Arkansas-side farmers' market to feature new keyhole garden

People heading out Saturday to Texarkana, Arkansas' Gateway Farmers Market will have something new to look at when they get there.

The market will feature a s keyhole garden and there will be gardening demonstration conducted there starting at 9 a.m.

This keyhole garden, which was recently constructed by the Miller County Red Dirt Master Gardeners Association, is a self-contained garden, The trend started in South Africa in about the mid 1990s, said Clyde Davis, one of the association's members.

"This keyhole demonstration garden is an aid used to teach gardening techniques to both adults and children," Davis said. "The garden itself is such that it can be used by citizens of any age to grow vegetables, herbs and even flowers. Its construction allows for a compost bin within the garden to feed soil while requiring little water."

Davis added that Master Gardeners are present on weekends at the market to talk with Gateway Farmers Market patrons about their own gardening - as well as to suggest ways of growing produce.

The Miller County Red Dirt Master Gardeners is a nonprofit educational group operating under the direction of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

Davis said the association's mission is to provide community service and educational enrichment for both its members and the general public. He added that their mission is fulfilled by teaching the most reliable, current, researched-based and safe gardening practices.

The association is offering gardening training classes Oct, 9, 16, 23, 30 and Nov. 6. The classes cost $125 and include study materials.

For more information, call the Miller County Agricultural Extension Office at 870-779-3609.

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