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Lambert Named Arkansas Rookie of the Year

Master Gardeners gathered to congratulate Joan Lambert for being chosen as Garland County Rookie of the Year. By Hilde SimmonsA small contingent of the 230 Garland County Master Gardeners recently came to the Extension Office to greet Berni Kurz, State Master Gardener Coordinator, and Mike Wilbanks, the County 76 publicity chair, and his wife Christy. They were there for the awards presentation to honor the Garland County Rookie of the

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Master Gardeners: Ginko – The Ancient Golden Tree

Ginko biloba trees have the most interesting fan-shaped leaves, and are versatile and resilient, adapting well to Arkansas. By Sharon DentGinko (Ginko biloba) is one of the oldest tree species on earth. It is a deciduous conifer that can be found all over the United States, but it is native to China where there are living examples over 1,000 years old even though it is a slow-growing tree. They have

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Master Gardeners: Dirty Minded Gardeners

Whether it’s hanging from a tree or built-in, outdoor showers are an added convenience for avid gardeners. By Lin JohnsonA beautiful day spent mulching ends with beautiful beds and very dirty bodies. That stuff gets everywhere! And it is the very best reason to have an outdoor shower. I have had several outdoor showers over the years—one beside a very private hot tub, one built specifically in a lean-to, one

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Master Gardeners: My Favorite Plants – Hardy Ferns

Ferns – elegant, lush, and long-lived, any variety can be a lovely addition to your yard or garden. By Yvonne BeckerDryopteris championiiIt would be difficult to select my favorite fern because I change my mind from month to month. During the winter months, it would be one of the evergreen ferns. Dryopteris ludoviciana is the largest followed by Dryopteris championii. They both grow in clumps rather than sending out numerous

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Master Gardeners: Miscanthus – Gracillimus: A Garden Jewel

This hardy grass is also low maintenance. by Ruth SiebelsMiscanthus – Gracillimus is a genus of one of 20 species of deciduous or evergreen maiden grasses, both clumping and arching stems. This is a particularly attractive grass with white mid-ribs that has silvery or pinkish plumes as seeds mature in the fall. It becomes bronze in winter to continue to provide interest. Miscanthus – Gracillimus (hardy in zones 5 – 9) is a

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Call for Artists for Arts & The Park Festival

The Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance (HSACA) is excited to announce multiple opportunities for artists, art lovers, and supporters, during Arts & The Park, the annual 10-day spring art festival, held April 30 – May 9. HSACA is placing a call for artists with three different opportunities, as well as seeking artists who wish to participate in the Artist Studio Tours. Art Springs: May 1-2, kicks off Arts & The

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Should I Trim or Braid or Do Nothing?

It’s simple! Do Nothing! By Berni KurkThese questions are often asked about this time of year as daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs finish blooming. The answer is quite simple but most often not adhered to. Allow bulb foliage to mature naturally without disturbance. The time required depends on the species. Tulip foliage dies five to six weeks after flowering. Daffodil foliage may persist for 10 to 12 weeks. If

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Master Gardeners: Time to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses like elephant grass, add interest to an otherwise barren landscape in winter. By Lin JohnsonLate winter is the perfect time to cut back ornamental grasses. When left to stand in the fall and early winter, ornamental grasses can provide great interest in the landscape. Although grasses can be cut back safely anytime from fall to late spring, allowing them to stand through most of the winter has advantages. The

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Master Gardeners: Saving Money When Starting Seeds

Use paper towel and toilet paper rolls and egg cartons as seed starting containers. Clip the bottom as shown below. By Lin Johnson You can save money starting your own seed, especially when you can make seed starting containers with recycled materials. Homemade trays are easy to make by recycling commonly used items around the house. Here are 3 options for making homemade seed starting containers using recycled materials –

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Master Gardeners – Kissing Under the Mistletoe

Tis the season to kiss under the mistletoe. By Lin JohnsonKissing under sprigs of mistletoe is a well-known holiday tradition, but its history as a symbolic herb dates back thousands of years. Many ancient cultures prized it for healing properties. The Greeks used it as a cure for everything from menstrual cramps to spleen disorders, and the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder noted it could be used as a balm

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Master Gardeners – Dwarf Pears are Space Savers

Add flavor to your landscape by planting dwarf fruit trees. By Lin Johnson Pears are one of the easiest, hardiest, and productive of fruit trees. It can be tough finding space for them. Dwarf varieties can come to the rescue! Dwarfs are great for smaller spaces, but big on flavor and production.  Dwarf trees can be planted with 10’ to 15’ of space, can be kept to 10’ to 12′

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Master Gardeners – Planting Fall Onions

How to Plant for a Great Harvest Next Year! Plant onions in the fall for a head start on a spring harvest. By Lin Johnson Planting in the fall allows onions to easily become established in the cool temperatures of autumn. The bulbs then go dormant for winter and come back to life in early spring. That late fall growth gives them a big head start over spring-planted onions. When

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About the Cover . . .  

“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