AND THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER CONTINUE
AUGUST 2023 / VOLUME #197
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Courtesy of Damon's Droneography |
AUGUST HORTICULTURAL
AND GARDEN TIPS
A variety of topics (Vegetables, Fruits & Nuts, Flowers, Trees & Shrubs, Lawn & Turf, and General Landscape tips) are highlighted this month. So, to learn about what you should be doing in the month of AUGUST click on GARDEN TIPS.
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If you are interested in knowing how to become a Tulsa Master Gardener, click on the picture below to register to receive a meeting e-mail reminder.
Then, be sure to mark your calendar for upcoming one-hour information sessions as follows:
Wednesday, August 9th @ 10 a.m.
or
Wednesday, August 16th @ 1 p.m.
Held at the Tulsa County OSU Extension Office
4116 East 15th Street, Tulsa
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From time to time, your Tulsa Master Gardeners partner with our marketing consulting firm to create videos highlighting what we do and why we love doing it. Check out the latest video at TMG Community Outreach.
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FROM GREEN COUNTRY MASTER COMPOSTERS |
This summer Compost Connection has rerun the FBI Series of Compost. FBI stands for the FUNGI, BACTERIA, and INVERTEBRATES roles in the production of healthy compost. This month is the third and final installment presenting “I” for INVERTEBRATES.
Invertebrates you might find in your compost include: Sowbugs, (or pillbugs, roly-polys), spiders, earthworms, millipedes, and centipedes. There are other invertebrates busy in an active compost pile, and can be a good sign the bacterial activity and temperatures in the pile are low. This may mean the compost is ready for use, or it may also indicate the compost pile is not decomposing properly and not becoming hot which is a necessary phase to break down, or decompose, organic matter.
A public service announcement. ANTS IN THE COMPOST PILE INDICATE THE PILE IS TOO DRY.
These INVERTEBRATES are necessary composters which can be seen with the naked eye. When observed in abundance in your working pile, are clues to make adjustments. If you see too many pillbugs when you uncover your pile, it’s likely time to turn your pile. This helps reduce moisture and improves airflow. Millipedes have hundreds of legs to move in and out of your compost. They help not only with breaking down organisms, but also improving airflow.
A reminder from our three-part series is keeping a healthy compost must have diverse ecosystems of insects and organisms working together. The material should be moist enough when you squeeze a handful to be similar to that of a wrung-out sponge.
Here are some recommended resources for further information on COMPOST.
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WEATHERING YOUR GARDEN: WHY ISN'T THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR ALSO
THE HOTTEST?
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If you’re looking for a good conversation starter at your next cocktail party (does anyone have those anymore?), ask someone why the longest day of the year isn’t the warmest. After all, the first day of summer occurs in June when the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun resulting in more daylight hours than any other day of the year. After that, the days get shorter until the first day of fall when day and night are equal.
So again, why isn’t the longest day the warmest? The answer is called “seasonal lag”. Like your oven (no pun intended), it takes time once you turn it on to reach the temperature you set it at. Our summers do the same thing. Even though our longest day is in June, it usually takes until August for all that heat to build up like it has this year.
Summer 2023 is officially 93 days, and August is more or less the halfway point when we have the most 100-degree days. Seasonal lag also occurs in winter, but in the opposite way. The first day of winter occurs in December when the daylight is the shortest, and even though the days get longer until the first day of spring, the coldest day isn’t the shortest.
So, now that you’re going to be a hit at your next cocktail party explaining season lag, get out and water those plants that sag!
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Lots of pruning (still) going on around the city during the last month due to the major June storm damage. Many have already put to good use cutting saws and chainsaws to get things in order while others are still in the "Work in Progress" mode. And while this article may not be timely for some, it's always good to know tried and true pruning techniques.
First and foremost - be safe! If in doubt, call a certified arborist to give you an opinion and possibly do the work. So, click on TREE PRUNING for new info or an update on how best to attack that pruning job . . . whether now OR in the future.
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CRAPE MYRTLE BARK SCALE (CMBS) |
Crapemyrtle bark scale. Photo credit: Rick Grantham, Oklahoma State University |
Late Stages of Sooty Mold |
Crape Myrtle trees, with their vibrant blooms and graceful appearance, are cherished additions to any garden or landscape. However, the threat of Crape Myrtle Bark Scale (CMBS), caused by a minuscule insect, looms over these beautiful trees, creating unsightliness and potentially causing significant damage if left unaddressed.
We must equip ourselves with the knowledge and techniques to identify and manage CMBS effectively. Click on CMBS for information on identification and effective control strategies for this nuisance.
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In the world of gardening, the beauty and benefits of ash trees have long been celebrated. However, a tiny green invader from Asia, known as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), has been wreaking havoc on these majestic trees across North America. As gardeners, it is important to learn about these pests and take necessary measures to protect our precious ash trees.
Click on EMERALD ASH BORERS to learn about proper identification, signs of infestation, and effective preventative / control measures.
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GETTING READY FOR THAT FALL VEGETABLE GARDEN . . . ALREADY! |
Some of the best quality garden vegetables in Oklahoma are produced and harvested in the fall when warm, sunny days are followed by cool, humid nights. Under these conditions plant soil metabolism is lower so more of the food produced by the plant becomes a high-quality vegetable product.
But, NOW is the time to get started, even if it is really hot. To learn more about how to prepare a fall garden, click on FALL GARDENING. You won't be sorry you did!
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POISONOUS LANDSCAPE AND
HOUSEHOLD PLANTS
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Gardeners select landscape and houseplants for many different reasons. In our choices, we all contemplate interesting texture and color, beautiful blooms and support for wildlife, amongst other important factors. Yet there is one consideration too often overlooked - could the plant be poisonous?
This could be a problem for both children as well as pets. To learn more about poisonous landscape and household plants, click on POISONOUS. In addition to informative general information, the article contains links to sites listing poisonous plants as well as proper precautions beforehand and post-exposure action steps to take if a poisonous incident is suspected.
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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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