HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT TULSA MASTER GARDENERS!

January 2018 / Volume 130
Tulsa Master Gardener Foundation Donations

NEW!  Tulsa Master Gardener Endowment Fund

Thank You!

As we exit 2017 and start a new year, it is most appropriate to reflect back on the past year and consider how blessed we are financially.  About three years ago, the Tulsa Master Gardeners Foundation made a strategic decision to stop requiring mandatory dues.  Instead, we decided to simply let our fellow MGs as well as our strategic partners and the general public make the voluntary decision to donate to what we humbly believe is a very deserving cause.  

Since that time, both our fellow MGs and the public have been most generous in donating to our non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  For those that do not know, the Tulsa Master Gardeners are completely self funded. We do not receive any funding from federal, state, or local authorities . . .nor from OSU.   Essentially, all of our funding comes from a combination of three sources:
 
1) Our own Master Gardener fundraiser programs (Spring Plant Sale, June Garden Tour, etc.)
2) Our generous public corporate and private donations
3) Our own generous Master Gardener donations
 
These donations keep our multitude of Master Gardener Outreach Programs funded and functioning year to year.  We sincerely thank you for your previous donations and hope that you remember us in the future.

MG Endowment Fund
 
Did you know that we have been around for over three decades, since 1983?   And, we plan to be around for many more decades.   Did you know that we are one of the top five Master Gardener county programs in the entire nation?   We are, indeed, because of the size of our Foundation membership as well as the diversity and activity level of our community outreach programs!  
 
So, we are pleased to announce, in partnership with the Tulsa Community Foundation, the Master Gardener Foundation recently 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 program, click on  TULSA MASTER GARDENER ENDOWMENT FUND.
 
If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to help fund our annual expenses, click on TULSA MASTER GARDENER AGENCY FUND.
 
We thank you for having been such faithful contributors both in the past and in advance for your future consideration and participation!
January Horticultural Tips
A few garden tips (Lawn & Turf, Tree & Shrub, Flowers, Fruits & Nuts, and other General information) for the month of January can be found by clicking on JANUARY.
NEW!         Monthly Myth Buster
As you know, there is a lot of mis-information out there these days on just about everything.  And, horticultural information is no exception.  So, we've added a new addition to the MG newsletter starting this month.  Every month, we will endeavor to share with you a horticultural-related statement that is either factual or mythical in nature, then tell you why based on proven university research.  Hopefully, this will help to resolve some of the ambiguous or mis-leading information that is at everyone's finger tips these days.  So, for this month, the statement is:

IT IS HELPFUL TO PUT GRAVEL AT THE BOTTOM OF POTS TO AID IN WATER DRAINAGE

Click FACT OR MYTH to find out the answer.
Proper Poinsettia Care
poinsettia poinsettia poinsettia
Poinsettias are a colorful part of the American Christmas tradition. While most people re-buy them each year, if they are properly maintained, they can actually be kept from year to year.  To learn more about the history of the poinsettia, seasonal care, or how to maintain one from year to year ,  CLICK HERE.
Tree Planting (Second of a 3-part series)
                    
Last month in the first of a three-part series on tree planting, we discussed the planning phase of tree planting.  Given that trees can survive a very long time, this is a very important aspect that many either don't think about or just decide not to do.  This month, we will discuss tips and techniques of the actual tree planting process during the dormant season.  Next month, we will finish this series with proper tree pruning techniques.  C lick  HERE to access information on tree planting.  Larger images of the above can also be found there.
Some Creative Ways to Dispose of Live Christmas Trees

There are several options, both traditional and creative, for disposal of your live-cut tree after the holidays.  Some are more environmentally friendly than others.  But, most options involve removing all of the ornaments, tinsel and flocking (if possible) before disposal or use.  To learn about some creative ways to dispose of that live-cut tree, click HERE. 
Christmas Cactus Care
             

Christmas cactus is a real treat to have around the house at the end of the year, as very few plants are blooming now.  If maintained properly, it can provide a plethora of pretty pinkish red blooms for several weeks in the dead of winter.  While some of the recommendations provided here apply in late fall, there are other tips to know about in January.  Click HERE to find out more.

Q&A
Question #1: This is a common site in winter.  
What is wrong with the tree?
Click on 
ANSWER to find out.
Q&A
Question #2: Will ice melt products harm my plants?
                                
The short answer is........probably.  Click HERE to find out more and why. 
DID YOU KNOW?

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. 

Donations for this month include:

Tulsa Master Gardener Endowment Fund
Diane Hambric

Tulsa Master Gardener General Fund
Judy Feuquay
Terri &James Cain
Nancy & Ted Forcum
Beverly Couch
Mike White

MG School Program
Debra Bezan
Got a Question? Or Maybe a Soil or Plant Sample?
MG logo
Our Master Gardeners are on hand to assist you with even the toughest gardening questions. Visit us in person, by phone, via email or online! Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.


Address: 4116 E. 15th Street, Gate 6 at the Fairgrounds
Phone: (918) 746-3701

Need More Information?
butterfly
law n fertilizer
complex leaves
All about butterfly gardening in Tulsa County.

How to Take a Soil Test
How to collect a good sample of soil from your lawn or garden and get it tested at the OSU lab.

Once you have collected your soil test and gotten the results back, now what? Find out here. 

Show and tell.
Cool Season Lawn Care (Fescue)
12-month maintenance calendar.
State horticulturists, nurseries and growers pick favorite plants, shrubs and trees for use in the Oklahoma landscape. See the winners for this year and years past.


A list of recommended trees with descriptions. 

A list of over 60, by size and color.

Visit our demonstration garden on  15th Street, open 7 days a week. 

Current and historical source of rainfall, air temperatures, soil temps and much more. Click on Bixby station.  



  
BECOME A MASTER GARDENER!
 
                                    Like what you've seen
                                               
Tulsa County Logo
OSU Extension Logo 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.