Photo courtesy of Damon's Droneography

NOVEMBER HORTICULTURAL

AND GARDEN TIPS

A few topics (Lawn & Turf, Tree & Shrub, Flowers, Fruits & Nuts, and more) are highlighted this month. So, to learn about what you should be doing in the month of NOVEMBER click on GARDEN TIPS.

From time to time, your Tulsa Master Gardeners partner with our marketing consulting firm to create videos highlighting what we do and why we love doing it.

Check out the latest video at TMG Community Outreach.

The Compost Connection

From Green Country Master Gardeners

It does not matter if one is a beginner or long-time composter, there is always more to know. As composting has become more popular in recent years, especially for backyard composters, more interest in starting, or expanding, backyard compost practices is generating the search for information.

The search for workshops, guidance, what kind of backyard compost system is easiest and best for your space, interest in materials, costs, time investments, are just a few initial topics on which to focus. Other than a few minutes perusing a general “compost” inquiry on your favorite internet search engine, a good place to begin would be your local county extension office. In Tulsa your sources could be reached on the internet at tulsamastergardeners.org. Click the link for Home and Garden Help on the Main Page. In this section you will find links for many topics. Click on the Tips and Techniques link, scroll down to Composting. Under this section you will find information and other resources for different levels of composting experience and interest. There are short videos for guidance and explanation. There is also information on Vermicomposting, which is composting with worms, in which you may be interested. Other helpful information can be found through the Tulsa Master Gardeners website or by reading the following OSU Fact Sheets:

Backyard Composting in Oklahoma, HLA–6448

Compost Turning: The Key to Quick Composting, PSS-2911

You will find a good deal of information through an Internet search. Please check your sources as not every resource is as comprehensive and reliable as others. It is best to stay with research from university-based proven information. Tulsa Master Gardeners offer a variety of Lunch-and-Learn one-hour classes, an Urban Garden series, and other resources for both beginning and experienced composters. There will be a six- week Composting Class at the Tulsa County Extension Office located on East 15th Street starting in April 2024. You will find information on these classes and one-hour lunch presentations on our website and link listed above.

Don’t forget to compost your Halloween or fall pumpkins to keep them out of landfills. Alternatively, you may throw them in the woods for wildlife to enjoy.   

WEATHERING YOUR GARDEN:

THE FIVE WEATHER

WORRIES OF FALL

Autumn may be best known for colorful leaves and a heavy dose of pumpkin, but there are more than a few weather threats that should be anticipated during fall in Oklahoma.

From early signs of winter to tropical development, people should prepare for a wide variety of different weather phenomena that occur this time of year. Several of which can be notably dangerous.

Here are five weather worries to watch out for this season:

1.  Severe thunderstorms can still occur

As in the spring, fall is a changing season with an increase in the clash between cold, dry air and warm, humid air. This clash of air masses can help spawn the development of severe thunderstorms.

In weather circles, we call it our “2^nd Severe Season”. It’s not as strong as in the spring, primarily because there’s not as much heat and humidity around this time of year. This secondary peak of severe weather typically lasts from October through November.



There is a smaller number of tornadoes on average across the country during October and November, compared to April and May. However, on average 155 tornadoes form during April, while a whopping 276 occur in May. That number drops to 61 in October and 58 in November. Still, while the number isn't as large, it's important that people are always prepared for a severe weather event.

2.  Fog can dangerously reduce visibility

Fog can severely impact the visibility for motorists, which can increase accident risk and lead to travel delays. Fog is also a frequent disruptor of air travel, forcing many airlines to delay flights until conditions improve. While fog is not strictly limited to the fall season, it does tend to increase this time of year due to longer and cooler nights.

3.  Early frosts can damage plants

As we saw recently, frost can bring an abrupt and unwanted end to the growing season for several plants. The most susceptible areas to early season frosts are rural areas; suburban areas can provide better protection against any early season intrusions of cold air.

The pavement is typically warm inside most cities, and this can prevent early frost from occurring, but out in more rural areas, pavement is not as prevalent.

4.  Early-season snowstorms can knock out power

Snow that falls during autumn can be heavy and wet instead of light and powdery. With more leaves that haven't fallen, there is more of a surface area for the snow to accumulate on the trees.

This adds more weight to the trees, meaning they could be more susceptible to snapping or having branches fall off. This can cause damage when trees topple onto cars or homes. It can also mean travel delays when they fall onto roadways, or power outages when they drop onto power lines.

5.  Hurricane season continues through November

You may not think Oklahoma is affected by hurricanes, but hurricanes and tropical storms have been known to bring severe storms and floods as they weaken across the area. Those storms come from Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins in June, and even though the peak occurs on Sept. 10, the Atlantic Ocean can remain quite active up until the very end of November, when the season concludes.

A key factor in why tropical cyclones can develop so late in the year is that sea surface temperatures remain warm enough. The ideal ocean temperatures for tropical development are 80-86 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, while you thought you only had to watch out for scary ghosts and uncooked turkeys, you can now add the 5 weather worries of fall to your list.

NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO

HAVE YOUR SOIL TESTED

Well, we have had our first visit from Old Man Winter and all those gorgeous, glossy catalogs from the seed and plant nursery companies are rolling in. Now it is time to plan for next year’s garden. There is something you can do right now to get a head start on your spring planting. It’s the perfect time to get your soil tested! 

Why is it the perfect time? Because if you sample your soil and get it tested now, you have time to adjust for any nutrients that may be low. By making necessary nutrient supplements now the soil has time to adjust over the winter and will be ready for you when you hit the ground running next spring. Click on SOIL TEST to learn the proper steps in sampling and testing.

PLANTING

SPRING-FLOWERING

BULBS

(re-running it one more time in case you missed it)

While it's not too late (yet) time is quickly running out to be planting spring-flowering bulbs. Selections may be running low at this point but you should still be able to find some varieties at your local nursery.

Some DO's and DONT's of planting spring-flowering bulbs:

1) DO plant generously. It is better to plant tulip bulbs in groups of 20 or more, spaced about a foot apart, than to place them in tight clumps or scatter them all over an area. You'll get more bang for your buck. Daffodils provide a fantastic display when organized in swaths, sort of like a lazy river.

2) DO plan for a longer display of blooms by mixing different species and varieties of species. For example, there are early, mid, and late season blooming varieties of tulips. By choosing some of each you can extend the blooming time over several weeks.

3) DO choose a site with excellent drainage. Bulbs hate soggy conditions, which can be common in Oklahoma clay soils. Plant in raised beds, on slopes, or any other well-drained spot. They also need full sun, at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered light a day.

4) DO NOT plant too deep, not even tulips. Plant bulbs no deeper than about 2-3 times the diameter of the bulb. For example, if a bulb is 1" inch in diameter, plant it about 2-3" deep.

5) DO NOT plant in straight rows. This looks stiff like tin soldiers standing in a row, and that lovely, massed effect of the bulbs is lost.

6) DO NOT expect tulips and hyacinths to last for years and years. Most of the tulip varieties succumb to Oklahoma summers and heavy clay soils. Treat them like an annual and expect to replant again next fall. Though, there are a few species tulips to consider that should last for several years. On the other hand, daffodils, crocuses, grape hyacinths, and others, tend to naturalize or multiply year after year. Old clumps that seem to be declining should be divided! Keep the largest, healthiest bulbs and discard any small, weak or damaged bulbs.

Complements of David Hillock, OSU

PANSIES, VIOLAS, AND PANOLAS

Long winters can be hard on gardeners as there is a dramatic pause in colorful flowers, shrubs, and trees in the landscape. To the rescue are brightly colored and cheerful pansies, violas, and panolas.

Don't let the "soft" names fool you . . . these guys are tough and hardy as they come, and will last you through the fall, the winter, and well into spring, thus giving you a long "bang for your buck". Click on PANSIES for more detailed information on all three.

ARBORVITAE APHIDS

IN OKLAHOMA

"Cinara Tujafinila" by Mihajlo Tomic

is licensed under CC by 4.0

This aphid can appear on arborvitae anytime between late October and early December (most commonly about the middle of November). They feed and reproduce whenever temperatures allow, probably producing several generations in mild winters.

This species has been reported to cause foliage to turn brown and to kill branches of arborvitae and Italian cypress. While we seldom see serious damage in Oklahoma, it can occur in mild winters when heavy infestations are present for long periods. So, be on the lookout. For more information on identification, management, and impact, click on ARBORVITAE APHIDS.

SPRING PREP

TIME TO "FALL"

INTO YOUR GARDEN

It seems that there is just as much to do at the end of the growing season as there is at the start of the fall season. As we wind down from the seasons, it's time to look up, look down, and look around.

Click on FALL GARDEN to find a few things you can do to fall into your garden and get ready for spring,

TLC FOR PERENNIALS:

A GUIDE TO PROPER CARE

Oklahoma's unique climate presents both challenges and opportunities for gardeners, particularly when it comes to caring for perennials during the fall and winter months. Proper preparation is essential to ensure the health and vitality of these plants, allowing them to thrive when spring arrives.

Click on PERENNIAL TLC to explore key considerations and techniques for winterizing perennials in Oklahoma.

DIVIDING AND

TRANSPLANTING PERENNIALS

Oklahoma's diverse climate and soil conditions make it an ideal location for cultivating a wide variety of perennials. These enduring plants add beauty and resilience to gardens. But, to ensure their continued health and vigor, proper division and transplantation techniques must be employed.

Successfully dividing and transplanting perennials in Oklahoma requires careful consideration of the unique climate and soil conditions. Click on DIVIDING PERENNIALS for a guide through the process of safely dividing and transplanting perennials in the unique conditions of Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA NATIVE TREES & SHRUBS FOR FALL AND WINTER COLOR AND INTEREST

BEAUTYBERRY

NINEBARK

As autumn ushers in cooler temperatures and shorter days, many gardeners and landscapers seek to maintain interest and vibrancy in the garden by selecting plants that not only provide stunning fall foliage but also offer winter wildlife benefits.

Click on NATIVE FALL COLOR for profiles on six native plant species that stand out for their autumn foliage colors and their contributions to winter landscapes as well as wildlife habitats.

PREPARING WARM WEATHER

GRASS FOR WINTER

Warm weather grass may lose our attention during the coming months. But it shouldn't. The steps we take in the winter months for our warm weather turf will greatly increase its success in the coming year. 

Click on WARM WEATHER GRASS for a short dissertation on a few things we should do during winter to drive success next spring and summer.

TRANSITIONING PLANTS FROM

"OUT OF DOORS" TO "IN OF DOORS"

Every year, many gardeners find themselves involved in the annual ritual of preparing their houseplants for the haul back indoors. For most houseplants, this means ending their summer vacation when night temperatures fall below 45–48° F (Hint: getting close this coming weekend!). 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 needs some organizing. Click on BRINGING PLANTS INDOORS and consider following the steps provided to ensure a successful transition from outdoors to inside the household. 

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  

TULSA MASTER GARDENER ENDOWMENT FUND.

If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to help fund the Tulsa Master Gardener program's annual expenses, click on

TULSA MASTER GARDENER AGENCY FUND.

We thank ALL of you for having been such faithful contributors both in the past and in advance for your future consideration and participation! So 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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You can get answers to all of your gardening questions:

TULSA MASTER GARDENERS

4116 East 15th Street Tulsa, OK 74112

918-746-3701

mg@tulsamastergardeners.org