Hello Master Gardeners,
The forecast for today is in the high 90s! Hopefully our gardens, and gardeners, are prepared for another challenging summer.

Since the last Magnolia Chronicle was published, PCMG has been very busy. Continuing Ed. sponsored an excellent seminar, “How to Turn Your Yard Into a Native Place. Pathfinders and Little Rock Greenhouses have had very successful plant sales. The Event Committee sponsored a lovely, educational Spring Luncheon at Bemis Tree
Farm. Many from Pulaski County attended the Master Gardener State Conference at Hot Springs. Sadly, the weather caused the Travel Committee’s trip to Natural State Lavender Company to be cancelled. But the tour of Izzy’s Native Pollinator Garden was a real treat for 35+ of us.

Our organization is fortunate to have strong, capable committee leadership with dedicated, talented members in 12 different committees who work hard to provide wonderful services and opportunities for us all.

The PEST (Project Evaluation and Support Team) committee recently visited four outstanding gardens: St. Joseph’s Pollinator Garden and the Old Mill in May and Maumelle Community Center and the Governor’s Vegetable Garden in June. The chairs and co-chairs as well as project members are to be commended for their hard work in maintaining these beautiful gardens. You rock!

It is hard to believe we are halfway through 2024. Serving as your president has been an honor and a pleasure. The best part is getting to know and work with so many of you. My Master Gardener cousin in Missouri says MGer’s are the very best people to know. I agree wholeheartedly!

There will be no General Meetings in July and August. In the meantime, keep up the great work, and take care of yourselves in this heat.

I’m looking forward to seeing you in September,
Sara

by Sheryl Porter, Magnolia Chronicle

For over three decades, Dick Blankenbeker has been a cornerstone of the Pulaski County Master Gardeners, bringing his passion for horticulture to the forefront of community engagement and education. His journey began long before he set down roots in Arkansas, with a rich history of gardening that spans the country and a professional career that saw him moving from state to state.

Mr. Dick Blankenbeker pictured in front of the Hays Center Master Gardener Project he helped launch.

From Pennsylvania Farm to Arkansas Gardens

Dick’s love for gardening was cultivated in his early years on a Pennsylvania farm. “I grew up pretty much on a farm and had a garden all the time,” he reminisces. His career with Koppers, a company in the railroad wood treating business, took him across the United States, from South Carolina to Colorado, and back to Pittsburgh, but his dedication to gardening remained constant. Every new home came with a new garden, a testament to his enduring commitment to cultivating the earth.

Upon moving to Arkansas, Dick discovered the Pulaski County Master Gardener program. “When I got here and they had this program…I thought, well, that’s something I would be interested in,” he says. Despite the program’s initial focus on flower gardening, Dick’s expertise in vegetable gardening found a welcome home. He became a Master Gardener, and his journey with the organization officially began.

Building a Community Through Gardening

Dick’s involvement with the PCMGs quickly deepened. He served as the organization’s president during its formative years, when meetings were held at the old Arkla Building downtown. “We met for lunch there, brought our lunch in a paper sack,” he recalls. Today, meetings are held in more accommodating venues, reflecting the program’s growth and success.

One of Dick’s significant contributions has been his work at various community gardening sites. He started at the Old Mill before moving on to the greenhouse behind the zoo. Alongside Rochelle Greenwood, Dick helped establish the garden at the Hays Center. “We trade around the number one job and the chairman’s job,” he notes, emphasizing the importance of shared leadership and collaboration.

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A Lifelong Passion for Vegetables

Known affectionately as “Mr. Tomato” during his time at the greenhouse, Dick’s preference has always been for vegetable gardening highlighting the pride he takes in his nickname. Despite stepping back from active vegetable gardening due to knee surgery and family changes, his legacy of producing bountiful harvests of tomatoes, carrots, onions, and peppers remains a key part of his identity.

Dick’s enthusiasm for growing vegetables from seed to harvest is contagious. “It’s just an interesting thing to be able to grow plants or start them from seed and go through the whole process with them,” he says. This cycle of planting, nurturing, and harvesting is deeply fulfilling for him, a sentiment echoed by many gardeners.

Beyond the Garden: Community and Family

Gardening is just one facet of Dick’s active life. He is a dedicated Rotarian, involved in various community projects and initiatives. As a member of the North Little Rock Rotary Club, he has served as president and district governor, focusing on providing scholarships to students who might otherwise be overlooked. “We try to find someone who wants to go to college, needs the money, but for whatever reason hasn’t gotten connected with the right group to get that,” he explains.

In his personal life, Dick enjoys swimming, working out, and spending time at the library. His family remains central to his life, with four children and numerous grandchildren spread across the country. Annual trips to Hilton Head Island with friends and family have become a cherished tradition, underscoring the importance of community and continuity in his life.

A Commitment to Gardening and Service

Dick Blankenbeker’s 30-year commitment to the Pulaski County Master Gardeners is a testament to his passion for gardening and community service. His contributions have not only enriched the local gardening community but have also fostered a spirit of collaboration and lifelong learning.

Reflecting on why he has stayed with the Master Gardener program for so long, Dick simply states, “It was a nice group of people that you’d like to know over the years.” His involvement has provided a platform for shared interests and collective growth, much like the gardens he has tended over the years.

In advising those nearing retirement, Dick emphasizes the importance of balance. “The first thing I tell anybody that I know is going to retire soon is to learn how to say no,” he advises, highlighting the need to prioritize and manage one’s time effectively. For Dick, retirement has not meant slowing down but rather finding joy and purpose in the activities that matter most.

Through his dedication to gardening and community, Dick Blankenbeker exemplifies the enduring impact one individual can have. His journey is an inspiration to both seasoned gardeners and newcomers alike, demonstrating that a love for gardening can cultivate not just plants, but lasting relationships and community spirit.

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Writer’s note: Know of a notable Pulaski Gardener who should be highlighted in an upcoming issue of Magnolia Chronicle? Please reach out to Sheryl Porter at therealsherylporter@gmail.com or 501-352-5156 to share your pick for our next MG Spotlight.

by Dixie Land, Magnolia Chronicle

Little Rock’s Parks and Recreation Department is hoping that their  #LRParksPushyPlants will spread like a weed. 

The program has its roots in a meeting of the Little Rock Board of Directors in April 2023. At that meeting, the board approved an ordinance to restrict the use of invasive plant species in commercial landscaping. 

The ordinance specified 32 plant species and genera to avoid and amended existing lists of recommended shrubs and groundcovers for landscaping. Among the targets for elimination: Bradford pears, honeysuckle, winter creeper, English ivy, mimosa trees and bamboo. 

The University of Arkansas’ Division of Agriculture says that invasive plants cost $35 billion in damages and treatment annually and harm ecosystems. It has been reported that invasive plants threaten 42% of native and endangered plants. 

by Sally Miller Wyatt, Magnolia Chronicle

Are you lucky enough to have spotted hummingbirds in your garden? If so, congratulations! Your garden probably has in place many of the ingredients needed to attract these delicate but feisty birds: a variety of insects to feed on, and a ready and steady supply of nectar either in flowers or feeders.

Stock Photo: “Hi Guys… did you miss me?”

While there are more than 360 varieties of hummingbirds, only the Ruby-throated is native to Arkansas, and its time spent here in The Natural State usually runs from March to October.

“They’re also the only birds in the world that can fly upside down and backward and hover as well,” according to John Sommer of Wild Birds Unlimited of Little Rock.

Hummingbirds are also known to be fiercely territorial, which can result in an aggressive air show as the males work hard to keep competitors from their food sources.

How can you tell if your visitor is the Ruby-throated variety? Both males and females are green with a white breast and belly, but only the male has the red throat patch. “The female looks significantly different from the male,” John explained, “so much so that sometimes people will mistake them for another variety.”

Photo credit: avianreport.com

These hummingbirds spend winters in Mexico and Central America and begin their migration north in March and April. By May, they’ve become residents here, building nests and caring for their hatchlings, John said.

“By the end of July, they’re done nesting and will stay in the area through the summer and early fall. By October, they will have all but disappeared. You’ll see them again in early March, but in earnest by April 1.”
-John Sommer of Wild Birds Unlimited

If the hummingbirds have made a nest in your yard – typically on a branch of a deciduous or coniferous tree — they will likely return to that spot again next year, John said.

Since most have nests by now, the birds you’re seeing in your yard are probably coming from your neighbor’s yard, attracted to your flowers or feeder.

Want to attract more hummers to your yard, and hopefully encourage them to nest so they will return next year? There are several things you can do to increase the odds, John said.

“First, plant native nectaring flowers, if possible,” John advised, especially those with tubular shapes, such as penstemon. Others to consider include Rose of Sharon, lantana and zinnias. While hummingbirds prefer red and orange flowers, they can also be attracted to other colors.

Start setting out feeders in March, and make sure the nectar is always fresh, all season long. “The nectar can become a breeding ground for bacteria, especially during hot days. If you left a glass of Kool-Aid out on your patio for a day, would you drink from it?”

John has a rule of thumb to follow for our warm summer days. When temperatures are in the 70s, replace the nectar every three days; when temperatures are in the 80s, change it every two days; and when temperatures reach the 90s, the nectar should be replaced daily. The ratio of sugar to water is one-quarter cup of sugar to one cup of water. Always use white table sugar, and avoid honey, Splenda, agave nectar or monk fruit, or brown or raw sugars (turbinado or demerara). It is not necessary to add food coloring.

Consider setting up several smaller feeders around your yard to serve more hummingbirds and cut down on the competitiveness. John recommends setting the extra feeders at least 10 feet apart.

Finally, forego insecticides. “Don’t spray for mosquitos or insects. Insecticides are not selective; they kill off all insects, including butterflies and dragonflies. And since up to 80 percent of a hummingbird’s diet comes from insects, if they can’t find them, they will move on.”

by Sheryl Porter, Magnolia Chronicle

As a Master Gardener with a love for both flora and fauna, it did not take a lot of arm-twisting to agree to attend a work conference this spring at Callaway Resort & Gardens. Nestled in the lush landscape of Pine Mountain, Ga., Callaway Resort & Gardens is filled with over 2,500 acres of beautiful natural gardens, including the world’s largest azalea garden. It was such a treat to escape mid-week, that I added an extra day to my work trip to take in the the sights, scenery, and sounds just an hour and a half from the Atlanta Airport.

Upon arrival, I instantly felt my travel anxiety begin to melt away. I checked into my guest room at the main hotel, which they refer to as The Lodge. I checked into the conference, which was hosted on the first floor of the lodge. I got a few work responsibilities out of the way and had a few hours of free time to explore the grounds.

The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center was hands-down the highlight of the trip. The tropical conservatory, which maintains a warm and humid climate year-round, is home to over 1,000 butterflies representing more than 50 species. Immediately, I was struck by the beauty and diversity of these butterflies, each one more stunning than the last. The atmosphere buzzed with life as butterflies flitted from flower to flower, their delicate wings catching the light in a dazzling display.

The center is meticulously designed to replicate a tropical rainforest, with an impressive collection of lush vegetation that not only provides a habitat for the butterflies but also creates a serene environment for visitors. Walking along the winding pathways, I felt as if I had been transported to an exotic locale far removed from the everyday hustle and bustle.

In addition to the butterflies themselves, the center is also a haven for a variety of tropical plants. From vibrant orchids to towering palms, the diverse plant life plays a crucial role in supporting the butterfly population. As a Master Gardener, I found inspiration in the thoughtful plant selections (many common to our area!) and the harmonious balance between flora and fauna.

If you find yourself in the area, a visit to this butterfly sanctuary is a must and worth the drive. It’s a place where you can reconnect with nature, learn, and be inspired to make your own garden a haven for butterflies.

Did you know you can log education hours by simply reading the Magnolia Chronicle? You can add this time to the following project: Edu-Research, Newsletter/Program Lecture.