Front Yard Food: Adopt a Tomato

Join us for a neighborhood initiative where you can grow a front yard tomato plant to nurture and share.

This fun project aims to inspire visits to the Wetherby Edible Forest. If you reside in the vicinity of Wetherby Park, we invite you to join us at this event to help cultivate a vibrant and connected neighborhood by brightening your front yard with a tomato plant, in a container or in a ground bed.

By caring for these plants, you're not just growing food, you're encouraging a culture of sharing with every passerby who's invited to pick a ripe tomato.

During this event, you will select, pot, and take home a tomato plant. Pots, container mix and tomato plants will be provided. Green thumbs will be available to guide you through the whole process.

Each plant comes with a friendly “Pick Me!” sign, inviting neighbors to enjoy the fruits of your labor and hinting at more deliciousness down the road at Wetherby Edible Forest.

This event celebrates the spirit of community gardening and the joys of home-grown food, while celebrating the Wetherby Edible Forest.

THINGS TO BRING

• Standard attire and sun protection for hands-on outdoor gardening: gloves, hat, jeans, sunscreen.
• Transportation for your tomato.

REGISTRATION

Advanced registration is required. Please pay what you like with a minimum $2 contribution. This registration helps pay for supplies and tells us how many neighbors to expect.

QUESTIONS

Call 319-325-6810 to reach the coordinator.

EDUCATOR

Autumn McConeghey is a native plant enthusiast with a background in public health. She envisions a world where nature is a seamless part of human spaces and advocates for inviting native plants and wildlife into our lives.

LOCATION

Wetherby Park, 2400 Taylor Dr. We'll gather in the shelter.

SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

This class was developed in collaboration with many community partners. It would not be possible without these sponsors and supporters. Please  frequent these generous organizations to thank them for donations of  time, materials and funds.

• Hills Bank
• Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department
• 100 Grannies
• Master Gardeners of Johnson County
• New Pioneer Food Co-op