April 2021
Application Open: Online MG Training
This year’s Master Gardener training will be offered 100 percent online in the fall.

A total of 17 educational modules will be offered on topics that include native plants, houseplants, pollinators, and vegetables. Each course module includes a book chapter, lecture video, online discussion board, and a quiz. The participants will work through the course at their own pace, on their own time.
 
Application is open until July 1. Payment is due in August.
Nice Work in 2020!
We are so proud of the work of ISU Extension and Outreach MG volunteers! The average number of hours per volunteer was 50 volunteer hours. Nice work!


The ISU Extension and Outreach Floyd County office was awarded one of 29 Growing Together mini grants to increase donations of fresh produce to the food pantry. A Master Gardener volunteer created connections in the community to solicit produce donations and support donation gardens. When the community food pantry closed because of COVID-19, the MG volunteer and her partners acted quickly to create a fresh produce distribution event outdoors in three locations across the community. They were able to distribute 700 pounds of fresh vegetables to over 200 people at the events.

Master Gardener Goodies
Volunteering in your community? Show your Iowa Master Gardener volunteer pride.

  1. MG t-shirt or polo ($15-$32) - show your MG volunteer pride with these red t-shirts and polo shirts. New sizes were recently added!
  2. MG Resource Guide ($39) - this is the go-to gardening resource. This book is over 300 pages of recommendations for pruning trees, shrubs for wildlife, and flower bloom charts.

Shirts and MG Resource Guide are available through the online ISU Extension and Outreach Store.
Slow the Spread of Invasive Plants
Let's work together to slow the spread of invasive plants to keep Iowa's forests and wetlands healthy. When plant species become invasive they often reduce biodiversity by out-competing native species, which can disrupt entire ecosystems. Luckily many invasive species can be identified and controlled and native communities can be restored.

  • Garlic Mustard
  • Buckthorn
  • Bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and Tartarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica)

Here are some tips to avoid spreading invasive pests like the Jumping Worm through plant sales.
Continuing Education Opportunities

See the full list of upcoming events here: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener/events