Chapters in Iowa

Naturelady’s Garden Walk
4007 Glen Oaks Blvd., Sioux City, IA 51104
Having worked in conservation for more than four decades, it is only natural that I try to bring a little nature to my own yard. I grew up on a farm in northeast Iowa, and my mother was my mentor and role model. She initiated the Master Gardener program in my home county and was integral in establishing a local herb club. My official native gardens began in 2021, when I planted the narrow strip on south side of my house, just adjacent to my neighbor. I was tired of mowing that small area and dodging the air conditioning unit. The dozen small wild strawberry plants quickly took root, as did the sedges and wild onions. I am happy to say I have not mowed that area for five years!

I expanded my native beds to surround my back deck. Each year I add new species from the LHWO plant sales. The steep slope that was difficult to mow is now covered with sun-loving native plants. I retain my non-native favorites like iris, bleeding heart, daisies, and peonies to remind me of my grandma and mom, but I strive to have 75-80% native plants. My yard is on the map with Homegrown National Park, and I keep expanding my beds so that I have more pollinator habitat and less lawn. I do not use any herbicides or pesticide—diversity is key in my mind—but I will hand dig dandelions to keep my neighbors happy.
My front yard includes a magnolia tree with a native shade garden underneath to create a soft landing for insect larvae and wildlife. In 2025 Glen Oaks Boulevard was torn up and resurfaced. I took that opportunity to plant native buffalo grass in the hell strip between the sidewalk and the curb. The buffalo grass takes time to establish, so I must be patient (and so do my neighbors)!
I enjoy being part of Loess Hills Wild Ones and the Sioux City Garden Club and advocate for native plants and pollinator gardens as much as possible. The Sioux City Garden Club celebrated its 100th anniversary this year and I proudly have one of their bur oak trees planted in my front yard.
I am happy to host this garden walk, and I hope members from both clubs and any interested people will get some ideas and inspiration from my yard while enjoying some camaraderie and refreshments.
This garden walk is co-sponsored by the Sioux City Garden Club. Host: Dawn Snyder

Sioux City Railroad Museum Garden Walk
Sioux City Railroad Museum, 3400 Sioux River Rd, Sioux City, IA, 51109
La Vone and Dotty welcome you to the native plantings at the Sioux City Railroad Museum. We are in our sixth year, so we still have some sleeping, creeping & leaping going on!
This 31-acre site was previously an industrial area of the Milwaukee Road "Shops" where steam and later diesel engines, and train cars were maintained and repaired from 1920-1965.
The Siouxland Historical Railroad Association attained the site in 1995 (which had been a junkyard for 15-20 years) and began the lengthy process of restoring historic buildings and developing educational displays. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places, earning the honor in 2016.
Our seven gardens are named for buildings on site such as Engineer's Tool Shed or Car Shops Garden, or a feature of significance such as the Wig Wag Garden or the Grand Scale Train Platform. They each contain a large variety of native plants for partial shade, shade, partial sun, full sun.
Hosts La Vone Sopher & Dotty Zales, who designed and installed the gardens, will be available to answer your questions. Light refreshments will be served.

Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center Garden Walk
Saturday, August 29, 2026, 10:00 am to Noon (Central Time) 4500 Sioux River Rd., Sioux City, IA 51109
The Nature Center turned 30 in 2025, and the gardens have undergone many changes over the years. New native plants were added in 2021 with the help of Loess Hills Wild Ones (LHWO) and Sioux City Garden Club grants and many volunteers. It has been exciting to see the transformation of our three-tiered gardens over time. The nature center and LHWO volunteers assisted with the planning, planting, and maintenance of our garden beds.
The rear of the Nature Center houses a water feature and native plants. This area has been under repair for a few years, and the staff will share future plans for the renovation of this popular area. Take time to stroll our trails and visit our indoor exhibits while you are here!
Host: Kari Sandage, Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center

Seed & Feed
Native Seed Harvest

This will be held at Prairie Hills Preserve, 15384 N Ridge Rd., Westfield, Iowa 51062

Hosts: Bill & Dotty Zales

Bring clippers, gloves, drinking water.
Lunch served afterward in appreciation of your work!
Please RSVP to 712-540-0952 for an accurate lunch count.

Seed will be collected for LHWO’s Seed Share Library, owner’s new acreage, and yourself.

Open to all.

Tour the beautiful Hilltop Gardens and shop for native wildflowers and grasses at the Fall Public Native Plant Sale.

Proceeds from the sale are used for numerous native plant gardens and projects in the region, including individual and community grants to assist with native plantings.

Join us to clean-up a section of Lincoln Way along Sioux City's South Ravine Park.  We'll meet at the gravel parking lot at S. Ravine Park which is just East of the intersection of Lincoln Way and S.  Lewis Boulevard in Sioux City, IA.  

Hi-visibility vests and large orange plastic bags for collecting trash will be provided.  Bring your own drinking water, trash picker, garden gloves, and wear sturdy walking shoes.   

And then afterwards, join us for refreshments at the Stewart's Hilltop Gardens. 

This is always a very worthwhile event.  We hope you will join us for a little productive outdoor recreation and refreshment rewards afterwards.