The Washington County Master Gardeners, along with the Washington Public Library are hosting a program on Iowa Gardens of the Past on Tuesday, May 16,  starting at 2 p.m. at the Washington Public Library. The program is presented by Beth Cody, gardener and local author of “Iowa Gardens of the Past: Lost and Historic Gardens of Iowa: 1850-1980.” Beth’s presentation highlights the history of both private and public ornamental gardening in Iowa, along with beautiful historic illustrations. Beth was born and raised in Ames, Iowa, and has lived in the Iowa City area for more than twenty-five years. She and her family live in a 100-year-old farmhouse on five acres in the Amish countryside where she has been an avid amateur gardener for over a decade. In addition to gardening Beth is also a small business owner, writes a garden blog at gardenfancy.blogspot.com, and volunteers with Project GREEN. The program is free and open to the public.