Marion County Master Gardeners News

​The Marion County Master Gardeners met Saturday, March 1 for their regular business meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 9:01 am by President Linda Pitts. The group went over the status of their Garden Projects around the county, including: Have A Heart Pet Shelter Garden; Marion County Courthouse Garden; the Garden at Harps / Breadeaux in Yellville; the Yellville City Park Pavilion Garden; the Marion County Extension Office Butterfly Garden; and the Butterfly Garden at the James A. Gaston Visitor's Center in Bull Shoals. Work days were scheduled for several of the gardens to prepare them for spring.

The group discussed the upcoming Annual Plant & Bake Sale which will be held Friday, April 18th at the Pavilion in Yellville City Park. Doors will open at 7:30 am with sales continuing until sold out. There will be garden vegetable starts, native plants, berry bushes, houseplants, perennials, ornamentals, flowers, shrubs, herbs, succulents, garden art, gardening books and much more.

The group will also have a bake sale with cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, coffee, and more. In addition, there will be an "Arkansas Auction" for some very nice garden prizes. The sale will be held rain or shine. The public is encouraged to shop early as the sale usually sells out quickly. Cash, checks, and cards will be accepted.

Vice President Rick Tenison led a discussion on tips for best success in starting seeds and potting up plants for the continuing education portion of the meeting.

The next meeting will be held at Yellville City Park under the Pavilion on Saturday, April 12th. The group will meet at 8am for a workday in the Park Garden Project to pot up daylilies and canna lilies, as well as weed and spread mulch. The business meeting will begin at 9am. Meetings are open to anyone interested in gardening.

Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who work in partnership with their county Cooperative Extension Office to extend research-based gardening information throughout the community.

For more information about Marion County Master Gardeners, visit www.MarionCountyMasterGardeners.com or call the Marion County Cooperative Extension Office at 870-449-6349.