and continues to provide research-based horticulture education and volunteer service throughout the community.
Photo credit: Adobe Stock
