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Is It Summer Or Is It Fall?
September 2018 / Volume 138
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September Horticultural Tips
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All kinds of garden tips (Flowers, Trees & Shrubs, Lawn & Turf, Fruits & Nuts, Vegetables and other information) for the month of September can be found by clicking TIPS.
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The Benefits of Knowing Soil Temperature
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If you guessed that sun, water and fertilizer are the most important factors that affect seed germination, establishment and growth, you would be wrong. The answer is soil temperature. Soil temperature is a factor which few of us consider important enough to check before planting, yet it is probably the most important factor affecting seed germination, stand establishment and seedling growth. At the proper temperature, the soil serves as a power generating plant to our seedlings.
Click on
SOIL TEMPERATURE to learn about the many benefits of knowing your soil temperature.
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Fescue Lawns in the Fall Season
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Tulsa sits in a transitional zone, which means it's really too hot in the summer for fescue (which is a cool season grass). Therefore, we use fescue as a shade grass. While fescue will grow in full sun in climates farther north of us, our
growing season really doesn't start until September.
In the fall when it's cooling off, the leaves are falling off the trees and fescue really thrives. It continues
to thrive most of the winter and all through springtime when the trees are not fully leafed out. When it gets hot, the fescue is again back in the shade. In short, mid-September to mid-October is the optimum time to start a fescue lawn or over-seed one.
To find out more about the establishment and maintenance of fescue lawns, click on
FESCUE LAWNS.
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You may step out into your backyard one morning and see where the fairies have danced, leaving behind a ring of mushrooms. Is it old Welsh folklore or Celtic tales? Is it considered good luck or bad luck? Or, is it just something more straightforward and explainable? Probably the latter. It's mushrooms that can form a circle called a Fairy Ring.
For info on exactly what causes this phenomenon and how to counteract it, click on FAIRY RINGS
for more information
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Bulbs: Selection & Planting
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September and October are the months to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Fall bulb gardening can be as easy as -
dig, down, done
. When spring returns and those beautiful blooms are among us, we are all very thankful that we took the time and made the effort about 6 months prior to put those little goodies in the ground.
There are a few good ways to select and plant bulbs and a host of incorrect ways. So, let's explore the when, where and how of bulb selection and planting by clicking on BULBS.
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| Proper Mulching Techniques |
 
{Lookin' Good} {Not Lookin' Good}
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As you look around town, you will find so many opportunities to provide trees, shrubs and flower beds mulch. Although mulching has many benefits, such as helping to reduce soil moisture loss, controlling soil temperature, and minimizing weed germination and growth, there is a tendency to misuse this beneficial landscaping resource. If misused, it can actually cause more problems than benefits. Click on MULCH to learn about the proper (and improper) way to mulch and a few general rules of thumb on mulching.
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{Chinese Pistache} {Shumard Oak}
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Trees can be moments of dreams come to life, often planted as a reminiscence of childhood, a memory from a vacation, a reminder of people once known. Picture a grove of slender aspen in the Rockies, a stately live oak in coastal Texas, that giant American elm in your grandparents yard. If there are trees in your landscape, you can thank the previous owner whose dream you are now enjoying.
Unfortunately, trees grown in unsuitable environments will have weak growth and short lives. None of us would want that. So, before you plant a tree, click on TREES to find out which type of tree(s) would be most suitable for your landscape along with a brief listing of Oklahoma Proven tree selection - those that have been proven to do best in our area and environment.
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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
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!
We thank you for having been such faithful contributors both in the past and in advance for your future consideration and participation!
For this month, the following are being recognized for their much appreciated donations:
General Fund
Judy Feuquay
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Got a Question? Or Maybe a Soil or Plant Sample?
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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