Plum Grove Gardens host ‘Taste of the Heritage Garden’ on July 10

Plum Grove Gardens host ‘Taste of the Heritage Garden’ on July 10

Johnson County Master Gardeners will celebrate the Taste of the Heritage Garden on Wednesday, July 10. The public is invited to attend this annual celebration that honors and connects Iowa’s citizens with the state’s history, agriculture and food.

The event is held at historic Plum Grove, 1030 Carroll Street in Iowa City, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The cost is a suggested $6 donation to offset the cost of food and activities.

Plum Grove was built in 1844 and served as the home of Robert and Friendly Lucas. Robert served as the first governor of the Territory of Iowa from 1838 until 1841. Iowa became a state on Dec. 3, 1846. Johnson County Historical Society cares for the state-owned property and the local Master Gardener group maintains four heritage gardens.

For well over 20 years, Master Gardener Betty Kelly (1927-2022) organized annual efforts for Plum Grove Gardens and “The Taste.” Now, several Master Gardeners coordinate the annual activities.

Although the produce that was planted in the spring is not ready to harvest when The Taste is held in mid-July, volunteers organize the menu around what was planted focusing on heirloom and organic vegetables that Friendly Lucas might have grown and served in the mid-1800s. Master Gardener social event coordinator Beth Fisher says bringing the annual activity to the public requires the assistance of nearly 50 volunteers. From conception to clean up, many hands are needed to prepare for the activity.

Dane’s Dairy ice cream is a perennial Taste favorite. Dane’s Dairy founder Allegra “Ally” Dane (1927-2012) was a longtime Master Gardener. The public can purchase a recipe cookbook that serves as an activity program and features recipes of foods served this year.

As they have for many years, the Old Post Office Brass Band will perform throughout the activity.

Should inclement weather prohibit an outdoor activity, the festivities will be moved to Johnson County Fairgrounds in building C, 4261 Oak Crest Hill Road SE, Iowa City.

Plum Grove showcases four gardens: vegetable (1995), Grandma’s Heirloom Flower Garden (1998), a wildflower garden (2000), and Quester’s Rose Garden (2010). An extensive orchard east of the house was reputed to have several acres of plum trees, which is how the Lucas family chose the name for their home. Now, a grove of plum trees is situated at the front of the house near the brick walkway. Kelly, also a Plum Grove Quester, added plum seedlings many years ago. Last year, Master Gardeners Mahmooda Ahmad, Mike and Carolyn Murphy germinated seedlings from the existing plum trees. Seven new seedlings were added to the plum grove in the fall 2023.

The historic vegetable and flower gardens are part of the Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens. Plum Grove has been featured on the Project GREEN Open Garden Weekend for many years.

The Plum Grove Gardens are laid out in typical-1850s style with four sections and rows of vegetables planted in a north-south direction. The vegetable garden has been raised to accommodate the archeologist’s request to minimize disturbing the ground on the property. The flower garden is located on the old barn site.

Organized in 1982, the Johnson County Master Gardener program is an educational and volunteer service organization of the Iowa State University (ISU) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and ISU Extension and Outreach. JCMG supports a variety of education and community outreach programs. Funds received through JCMG public events support a variety of community outreach programs including a speakers bureau, community outreach, an annual plant sale & flea market, and volunteer support of many community garden sites.

Photo byJCMG graphic