Master Gardners programs feature butterflies, tomatoes, garlic

Iowa County Master Gardners have scheduled several programs for September.

At Lake Iowa Nature Center Saturday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m., Iowa County Conservation and the Iowa County Master Gardeners will present All About Butterflies for all ages. Those in attendance can observe live caterpillars and butterflies, tag and release monarch butterflies, make butterfly crafts and catch butterflies in the pollinator garden and prairie.

The Nature Center is located at 2550 G Ave. near Ladora.

Iowa County Master Gardeners will host a tomato tasting and seed saving event at Williamsburg Public Library at 6 p.m. Sept. 4. Residents can sample many varieties of tomatoes and vote for their favorite while learning how to harvest tomato seeds.

The Master Gardeners will hold a hypertufa workshop at Gateway Park and Arboretum in Marengo Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. Residents will create faux limestone planters and learn about the hypertufa recipe and curing process to create their own projects.

Attendees should wear old clothes and bring an apron and vinyl or latex dishwashing gloves. The event is free, but anyone who wants to take part should pre-register at the Iowa State University Extension office by call in 319-668-1052 so organizers can have enough materials.

The Master Gardeners are hosting a workshop about the basics of growing garlic at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 at the Williamsburg Library. Learn what works best for local conditions when selecting, planting, growing and harvesting garlic. Taste some varieties and sample a dish or two.

Iowa County Master Gardeners will host salsa tasting at the North English Community Center Sept. 24 at 11:30 a.m. Attendees can sample several varieties of salsa and vote for their favorite.