|
|
|
|
Summer Gardening Tips . . . Continued
August 2020 / Volume 161
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August Horticultural / Garden Tips
|
Learn about what you should be doing in the month of August. A selection of garden tips (Vegetable, Fruits & Nuts, Flowers, Lawn & Turf, Trees & Shrubs, and General Landscape) can be found by clicking GARDEN TIPS.
|
|
Tulsa Master Gardeners
Weekly Live Q&A Sessions
|
The core mission of the Tulsa Master Gardeners is to provide OSU Extension research-based horticultural information to the local home gardeners and the community. Given that, we try to reach as many folks as possible through multiple media platforms such as TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, and this e-newsletter. And, as a part of our social media push, we can also be found on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
In these challenging times that require more social distancing and less personal interaction, the Tulsa Master Gardeners are using social media, namely Facebook in this case, to conduct weekly live Q&A sessions in order to help the community with their gardening issues for that particular month.
To participate in the weekly live Q&A sessions, simply log onto the Tulsa Master Gardener Facebook page at noon on Thursdays. Our experts answer all of your gardening questions . . . live. Come join us!
To access July's sessions, click on the links below:
NOTE: The videos start out muted so be sure to click the audio "mute" symbol once the video starts to play.
|
|
|
Planning Your Fall Garden
|
|
Given the 100+ degree heat indices we are currently experiencing, it may not occur to us to be thinking about a fall garden. However, NOW is the time to start planning AND planting your fall vegetable garden. While some of the more hardy veggies can be planted later this month and into next month, any veggies that would suffer from a frost or freeze should be started ASAP.
And, on that note, don't neglect planting tomatoes right now as fall is a great time to harvest them. It's too late to start them from seed but transplants may make it. And, if the weather turns too cold too early, you can always pick them and bring them indoors to continue to ripen. When they are harvested during cooler weather, they just taste better.
|
August Pest Alert: Bagworms
|
If you see tiny spindles hanging like Christmas ornaments on your pines, cypress, arborvitae, spruce or junipers, the tiny woven cocoons contain the caterpillars that can defoliate and even kill these and over 125 species of trees and shrubs. Bagworms are not picky and have been found even feeding on roses, St John's Wort, basil, deciduous trees, and even on the underside of the bird bath!
While it's too late to apply a preventative spray for them this year (we will strive to get the word out earlier next year), read on to find out about their annual life cycle, when to apply preventative measures, and what to do about them this year if you find them to still be "hanging" around your landscape. Click on BAGWORMS for this information.
|
August Weed Alert: Yellow Nutsedge
"A Turfgrass Impostor"
|
 
|
|
Yellow nutsedge is a perennial weed (also known as chufa, watergrass or nutgrass) and can be found throughout North America. It has an aggressive vegetative growth habit and, like warm-season turfgrasses, it enjoys full sun and proper irrigation in the heat of the summer. While it can grow to a height of 2.5 feet, in most frequently-mowed lawns, it never reaches that height. Therefore, it can blend in well among your turfgrass until the encroachment is complete.
Rain is generally welcome come late July in order to give our turfgrass . . and our water bill . . . some relief from the heat and relentless sun. However, yellow nutsedge embraces it with new unwanted growth and vigor such that most homeowners mistake the weed invasion for a "healthy stand of grass".
Bottom line . . . being a grassy weed, it can be very difficult to control if left unchecked. For much more information on identification, prevention, and control measures, plus links to several extended resources on the subject, click on NUTSEDGE.
|
Container Gardening:
A Cool Way To Garden
|
Planting in containers has transcended years of used metal coffee pots, old tires, and wheel barrels. In fact, container planting provides garden enthusiasts an opportunity to take advantage of mirroring large-scale landscapes using scaled-down replicas. Aside from increased watering requirements over typical flower beds and large-scale maintenance hassles, container gardening presents a more shape, size, color, and mobile-friendly environment.
|
Organic Pesticides (Bt): A Safer Way To Go
|
|
The Good Guys
 
Monarch Caterpillar Black Swallowtail Caterpillar
=========================================================
========================================================= The Bad Guys
  Tomato Hornworm Cotton bollworm
|
Ideally, there should be no pests in your garden because you have selected a crop that is well adapted to the Tulsa climate and soil, you irrigate regularly, and you provide proper fertilization. However, bad things can still happen to good gardeners! After you have tried the usual moves - hand picking insects off or blasting them with water, you lastly resort to a pesticide.
There are so many different types of pesticides available on the market today. Be aware that each one is meant to be effective against specific pests. Look for the more natural, or organic, type of pesticides as you will have a better chance of targeting the bad actors and saving the good guys. For instance, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a species of bacteria that lives in soil. It makes proteins that are toxic to some insects when eaten, but not others.
Click on ORGANIC PESTICIDES to gain some knowledge about the history of pesticide development, why using an organic pesticide such as Bt is the preferred treatment method for certain garden pests, as well as access to several great additional educational resources.
|
Mulch: Making Things Easy
|
  
Think "Donut" . . . . . . . . . . . . . not "Volcano" |
|
Are weeds invading your azaleas?
Has your Bermuda grass taken over your tomato patch?
Does your garden have areas that lose soil every time we get a big rain?
Does your flowerbed dry out really fast?
Looking for an environmentally friendly (and easy) way to add organic matter and nutrients to your soil?
If your answer to any or all of these questions is yes, it's time to mulch! Click on MULCH to find out the best way to mulch as well as a few "do's and don't's.
|
Poisonous Plants and Pets
|
|
We all love our pets AND we all love our plants. But, sometimes it's best that they do not coexist. A short list of some of the more common plants we love that can be toxic to our pets are:
- Aloe
- Carnation
- Daisy
- Eucalyptus
- Garlic
- Hydrangea
- Lily
- Poinsettia
If you suspect poisoning, seek help immediately from an emergency veterinarian. Bring packaging or any remnant of the poison you suspect. The ASPCA operates a poison hotline @ 888-426-4435 as well as a searchable database of toxic and nontoxic plants. There is also a free mobile app about toxins focused on dogs, cats, horses, and birds.
|
|
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.
MG Endowment Fund
The Tulsa Master Gardeners have been around for over three decades, since 1983. 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!
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!
|
|
Got a Question? Or Maybe a Soil or Plant Sample?
|
|
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 East 15th Street (Gate 6 at the Fairgrounds)
Phone: (918) 746-3701
|
|
|
|
| |
All about butterfly gardening in Tulsa County.
How to Take a Soil TestHow 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.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  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. |
|
|
|
