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Iowa Fall Foliage

Posted by Melody on Friday, Sep 15, 2017

If you are wondering why the leaves are changing colors early this year--yes, indeed: it's because of drought.* According to the U.S. drought monitor, all of Johnson County is colored "abnormally dry" on its Iowa map. This means you'll have to grab your favorite flora identification books ASAP if you want to go on some lovely, tree and shrub-identifying fall hikes.

The Bur Oak guides are my favorite. The full-page photos make for some easy matching of the leaves you see in person with the leaves you see on the page. Two I can't recommend highly enough are Forest and Shade Trees of Iowa and Shrubs and Vines of Iowa. They will teach you the difference between red and white mulberry.

Can't make it to the library? The Iowa DOT has a 54-page PDF Guide to Common Trees & Shrubs, and the Iowa State University Forestry Extension has an Interactive Tree Identification tool you can play around with.

Happy hiking!

*The Des Moines Register reported on this effect a couple of days ago.

About the Author

Melody's picture

I've been at the library for more than 10 years now, and I still find joy when choosing the best books for our readers. My current reading journey is taking me book by book through different genres. I'm challenging myself to find books that are enough outside my wheelhouse that I'd pass them by on first glance. The genre I'm looking forward to... more

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    With innovative ideas for preparing the lesser-known but no-less-delicious parts of plants, tips for using the odds and ends of vegetables, and easy preservation techniques, Linda Ly helps you get from farm to table without a fuss. Chapters include tomatoes and peppers, leafy greens, peas and beans, bulbs and stems, roots and tubers, melons and gourds, and flowers and herbs. You'll find globally-inspired, vegetable-focused recipes that turn a single plant into several meals—take squash, for instance. This year-round vegetable brings a variety of tastes and textures to the table: Sicilian Squash Shoot Soup, Squash Blossom and Roasted Poblano Tacos, Autumn Acorn Squash Stuffed with Kale, Cranberries, and Walnuts, and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds. If you grow your own food at home, you might be surprised to learn you can eat the leaves from your pepper plants, or pickle the seed pods from your radishes.

    mdworak's picture

    This book is for those of us who sadly throw their rotting CSA veggies into the compost bin. I checked this book out last year towards the end of the season and didn't get to use it enough. Not gonna happen this year. Recipes I'm excited to try include minted citrus spring peas, broccoli green and baked falafel wraps, and kohlrabi green and wild mushroom ragout over polenta. -Melody
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