AMES, Iowa - Part of living in Iowa is dealing with winter and its effects on landscapes. That means taking precautions to ensure that certain plants can survive winter's harsh blast by overwintering them. Specific steps must be followed to ensure overwintered plants will return to prominence next spring.

Here are some tips from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists on how to best overwinter plants. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu.

Will cannas survive the winter outdoors in Iowa?

Cannas are perennials. However, they are not winter hardy in Iowa. Cannas must be dug in fall and overwintered indoors. Other tender perennials include tuberous begonia, dahlia, caladium, and gladiolus.

How do I overwinter cannas?

Cut back the plants to within four to six nches of the ground a few days after a hard, killing frost. Then carefully dig up the canna clumps with a spade or garden fork. Leave a small amount of soil around the cannas. Allow them to dry for several hours. Afterwards, place the cannas in large boxes, wire crates, or mesh bags. Store the cannas in a cool (40 to 50 degree Fahrenheit), dry location.

How do I overwinter tuberous begonias?

Carefully dig up the tuberous begonias within a few days of a killing frost. Leave a small amount of soil around each tuber. Cut off the stems about one inch above the tubers.  Place the tubers in a cool, dry area to cure for two to three weeks. After curing, shake off the remaining soil. Place a layer of peat moss, vermiculite or sawdust in a small cardboard box. Lay the tubers on the storage medium, then cover the tubers with additional peat, vermiculite or sawdust. Store the tubers in an area with a temperature of 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

How do I overwinter dahlias?

Cut back the plants to within two to four inches of the ground within three or four days of a killing frost. After cutting back the plants, leave the dahlias in the ground for an additional six or seven days to "cure." Then carefully dig up the dahlias with a spade or shovel. Gently shake off the soil, then cut the stems back to the crown. (The dahlia crown is located at the base of the stem where the tuberous roots are attached.) Carefully wash the dahlia clumps to remove any remaining soil. Allow the dahlias to dry for 24 hours. When dry, place the dahlia clumps upside down in cardboard boxes and cover them with vermiculite, peat moss, or wood shavings. Store the dahlias in a cool (40 to 50 degree Fahrenheit), dry location.

How do I overwinter caladiums?

Carefully dig up the caladiums after the first fall frost. After digging, place the plants in a cool, dry location for one to two weeks to cure. After curing, cut off the dry foliage. Place a layer of peat moss, vermiculite or sawdust in a small cardboard box. Lay the tubers on the storage medium, then cover with additional peat, vermiculite or sawdust. Store the caladiums in a cool (60 to 65 degree Fahrenheit), dry location.

How do I overwinter gladiolus bulbs?

Carefully dig up the plants with a spade in fall. Gently shake off the soil from the bulb-like corms. Then cut off the foliage one to two inches above the corms. Dry the corms for two to three weeks in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location. When thoroughly dry, remove and discard the old dried up mother corms located at the base of the new corms. Remove the tiny corms (cormels) found around the base of the new corms. Save the small corms for propagation purposes or discard them. Place the corms in mesh bags or old nylon stockings and hang in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Storage temperatures should be 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Scott County Planning and Zoning Commission has scheduled a series of five public meetings to present the working draft of the proposed revised Zoning Ordinance for Unincorporated Scott County and to provide opportunity for anyone to comment on those revisions.

The agendas for these presentations will include information on the Scott County Comprehensive Plan and its role in initiating these proposed revisions. The Zoning Ordinance revisions that are proposed in conjunction with amendments to the Comprehensive Plan will also be presented.

For the last year, the Planning Commission has held a series of monthly work sessions to review the entire Zoning Ordinance in order to consider revisions, to reorganize and to clarify provisions of the ordinance.

Following this series of public meetings the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing before acting on a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors would also hold a Public Hearing on the Planning Commission's recommendation before acting on the Ordinance. The final action on any ordinance revisions will be made by the Scott County Board of Supervisors.

The schedule giving the dates, times and locations of the five workshops is below. For additional information or any question please call Timothy Huey at Scott County Planning and Development 563-326-8643.

Date Time Location

Tuesday Walcott Walcott School

October 13, 2015 7:00 PM School Cafeteria

545 East Jones Street

Walcott, Iowa

Tuesday Davenport Scott County Administrative Center

October 20, 2015 7:00 PM 1st Floor Board Room

600 Wesd 4th Street

Davenport, Iowa

Tuesday Park View Neil Armstrong Elementary School

October 27, 2015 7:00 PM Media Center

212 South Parkview Drive

Park View, Iowa

Tuesday LeClaire Cody Elementary

November 3, 2015 7:00 PM School Cafeteria

2100 Territorial Road

LeClaire, Iowa 52753

Tuesday Eldridge Scott County Farm Bureau

November 10, 2015 7:00 PM 1721 East LeClaire Road

Eldridge, IA 52748

Monmouth, Illinois - Warren County United Way kicks off its 2015-2016 Campaign already approaching $35,000 of its final goal of $200,000 and announces new grant program. At a luncheon last week, Cerar's Barnstormer was overflowing with sixty-plus community supporters of Warren County United Way. The program, led by executive director Jeannie Weber and board president Trevor Davies, included special guests Nancy Bersted and Judy Bersted Andrews as well as guest presenters Mary Francis Miller, Bob Meling, and Dan Ashton, who spoke about Helen Bersted's community legacy, having been active in the opening of both Warren Achievement Center and Warren County United Way decades ago.

Weber outlined plans for the campaign year - which has a complete emphasis on partner agencies, up to and including agencies speaking to potential donors. She stated, "Our mission is to assess needs, raise funds, and develop other resources for the community. During this time of reductions in state and local funding, as well as our demographic shift, it is more important than ever that we reach our campaign goal of $200,000."

She also announced that in addition to the campaign, which raises operational funding for 26 agencies that ultimately assist tens of thousands each year, Warren County United Way created the Helen Bersted Memorial Grant, which allows all community non-profit organizations to compete for additional funding beyond campaign allocations. The Helen Bersted Memorial Grant will be annual, and will provide giving based on continued investment outcomes of the Len G. Everett endowment. The endowment is also is also responsible for funding all administrative costs associated with Warren County United Way, giving contributors the advantage of knowing that every dollar donated goes directly to member agencies.

Unlike campaign funds which are raised for agency operational expenses, the new Grant allows organizations to seek funding for programming and/or capital improvements. "Creating this grant is in keeping with part of our mission, which is to develop other resources for the community," Weber stated. "Our board of directors felt there was no better way to honor Helen Bersted than to create this opportunity."

Davies spoke on behalf of the board of directors, stating that Warren County United Way was in an excellent position, having already raised dollars prior to the campaign launch. "Many thanks to our executive director Jeannie Weber and her campaign co-chairs Buster Kellogg Jr. and Lowell Crow, who have hit the ground running having raised close to $35,000," Davies stated. "Yet, I challenge us. This is not enough. We have a commitment to our agencies. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Davies encouraged those present to assist with the campaign by speaking to family and friends they know, who have most likely benefited from one or more of the agencies Warren County United Way serves.

Over the course of the next few weeks, Warren County United Way will be soliciting campaign donations through direct mail, employee presentations with agencies, and through social media. "We look forward to a successful campaign for our agencies and for the community," Weber said. "I encourage everyone to give. Whether large or small, every contribution counts toward the big picture for Warren County and surrounding communities."

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Warren County United Way Member Agencies

Alternatives for Older Adults, Galesburg, IL

American Red Cross, Moline, IL

Buchanan Center for the Arts, Monmouth, IL

Cameron Recreational Council, Cameron, IL

Carl Sandburg Literacy Coalition, Galesburg, IL

Center for Youth and Family Solutions, Galesburg, IL

Child Advocacy Center, Galesburg, IL

Eagle View Community Health Systems

Girl Scouts of E. Iowa & Western Illinois

Illowa Council Boy Scouts of America, Davenport, IA

Jamieson Community Center, Monmouth, IL

Kirkwood Senior Citizens, Kirkwood, IL

Lutheran Preschool, Monmouth, IL

Monmouth Early Learning Center, Monmouth, IL

Mother to Mother Ministeries, Monmouth, IL

Prairie State Legal Services, Galesburg, IL

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Rock Island, IL

Roseville Kid's Place, Roseville, IL

Starting Point, Monmouth, IL

Strom Center, Monmouth, IL

Teddy Bear Day Care Center, Monmouth, IL

Triumph Services, Monmouth, IL

Warren Achievement Center, Monmouth, IL

Warren County Health Department, Monmouth, IL

Warren County Historical Society, Monmouth, IL

Warren County YMCA, Monmouth, IL

October 7, 2015, Davenport, IA:   Imagine if all our relationship were free from conflict and deeply satisfying.  Finding the right mental attitude is the key to making this happen.

Healthy Relationships A 4-Week Series will be presented by Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center on Thursday evenings from October 29th to November 19th, 6:30pm-7:30pm.
Many of the meditations Buddha taught were ways to transform how we view ourselves, others and the world around us.  Without a fundamental shift in our often unconscious views about others, we will continue to be stuck in our well-worn relationship patterns.

In this four week series, uplifting meditations that will help us transform our personal relationships will be explained and explored.

This series is open to the public and no experience is necessary.

Class dates are Thursday evenings October 29th, November 5th, 12th & 19th.

Classes are held at Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center, 502 1/2 W. 3rd Street, Davenport, IA.  The Center entrance is on Scott St. which is closed from 3rd to 4th street for Davenport Central Fire Station Renovation.  Please park on 3rd Street and walk to entrance on Scott Street.

Cost is $10 per class or $30 for the series (no cost with class card).

For more information or to register call (563)322-1600 or email info@meditateiniowa.org, or visit www.MeditateInIowa.org.

About Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center:

Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center was founded under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso; Internationally renowned Buddhist meditation master and scholar.  Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center is a member of the New Kadampa Tradition-International Kadampa Buddhist Union, a worldwide network of Buddhist Centers that are located in over 40 different countries.

The purpose of Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center is to help people learn practical methods to solve their daily problems and to live a happy and meaningful life.  Lamrim Center offers meditation classes In Davenport, Clinton and Iowa City, Iowa and in Rock Island and Galesburg, IL.  The Center in Davenport also offers Buddhist studies, day courses, retreats, chanted prayers in English, community outreach and a chance to learn more about the Buddhist way of life. Classes and courses are designed to help those who wish to learn about or deepen their understanding of basic Buddhist thought and practice, as well as for those who simply wish to start a meditation practice or to meditate in a group setting.  Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center is a State of Iowa registered nonprofit.