President’s Message

Hello All,

As this message is being written, it is a foggy, wet January day. Another in a forecasted week of rain following a week of snow and frigid temperatures. That’s it. No more whining. There are too many good things for Master Gardeners to look forward to in 2024.

Your board has already had a planning session. A lot of work is taking place. First Vice President Pam Abrams is preparing a meeting with the Project Chairs and Co-chairs. Second Vice President Michele Wasson will host a working session with the Standing Committee Chairs. Treasurer Andy Kessel and Asst. Treasurer Arlene Seville-White is taking steps to continue a smooth transition with the new financial reporting system. And the Busy Bee Committee has Bees ready to be picked up. There will be events and quality educational opportunities available to all Pulaski County Master Gardeners in the coming year.

It has not quite been a year since Derek Reed joined us as the Pulaski County Extension Agent. Understanding that his multifaceted job keeps him very busy, he still manages to serve Master Gardeners well. Two of his newest efforts have provided a convenient way to pay our dues online and a way for us to stay abreast of PCMG information and activities through a local version of Constant Contact. Please use Derek’s weekly newsletter links to sign up and take advantage of these conveniences. The links are also available on our website armgs.org. We owe a huge thank you to Derek for all he has accomplished.

Oh, there is also a new printed directory in the works. If you are one of the 30 or so people who missed having your photo in the last directory, please consider taking a selfie, having someone take a photo, or finding one of yourself you like and sending it to Paul Nolte. Paul has also volunteered to take your photo at a meeting if you would like. We have such a wonderful group of gardeners it would be great to have everyone’s smiling countenance included in the directory.

A favorite sign posted in many offices, including my own, during my working years, said, “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape.” Derek and I took the adage to heart and created a short video to replace the in-person January General Meeting. You can view the video through a link on our website, which allows you to accrue 2 education hours.

I hope to see many of you in person at our regular meetings. Until then, stay warm and continue dreaming of all the wonderful gardening days to come.

Bloom and Beyond: A Guide to Spring Garden Tours in the South

by Dixie Land, Magnolia Chronicle

Spring is on the way, and Master Gardeners are already preparing to shake off the cold and hit the road for a vacation. When the time comes to begin planning, why not add a garden tour (or perhaps a few) to your itinerary list? There’s plenty to choose from, with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing options. In addition to horticulture, some locations offer seasonal plantings and events, activities for children, art installations, educational programs, and historical exhibits. You can build your own menu, selecting just the right activities that appeal to your family or fellow travelers. Since some locations close for periodic maintenance or schedule private events, it’s best to check with the ticket office prior to your visit.

Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Arboretum, Nashville

Here’s a brief list of gardens in our region that offer public tours:

Mississippi: Mynelle Gardens Arboretum and Botanical Center and Eudora Welty House and Garden, both in Jackson; Crosby Arboretum, Picayune; Monmouth Historic Inn and Gardens, Natchez; and Wister Gardens, Belzoni.

Louisiana: New Orleans Botanical Garden and Longue Vue House and Gardens, both in New Orleans; Houma’s House and Gardens, Darrow; Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Botanic Gardens, Baton Rouge; and Jungle Gardens, Avery Island.

Texas: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and Texas Discovery Gardens, both in Dallas; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin; San Antonio Botanical Garden; and East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society, Athens.

Oklahoma: Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater; Myriad Botanical Gardens, Oklahoma City; Tulsa Garden Center and Philbrook Museum of Art, both in Tulsa; and Lendonwood Gardens, Grove.

Tennessee: Memphis Botanic Garden; Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Arboretum, Nashville; Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum and University of Tennessee Arboretum, both in Knoxville; and Huntsville Botanical Garden.

Missouri: Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis; Powell Gardens, Kingsville; Mizzou Botanic Garden, University of Missouri, Columbia; Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, Springfield; and Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, Liberty.

Urbana Farmstead: A Journey from Heritage Roots to Urban Farming in Arkansas

by Sheryl Porter, Magnolia Chronicle

As I stand amidst the vibrant tapestry of Urbana Farmstead in South Little, you are reminded of the profound connection between our roots, our food, and our souls. Margie Raimondo’s journey into the world of urban farming has been driven by a passion for helping people forge meaningful connections with their food, embracing the heritage that sustains both body and soul.

Urbana Farmstead is not just a plot of land; it is a holistic experience from planting to harvesting and distribution. Conceived with the idea of a homestead, it seamlessly integrates a farm, market, and kitchen, all on one acre of land.

“Optimizing space is crucial, and at Urbana Farmstead, we employ vertical gardening techniques. Utilizing 5-gallon buckets, we guide plants to grow upward, minimizing ground usage while effectively thwarting pests and conserving water. This approach yields high returns and aligns with my belief that understanding ourselves and how we nourish our bodies and souls is paramount.”
-Margie Raimondo

As visitors wander through the farm, expressing awe and admiration, Margie shares a simple truth: Anyone can embark on their own gardening journey. Whether in a small pot on a balcony or patio, cultivating your own food is economically viable and deeply rewarding.

The importance of growing one’s food extends beyond economics. There’s a distinct joy in savoring a tomato plucked fresh off the vine—a taste and aroma unmatched by store-bought counterparts picked prematurely. At Urbana Farmstead, you can purchase produce fresh, canned, or engage in cooking and canning classes to become a culinary artisan in your own right.

Margie’s culinary heritage traces back to Italy—Sicily and Naples. Margie grew up in Los Angeles and lived in an urban community. Her parents transformed lawns into gardens, providing sustenance and a connection to the land. Margie’s quest for culinary knowledge led her to Italy and southern Spain, where she immersed herself in fieldwork and kitchen duties, honing the skills passed down through generations.

The decision to relocate to Arkansas was prompted by Margie’s desire to fill her life with purpose after avoiding a fateful flight during 9/11. Based on a friend’s recommendation, Margie found solace and inspiration in the welcoming embrace of the Ozarks.

“In this picturesque landscape, I realized I could seamlessly integrate the techniques learned in Italy with the cherished memories of urban farming from my childhood.”

Urbana Farmstead is not just a place for cultivation; it is a platform to empower others to embrace sustainable living. Whether you choose to cultivate your yard or partake in the bounties grown at Urbana, Margie Raimondo’s goal is to help Arkansans transform their life—one harvest at a time.

Writers note: Additional information was sourced from the PBS program “Good Roots”. That video can be viewed via this link.

Gardening is Good Therapy for All

by Sally Miller Wyatt, Magnolia Chronicle

Veteran gardeners know that digging around in the dirt can turn into a terrific mood-lifting activity. There’s just something about the warmth of the sun, the scent of freshly turned soil and a little physical activity that can miraculously turn a sad or depressed mood into a sunny disposition.

In fact, the therapeutic benefits of peaceful gardening has been understood since ancient times, and has even become a profession, as witnessed by the creation of the American Horticultural Therapy Association. This association has been actively promoting barrier-free, therapeutic gardens that enable people of all ages and abilities to work, learn and relax in the garden.

Creating a garden for its mood-lifting benefits needn’t involve the entire yard, thankfully. A window box, a deck railing planter or a pot or two of favorite flowers just outside the back door all have their place. My father, who suffered from COPD, somehow found the strength to tend to his favorite tomato plant every day, and he really enjoyed watching hummingbirds come to the feeder just outside the family room window. We fashioned a pulley system so my mother could easily refill it without having to get up on a ladder.

Many of us devoted gardeners will find a way to work the dirt even if we have bad knees, a stiff back, or are wheelchair-bound. If you’re interested in creating a wheelchair-friendly or therapy garden, check out the American Horticultural Therapy Association’s web site at www.ahta.org. They have information on how to create gardens that are wheelchair-accessible, on building raised beds, and selecting adaptive tools for those with disabilities. They also can offer suggestions for creating sensory-stimulating environments, using plants that are selected specifically for their texture, fragrance or color.

Raised beds are terrific, because they can be built at a height that is accessible by those in wheelchairs, those who use walkers, or those who just don’t want to bed over too far. When creating a space for these raised beds, make sure you have a smooth, wide path leading to them, so that it will be easy to maneuver around, and that the bed isn’t too wide so reaching the center is easily managed.
There are a host of garden tools on the market now that are ergonomically designed, making it easier for stiff hands to use.

And, if you have grandchildren, ask them to help out. Digging is an excuse to get dirty! Planting seeds, watching them sprout and then harvesting the fruits of you and the child’s “labors” are not only bonding moments, but it could mean you’ve planted the “seed” of a love for gardening in yet another generation.

Photos sourced from www.ahta.org.

Kathy Ratcliffe: A Garden Legacy

by Janet Carson and Ginger Fleming

In loving memory of Kathy Ratcliffe, fondly known as “The Mayor” of the garden, we celebrate her enduring legacy and unwavering dedication to horticulture. Kathy, a revered Pulaski County Master Gardener, left an indelible mark on our hearts and in our gardens.

Her knowledge was boundless, spanning soil science, plant varieties, and pest management. Yet, Kathy’s impact extended beyond her expertise; she cultivated genuine connections with her fellow gardeners, recognizing them by name and endearing nicknames and understanding their families, preferences, and strengths.

Tragically, Kathy passed away on September 29, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and inspiration. Among her many contributions, Kathy’s brainchild was the Demonstration Garden at the Arkansas 4-H Center in Ferndale. She orchestrated a cohesive team of volunteers, securing funding and tirelessly working to transform the garden into a hub for gardening enthusiasts.

In recognition of Kathy’s unwavering dedication, the 4-H Demonstration Garden project members sought approval to rename the garden in her honor. The board enthusiastically consented; thus, the Kathy Ratcliffe Garden at the Vines was born—a testament to her vision and legacy.

A Day in the Garden at Historic Arkansas Museum

by Donna Simon, Maumelle Community Center

Venturing beyond our local greenery can often yield unexpected delights, as the Maumelle Community Center Master Gardeners discovered on a crisp Monday morning in November.

Gathering at the familiar meeting point, we embarked on a journey to the Historic Arkansas Museum (HAM) in Little Rock. We were graciously received by Catherine Chaumont, chair of the Pulaski County Master Gardeners (PCMG) project at HAM, for an enriching visit at the close of their workday.

In their kitchen garden, the HAM project members grow vegetables from heirloom seeds. Summer vegetables were gone, but they already had rows of radishes and other fall crops growing. We had a group picture taken with Precious, their vegetable garden scarecrow. They were pulling up horseradish from this garden. Evidently, it spreads rapidly, so they offered us some. (There were no takers.)

Catherine noted their greatest challenge was WATERING. They have recently developed a “Green Bridges” certified garden to create safe passage for plants and pollinators to thrive. We also peeked into their large tool shed, visited the Herb Society’s Garden, saw the natural arbor Bill Harris made from saplings on his property, and roamed around the outside areas of HAM. Rick Stanley handed out plastic bags for anyone who wanted to pick up horse apples which were scattered over the ground. Several of us did and took them home to use as fall decorations.

As the visit drew to a close, appetites both culinary and conversational beckoned, prompting a luncheon just across the street at Copper Grill. Amidst savory dishes and spirited discussions, the day’s excursion served as a rejuvenating workday break from weeding & deadheading in our gardens.

Editor’s Note: Maumelle Community Center chair, Janet Poole, contacted the Historic Arkansas Museum chair, Catherine Chaumont, to arrange this visit. I encourage you to reach out to a Garden Project chair to set up a ‘field trip’ with your project team this year.

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.

March/April 2024