Hello All,

As this message was written in April, I’m hoping by the time you read time the Magnolia Chronicle we have continued to experience a wonderful, if somewhat early Spring. It is such a joy to watch our gardens come to life.

Our program is certainly blooming and flourishing. The PEST (Project Evaluation & Support Team) was able to see many natives breaking ground and learn about the educational opportunities at Pinnacle Mountain State Park in March. Their project is awesome. If you haven’t been there recently it is certainly worth a visit.

Eight Master Gardeners made the trip sponsored by the Travel Committee, chaired by Jo Anne Jennings, to the Memphis Master Gardener Spring Fling. There were several informational seminars, many vendors and lots of plants for sale. Be sure to sign up for travel events in the future as they are announced.

Many thanks to Susan Rose for providing excellent speakers for our General Meetings. We learned about Seasonal Bulbs from Susan. Dr. Jon Zawislak presented Pollinators in the Garden and Scott Smith shared Japanese Maples 101. In May, Mark Gibson from Green Thumb Nursery will present Ponds and Koi. In June we will Learn about Monet’s Home Garden from our own Jeffrey McKinley. I hope you will plan to be there.

Thirteen Master Gardeners participated in the St. James Spring Clean Up Workday. A special shout out to Denise Devlin and Patti Womble for organizing a successful event.

Stay safe and enjoy every opportunity to be in the garden.

Sara Jordan

by Sally Miller Wyatt, Magnolia Chronicle

Anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies knows well that pollen season can be a challenging time. But, does it seem like it’s lasting longer every year? It is, according to the University of Utah School of Biological Sciences. Their research has found that pollen seasons now start about 20 days earlier and last 10 days longer, and – brace yourself – the season features 21 percent more pollen than in 1990.

Why is this happening? Is it more rain, less rain, raining early in the season or late? Well, we humans have something to do with it, according to the University of Utah study.

Researchers discovered that human-caused climate change has played a significant role in pollen season lengthening and a partial role in pollen amount increasing.
-University of Utah

Will this year’s pollen counts keep you out of the garden? For many of us, that is a hard no. So, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate what you’re growing, according to Thomas Leo Ogren, author of a several gardening books, including “Allergy-Free Gardening.” (pictured below)

Ogren believes that if you’ve been experiencing itchy eyes and a watery nose every time you garden, it may be that your landscaping is littered with male trees and male shrubs, which produce sneeze-producing pollen.

Ogren’s research began because his wife loved to garden but suffered terribly from allergies, so he re-landscaped his own yard with low-pollen plantings. In the course of his research, he discovered that male trees shed huge amounts of allergenic airborne pollen. Female trees and shrubs, on the other hand, produce flowers, seeds and fruit, but shed no pollen.
              
I first learned of Ogren’s research many years ago, and the concept of purposely selecting low-pollen plants makes sense. And so does his theory that community landscaping may also be making the problem worse for some people. Female plants – with their seeds, fruit and flowers – are messy, and therefore are harder for crews to maintain. Ogren pointed out that municipalities may choose to plant male trees and shrubs to cut down on the mess, but are unaware that the practice may be adding to the pollen counts in our communities.
              
It’s hard to tell if your plants are male or female, and sometimes it can’t be determined until it reaches maturity, according to an article published by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, attached here. So, while there isn’t much we can do about the trees planted in our public parks and median strips, we can address the situation in our own yards.

Ogren developed a trademarked plant allergy scale called the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, or OPALS, in the early 2000s, and updated it again in 2015. OPALS ranks plants according to their pollen counts. For example, the Brazilian pepper tree was given a rank of 10 for two big reasons: it produces lots of pollen and it is related to the poison oak and ivy family. People who react to poison oaks and ivies will react to this tree, especially when it’s pruned or the leaves are crushed. Petunias, on the other hand, receive a score of 1.

If you want to create a more allergy-free garden, you could try planting female trees and shrubs. An example of “good” trees might be firs, cedars and some fruit trees. Ogren’s scale suggests you stay away from acacias, beech, birch and sycamores, for example. Anyone care to add Bradford Pears to that list?

If you’re going to re-garden according to the OPALS scale, aim for plants with a rank of six or less. When choosing mulch materials, consider using rock or gravel instead of bark, which can add toxic mold spores to the garden.

During hot and windy days, keep things well-watered, which will also help keep dust and dirt levels down. Also, if you have plants or shrubs that are sickly or need to be sprayed a lot because they attract bad bugs, just get rid of them. Spraying insecticides is not only unhealthy for you, but also the environment.

by Dixie Land, Magnolia Chronicle

You’re heading out for a morning of garden work. You reach the site, survey your tasks, pull on your gloves and reach for your … oops, forgot your favorite tool. Back you go!
What tool do you reach for, time and again, that never fails? Your constant companion when chores are calling?

Some tools have truly become old chums that have weathered the test of time.

Sometimes, our tool selection changes as we do. Jane Gulley says, “My favorite tools have changed over the years. I can no longer manage big, heavy ratchet loppers like I used to use and now look for lighter weight tools with longer handles to avoid getting on my knees. I can still get on the ground but sometimes getting up is a problem!”

She said her two favorite tools are her “Ellen Repar” clippers and a long-handled, light-weight hoe that has a triangle shaped head.

“The ’Ellen Repar’ clippers have foot-long handles and are easy to use, lightweight but powerful cutters. They are actually from Home Depot, but several in our group refer to them as our Ellen Repars, after a Master Gardener friend in our group who moved to Arizona. She got a pair and we all tried them and thought they were great and ended up calling them by her name.”

Jane Gully, Pulaski County Master Gardener, State Extension – Co-Chair

She bought the hoe from County 76 years ago, Jane said. The triangle shape allows the sharp end to be used to remove individual weeds while the longer sides are helpful to clear a large patch.

Then there are combination tools that serve multiple uses. Susan Rose said she favors a
garden hoe/three-tine fork tiller hand tool.

Then there’s always new tools to lure gardeners with their siren call. This year, County 76 is selling a Perennial or a Trowel Root Slayer as a fundraiser. These tools are described as a
“shovel, root hatchet, and root saw all in one tool.” I’d heard several friends rave about theirs, so I’m looking forward to getting my own. Both tools have carbon steel blades and thermoplastic grips and come with a lifetime guarantee. If tools were cars, these sound like a finely tuned sports car (well, except for the guarantee, that is).

For Sue Cole, the winner hands down is her hoe. When she heads out for some serious
gardening, it is a must-have. There are no substitutes!

“… If you haven’t had a Root Slayer, you’re gonna love it. I think I got mine about eight years ago …. It is my favorite tool, the shovel. I use it all the time because I love that serrated blade. It’s great for digging up trees, saplings, dividing perennials … awesome. And I love that rubber handle on it, too. I don’t end up getting blisters like I do on a wooden handle thing.”

Randy Forst, Extension Educator – Consumer Horticulture

by Sheryl Porter, Magnolia Chronicle

Let’s talk about something as exciting as watching our gardens come back to life in spring—the amazing bird migration happening right above our heads. It’s like a nature documentary playing out in real-time, and we’re right in the middle of it!

Male Baltimore Oriole

So, picture this: as winter loosens its icy grip, millions of birds are gearing up for the ultimate road trip. They’re leaving their winter hangouts and heading north for the breeding season. And guess what? Arkansas is like a pit stop on their journey. Our state’s diverse landscapes make it a perfect rest area for these feathered travelers.

Male Red-headed Woodpecker and Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Now, here’s where it gets interesting for us garden enthusiasts. These birds aren’t just passing through; they’re doing us a solid favor by pollinating our plants. While they’re sipping nectar from flower to flower, they’re also spreading pollen.

Female and Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak

These birds aren’t just pollinators; they’re also our secret weapon against garden pests. You know those pesky bugs that love to munch on our precious plants? Well, birds like Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles have a real knack for snacking on them. It’s like having your own personal pest control squad, minus the chemicals!

Male Goldfinch and Male Indigo Bunting

Let’s not forget their beautiful songs and vibrant colors. Imagine waking up to the cheerful chirping of a Goldfinch or catching a glimpse of a brightly colored Indigo Bunting flitting through the trees. It’s like nature’s own concert, right in our backyard!

It’s not too late to roll out the welcome mat for these flying visitors. Plant some native flowers, set up a bird feeder, and watch as your garden comes alive with the sights and sounds of spring migration.

Writer’s Note: All photos for this article were taken this migration season at the home of Errett and Sheryl Porter, Maumelle, Arkansas.

Curated by Sally Miller Wyatt

May 4 – Stone County Master Gardener Plant Sale, Extension Homemakers Club (EHC) building at the Stone County Fairgrounds. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. You can find vegetables, herbs, flowers, raspberries, shrubs, along with books, yard art, and baked goods. It runs until noon, or when the plants are all gone.

May 11 – Logan County Master Gardener Plant Sale, Union Bank Community Center, Paris, AR. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Contact Lori Spencer at 479-213-4621

May 11 – Van Buren Co MG Plant Sale. 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, Van Buren County Fairgrounds. Herbs, trees, shrubs, houseplants, bulbs, corms, tubers, annuals, perennials and native plants. For more information contact Connie Hickman Tanner at chtst@att.net

May 11 – Faulkner County Master Gardener Plant Sale. 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Conway Expo & Event Center, 2505 East Oak St. Conway, AR. Free admission and parking. Contact Krista Quinn, 501-329-8344.

Thousands of plants known to thrive in Central Arkansas will be available to purchase including annuals and perennials, native plants, pollinator plants, ferns, succulents, grasses, vines, ground covers, house plants, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, and trees. Master Gardeners will also be on hand to answer questions and offer advice. Children and families will enjoy fun learning activities. All proceeds support college scholarships and Faulkner County beautification and gardening education programs.

May 17 & 18 – Benton County Plant Sale & Expo, First United Methodist Church in Bentonville.
Times: May 17- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and May 18 – 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

May 30 – June 1 – State Master Gardener Conference, Hot Springs, AR. Held at Hot Springs
Convention Center, Malvern Avenue. Hosted by Garland County Master Gardener Program.
June 2024

June 8 – Boone County Master Gardener Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Downtown Square, Harrison,
AR.

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.