grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Become an Arkansas Master Gardener!

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Arkansas Master GardenerAre you an Arkansawyer with a passion for gardening? If so, why not become an Arkansas Master Gardener? The process for becoming an Arkansas Master Gardener has recently changed, so I thought I’d give a quick shout out to my readers who might be interested.

What’s changed?

Rather than a solid week of education classes in January (which is sometimes difficult for people to schedule), trainees now attend classes once a week on Wednesdays, October 9, 16, 23, 30 and November 6, 2019.

Application deadline is September 13, 2019. Yes, very soon! There’s no time to sit around wondering whether or not you should do this. (Registration info below.)

But what if you don’t live in Arkansas? ? There’s no need to feel left out. Master gardening programs exist all across the country! More on this later…Continue Reading

Garvan Woodland Gardens

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Garvan Woodland Gardens

Before my pictures get lost in the black hole of Photo Feed Land—yes that’s a place I can’t begin to understand or organize—I thought I’d post a few shots from our recent visit to Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Here’s a fun fact: members of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks enjoy the perk of reciprocal membership with over 300 gardens across North America. It’s pretty satisfying to show our membership card and stroll right on through the gates without paying admission.

As an aside, I truly would like to visit all 320 gardens. John and I have only been to about ten (in Arkansas, Texas, and Colorado). This should keep our bucket list full for all our livelong days.

Anyway, with the holidays quickly approaching, I highly recommend a membership to the botanical garden closest to your home. Botanical gardens have become destinations for not only flowers and nature but also musical entertainment and special events throughout the year. Another perk!Continue Reading

Hungry Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillars ?

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Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar

I’m super excited to report that we finally have spicebush swallowtail caterpillars in our garden! In early spring, we planted four spicebush shrubs specifically for the butterflies. Then, almost every day since planting them, I’ve been inspecting our spicebushes, hoping to find caterpillars.

Up until last week, nothing. Each time I see a torn leaf, I look more closely hoping to find a hungry, hungry caterpillar. A folded leaf? I look again, hoping to find a hiding caterpillar.

Nope. Nothing.

I worried that our plants were too new. Maybe it takes a few seasons to be discovered? Continue Reading

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