Fall In The Rear-View Mirror
Ole Man Winter Straight Ahead

     December 2018 / Volume 141
December Horticultural Tips
All kinds of garden tips (Lawn & Turf, Trees & Shrubs, Flowers, Fruits & Nuts, and much more) for the month of December can be found by clicking GARDEN TIPS.

So, Just Who Are Those Tulsa Master Gardeners?
What's a Tulsa County Master Gardener?
What's a Tulsa County Master Gardener?

Winter Weather Outlook: El Nino Again?

The current thinking is that a "weak" El NiƱo is developing in the Pacific Ocean, and will last through the upcoming winter.  But, what does this actually mean for the Tulsa area?  Click on WEATHER to see what both our paid forecasters as well as our furry friends in nature are predicting.
Winter Prep For Spring: A Big Payoff
  
The weather is cold and maybe even snowing, so there's not much to do in the garden, right? 

Actually, there is a lot to do in the off season.  Every hour spent on lawns and gardens in the off season will save three or four hours in the spring and will give noticeable results.  Click on  WINTER PREP for winter tips about lawns, flower beds and vegetable gardens as well as some "Don'ts".  
Fireplace Ashes: What NOT To Do With Them

Looking for a short, honest and technically sound answer for what to do and NOT to do with fireplace ashes?  Click on ASHES to find out.
The Best Soil For Containers

From forcing bulbs to growing houseplants to cultivating urban veggie gardens, container gardening has earned some well-deserved attention in recent years.  And understandably . . . as container gardening offers flexibility and variety in plant material selections, beautiful and creative container choices and space-saving benefits. 

Click on CONTAINER GARDENING  for more information about "The Dirty Truth" of what to use and NOT to use in your containers as well as a great fact sheet resource.
Proper Indoor Plant Care During The Winter

Arguably, the most challenging time of the year to maintain indoor plants is during the winter months.  Lower moisture and light levels combined with shorter days and the furnace running, plant lovers' hands are somewhat tied.  However, with just a little foresight and planning, managing becomes a lot less stressful and more manageable.

Click on INDOOR PLANT CARE for some tips to help you manage your plants throughout the tough winter months.
Growing Amaryllis Bulbs . . . And Some Additional Indoor Plant Care Tips

Arguably, the most challenging time of the year to maintain indoor plants is during the winter months.  Lower moisture and light levels combined with shorter days and the furnace running, plant lovers' hands are somewhat tied.  However, with just a little foresight and planning, managing becomes a lot less stressful and more manageable.

Click on AMARYLLIS AND INDOOR PLANT CARE to learn how to successfully grow Amaryllis as well as for some additional tips to help you manage your plants throughout the tough winter months.
Under The Mistletoe

Perhaps some of you have already experienced a sweet smooch or two under the holiday mistletoe, enjoying this fairly old kissing ritual for people. Although it figures prominently in ancient lore, mistletoe is important in other vital ways - it provides essential food, cover and nesting sites for an amazing number of critters. In fact, did you know that some animals couldn't even survive without mistletoe, including some birds, butterflies, and insects?

Click on MISTLETOE for a little history lesson, what it can do to trees, and some of its benefits.  Info for everyone here!
DID YOU KNOW?

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
 
Did you know that we have been around for over three decades, since 1983?  And, we plan to be around for many more decades.  Did you know that  we are one of the top five Master Gardener county programs in the entire nation?  We are, indeed, because of the size of our Foundation membership, the diversity and activity level of our 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 program, click on   TULSA MASTER GARDENER ENDOWMENT FUND.
 
If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to help fund our annual expenses, click on  TULSA MASTER GARDENER AGENCY FUND.
 
We thank you for having been such faithful contributors both in the past and in advance for your future consideration and participation!  The Tulsa area is such a giving community!

For this month, the following folks are being recognized for their much appreciated donations: 

Tulsa Master Gardener Endowment Fund

Jeannie Alaback
Shirley Andrew
Susan Braselton
Phyllis Campbell
Elaine Dodson
Estella Franken
Diane Hambric
Gerald Hatfield
LeAnn Hicks
Barbara MacCallum
John Maxwell
Steve McCurley
Ann McKellar
Bob Mickey
John Mowry
Henry North
Bob Plank
Carol & David Sartin
Bob Stees
Kim Stover
DeAnn Tracy
Larry H Wewers
Becky Whisenhunt
Robert Zachary
Got a Question? Or Maybe a Soil or Plant Sample?
MG logo
Our Master Gardeners are on hand to assist you with even the toughest gardening questions. Visit us in person, by phone, via email or online! Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.


Address: 4116 E. 15th Street, Gate 6 at the Fairgrounds
Phone: (918) 746-3701

Need More Information?
butterfly
law n fertilizer
complex leaves
All about butterfly gardening in Tulsa County.

How to Take a Soil Test
How to collect a good sample of soil from your lawn or garden and get it tested at the OSU lab.

Once you have collected your soil test and gotten the results back, now what? Find out here. 

Show and tell.
Cool Season Lawn Care (Fescue)
12-month maintenance calendar.
State horticulturists, nurseries and growers pick favorite plants, shrubs and trees for use in the Oklahoma landscape. See the winners for this year and years past.


A list of recommended trees with descriptions. 

A list of over 60, by size and color.

Visit our demonstration garden on  15th Street, open 7 days a week. 

Current and historical source of rainfall, air temperatures, soil temps and much more. Click on Bixby station.  



  
BECOME A MASTER GARDENER!
 
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