March 2018 Volume 13, Issue 2

WEEDER’S DIGEST CRAIGHEAD COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

Our next meeting is March 1st

Greeting @ 6:00 Meeting @ 6:30

Our Speaker will be Kara Mayfield on the subject of Essential Oils

PLUS~ We will Welcome our New Master Gardeners!

Our 2017 Winners of the

“Mimi Cox Scholarship”

Left: Aylia Puckett

Right: Shauna Taylor

We had yet another wonderful (our 2nd) Countdown to Spring Seminar. The speakers were

knowledgeable and entertaining. I’d like to thank each of you that helped with this endeavor, it

was fantastic. We are now approaching our only fund raiser, the PLANT SALE! I do hope you all

will be planning, potting and most of all getting excited about this event.

Spring is in the air! Rain and warmer weather is here. We need this rain for the upcoming sum-

mer drought months but boy, it’s hard on us gardeners to sit back and wait to do what we love

most! Enjoy the rest! ~ Donna Tolewitzke, President

Officers

President Donna Tolewitzke

Past President Ann Fergeson

Vice President Cindy Morris

Secretary Karen Massey

Treasurer Stephanie Neely

Assistant Treasurer Sandy Puryear

Standing Committee Chairs

Projects Barbara Pitcock Parliamentarian Programs Mimi Cox

Laura Bettis Executive Committee Recruitment, Retention, Recog- The Officers

nition Newsletter Editor Peggy Lane Donna Tolewitzke

Historian Members-at-Large Diane Sandberg Donna Bandy

Social Val Price Debbie Tate

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Re-Potting Houseplants

Houseplants periodically require repotting to keep them healthy and grow-

ing. But few houseplants will need repotting more frequently than once a

year, and most will only need repotting once every three to five years. The

use of some mineral soil in the potting helps reduce the need for frequent

repotting. Houseplants will tell you when repotting is needed. When the

plant begins drying out between waterings, repotting may be needed. Top-heavy plants that

are prone to fall over, especially when they get dry, are in need of repotting. When plants

start producing small leaves and almost no new growth, repotting is needed. If a salty crust

is seen on the soil surface, repot and replace as much of the soil as possible.

Repotting almost always encourages new growth, so it is best to repot in late winter just as

the natural light level is increasing and the plants are awakening from their winter dol-

drums. Most plants grow as large as their root system will allow. So, as a rule, the larger

the pot, the larger the root mass and the larger the plant. But, keep in mind that large plants require a lot more room inside the home and are more difficult to move outside dur-

ing the summer. Frequently, it is better to be a bit stingy when it comes to repotting plants.

Keeping them a bit rootbound keeps them smaller and easier to manage. Pot size is usually

increased incrementally; begin with small pots and gradually increase pot size as the plant

grows. When repotting, cut any circling roots you find, much like we do with plants from the

nursery. If dead roots are present, be sure to remove these. Replace as much of the old soil

as possible without overly disturbing the roots. When you replant, make sure the top of the

root ball is at the same position as in the original pot. Don’t plant it deeper.

By Branon Thiesse BS, MS

County Extension Agent - Staff Chair

A special THANK YOU to the following people who volunteered to be mentors to the 2018

MG Class which ended on Feb. 20:

Anna Warren, Gary Woodward, Ann Ross, Mimi Cox, Vickey Mullally, Karen Mas-sey , Stephanie Neely, Mike Wilbanks, Angie Schmidt, Neva Shewmaker, Sandra Arwood,

Susan Westbrook, Cindy Morris, Karen Pearce, Jane Jamison and Margaret Williams.

Because of their willingness to guide and encourage, this new class will have a positive

and fun experience as Master Gardeners. You are much appreciated!!

A Note from our Recruitment, Retention and Recognition Chairperson~ Peggy Lane

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Master Gardeners has partnered with Riceland Foods, Inc. to offer the Com-

munity Garden.

On February 1, 2018, the Master Gardener membership voted unanimously

for a new sanctioned project to serve Jonesboro and the Craighead County

community. This community garden project is in partnership with Riceland

Foods, Inc. to maintain and facilitate a community garden. The location of the

garden is the corner of Burke and Oakhurst Streets, south of the Riceland fa-

cility. The property is owned and donated for garden use by Riceland Foods,

Inc. This opportunity was made possible by Mr. Rick Rorex, VP of Riceland

Foods, Inc., and Mr. Allan Bounds, Riceland’s outside superintendent respon-

sible for the community garden.

Community gardens have become a necessity in some communities including

Jonesboro. The gardens provide fresh produce and also contribute a sense of community and

connection within the neighborhood which is the intention of Riceland Foods, Inc, when initiat-

ing the garden. The primary purpose of this community garden is to alleviate the food desert ef-

fect for residents who have limited access to fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables, with

opportunities for education. These neighbors may have relied on unhealthy food options such as

expensive processed foods from convenience stores, gas stations, and fast-food restaurants. This

community garden provides accessibility for fresh food to be in closer proximity located in this

local neighborhood, to encourage the community’s food security.

Plans for signage and spring planting are underway for the community garden partnership. Pro-

ject duties will include soil testing, layout planning, composting, weeding, and insect control, to

name a few. In the next few weeks, flowering seeds will be planted by Master Gardeners to trans-

plant for insect control. Plans are underway for peas, squash, okra, and 4 types of greens

(collard, mustard, turnip, kale) in four existing garden plots. An addition of a small test plot for

herbs, tomatoes, and onions will be added by Master Gardeners.

Welcoming our New Sanctioned Project~

Riceland Foods Community Garden

Photos courtesy of Jason Mullins via Facebook

Angie

Paula

Master Gardeners have welcomed the opportunity to

serve the community by offering a resource with

Riceland Foods, Inc., to aid in food stability. Many op-

portunities for gardening and education exist in this

community garden. If you want to learn more about the

community garden partnership contact: Angie Schmidt

(870-761-2885) or Paula Smith (870-897-4303)

4

2 -4 - Arkansas Flower & Garden Show, State Fairgrounds, 2600 Howard, Little Rock-

AR. www.argardenshow.org

12 - District Dig In, Forest City, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Speaker is Blann Britton “How to Raise Roses

Without Losing Your Mind”. Note: Registration form is provided for this event on page 14.

16 - Greene County Spring Gardening Seminar “Native Flora for Native Fauna” with Speakers Janet

Carson, Dr. Dan Schieman, and Dale Skaggs. Paragould Community Center, 3404 Linwood Dr.,

Paragould, AR. Registration begins at 9:00am. Program is 9:30–1:00 pm. Deadline for registering is

March 9th. Note: Registration form provided for this event on page 13.

17 - Developing an Ozark Green Thumb Seminar, Mountain Home, AR. For more information:

https://www.baxtercountymg.com/spring-seminar.html

27 - Stone County Meet the Masters featuring Janet Carson, 6 to 8 p.m. at Ozarks College in Moun-

tain View, AR. https://argardenshow.org/

Upcoming Events in March

Papa's Sugar Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1 cup canola oil

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

• 2 eggs

• 2 tablespoons butter flavoring

• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup ground macadamia nuts

• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Additional granulated sugar

Directions

• 1. In a large bowl, beat the butter, oil and sugars until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time,

beating well after each addition. Beat in the butter flavoring, orange peel and vanilla.

• 2. Combine the flour, nuts, baking soda, salt, cream of tartar and cinnamon; gradually add

to butter mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.

• 3. Roll into 1-in. balls, then roll in additional sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking

sheets. Flatten with a glass dipped in additional sugar.

• 4. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to wire

racks. Yield: 8 dozen. ~ Submitted by Edie Lancaster (found in Taste of Home Recipe book).

5

The February 1, 2018 meeting of the Craighead County Master Gardeners was called to order at

6:27 pm by President Donna Tolewitzke.

Program: Dr. Kim Pittcock introduced the 2nd Scholarship award winner, Aylia Puckett, to the

membership.

Next, the eleven Project Chairs were introduced and updated everyone

on the projects for 2018 and encouraged each member to sign up to-night for the project(s) of their choice.

Minutes: the minutes of the December and January meeting were

approved as printed in the monthly newsletter.

Treasurer’s Report: Stephanie Neely gave the current balance and

reminded everyone that February 13th was the last day to turn in

money for the “Countdown to Spring” Seminar. CCMG’s raise money

from the Seminar and Plant Sale for Scholarships, projects and fun.

Dues are still being collected and had increased to $15.

RRR: Peggy Lane reminded everyone that February is the month of love and gave 2 quotes that

made her think of Master Gardeners as the most loving, kind people wherever we go. She gave

away 3 boxes of chocolates as door prizes. And after Ann Ross gave the update on the Spring

Seminar, Peggy came back to say, she thought that it was not fair for just 3 people to receive

boxes of chocolates in this love month, so EVERYONE present received a surprise box of choco-lates!

Old Business: Ann Ross gave a update on the “Countdown to Spring” seminar at the Southwest

Church of Christ on February 20. Our goal is for 150 in attendance. This will be the last time

for Janet Carson to speak to our group, since she will be retiring at the end of year.

President Donna Tolewitzke awarded the last Trowel Awards (awards for working 100 or more

working hours) to members who were not present

at the last meeting.

New Business: Angie Schmidt presented a new opportunity for a sanctioned project that CCMG

would partner with Riceland Foods on a free

community garden. The garden is located on

Riceland owned land on Burke Street. Riceland

has been cultivating and planting in the area for

4 years for their employees and the surrounding neighborhood residence to receive free produce.

We would have the opportunity to help Riceland

expand the gardens produce choices and educate

employees and residence of Jonesboro in the pro-

cess of growing organic produce, seed saving and the benefits of pollinators. Motion was made and approved that Riceland Foods Community

garden would be a sanctioned project for 2018.

Announcements: President Donna Tolewitzke reminded everyone that State Convention regis-

tration had opened. Mimi Cox mentioned that all mentors should explain to the mentees about

the convention and that they would have the opportunity to sign up after they had completed class requirements.

Birthdays: Members with a February birthday were given a plant.

Meeting adjourned 7:35

February Monthly Meeting Minutes By Karen Massey

Trowels Awarded to: Jason Mullins, Stan Bach-man, Ann Fergeson and Debbie Tate

6

March is an exciting time of change for a gardener. Life bursts forth in the

garden after months of barrenness. It is a great time to get your plant sale contributions

off to a great start. The earlier these are prepared the healthier they will look and the more money they will bring. Early preparation and commercial soil are two great ways to

ensure success.

There are a couple of points to keep in mind for this years Spring Gardening Fair and

Plant Sale. The first is to think of your contributions in terms of a $100 goal. We often

focus on a number of plants. Think abstractly to the value of those plants. Another idea to consider is polar opposite to that. What can we give away? Most of us have some

stray trees that sprout in our lawns or beds. Rather than sacrifice them to the compost

pile, pot them, nurture them and we will offer them as free trees to our plant sale

guests.

The guidelines and job descriptions are attached to this newsletter. Feel free to direct

any questions to Vickey Mullally or myself. Thank you for all of your hard work!!!! We

are looking forward to a great sale.

Dig it!

Time to start thinking of our

Plant Sale! A few words from our Plant Sale Project Chair

~ Jason Mullins

Invasive Plant List

1. Purple Loosestrife 2. Poison Hemlock 3. Water Hyacinth 4. Giant Salvinia 5. Cogon Grass 6. Bamboo (running) 7. Japanese Honeysuckle 8. Teasel

9. Thistle 10. Chinese Tallow Tree 11. Mimosa 12. Kudzu 13. Asian Wisteria 14. Privet 15. Bradford Pear Tree 16. Tree of Heaven 17. Giant Reed Grass 18. Rose (non-native) multiflora 19. Tropical Soda Apple 20. Alligatorweed

Rationale: There is no all inclusive list of aggressive, invasive species. While some of these are plants that

trained gardeners are well able to control, plant specimens from our sales do not always leave with those

gardeners. This list of plants are those that under the right circumstances could pose a risk to homeown-

ers, wildlife and our agricultural industry as well.

Kudzu

Thistle

Privet

Poison Hemlock

Japanese Honeysuckle

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Guidelines for Craighead County Master Gardeners Plant Sale

ASU Regional Farmers' Market

April 28, 2018, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

*Plants - MGs are asked to bring a minimum of 10 plants; while our new class members should

bring a minimum of 5 plants each. Additional plant contributions are certainly welcome. Members are encouraged to propagate plants from their own gardens. However, they may pur-

chase plants to resale. A four or six pack equals one plant. The public looks forward to our plant

sale and we want to provide them with a good choice of quality plants.

In the past, we have asked MGs not to bring green liriope/monkey grass. The committee has de-

cided that members can bring more, but only 2 will be counted toward your 10 plants. For 2018

class members only 1 liriope/monkey grass will count toward your 5 plants.

Your plants should be labeled with the common name, botanical name, sun or shade require-

ments and any special care instructions. This information should be clearly written on the print-ed forms attached to the plant. The information cards should be covered with clear packing tape

to prevent it from getting wet.

The Plant Sale committee will be pricing all of the plants on Friday so there is no need to price

them...unless you have a special plant that you believe should be priced a certain amount.

A check-off sheet will be posted during the drop-off time. Make certain to sign the sheet in order

to receive credit for your plant donations.

*Drop-Off - Plants should be dropped off at the Farmer’s Market on Friday, April 27th, between

3:30 pm and 6:30 pm. If you are unable to drop off your plants at this time, please ask a fellow MG to bring your plants for you. ONLY if necessary you may drop them off on Thursday only at

the ASU Regional Farmers’ Market complex. A sign in sheet will be provided. It is recommended

that you text a photo of where you left your plants to (870)974-2606.

*Time - The sale will begin Saturday at 7:00 am and continue until 3 pm. Workers should arrive at 6:45 am on Saturday morning to be in place for the opening of the sale. Master Gardeners will

be allowed to purchase plants at noon at regular price. At the close of the sale a discount will be

offered. ***For fairness to all, Master Gardeners are NOT allowed to set plants aside for lat-

er purchase.

*Workers - ***In an effort to minimize confusion, signup will be job specific. Please review the attached job descriptions prior to signing up. All workers will have to sign in to ensure all roles

are filled. Hours will be credited for those working specific roles.*** All Master Gardeners must

wear their nametag and MG shirt and/or apron the day of the sale. Workers designated as

"Checkers" should bring a steno pad, pens and a handheld calculator. Workers may bring drinks

and snacks.

*Other Items - Members are encouraged to bring garden art, garden magazines or other related

items to be sold in a "yard sale" type atmosphere. Needed to use on sale day: Wagons and Box-

es

Questions? Contact Jason Mullins (870) 974-2606 by email brojasonmullins@yahoo.com

or Vickey Mullally (870) 926-9571 by email vgmullally@gmail.com

8

Celebrate Spring!

Celebrate Gardening!

Join us as the...

On April 28, 2018, from 7am until 3pm

At the

ASU Regional Farmers’ Market Pavilion

With special guests

Health Wellness and Environmental Studies Magnet School!

We think you will really DIG it!!!

9

Several workdays have been scheduled at the ASU

Greenhouse. Project Chair~ LaVeta Howerton

10

Logging in Hours: If you are having problems logging hours and/or would rather Cindy log

them for you please email her at cindyamorris@hotmail.com. Please include where you worked,

the date and the amount of time you worked. And let's not forget, include your learning/

education hours!

Being Respectful: Just a reminder to be respectful of not only the speakers at meetings but

to your fellow MGs. You may think you are talking quietly but voices carry making it difficult for

others to hear what is going on during the meetings.

Sign In! As you arrive at the MG meeting each month, be sure to SIGN IN and pick up a ticket

for the door prize(s). The sign-in sheet will be on the table to the right as you come in the

door. At the end of each meeting, we will draw for a door prize!

Name Tags: Be sure to wear your MG name tag to each meeting and receive a KISS! Otherwise

put 50 cents in the jar.

Reminders

2nd- Branon Thiesse 6th- Brenda Gray 7th- Ann Fergeson

17th- Connie Seay 20th- Debra Boyles

20th- Pat Warren 27th- Cathy Caldwell 29th- Gaye Morris

29th- Charlotte Hemphill

Project Chairs

ASU Display Garden & Farmers’ Market Susan Westbrook

On the Deck Jan Dupwe

ASU Greenhouse LaVeta Howerton

Butterfly Garden

Barb Evans Pat Finch

Courthouse, Extension Office & City Hall

Nick, Marilyn & Katie Wysocki

NEA District Fair Ginger Adams-Seeds

Mike Wilbanks-MG Booth Mimi Cox- Floriculture

NEA FFA-CDE Stan Bachman

Native Plant Garden

Ethel Cole

Plant Sale Jason Mullins

Plants for Sunset Gardens

Margaret Williams

Extension Office Work & 2017 Basic Training Class

Neva Shewmaker

HWES Children’s Learning Garden

Melinda Smith

A Special

Thank You To those that

Supplied Snacks For our New

Class!

~ Neva Shewmaker

11

Craighead County Master Gardener’s “Countdown to Spring” Seminar

Committee Chairs:

Ann Ross and Ann Fergeson Speakers:

Lelia Kelly and Janet Carson

Lelia Kelly

spoke about

“Plants from Grandmama’s

Garden”.

Focusing on gar-

dening memo-

ries we can

share with our family and

friends. And

also, the

nostalgic value

of plants.

Janet Carson

spoke about

“Raised Beds and Vertical Gardens”.

The ‘do’s and

don’t’s’. With a

presentation of

photos of various

raised bed gardens and some fantasic

vertical garden

ideas.

Mimi Cox Peggy Lane and Joseph House

Nick Wysocki, Linda Light and Marilyn

Wysocki Pat Finch and Barb Evans

12

Some of the Students from the HWES set up an informative booth with lots of giveaways for our attendees.

It was very nice seeing some of our New

Members at the Seminar.

Luci Murray pro-

vided us with some lovely bird feeders

which she craft-ered. These were

some of our door

prizes.

And a Thank You to Mid-South

Nursery for the

beautiful plants that were also cen-terpieces then lat-er given as door

prizes.

A view from above

13

Greene County Master Gardeners Seminar Registration Form 2018 Spring Gardening Seminar

Go Native: Native Flora for Native Fauna

Please make checks payable to Greene county CES For $20.00 & mail to:

Spring Gardening Seminar Greene County Cooperative Extension Service

201 W. Court Street Room 205, Federal Building

Paragould, AR 72450 Registration Deadline: March 9, 2018

Your Name: _________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________

E-Mail or phone contact: _____________________________

Snacks/Refreshments will be provided.

Note: Registration Limited The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless

of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientations, national origin, religion, age, disability,

marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status and is an Af-

firmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/

affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need

materials in another format, please contact your Greene County Office as soon as possible. Dial

711 for Arkansas Relay.

14

Master Gardener District Dig Ins Registration fee - $20.00

Registration deadline – March 2, 2018

No refunds will be given after March 2, 2018.

*Please complete the entire form. Thank you.

Make check payable to: UACES

Mail registration form to:

Janet B. Carson

District Dig Ins

2301 S University Avenue

Little Rock, AR 72204

County MG Program:_________________________________________________

Name: _______________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

City: _________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ____________

Cell phone number: ___________________________

E-mail address: _____________________________________________

Please mark if needed: _____Vegetarian ____Gluten Free Please check the event you will be attending: ______March 12, 2018 – Forrest City (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Lunch included) ______March 19, 2018 – El Dorado (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Lunch included) ______March 26, 2018 – Harrison (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Lunch included)

15

“Developing an Ozarks Green Thumb”

Saturday, March 17, 2018 8:30 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

First United Methodist Church Fellowship Center 605 W. 6th Street, Mountain Home, AR

The Baxter County Master Gardeners 24th Annual Gardening Seminar

Expert Speakers and Topics for every Gardener

Janet Carson – “In the Garden- Getting Ready for Spring”

Dr. Gerald Klingaman – “The Natural History of Ferns” Tom Krohn – “Bees, Birds and Butterflies – Creating a Nature Friendly Yard”

Jane Druff – “Pollinators – What Would We Do Without Them?” Ellen Chagnon- “Getting the Most from Your Vegetable Garden”

Garden related Displays, Informational Packet, and Catalogues Opportunity Table of Garden Themed Items

Seminar Cost: $25.00 (Includes Lunch)

Limited Seating – register early!

To Register & For More Information Go to http://www.baxtercountymg.com/spring-seminar.html

Or Send name, address, phone, e-mail and $25 by March 2, 2018 to:

Kathrine Gilmore 275 Sharon Drive

Mountain Home, AR 72653

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Fun and Useful Links

Arkansas Master Gardener Program http://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/master-gardeners

CCMG Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Craighead-County-Master-Gardeners/629232630461141?ref=hl

HWES School Gardens Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/HWESschoolgardens

Janet Carson's Blog - In the Garden

http://uofacesmg.wordpress.com/

Jim Long’s Blog http://jimlongsgarden.blogspot.com/

Public Horticulture Events

http://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/master-gardeners/events.aspx

University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research & Extension

http://www.uaex.edu/

Garvan Gardens with Janet Carson

http://www.garvangardens.org/photos-videos/gardeningwithjanet.aspx

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension

Service offers its programs to all eligi-

ble persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orienta-

tion, national origin, religion, age, dis-

ability, marital or veteran status,

Weeder’s Digest is the official news-

letter of the Craighead County AR

Master Gardener Program.

Please contact the newsletter editor at

dtolewitzke@gmail.com with your arti-

cles, ideas, photos and suggestions.

Newsletters are Adobe files and re-quire the latest

Adobe Reader to view. You may down-

load the latest Adobe Reader at

"http://get.adobe.com/reader/".

Craighead County Master Gardeners are trained volunteers

working with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Exten-sion Service and Craighead County officials to provide beau-tification projects and horticultural information to the resi-dents of the county. In 2017 Craighead County Master Gar-

deners reported more than 11,108 hours of service and education to bene-fit Craighead County.

Branon Thiesse BS, MS

County Extension Agent - Staff Chair

Copyright 2012 -2018 Craighead County Master Gardeners. All rights reserved.

Our friend, Renee Shepherd, owner of Reneesgarden.com (Renee's Gar-

den Seeds), is making a wonderful offer for Health, Wellness and Envi-ronmental Studies Elementary School. If you go to her website and or-der seed, and use this code when you order: FR556A, she will donate 25% of the price of the seed you order, to the Health, Wellness and En-

vironmental Studies Elementary Kitchen/Garden Program. Isn't that great? So, go to her website and order some seed, being sure to use the FR556Acoupon code.

Decisions, decisions….