View this email in your browser

Please note! Your email provider may show an abbreviated version of this newsletter, so if you see the words "[Message clipped] View entire message" or something similar at the end of this email, be sure to click on "View entire message" so you don't miss a thing!

Having said all that, the Garden Thyme may be best viewed in your browser (instead of viewing it within your email). Formatting within an email often gets messed up (sorry for the technical jargon there), which is a frustration for you and your newsletter committee as we work so hard to provide you with a newsletter lovely to behold. So, to view the Garden Thyme in its full glory, just click on the link at the top of this page that says, "View this email in your browser."

MARCH MEETING

Project Fair and Tool Time

Elkins Community Gardens display at the 2023 Project Fair

Taking Care of Business

We'll vote on the following items at our March 5 business meeting.

Anticipating the first day of spring brightens my attitude with thoughts of spring renewal in the plant and animal kingdoms. The Vernal Equinox is March 19th this year due to an extra day in February (shout-out to any Leap Year birthdays!)

March is when we celebrate environmental and gardening days and weeks:

• March 1–7. Groundwater Awareness Week and National Lawnmower Maintenance Week
• March 14. National Learn About Butterflies Day
• March 28. National Weed Appreciation Day (Plenty are all over my property! As pollinator protectors, you may rest easy that dandelions and other weeds provide an early nectar source.)

March 29 and 30 is the Annual Lawnmower & Weedeater Tune-Up Fundraiser hosted by UA clubs at 1194 W. Cassatt Road. Pre-registration is required. Call 479-575-2035 for more information.

As we look forward to our Project Fair Membership Meeting on March 5, remember to bring a favorite tool for “Tool Time” show and tell. With no visual presentations for the March meeting, refer to our website, Garden Thyme, and Contact Contact emails for upcoming events and deadlines.

These WCMGs deserve extra praise for their toils to make life easier and get us ready to kick off the 2024 growing season:

• The Awards Committee team, led by Jan Lefler, hosted an incredible 2023 WCMG Awards Ceremony celebration at the February membership meeting.
• Alfi Anderson and Patsy Louk, who hosted the fabulous WCMG Class of 2023 Graduation at the February membership meeting and led the WCMG Class of 2024 Basic Training sessions at the Extension Office.
• Laura Underwood and Kathy Launder, who were at the KNWA/FOX24 TV studios by 6:00 a.m. on February 21 to lead a segment on KNWA Today, “Gardening Tips for Spring in Winter,” including how to gather a soil test sample and tips for successfully planting cold-hardy seeds and starts.
• Jan Lefler and members of the Member Resource Guide committee, who researched and updated all of our Membership Resource Guide materials for posting to the WCMG website (in the password-protected section) by March 1.
• Patsy Louk and Jan Lefler, who updated our Bylaws revisions for vote at the March membership meeting.
• Ruthanne Hill and Jill Anne King, who made great suggestions for improving our Policies & Procedures document for easier updating, as well as Jan Lefler, who researched and implemented the updates.
• The Ad Hoc Member Survey Committee members, led by Nicholas Sammer. Established in fall 2022, the team evaluated strategies aimed at engaging current members, attracting and retaining new ones, and ensuring WCMG remains an active part of the community while staying true to its mission. The committee conducted a field trip to Pulaski County to gain insights into how they foster engagement with current and new members; the findings were disseminated and shared with the Executive Committee and Project Committee leadership. The Busy Bee Awards for entering 50 hours on sanctioned projects and/or committees will be awarded monthly beginning at the April membership meeting thanks to their diligent work.
• Membership Hours coordinators Annette Pianalto and Kathryn Birkhead, for their regular updates and generating reports to help us evaluate our program.
• Membership Directory coordinator Linda Smith, who keeps up with our ever-changing membership list.
• Jim Sposato, who is researching low-cost venues for us to host our monthly membership meetings.
• Archivist Brooke Spenser, who keeps WCMG files up to date while working and caring for an infant and toddler.
• All the Garden Thyme staff, Constant Contact email leader Susan Young, and the WCMG website team for staying abreast of posting multiple updates for our membership.
• Projects Proposal team members Nancy Sloan, Regina Gabel and Carrie Gamble for guiding our Sanctioned Project and Committee chairs through the new UADA financial guidelines and encouraging planning sessions.
• All sanctioned project chairs who have/plan to conduct team planning meetings for success this year.
• The 2024 Executive Committee, which dutifully serves and fully engages in strengthening our program.
• Our UADA CES Team—Katie Teague, Colin Massey, Debbie Clevenger, and Mariette Spidel—for patiently guiding us through the new UADA financial guidelines, as well as everything else they do to support WCMGs.

Let’s enjoy the beginning of our busy season. It’s fun to smell and work the earth while we enjoy nature’s gifts!

Photo by Aileen Wilson

Photo by Brent Moore on flickr

As of March 1, orders for replacement name tags and name tags for newly transferred members will be made on a quarterly basis: on the last day of March, June, September, and December. This is a trial for 2024. If the need is not there, we will resume placing orders twice a year. 

For questions or to place your order, email Mariette Spidel at the Extension Office, Monday through Wednesday.

Washington County Master Gardeners celebrated WCMG award winners at our February meeting. The 2023 Awards Committee thanks President Liz Hale, Vice President Alfi Anderson, photographer Aileen Wilson, and compost coordinator Susan Young for their wonderful support and assistance in making the program such a success. The Awards Committee members are prior WCMG of the Year award recipients. 2023 committee members are Geri Alvis, Chris Bell, Jayne Laster, Jan Lefler, Patsy Louk, Kitty Sanders, and Truman Stamps. Special recognition goes to WCMG Jayne Laster who designed and created the four Joyce Mendenhall "Yes, I Can" awards. 

Photos by Aileen Wilson

MASTER GARDENER OF THE YEAR: Mariette Spidel (Class of 2017) 

Sanctioned hours: 501.5. Non-sanctioned hours: 25.5. Education hours: 120.5. 

If there is an activity that needs help, Mariette is there. She brings incredible energy and refreshing ideas to what she does, whether it is redesigning a garden or painting pictures of worms on a fence. Compost Demonstration Site. This past year, she co-chaired the Compost Demonstration Site sanctioned project. She and Geri Alvis led the massive renovation of the site. She helped attract new WCMG volunteers to the compost site which resulted in a three-fold increase of volunteer hours in 2023. She helped establish new project goals and made detailed plans. Mariette helped with a vermicomposting program, "Barrel of Water and Bucket of Worms," a make-and-take class presented to the public. She organized a first-time "worm adoption" event. Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Mariette oversees the heritage vegetable garden. She worked with the museum staff to move the garden to a more suitable location. Mariette also collects seeds to be given away for the museum's free seed bank. New MG Training Program. Mariette has interviewed applicants, is a leader for the Mentoring Committee, and helps with the training classes.

Mariette is a 2024 Executive Committee member-at-large. She is a regular volunteer at the Washington County Fair. Mariette’s knowledge, kindness, and professionalism has a positive impact on the local community as well as current and future Master Gardeners. She is the quintessential example of a Master Gardener.

MASTER GARDENER "ROOKIE" OF THE YEAR: Roxanne Gallup 

Sanctioned hours: 241. Education hours: 34.5. 

Roxanne is a retired elementary school teacher. Learning and sharing knowledge are at the heart of most everything she does. She found her niche at two Washington County Master Gardener (WCMG) sanctioned projects—the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (BGO) and the Compost Demonstration Site—but also spent time at other sanctioned projects, including the VA Community Garden, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, and the Extension Office grounds. Roxanne’s work at BGO was multifaceted. She jumped right in as a steady horticulture volunteer, starting in early March and maintained a twice-weekly presence during the growing season. Roxanne trained as a butterfly education volunteer and helped maintain the Butterfly House, working alongside Kitty Sanders to keep the area clean and spider-free. She provided butterfly education and outreach during field trips, Butterfly Days, and other BGO events. Roxanne was a lifesaver in BGO’s vegetable garden. Produce grown there is donated to the "Seeds That Feed" program. The new garden beds yielded over twice the produce harvested in years past. She helped with both the harvesting and replanting each week. At the VA Community Garden, she helped construct new metal raised beds. At the Compost Demonstration Site, Roxanne worked fervently during renovation of the site in the summer of 2023. She shared her creativity, computer skills, and tenacity to see tasks through to completion. Roxanne developed a PowerPoint presentation as requested by the compost project co-chairs. With a smile and a “What can I do next?” attitude, Roxanne is truly an exceptional WCMG rookie. 

PROJECT OF THE YEAR: Compost Demonstration Site

In 2023, 14 WCMGs recorded 984 sanctioned project hours at the Compost Demonstration Site. 2023 project co-leaders are WCMG Geri Alvis, co-leader for over five years, and new co-leader Mariette Spidel. 

The Compost Demonstration Site is located south of the Washington County Extension Office. It was one of the first WCMG sanctioned projects, opening on Earth Day 1999. The site is planted with native pollinators, herbs,perennials, annuals, vegetables, and fruits. WCMG garden-related activities include turning the bins, sifting compost, watering, and weeding. In 2023, the project was approved for additional funding for badly needed renovations. Total renovation costs were about $7400 for hardscape, tools, and new plants. The team even recycled items to other WCMG sanctioned projects at Lincoln and West Fork. Education of both WCMGs and community members was a renewed focus. Over a dozen classes with average of 13 participants received compost education at different programs on-site and in communities. The site was the featured sanctioned project during WCMG's 2023 Garden Gate Tour. Visitors came from Northwest Arkansas and as far as Little Rock. During the tour, 8 WCMGs discussed composting methods with 331 visitors. Classes on composting basics, vermicomposting, reducing food waste, and lessening the landfill footprint were provided to groups in Washington County, Madison County MGs, and a Farmington garden club. A workshop, "Barrel of Water and Bucket of Worms," involved six WCMGs from the project. Workshop attendees (25 in attendance) each assembled a vermicomposting bucket and a rain barrel to take home. Composting is important to the environment, the Master Gardener program, the Extension Service, and Washington County.

MENTOR OF THE YEAR: Patsy Louk (Class of 2009)

Sanctioned hours: 268.5. Education hours: 211.5. 

Patsy Louk is an exceptional ambassador, leader, mentor, and hands-on Master Gardener (MG) volunteer, both at the county and state level. She is passionate, approachable, and knowledgeable about the MG program. She knows how to effectively and masterfully retain and recognize MGs. Patsy enjoys getting to know trainees and matching their interests and talents with like-minded MGs. She is an excellent listener and communicator. She promptly responds to calls, texts, and emails requesting her input. Since 2016, she has mentored more than eight trainees or transfers. While mentoring, Patsy works alongside trainees at projects and on committees. Glowing testimonials are given by her mentees. She also mentors MGs new to committee and officer positions, offering suggestions and her time to make each MG a success. Patsy continues to enhance the WCMG and statewide County 76 programs through her leadership and mentoring, to ensure both will be vibrant and continue growing.  

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR: West Fork Gardens

In 2023, 18 WCMG volunteers contributed 594 sanctioned project hours. 2023 project co-leaders were Jan Hayes, Paula Dutton, and Aileen Wilson. 

West Fork Gardens became a sanctioned project in 2006. Early on, WCMGs recognized a need for more garden-related education for the community. Social interaction would also improve because of educational programs and activities. WCMGs help support library programming for all ages with interactive education programs, and UADA research-based gardening consultations. The West Fork Library reduces the socio-economic gap with educational, social, and internet access for the community. Other community partners include Good Earth Garden Club and NWA Master Naturalists. Target audiences are schooled-at-home and public-school children, tweens, teens, families, and adult groups. Total participants in 2023: 137 (6% of West Fork's population of approximately 2300). To duplicate this project elsewhere, WCMGs have created a shared drive folder, available upon request that will be refined throughout 2024.

INDIVIDUAL FRIEND OF WCMG: Gilbert Alvis 

For more than six years, Gilbert “Gil” Alvis has been a truly irreplaceable and valuable volunteer for Washington County Master Gardener sanctioned projects. Gil gladly approaches any task he is asked to do, no matter how small or large. He is also a member of the NWA Arkansas Master Naturalists. He is a nature lover and respecting nature is a priority in his life. Gil is the spouse of Geri Alvis, who co-chairs WCMG's Compost Demonstration Site sanctioned project. In early 2023, Geri enlisted Gil's help in getting the compost site ready for the WCMG Garden Gate Tour in June. Gil worked side by side with WCMG volunteers as the site was remodeled. He mended the fence and repaired and replaced parts of the storage shed. He helped with moving concrete blocks, set up new compost bins, and hauled away loads of odd and ends. He mowed and trimmed the site throughout the growing season. Gil is always smiling and willing to do whatever is needed to be accomplished or finished on each work day. He is truly an integral part of the project. 

ORGANIZATION FRIEND OF WCMG: City of West Fork Mayor Heith Caudle 

Founded in the 1880s, West Fork is a small town on the banks of the West Fork of the White River, ten miles south of Fayetteville. West Fork Gardens has been a WCMG sanctioned project since 2006. Four garden locations are maintained by WCMGs. The City provides a budget for plants, equipment, labor, mulch, and soil amendments for the gardens. The West Fork Gardens sanctioned project is blessed to have good community support from West Fork city officials and staff, including Mayor Heith Caudle, Public Works Director Isaac Harderson, Parks Director Chad Harrison, Public Library Director Marie Parks, and Finance Director Kristie Drymon. In 2023, West Fork community partners made over 577 visits to West Fork Garden sites and WCMG programs, with the city’s staff time-cost estimate at $7,332.61. The City also partners with WCMGs in garden-related education programs. Partnerships, open lines of communication, willingness to enact change and adopt new ideas on tight budgets is why West Fork lives up to its motto, "Where the Best Begins." 

JOYCE MENDENHALL "YES, I CAN" AWARD: Geri Alvis (Class of 2015)

Sanctioned hours: 338. Education hours: 416. 

No matter what needs to be done, Geri Alvis will do what is needed. This can range from last-minute things to long range planning. She has been co-chair of Headquarters House sanctioned project since 2017. She leads the Butterfly Garden section that doubled in size in 2023. Geri has been co-chair of the Compost Demonstration Site sanctioned project since 2016. In 2023, she was committed to the renovation of the Compost Demonstration Site to honor the late Joyce Mendenhall. She is a county fair judge for horticulture entries and stepped in to judge at the Crawford County Fair when a co-worker came down with Covid. Geri was a key leader in WCMG's vermicomposting class and also led a similar class for Madison County MGs. Since 2016, she has served as a WCMG leader for Farm Friends, organizing donations of cornbread for that event. Her WCMG committee contributions include Awards Committee and the Photo of the Month Contest Committee. She also contributes photos for most any WCMG event.  

JOYCE MENDENHALL "YES, I CAN" AWARD: Janice Walker (Class of 2021)

Sanctioned hours: 297. Education hours: 62.

Janice’s fingerprint is everywhere on five separate WCMG sanctioned projects. She has a positive impact on the MG program, the Extension Service, and the community. She is dependable and dedicated, and shares her gardening knowledge and skills. At the Elkins sanctioned project, she was there on scheduled workdays and watered four days a week during dry weather. She hauled garden waste and helped establish goals. At BGO, she is a key figure with the Vegetable Garden team, working rain or shine. At Headquarters House sanctioned project, she accepted co-leader responsibilities and shows outstanding work ethic and dedication. At the Washington County Fair sanctioned project, "Whatever is needed" is her motto. She also helped the Saturday Crew at Lincoln Community Gardens sanctiond project. Whatever the need, Janice always says, "I can do it."

ROOKIE JOYCE MENDENHALL "YES, I CAN" AWARD: Carrie Gamble

Sanctioned hours: 241. Education hours: 43.

Carrie has a keen interest in historic plants and loves learning about the many varieties at different sanctioned projects. Her joy, enthusiasm, helpfulness, and hard work always shows. Shiloh Museum. Carrie helped with Shiloh’s milkweed giveaway program and collected seeds. She even took home seeds to sort and package. She helped in the butterfly pollinator, and vegetable gardens, and the Free Seed Library. Headquarters House. She tackled any gardening chore, planted spring-flowering bulbs, and did other fall gardening chores into November. BGO. She helped with garden events, Butterfly House, and Sensory Garden. She was part of Berni’s group, weeding, planting, and mulching in the heat of summer. Compost Site. She helped with the vermicomposting class, general site clean-up, and turned compost bins. From mentor Judy Sartwell, "She did all this, while dividing her time between her home in Springdale, and her home in northern Italy. While in Italy she stayed in contact with her mentor to sign her up for projects. Her personal goal was to exceed 200 volunteer hours as a rookie and she did! She is inspiring to her classmates and to the Master Gardeners who know her. She certainly inspires me!" 

ROOKIE JOYCE MENDENHALL "YES, I CAN" AWARD: Gari James 

Sanctioned hours: 155. Education hours: 25.

Gari started off the year helping with many projects including BGO, where she helped with the Vegetable Garden renovation. At the Compost Demonstration Site she worked tirelessly from early March to June with site renovation. She helped prepare for the October “Barrel of Water and Bucket of Worms” community program. She offered to work over the winter break. Elkins Project. She represented the Elkins at the at the WCMG Project Fair. Washington County Fair. Gari represented the Compost Demonstration site, talking to visitors about composting. Gari attended Annuals to Perennials program with mentor Doris Cassidy. They wore beautifully decorated hats to celebrate the occasion. Doris describes Gari as "a great worker, dependable, pleasant, quick study, and fun! She inspires us all with her energy and thoughtfulness."

TROWEL, WATERING CAN, AND WHEELBARROW AWARDS 

Trowel: Those who recorded 200-plus sanctioned hours for 1–4 years.

Alfi Anderson, 391. Kristi Campbell, 220. Paula Dutton, 208. Roxanne Gallup (Rookie), 241. Carrie Gamble (Rookie), 252. Elizabeth Hale, 590. Darielle James, 373. Teri Kinsey, 261. Kathy Launder, 366. Jody Miskell, 368. Joanne Olszewski, 252. Aimee Payne, 356. Mariette Spidel, 585. Karen Hanna-Towne, 317. Janice Walker, 312. Aileen Wilson, 471.  

Watering Can: Those who recorded 200-plus sanctioned hours for 5–9 consecutive years.

Doris Cassidy, 485. Mary Beth Lohr, 407. Neta Winston, 230.

Wheelbarrow: Those who recorded 200-plus sanctioned hours for 10 or more consecutive years. Geri Alvis, 349. Chris Bell, 333. Jan Lefler, 485. Patsy Louk, 269. Gail Pianalto, 205. Kitty Sanders, 540. Jim Sposato, 343. Martha Ward, 204.

Note: Recipients of Trowel, Watering Can, and Wheelbarrow lapel pins who did not attend the awards program may go to the Extension Office to receive their pins.  

WCMG SANCTIONED PROJECTS RECORDING 1000-PLUS HOURS

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks: 4188.5 

Garden Gate Tour: 1390

Headquarters House: 1165.5

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History: 1104.5

Washington County Fair: 1181

WCMG VOLUNTEER HOURS BY CATEGORIES

15,526.25 project hours

3506 committee hours

636.25 non-sanctioned hours

8942 education hours

28,611.5 total hours

Washington County is so fortunate to have such dedicated and hard-working Master Gardeners.

Corn speedwell (Veronica arvensis). Photo by Talya Tate Boerner

I love this time of year when all the tiny weed flowers begin blooming. Tiny weed flowers are a sure sign that spring is just around the bend. I’ve already noticed a few butterflies flitting about in our yard!

In earliest spring after a long winter’s nap, the early butterflies and bees are hungry for nectar. Tiny weed flowers provide a sweet buffet for our earliest pollinators. If your goal is to rid your yard of these plants, I encourage you to look at them in a different light. Click to continue reading . . .

Bruce Redinger

I, like millions of others, am part of the wave of folks that discovered gardening at the beginning of the global pandemic. The safest projects, at the time, were found in a home landscape. Since September 2020, I’ve planted over 55 trees and 200 perennials and shrubs in our ⅔-acre residential lot. Neighbors describe it as "yard work." I see it as pure joy in what family refers to as my "happy place." I’m sure those reading this can relate.

My gardening journey has been a progressive discovery of trees, perennials, annuals, and geophytes. My love of food has yet to translate into the common understanding of "gardening" as food production. I suspect that will change under the influence of fellow Master Gardeners. I am grateful to be among plant lovers!

Pam Salamo

I have lived in Fayetteville for 50 years and love the Ozarks, the people, and the culture. I found it challenging to grow certain plants in this soil and climate—until I learned about native species. I thought at first that this would limit the number of species I could access, but it seems that every year brings something new and native to plant. My interest in seed germination and propagation piqued after the Master Gardener training classes we had in January. I am anxious for spring and the Master Gardener work program so I can put to use the ideas and resources I have learned so far.

Laura Anne Watson

Hi there, fellow gardeners. I am a newlywed for the first time ever at this age! Not only did I finally find the best guy ever, but I am also now a grandma to Caroline and Cooper and mom to sweet fur baby Daisy. And I live in the best place ever, Northwest Arkansas! This Dallas, Texas, transplant is not looking back. I was able to retire from being an RN after marriage. With more free time I discovered I love gardening. The best part about it is the yummy fresh tomatoes and beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds in my yard. Besides gardening, you can find me biking, boating, attending Barre3 classes, cooking, traveling, or cheering on any Razorback team.

FIRST PLACE

"Pretty in Pink Camellia" by Martha Haguewood

SECOND PLACE

"Buddha's Winter Repose" by John Ball

THIRD PLACE

"Winter Wonderland" by Alison Brashears

The March Photo of the Month contest theme is "Early Spring Bloomers." Deadline for submission is March 15. Contest details are available on the WCMG website.

WCMG's third annual Garden Gate Tour is set for Saturday, June 8. Between now and then, the Garden Thyme will feature each of the tour gardens, beginning with "The Gardening Robinette's 3.0" and "Neighborly Natives" in this issue.

Garden owners are already busy preparing their gardens for the tour. Master Gardeners can help them out with various projects such as preparing flower beds and weeding. (This counts as sanctioned project work!) If you would like to volunteer for a few hours, call or text Marilyn Misenhimer at 479-283-2683. Volunteers will also be needed at each garden on the day of the tour. Stay tuned for more information.

Online ticket sales for the garden tour will commence in late April on the WCMG website.

The Gardening Robinette's 3.0. WCMG Ruthanne Hill grew up playing in her grandparents’ gardens and greenhouses in Conway, Arkansas, when Robinette’s Flower and Garden Plants was THE place to shop for plants. Her parents had her gardening, too, back when a household garden was deemed essential in the South to feed a family throughout the year. Now, she is the gardener with two goals in mind—one aesthetic and the other gastronomic. Her garden includes native perennials, including five varieties of milkweed, coneflowers, coreopsis, butterfly bush, a chaste tree, and more, with bright annuals mixed in for color and fill. The gastronomic goal is met with a long herb garden along the front walk soo she can cut while she cooks and still having plenty to dry for the rest of the year. Raised beds in the backyard house the vegetable garden. With the use of vertical structures, she grew 665 pounds of produce in 320 square feet of space last year.  Photos by Ruthanne Hill

“Gardening is spending time in nature, and not everyone is blessed to enjoy quiet time with God’s creatures.”

Neighborly Natives. WCMG Mariette Spidel has spent eleven years slowly removing residential landscape and transitioning to 90% native perennials, trees, and shrubs, with a focus on host plants that support pollinators and hummingbirds. The result is a blended garden of the her favorites like agastache (a magnet for hummingbirds, bees, and insects), milkweed, and native grasses. In total, there are over 25 different native plants and shrubs across the property. The main pollinator garden offers DIY water features for birds and butterflies, as well as a native bee house. Her organic vegetable garden includes a charming garden shed. Gardening, houseplants, propagation, and nurturing things that grow have been a part of Mariette's life since she was a small child alongside her maternal grandparents. Photos by Mariette Spidel

Photo by Aileen Wilson

Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash

GWN means "Garden Wants and Needs" and is a new spot in the Garden Thyme to make requests and present offers for all things gardening.

• You can offer or request plants, garden tools, garden supplies, garden labor, or consultations.
• You can offer or request transportation to meetings or conferences.
• You can offer or request a roommate for a conference or convention.

Send your offers and requests to wcmgnewsletter@gmail.com and we’ll include them in the next issue of the Garden Thyme. 

This calendar features events close to home. To stay in the know about MG and UADA gardening-related activities across Arkansas, sign up for the state calendar of events sent by the Extension Service headquarters in Little Rock.

MARCH 1, 5:00–8:00 p.m. MEMBERS-ONLY ORCHID SHOW AND SALE. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (BGO). $10 adult/$5 child. Registration information.

MARCH 2, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ORCHID SHOW AND SALE. BGO. $10 adult/$5 child. Registration information.

MARCH 3, 12:00–4:00 p.m. ORCHID SHOW AND SALE. BGO. $10 adult/$5 child. Registration information.

MARCH 5, 10:00–11:30 a.m. ARMCHAIR BIRDWATCHING: THE JOY OF BIRDING FROM HOME. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), 481 S. Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville. $19 OLLI member/$34 non-member. Registration information.

MARCH 7, 12:00–1:00 p.m. GROW YOUR OWN GROCERIES: SALAD GREENS. Zoom program by Faulkner County agriculture agent Krista Quinn. Registration information.

MARCH 9, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. BERRIES 101. BGO. $5 member/$15 non-member. Registration information.

MARCH 9, 10:00–11:00 a.m. EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL NATIVE PLANTS. Compton Gardens and Arboretum, 312 N. Main Street, Bentonville. $10. Registration information.

MARCH 10, 2:00–3:30 p.m. ARCHEOLOGY OF NATIVE FOODS. Hobbs State Park, Visitor Center, 20201 AR-12, Rogers. Free. No registration required.

MARCH 16, 1:00–3:30 p.m. WATERCOLOR BOUQUET. Class taught by Beth Woessner. BGO. $125 member/$135 non-member. Registration information.

MARCH 16, 2:00–4:00 p.m. ARKANSAS SNAKES. J. B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands, 3400 N. 40th, Springdale. Free.

MARCH 16, 2:00–3:00 p.m. MILKWEEDS OF ARKANSAS AND THEIR CREATURES. Hosted by Wild Ones Ozark Chapter. Crystal Bridges Museum, Classrooms Bellows and Cassatt, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville. No registration required.

MARCH 19, 5:00–7:00 p.m. INDIGENOUS WISDOM, SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, AND THE TEACHINGS OF PLANTS WITH ROBIN WALL KIMMERER. Hosted by Wild Ones National. Livestream online. $14 active Wild Ones member/$18 general public. Registration information.

MARCH 21, 1:00–2:00 p.m. THE OZARK CHINQUAPIN TREE. Hobbs State Park, Discovery Room in the Visitor Center. Free. No registration.

MARCH 21, 6:00–7:30 p.m. RAISED BED AND CONTAINER GARDENING. BGO. $5 member/ $15 non-member. Registration information.

MARCH 23, 9:00–11:00 a.m. BIRDS AND BREAKFAST. Hobbs State Park, Visitor Center. Free. No registration required.

MARCH 23, 2:00–4:30 p.m. SPRING WREATH WORKSHOP. BGO. $150 member/ $160 non-member. Registration information.

MARCH 24, 2:00–3:00 p.m. GROWING FIGS IN COLD CLIMATES WITH THE AMERICAN FIG COMPANY. White River Nursery. Free. Registration information.

MARCH 25, 1:30–3:30 p.m. CONSERVATION—A RECENT ACTIVITY? OLLI. Butterfield Trail Village, Joyce Blvd., Fayetteville. $19 OLLI member/$34 non-member. Registration information.

MARCH 30, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. WILDFLOWERS: MORE THAN WEEDS. Hobbs State Park, Sinking Stream Trailhead. Free. No registration required.

MARCH 30, 2:00–3:30 p.m. MUSHROOM GARDENING. BGO. $50 member/$60 non-member. Registration information.

MARCH 31, 3:00–3:30 p.m. VENOMOUS SNAKES OF ARKANSAS. Hobbs State Park, Visitor Center. Free. No registration required.

The Garden Thyme email address is wcmgnewsletter@gmail.com. Please use this address for submissions and for questions and comments specific to the newsletter. For other needs, please contact the appropriate officer or chairperson listed in your WCMG Member Resource Guide.

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

Judy Smith, managing editor/submissions; Mary McCully, editor/submissions and videos; Pam Butler, reporter; Olivia Harrington, reporter; Lynette Terrell, reporter; Susan Young, production assistant.

Send all newsletter submissions to Judy Smith or Mary McCully.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Liz Hale, president; Alfi Anderson, vice president; Kathy Launder, secretary, Glenda Patterson, treasurer; Marilyn Misenhimer, assistant treasurer. Members at large: Carole Ball, Marty Powers, Mariette Spidel. Ex officio: Joanne Olszewski, past president; Colin Massey, Washington County extension agent for agriculture and horticulture.

Banner photo of thyme courtesy Lucy Meskill/flickr

WCMG Facebook Page

(public)

WCMG Facebook Group (private)

WCMG Instagram

WCMG website

Washington County

Extension Service website

Take heed! If you unsubscribe to emails from Washington County Master Gardeners, you will no longer receive the Garden Thyme newsletter and WCMG-related news.