About Us
The Iowa Gardener newsletter is a joint effort between two writer-editors who are also passionate gardeners, Veronica Lorson Fowler and Benjamin Allen.
Veronica Lorson Fowler is a garden writer and complete garden geek living in Ames. She is the author and editor of a number of gardening books, including "Gardening in Iowa," the proceeds of which go to Reiman Gardens.
The former editor of Better Homes and Garden's "Flower Gardening" magazine, she is now a freelance writer and editor who has contributed to a variety of other gardening books and many magazine articles in Better Homes and Gardens, Country Home, Horticulture, Garden Design, and others. She is also a regular contributor to Iowa Gardening magazine.
A graduate of Iowa State University and a Master Gardener, she has lived in Ames for more than 20 years, where she has juggled work and raising three children with tending a sometimes messy but always highly varied garden. To take a virtual tour of Veronica's garden click here.
Ben Allen has been in the publishing industry for nearly 20 years as a reporter and editor. He most recently was an executive editor of home improvement, home design, decorating and gardening books at Meredith Corporation, where he helped create more than 100 books under the brands of Better Homes and Gardens, Ortho, The Home Depot, Stanley, Miracle-Gro and Scotts, among others.
Ben has a master's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas—Go Jayhawks!—and an MBA from Iowa State University—Go Cyclones! Part of his childhood was in Columbia Missouri—Go Tigers! (Ben is often confused on who to root for at most Big 12 games.) He also completed the Master Gardener courses at Iowa State.
His Craftsman-style home built in 1912 and way too much shade in his garden give him ample opportunities to put his do-it-yourself and gardening skills to good use. He managed to grow some interesting heirloom strawberry popcorn last summer and the butternut squash harvest was great (as it usually is).
Ben lives in Des Moines with his wife Marguerite Fitch and two spoiled cats named Nimbus and Calliope. Email Ben.
