AHHH, FALL!
NOVEMBER 2022 / VOLUME 188
NOVEMBER HORTICULTURAL
AND GARDEN TIPS

A variety of topics (Lawn & Turf, Tree & Shrub, Flowers, Fruits & Nuts, and more) are highlighted this month. So, learn about what you should be doing in the month of NOVEMBER by clicking on GARDEN TIPS.
FROM GREEN COUNTRY MASTER COMPOSTERS
Preparing your garden, yard, flowerbeds, and house exterior for winter rest is normal activity at the end of each year. Don't forget to do the same for the compost bin, pile, or designated area. There are a few guidelines to help maintain and enrich your compost during winter months.
 
It will not be necessary to add the same amount of materials during winter that you had during the spring and summer months. But you will need to refresh, replenish, water, and turn to aerate your compost bin occasionally to keep it functional and producing. There are many videos and articles on YouTube and Internet for information and troubleshooting. But always be sure to check your source to ensure it is reliable. A safe rule of thumb is to obtain your information and view how-to videos from a research-based facility, such as a university or an URL address with ".edu" at the end. A couple of reliable articles can be found by clicking on WINTER COMPOSTING and on COMPOSTING IN WINTER. A reliable YouTube video can be found by clicking on COMPOSTING VIDEO.

Don't forget to contact your local county extension office for advice and fact sheets. Tulsa County Master Gardeners has a website loaded with research-based information, schedules for upcoming workshops, as well as classes, videos, links, fact sheets, and contact information . . . all at tulsamastergardeners.org.

Here's a reminder to compost kitchen scraps. But do not compost leftover table scraps from a meal. Always AVOID the following in a compost pile:

  • Bones
  • Fish and meat scraps
  • Oils and fats
  • Dog and cat waste
  • Weeds that have gone to seed
  • Charcoal ash
  • Wood or plants treated with pesticides or insecticides
  • Diseased or insect-infested plants

It is quite alright to add your jack-o'-lanterns, decoration pumpkins, fall gourds, leaves, and small limbs to the compost pile. But, unless you want a new crop of these next year, first scoop out all seeds. And no one wants to have to weed a compost pile, too! TIP: If you leave pumpkin seeds out for birds, please dry them first because they mildew quickly.

Lastly, give thanks. Enjoy all beautiful bounty that is included and gone into your composting efforts. Soon, in the very next season you'll be using the rich compost you've created to grow more beautiful bounty. And with that, we say 🍁HAPPY THANKSGIVING🍂
TOOL OF THE MONTH:
BULB AUGER
Since there is still a little bit of time left for bulb planting, we're repeating last month's cool tool idea again.

Ok, so it's not the latest revolutionary idea but, if someone had a lot of bulbs to plant and didn't know about these handy little augers, this just might make their day. Paired with your favorite cordless drill, bulb augers can make the job much easier and faster.

There are many brands, makes, and models online and on the market so not even gonna try to recommend one over the other. Just Google it, Amazon it, or go by your favorite nursery to see what's available. Any way you choose to buy one, it will save you a ton of work vs digging by hand, particularly if the soil is dry and/or of the challenging type.
FALL GARDENING TIPS
Since there's still a bit of fall left, we thought it might be helpful to re-run this article from last month in case you missed it or just wanted a refresher.

So, click on FALL GARDENING TIPS for a general list of gardening thingys you should AND should not be doing this time of year.
"FALL" INTO SPRING WITH
SPRING-FLOWRING BULBS
Welcome to the yoyo season (aka “fall”) here in Northeastern Oklahoma! Even though we had a slightly early frost followed by a return to summer temps, followed by spring-like storms, it is time to plan your spring gardens. That means getting your spring-blooming flower bulbs now. There is still a broad selection of flowering bulbs available at your local garden center and online.

For more information and tips on bulb selection, site selection, planting, and maintenance, click on SPRING BULBS.
SOIL SAMPLING & TESTING:
NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO DO SO
Sometimes in mid-growing season we wonder what we are doing wrong that causes our plants to look so weak and sometimes sickly. After all, we fertilized with nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. So, what else do we need?

Yes, we need to fertilize, but we need to fertilize smartly! Giving our lawns and gardens what they need and the minerals and elements required for proper absorption can only be determined by a soil test. Blanket application of fertilizer without soil test results may very well result in a waste of time, money, and effort. More importantly, they may pose serious environmental problems such as excess chemicals flowing into our waterways. And, don't forget about soil pH . . . it's gotta be right as well.

Bottom line . . . a basic soil test will provide you that scientific basis for evaluating available plant nutrients and existing pH in lawns and gardens. For more information on soil testing and proper soil sampling, click on SOIL SAMPLING & TESTING.
MEET THE GOOD AND BAD BEETLES:
THE FAB 2
ASIAN LADY BEETLE
You may be familiar with the “ladybug” of your youth. They are so tiny, so pretty, and oh so helpful in the garden for getting rid of pests. But, you may now be seeing variations of the original lady as you travel around. Some of these variations are not so helpful, namely the Asian Lady Beetle.

Since 1988, Asian Lady Beetles have been reported with a wider range of colors and spots. In some places, they are Here, There and Everywhere! But, what about Oklahoma? Click on ASIAN LADY BEETLE to learn more about their life cycle and if you should be worried about them in your local garden.
GROWING GINSENG
As long as 2,000 years ago, Ginseng was being harvested and used because of its health benefits. Among the health claims are enhanced focus, increased energy, sharper cognitive function, and regulated blood pressure. Some believe it aids in weight loss as well. And, finally, it is a valuable cash crop.

Ginseng is a long-lived and a slow growing perennial plant, some plants living up to 50 years. For more interesting information on this plant, click on GINSENG. Then, come back next month for even more info on this rather unique subject.
A PRIMER ON PLANT PATHOGENS
Mycorrhiza Fungi
A plant pathogen is an organism that causes a disease on a plant. Although relatives of some plant pathogens are human or animal pathogens, most plant pathogens only harm plants. There are five primary groups of plant pathogens. They include:
  • Fungi
  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Parasitic nematodes
  • Parasitic plants

Most plant diseases are caused by fungal or fungal-like organisms. However, other serious plant diseases can be produced by viral and bacterial organisms.

Examples of some common signs and symptoms of fungal, bacterial, and viral plant diseases can be found by clicking on PLANT PATHOGENS. Our promise to you . . . it's an easy read (no highly technical terms).
ALL ABOUT PINE TREES
Every gardener seeking four-season interest should consider evergreens in the landscape. As a structural backdrop for other plantings, a habitat for wildlife, a wind or noise break, or on its own as a specimen, an evergreen can supply texture and depth to vacant garden spaces.

Pines are a very popular evergreen choice for the creative gardener. But what makes a pine . . . a pine? By clicking on PINE TREES you will be introduced to information on what really is a pine, some of the common cultivars, as well as some problems and disease they may endure. All said and done, they are generally well worth it!
THE MYSTERY OF
ACORN PRODUCTION
Acorns, or oaknut, is the nut of oak trees and its close relatives. Each acorn usually contains one seed enclosed in a tough, leathery shell and born in a cup-shaped cupule. They mature in late summer and start falling to the ground in September and October. Acorns are produced on white and red oaks, and are dependent on weather, genetics, and available resources.

The interesting thing is that every 2-5 years (some say every 5-7 years) “masting” occurs. Interested in knowing what "masting" and "a mast year" means and how it applies to acorn production? Well then, you are certainly in luck . . . just click on ACORN PRODUCTION to find out this and much more about acorns.
TRANSITIONING HOUSEPLANTS FROM OUTDOORS TO INDOORS
It's that time of year again when some of us find ourselves engaged in an annual ritual of preparing our houseplants for the haul back indoors. For most houseplants, this means ending their summer vacation when night temperatures fall below 45–48° F. Waiting beyond this time is flirting with disaster so, if you have not yet done so, you need to take action soon (like before this coming Friday!).

As simple as this task may sound, it turns out that this is a project that requires some pre-planning and organization. Click on HOUSEPLANTS to learn the few but key steps needed to be taken to ensure a successful transition from outdoors to indoors.
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!

========================================================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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TULSA MASTER GARDENERS
4116 East 15th Street Tulsa, OK 74112
918-746-3701
mg@tulsamastergardeners.org