In October, Cole Library and Lisbon Library will join together to host a new series of fall classes offered by Linn County Master Gardeners. Four Master Gardeners will present a garden program on four consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Cole Library in Room 108.
Who are the master gardeners? They are your friends and neighbors who have a passion for gardening. To become a Master Gardener you must take 40 hours of horticulture class training, complete a 40 hour internship, and then continue to take courses and volunteer so that you are up to date on the latest best practices for gardeners in Iowa.
The classes are free and open to everyone in our communities and do not require pre-registration. The subjects and teachers are as follows:
• Oct. 3 — Tree of Heaven – Jennifer Pruden LCMG: Why we should be worried about this devilish invasive-Tree of Heaven-Find out how the Derecho has left Linn County in a prime position for a takeover of this fast-spreading invasive tree and what you can do to spread the word and help control it. We’ll also talk about this super villain’s sidekick: the Spotted Lantern Fly.
• Oct. 10 — Iowa Butterfly Survey Network: Become A Citizen Scientist! Angel Burns LCMG -You will learn about the difference between a moth and a butterfly, the great work that Monarch Research Project is doing to support monarchs and other butterflies, how to get involved in with the Iowa Butterfly Survey Network (IBSN) and tips to identify the 25 most common butterflies in Iowa. Becoming a citizen scientist with the Iowa Butterfly Survey Network can assist in conservation efforts in Iowa by understanding the butterfly populations.
• Oct. 17 — A Happier, Healthier Home with Houseplants-Meaghen MacDougal LCMG: Something green and vital makes a room more welcoming. NASA recommends them to clean your indoor air, which is often worse than what is outside. And, yes, flowers raise the spirits…but in January? Yes, and every other month besides, if it suits you! From the simple to the sublime, there is a houseplant for everyone and every room. From what to grow where, how to keep them all healthy, and where to find truly unique specimens, we will find the houseplant for you.
• Oct. 24 — Plants of Bible Lands & Times- Beula Dvorak LCMG: Plants and gardens have been a part of our environment since the time of creation. LCMG Beula Dvorak will present some of the common, important plants of Bible lands and times. Learn how many of those same plants are with us today and even how you might incorporate them into your personal gardens.
All are welcome at these informative sessions. Please call librarians Cathy Boggs at 895-4262 or Amy White at 455-2800 with questions. Cole Library is located in Mt. Vernon on the southside of Cornell Campus up Library Lane.