Summer webinars help gardeners grow in knowledge

Cerro Gordo ISU Extension and Outreach is hosting the seventh annual “Growing Season” webinar series during June, July and August. Gardeners will learn about benefits of shade in landscape, tree problems and native garden insects. This series is offered by the Iowa Master Gardener program and is open to all interested gardeners. Participants are not required to have completed master gardener training to attend.
Each of the three webinars feature an Iowa State University faculty or staff member presenting the two-hour course at an ISU Extension and Outreach county office. Course dates, topics and speakers include:
·         June 15, 2-4 p.m., Cerro Gordo Extension, 2023 S. Federal, Mason City - Got Shade? ISU Extension and Outreach horticulturist Denny Schrock will teach participants how to use shade plants in the landscape while focusing on plants native to Iowa.
·         July 27, 2-4 p.m., Cerro Gordo Extension, 2023 S. Federal, Mason City - Getting to the Bottom of Tree Problems with Lina Rodriguez-Salamanca, ISU Extension and Outreach plant pathologist and diagnostician with the ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic. Participants will become familiar with some of the common symptoms of tree problems and what to look for when identifying symptoms.
·         August 10, 2-4 p.m., Cerro Gordo Extension, 2023 S. Federal, Mason City - What’s all the Buzz About? with Nathan Brockman, the curator of the butterfly wing of Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University. Attendees will learn about insects native to Iowa and what to do to increase the enjoyment of these six-legged garden visitors.
To register for the any or all of the Growing Season webinars, contact Cerro Gordo County ISU Extension and Outreach, 641-423-0844 or xcerrogordo@iastate.edu. Cost is $5 per webinar.
All master gardeners attending the webinar will earn two continuing education hours for each webinar. To learn how to become an Iowa Master Gardener, visit the program website at www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener/ or call Cerro Gordo County Extension and Outreach, 641-423-0844.