Union County Master Gardeners

06/16/2026

The public is welcome to attend our Monthly Master Gardener meeting. Free to attend and no annual dues to join.

🗓️Thursday evening
⏰ 5:00 PM
📍Simmons Bank Community Room, second floor

Come early for refreshments and to meet the master gardeners.

06/14/2026

These master gardener volunteers shared expertise with Farmers Market visitors on cultivating small gardens and offered complimentary seeds and plants, featuring tomatoes, basil, bell peppers, and squash.

Individuals interested in the master gardener program can contact the Union County Extension Office at 870-864-1916 to learn more.

We appreciate these Master Gardeners: (front) Hal, Spencer, Jennifer; (back) Robert, Marilyn, Brenda, Peggy, Jessie, Jade, Jules, Cherie and Diane (photographer).

06/12/2026

Come by our tent tomorrow at the Farmers Market from 8-12. We will show you how to mix soil to start a small vegetable garden! We have a few vegetable seeds and plants to giveaway too (as long as supplies last). Or just come by to ask us for gardening tips and advice.

Making your plans for the weekend? Don't forget to start your Saturday off right by visiting the Farmers Market on the Square in Downtown El Dorado! Every Saturday from 8am to noon until July 18, 2026.

06/09/2026

Master Gardeners Cherie Simpson, Brenda Maddox and Diane Cole pruned the salvia plants and sweet potato vines in the black downtown planters.

Pruning the blue salvia and sweet potato vines allow the Vinca and Nandina plants access to the sun ☀️… and better air flow. The green sweet potato vine is stunning but you have to give it ‘a hair cut’ or it’ll ‘take the hill.’ 😉

06/09/2026

⚠️🪰 New World Screwworm (NWS) has been confirmed in South Texas for the first time in decades and Arkansas producers and animal owners need to be aware.

NWS is a parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into the flesh of warm-blooded animals. It can affect livestock, pets, and wildlife. The good news: there are NO confirmed cases in Arkansas at this time, and NWS is both preventable and treatable.

✅ Here's what to watch for: wounds that aren't healing, foul-smelling discharge, tissue damage, or visible maggots in or around a wound. Animals may also appear lethargic, refuse to eat, or show signs of pain. Symptoms can progress quickly, so check animals more frequently than usual.

A few things producers can do now:
🐄 Dip navels in iodine solution on newborns
🩹 Treat all wounds promptly
🪰 Work with your vet to establish a fly control program
📋 Postpone elective procedures like castration, dehorning, and branding until cooler months when NWS flies are less active

If you suspect NWS, isolate the animal immediately and do not move it off the premises. Contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture at 501-225-1598 or [email protected].

Visit our NWS resource page for the latest updates:
🔗 uaex.uada.edu/screwworm

Arkansas Extension Small Ruminants Arkansas Extension Beef Systems

06/05/2026

Union County Master Gardeners attended the State Master Gardener Conference in Conway, where they were inspired by beautiful garden tours, innovative and knowledgeable speakers and fellow master gardeners throughout the state. The decorations were off the charts!👏🌸

06/01/2026

Grow your own food!

06/01/2026

😎It’s summertime! Harvest vegetables in the morning for best flavor. Replant warm-season vegetables as you harvest.

For June garden chores and to know which vegetables to plant then open the link below:
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/arkansas-garden/garden-guides/june.aspx

Find out what to do in your Arkansas garden in June!

05/31/2026

Purple Coneflower
Latin: Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'

The purple coneflower is an herbaceous perennial that is native to Arkansas, meaning they are hardy.

Purple coneflowers can grow 2 to 5 feet tall and benefit from support. These coneflower plants (pictured) are grown in El dorado, AR. They were staked with tomato cages cut in half when they were just 1 foot tall.

Thank you to Union County Master gardener, Diane Purvis, for sharing pictures of her beautiful plants!