COMMUNITY
The Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing FALL GARDENING TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS words DIANNE HENRICHS // images THE LEARNING FIELDS AT CHAFFEE CROSSING
T
he Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing
season ahead. The University of Arkansas
cool-season annuals will last through
was established in 2008 as
winter and bloom again in early spring.
The
Extension Service advises against fertil-
Greenhouse Project, a sanctioned initia-
izing or pruning shrubs now, as this can
tive of the River Valley Master Gardeners.
trigger tender new growth that may not
Susan
Modeled after a demonstration garden
survive winter. However, this is a great
Learning Fields, encourages planting
in Springfield, Missouri, the property was
time to collect soil samples from your
fall vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels
deeded to The Learning Fields by the Fort
lawn, beds, and vegetable plots. Your
sprouts, collards, turnip greens, and
Chaffee Redevelopment Authority.
county extension office can provide
carrots. “Arkansas often heats up so fast
testing, and fall is ideal for applying any
in the spring that cool-weather crops
recommended amendments.
bolt before producing well,” she says.
Today, our 7.5-acre campus is open daily from dawn to dusk for self-guided tours.
Randolph,
president
of
The
“Planted in the fall, they thrive, and cooler
It features twenty-five educational and
Gardeners should also dig and divide
instructional
gardens,
spring-blooming perennials, prep house-
including a vegetable garden, rose
plants to move indoors by rinsing them
Zeb Gattis, horticulture agent with the
garden, butterfly garden, blueberry and
and checking for pests, and replenish
Sebastian
blackberry patches, children’s garden,
mulch in garden beds to retain mois-
recommends planting cover crops like
meditation labyrinth, and an award-
ture and suppress weeds. October is
clover, rye, buckwheat, or vetch to enrich
winning ten-year fig planting trial.
also Leave the Leaves Month, desig-
soil and reduce erosion. He also stresses
nated by the National Wildlife Federation
the
Our mission is to increase understanding
to raise awareness about the role
planted trees and shrubs, especially since
and share information about garden
organic debris plays in supporting wild-
Arkansas winters are often dry and windy.
types, plant species, and cultivars that
life. Instead of bagging fallen leaves,
Adjusting irrigation or watering manually
thrive in the Arkansas-Oklahoma River
rake them into garden beds as mulch, or
can help maintain plant health.
Valley. We host regular classes on plant
compost them with grass clippings and
propagation, fig tastings and cutting
other green materials.
demonstration
swaps, and an annual plant sale. We also
temperatures improve their flavor.”
County
importance
Extension
of
watering
Service,
newly
Fall is also ideal for hardscaping. Adding stone paths, brick borders, or raised beds
recently presented the popular Through
Still eager to dig in the dirt? Fall is one
enhances both beauty and function. And
Your Neighbor’s Garden Gate tours.
of the best seasons to plant. For vibrant
don’t forget to clean and oil garden tools
seasonal color, try pansies, ornamental
before winter. Well-maintained tools last
As summer gives way to fall, it’s time
cabbage or kale, snapdragons, dusty
longer and reduce the risk of spreading
to prepare your garden for the cooler
miller, and dianthus. Many of these
plant disease next season.
Join the River Valley Master Gardeners for their fall workshop, Fall is Fabulous! Dig In and Grow On!, on Saturday, October 4. 60
DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM