Backyard Abundance has a great lineup of events and programs happening this year. More events will be added throughout the year so stay tuned by subscribing to our event email notification.
Please let us know how we can continue helping you increase the health of our local environment.
March 3: Spring Home and Garden Gala
9 am to 4 pm
Johnson County Fairgrounds Extension Building, 4265 Oak Crest Hill Rd SE, Iowa City
A variety of workshops will show attendees how to save money, energy and time by creating a beautiful home and garden that work harmoniously together. Workshops include:
• Deer-Resistant Gardening
• Grow Mushrooms at Home
• Successful Gardening Basics
• Easily Create a New Garden Bed
• Grow Seedlings and Save Money
• Reuse Materials in the Garden
• Create an Eco-Friendly Home
• Save Energy with Windbreaks and Shade
Presenters include Master Gardeners, ecological designers from Backyard Abundance, home-building experts from the Center on Sustainable Communities, tree professionals from Trees Forever, and edible fungi specialists from Mushroom Mills. Other partners include New Pioneer Food Co-op and the Johnson County Extension Office.
The cost is $30 if registered by February 29 and $35 at the door. Lunch, access to all workshops and materials are provided. Register here.
April 28: Plant Sale
10 am to noon
Iowa City Recreation Center, 220 South Gilbert Street in Iowa City
This fundraiser will feature healthy heirloom plants grown from organic seeds, raised by Backyard Abundance volunteers. People can buy tomatoes, peppers, kale, cabbage, eggplant and a variety of other vegetables. Perennials that volunteers have dug from their yards will be available. In addition, fruit trees and berry bushes will be for sale: apple, cherry, pear, peach plum, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, aronia and gooseberries. All trees and shrubs were carefully selected to maximize yield, resist diseases and thrive in Iowa weather.
Other features of Backyard Abundance event include a silent auction, vendors selling herbs, mushroom starting kits, and other edibles. Snacks made from locally grown, organic ingredients will be available.
It will be a wonderful time to chat with knowledgeable gardeners and welcome in the spring growing season.
April 28: Build and Use a Cold Frame
After the plant sale, Jason Grimm, from Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development, will teach a 1 am workshop about building cold frames to extend the growing season. Registration will be available through Iowa City Parks and Recreation.
May 19: Urban Woodland Tours
Several Iowa City residents are increasing the health of their urban woodlands through timber stand improvements (TSI). In early summer, tours of these beautiful landscapes will give you a firsthand look at a healthy, Midwest woodland.
June 23: Garden Tours
Joyce Miller, a Permaculturalist, and Jason Grimm, our local Food System Planner, will host a June tour of their neighboring landscapes. Both landscapes feature a dizzying variety vegetables arranged in formal and informal gardens. Planning is still underway.
Abundant Safari
We are launching a new program that encourages self-guided exploration of Iowa City’s most abundant spaces. The program is funded by the Johnson County Community Foundation. Ribbon cuttings will be held at several sites. Stay tuned for updates about this exciting program.