Madison County Master Gardeners

09/22/2026

Asters' and chrysanthemums' colorful blooms bring vibrant shades of purple, pink, blue, white, yellow, orange and red to the autumn landscape.-https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/asters-and-mums-more-just-fall-color

09/09/2026

💚 Know someone who loves gardening or giving back as much as you?
Our Spring 2027 Master Gardener Volunteer Track is open for interest sign-ups! 🌱
Please consider sharing this post with your family, friends, and neighbors who might want to grow their gardening skills and make an impact in our community.
Sign up for more info (no commitment!):
https://form.jotform.com/xmadison/clone-of-spring-2027-master-gardene
Let’s grow together

05/27/2026

🌿 A big thank you to one of our talented new Master Gardeners, Tauri Phillips, for creating this beautiful educational container display outside the Madison County Extension Office!
Not only does it brighten up our entrance, but it also helps educate visitors by labeling each plant variety so community members can learn more about what’s growing. 🌸🌱 From vibrant petunias and celosia to zinnias, coleus, and more, this planter is a wonderful example of how gardening can be both beautiful and educational.
Be sure to stop by and take a closer look the next time you visit the office! 👩‍🌾🪴

05/01/2026

🌱🌼 Join Us Tomorrow! 🌼🌱

The Madison County Master Gardeners’ Annual Plant Sale is happening tomorrow!

📅 Saturday, May 2
⏰ 9 AM – 1 PM
📍 Winterset Public Library

Stop by for a great selection of plants and garden items! 🌿

🌟 Special Guest: Wildwood Hills Ranch will have worm castings—a natural way to boost your plants and gardens. 🌼

💚 Thanks to our partners—Winterset Public Library, Bomgaars, Brothers Ace Hardware, Winterset Seed & Allendan Seed Company—for helping our sale bloom.

🌸 Your support helps fund local gardening education and community projects. We hope to see you there!

04/28/2026

🌱✨ A little sneak peek for our Plant Sale! ✨🌱

We’re excited to share a fun addition this year… 🐛🌿

Wildwood Hills Ranch will be joining us with worm castings!

If you’ve never tried them before, worm castings are a natural way to give your plants a boost—great for gardens, houseplants, and just about anything that grows. 🌼

📅 Join us this Saturday, May 2nd
📍 Winterset Public Library
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Stop by, check them out, and give your plants something they’ll love! 🌸

04/20/2026

Soil tests for home lawns and gardens in Iowa can be submitted to neighboring state universities and private laboratories. Soil tests are not available from Iowa State University.Home gardeners should test their soil to better understand its fertility and potential for plant growth. Learn about how,...

04/08/2026

As lawns green up and gardens come to life across Iowa, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach invites gardeners to take advantage of Garden Q&A Live, a monthly interactive program designed to provide timely help throughout the growing season.

02/24/2026

🍄 Ready to grow your own mushrooms? Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting spring mushroom cultivation workshops where you’ll learn the basics and gain hands-on experience to get started at home. Check out the article for dates and registration details!

Iowans with an eye for fungi are invited to participate in upcoming Mushroom Cultivation Workshops in central and eastern Iowa this spring. Hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the workshops are open to anyone interested in learning how to grow mushrooms at home.

02/16/2026

🌱 Save the date for the Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale on May 2. It’s the perfect spring stop to pick up beautiful plants and support local gardening projects.

01/09/2026

🌱 Want to become an Iowa Master Gardener this spring? 🌱
Applications are open now through January 30!
✅ What’s required?
1. Apply
2. Complete a background check
3. Be accepted and pay the Garden Academy fee
4. Complete Garden Academy and pass the final test
5. Attend required in-person training sessions
6. Complete a 40-hour volunteer internship

📅 Time Commitment (Spring 2026)- February 9 – April 27, 2026
Monday evenings, typically 6:00–7:00 PM
(Some sessions run until 8:00 PM)
While much of the coursework is online, attendance is required for at least four of the in-person sessions to successfully complete the course

🌼 We’re seeking committed, passionate volunteers who want to learn, serve, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
🔗 Apply & learn more: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019b469a8984784f840f10fd380ba2c2

🌱 Not interested in volunteering?
For the Iowa Home Gardener (non-volunteer track), contact the Madison County Extension office at [email protected] or call 515-462-1001 to be added to a waitlist for reminders and more information.

❓ Questions? Contact our Master Gardener Coordinator, Lanie Peterson, at 515-462-1001.