Saturday, February 15, 2014 Kirkwood Community College 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW • Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 workshops held in Benton, Cedar & Iowa Halls

Choose between two tracks of five sessions with more than 45 workshops offered.

Your $49 tuition will cover five workshops in track A or B and a box lunch. Registration opens January 2, 2014! Class sizes are limited. Register early for best selection.

Track A (choose one class in each session)

Session 1 ....................................................................... 8:30—9:25am

FEATURED CLASS: Perennial Plant Communities-“The Know Maintenance Approach”—Roy Diblik  Roy’s thoughtful way to design perennial plantings welcomes fresh contempo-rary styles and plant diversity integrated with responsible maintenance con-cerns. His garden designs emphasize plant relationships to limit maintenance strategies and costs. He uses a selection of regionally dependable perennials, from which endless natural plant patterns can be constructed, each relating to time and cost to maintain. Roy Diblik is a recognized perennial plant expert, grower, designer, speaker and author, and co-owner of Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlington, Wisconsin. He has been growing traditional and native perennials since 1978. Roy’s recent design work includes the Louis Sullivan Arch Garden for the Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago and the lakeside plantings for the new Oceanarium at the Shedd Aquarium. Class size limited to 150. Cedar 234

Outstanding Trees for the Midwest Home Garden—Mike Anderson, LCMG Discover trees that make excellent additions to the home landscape. Mike will discuss his favorite picks for spring blooms, fall color, unique leaf shape, trunk structure and growth habit. Benton 303

Houseplants—Rose Milden, LCMG Learn about the many varieties of houseplants available. Explore clever and artistic ways to display houseplants. Rose will provide tips to help you succeed in growing healthy and beautiful houseplants to enjoy year round. Benton 305

Select, Plant, Tend, Harvest and Enjoy Small Fruits—Phil Pfister, LCMG Take a look at some popular fruits that do well in Iowa’s amenable soil and cli-mate as Phil explains their care, how to maximize yield, deal with pests, cope with weather issues, and preserve the "fruits" of your labor. Phil will also discuss ways small fruits can be incorporated into the landscape and container gardens. Benton 353

Raised Beds/ Square Foot Gardening—Wil Carew, LCMG Get off the ground, save your back and start gardening closer to your hands and eyes. Wil covers the principles of raised beds, shows many pictorial examples, and discusses construction techniques, trellis/cloche use and protecting crops from critters. The benefits of square foot gardening in a raised bed include in-creasing the growing season, decreasing weeding and saving time. Benton 357

The Language of Flowers-A Victorian Garden Romance*—Debbie Main, LCMG Learn how structures, color and variety all played a part in the Victorian garden. Debbie unveils her secrets for bringing this forgotten beauty to your home to give your gardens a story to share with your guests. Benton 359

Ornamental Grasses*—Deb Walser, LCMG Thinking about planting ornamental grasses with wonderful fall seed heads? Has your concern that they may be invasive kept you from planting these beau-ties? Learn all about ornamental grasses; specifically those which are non-spreading, clump forming and hardy for Eastern Iowa. Cedar 3008

Select classes from Track A OR Track B (please DO NOT MIX classes from both TRACKS)

Please note: LCMG=Linn County Master Gardener

Track A • page 2

Make a Kinetic Garden Ornament—Louise Harn, LCMG Design and construct a unique bent wire, beaded ornament to dance in the breeze in your garden! You supply your playful, inventive and creative spirit, and Louise will supply the beads, wire and other materials necessary to create a one of kind kinetic ornament. Material fee: $15 (bring cash/check to class) Cedar 3059

Session 2 ............................................................. 9:45—10:40am FEATURED CLASS: Possums Under the Porch—Managing Wildlife Damage —Dr. Jim Pease, Wildlife Biologist Wondering about woodchucks? Musing over moles? Raging about rabbits? Dis-gusted with deer? Then this session is for you! Jim Pease, with his usual wit and wisdom, will help you understand how to approach wildlife damage management in your lawn and garden. He'll help you to see what your alternatives are and how to "think like the critter" in order to minimize the damage they may cause, as well as how to recognize it. Jim Pease has nearly 4 decades of experience as a front-line interpreter, professor of interpretation, and writer and consultant on many interpre-tive and environmental education projects. He is now retired, has emeritus status in the Natural Resource Ecology and Management Department at Iowa State University and is active speaking, writing, and consulting. He can still be heard on Iowa Public Radio in his monthly wildlife program on “Talk of Iowa”. Class size limited to 150. Cedar 234

FEATURED CLASS: Perennial Vegetables—They Aren’t Going Away —Patrick O’Malley, ISU Extension & Outreach Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist The intricacies of growing asparagus and rhubarb will be accentuated along with a little delve into the realm of horseradish and chives. Patrick has been an ISU Ex-tension & Outreach Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist since 1994, specializing in vegetables and fruits. Class size limited to 60. Iowa A/B

Opportunities in Agroforestry —Tom Wahl , Red Fern Farm, Wapello, IA Tom will discuss several unusual tree and shrub species capable of producing ul-tra-high value crops in the Midwest, but which are also adaptable to backyard culture for home use. Topics will include chestnut, heartnut, persimmon, paw-paw, Aronia berry, and Asian pear, and will cover growing conditions, possible disease or pest problems, and crop potential. Benton 323

Outstanding Shrubs for the Midwest Home Garden—Mike Anderson, LCMG Discover the many uses of shrubs in the home landscape. Mike will review several species of shrubs that do well in the Midwest, including some that may be unfa-miliar to you as well as many recognizable and long-time favorites. Benton 303

Thinking about a Home Greenhouse?* —Phil Pfister, LCMG Listen and learn as Phil demystifies the process of setting up and operating a home greenhouse. Topics include site selection, greenhouse material options, heating and cooling requirements, cost calculations, plant care and integrated pest management. Benton 353

Heavenly Hydrangeas—Wil Carew, LCMG Hydrangeas bloom in a variety of colors including white, blue, pink, green and red too. Join Wil as he discusses the how-to’s of planting and pruning. He also shares those varieties which are his personal ‘celestial’ favorites and are locally available. Benton 357

Tasty and Tasteful Landscapes—Debbie Main, LCMG Nibble your way through your weeding chores! By adding edible flowers and

Track A • page 3

plants to your garden, you can enjoy them in more ways than one. Debbie shares her ideas on which edible plants can be successfully integrated into your landscape. With cautionary advice on chemical use, learn tips to keep flower beds looking lively, fresh and free of pests. Benton 359

Green with Envy*—Deb Walser, LCMG Are you coveting your neighbor’s yard? Learn some of the ‘add-on’ techniques to make your yard more appealing. All season design, adding splashes of colors to an old landscape, and other attention grabbing ideas will be discussed with many before and after photos. A collection of fool proof plant selections will be presented. Deb’s class focus will address the needs of a “working” garden rather than “no or low maintenance” garden. Cedar 3008

Beautiful Bulbs All Year Long—Jean Murray, LCMG Bulbs can grace your garden and your home with their splendor in all four sea-sons. Having many advantages over traditional flowers, bulbs still remain the “misunderstood” plants. Join Jean to explore the beauty of bulbs, and learn some tips for planting and growing these wonderful plants. Cedar 3062

LUNCH .................................................................. 10:45am—11:30am  Session 3 ............................................................................. 11:35—12:30pm FEATURED CLASS: Growing and Using Herbs —Jane Hogue The pleasures of herbs are countless. A discussion of more than eight herbal theme gardens will reveal the unique diversity of this group of plants. A dose of herbal folklore and revelations of herbal remedies make herb gardening a pas-sionate hobby. Herbs have the fragrant, flavorful, and colorful capacity to de-light our senses and enhance all aspects of our lives, from our gardens and our homes to our food and our spirits. Jane Hogue is a member of the Garden Writ-ers Association of America and has lectured across the United States and in Canada. She and her husband own and operate the Prairie Pedlar Gardens in Odebolt, IA, which have been featured in numerous books, magazines, and newspapers. Class size limited to 60. Iowa C/D

Hybrid Lilies—Charlene Woeste, LCMG Have you admired lovely lilies and wished that you could grow these beauties in your garden? From selecting, planting, and caring for hybrid lilies, Charlene will show you how it’s done! She will share numerous photos of the various kinds of lilies she has successfully grown in her Iowa garden. Benton 302

WOW-That Looks AMAZING!—Matt Pieper, LCMG One landscape design element or a unique tree or shrub can make your land-scape POP! Join emcee Matt for this unique, interactive session, a chance to win "fabulous prizes," and learn some design tips that just might make your garden the neighborhood showcase. Benton 304

Fabulous Foliage—Lori Bailey, LCMG Caladium, Coleus and Heuchera are just a few of the “must have” foliage plants in a flower garden. Become inspired as Lori shares growing tips, care advice and creative ways to use these and other showy plants. The foliage shape, tex-ture and long lasting color will transform your flower garden giving it the WOW factor you long for! Benton 306

Track A • page 4

Food Preservation 101—Rachel Wall, ISU Extension Nutrition & Health Specialist Learn the basics of safe canning, freezing, and dehydrating of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Learn the most current, research-based guidelines. Free dial-gauge pressure canner lid testing is also available (note: All-American and Burpee mod-els cannot be tested). Benton 352

Extending the Growing Season—Phil Pfister, LCMG Enjoy home-grown early tomatoes and pick fresh broccoli from the garden for the holidays! Phil will discuss clever ways the home gardener can extend Iowa’s growing season. Topics include utilizing cold frames, row covers, hoop houses, and other ingenious ideas to prolong your garden’s productivity. Benton 353

Garden Walk 2013—Beula Dvorak, LCMG It may be winter in Iowa but here’s an opportunity to “stroll through” the gar-dens featured at the Linn County Master Gardener Garden Walk last summer. In addition to the lovely pictures, some of the garden owners will be present to share insights and answer questions about their gardens. Benton 355

Colorful Cottage Gardens—Debbie Main, LCMG Embrace those plants that love to move around! Debbie will guide you through a brief history of the cottage garden and also share plant and element ideas that bring riots of color and coziness to your home's garden year round. Benton 359

Create a Hammered Botanical Print—Carol Sears, LCMG and Larry Rettig, artist Learn the techniques to make beautiful and intriguing designs by hammering the color from flowers and leaves directly into fine paper. Carol and Larry will supply the materials; you add your imagination and enthusiasm. Larry will also display and discuss some of his own creations. Material fee: $15 (bring cash/check to class) Cedar 3059

Lessons for Lifelong Gardening—Jean Murray, LCMG Act your age AND stay young at heart! Even devoted gardeners have limits on their bodies and time. Jean shares tips for optimizing your time by creating less work in the garden. Ergonomic gardening, low maintenance plants, and ways to make chores easier are revealed so you have more time to relax and smell the flowers. Cedar 3062

Session 4 ...................................................................... 12:50—1:45pm FEATURED CLASS: Beyond Beans—Vegetable Gardening in Iowa —Denny Schrock, Ph.D. Growing vegetables in Iowa need not be confined to corn and beans. This class will cover the basics of vegetable gardening including season-extending and time-saving techniques for a more productive produce patch. The course will also cover growing methods for many types of vegetables, from common to more exotic. Denny is a gardening editor, a lecturer in the Horticulture Department at Iowa State University, and the state-wide ISU Master Gardener Coordinator. Class size limited to 90. Cedar 343

Vertical Gardening—Matt Pieper, LCMG As a means to maximize a small garden space or just for fun and fancy, the verti-cal garden is the latest garden design rage. Matt will share the history, benefits and other features of this old-but-new trend in gardening. Benton 304

A Taste of Herbs—Judy Bemer, LCMG Learn how and where to grow herbs, and how to use and preserve them. Judy

Track A • page 5

will introduce some new herbs and discuss those that may be familiar as well. A “cuppa tea” and a plate of herbal goodies will be served to enjoy with the class handouts. Benton 306

Restoring Prairielands; a Labor of Love—Karen Stewart, LCMG Almost Iowa’s entire virgin prairie disappeared between 1830 and 1900. With appreciation of this special part of our natural heritage, many of us want to rees-tablish some of this lost treasure. Through knowledge, determination and pa-tience, prairies are becoming part of Iowa’s landscape once again. Considera-tions for prairie developers, a realistic time-line, needed equipment and re-sources, and many references that serve as useful guides will be presented. Benton 315

These are a Few of My Favorite Things—Gary Whittenbaugh, Fayette County Master Gardener; American Conifer Society & North American Rock Garden Society Sing along with Gary: “Raindrops on conifers and bright fall foliage, blue-colored flowers and spinney round cactus, low-growing plants that bloom in the spring: These are a few of my favorite things.” Our old friend is back to share some of his garden magic- his all-time favorite plants, and how to grow them. Benton 323

Edible Mushroom Orientation —Marty Augustine, Prairie States Mushroom Club Morels and so much more. Marty will share some of his mushroom-hunting se-crets, including where and when to search, and what to look for, and what to do with what you find. Cedar 332

The Shade Garden—Jay McWherter, LCMG Are there barren areas in your garden due to insufficient sunlight? Explore the wide variety of annuals, perennials and tropicals which can be grown success-fully in the shade while adding both beauty and interest. Jay will share his com-prehensive knowledge through discussion and photographs. Benton 354

Garden Ferns 101—Thea Cole, LCMG Take a step beyond the commonly grown Ostrich Fern and explore the diversity of ferns suitable in Iowa gardens. Thea’s concise and interesting presentation of the history, structure, life cycle and cultivation of ferns may lead you to add the graceful elegance of these plants to your garden. Benton 356

Yard and Garden Art—Judy Stevens, LCMG Judy brings her imaginative ideas and creative energy to this class and asks you to do the same. Get ready for an inspiring session of exploring how everyday items and ordinary elements can be used to create art for your yard and garden. Detailed instructions for these art objects will be provided for you to take home. Benton 358

Session 5 ........................................................................ 2:05—3:00pm FEATURED CLASS: Gardening Faux-Pas—Avoiding Common Landscape Mistakes—Denny Schrock, Ph.D. Almost everyone who has ventured into gardening has made a few mistakes along the way. Schrock will take a light-hearted look at some of those blunders when he presents "Gardening Faux Pas: Avoiding Common Mistakes." This pres-entation will teach you how to avoid some common pitfalls in gardening and landscaping, as well as how to remedy existing problems. Denny is a gardening editor, a lecturer in the Horticulture Department at Iowa State University, and the state-wide ISU Master Gardener Coordinator.

Track A • page 6

Class size limited to 90. Cedar 343 Straw Bale Gardening—Melanie Brown and Barb Wing, LCMGs Learn the history of straw bale gardening, practiced methods throughout the ages, and how to create your own straw bale garden that boasts high yields with no weeds. Straw bale gardening is a recyclable container garden solution for vegetables, plants and flowers suitable for problem areas in the yard. Benton 305

Beginner's Square Foot Gardening —Kim Seward, LCMG Do you have limited space but would still like to have a bounty of fresh herbs and vegetables? Discover how to select a location, design and set up a square foot garden, use vertical growing effectively and enjoy continuous crops throughout the growing season. Benton 315

Growing Bearded Iris in Iowa —Wanda Lunn, Historic Iris Preservation Society Wanda will share her expertise in growing iris in our region. She will include a short overview of the history of iris, discuss different iris types and patterns, and how to care for iris in your garden. Cedar 332

Iowa Tropicals —Jay McWherter, LCMG Are you looking for big bold foliage, lovely flowers, bright colors and variega-tion for use in sun or shade? Try tropicals! Jay will answer your questions about growing tropicals, share photographs, and specifically provide information on over-wintering and storage for lasting enjoyment. Benton 354

Starting from Scratch- Beula Dvorak, LCMG Whether you are a beginning gardener or looking for some fresh ideas to re-make existing spaces, this class will provide practical applications and sugges-tions for getting started. Planning and implementing ideas for successful and enjoyable gardening will be discussed. Benton 355

Growing Succulents in the Midwest—Nancy Sutherland, LCMG Yes, you can grow cactus as well as other succulents in Iowa! Succulents are plants that have few diseases or insect problems, can tolerate heat, and will add texture and variety to your garden. Learn about these easy to grow and often overlooked plants. Benton 356

Plants Deeply Rooted in History—Judy Stevens, LCMG Curious about the important influence plants have had on shaping history and in our lives today? Judy will illuminate the journey of historical plants through-out the ages from the early Greek Olympics and America’s Wild West to the pre-sent time. Learn why you should take a few lemons and limes on your next va-cation cruise trip, and other interesting facts and amazing stories! Benton 358

* This class is only offered in this track.

Track A • page 7

OR

Track B (choose one class in each session)

Session1 .......................................................................... 9:00—9:55am

FEATURED CLASS: Beyond Beans—Vegetable Gardening in Iowa —Denny Schrock, Ph.D. Growing vegetables in Iowa need not be confined to corn and beans. This class will cover the basics of vegetable gardening including season-extending and time-saving techniques for a more productive produce patch. The course will also cover growing methods for many types of vegetables, from common to more exotic. Denny is a gardening editor, a lecturer in the Horticulture Department at Iowa State University, and the state-wide ISU Master Gardener Coordinator. Class size limited to 90. Cedar 343 Hybrid Lilies—Charlene Woeste, LCMG Have you admired lovely lilies and wished that you could grow these beauties in your garden? From selecting, planting, and caring for hybrid lilies, Charlene will show you how it’s done! She will share numerous photos of the various kinds of lilies she has successfully grown in her Iowa garden. Benton 302

Vertical Gardening —Matt Pieper, LCMG As a means to maximize a small garden space or just for fun and fancy, the verti-cal garden is the latest garden design rage. Matt will share the history, benefits and other features of this old-but-new trend in gardening. Benton 304

A Taste of Herbs—Judy Bemer, LCMG Learn how and where to grow herbs, and how to use and preserve them. Judy will introduce some new herbs and discuss those that may be familiar as well. A “cuppa tea” and a plate of herbal goodies will be served to enjoy with the class handouts. Benton 306

Beginner's Square Foot Gardening—Kim Seward, LCMG Do you have limited space but would still like to have a bounty of fresh herbs and vegetables? Discover how to select a location, design and set up a square foot garden, use vertical growing effectively and enjoy continuous crops throughout the growing season. Benton 315

Growing Bearded Iris in Iowa—Wanda Lunn, Historic Iris Preservation Society Wanda will share her expertise in growing iris in our region. She will include a short overview of the history of iris, discuss different iris types and patterns, and how to care for iris in your garden. Cedar 332

The Shade Garden—Jay McWherter, LCMG Are there barren areas in your garden due to insufficient sunlight? Explore the wide variety of annuals, perennials and tropicals which can be grown successfully in the shade while adding both beauty and interest. Jay will share his compre-hensive knowledge through discussion and photographs. Benton 354

Garden Walk 2013—Beula Dvorak, LCMG It may be winter in Iowa but here’s an opportunity to “stroll through” the gardens featured at the Linn County Master Gardener Garden Walk last summer. In addi-tion to the lovely pictures, some of the garden owners will be present to share insights and answer questions about their gardens. Benton 355

Track B • page 8

Growing Succulents in the Midwest—Nancy Sutherland, LCMG Yes, you can grow cactus as well as other succulents in Iowa! Succulents are plants that have few diseases or insect problems, can tolerate heat, and will add texture and variety to your garden. Learn about these easy to grow and often overlooked plants. Benton 356

Yard and Garden Art—Judy Stevens, LCMG Judy brings her imaginative ideas and creative energy to this class and asks you to do the same. Get ready for an inspiring session of exploring how everyday items and ordinary elements can be used to create art for your yard and garden. Detailed instructions for these art objects will be provided for you to take home. Benton 358

Session 2 .................................................................... 10:15—11:10 am

FEATURED CLASS: Gardening Faux-Pas—Avoiding Common Landscape Mistakes—Denny Schrock, Ph.D. Almost everyone who has ventured into gardening has made a few mistakes along the way. Schrock will take a light-hearted look at some of those blunders when he presents "Gardening Faux Pas: Avoiding Common Mistakes." This pres-entation will teach you how to avoid some common pitfalls in gardening and landscaping, as well as how to remedy existing problems. Denny is a gardening editor, a lecturer in the Horticulture Department at Iowa State University, and the state-wide ISU Master Gardener Coordinator. Class size limited to 90. Cedar 343

A Floral Feast*—Ellen Skripsky, LCMG Eat the roses, daisies, pansies and violets! Ellen will show you how gardeners all over the world use flowers for fragrance, flavor and nutrition. Learn which flow-ers to grow that are both beautiful and delectable. Benton 302

Houseplants—Rose Milden, LCMG Learn about the many varieties of houseplants available. Explore clever and artis-tic ways to display houseplants. Rose will also provide tips to help you succeed in growing healthy and beautiful houseplants to enjoy year round. Benton 305

Restoring Prairielands: a Labor of Love—Karen Stewart, LCMG Almost Iowa’s entire virgin prairie disappeared between 1830 and 1900. With appreciation of this special part of our natural heritage, many of us want to rees-tablish some of this lost treasure. Through knowledge, determination and pa-tience, prairies are becoming part of Iowa’s landscape once again. Considera-tions for prairie developers, a realistic time-line, needed equipment and re-sources, and many references that serve as useful guides will be presented. Benton 315

Edible Mushroom Orientation—Marty Augustine, Prairie States Mushroom Club Morels, and so much more. Marty will share some of his mushroom-hunting se-crets, including where and when to search, and what to look for, and what to do with what you find. Cedar 332

Food Preservation 101—Rachel Wall, MS, RD, LD ISU Extension & Outreach Nutrition and Health Specialist Learn the basics of safe canning, freezing, and dehydrating of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Learn the most current, research-based guidelines. Free dial-gauge pressure canner lid testing is also available (note: All-American and Burpee mod-els cannot be tested). Benton 352

Track B • page 9

Iowa Tropicals—Jay McWherter, LCMG Are you looking for big bold foliage, lovely flowers, bright colors and variegation for use in sun or shade? Try tropicals! Jay will answer your questions about grow-ing tropicals, share photographs, and specifically provide information on over-wintering and storage for lasting enjoyment. Benton 354

Starting from Scratch—Beula Dvorak, LCMG Whether you are a beginning gardener or looking for some fresh ideas to remake existing spaces, this class will provide practical applications and suggestions for getting started. Planning and implementing ideas for successful and enjoyable gardening will be discussed. Benton 355

Plants Deeply Rooted in History—Judy Stevens, LCMG Curious about the important influence plants have had on shaping history and in our lives today? Judy will illuminate the journey of historical plants throughout the ages from the early Greek Olympics and America’s Wild West to the present time. Learn why you should take a few lemons and limes on your next vacation cruise trip, and other interesting facts and amazing stories! Benton 358

Make a Kinetic Garden Ornament—Louise Harn, LCMG Design and construct a unique bent wire, beaded ornament to dance in the breeze in your garden! You supply your playful, inventive and creative spirit, and Louise will supply the beads, wire and other materials necessary to create a one of kind kinetic ornament. Material fee: $15 (bring cash/check to class) Cedar 3059

Session 3 ................................................................ 11:30am—12:25pm

FEATURED CLASS: Perennial Plant Communities—“The Know Maintenance Approach”—Roy Diblik  Roy’s thoughtful way to design perennial plantings welcomes fresh contemporary styles and plant diversity integrated with responsible maintenance concerns. His garden designs emphasize plant relationships to limit maintenance strategies and costs. He uses a selection of regionally dependable perennials, from which endless natural plant patterns can be constructed, each relating to time and cost to main-tain. Roy Diblik is a recognized perennial plant expert, grower, designer, speaker and author, and co-owner of Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlington, Wisconsin. He has been growing traditional and native perennials since 1978. Roy’s recent design work includes the Louis Sullivan Arch Garden for the Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chi-cago and the lakeside plantings for the new Oceanarium at the Shedd Aquarium. Class size limited to 150. Cedar 234

FEATURED CLASS: Perennial Vegetables—They Aren’t Going Away —Patrick O’Malley, ISU Extension & Outreach Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist The intricacies of growing asparagus and rhubarb will be accentuated along with a little delve into the realm of horseradish and chives. Patrick has been an ISU Exten-sion & Outreach Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist since 1994, specializing in vegetables and fruits. Class size limited to 60. Iowa A/B

Outstanding Shrubs for the Midwest Home Garden—Mike Anderson, LCMG Discover the many uses of shrubs in the home landscape. Mike will review several species of shrubs that do well in the Midwest, including some that may be unfamil-iar to you as well as many recognizable and long-time favorites. Benton 303

Track B • page 10

Track B • page 11

Straw Bale Gardening—Melanie Brown and Barb Wing, LCMGs Learn the history of straw bale gardening, practiced methods throughout the ages, and how to create your own straw bale garden that boasts high yields with no weeds. Straw bale gardening is a recyclable container garden solution for vegetables, plants and flowers suitable for problems areas in the yard. Benton 305

Opportunities in Agroforestry —Tom Wahl , Red Fern Farm, Wapello, IA Tom will discuss several unusual tree and shrub species capable of producing ultra-high value crops in the Midwest, but which are also adaptable to backyard culture for home use. Topics will include chestnut, heartnut, persimmon, paw-paw, Aronia berry, and Asian pear, and will cover growing conditions, possible disease or pest problems, and crop potential. Benton 323

Garden Ferns 101—Thea Cole, LCMG Take a step beyond the commonly grown Ostrich Fern and explore the diversity of ferns suitable in Iowa gardens. Thea’s concise and interesting presentation of the history, structure, life cycle and cultivation of ferns may lead you to add the graceful elegance of these plants to your garden. Benton 356

Successful Hanging Baskets and Containers*—Deb Walser, LCMG Discover the tricks to keeping hanging baskets and containers looking as glori-ous all summer as the day they were purchased. Deb will present planting and pruning techniques as well as discuss watering and fertilizing schedules during the summer months. Before, during and after photos of baskets and containers will illustrate the triumphs and setbacks of last summer’s experiences. Cedar 3008

LUNCH ......................................................................... 12:30—1:15pm

Session 4 ........................................................................ 1:20—2:15pm FEATURED CLASS: Possums Under the Porch—Managing Wildlife Damage —Dr. Jim Pease, Wildlife Biologist Wondering about woodchucks? Musing over moles? Raging about rabbits? Disgusted with deer? Then this session is for you! Jim Pease, with his usual wit and wisdom, will help you understand how to approach wildlife damage man-agement in your lawn and garden. He'll help you to see what your alternatives are and how to "think like the critter" in order to minimize the damage they may cause, as well as how to recognize it. Jim Pease has nearly 4 decades of experience as a front-line interpreter, professor of interpretation, and writer and consultant on many interpretive and environmental education projects. He is now retired, has emeritus status in the Natural Resource Ecology and Management De-partment at Iowa State University and is active speaking, writing, and consulting. He can still be heard on Iowa Public Radio in his monthly wildlife program on “Talk of Iowa”. Class size limited to 150. Cedar 234

FEATURED CLASS: Growing and Using Herbs —Jane Hogue The pleasures of herbs are countless. A discussion of more than eight herbal theme gardens will reveal the unique diversity of this group of plants. A dose of herbal folklore and revelations of herbal remedies make herb gardening a pas-sionate hobby. Herbs have the fragrant, flavorful, and colorful capacity to de-light our senses and enhance all aspects of our lives, from our gardens and our homes to our food and our spirits. Jane Hogue is a member of the Garden Writ-

Track B • page 12

ers Association of America and has lectured across the United States and in Canada. She and her husband own and operate the Prairie Pedlar Gardens in Odebolt, IA, which have been featured in numerous books, magazines, and newspapers. Class size limited to 60. Iowa C/D Extending the Growing Season—Phil Pfister, LCMG Enjoy home-grown early tomatoes and pick fresh broccoli from the garden for the holidays! Phil will discuss clever ways the home gardener can extend Iowa’s growing season. Topics include utilizing cold frames, row covers, hoop houses, and other ingenious ideas to prolong your garden’s productivity. Benton 353

Heavenly Hydrangeas—Wil Carew, LCMG Hydrangeas bloom in a variety of colors including white, blue, pink, green and red too. Join Wil as he discusses the how-to’s of planting and pruning. He also shares those varieties which are his personal ‘celestial’ favorites and are locally available. Benton 357

Tasty and Tasteful Landscapes—Debbie Main, LCMG Nibble your way through your weeding chores! By adding edible flowers and plants to your garden, you can enjoy them in more ways than one. Debbie shares her ideas on which edible plants can be successfully integrated into your landscape. With cautionary advice on chemical use, learn tips to keep flower beds looking lively, fresh and free of pests. Benton 359

All About Blueberries *—Deb Walser, LCMG Ready to grow blueberries? This class will teach you everything you need to know to get started including which blueberries grow best in Iowa. Deb will discuss plant and site selection, how to amend the soil, planting techniques, water requirements, and pruning practices for the first and subsequent years. Cedar 3008

Create a Hammered Botanical Print—Carol Sears, LCMG and Larry Rettig, artist Learn the techniques to make beautiful and intriguing designs by hammering the color from flowers and leaves directly into fine paper. Carol and Larry will supply the materials; you add your imagination and enthusiasm. Larry will also display and discuss some of his own creations. Material fee: $15 (bring cash/check to class) Cedar 3059

Beautiful Bulbs All Year Long—Jean Murray, LCMG Bulbs can grace your garden and your home with their splendor in all four sea-sons. Having many advantages over traditional flowers, bulbs still remain the “misunderstood” plants. Join Jean to explore the beauty of bulbs, and learn some tips for planting and growing these wonderful plants. Cedar 3062

Session 5 ....................................................................... 2:35—3:30pm

FEATURED CLASS: Outstanding Trees for the Midwest Home Garden —Mike Anderson, LCMG Discover trees that make excellent additions to the home landscape. Mike will discuss his favorite picks for spring blooms, fall color, unique leaf shape, trunk structure and growth habit. Benton 303

WOW-That Looks AMAZING!—Matt Pieper, LCMG One landscape design element or a unique tree or shrub can make your land-scape POP! Join emcee Matt for this unique, interactive session, a chance to win "fabulous prizes," and learn some design tips that just might make your garden the neighborhood showcase. Benton 304

Track B • page 13

Fabulous Foliage—Lori Bailey, LCMG Caladium, Coleus and Heuchera are just a few of the “must have” foliage plants in a flower garden. Become inspired as Lori shares growing tips, care advice and creative ways to use these and other showy plants. The foliage shape, texture and long lasting color will transform your flower garden giving it the WOW fac-tor you long for! Benton 306

These are a Few of My Favorite Things—Gary Whittenbaugh, Fayette County Master Gardener; American Conifer Society & North American Rock Garden Society Sing along with Gary: “Raindrops on conifers and bright fall foliage, blue-colored flowers and spinney round cactus, low-growing plants that bloom in the spring: These are a few of my favorite things.” Our old friend is back to share some of his garden magic- his all-time favorite plants, and how to grow them. Benton 323

Select, Plant, Tend, Harvest and Enjoy Small Fruits—Phil Pfister, LCMG Take a look at some popular fruits that do well in Iowa’s amenable soil and cli-mate as Phil explains their care, how to maximize yield, deal with pests, cope with weather issues, and preserve the "fruits" of your labor. Phil will also discuss ways small fruits can be incorporated into the landscape and container gardens. Benton 353

Raised Beds/ Square Foot Gardening—Wil Carew, LCMG Get off the ground, save your back and start gardening closer to your hands and eyes. Wil covers the principles of raised beds, shows many pictorial examples, and discusses construction techniques, trellis/cloche use and protecting crops from critters. The benefits of square foot gardening in a raised bed include in-creasing the growing season, decreasing weeding and saving time. Benton 357

Colorful Cottage Gardens—Debbie Main, LCMG Embrace those plants that love to move around! Debbie will guide you through a brief history of the cottage garden and also share plant and element ideas that bring riots of color and coziness to your home's garden year round. Benton 359

New and Unusual Perennials for 2014*—Deb Walser, LCMG Find out what’s new for the 2014 season. While she introduces the latest varie-ties of the year, Deb will give ideas on how to add color, beauty, and pizazz to your perennial beds. Cedar 3008

Lessons for Lifelong Gardening—Jean Murray, LCMG Act your age AND stay young at heart! Even devoted gardeners have limits on their bodies and time. Jean shares tips for optimizing your time by creating less work in the garden. Ergonomic gardening, low maintenance plants, and ways to make chores easier are revealed so you have more time to relax and smell the flowers. Cedar 3062 * This class is only offered in this track..

Registration Information • Tuition is $49 tuition and will include: five workshops in either track A or B, a box lunch and coffee

• Registration Opens January 2, 2014!

• You can register by: -mail or fax (using the enrollment form in this brochure) -by phone (319.398.1022 or 1.800.332.8833) -online at: www.kirkwood.edu/ce

Online Registration Tips 1. Go to www.kirkwood.edu/ce

2. In middle of page click on “Special Programs & Events”. Then click on Winter Gardening Fair.

3. Once found, select “Add to Cart”. 4. At this point you will need to sign in using a previous username and password

or by creating a new student profile.

5. Complete check out process and pay $49 for the Winter Gardening Fair course. You are not fully registered at this point.

6. After payment, you will receive an e-mail with a link. Click on that link to bring you back to the Kirkwood website so that you can register for each individual workshop in the track you select.

After Registration You will receive a confirmation letter along with a map and driving direc-tions approximately 1 week prior to the Winter Gardening Fair.

If you have signed up for a workshop that requires a material fee, please bring fee (exact cash or check made payable to Linn County Extension) with you and pay at the workshop.

Questions? Contact the Winter Gardening Fair presenters:

Linn County Extension • 383 Collins Road, Suite 201• Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 319.377.9839 • Hortline 319.447.0647 • www.extension.iastate.edu/linn Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability. The fees for service will be used to off-set direct expenses and to support the Linn County Extension Master Gardener Program.

Routes to Kirkwood Community College 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW • Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Winter Gardening Fair workshops held in Benton, Cedar & Iowa Halls