St. Francis County Master Gardeners
All gardens are suffering from the hot and dry July. Try not to cry about the flowers, veggies, lawns, trees, and shrubs that are dying even after all the tender loving care you have given them. Instead, start planning for next year. Replace these plants with drought-resistant perennials that are native to the Delta. Driving around, you will see what looks pretty; these may be the ones you want to plant. You can find a list of these native plants on the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service website. (www.uada.edu)
Watering the gardens does help, but the big drawback is that grass and weeds germinate their seeds and grow faster in the heat and extra watering. This is a never-ending headache that can be helped by treating with a preemergent in the early spring and covering with a thick layer of clean mulch that is clear of weed seeds.
Contrary to popular belief, a brown lawn isn't necessarily a dead lawn. Grasses go dormant in times of drought, but they will quickly return to life with the fall rains. If a lush green lawn is important to you and you don't mind mowing, water regularly and deeply. If a water shortage is expected, or you dislike tending to grass, you may choose just to let your lawn go dormant and water it as seldom as once a month. You can also raise the cutting height of the mower. Taller grass cools the roots and helps to keep the moisture in the soil longer. It is hard to kill grass completely!
Forrest City Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning in the Civic Center parking lot. Locally grown produce always tastes better than produce shipped in from other areas. It is a wonderful place to visit with friends and neighbors and to get ideas for your own garden.
August is the time to get free seeds. Start collecting dried seeds from perennials such as coreopsis, butterfly weed, purple coneflowers, and many others. Let them dry on the plants and then gently harvest them and store them in a dry place. They will be ready to plant in the early spring. An easier way to replant the seeds is to let them fall or drop in the place you want them next spring. In our planting zone, they will be safe in the ground throughout the winter months. Many gardeners will be happy to share seeds. Just ask.
Are you ready to watch for butterflies migrating through the Delta to Northern Mexico? Later this month, they will be stopping here on their long flight. Unfortunately, these butterflies are in danger of becoming extinct.
They have several enemies, such as the herbicides and pesticides we spray on our yards and gardens, animals in nature, and mechanical transportation. Gardeners can help support this beautiful part of our lives by planting Butterfly Gardens. Some of the easiest plants to grow are Porter weed, milkweed, butterfly bush, lantana, poppy, zinnia, marigolds, and pink pentas. Butterflies lay eggs on these plants, where they mature into a caterpillar that feeds on the leaves. Do not worry about harm to the plant; the leaves will grow back quickly. The next stage is the pupa or chrysalis, from which the adult butterfly comes to life, and the cycle starts over. Many gardeners who do not understand this process will spray the plants when the caterpillars start eating the leaves thinking the bugs are killing the plant.
Start now to consider attracting hummingbirds to your yard next spring. Having many hummingbird feeders is one way, but they require a timeconsuming job of cleaning and feeding. An easier option is to plant a hummingbird-friendly yard. Hummingbirds like azaleas of all colors, but bright pink and red flowers catch their eye in early spring and fall. Rhododendron, cosmos, nasturtium, Crabapple, and redbud trees are all favorites of this beautiful bird. In midsummer, they look for the lilies. These plants will also attract butterflies to your yard.
A young gardener had an area of his property that he had a hard time mowing. Two springs ago, he plowed it up and leveled it out in one morning. He bought a box of wildflower seeds and hand-sowed them over this area, planting a beautiful garden that attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other birds. After a big frost, he takes an hour to rake up the dead leaves and let the seeds fall where they may. It was a happy decision, and he wishes he had done it sooner.
Master Gardeners are always planning something. News will come about a fall seminar, and everyone will be invited. If you love gardening, it will be a day you will not want to miss.
If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, an easy way to get certified as a Master Gardener is to take Master Gardener classes. Call the University of Arkansas Extension Office at the county courthouse to get more information. 870-2611730
(EDITOR’S NOTE: St. Francis County Master Gardeners share “Gardening Tips” each month. The information has been gleaned from gardening guides for planting zones 7 and 8.)