Homegrown: Your chance at free gardening books

   I've seen posts for farmers markets, garden walks and other events on Homegrown's new Facebook page, as well as some beautiful garden photos, all contributed by Facebook friends.

   Those contributors are all in the running for one of the new gardening books that will be given away at the end of the month.

   You can join in, too, by posting anything on Homegrown's Facebook page;  even a note to just say “Hi.”

   Everyone who writes a message or posts a photo will be entered in a drawing for one of these books: “Continuous Container Gardens,” “Gardening for a Lifetime” and the “Vegetable Gardener's Handbook.” Those were all sent to me by the publishers, and I'm passing them along to three of you.

The contest ends July 31, so you have about half the month to enter. Winners will need to pick up their book at The Gazette office in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City.

Because there is more than one Homegrown on Facebook, make sure you're clicking on the Home/Garden page with the pink malva flowers.