The evolution of a Little Rock garden Story and Photos by Celia Roe Kristianna and John Pittenger, both retired educators and master gardeners, bought their home on a double corner lot in Little Rock’s Hillcrest area in 1975. The craftsman-style house, built in 1912, boasts large rooms and high ceilings. The exterior was built and …
Creating outdoor living spaces in the landscape Story and Photos by Garry V. McDonald Chances are if you grew up in the South before the days of now-ubiquitous air conditioning, the yard was as much a living space as the dining room or family den. I can remember homes with screened sleeping porches, which, alas, …
Story by David Longron Angelonia is sometimes called summer snapdragon for its resemblance to snapdragons, as well as for its tolerance of Southern heat. It is a tender perennial, but used as an annual in temperate climates. A prolific bloomer, with proper care angelonia will bloom from May until first frost. The Serena series is …
Keeping critters out of your vegetable garden Story and Photos by Bob Westerfield I’ll never forget the year I planted 10 long rows of sweet corn and was anxiously awaiting the delicious harvest. I knew from experience that I was only days away from enjoying the fresh delight of my beloved sweet corn. On the …
This master gardener’s Arkansas roots run deep Story by Dwain Hebda Memphis-born Joellen Beard, president of Pulaski County Master Gardeners, can trace her love for the beauty of growing things all way back to her childhood. “My grandparents lived in St. Charles (Arkansas County),” she said. “I always loved Arkansas. We came in the summers and …
Growing one of Arkansas’ most popular vegetables Story by Lisa D. Martin Banana pepper, also known as yellow wax pepper or banana chile, is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum. Along with their close relatives bell peppers and jalapenos, banana peppers are among the most popular vegetables grown in the United States. Banana peppers are believed …
Get to know your natives Story and Photo by Mary Russell-Evans I often wonder what other folks think of when they think about Arkansas. Razorbacks? Swamps? BBQ? Music? Mosquitos? As a child of the Ozarks, a totally different image comes to my mind. I think of the natural beauty I grew up with outside, climbing …
A master gardener majestic masterpiece Story by Susan Jasan Graceful. Stately. Exquisite. These words define this refined Southern home and its landscape. The landscape is especially unique because the owners, Deb and David Short, believe that if a plant doesn’t provide food for one of nature’s creatures, then it doesn’t have a home in the …
A southern summer garden staple Story and Photos by Susan Jasan As temperatures begin to warm, it’s really easy to get the spring fever. It’s time to start visiting local garden centers, nurseries and home improvement stores to check out what’s new for the garden. Annuals are starting to really fill in and will be …
Common problems in Arkansas warm-season vegetable gardens Story by Lisa D. Martin Gardening is a very popular hobby in Arkansas. The thrill of growing fresh vegetables coupled with the success of being able to not only feed a family, but have produce to share with extended family and friends or sell at farmers’ markets and …
