We enjoy growing interesting varieties that thrive in our eastern Iowa climate. Finding unique flowers, shrub, trees and vegetables that enjoy this area is mostly trial and error mixed with just the right amount of old-timer wisdom and scientific understanding. Perhaps it’s all just an excuse to get outside, play in the dirt and enjoy the sun.

The History

Grandpa Peterka’s Ohio Garden

The urge to garden is strong in both our families. Our paternal grandfathers enjoyed large yards with fruit, vegetables and an amazing variety of flowers.

We had been dabbling in small gardens. On a trip to New Mexico, one of our very favorite US States, we collected yucca seeds like we were on some kind of mission. That trip marked the beginning in many ways.

When buying our first home, we made the mistake of sacrificing garden space for living space. It was a beautiful small-town home, but gardening was tight. We managed for almost two years before The Plan came to life. We wanted to be farmers.

Well, farming isn’t quite the term anymore, but we did want to find several acres where our gardening could expand. It was a bit on the impulsive side, since we had only just moved not two years prior. But this place, set in Iowa’s Bohemian Alps, with the smoothly contoured roller-coaster hills, captured our imagination. We live inside a Grant Wood painting.

The garden and our knowledge has grown with each season. We thought it would be fun to share with others as we continue to learn and grow. Keep planting, keep growing and keep learning.