SWAN LAKE

FEBRUARY HORTICULTURAL

AND GARDEN TIPS

Even in the dead of winter, there are a few things that gardeners can be doing. Some of them (Trees & Shrubs, Fruits & Nuts, Flowers, Turf, Vegetables, and more) are highlighted in this month's tips. So, to learn about what can be done in FEBRUARY, click on GARDEN TIPS.

You could get your plants this way or consider the following . . .

IT'S BACK - THE ANNUAL TULSA MASTER GARDENER SPRING PLANT SALE HAS BEGUN

If you ever wondered how your Tulsa Master Gardeners are financially able to do all of the community outreach and educational programs that we do it is from our own fundraising events. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and receive no governmental or otherwise outside financial aid. The Spring Plant Sale is clearly our biggest fundraising event each year. So . . . . .

Click on PLANT SALE INFO for some general information about this wonderful event.

Or, click on SHOPPING CART if you wish to go straight to a terrific shopping experience.

Plant pick-up is on Thursday,

April 17th, 7am - 7pm at the Exchange

Center on the Tulsa State Fairgrounds

We feel so fortunate about the public's participation in our annual event. Thank you in advance for continuing to support us so we can support our community in return!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS TO ATTEND

The Compost Connection

From Green Country Master Composters

It’s February . . . and LOVE is in the air, but can it be composted? That is a good question. In a word, No. But wait, how is love often expressed for Valentine’s Day? Love and affection is often expressed by presenting our loved ones with flowers, especially🌹roses, or special Valentine’s candy packaged in heart-shaped❤️boxes . . .and don’t forget the Valentine’s card with love notes! But what’s to be done with those flowers, candy containers, and cards with the love notes when they have wilted🥀, and left empty packaging? Can any of the debris of those tangible expressions of love and affection be composted? Frankly, yes, parts of it certainly can.

Wilted petals and leaves past their prime from roses and other flowers CAN be composted. Separate flower heads from stems if you wish to aid in faster decomposition. Cut stems in two or three pieces and watch for those thorns! Candy and flower boxes can be composted IF they are not wax covered. No foil or embossed paper which have too many embellishments. And colored print may have chemicals that are not good for your compost. Tear all Valentine packaging to be composted into smaller pieces for quicker breakdown. Gift wrapping paper should always be screened before being added to active compost. This applies to envelopes and cards as well. If the card is too embellished, or on slick card stock, it might be a better choice to just recycle it if it's not being kept for sentimental reasons. Trash (or recycle) all special plastic heart-shaped trays that once held delicious chocolate confection. Trash all small foil paper that once enfolded delicious chocolate - it will not compost . . . ever. Trash glittered embossed tissue paper, bows, and ribbons. When it comes to adding items to a compost pile remember the adage . . if/when in doubt, leave it out!

February is a good month to take care of a few compost tasks such as:

• adding any finished compost as a top layer for gardens
• adding ready compost to flowerbeds
• removing any debris or weeds from an active compost bin to prevent disease
• repair, sharpen, or replace broken or dull compost tools 

Martha Stewart has great advice for winter composting chores. Here’s the link:

https://www.themarthablog.com/2018/01/winter-composting-and-cleaning.html

This article was written in January, 2018, but is still good advice, explains quite a bit about the science of producing compost, and is interesting if one is interested in composting which, of course, we are. Mind you, Martha’s crew produces compost on a large scale but it contains good advice and many example tidbits that can apply to homeowners as well.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with your compost questions:

• Call 918-746-3701
• Visit the Tulsa County Extension Services building in Tulsa at 4116 East 15th Street, Mon-Fri - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Send questions to mg@tulsamastergardeners.org
• Visit our website at tulsamastergardeners.org and click on the Lawn & Garden link then scroll down to the Tips & Techniques section to find the Composting section under that.

WEATHERING YOUR GARDEN

SO, JUST HOW ACCURATE IS PHIL?

February 2^nd is nationally known as Groundhog Day. That is when we supposedly find out if we are going to have six more weeks of winter or an early spring. This year the weather rodent predicted 6 more weeks of winter. Whether or not you rely on the furry critter, have you ever wondered how accurate he is?

Punxsutawney Phil, the “official groundhog” has been a weather forecaster since 1886, which would make him 138 (the average groundhog lives to be 14). They say drinking the elixir of life (a secret recipe) is the reason he has lived so long. We need to find that recipe!

Legend has it, if Punx sees his shadow, we are in for 6 more weeks of winter weather. If he does not, we can expect an early springlike warm-up. So, how accurate is he? Out of 138 forecasts, the groundhog has only been right 39% percent of the time. Maybe he’s been drinking too much elixir!

By contrast, a human meteorologist is correct 50% of the time 10 days out, 80% 7 days out, and 90% 5 days out. There is not any data on the accuracy of a 6-week forecast, but if it was 39%, he would be out of a job!

By the way, even though he’s not very accurate, you can visit Punxsutawney at his burrow on 300 East Mahoning Street in Punxsutawney, PA (near the Gobbler’s Knob Visitor Center). If you do, maybe you can get him to share his secret elixir with you!

COOL SEASON VEGGIES:

IT'S ALMOST TIME!

Believe it or not, we are only a couple of weeks away from being able to start planting for our spring vegetable garden. If you happen to have a cold frame you can start even sooner since the cold frame helps concentrate heat on your plants and the soil. But, if not, get ready . . . it'll be here before you know it.

To learn how to get a head start on spring veggies, click on COOL SEASON VEGGIES.

POST-CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CACTUS CARE

The Christmas cactus is a cherished houseplant known for its vibrant blooms during the holiday season. And proper post-bloom care is essential to ensure its health and encourage future flowering.

Click on CACTUS CARE to learn more about how the proper watering, lighting, temperature, fertilization, pruning, propagation, and repotting practices can help to keep your beautiful plant beautiful year after year.

THE MESONET: A GREAT GARDENER'S TOOL

Winter in Oklahoma! It’s a wild ride of cold days, warm days, sun, rain, wind, and snow. It’s enough to give anyone a touch of cabin fever. We are all anxious to get back to doing what we love most - working in our gardens.

When can I start planting?

What is the soil temperature in my area?

Is the soil too wet or too dry?

What’s next for our famously changeable weather?

We are in luck! Here in Oklahoma the answers to all these questions, and many more, are available 24/7 on the Internet at the Oklahoma Mesonet site at http://www.mesonet.org. Click on MESONET to learn much more about this handy gardening tool.

DESIGNING A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN:

PART 6: PRINCIPLES OF SIMPLICITY AND SEQUENCE

Well, here we are at the end of this road. This is the last of our six-part series on principles of designing a beautiful garden. We hope you have enjoyed learning about all of the various components that make a garden "pop". The last edition focuses on how a well-designed garden seamlessly integrates the elements and principles of design to create a visually appealing and functional outdoor space. While all principles contribute to the garden’s overall aesthetic, simplicity and sequence play particularly crucial roles in maintaining clarity and coherence, ensuring the design remains inviting rather than overwhelming. Click on SIMPLICITY & SEQUENCE to learn more.....then we're done!

SOME BACKGROUND

In September we started a series on landscaping design. We discussed the fact that designing a home garden involves more than just planting a variety of flowers and shrubs. It requires a thoughtful approach to arranging plants, hardscapes, and other elements in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and functional. If you missed Part 1 or would like to refresh your memory, click on ELEMENTS OF DESIGN.

In October our second part in this series ventured into Mass, Form, & Line. According to Oklahoma State University Extension fact sheet "Homeowner Garden Design Series: Elements and Principles of Design HLA-6441," of the five elements of design: mass, form, line, texture and color, the three first elements play a pivotal role in shaping the garden's structure and mood. If you missed Part 2 or would like to refresh your memory, click on MASS, FORM, & LINE to understand better how these elements can help you as a homeowner craft your gardens such that they are not only functional but also visually striking.

In November we explored the last two elements of texture and color, and added value as a bonus. Crafting a beautiful garden involves balancing design elements to create spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functionally cohesive. If you missed PART 3 or would like to refresh your memory, click on TEXTURE, COLOR, & VALUE to learn how these items play a significant role in shaping the garden's ambiance and structure.

In December, we started delving into principles . . . starting with scale & balance. The elements discussed in September through November work together with six principles of design (scale, balance, rhythm, emphasis, simplicity, unity) to bring structure, mood, and flow to the landscape. If you missed PART 4 or would like to refresh your memory click on SCALE & BALANCE to learn how these concepts are foundational to ensure the garden feels cohesive and proportionate.

In January, we discussed how rhythm and emphasis are particularly powerful in creating dynamic and engaging gardens that capture attention and guide movement. If you missed PART 5 or would like to refresh your memory click on RHYTHM & EMPHASIS to learn about this important feature.

PROPER TREE PLANTING

Planting trees is a rewarding endeavor that enhances your property's beauty, environmental quality, and value. Further, proper tree planting is crucial for ensuring the long-term health and stability of the tree.

Click on PROPER TREE PLANTING to read about the comprehensive steps for successful tree planting in Oklahoma, considering the state's unique climate and soil conditions.

That's ok, the hole wasn't big enough anyway.....

SOIL SAMPLING & TESTING - NOW IS A GOOD TIME

Well, it’s officially winter now and all those gorgeous, glossy catalogs from the seed and plant nursery companies are starting to arrive. Now is a good time to plan for next year’s garden. There is something you can do to now to get a head start on your spring planting. It is the perfect time to get your soil tested! 

A basic soil test will tell you what nutrients might be deficient in your soil and what you need to add to get the best results in your lawn and gardens.

So, if it has been three years or more since your soil was tested, having a new test performed would be wise. And, it is not too late in the season to do this as long as the soil is not frozen. There are recommended ways to take samples properly so click on SOIL TEST to learn the best way to achieve the most accurate results.

STARTING SPRING

SEEDLINGS INDOORS

Starting garden plants from seeds indoors can be an enjoyable project for any gardener - beginner or seasoned. It is an inexpensive way to grow a wide variety of plants and many garden favorites are found in a greater variety of colors, sizes, and growth habits as seeds, rather than as started plants.

Seeds are available from many sources, ranging from your local building supply store to garden centers and mail order catalogs . . . but their prices can vary greatly so shop wisely.

So, if you are wanting something to do on these cold, winter days, consider starting your spring garden early . . . indoors. Click on SPRING SEEDLINGS to learn a good way to do this.

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 two main annual Tulsa Master Gardener fundraisers are its Spring Plant Sale in April and the Garden Tour that is usually the first weekend 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  

TULSA MASTER GARDENER ENDOWMENT FUND.

If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to help fund the Tulsa Master Gardener program's annual expenses, click on

TULSA MASTER GARDENER FUND.

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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You can get answers to all of your gardening questions at:

TULSA MASTER GARDENERS

4116 East 15th Street Tulsa, OK 74112

918-746-3701

mg@tulsamastergardeners.org