Plant-growing class is Sunday at Arboretum

The Union County Master Gardeners will hold a free workshop on plant propagation Sunday at the South Arkansas Arboretum.

“Plant propagation is the process by which new plants grow from a variety of sources: seeds, cuttings and other plant parts,” Master Gardener Barbie Luther explained. “Plants reproduced by cuttings and layering, a technique which will be explained at the workshop, are genetically the same as the parent plant.”

Master Gardener Jana Foster will be joined by John Tinsley, 2016 Arkansas Friend of Master Gardeners, to discuss different methods of propagation, including from seeds, air layering, ground layering, division and rooting stem cuttings.

Propagation can be used to preserve the genetics of heirloom plants, or to reproduce favorite plants without spending a lot of money on new plants.

The free workshop will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Seating will be limited, but attendees are welcome to bring a folding chair, Luther said. One attendee will take home a door prize, as well.

Becoming a Master Gardener

The registration period for the fall Master Gardener training has been extended to Sept. 20. The five-week online training course will allow local residents to join the Union County Master Gardeners and receive continuing education on horticulture.

The Union County Master Gardeners are responsible for beautification volunteer projects at several local spots, including the Arboretum, El Dorado City Hall Garden, Hope Landing, the Medical Center of South Arkansas Café Courtyard garden and Yocum Primary.

“We have recently partnered with the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society on a new project at the Newton House Museum to rejuvenate the gardens. We will be adding an herb garden and are doing research on plants historically used in gardens of that time,” Luther said in July.

Information about the training and applications to register are available from the Union County Extension Office, which one can reach by calling 870-864-1916.