Washington County Master Gardeners

10/07/2026

🦋 WCMG and The All American Steakhouse & Sports Theater in Springdale are teaming up to raise funds for WCMG's new community education program, "Butterfly Magic." 🦋

On Tuesday, October 20, All American Steakhouse will donate to WCMG 10% of food sales—dine in or carry out—from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Money raised will be used to purchase copies of The Life Cycles of Butterflies (winner of a Teachers' Choice Award from Learning magazine) which will then be distributed free of charge to families who attend a Butterfly Magic program.

The All American Steakhouse & Sports Theater is located at 3492 W. Sunset Avenue in Springdale, AR.

This fundraiser event is open to the public, so please help us spread the word by sharing this post.

🦋 Thanks for the community support All American Steakhouse & Sports Theatre! 🦋

10/07/2026

🤔 Is It Dead — or Just Drought-Stressed?

After a dry summer, some perennials may look brown, brittle, or completely finished. But don’t be too quick to pull them out.

Before winter:
• Check stems and crowns for signs of life.
• Water deeply if the soil is dry, especially before the ground freezes.
• Remove truly dead or diseased growth, but avoid heavy pruning on plants that benefit from winter protection.
• Add a light layer of mulch around the root zone, keeping it away from the crown.

A struggling perennial may simply be conserving energy below ground. A little care this fall can give it a much better chance of returning in spring.

One more fall tip: If you use compost in your beds, add a thin layer of finished compost before mulching. It helps build organic matter and improve moisture retention through the seasons. Then add 2–3 inches of mulch, keeping both compost and mulch away from the crown of the plant.

When in doubt, wait until spring before giving up on it.

10/03/2026

🗓 It's time to give houseplants a check up before winter.

🪴 Soon it will be time to bring houseplants indoors and settling them in for winter, it’s a good time to take a closer look at what’s happening below the potting media.

Over time, minerals and soluble salts from tap water and fertilizers can accumulate in potting media. You may notice a white or crusty residue on the soil surface or around the rim of the pot. Excess buildup can interfere with a plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients and may eventually contribute to stressed roots or browning leaf tips. Washing pots with excessive build up is suggested.

Before reaching for a larger pot, check the plant first. If roots are tightly circling the root ball, growing through drainage holes, or the soil has become compacted and drains poorly, fresh potting mix—and possibly a slightly larger container—may be helpful.

If the plant is not root-bound, keeping it in the same container is acceptable.

As daylight decreases, most houseplants also slow their growth. Reduce fertilizing accordingly and pay close attention to watering; plants generally use less water during the shorter days of fall and winter.

A little attention to the soil now can help your houseplants head into winter with healthier roots—and be ready for stronger growth when spring returns. The number one way to kill a houseplant is usually over watering. Once a week is sufficient.

Take note: Review your houseplants preferred lighting and water to keep it happy all year long.🪴

See the comments for specific directions on cleaning flower pots.

09/04/2026

Come to the Arkansas Insect Festival! We'll be there with gardening info to share, so be sure to stop by our booth and say hi.

Check out the UA Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology on Facebook for festival details.

08/14/2026

🌡It's hot! Tree stress is very visible now. See these tips on caring for trees during extreme heat and high temperatures.

Essential Heat Care Tips:

💦 Water deeply: Soak the soil slowly.

Water Distribution: Apply water under the entire canopy footprint (the drip line) rather than right against the trunk. For newly planted trees, water just outside the root ball to entice the roots to expand into the native soil.

Clay Soil Cycling: Because Arkansas clay and compacted soils cause rapid runoff, UAEX recommends a cycle watering method: run a soaker hose or drip system for 20 minutes, turn it off for 20 minutes to allow infiltration, and repeat until the soil is thoroughly wet.

⏳️ Time it right: Water during the early morning hours to reduce loss from evaporation.

🪏 Apply mulch: Put down a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch to keep roots cool and hold onto moisture, but keep it away from direct contact with the trunk. No volcano piles of mulch!

❌️ Skip extra stress: Avoid pruning or fertilizing trees while extreme heat and drought conditions persist.

🔗 Check out the link in comments on FAQ on trees.

08/11/2026

🌿 Good garden decisions begin with reliable information.

Whether you’re planning a new garden, choosing plants for fall, or saving ideas for next spring, knowing where to find trustworthy, locally relevant information makes all the difference.

This week’s Ask a Master resource features a collection of reliable plant databases from the Washington County Master Gardeners, including horticulture information from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

Use these resources to:

• Research specific plants
• Find selections suited to our area
• Compare growing requirements
• Plan ahead for fall or spring planting

Even if you aren’t planting this fall, winter is the perfect time to research, dream, and create a plan for spring. Save this link—you’ll want to return to it!

🔗 Explore the WMCGAR.ORG plant information page for a comprehensive list in the comments.

08/06/2026

Great information!

08/06/2026

One of my favorites!

💜Here's an upright perennial that's a well behaved clumper and can add a bright pop of color to your garden: Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)

🐝 According to the Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, this plant likes moist, rich soils (though doesn't like wet soils in winter). The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators, and the small seeds are attractive to songbirds. Mass in perennial borders, native plant gardens, cottage gardens and prairie areas. Suitable for use in fresh cut or dried flower arrangements.

Keep an eye out for this one, and try it in your own garden if you have the right conditions!

📝 Key Characteristics:
--Height: 2 - 4 feet
--Spread: 0.75 - 1.5 feet
--Bloom Time: July to August
--Bloom Description: Red-purple
--Sun: Full sun
--Water: Medium