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Archive by tag: gardenReturn

DNR urban wood playhouse on display at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

• 12/14/2021 2:52:00 PM
• View Count 1912

A children’s playhouse constructed almost entirely from urban lumber is on display at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. 

Spring Gardening For Pollinators, Beauty And Much More

• 5/28/2020 2:00:00 PM
• View Count 6436

Early spring is the time to plan a pollinator garden to turn desolate lawns into gorgeous habitat havens.

6 tips for soaking up more stormwater in your yard

• 4/20/2020 1:44:00 PM
• View Count 9205

Not that long ago, Iowa consisted of nearly 80 percent prairie with plants and soil that could easily soak up stormwater with little to no runoff after heavy rains. Today, with drastic changes in land use, things have changed. With so many impervious surfaces (surfaces that shed water, such as roofs and concrete), runoff is forced quickly down storm drains and straight into local water bodies. Here are some ways to soak up more water in your yard to help prevent erosion and flooding in your lawn and home, as well a...

6 ways to help monarchs in your own backyard

• 7/5/2019 4:52:00 PM
• View Count 11895

One of the most recognized pollinators, monarchs travel more than 3,000 miles each year to come visit Iowa for the summer. With declining numbers over the last decade, here are some ways you can help these beautiful orange and black butterflies:

Plant.Grow.Fly. to Plant Butterfly Garden on Iowa Capitol Complex Friday

• 6/15/2017 8:10:00 AM
• View Count 3887

DES MOINES, Iowa - Blank Park Zoo’s Plant.Grow.Fly. and several partners are building a pollinator garden at the Iowa State Capitol on June 16.

State Forest Nursery and Reiman Gardens Team Up to Promote Butterfly and Bird Habitat

• 3/1/2016 9:29:00 AM
• View Count 4867

DES MOINES –The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ State Forest Nursery and Reiman Gardens are teaming up to promote butterfly and songbird habitat. Customers who order a Butterfly and Bird packet before March 25 will receive two free passes to Reiman Gardens in Ames.

Build Rain Gardens to Hold Water, Beautify Yards, Help Wildlife [Tutorial]

• 5/22/2015 10:54:00 AM
• View Count 14267

While rain storms are natural, storm water runoff is not. Flowing from rooftops and surging out downspouts, across the yard, into the street and down the storm sewer untreated, rainfall is routed to the nearest stream or lake. Runoff is often polluted. In its rough and tumble downhill journey, rain picks up heavy metals, oils, fertilizers, soils, sediment, and pesticides.

Bee Beautiful – 5 Tips to Attract Pollinators to Your Backyard

• 4/29/2015 10:29:00 AM
• View Count 26931

One out of every three bites of food we eat relies on pollinators, mostly insects, to reproduce. Unfortunately, bees (colony and solitary), butterflies and moths, bats, birds and beetles are facing challenges due to habitat loss, disease, parasites and pesticides.