Pottawatomie County
Agriculture & Horticulture
News & Updates
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Master Gardener Course 2020
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We are excited to say that we have enough enrollment to hold the 2020 Master Gardener Course! This class will meet on Thursdays at our Pottawatomie County Cowboy Classroom from 9 to 3:30.
We are set to begin on January 16, and this will run through the end of March.
If anyone is still interested in signing up, I will be ordering materials right after Dec. 1st. Just call and visit with me to join the class, soon!
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Christmas Tree Safety
How to Care for a Tree after Purchase
, assuming a relatively fresh Christmas tree was purchased, there are certain procedures that will assist in maintaining this freshness.
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• The base should be sawed off about one inch above the original cut, and the base placed in a container of water. Sprinkling or misting the branches and needles will also help retain freshness.
• If the tree is bought several days before it is to be decorated, it should be stored outside in a cool, shaded area• The base of the tree should be kept in water throughout the entire period that the tree is in use. Research has indicated that no water additives are needed, but it is critical that the tree’s base not be allowed to dry.
• When displaying the tree, be sure the stand is strong enough to support the tree.
• Be sure the tree is placed away from sources of heat. Trees do not cause fires but will support combustion when they cease to take up water and become dry.
• Do not leave tree lights on unless someone is at home.
• Trees should be removed prior to becoming overly dry. The longer the tree is indoors, the greater the risk of it drying due to loss of moisture.
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Interesting Facts About Poinsettias
No flower says Christmas like the beautiful poinsettia. Learn a few facts about this traditional Christmas plant.
~Poinsettias are part of the
Euphorbiaceae
or Spurge family. Botanically, the plant is known as
Euphorbia pulcherrima.
~Many plants in the
Euphorbiaceae
family ooze a milky sap. Some people with latex allergies have had a skin reaction (most likely to the sap) after touching the leaves. For pets, the poinsettia sap may cause mild irritation or nausea. Probably best to keep pets away from the plant, especially puppies and kittens.
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Poinsettias are not poisonous
. A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50-pound child would have to eat more than 500 leaves to have any harmful effect. Plus poinsettia leaves have an awful taste.
~The showy colored parts of poinsettias that most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves).
~Joel Roberts Poinsett introduced the poinsettia plant to the United States from Mexico. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico.
~In Mexico the poinsettia is a perennial shrub that will grow 10-15 feet tall.
~There are more than 100 varieties of poinsettias available today. Poinsettias come in colors like the traditional red, white, pink, burgundy, marbled and speckled.
~The Paul Ecke Ranch in California grew over 70% of all Poinsettias purchased in the United States and does about 50% of the world-wide sales of Poinsettias. The Ecke Ranch sold in 2012. California remains the top state in the US for production.
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A Message from Dr. Whitworth, DVM on Swine
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An emerging disease in swine that is associated with death loss and abortion in pigs has been found in Canada and the United States. The bacterium is
Streptococcus
equi subspecies
zooepidemicus. This bacterium is a normal inhabitant of horses, but on occasions is found in other species including man.
S. equi subspecies
zooepidemicus has not been a major problem in the swine industry until now. This particular strain of the bacterium is very similar to a strain that killed large numbers of pigs in China in the 1970s.
This is reminder for everyone in the swine industry from large commercial operation to the backyard 4H show projects to practice good Biosecurity!
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What is coming up in Pottawatomie County?
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Soil Health - Cool Season Cover Crops Field Day
December 6th, 2019
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This workshop is a cooperative effort with a number of agencies to teach the importance of cover crops and soil management for production agriculture.
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Multi-County Master Gardener
Christmas Party
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December 11, 2019 from 9 am to noon
Christmas Brunch Potluck - Bring your favorite to share
"Dirty Gardener" gift exchange (optional but always fun)
Bring a $15 or less gift
Location is new: Meet at the Sarah Dudley Conference Room, this is the new building just behind the SantaFe Depot, downtown Shawnee. Entrance is on the SW corner of the building.
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Master Gardeners - January Notes
Master Gardener 2020 Course is scheduled to begin on January 16th!
January Master Gardner Education Segment will be with Carla and Linda Smith on Plant Propagation. Let's jump start the plant sale thoughts! Come if you can!
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Pott County Cattlemen's Association
Christmas Dinner
Friday, December 6, 2019 6:30 pm
Tecumseh Alumni Center
Steak dinner catered by Droffat's
Non members $25
RSVP by December 2nd, 273-7683
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Pottawatomie County OSU Extension will be closing December 24, and 25 for the Christmas Holiday and January 1st. Enjoy your friends and families!
Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!
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What is coming up around the State?
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December 5-17
Oklahoma City
South Central Oklahoma Vegetable Growers Conference
Murray County Expo
December 12, 2019
Afternoon and evening program, 3pm to 8pm
December 17 and 18, 2019
OSU Student Union
Cost is $125 before December 2nd, ($200 after deadline)
Registration does not include your overnight stay, but ask for the Winter Crops discount, if staying at the Atherton on campus.
Coming in 2020:
University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR
January 7-8, 2020
Horticulture Industries Show
January 10-11, 2020
Owasso, OK
Fruit Tree Field Day by Becky Carroll
Feb. 15th
Details coming soon
Grape Workshop by Becky Carroll
Feb. 19th
Details coming soon
Courses at Cimarron Valley Research Station/ Perkins, OK:
Pecan Management Course - Sign up by Feb. 14th
Grape Management Course - Sign up by Feb. 21st
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Gardening with the Experts
sponsored by Shawnee Beautification
Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Shawnee, OK
Save the Date: January 25th, 2020 9 to noon
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Poultry Waste Management Education
Link
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Average Fertilizer Prices
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Current Price Last Reported
Urea (46-0-0)......... $410/ton down from $420/ton
DAP (18-46-0)........ 505/ton down from $517.50/ton
Pot Ash (0-0-60).... $400/ton down from $405/ton
These prices are based on an average of two different bulk fertilizer dealers. 11-27-19.
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For Hay and Cattle prices:
Red
will indicate a drop in price,
Green
will indicate a raise in price.
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Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
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Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more information,
visit
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