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
​
We wish you an abundance of wellness.
Wetherby Edible Forest
Wetherby Park
2400 Taylor Dr.
Iowa City
​
Guru Attendance Times:
2nd Thurs of each month
3:00 pm - 4:00 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.
Edible Classroom
Robert A. Lee Rec. Center
220 South Gilbert St.
Iowa City
​
Guru Attendance Times:
1st Tues of each month
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
​
Enjoy downtown foraging and learn about...
-
Harvesting free food.
-
Low-maintenance gardening in raised beds.
-
Small patches of fruit trees and berry bushes.
-
Pollinator habitat.
McPherson Edible Forest
James Alan McPherson Park
1858 7th Ave Court
Iowa City
​
Guru Attendance Times:
1st Wed of each month
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
​
At Iowa City's newest edible forest, learn about...
-
Newly planted fruit trees and berry bushes.
-
Ground covers.
-
Medicinal benefits of herbs.
-
Pollinator habitat.
MONTHLY THEMES
​
Each month we focus on a specific theme at the gardens. Bring your questions and imagination to explore and create with nature.
-
May: Spring Plantings
-
Jun: Greens Harvest
-
Jul: Explore What’s Popping
-
Aug: Pollinator Friends
-
Sep: Late Summer Harvest
-
Oct: Tucking in for Winter
CLIMATE-FRIENDLY GARDEN
​
Join neighbors to transform landscapes into spaces that help reduce the impact of climate change.
​
At all Garden Guru events and gardens, we 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.
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.
