Volume 45/ June 2022
Pottawatomie County

Agriculture & Horticulture
News & Updates
Note: Underlined texts are clickable links for more details.
Western Oklahoma faces wheat crop devastation
On the western side of Oklahoma, early cotton acre establishment is in question, and winter wheat outcome looks devastating, according to Gary Strickland, Jackson County director and southwest regional agronomist for Oklahoma State University Extension. With winter wheat crops being harvested as of last week, OSU Extension experts predict a nearly 50% decline in wheat yields on the western side of the state.

Clink the link below for more information.
Successful calving begins now with sound spring breeding
Many cattle ranchers are turning bulls in with their cows and heifers this time of year, and Mark Johnson, beef cattle breeding specialist for Oklahoma State University Extension, has some tips for a successful breeding season.

Link to learn more.
Landscape Watering Tips
 Plants need water, but how you water and how much you water can make a big difference in plant health and how much your pocketbook is affected. Below are some tips on how to water so you don’t waste water or money and have healthy plants.

  • Water deeply, but infrequently. Allowing the water to soak into the ground and letting the soil dry out between watering forces plants to produce strong, deep roots.
  • Mulching retains soil moisture, prevents erosion, controls weeds, and increases soil quality.
  • Install a rain sensor. A rain sensor turns the irrigation system off during and immediately after a rain event.
  • Don’t water hardscapes. Make sure sprinklers are watering the lawn and not the street or sidewalks.
  • Avoid heavy pruning. Pruning stimulates growth and your plants will require more water.
  • Mature plants require less water. Mature plants and trees have deep root systems and can be watered less frequently.
  • If selecting new plants, chose ones that use less water to maintain. See our great resource: Link to one of my favorite resources - Water Efficient Landscaping (This is a large file and will take a few minutes to download.)
  • Consider installing a rain barrel that can collect rainwater to use for your lawn or landscape. 
  • Divert gutter drains to strategic locations for landscapes using a splitter or perforated drain system, directing water away from foundation, but into landscape or lawn areas. When designing this you need to plan for heavy rains, as well as drought conditions. Consider your soil type and the plant(s) water needs. When this goes wrong, you could overwater your plants. Sandy soil will drain much faster. Plan this one well to be effective.
Multi-County Master Gardener Update
Ten Master Gardener candidates completed their class training in March and are beginning to earn volunteer hours. Our annual plant sale was the first time some of them got to meet the rest of the group and we had a great day. Pictured below are some of our team that worked the plant sale. A few were helping clients and we missed catching them. Thank you to all of our volunteers and the work they do!

A very special Thank You to Linda Smith for her years of incredible support and plant production for this event. With her greenhouse and plant propagation knowledge, we have some really neat plants to offer to the community. Many of our members bring plants that they grow at home, in window sills, on kitchen tables, on porches and in nursery beds. The challenges of production can be many, but when you love to grow plants, you find a way! This group is a 'library' of experience from all different backgrounds!

For more information on the program, go to the Multi-County Master Gardener Page of our Website If you are interested in participating, come to one of our meetings and scout out the program. Third Wednesday of the month at our office classroom, 9 am to about noon. Event Link
Thank you to all who supported our Master Gardener Plant Sale!
What is coming up in Pottawatomie County?
Our office will be closed on Monday, June 20th for holiday.
Belfair Garden Adventure Plant Therapy Workshop
Belfair Memory Care Center
June 3rd, 10:15 am to 11:00 am
Residents Only
Garden sensory workshop for Seniors - Succulent planters! Mini indoor plants for easy care and small spaces.
Multi-County Master Gardeners
Executive Meeting June 8th
OSU Extension Office Classroom
9:30 am

Association Meeting
June 15, 2022
9:00 am to noon
OSU Extension Office Classroom
Shawnee, OK

Snacks and coffee at 9:00 am, business meeting at 9:30am. Education Segment will be on Healthy Ways to Cook vegetables, with Sonya McDaniel.

All past, present, and future members are welcome!



STATE Master Gardener Conference
Postponed to October 6-7, 2022
Claremore, OK

Pre-conference Social at Will Rogers Memorial Museum
Rogers State University Dr. Carolyn Taylor Conference Center
Look for more Pottawatomie County Cattlemen's Association educational events beginning this fall.


Have a great summer!
MASTER CATTLEMEN COURSE

Combined counties of Pottawatomie, Hughes, Pontotoc and Seminole.

Start Date: October 6, 2022 - April 2023

Where: Gordon Cooper Vo-Tech Seminole, OK Campus

Cost: $175

For more information and to sign up please contact the Pottawatomie County Extension Office at (405) 273-7683.
Announcements - Across the State
Oklahoma Pecan Grower Association Convention
June 9 - 11, 2022
Flyer - Click for details
Online Shackelford Horticulture Webinar Series for 2022
New Schedule! New Registration!
These are intended for all audiences! Master Gardeners are encouraged to use these lectures for educational hours. Home gardeners and industry personnel will find something new to learn.
Average Fertilizer Prices
Current Price/Last Reported
Urea (46-0-0).......$825 down from $933.00
DAP (18-46-0)......$1058 down from $1065.00
Pot Ash (0-0-60)..$903 down from $913.00
These prices are based on an average of three area bulk fertilizer dealers. (updated May 31, 2022)

Just a note, these prices can change daily. Shop around for price and availability.
CATTLE PRICES
HAY PRICING
For Hay and Cattle prices: Red will indicate a drop in price, Green will indicate a rise in price. (5 31 2022)
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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