From drought and heat swings to soggy low spots, rocky hillsides, privacy screens, and confusing soil conditions, the team shares practical, experience-based advice for creating resilient, lower-maintenance gardens that still support pollinators and wildlife. Along the way, they talk native plants, smart design, mixed plantings, rain garden strategies, and why observation and patience matter just as much as plant choice.

Check out our show notes @https://www.whiterivernursery.com/ozarkgardentalk for all the details including links! Late-winter in the Ozarks can feel like spring one day and deep-freeze the next—so in Episode 14, Sarah, Charity, and Alex share what you should do now (soil prep, compost + mulch, weeding, soil testing, and planting cold-hardy crops like onions, cole crops, and bare-root strawberries) and what to wait on (tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, and pruning spring-blooming shrubs). They also cover smart frost protection, seed-starting timing, and why “leave the leaves” matters for pollinators and beneficial insects. ❄️🌱🐝

Check out the full show notes with images of all the plants here: https://www.whiterivernursery.com/oza...In this episode of Ozark Garden Talk, Sarah, Charity, and Alex get you in planning mode with a peek at the plants they’re most excited to bring in this season. Consider it your early-bird guide to what’s coming before the trucks start rolling. They share what they’re watching for, what they’re hunting down, and how to think about these picks in real gardens, so you can sketch out your beds, make a wish list, and be ready to grab your favorites as soon as they arrive. 🌿✨

❄️ Winter doesn’t have to mean a boring garden! In this episode of Ozark Garden Talk, Sarah, Charity, and Alex explore plants that bring beauty, structure, and wildlife value to the winter landscape. From evergreen hollies and colorful red twig dogwoods to winter berries, ornamental grasses, and hellebores, the team shares their favorite picks for four-season interest in the Ozarks—plus practical tips for protecting plants through cold snaps and freeze-thaw cycles. A must-listen for gardeners looking to appreciate (and design for) the quiet season. 🌿

In this episode of Ozark Garden Talk, Sarah, Charity, and Alex get real about growing fruit trees in Northwest Arkansas—why peaches and plums break your heart, which apples and pears actually stand a chance, and how rootstocks, pruning, and disease pressure shape your success. They share practical, experience-based advice on choosing varieties, managing cedar apple rust and fire blight, and setting realistic expectations for a backyard orchard. You’ll also hear details about White River Nursery’s bare-root apple and pear preorder and why they’ve hand-picked each variety for the Ozarks.

Check out our full show notes on our website at https://www.whiterivernursery.com/ozarkgardentalkAs October rolls in, we explore the folklore, stories, and “plant magic” traditions woven into Ozark life. From persimmon seeds and buckeyes to witch trees, elderberries, ginseng, and more, Sarah, Charity, and Alex mix personal memories with researched lore. You’ll be inspired to look at the plants around you with new wonder — and maybe try slicing a persimmon seed!

Check out our full show notes @ https://www.whiterivernursery.com/blog-1

🌻 In this episode of Ozark Garden Talk, Sarah, Charity, and Alex round up the most-asked fall gardening questions—from asters, bulbs, and mulch to dividing perennials and planting fall veggies. 🐛 They also share tips for supporting migratory birds and give a sneak peek at our Oct 25 Native & Creative Community Market. 🍂

See our full show notes with images on our website: https://www.whiterivernursery.com/post/ozark-garden-talk-episode-8-autumn-gardening-in-the-ozarks-fall-planting-favorites🍂 Fall is almost here, and the Ozark Garden Talk crew is ready! In this episode, Sarah, Charity, and Alex share what they’re planting for autumn—from brilliant black gums and daffodil bulbs to native bluestem grasses and viburnums. They also talk new redbud arrivals, fall veggie beds, and how to support monarch butterflies on their migration. Tune in for inspiration to kick off your own fall gardening projects! 🌿🦋🌼

Check out our show notes at https://www.whiterivernursery.com/blog-1

In this episode of Ozark Garden Talk, hosts Sarah McCue (Owner), Charity Cox (Event Coordinator & Plant Buyer), and Alex Royce (General Manager) answer the most common summer gardening questions. From watering tips and heat-loving plants to pesky squash bugs and weed control, they share their own experiences and practical advice. They also point listeners to the Washington County Extension Service for expert help.

Check out our show notes @https://www.whiterivernursery.com/blog-1In this episode of Ozark Garden Talk, Sarah, Charity, and Alex dig into all things pollinators in honor of National Pollinator Week. From the shocking decline in Monarch butterflies to practical ways you can help restore habitat in your own yard, the team covers native plants, keystone species, and simple changes that support bees, butterflies, birds, and more. They also highlight helpful resources like Homegrown National Park, Grow Native!, and Wild Ones. Whether you're new to native plants or knee-deep in goldenrod, there's something here for every gardener.