Let's Get Gardening!

As a mix of novice & more experienced growers, our team loves to garden! From herbs to veggies to flowers and native plants, you’ll find us busy tending to our yards or balconies this spring. Below we’ve compiled some of our favorite resources on how to get started, support local, and cultivate your green thumb. Plus, stay tuned for ways to swap produce with us. :)

Love fresh veggies, but aren’t able to grow them yourself?* Check out our grocery, produce & farmers market guide here.

No yard? No problem. Explore tips on how to grow a container garden in this month's edition of Little Village.

 

Mark Your Calendar:

• Saturday, May 3rd: Stop by the Indian Creek Nature Center for their Art & Plant Sale from 9:00 AM - Noon. Rhubarb Botanicals is also having their first Farmer's Market & Plant Sale in Mt Vernon. Join them from 9:00 AM - Noon. 
• Sunday, May 4th: Explore the second day of Rhubarb Botanicals' Plant Sale from 9:00 AM - Noon. 
• Friday, May 9th: Shop & chat with the Linn County Master Gardeners at their Spring Plant Sale from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Lowe Park.
• Saturday, May 10th: Head over to Lowe Park from 8:00 AM - Noon for the second day of the Linn County Master Gardeners' Plant Sale. Plus, attend Feed Iowa First's Plant Sale at NewBo City Market from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM or Rhubarb Botanicals' Farmer's Market & Plant Sale from 9:00 AM - Noon (Mt. Vernon). 
• Sunday, May 11th: Stop by Rhubarb Botanicals' Plant Sale for starters & freshly cut flowers from 9:00 AM - Noon. 
  

Can't make it to a sale? Check out one of the locally-owned garden centers below. I've had great luck with the herb & veggie starters from Culver's. :)

 

Seeds & Starter Plants:

Little Free Seed Library at the Marion Public Library: Enjoy a selection of *FREE* veggie, herb, and flower seeds donated by community members. This offering is open seasonally for all patrons in the metro and is located on the first floor next to the stairs. –Marion

Feed Iowa First: Grows & distributes *FREE,* fresh & culturally relevant produce to our community. Check out their plant sale on May 10th at NewBo City Market OR pre-order your plant starts now. Funds will support their growing operations, community distribution, and Equitable Land Access Program. –Cedar Rapids

Rhubarb Botanicals: Locally-owned & Certified Naturally Grown, Emma and Jeremy offer over 125 varieties of unique herbs, flowers, native plants, & vegetable seedlings for purchase. Shop their selection during their open ours beginning May 3rd. –Mount Vernon

Moss: Support small by shopping Moss' selection of seeds from Seed Savers Exchange (an Iowa-based non-profit on a mission to steward America's culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations). –Cedar Rapids

New Pioneer Food Co-op: Locally grown & community owned, shop plant starters and seeds from Seed Savers Exchange each spring at NewPi. –Cedar Rapids

Indian Creek Nature Center: The Friends of the Nature Center are ready to fill your yard and garden with a variety of wildflowers, hostas, vegetable starters, geraniums, perennials, prairie plants, and MORE at their annual Spring Plant & Art Sale on May 3rd. Seedlings and seed packets will also be available. Plus, be sure to stock up on milkweed so you can adopt a *FREE* caterpillar at July's Monarch Fest. –Cedar Rapids

Linn County Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale: Shop and chat with our Master Gardeners at this year's plant sale on May 9th & 10th! Find a selection of locally grown and propagated annuals, vegetables, perennials, native plants, and more! Plus, all proceeds support education programming throughout Linn County. –Marion

Sustainability tip: Know someone who gardens? Ask if they have extra seeds or plant starters they're willing to part with. You'll be surprised by people's generosity! AND if you hear of a local gardening swap, let us know. Last year, I received tomato and squash starters for free because of another's abundance. How cool! 

 

Gardening Supplies:

Linn County Solid Waste Agency: Your go-to for *FREE* compost and wood chips!! Linn county residents can pick up supplies at 2250 A St SW, Cedar Rapids, Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM or Saturday from 8:00 AM - Noon. –Cedar Rapids

Moss: Find an assortment of yard signs dedicated to native plants and wildlife! This is a great way to communicate with those passing by. –Cedar Rapids

Indian Creek Nature Center: Find gently-used gardening tools, decorations, knickknacks, pots and more at Peter’s Potting Shed on May 3rd. This is a great opportunity to practice sustainability and save money. –Cedar Rapids 

Frontier Garden Center: A hidden gem! This is Sloan’s favorite gardening store :) Think Earl May but as a small “mom & pop.” Shop veggie starts, garden plants, soil, bulk bird seed and more. –Cedar Rapids

Sustainability tip: In need of pots or gardening tools? Browse your favorite thrift shop, attend an estate sale, or search on Facebook marketplace. People are often getting rid of of their collection. 

 

Gardening Resources:

Moss: The place to go for resources on native plants! Check out their extensive book selection and Local Nature-Themed Programs & Events board. Plus, be sure to chat with Anne. She has such a rich knowledge on gardening! –Cedar Rapids

Monarch Research Project (MRP): Want to transform your yard with native plants & trees? Explore MRP’s Native Oasis, Planting Forward, and One Child, One Tree program. Plus, learn how you can boost monarch populations in Linn County. –Marion

Public Libraries in the Metro: Explore a vast collection of gardening books, printed material from Iowa State’s Extension and Outreach programs, and the “Grow It” Spark Kit. Libraries are a go-to for connection. If you’re looking for something specific, including information on local resources like community gardens, be sure to chat with a librarian. –Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha

Miller Hill Garden: Andrea Miller is an Iowa Garden & Wellness Coach on a mission to improve community health by inspiring and equipping folks with the knowledge to grow their own kitchen garden. Book an appointment, read their blog or follow along on socials for tips & tricks on sustainability, growing, harvesting and more. –Cedar Rapids

Linn County Master Gardeners: Need help with your garden or want to learn more about biodiversity? Attend a Free Library Talk, stop by their Spring Plant Sale, or call their summer hotline! Plus, access *FREE* state-wide webinars and recordings here. –Linn County

Iowa State Extension and Outreach: Explore tons of articles and guides on plant care, plant recommendations, growing & harvesting, pest management, and household pests written by Iowa State University Extension specialists in the Departments of Horticulture and Plant Pathology, Entomology & Microbiology. 

 

Locally-Owned Garden Centers:

• Frontier Garden Center (Cedar Rapids)
• Blooms Garden Center & Gift Shop (Marion)
• Pierson’s Flower-Shop & Greenhouse (Cedar Rapids)
• Culver’s Garden Center & Greenhouse (Marion)

 

*It’s important to note that gardening isn’t accessible for everyone. Our physical capacity, time, energy, access to outdoor space and financial ability differs greatly based on our identity and the life experiences we have. There is no shame in receiving or buying rather than growing. Not every sustainable action is sustainable for everyone — and that’s okay. Thriving is mutual. We work together to share in abundance & reciprocity AND remove barriers that get in people’s way. Learn more about the reciprocity of nature here and how to engage in intersectional environmentalism here, here (affiliate link), and here.