Clinton County, Iowa Master Gardeners

10/01/2026

Our October Newsletter is live on our webpage! Check it out to see what we've done and what's coming up.

Read more: https://go.iastate.edu/MDJRM7

09/30/2026

If you attended the Monarch Migration talk at Master Gardener Day at the Fair, you heard from Alexa Marcus from the Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm.

She needs your help! Don't miss out on this opportunity to help harvest zinnia seed heads to help with next year's planting. You'll even get to take home a bouquet of flowers for volunteering your time!

Without saved seed, our field of zinnias can't come back next summer, and gathering enough seedheads by hand is a big job for a small crew.

Join us at the Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm in Fruitland on Saturday, October 17th, from 10 am to noon and help us collect zinnia seedheads so the farm can replant its zinnia field for the next growing season.

As our thank-you, you're welcome to take home a fresh-cut zinnia bouquet. Your two hours in the field will become a sea of blooms next year, and a bouquet on your table today.

Event details

When: Saturday, October 17, 10 am to noon
Where: Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm, Fruitland
What to bring: Gloves, a hat, and comfortable shoes

09/29/2026

09/10/2026

We love Horticulture Friday!

Don't miss Horticulture Friday tomorrow at 10 a.m. on Iowa Public Radio!

Aaron Steil, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist, and Dan Fillius, Field Specialist - Commercial Vegetables and Specialty Crops, will discuss how to prepare your vegetable garden for the first frost and help you finish the growing season strong.

09/08/2026

Check out this FREE learning opportunity! Tune in on September 15 to learn about overwintering tender perennials.

Ever have an annual that made it through the winter with a little extra indoor care?

The next Four Seasons Gardening webinar breaks down the secret to why some zonal geraniums, black and blue salvia, coleus, and lemongrass can overwinter successfully.

Sept. 15: Bringing the Outside In: Overwintering Tender Perennial Plants

Enjoy discussion, discover dozens of “annual” plant varieties that are actually tender perennials, and gain tips for overwintering and propagating plants.

Monthly webinars begin at 1:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays and are free to attend.

🔗 Register for each Four Seasons fall webinar at https://go.illinois.edu/FourSeasons

09/08/2026

Troubled by tomatoes? Yeah….

Maybe some cracking, black spots on the bottom, delayed or refused ripening, or showing strange yellow shoulders?

Tune in to the team as Chris and Ken dig into the most common tomato fruit disorders caused by weather, watering, heat, and nutrient imbalances.

Try to turn those tomato troubles around with tips for late-season tomato care, including topping plants, ripening green tomatoes indoors, and cleaning up the garden to reduce problems next year.

🎧 Listen to anywhere you get your podcasts or online at https://extension.illinois.edu/podcasts/good-growing/ep-263-its-not-disease-common-tomato-fruit-problems-you-cant-spray-away-goodgrowing

🔗Troubles with Tomatoes: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2020-05-01-troubles-tomatoes

09/03/2026

We love Horticulture Friday on Iowa Public Radio! Tune in to learn!

Tomorrow is Horticulture Friday on Iowa Public Radio!

Join us at 10 a.m. Aaron Steil, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist, and Laura Iles, Director, North Central Integrated Pest Management Center, will be available to answer all your insect questions.

08/27/2026

🍅🥕 Harvest season is here, but don't forget about what's next!

Planting a cover crop after your vegetables are harvested is an easy way to protect and improve your garden soil over the winter. Learn about the benefits of cover crops and which options work best for home vegetable gardens.

Read more:

Cover crops are beneficial in the home vegetable garden. They improve soil fertility, suppress weeds, and enhance soil health. Learn about all aspects of using cover crops at home, such as timing, goals, and termination methods.

08/26/2026

The Clinton County Extension Office is still hiring for two positions! Our Master Gardener Coordinator is one of them. If you are passionate about bettering the community, enjoy organizing learning activities and events, have experience managing volunteers, and are knowledgeable of horticulture, then this job is for you!

We're Hiring!

We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team in two exciting roles:

🍀 County Youth Coordinator
🌱 Master Gardener Coordinator

If you enjoy making a positive impact in our community, working with volunteers, and helping others learn and grow, we encourage you to apply!

📅 Application Deadline: September 8

Learn more and apply here: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/clinton/jobs

Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them below or share this post!

05/26/2026

Master Gardener Program Coordinator – Clinton County Extension

Part-time Master Gardener Program Coordinator (20 hrs/week). Coordinate volunteers, educational programs, and community outreach. Requires strong communication, organization, and experience with events/volunteers. Some evenings/weekends required. $20–$25/hr + benefits. For full consideration apply by June 5.

More information at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/clinton/jobs

Equal Opportunity Employer