Gardener's Celebration of Fall

Name: Gardener's Celebration of Fall
Start: 2025-09-27T11:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-09-27T14:00:00-05:00
Location: Walnut Creek Campus (WDMCS)

Schedule

Sat Sep 27 2025 at 11:00 am to 02:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Walnut Creek Campus (WDMCS) | West Des Moines, IA

Our annual fall celebration is a fun mish-mash of “autumn-y” things, especially for central Iowa gardeners. There’s a little something for everyone at this family-friendly event.
The *STAR* of this event is GARLIC!
Garlic for late October planting - Pickup your free bulb of a
porcelain hardneck variety or choose 1/2 lb of this great cold-hardy variety for just $8. We're also offering a garlic lovers variety pack for a suggested donation of $15-$20.
Pawpaw Tasting - The largest fruit native to North America, and one you’ll never find in the grocery store. The taste of a pawpaw is described as tropical - like a cross between a banana and mango - but it’s really a unique, locally-grown treat that simply must be tried during this narrow window while it’s in season.
Cover Crops - Crimson Clover, Peas and Oats, and a great
Garden Cover Crop Mix - We’re sharing free seed and all the ways that cover crop contributes to healthier soil and a more successful 2026 garden bed.
Sprouting Kits - Keep growing all winter long! Our economical kits contain everything you need to grow nutritious and delicious sprouts. Sprouting is super easy and a fun indoor family activity too...with edible results! Suggested donation $10-$15.
And it that's not enough, we're also featuring...
*Saffron Crocus corms - 25 corms for $15 donation
*Mushroom Grow Kits - Lion's Mane or Oyster - $20 donation
*New this year - Shallot variety pack 1/2lb for $10 donation
*Winter Sowing mini-demonstration and free selected seed
*Seed saving tutorial and free seed envelopes
*Tasting and Sharing Table - jams, salsas, pickles, baked goods
*Harvest the Metro! produce sharing initiative
*Kid’s Activities
*Food Truck
*Local vendors and community organizations
*and LIVE MUSIC too!
Wanna get involved and support our Nine Square Feet fall event? Here's how:
*Volunteer - If you're drawn to one of these areas, consider signing up as a volunteer. We'll be posting a signup link soon!
*Bring a seasonal baked item or a home-canned item for tasting table.
*Donate excess garden produce for our Harvest the Metro! produce drive.
*Share anything that tickles your garden fancy at our sharing table. Here’s just a few ideas of in-season things you could donate/share: apples, pears, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, ground cherries, herbs, squash, strawberry plant runners, dug perennials, bulbs or cuttings for propagation, fall decor like gourds, ornamental corn, cornstalks.
Bring a gardening buddy or the whole family and spend a lovely fall day with us. But...what if it’s not a lovely weather day?
Overcast and a few sprinkles - Keep calm and party on. We've got the goods to distribute to y'all. But in the case of heavy rain, hail, high winds, or other inclement weather, unfortunately this event will be cancelled.