Garden Guru

Gardening experts attend Iowa City gardens at regular times throughout the growing season. Visit the gardens for free food, inspiration, learning and fun.

Got gardening questions? Ask a Garden Guru.

From May through October, garden experts will help you...

Increase yields in vegetable and herb gardens
Successfully grow fruit trees and berry bushes
Mitigate the impact of climate change through gardening
Grow habitat for pollinators and other wildlife
Increase your connection with nature and community

2021 Theme: Urban Bushcrafting for Families

With the COVID-19 pandemic still upon us, gardening topics this year are designed to help families form lasting connections with nature by practicing gardening and wilderness skills right outside their backdoor.

Bushcrafting is the practice of thriving in the wilderness using both modern and primitive skills. It simultaneously brings out a love of living and a love of nature through experiential activities that highlight gifts provided by the natural world.

We wish you an abundance of wellness.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Mother Nature will care for anyone who takes time to get to know her. These classes will help you...

Increase self-reliance
Prepare to help your community during emergencies
Gain greater family and neighborhood cohesion

Grow Easy Fruits

Sat, May 1 10 - 11:30 am

Wetherby Edible Forest

Grow Easy Vegetables and Herbs

Sat, May 8 10 - 11:30 am

Edible Classroom

Forage Wild Edibles

Sat, Jul 3 10 - 12 pm

Hickory Hill Park: 800 Conklin Lane

Build a Toad House

Sat, Aug 7 9 - 10:30 am

Creekside Edible Forest

Grow Herbal Tea

Sat, Sep 4 10 - 12 pm

Edible Classroom

Track Backyard Critters

Sun, Sep 5 2 - 3:30 pm

Glendale Park: 1250 E Jefferson St

Easy Outdoor Cooking

Sun, Sep 12 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Kardos Wellness Residence

Grow Herbs in Turfgrass

Sat, Sep 25 10 - 11:30 am

Edible Classroom

Grow Easy Pollinator Habitat

Sun, Oct 24 2 - 4 pm

Wetherby Edible Forest

Locations

Most classes will be conducted at public gardens listed below. If you cannot attend a class, please visit the gardens afterward to see what was done, pick up publications, tend the garden and harvest food.

CLASS REGISTRATION

Fee: $5 per family (up to 4 people)

All classes are free to Backyard Abundance members. Learn about membership.

Please register soon: Classes are limited to 15-20 families (20-30 people) and they are expected to fill quickly.

COVID-19

Even though classes are held outside, masks and social distancing of at least 6’ will be required the entire time. Depending upon CDC recommendations, we may change to online if the virus risk increases.

Edible Classroom

Robert A. Lee Rec. Center

220 South Gilbert St.

Iowa City

Guru Attendance Times:

2nd and 4th Saturdays

10 am - 11 am

Enjoy downtown lunch in the garden and learn about...

Harvesting free food.
Low-maintenance gardening in raised beds.
Small patches of fruit trees and berry bushes.
Pollinator habitat.

Learn More

Creekside Park

New orchard at

1858 7th Ave Court

Iowa City

Guru Attendance Times:

1st and 3rd Saturdays

10 am - 11 am

At Iowa City's newest edible forest, learn about...

Newly planted fruit trees and berry bushes.
Ground covers.
Medicinal benefits of herbs.
Pollinator habitat.

Learn More

Wetherby Edible Forest

Existing orchard at

2400 Taylor Dr.

Iowa City

Guru Attendance Times:

1st and 3rd Wednesdays

5 pm - 6 pm

At this mature edible forest, learn about...

Harvesting free food.
Large plots of fruit trees and berry bushes.
Pollinator and bird habitat.
Increasing soil health.
Regenerative agriculture.

Learn More

CLIMATE-FRIENDLY GARDEN

Join neighbors to transform landscapes into spaces that help reduce the impact of climate change.

At all Garden Guru events and public gardens, we'll provide top tips for how you can create a climate-friendly garden.

Grow vegetables, herbs or fruits.
Plant trees or shrubs.
Cover bare soil with mulch or ground covers.
Compost.
Seed and grow cover crops.
Seed lawn with Dutch white clover or violets.
Use natural products instead of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

View the Climate-Friendly Garden Publication

This program was created in conjunction with the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department and is funded by the DNR Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program (REAP CEP).

It would not be possible without these sponsors and supporters. Please frequent these generous organizations to thank them for donations of materials and funds.