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Master Gardener Plant Sale and Garden Show 

Thousands of plants will be for sale at the Garden Show.  Save the date – Garland County Master Gardeners will be holding their annual Plant Sale and Garden Show one day only on Saturday, April 25, from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Garland County Fairgrounds. Entry is free of charge.  Plant Sale – Master Gardeners will provide thousands of plants that have all been propagated and grown by

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Master Gardeners: Springtime is just around the Corner… 

by Susan Koenig  Springs around the corner.Our excitement builds. Our need to dig in the dirt will soon be fulfilled. We’re planning our gardens and shopping seed catalogs. We’re preparing our pots and watching video blogs. We’re dreaming of the garden and buying seeds and plants, And figuring how to get rid of the squash bugs and ants! The sun’s rays grow stronger, the rain softens the soil. Soon it will be time to sow and to toil. We love the garden and the work

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Master Gardeners: Mistletoe – Facts and Fable 

Mistletoe – a Christmas holiday tradition.  By Vivian Walz  According to horticulturist Gerald Klingman, there are over 900 species of mistletoe worldwide. Elms are a common host to this obligate parasite (meaning it must be with its host or it will die), but mistletoe may also be found on any number of deciduous trees.  It is fairly easy to identify. It grows only on living trees by absorbing water and minerals to survive. These

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Master Gardeners: Caring for Poinsettias  

Keeping a poinsettia healthy and happy in a pot indoors in the winter is relatively easy.  By Laura MyersDuring the winter holiday season, many people decorate their homes with poinsettias. The vibrant red and green of a poinsettia go well with traditional holiday decor. Interestingly, the red parts that everyone loves are not flower petals but are actually bracts, which are modified leaves. The true flowers are the tiny yellow

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Master Gardeners: The Benefits of Gumballs 

By Laura Myers  In the fall, sweetgum trees often get a bad rap in Arkansas. Their spiky seed balls—those hard little “gumballs” that cover yards and sidewalks—can be a real headache. But while many homeowners see them as a nuisance, sweetgum trees actually have a lot of overlooked benefits.  For starters, they’re tough trees that thrive in heavy Arkansas clay soils where other trees struggle. They grow fast, provide great shade,

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Master Gardeners: Mallow Hibiscus: A Showstopper in the Garden 

Hibiscus loves full sun and moist, well-drained soil, but can also tolerate short periods of drought once established.  By Sherry Davis Few plants are as beautiful as the mallow hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), also known as rose mallow or swamp hibiscus. With dinner-plate-sized blooms that can span up to 12 inches across, this perennial makes an unforgettable statement in any landscape.  The mallow hibiscus blooms from mid-summer through early fall, providing a

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Master Gardeners: The Trials and Joys of Southern Magnolia 

The magnificent magnolia, with its large, shiny leaves and gorgeous, citrus-scented blossoms, can be found adorning many regions in the south.  By Sandy Morad When you think of the South, you think of the southern magnolia, that beautiful, stately, evergreen tree. The citrus scent of those magnificent blossoms fills the air in the spring. The trees are beautiful year-round with their big, shiny leaves. Kids love to climb them. Oh, joy!  The other side is

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Master Gardeners: Hardneck Garlic 

Garlic – is it an herb, a spice, a root vegetable, or even a flower? Grow it and you’ll get to decide!  By Lynn Janaskie  One of my favorite plants to grow is hardneck garlic. Garlic has been called an herb, a spice, and a root vegetable. The herb part of it is the leaves, while the spices come from the roots, bark, and seeds.  But garlic also has characteristics of being

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Master Gardeners: Garden Appreciation 

Hot pink Camellias and Grape Hyacinths are sure to perk up your spring gardens.  By Jodi Tooke How blessed we are as gardeners to witness the renewal of life each year! But how many pause to appreciate its beauty? My friend Diane brought this to my attention in her presentation on ’Perennials’ through our Know It to Grow It program at the Garland County Public Library. Describing beautiful photos of everything that

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Master Gardeners: The 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show “Gardens of Tomorrow” 

The Philadelphia Flower Show features a world-class roster of landscape architects, garden designers, horticulturists, and florists, captivating visitors while showcasing the latest gardening trends and innovations. Photos courtesy of the Philadelphia Flower Show.  By Julia MilanoThe annual Philadelphia Flower Show (PFS) is a wonderful highlight of the changing seasons. First held in 1829, the PFS has been a continuing source of inspiration and wonder for gardeners, bringing together the vision

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Master Gardeners: Irrigation for Integrated Pest Management 

Irrigation is a strategic tool for preventing pest problems before they start.  By Jessi Parker Irrigation plays a crucial role in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by influencing plant health, soil conditions, and pest populations. Here’s how proper irrigation practices contribute to IPM:  1. Reducing Plant Stress     •   Proper watering ensures plants remain healthy and resilient against pests.     •   Stressed plants (from drought or overwatering) are more susceptible to pests and diseases.  2. Managing

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Master Gardeners Lost and Found: Painswick, England’s last Rococo Garden 

Immortalized by artist Thomas Robins, Painswick Rococo Garden’s restoration began in 1988. Photo credit: Annie Blick. Visit the website atwww.rococogarden.org.uk  By Julia Milano Sometimes formal gardens disappear. Time is not kind to gardens that lack gardeners, water, weeding, and upkeep. The demise of historic landscapes is not only a loss of their plantings but of the people who planned, nurtured, and dreamed of them.  Sometimes it takes “garden detectives” to do the research

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Bitty Martin’s New Novel Will Be Released in March 

(L to R) Johnette Connelly Taylor, niece of “Killer Wife” first victim, Joe Connelly; Evaline Rowland Connelly (no relation to Johnette), sister of the third victim, Don Rowland; and Bitty Martin, author.  Bitty Martin has completed her second Hot Springs true crime, Killer Wife: The True Story of Bonnie Connelly and the Men

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By Chana Prince Greetings Fellow Travelers,   March 2026 carries powerful turning-point energy. The Total Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse in Virgo on March 3 brings emotional insight and practical clarity. Virgo asks for refinement—health, habits, work, and daily devotion come into focus. What feels messy now is ready to be organized with

Master Gardener Plant Sale and Garden Show 

Thousands of plants will be for sale at the Garden Show.  Save the date – Garland County Master Gardeners will be holding their annual Plant Sale and Garden Show one day only on Saturday, April 25, from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Garland County Fairgrounds. Entry is free

Master Gardeners: Springtime is just around the Corner… 

by Susan Koenig  Springs around the corner.Our excitement builds. Our need to dig in the dirt will soon be fulfilled. We’re planning our gardens and shopping seed catalogs. We’re preparing our pots and watching video blogs. We’re dreaming of the garden and buying seeds and plants, And figuring how to get rid of the squash bugs and ants! The sun’s rays