Homegrown: October calendar

Following are some of the gardening and eco-events coming to Eastern Iowa during October, 2010:

Sat. Oct. 2, 10:30 a.m., (Registration deadline is September 29) The Linn County Conservation Department and the Linn Area Photo Club are holding a three-part, hands-on workshop through the afternoon at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville.  The workshop starts in the classroom, progresses to the outdoors and finishes in the classroom with a digital review of the photos taken during the day. LAPC members will be on hand to assist participants with any questions on the operation of their cameras, photographic procedures, techniques, composition, etc. Suggested equipment includes: camera, tripod, flash, wide angle and/or close-up lens for SLR camera. This 1/2 day workshop is for all levels of photographers. Bring a sack lunch. Register online at www.linncountyparks.com/events by September 29. Cost: $2.50/ adult, $1/child 16 and under or $5/family.

Sat. Oct. 2, noon to 4 p.m., Decorah, Join Seed Savers Exchange for their annual Harvest Festival at Heritage Farm.  Attend garlic planting and seed saving workshops, tour the seed processing facilities, listen to bluegrass music, go on hayrides through the valley or guided hikes to the historic orchard, sample and vote for your favorite soup. For a fee of $5, visitors can sample a small bowl of each of six different soups, made with a secret Iron Chef-like ingredient.  Prepared by different area restaurant chefs, a portion of the proceeds will go to support local food banks.  Vote for your favorite soup, with the winning restaurant carrying home the Harvest Festival traveling trophy and the bragging rights that accompany it. Tours, workshops, hayrides and guided hikes begin at noon.  Other events taking place at Harvest Festival include cider press demonstrations, giant pumpkin carving by Lynn Staley, and apple sampling and purchase.  Music is by the Western Home String Band. For more details, visit www.seedsavers.org and click on the Harvest Festival link.

Tues., Oct. 5, 6-8 p.m., Prairiewoods, 120 E. Boyson Road, Hiawatha. Grow your own food class, soil fertility. Join Soilmates garden educator Scott Koepke in a walk through the fundamentals of maximizing soil fertility, nutrients and balance with essential biodiversity that enhances natural plant immunities. You will review key components of vegetable garden health: composting, vermiculture, green manure/cover crops, rotations, no-till methods, mapping, seed selection, organic/biological controls, proper hydration and weed management. Fee: $15.

Wed., Oct. 6, 9:30 a.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, REAL WALK: IS PRAIRIE A NATURAL LANDSCAPE?-for adults aged 50 or better--MEMBER:$3-NONMEMBER:$4 - Explore tallgrass prairie history while enjoying the colors and fragrances of the fall prairie landscape. How natural is the prairie landscape? Pick prairie plant seeds to establish your own prairie. Coffee and conversation afterward. Call 362-0664 to register.

Sat., Oct. 9, 1 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, BUG ACADEMY: PREPARING FOR THE FREEZE-MEMBER:$5-NONMEMBER:$8 - Join Joe Zito to learn about how insects prepare to survive winter's frigid challenges. Call 362-0664 to register.

Sat., Oct. 9. 1 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, LEWIS & CLARK SKETCHING HIKE- MEMBER:$5-NONMEMBER:$8-STUDENTS (4TH GRADE AND UP):$3-Experience the trail just as Meriweather Lewis did, journal in hand. Begin with a dozen or more thumbnail sketches taken from observing single images like a bird, flower, or plant, drawn in pencil in a small notebook. Upon returning to the barn, artist Micky McNiel will teach you how to enlarge your favorite thumbnail sketch using the grid method and create a watercolor painting. All are successful! Geared to the absolute beginner, so have no fear to express yourself. Call by 4 PM on Friday, October 8th at 362-0664 to register.

Sat. Oct. 9, 3 p.m. Farm Tour; 5 p.m. potluck, Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Harvest Potluck & Barn Dance. Local Harvest CSA/ ZJ Farm, 5015 120http://www.practicalfarmers.org

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ST. NE, Solon. Join Local Harvest CSA / ZJ Farm for their annual end of the season farm tour and harvest celebration. Bring a dish and your own table service. More info at

Sun. Oct. 10,  2-4 p.m., Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) at the University of Iowa, in conjunction with the Office of Sustainability, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR), and the Interfaith Environmental Action group are organizing an Eco-Festival on the East side of the Pentacrest in Iowa City. Come learn about what local organizations are doing and how you can help!

Or use your art skills to make a fantastic poster to show your support for Action on Climate Change. At 3 pm a group photo of all participants will be taken showcasing Iowa City's support for Climate Change Action. After the group photo, cyclists will be asked to line up for a 3.5 mile bike ride through downtown Iowa City, and those who are not biking will have the opportunity to show their support during a "Unity WALK for Climate Change" around the Pentacrest.

Wed., Oct. 13, 7 p.m., Englert Theater,  Iowa City. Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org, will be givng a free lecture. The University of Iowa Office of Sustainability is sponsoring the speech by the author, educator and activist. This lecture, "Creating a Sustainable World," is free and open to the public. It is offered in partnership with the University Lecture Committee. More information: http://lectures.uiowa.edu/details.php?ID=661

Fri., Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, CREEKSIDE CONCERT-The Deep Dish Divas serve up an eclectic blend of time-tested tunes, sweet songs, tasty licks and wholesome harmonies. Deb Hunemuller plays fiddle and really knows how to shake an egg! Carrie Kriz adds bass and flute to the mix and Karen Pierce holds it all together on the guitar and hammered dulcimer. It will surely be a savory evening that you won't want to miss. Join us in the auditorium for an evening of good family fun. Tickets are $5/M, $8/NM, $1 Children 5-12. Doors open at 7pm. Call 362-0664 for more information.

Sat. Oct. 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Root Cellar Workshop, Organic Greens, 2316 133rd St, Kalona. organicgreens@earthlink.net James Nisly is putting the finishing touches on his 3,000 sq ft commercial root cellar. Come hear about his plans for the storage space and his experiences getting the cellar built. Presenters will discuss planning, building, and storing products in a root cellar. Free for Practical Farmers of Iowa members; $10 for non-members. Sponsored by Ceres Foundation

Sat. Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m., Brucemore, 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, Autumn Landscape Hike.  Set amid the subtle and spectacular dressings of the 26-acre autumnal landscape, this 90-minute walk will blend a discussion of current preservation issues, the importance of public use, and the seasonal chores that preserve the historic grounds.  Participants will have the opportunity to seek advice about their own gardens and landscapes from Brucemore Gardeners Deb Engmark and David Morton or ask questions ranging from the cultural needs of particular plants to landscape design issues past and present. Participants will see how planting choices with sensitivity to native species and seasonal display affect the overarching impact of a landscape design.  The colors of the season – from dusky plum to rusty barn red – will naturally highlight the “outdoor rooms” of the original landscape design by O.C. Simmonds. Special attention will be paid to the trees planted this past May as part of the Branching Out program, a three-way partnership between Alliant Energy, Trees Forever, and Iowa communities to promote tree plantings in order to save energy and to protect and enhance the environment. Admission is $10.00 per person and $7.00 per Brucemore member. Reservations for the Autumn Landscape Hike are required. Space is limited, please call (319) 362-7375 or stop by the Brucemore Store to make reservations. For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit Brucemore online at www.brucemore.org.

Tues., Oct. 19, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Practical Farmers of Iowa is offering a free online webinar or “farminar” on storing crops in existing facilities. Fruit and vegetable farmers are growing their operations, but don't always have the financing to build new structures for all their needs. Join Denise O'Brien from Rolling Acres, Atlantic, and Melissa and Andrew Dunham from Grinnell Heritage Farm, Grinnell, to hear how they are storing their crops in existing facilities on the farm. Both farms will discuss how they have retrofitted current facilities to store products as well as future plans for storage to meet the needs of their farm and markets. Discussion will also include the use of the Farm Service Agency's low interest Farm Storage Facility Loan Program. Fall farminars continue bimonthly thru December 23, 2010. To register and participate in this farminar, visit www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar

Sat., Oct. 23, 10 a.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, PRAIRIE SEEDS FOR YOUR YARD-Fee: $15/large paper bag - After decades of successful prairie restoration, the Nature Center has an abundance of seed available to help others establish their own prairies. Begin with a brief workshop covering what and when to plant, how to identify desirable prairie species, how to prep your soil and how to store and stratify seeds. Participate in a pre-gathering experience to learn the how-to's of collection. Then spend the rest of the morning collecting seed for your personal prairie restoration project. Bring a paper bag for your seed collection. This is a fundraiser to support the Nature Center and enable people to acquire prairie seed at low cost. Call 362-0664 to register.

Sat. Oct. 23, 8 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, FULL HARVEST MOON WALK--MEMBER:$3; NONMEMBER:$4; CHILD:$1 - This full moon occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. In two out of three years, the Harvest Moon comes in September; other times it occurs in October. Join us for a guided, leisurely stroll to enjoy autumn's nighttime sights and sounds and watch the moon rise. Call 362-0664 to register.

Sun., Oct. 24, 3 p.m., Greenhouse ribbon cutting, Lowe Park Arts and Environment Center, 4500 North 10

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Street in Marion.  The greenhouse is a joint project of the Linn County Master Gardeners and the City of Marion Parks and Recreation Department.  

Mon., Oct. 25, 4-6 pm (volunteers can come 30 minutes early to help with set-up) Mary Lundby Townhomes, 845 31Rain Date: Thursday, October 28, 2010, 4:00-6:00 pm. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes if possible, and wear gloves. Volunteers do not need to have special skills or training and all ages are welcome. Volunteers can bring shovels and other tools, but should mark them clearly with their names. This planting is sponsored by Alliant Energy and has been organized in cooperation with Linn County Correctional Services.

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Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, IA (where 31

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Ave. dead-ends west of 6

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Street SW)  Trees Forever seeks volunteers to help with a tree planting.

Contact: Karen Brook, (319) 373-0650 ext. 14, kbrook@treesforever.org

Wed., Oct. 27, 6-7:30 p.m., Prairiewoods, Hiawatha. Dehydrating fruits and vegetables. Learn ways to dehydrate seasonal vegetables and fruit. Participants will take home a sample of each vegetable and fruit that is included in the workshop. Fee: $10.

Thurs., Oct. 28, 6:30-9 p.m., Join a naturalist at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center near Toddville to learn about Wickiup Hill's critters.  Kids, don't know what you're going to be for Halloween?  Come and make an animal mask to add to your costume. Then try it as we take a “treat” hike in the "spooky" forest!  The event is for all ages.  Please call 892-6485 to register.  The registration deadline is October 25.  Cost is $5.00 per mask.

Thurs., Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m., (pre-register by Oct. 25) Green Cleaning Party, Prairiewoods, Hiawatha. In cities around the country, party guests gather to chat and whip up batches of eco-friendly cleaners. Green cleaning parties, where your friends and neighbors create quick, easy and cheap alternative household cleaners, are the result of the efforts of the Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE), an advocacy group based in Montana. The party concept started in 2007 following a report called Household Hazards in which WVE examined more than 200 chemical ingredients in commercial cleaners. The report found that many of those chemicals were harmful to the environment, as well as being linked to asthma, infertility, birth defects and reproductive harm. WVE's goal is to eduate the public about the harmful effects of chemicals, particularly those that affect women. Learn how to make all purpose cleaners, a creamy soft scrub, toilet bowl cleaners, drain openers, laundry detergent and furniture polish. Fee: $15 each.To register: Call Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or on our website at: www.prairiewoods.org Each person will leave the party with two samples of cleaning products and many recipes.

Fri., Oct. 29, 10:15 am (volunteers can come 30 minutes early to help with set-up) Kennedy High School, 4545 Wenig Road NE, Cedar Rapids, IA. Volunteers are invited to help Kennedy High School students plant trees on their campus for energy efficiency, beauty and shade. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes if possible, and wear gloves. Volunteers do not need to have special skills or training and all ages are welcome. Volunteers can bring shovels and other tools, but should mark them clearly with their names.

Sat. Oct. 30, 1-4 p.m., Great Pumpkin Atlatl Hunt at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center, Toddville. Come and try your hand at using an ancient hunting tool,the spearthrower. Equipment and instruction cheerfully provided. For more information contact Gail Barels at 892-6485.