Polk County Master Gardeners

06/01/2026

----THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED----

Help us kick off the Summer Lecture Series this Wednesday at the Discovery Garden! 🥕🥦

Alicia Herzog, Program Coordinator for Iowa State Extension and Outreach, Iowa Master Gardener Program, will present on how donation gardening and community-based horticulture projects can strengthen local support networks and increase access to fresh produce. Participants will learn practical ways to make an impact, donation garden basics, and the basics of partnering with food pantries to get produce to neighbors in need!

Bring your own lawn chair and join us starting at 6PM 😄
Discovery Garden Address: 1207 E Iowa St., Des Moines, IA on the Iowa State Fairgrounds

05/28/2026

Check out our June Summer Lecture Series events!! 🪻☀️

The idea behind the Polk County Master Gardener Lecture Series was to bring educational speakers into our demonstration gardens to provide the community education and an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful garden spaces!
So grab your lawn chair, a friend, a fun beverage and join us in the garden this summer! 😄

More info: https://polkcountymastergardeners.org/Summer-Lecture-Series

05/27/2026

We are just ONE MONTH away from the 2026 Polk County Master Gardener's Garden Tour! 🌻

This year we will be exploring the west side of Polk County and enjoying a variety of beautiful garden spaces by both Master Gardeners and Garden enthusiast! These home gardens reveal a variety of backyard spaces with patios, garden paths, garden features, perennial beds, water gardens, pollinator gardens and bountiful vegetable spaces. Shade or sun - inspiration abounds, all with the addition of a few native plantings and other alternative spaces.

Come be inspired on this self guided tour for only $10! 🌷
Buy your ticket today! https://polkcountymastergardeners.org/event-6653989

05/05/2026

So many exciting events coming up this summer!!! Check it out!

Stephanie joined Hello Iowa today to talk about upcoming events happening at the Polk County Master Gardener demonstration gardens this summer! 🌻☀️ Watch the full segment https://who13.com/hello-iowa/events-to-help-you-get-your-garden-ready-this-spring-and-summer/

🍉Summer Lecture Series: https://ow.ly/HJtG50YVglB
🧑‍🎨Children's Art in the Garden: https://ow.ly/fCOM50YVglC
🪻Garden Tour:https://ow.ly/Fzhx50YVglz

05/02/2026

Join us in Urbandale this morning,May 2nd for our plant sale. We have some veggies, lots of perennials, hostas, natives and more! Open now till noon!

04/29/2026

EVENT CANCELLED!

Join the Polk County Master Gardeners for a weekend trip through Eastern Iowa to tour both public and private gardens as well as a stop at local nurseries!

𝙏𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙋𝙎:
𝘽𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙡𝙚𝙝𝙖𝙪𝙥𝙩 𝘼𝙧𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙢 which includes over 2000 named trees and shrubs. The Heartland Collection of Dwarf and Rare Conifers showcases a spectacular collection of over 510 conifers, and it is designated as an ACS Reference Garden.
𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙙 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘽𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣 features a variety of distinct gardens, including a Tropical Sun Garden, an ornamental goldfish pond with aquatic plants, a rare conifer collection, a pocket woodland fairy garden as well as a designated children’s and accessibility gardens.
𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣 will provide an inside look at what other state Master Gardeners are achieving in their respective areas.
𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨 was established in 1948 and is one of the area’s most established Lawn & Garden Centers! They offer complete landscape services, nursery and a full-service floral department, as well as a coffee shop, cafe, gift shop, olive oil & vinegar shop!

𝙏𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝘿𝙀𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙇𝙎:
Date: June 13-14
Price: $250 (Includes bus travel, meals, snacks, and garden admission)
More Details and Registration: https://polkcountymastergardeners.org/Bus-Trips

04/23/2026

Thank you to Linda and Paul for accepting this Meta Data Center Community Action Grant on behalf on the Polk County Master Gardeners and the Enabling Garden! 😃👩‍🌾

We were awarded $20,000 to help cover cost of renovating and replacing the raised garden beds at the Enabling Garden!! These raised beds are big part of what makes this garden so accessible for everyone who comes to enjoy its beauty and we are excited to kick off this project. 🌷🌼

03/18/2026

Mark your calendars for our annual A-Z Perennial Plant Sale on April 18, 2026! 🪴

03/09/2026

Thank you to all who came out this weekend to the 3rd Annual DIG Into Gardening Symposium!! 😃🌱

The morning was filled with expert speakers, beautiful views of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, networking with fellow gardeners and so much inspiration! This event also raised over $5,000 for the Polk County Master Gardeners to continue educating residents and maintaining beautiful community gardens across Polk County!

We extend a special thanks to our partner, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, our event sponsor Zanfel, and all of the volunteers who worked hard to bring this event to life. 💚

We left ready to DIG into gardening, how about you? 👩‍🌾

ISU Extension and Outreach - Polk County The Rain Campaign

03/02/2026

Dig In, Be Inspired, and Get Connected at the DIG Into Gardening Symposium this Saturday, March 7th! 😄🌱

Can't make it in person? Join us virtually for a reduced price and listen to our Keynote, selected break out sessions, and Q & A Panel in the comfort of your home for up to a week after the event!

Get your ticket today! https://dmbotanicalgarden.com/learn-on-saturdays/