BOY, DID IT GET HOT & HUMID FAST?!
MAY 2023 / VOLUME #194
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Courtesy of Damon's Droneography |
MAY HORTICULTURAL
AND GARDEN TIPS
A variety of topics (Trees & Shrubs, Turfgrass, Flowers, Water Gardens, Fruits & Vegetables) are highlighted this month. So, learn about what you should be doing in the month of MAY by clicking on GARDEN TIPS.
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Come one, come all! Back by popular demand your Tulsa Master Gardeners are once again holding their annual Garden Tour in June. This year it will be held on Saturday, June 10th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, June 11th from noon to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 and can soon be purchased online by going to tulsamastergardeners.org or $15 on the day of the tour.
This year's five homes hover just outside the midtown area, from 21st street to I-44 and from Utica to Harvard. There will be five speakers giving research-based horticultural advice across those two days. And, as usual, the OSU Extension Office Demonstration Garden will also be fully prepped and on full display that weekend. Get your tickets soon, then come back to this newsletter next month for a more in-depth informational guide to each of the five beautiful homes and their gardens.
NOTE: Your Tulsa Master Gardeners are a 501(c)(3) organization and do not receive any local, state, or federal funding. The Garden Tour is only one of two fundraisers that occur each year to fund the diversity of outreach programs to the community. Please help sponsor us!
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FROM GREEN COUNTRY MASTER COMPOSTERS |
One of the first questions of new composters is the subject of what is and is not compostable. It is important to first understand the differences between compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable.
COMPOSTABLE materials are those that have been certified to break down completely into non-toxic components that will not harm the environment (i.e., water, carbon dioxide, biomass, etc.)
BIODEGRADABLE materials are those capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.
RECYCLABLE materials are those that are able to be recycled, able to be used again, or returned to a previous state.
Compostable materials break down, or decompose, at different times depending on original materials and processes from which they are made. Those ingredients are the main components, the FOOD, or energy, for compost bins.
There are many composting resources available to residential and backyard composters specifically detailing ingredients to include and NOT to include in a healthy, productive compost bin. A few suggestions to find such information are your local county extension office, internet sites, You Tube videos, local libraries, and bookstores. Some beginning website suggestions are:
100 things you can compost
While it is important to know the proper ingredients for your bin in order to make healthy compost, it is equally important to know what NOT to include in your bin. Several sites are:
All fact sheets from Oklahoma State University Tulsa County Extension are free and available through Tulsa Master Gardeners website at tulsamastergardeners.org. A link to Composting, Fact Sheets, and related videos can be found through the Lawn and Garden section on the main page of this site.
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Our newest column for the monthly MG e-Newsletter will be focused on weather-related topics, courtesy of Frank Mitchell who spent 30 years as a television meteorologist including KTUL in Tulsa. He is now a member of the 2022 Tulsa Master Gardeners Class. |
Haill is not our friend. It breaks windows, dents cars, damages rooftops and pelts the plants we worked so hard to get started. Unfortunately, hail causes more damage than any other thunderstorm related event, especially in the spring. Spring is our stormiest season, and every severe thunderstorm will have hail of some size.
Simply put, hail starts as a piece of dust or raindrop. As the winds inside of the storm, known as updrafts, blow from the ground up to the freezing level, that piece of dust or raindrop freezes. Every time that particle drops below the freezing level it gathers more rain and is blown back up to where it freezes again like the balls in a lottery ball machine. This continues until the hailstone becomes too heavy for the winds to hold-up and falls to the ground.
The larger the stone, the stronger the storm. Hail ½” or larger causes the most damage. Hail doesn’t occur as much in the summer because the freezing level is much higher and thunderstorms are not as frequent. Therefore, until the Dog Days of Summer are barking, we will need to cover our precious plants (and vehicles) from spring’s ice storms!
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While this subject was addressed in the March edition, this article describes some important additional information on this subject.
A culinary, edible herb garden is an absolute must for anyone who considers themself a decent cook or gardener. Fresh herbs provide a plethora of flavors to your culinary palette and fresh textures to your dining plate.
If you love herbs and are so inclined to plan and build an herb garden, take a few minutes to follow some simple steps to success by clicking on HERB GARDENING.
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SPRING LAWN CARE MADE SIMPLE |
Maintaining a healthy lawn requires proper management techniques such as regular watering, fertilizing, mowing, and weed control. Spring is a critical time for lawn care in Oklahoma because it is the season when the lawn begins to come to life and after the winter dormancy.
Proper weed control and lawn fertilization during this season can help to prevent weed infestation, promote healthy growth, and maintain the overall health of the lawn. For tips on getting your turf off to a good start, click on SPRING LAWN CARE.
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HUMMINGBIRDS:
BEAUTIES OF THE GARDEN
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Hummingbirds are a delightful sight in Oklahoma, heralding in Spring, usually arriving in mid to late April, and staying until early to mid-Fall.
Hummingbirds are the smallest of all bird species in North America with their length averaging 4” and weighing in about ¼ ounce. They can both hover and fly backward. When hovering, the wings beat about 55 times per second. The typical life span for a hummingbird is 3 -5 years.
For much more interesting facts and information on these beauties of the garden, click on HUMMINGBIRDS. At the end of the article is a plethora of additional resource information for your reading and viewing pleasure.
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With spring in full force and summer on our doorstep, plants have emerged and exploded with new growth . . . and so has the insect population. Lace Bugs are very common in our area.
Adults and nymphs feed on the underside of leaves by inserting needle-like mouthparts into leaf tissue. This creates small, white or yellow mottled spots on the upper leaf surface. Feeding damage is most noticeable in mid to late summer when populations are at their highest. Healthy, mature trees and shrubs can generally tolerate damage by lace bugs. And, luckily, they are fairly easy to control.
For information on their life cycle, their host plants, and prevention/control measures, click on LACE BUGS.
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ALL ABOUT JAPANESE MAPLES
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Japanese maples are a popular choice for Oklahoma homeowners and landscapers. These trees are known for their stunning foliage, delicate branches, and graceful shape. However, not all Japanese maples are well-suited for Oklahoma's climate and soil conditions.
Click on JAPANESE MAPLES to explore the various factors to consider when selecting a Japanese Maple for your Oklahoma landscape.
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LEAVES OF THREE . . . LEAVE IT BE! |
“Leaves of three . . . Leave It Be” is a simple way to avoid the Big 3 culprits that cause a miserable, red, itchy rash - and not just in the good old summertime. All parts of these plants are toxic all year round. Urushiol, the toxic oil that we react to, is found in all parts of these plants. It can get on skin, clothes, shoes, and even pet fur.
For more information on Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac, and control measures, click on THE POISON 3.
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ROSE DISEASES & PREVENTION |
One of the most gratifying gardening accomplishments can be measured in the successful cultivation of a healthy rose with high quality and abundant flowers.
Disease identification and control practices should ensure your plants are given the best chance to thrive. Some of the most prevalent diseases affecting roses in Oklahoma are Black Spot, Rose Rosette, and Powdery Mildew. Click on ROSE DISEASE to find out more about these common rose diseases in Oklahoma as well as prevention through cultural and chemical controls.
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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! So proud to be a part of the Tulsa area - such a giving community!
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========================================================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
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