FALL IS FINALLY HERE!
OCTOBER 2021 / VOLUME 175
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OCTOBER HORTICULTURAL
AND GARDEN TIPS
Learn about what you should be doing in the month of OCTOBER. A selection of Garden Tips (Turfgrass, Ornamentals, Fruits & Vegetables, Water Gardens) can be found by clicking on GARDEN TIPS.
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From Green Country Master Composters |
Compost Connections took a brief break in September, but we're ready to get back in the compost pile this month. A great way to start is the recycling and composting of pumpkins, autumn gourds and, of course, Halloween Jack 'o Lanterns. This is after their decorating obligations, of course!
Recycling pumpkins and gourds saves tons of space annually in local landfills. Here are suggestions for recycling pumpkins at the end of October.
1) Donate to a zoo. Animals not only love to consume leftover whole pumpkins, but they provide enrichment activities to many animals.
2) Save the seeds for roasting or for planting.
3) Cut into smaller pieces and add to your home compost pile. (Don't include seeds or you'll have vines sprouting.)
4) Ask your children how your family can creatively recycle pumpkins. Kids have great ideas.
5) Ask local farmers or gardeners if they can use pumpkins for compost.
6) Does your city or town have a pumpkin recycling plan?
7) Get your scout troop or civic group involved in collecting and recycling leftover pumpkins. Locally, Full Sun Composting can use your pumpkin waste.
Next month we'll be back with information on basic tools and equipment in backyard composting.
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OCTOBER IS A GREAT MONTH FOR . . .
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Conducting a garden soil test if it's been over a year since it was last tested; conducting a lawn soil test if it's been over three years since it was last tested. Click on SOIL TEST for detailed instructions.
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Overseeding fescue on bermudagrass lawns. Be sure to buy a mix of Fescue, Ryegrass, and Kentucky Bluegrass of good quality. You DO get what you pay for!
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TOOL OF THE MONTH: SOIL SCOOP |
Starting recently, we began including a "Tool of the Month". These are some of the Tulsa Master Gardeners' favorite tools that they use in their gardens. They are of high quality materials and proven to get the job done.
At 11" long and weighing in at just 1/2 pound, this tool is solidly made. It has serrated edges on both sides and is inward curving to make better soil division. It boasts an ergonomic comfort grip and appears to be very handy for a multitude of soil digging, bulb planting, transplanting, etc.
DISCLAIMER: While we do not intentionally promote any particular retailer/seller, to help you locate this tool, check out Amazon or Garden Works for $19-21.
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NOW IS THE TIME TO OVERSEED
WARM-SEASON GRASSES
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The dates recommended by the OSU Extension Service for seeding or overseeding with a cool season grass seed are from September 15th to October 15th. Like, NOW!
OSU and the Extension Service recommend application of a seed mixture that contains at least three or more fescue seed types, rather than just one type of seed. And, if you can find this seed mix with Kentucky Bluegrass, even better.
It is suggested that you do not try to mix them yourself – buy it pre-mixed. The amount of seed to be applied in over-seeding should be listed on the seed bag. These products can be found in most nurseries and other garden outlets. Avoid applying more seeds than is recommended as over-crowding will occur. More is not always better!
Remember to water adequately after the lawn is seeded or over-seeded so the seeds do not dry out. Keep the upper soil (1-2") moist for 10-14 days to give the seeds time to germinate.
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FALL PERENNIALS: SO PRETTY! |
Fall can be your garden’s most beautiful time of year!
Perennials can be grown in the same garden as annuals - just make sure the perennial’s roots are not disturbed. Planting in the warm fall soil will encourage root systems to develop before freezing weather. Perennial plants continue to bloom and thrive year after year.
Click on FALL PERENNIALS for more information. Also included are a couple of additional informative resources on the subject.
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PEONIES: WHAT A WONDERFUL FLOWER! |
In China and Japan, the cultural appreciation and enthusiasm for peonies has been expressed in music, paintings and writings for centuries.
Today, hundreds of peony cultivars are enjoyed by people of all ages and grace gardens not only in Japan, but in Asia, Europe and North America.
Peonies deserve a place in your garden.
Plant them between late September and the first freeze, but earlier in this window is better to allow the feeder roots to develop before the freeze.
For more information on site and plant selection, planting, watering and fertilizing, click on PEONIES.
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PANSIES:
LOTS OF BANG FOR THE BUCK!
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In spite of the name, pansies really are the tough guys of the flower world. Through ice and snow their bright colors and smiling faces help us get through the short, dark days of winter. Pansies are fragrant, particularly early in the morning and at dusk (and they are edible, too).
In our area, Pansies are grown as three season annuals for fall through winter and into spring. So, with a little help from us, they will bloom from now until hot weather returns. What a bang for the buck!
For more information on this amazingly pretty and yet tough flower, click on PANSIES.
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A FALL RITUAL:
TRANSITIONING PLANTS FROM OUTDOORS TO INDOORS
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It’s that time of year again, when some of us find ourselves engaged in an annual ritual of preparing our houseplants for the haul back indoors. For most houseplants, this means ending their summer vacation when night temperatures fall below 45–48° F. Waiting beyond this time, is flirting with disaster and you may find many tender tropical leaves dropping or getting a clear, murky surface, thus requiring your immediate attention.
As simple as this task may sound, it turns out that this is a project that requires some organizing. Click on TRANSITIONING PLANTS to find out how to be highly successful in this endeavor.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Since 1983, the Tulsa Master Gardeners have been serving the public by offering research-based horticultural information to residents of Tulsa and the surrounding area. The Tulsa Master Gardener Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization. As such, it receives no city, state or federal funding for its Tulsa community outreach programs. In fact, the Tulsa's Master Gardener programs are self-funded by its own fundraisers, from member donations, and from public donations.
The main Tulsa Master Gardener fundraiser is its Annual Spring Plant Sale that is held each April. Other fundraisers include the Garden Tour and Garage Sale in June. And, one of the most important income sources that sometimes gets overlooked are the personal and corporate donations. These are so important in helping us to meet our financial obligations and we want you to know they are very much appreciated.
MG Endowment Fund
The Tulsa Master Gardeners have been around for over three decades and we plan to be around for many more decades. Furthermore, we are considered one of the top five Master Gardener county programs in the entire nation. We are because of the size of our Foundation membership, the number, diversity and activity level of our various community outreach programs, and our overall financial strength!
So, we are pleased to announce, in partnership with the Tulsa Community Foundation, the Master Gardener Foundation has established an Endowment Fund to ensure our long-term financial strength. Our plans are to build this fund for many years before making any withdrawals from it. Please consider us as you make your annual gift giving as well as longer-term estate planning decisions. Remember, all donations are fully tax deductible!
If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to help fund the long-term success of the Tulsa Master Gardener program, click on
If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to help fund the Tulsa Master Gardener program's annual expenses, click on
We thank all of you for having been such faithful contributors both in the past and in advance for your future consideration and participation! Proud to be a part of the Tulsa area - such a giving community!
======================================================== Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.
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TULSA MASTER GARDENERS
4116 East 15th Street Tulsa, OK 74112
918-746-3701
mg@tulsamastergardeners.org
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