-Baxter County Master Gardeners-
  • About Master Gardeners
    • National Mission Statement
    • UAEX - Univ of AR Extension Service >
      • Baxter County Extension Office
      • The UA Cooperative Extension Service
      • UAEX Master Gardener Program
    • Baxter County Gov't >
      • County Extension Council
      • County Extension Service
    • Our Structure, Rules & Guidelines >
      • 2023 Organization Chart
      • Bylaws
      • Standing Rules
      • Duties, Projects & Events
      • New Member Orientation
      • Continuing Education & Training
      • Member Status
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Events & Outreach
    • Calendar of Events
    • Join Us At Our Meeting
    • Radio Program
    • Annual Plant Sale
    • Spring Seminar
    • Farmers Market
    • Fair Horticulture Room
    • Public Education Booths
    • Hatchery Outdoor Adventure
    • Scholarship
  • Garden Projects
    • Fairgrounds Garden
    • Bull Shoals
    • Clysta Willett
    • Cooper Park
    • Fish Hatchery
    • Extension Office
    • Memorial Gardens
    • Library Pollinator Garden
  • Gardening Tips
    • NATIVE PLANTS
    • Seminar 2025
    • Bringing Nature into your Garden >
      • Native Plant Finder (research by Doug Tallamy, PhD)
      • Creating a Landscape With Native Plants
      • Native Drought-Tolerant Plants
      • Well-Behaved Natives
      • Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
      • Invasive Non-Natives
    • Seminar Horticulture Table
    • DIY Projects
    • Miscellaneous Gardening Projects
  • Members Only
    • Enter Your Hours
    • MG Roster
    • Forms
Ozark Green Thumb
BCMG Monthly e-Newsletter
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help wanted

12/31/2018

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BCMG Audit Committee 
Volunteers needed to perform audit due by March 31, 2019, to state. 
Contact Frank Sinning.


2019 Meeting Speakers
There are some openings for speakers at our monthly meetings.
​Contact Susan Chamberlain if you have some ideas or volunteers.


Spring Seminar 2019 Volunteers

Volunteers Needed  for Spring Seminar Committees.
Be a part of our 25th Anniversary!!
​Sign up at next MG meeting!!
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2018 end of year award recipients

12/31/2018

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The Baxter County Master Gardeners presented four End of Year Awards  at the December 13th meeting.

Judy Niziolek (2012) was the recipient of the 2018 Master Gardener of the Year Award. Judy's service to the BCMGs includes multiple years co-chair of the annual plant sale; and she is currently chairman of the Extension Office Project Site.

The 2018 Project Site of the Year Award was received by the Bull Shoals/White River State Park Gardens co-chairs Betsy Durham (2009) and Marguerita Schmutzler (2006).

Debbie Legner (2017) received the 2018 Rookie of the Year Award. Debbie is the "Ozark Green Thumb"  newsletter editor and Buddy Message Coordinator.

The 2018 Friend of the BCMG Award was announced during the 97.1 Mountain Talk Radio Show to Scott Ramos. BCMGs appreciate the air time that gives us the opportunity to tell the public about gardening topics and activities of the Baxter County Master Gardeners.
​
Congratulations to all the award recipients!
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January 2019 garden and MG events

12/31/2018

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​1 - Extension office is closed
4 & 5 - Horticulture Industry Show, Fayetteville, AR. 
11 - Deadline for MG Award Nominations
15 - Deadline for Years of Service List from counties. Email list to [email protected]
15 - Registration for 2019 MG Conference opens 
15 - Deadline for County MG Project Scholarship Nominations
22 - County 76 General Membership Meeting, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., State Extension Office in Little Rock, 2301 South University Ave.  
28 - Master Gardener Monday, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. (link sent out morning of the meeting day)
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January garden calendar

12/31/2018

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The following is the January  garden checklist:
  • Baxter County Master Gardener Seminar is on March 23rd at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Center in Mtn. Home. Seminar topics and speakers are: “Bringing Nature Home” and “Are Introduced Plants Bad?” – Doug Tallamy, “Gardening for Reasons Beyond Beauty” – Lucinda Reynolds, “Well Behaved Natives for the Home Landscape” – Lissa Morrison and “The Natural State, Naturally” – Ken Forman. There is a fee of $30 per person to attend the seminar and this includes lunch. Attendance is limited and pre-registration is required. To register mail name, address, phone number, e-mail (if available) and check payable to BCMG to: Kathrine Gilmore, BCMG Seminar, 275 Sharon Dr., Mtn. Home, AR 72653 or go to http://www.baxtercountymg.com/spring-seminar.html.
  • An herbicide containing glyphosate can be used on dormant bermudagrass lawns in January or February when temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for winter weed control.  Make sure your bermuda lawn is completely dormant or you will damage it.
  • Mulch is important in protecting young plants from frost heaving. A 2- to 3-inch mulch will reduce heaving problems which occurs with alternate freezing and thawing. Newly planted plants (2-inch potted plants) can be pushed completely out of the ground.
  • January through February is a good time of year to move plants from one location in the landscape to another.  Water and mulch transplanted plants well.
  • More on trees. Remove grass and maintain 3’ to 4’ diameter of grass free area around young trees. Many research studies have all come to the same conclusion, that eliminating competition from around the immediate area of the tree contributes to a dramatic increase in growth of the tree. Keep a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch in this grass-free area.
  • Staking newly planted trees is recommended for large trees. However, stakes should be removed after the first growing season. Stakes should be loose to allow the tree to sway in the wind. Trees allowed to sway develop a stronger root system and a sturdier trunk.
  • A word on watering trees. Water as needed but let the soil dry down somewhat between irrigation. Waterlogged soils kill many tree species. Remember, plant roots need to have fresh air to breathe, or they will drown, just as you would, in a bucket of water.
  • Winter is pruning time for most landscape trees.  You may need to remove lower limbs of young trees each winter as it matures.  Ideally you would want your lowest limb six feet from the ground. Do any corrective pruning while trees are young, removing narrow crotch angles, double forks, etc.  Remember to cut limbs back to the trunk leaving only the small ridge.  No sealants are necessary.  You can expect a wound from a 1-inch limb to heal over by the second year after cutting if not by the end of the first year.  Larger wounds will take longer to seal.
  • Vegetable gardens need to be cleaned up if you haven’t done so. Winter cleanup reduces insect and disease pressure for the coming growing season. This refuse probably needs to stay out of the compost pile. Our compost piles may not get hot enough to kill harmful pathogens. Asparagus stalks can be cut back and beds need a new layer of compost (2 to 3 inches).
  • Till garden plots without a cover crop to expose overwintering insects to the winter cold. Do not till when soil moisture is high causing clods to form. Incorporate compost, animal manures, etc., at the same time to garden plots needing organic matter.
  • This winter, remove bagworm bags from shrubs which were infested this past summer. Eggs were deposited within the bags by female worms shortly before they died. Physically removing and destroying the bags will reduce or eliminate problems this summer.
  • This is a good time of year to cut poison ivy vines from trees at the ground level and paint the cut end with full strength Brush-B-Gon or glyphosate. Handle vines with plastic gloves and wash up thoroughly to avoid itching results.
  • Avoid the temptation to fertilize houseplants during the winter months unless they are under grow lights or very high light conditions.
  • When the temperatures are below freezing, avoid much contact with plant material outside. Frozen plants are brittle, and limbs can be broken easily. If ice or snow are on your plants, use caution around them. Heavy loads of snow can be lightly brushed off, but stay away from ice-laden plants. You can't remove the ice without breaking off branches.
  • Mulch strawberry beds now with straw. Keep the straw off the crowns. The straw will keep fruit from touching the soil and rotting.
  • Don’t forget about the birds. Make sure they have fresh water to drink and food to eat.
 For more information on any of the above points, contact the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension office at 425-2335.
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upcoming advanced training classes

12/31/2018

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​County 76 Advanced Training Project is sponsoring three classes for the Spring of 2019. Participation in all three will provide you a variety of information to apply in your home/garden, local Master Gardener program, and your community. All are reasonably priced.
     
MARCH 8 (Fri) & 9 (Sat) - Crittenden County: Master Gardeners: Faithful Stewards of the Environment

MARCH 26 (Tues) & 27 (Wed) - Faulkner County: Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives

MAY 31 (Friday) - Pulaski County: H2O: How to Protect, Preserve and Conserve our Water 


More information can be found on the County 76 / Advanced Training page

Click here to see more information

Thank you,
Marty Lynch, Chair
Advanced Training Project
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MG online training information

12/2/2018

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Information about the 2019 MG online training.

  • MG online training information
  • 2019 online training application

Mark Keaton
County Extension Agent-Staff Chair
Baxter County Extension Service
3 E. 9th St.
Mountain Home, AR 72653
870-425-2335
870-425-2341 (Fax)

[email protected]
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mark Keaton retirement reception

12/1/2018

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​Billie Collins
CES 4-H Agent
3 E. 9th Street
Mountain Home, AR 72653
870-425-2335/Fax 870-425-2341
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master gardener zoom mondays

12/1/2018

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 Master Gardener Mondays 

Master Gardener Monday sessions are generally held the fourth Monday of every month from 3:00 - 4:00 pm ONLINE using ZOOM. The dates are posted in Buddy Messages. A link to access the ZOOM session will be sent the morning of the meeting.

Here are some aids to help you join a Zoom Meeting:

​Quick Tip sheet for Joining a Zoom Meeting  
 
or 
 
Detailed Directions (by device) from the Zoom Help Center:  https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362283-How-Do-I-Join-or-Test-My-Computer-Device-Audio-
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Plant Nurture Grow Conference 2019

12/1/2018

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Plant, Nurture, Grow
ATTENTION ALL MASTER GARDENERS: 

Save the dates of August 23-24, 2019, for our next PLANT, NUTURE, GROW Leadership Conference, (PNG) in Ferndale!!

·      Enjoy fellowship and fun while you improve your leadership skills.

·      Improve your personal understanding of the Master Gardening program.

Save August 23-24, 2019 for PNG!! (not the date shown on MG calendars)
AUGUST 23-24, 2019
Ferndale –C. A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center

Chair: Debora Carpenter (Prairie County)
Co-chair: Gail McClure (Hot Spring/Garland Counties) ​
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December 2018 GARDEN AND MASTER GARDENER EVENTS

12/1/2018

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​December 2018 Garden and Master Gardener Events
15 - Volunteer hours deadline for 2018
17 - Master Gardener Monday Zoom Session, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.  (link will be emailed out to those on constant contact the morning of the session)
24 thru Jan. 1 - State Extension Office closed for the holidays.
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Happy Retirement to Mark Keaton

12/1/2018

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Mark Keaton is retiring December 2018.

Mark Keaton is the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Agent Staff Chair for Baxter County.  As county Extension Agent in Baxter County, Mark works with livestock and forage producers, homeowners and the 4-H youth.  He is an Ex-Officio Member of the Baxter County Fair Board. Mark holds Classes to train Fair Judges. He also recruits and trains Master Gardener volunteers to represent the Extension Service and to help disseminate gardening information.

Mark grew up on a beef cattle and poultry farm in northwest Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with Bachelor and Master of Science degrees. He began working for the Cooperative Extension Service in 1985 and transferred to Baxter County in 1989.   Mark was awarded the 2016 Arkansas Master Gardener County Agent of the Year.

As our County Extension Agent, Mark Keaton is our liaison with the University of Arkansas Agriculture Department. Mark supports Baxter County MGs with his accessibility and knowledge and his attendance at our Board and Membership Meetings.  Mark has a weekly column regarding horticulture, farming and livestock issues and the "Monthly Gardening Calendar" published in our local newspaper, the Baxter Bulletin. Mark chairs the Baxter County Extension Council Agriculture Sub-Committee meetings to review programs and to identify needs for Baxter County citizens. Mark as Staff Chair, and Billie Collins 4-H, helped Arkansas host the 2016 National Agriculture County Agents Association Conference.  Over a thousand agents nationwide attended the Conference to receive professional development during the hundreds of sessions offered. 

Mark and his wife Donya live in Midway.   Their son, Brett is 22 years old and will graduate in May 2019 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with an Ag Business degree. Mark enjoys going to Razorback football and baseball games; watching St. Louis Cardinal Baseball games; and Professional Bull Riding and rodeos. 

Thank you, Mark, for all the support you have given the Baxter County Master Gardeners. We will miss you. Enjoy your retirement!!!







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REPORTING HOURS DEADLINE - December 15TH

12/1/2018

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Arkansas Master Gardeners
Reporting Volunteer Hours Deadline for 2018
is December 15, 2018

Please enter ALL your volunteer hours for 2018 by December 15, 2018.
If you have trouble reporting your hours,
contact your county online reporting manager.


The system closes on December 15, 2018.

Every hour is important!
Final numbers are used in state and county reports.
​
​
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Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives Adv Training Class

12/1/2018

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SAVE THE DATE 

Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives Advanced Training Class
 
Hosted by Faulkner County Master Gardeners
Dates:  March 26 & 27, 2019 (Tues. Wed)
 
Location: First United Methodist Church, Conway, Arkansas, 1610 Prince St, Conway, AR 72034

Overview: Research shows that having trees in communities has many benefits.  From improving the health of residents and reducing flooding of city streets to encouraging economic development and reducing crime, communities are healthier when they have an abundance of well-cared for trees.  This training will introduce Master Gardeners to concepts of community forestry.  Master Gardeners will gain understanding of the value of trees in communities and be empowered to improve their own communities by providing tree care guidance and assistance.

Registration will be available in January.

​
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  • About Master Gardeners
    • National Mission Statement
    • UAEX - Univ of AR Extension Service >
      • Baxter County Extension Office
      • The UA Cooperative Extension Service
      • UAEX Master Gardener Program
    • Baxter County Gov't >
      • County Extension Council
      • County Extension Service
    • Our Structure, Rules & Guidelines >
      • 2023 Organization Chart
      • Bylaws
      • Standing Rules
      • Duties, Projects & Events
      • New Member Orientation
      • Continuing Education & Training
      • Member Status
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Events & Outreach
    • Calendar of Events
    • Join Us At Our Meeting
    • Radio Program
    • Annual Plant Sale
    • Spring Seminar
    • Farmers Market
    • Fair Horticulture Room
    • Public Education Booths
    • Hatchery Outdoor Adventure
    • Scholarship
  • Garden Projects
    • Fairgrounds Garden
    • Bull Shoals
    • Clysta Willett
    • Cooper Park
    • Fish Hatchery
    • Extension Office
    • Memorial Gardens
    • Library Pollinator Garden
  • Gardening Tips
    • NATIVE PLANTS
    • Seminar 2025
    • Bringing Nature into your Garden >
      • Native Plant Finder (research by Doug Tallamy, PhD)
      • Creating a Landscape With Native Plants
      • Native Drought-Tolerant Plants
      • Well-Behaved Natives
      • Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
      • Invasive Non-Natives
    • Seminar Horticulture Table
    • DIY Projects
    • Miscellaneous Gardening Projects
  • Members Only
    • Enter Your Hours
    • MG Roster
    • Forms