It's time to get out and smell the wildflowers.

Driving the news: Des Moines has added about 200 acres of prairie grasses and flowers throughout its park system over the last 13 years. Much of it is in full bloom right now.

Why it matters: It's pretty, and it helps the environment. Roots from some of the plants can go more than 15 feet deep, reducing erosion and the severity of floods.

• Plus: It saves big bucks.

Gravel biking is growing in popularity across the Midwest — and Iowa is destined to be one of cyclists' top destinations.

• Just look at RAGBRAI. Tuesday marks the race's Gravel Day, and this year, planners expanded the route to include roughly 50 miles of unpaved roads.

Why it matters: Cementing the state's superiority in the growing sport can draw tourism, more races and big names in the future.

Low inventories of homes for sale have resulted in a popularity boom for nontraditional listing services, multiple metro real estate agents told Axios this month.

Why it matters: We might be experiencing a transformation in how homes are bought and sold, our sources told us, which could either help save us money or be a source of remorse.

Urbandale's Public Art Committee launched a program last year to spiff up otherwise dull public infrastructure with art.

• Urbandale calls it "splash art" — and it's funded in part by a $2.5K grant that's matched by the city.
• Just take a look at what the artists came up with. An electric meter-turned-elephant? We love it.

Of note: It's uncertain whether Urbandale will budget more money for future masterpieces in the program, city spokesperson Derek Zarn told Jason last week.

Be smart: Get approval from the city before creating your artistic wonders on public surfaces.

• Otherwise, it's just graffiti or vandalism.