Contact me if you'd like to see me talk with your group on any of these topics below.
Midwest Garden FAQs - As host of a weekly call-in radio show, I hear a lot of questions. Some of them are more common than others. Learn about the most common garden questions I hear - from tomato blight to hydrangeas - and the in-depth reasoning behind the advice I give for these often asked questions. (50-60 minutes)
Houseplants - Most homes and offices have at least one houseplant. Yet the care of these indoor plants is decidedly different than those plants growing outside. Learn all about the selection, culture, care as well and tips and tricks to having beautiful houseplants in your home. Discussion will include identification and care of specific common houseplants. (90 minutes, can be edited to 50-60 minutes)
** This presentation covers all aspects required for the "Houseplant" unit of Iowa Master Gardener training.
Botany for Gardeners - Get an overview of all things botanical. Topics discussed include classification and taxonomy (naming) of plants, structure and function of plants, and the physiology of plants. Learn how to write a plant's scientific name, how to identify various parts of a plant and how plants work and grown from seed to seed. (90-120 minutes, can be edited to 50-60 minutes)
** A plant dissection activity can be added on to this for something a little more hands-on
Preparing for Winter: Putting the Garden to Bed - As winter approaches and the garden starts to wind down, many gardeners start thinking about preparations for the cold season that will give their garden the best start the following spring. Learn more about the tasks that should be on your list for the autumn – the things to do and the things that can (and should) wait until spring. These tips and advice will get your garden ready for a cold Midwestern winter. (50-60 minutes)
The Plants of Reiman Gardens - Reiman Gardens features thousands of different plants across its 17-acre site on Iowa State University’s campus in Ames. Each year the Gardens strives to show Iowans and fellow Midwesterners the best plants for their own gardens, whether they be trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, or tropical plants. Learn more about the tried and true plants that perform well at the Gardens and the most promising new plants and cultivars that the staff at Reiman Gardens are excited to grow. (50-60 minutes)
Shade Gardening - This introductory talk on shade gardens is perfect for amateurs stepping into the wonderful world of shade gardening. Discussion includes unique culture and design considerations for the shade as well as great plants to used in your shade garden. (50-60 minutes)
Roses for Iowa - Roses are possibly the world’s most popular garden plant. For centuries, their amazing blooms, wonderful fragrance, and adaptable nature have made them a wonderful addition to the garden. But roses have a dichotomy about them. Some of them are effortless to grow and almost become weeds, while others are prone to common diseases and winter kill – even their beautiful, delicate flowers are atop think thorny branches! This dichotomy makes selecting the right rose for your garden of the utmost importance. The right variety will bring you joy each summer, the wrong one will become a burden in the garden. Learn about the roses best suited for gardens in Iowa and how to care for them so they can appreciated every day. (50-60 minutes)
All about Reiman Gardens - Take a virtual tour of Iowa State University's Reiman Gardens. Learn about the history and features of this his 17-acre public garden. There is always something new to see and I will talk about the wonderful events, displays, exhibits, programs and gardens you will see the next time you visit the Gardens in Ames. (50-60 minutes)
Buck Roses - Dr. Griffith Buck developed nearly 100 roses during his tenure as faculty in the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University. Learn more about some of the wonderful naturally disease resistant, winter hardy roses Dr. Buck bred that are perfect for a Midwestern garden as well as more about the unique nationally accredited collection of his roses at Reiman Gardens. (50-60 minutes)
The Bulbs of Reiman Gardens - From tulips and daffodils to something a bit less common, learn more about the many species and cultivars the staff at Reiman Gardens love to grow - both the familiar and lesser-known! Discussion will include care and culture of these fall-planted, spring-blooming bulbs that do well at Reiman Gardens as well as your Midwestern garden. (50-60 minutes)
The History of Tulips - Tulipomania was a period in the 17th century when the then newly introduced and exotic tulip reached prices of extraordinary high levels before this economic bubble suddenly burst! Learn more about the unique and fascinating history of this common bulb as well as information on the many different types and care of these amazing spring flowers. (40-50 minutes)
The Language of Flowers - Roses, mums, daisies, lilies - all of these cut flowers have their own secret language showing love, admiration, purity, or even disdain! While not "spoken" often today, the Victorians in particular perfected coded messages through flowers. Learn how to send your own message and some of the meanings behind our favorite flowers. (20 minutes)
Great Small Trees - From crabapples and redbuds to something a bit less common, small trees are wonderful additions to most residential landscapes and my favorite group of plants! Learn which of the many often flowering and highly ornamental trees would be the perfect addition to your garden. (50-60 minutes)
Gardening for Butterflies and Other Welcomed Insects - Butterflies, bees, moths, ladybugs, and even lightening bugs - insects are a wonderful addition to the garden and essential for healthy ecological systems. Learn about the many insects we want in our gardens because of the work they do in pollination or the interest and beauty they bring the landscape. Discussion will include how to alter garden maintenance and design to create an environment perfect for welcomed insects! (50-60 minutes)
Water Wise Gardening in Iowa - Water is an important and invaluable resource. This is never more apparent than in years of drought, but water wise gardening is important every year, even in places like Iowa. Learn about gardening practices, great plants and garden designs that all help preserve and protect that important resource of water in your own garden. (50-60 minutes)
Terrariums: Miniature Gardens Under Glass - Possibly the easiest gardens to maintain, closed terrariums require little or no attention. In fact, the less you meddle, the better. Learn about the history of these gardens under glass and their connection to the plant explorers of the 18th and 19th century. Additionally discussion will include the basics of terrarium design and explore many possibilities for pretty plants and clever containers to create your own unique miniature garden under glass!
Victorian Era Gardening - The Victorians of the late 19th and early 20th century loved their gardens and many of the things we do in our gardens today have roots in this great gardening culture. From plant explorers, carpet bedding plantings to cheap glass and the invention of the lawn mower, learn more about the familiar and unfamilar things done in gardens at this point in history and how the Victorians changed gardening forever! (50-60 minutes)
Dimensional Design - To sustain innovation in garden and program design, Reiman Gardens uses a process called Dimensional Design to create Theme Years. Annually a new theme is applied to all areas of the gardens, from outdoor garden displays to educational programming. Dimensional Design is a holistic approach to garden education based on a team effort in which all staff work together to develop educational programs, interpretation, communications, events, and amenities that support an annual theme which also supports the gardens’ mission: “to educate, enchant, and inspire an appreciation of plants, butterflies, and the beauty of the natural world.” This process not only creates amazing garden dsiplays, but it can be used in the home garden as well to crate theme gardens and generate wonderful ideas. Learn how Reiman Gardens utilizes Dimensional Design and how you can use a theme to create your own great landscape. (50-60 minutes)
