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Master Gardeners: Poison Ivy 

Beware the Poison Ivy! Know your leaves.  By Sharon Dent  Have you noticed poison ivy more than normal this year? It seems diffused. Not big clumps but scattered all over.   If you come in contact with it, wash your hands and other affected areas within 15 minutes with dishwashing detergent. Do it again.   For good measure, wash your hands often with dishwashing detergent even when you are not aware of encountering poison ivy.

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Master Gardeners: Cool Customers for Hot Gardens 

These colorful bloomers can take the Arkansas scorching heat: Angelonia, Zinnia, and Mexican sunflower.  By Sharon Seals  Arkansas in mid-summer is criminally hot. But there are a lot of plants that can take the heat and still look all pretty and innocent. When the state starts to swelter, turn to these habitual bloomers to take the scorch in stride!  Multi-colored Angelonia is great for spiking interest in the garden. Deer and rabbit resistant, these get

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Master Gardeners: Am Better Away from You 

It’s best to mind your peas and ques when it comes to planting. Some plants are best kept apart, lest they bicker, pout, or stunt each other’s grand botanical ambitions.  By Sharon DentChemistry is everything in relationships. True for humans and for plants. Often, indifference is the situation. But sometimes it is love at first sight, or there can be violent clashes too. Making decisions about the layout of a garden can be

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Master Gardeners: Plant Sale and Garden Show at GC Fairgrounds 

Master Gardeners’ plant sale features annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, and ornamental plants grown by Master Gardener volunteers.  By Sherry Davis Garden enthusiasts and community members alike are invited to attend the upcoming April 25 Plant Sale and Garden Show, from 9 AM – 4 PM at the Garland County Fairgrounds. This event is designed to celebrate gardening, share knowledge, and help residents grow thriving landscapes at home.  Hosted by the local University of Arkansas

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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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“Moku Playland”   Photo of Kate Zunick Courtesy of Hot Springs Sister City  Kate Zunick relaxes in one of the most beloved features of the Moku Playland exhibit — a giant wooden “hot springs” tub filled with hundreds of smooth wooden balls inspired by the bubbling thermal waters of Hot Springs.  Hidden somewhere among the

A One-of-a-Kind Wooden Play Experience Arrives in Downtown Hot Springs 

Moku Playland Pop-Up Opens June 1 with Interactive, Screen-Free Fun for Families  Families and visitors to downtown Hot Springs will have the opportunity to experience a unique style of hands-on play this summer as Moku Playland opens June 1 for a special month-long pop-up at 831 Central Avenue.  Open Thursday-Tuesday

World Championship Bathtub Races Set for June 6 

The Hot Springs Fire Department entry nears the finish line in the 2025 Running of the Tubs. — Courtesy Visit Hot Springs  The lineup is complete for the 2026 Stueart Pennington World Championship Running of the Tubs bathtub races through historic downtown Hot Springs. The race starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday,

Yoga: Two Months at The Yoga Place 

Where are we?” Missy Conry and Melissa Stevens  By Missy Conry & Melissa StevensCan you spot where we took this picture? Take a selfie in front of the same mural and text to 501-651-0545 for a free drop-in class! You can also text us for hints if you need a clue.  As we reflect