Muscatine County Master Gardeners

10/12/2026

Sedums are some of the toughest and most versatile plants in the garden, but they're also at the center of a botanical identity crisis. This week on the Good Growing podcast, we dig into the world of sedums (or should we call them stonecrops... or even Hylotelephium?) and explore how advances in plant genetics have reshaped our understanding of this popular group of succulents.

Learn about the different types of sedums, from low-growing groundcovers to upright favorites like Autumn Joy, along with their ideal growing conditions, landscape uses, pollinator value, and propagation techniques. We'll also discuss why these drought-tolerant plants thrive in challenging sites, common problems like flopping stems, and a few standout cultivars worth considering for your garden. Plus, we'll attempt to shine a light on the new taxonomy of sedum. Your sedum may not be a sedum anymore.

Sedums are some of the toughest and most versatile plants in the ga...

10/01/2026

Join us Saturday, October 17th, from 10 am to noon at the Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm in Fruitland to collect zinnia seedheads for next year's planting. Alexa and the farm have provided so many educational opportunities for our Master Gardeners, and this is a great way to say thank you. You'll even go home with a fresh-cut zinnia bouquet and it's a great way to earn volunteer hours!

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.

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

We’re excited to share this feature from Muscatine Power & Water! 🌱

Terri Hanson and Lynn Pruitt recently sat down with Tony 'Tone' Loconsole for A Muscatine Moment to talk about our community donation gardens, the Master Gardener program, and how volunteers are helping grow fresh produce for local food pantries.

We’re so grateful to MPW for highlighting the work of our Master Gardeners and the difference they’re making right here in our community. And a big thank-you to Terri and Lynn for sharing their stories!

How can a garden make a difference in the community?

On this episode of A Muscatine Moment, Tony 'Tone' Loconsole sits down with Muscatine County Master Gardeners Terri Hanson and Lynn Pruitt to discuss community gardens in Muscatine, how donated produce helps those in need, and the impact of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener Program.

Learn how they got started gardening, what inspired them to become Master Gardeners, and how local volunteers are helping grow a stronger community.

📺 Watch A Muscatine Moment on MPW Channel 5 or stream the episode anytime on the MPW YouTube channel (link in comments).

09/29/2026

Keep an eye on the forecast and bring houseplants back indoors when nighttime temperatures are consistently around 50°F.

Before bringing them inside, rinse off the foliage while the plants are still outdoors and allow them to dry completely to help reduce pest problems. Once indoors, keep returning plants separate from your other houseplants and watch closely for insects over the next few weeks.

Place plants in an indoor location with bright, indirect light. Keep in mind that even the brightest spot inside provides much less light than outdoor shade or even part-shade conditions. It's normal for some houseplants to drop leaves as they adjust to being indoors, but new growth should eventually replace them.

Adjust your care routine for fall and winter. Stop fertilizing during these months since most houseplants are not actively growing. You will also need to water less often. How frequently a plant needs water depends on factors such as light, humidity, and temperature, all of which change when a plant moves from outdoors to indoors. As a result, its watering needs will change as well.

09/28/2026

For Iowa gardeners, asters offer options for every garden size. Taller selections include New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), such as 'Alma Potschke,' 'Harrington's Pink,' 'Wedding Lace’ and 'September Ruby,' which are native and provide excellent pollinator value. Other good choices include smooth aster (S. laeve) and Tatarian aster (Aster tataricus), a robust species that can reach five to seven feet tall and creates a display of lavender-blue flowers in late fall.

AMES, Iowa – As summer flowers fade and many garden plants wind down for the season, asters and chrysanthemums step into the spotlight. Their colorful blooms bring vibrant shades of purple, pink, blue, white, yellow, orange and red to the autumn landscape.

09/23/2026

The planning has officially begun!

The Art of Gardening team is back at it, and we’re already dreaming up what’s in store for this year’s event!

And since this event is for you, we want to know…

💭 What would YOU like to see at the Art of Gardening this year?

A new workshop topic?
A favorite speaker?
Hands-on activities?
Something totally different? 👀
Or maybe there’s something we’ve done in the past that you’d love to see return!

Drop your ideas in the comments! 👇🌷

We’re listening… and taking notes! 📝🌱

09/22/2026

Planning for spring starts in fall! In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, we venture beyond tulips and daffodils to explore the world of minor bulbs with Ann Chanon of The Ohio State University.

Ann shares her favorite minor bulbs, tips for planting and naturalizing them, and design ideas for creating bold displays with these small-but-mighty spring bloomers. Get ready to brighten a woodland garden, edge a pathway, or add early-season color beneath trees and shrubs. This episode will inspire you to think beyond the usual spring staples.

Plus, this episode marks the beginning of Good Growing's virtual tour of Extension experts across the United States, with Ohio serving as our first stop. Grab your bulb catalogs and get ready to plan for a more colorful spring!

Planning for spring starts in fall! In this episode of the Good Gro...

09/01/2026

While it may seem tempting, do not prune woody trees and shrubs in the fall.

Pruning encourages new growth, and when done in the fall, the new growth that develops will not be well hardened off for winter, leading to more potential for winter damage. The best time of year to prune is later winter and early spring (February through March in Iowa).

Instead, use the fall season to prepare trees for winter by protecting trunks from rabbits, deer, and other wildlife with tree wraps, guards, or fencing.

Protecting Trees and Shrubs from Animal Damage Over Winter: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-protect-trees-and-shrubs-animal-damage-over-winter

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources

08/25/2026