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Cultivate Calm, Connection, and Resilience

Enjoy nature-based classes to deepen your relationship with nature while creating a resilient, low-maintenance outdoor space.

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Grow Confidence in Your Landscape

Get step-by-step coaching and design ideas to create a calmer, low-maintenance landscape that make gardening doable and enjoyable.

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Plan a Nature-Based Program for Your Group

​Collaborate with us to host skill-building classes or small group coaching that lower stress, build connection, and teach practical nature-based skills.

We’ve become EarthMind 

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You may have known us as Backyard Abundance. For over a decade, we’ve grown beyond the backyard, creating gardens, habitats, and experiences for acreages, businesses, educational institutions, and spiritual organizations.

Now, our name is catching up with our work. Backyard Abundance has become EarthMind.

  • What’s staying the same: Our roots in growing food, nurturing wildlife habitat, and building resilient communities.

  • What’s new: A deeper focus on how these practices restore balance, reduce stress, and strengthen personal well-being.

A Year Rooted in Connection

Thank you for another beautiful year of nature-filled moments. From tea-sipping to fire-starting to food-foraging, 2025 brought warmth, curiosity, and joy to every garden and gathering. Your presence is what makes these experiences feel alive, welcoming, and full of wonder.

Upcoming Classes and Events

  • Pedal & Plant: Pocket Prairie Planting
    Pedal & Plant: Pocket Prairie Planting
    Wed, May 13
    Iowa City Bike Library
    May 13, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
    Iowa City Bike Library, 1222 S Gilbert Ct, Iowa City
    Learn top tips to establish a small prairie garden while helping beautify the Bike Library's new outdoor space.
  • Foraging Spring Edibles
    Foraging Spring Edibles
    Sun, May 17
    Hickory Hill Park South Entrance
    May 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
    Hickory Hill Park South Entrance, 1439 E Bloomington St, Iowa City
    Awaken your senses and savor the flavors of spring on a playful foraging walk.
  • Neighborhood Fruit: Smart Orchard Design
    Neighborhood Fruit: Smart Orchard Design
    Sat, May 23
    May 23, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    Jen's Wellness Garden, 307 Morningside Dr, Iowa City, IA
    Right plant. Right place. Lasting abundance.

Partner-Powered Programs

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Learning Gardens

Gardening experts attend Iowa City gardens at regular times throughout the growing season.

 

Visit the gardens for free food, inspiration, learning, and fun.

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Resources

Browse our guides and tips to learn how nature's resilient principles can help your landscape buzz with life and grow an abundance of food.

Design Portfolio

Needs ideas? Visit our design portfolio to browse ideas for your landscape.

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EarthMind

EarthMind Practice (formerly Backyard Abundance) is a nonprofit that helps people and communities cultivate calm, connection, and resilience through nature-based coaching, hands-on learning, and ecological garden design.

P.O. Box 1605

Iowa City, IA  52244

319-325-6810

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