Volume 55/ April 2023

Pottawatomie County

Agriculture & Horticulture

News & Updates

Note: Underlined texts are clickable links for more details.

Feral Hog Problems

Around 9 million feral hogs have been reported in 35 states. Feral hogs were almost unheard of in Oklahoma 40 years ago but can now be found all over the state, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. They cause an estimated $1.5 billion in economic damages annually across the U.S. They eat crops, dig up trees and devour food that other animals depend on.

Clink the link below for more information.

Feral Hogs

OSU Wheat Varieties are Oklahoma's Top Four Most Planted

Oklahoma State University wheat varieties are among the top four varieties planted in Oklahoma for the ninth consecutive year, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Link to learn more.

Wheat Varieties

It's Almost Planting Time!

We are finally approaching the season to plant our warm season crops and flowers. Be sure to keep an eye on the forecast to see what develops. April 15th is our average last frost date. So we can see frost or freeze after that date as well. Some of our crops like watermelon, sweet potato, and okra still need to wait until soil temperatures are warmer, around May 1st. Studies show that waiting for warmer soil temperatures will result in better establishment for certain crops. Use our Oklahoma Garden Planning Guide (click) for quick reference on planting dates. Also, the back of your seed packet has planting information too!

This tomato is an extra dwarf container variety. Look for dwarf or bush plants for smaller gardens and containers. (Thanks Cathy for sharing!)

Pecan Grafting

Our educational session for master gardeners will be April 19th (more details below). Jim Smith will be visiting with us about grafting pecans. He as a technique that he developed and will share how that came to be. Grafting is done in the spring, when the bark is slipping. Graft wood is collected earlier in the year while it is still dormant and stored to keep it dormant. Visitors are welcome.

For a quick reference guide by seasons, see our handy Calendar for Pecan Growers. (click)

Recycle your plant containers!

Master Gardeners use recycled containers for their annual plant sale. If you are planting this spring, don't throw away your empty plant pots. Some are meant for single use, but the sturdy ones are great to re-use and recycle! We try to keep a tote behind our garden shed at the office for drop off. Or put them in a trash bag so they don't blow around, and then drop them off at our shed. Keep containers out of the landfill and support our local project for greener growing. (4" and larger are preferred. One gallon pots are our favorite!)

If you are recycling containers at home, wash off the extra soil and then use a 10% bleach solution to sanitize them before the next use. This keeps your plant roots healthy.

What is coming up in Pottawatomie County?

Master Gardener

Executive Meeting

April 12, 2023

9:30 am

Association Meeting

April 19, 2023

Snacks and Coffee at 9:00 am

Business Meeting at 9:30 am

Educational Session at 10:30ish.

Topic will be Pecan Grafting with Jim Smith of Benson Park Pecans.

All events will be at our OSU Extension Office Cowboy Classroom

Master Gardener Field Trip to Crystal Bridge

April 13th

10:30 am tour

Meet there or carpool from our office

Cost is $11.50 plus tax

If over 65, then $11 plus tax

Let Jennifer Smith know if you plan to attend

Master Gardener Plant Sale

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Garden Workshop Series

Absentee Shawnee Tribe partners with OSU Extension for Garden Workshop Series

Held on the second Friday of the month, these will be held at the Absentee Shawnee Multipurpose Building, 2025 S Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK.

Raised Bed Gardening

Friday, April 14th

10 am to noon

We are going to cover Raised Beds with the thought of our vegetable gardens. We will talk about managing smaller gardens and getting three seasons from one space.

Full schedule January to June with more for summer and fall!

The Pottawatomie County Cattlemen's Association

will be hosting an educational event on April 20, 2023 at 6:00 pm at Tecumseh City Hall.

Our speaker for the evening will be Mike Trammell, OSU Pottawatomie County Ag Educator and Regional Agronomy Specialist.

Mike will discuss getting pastures back into shape after last year's drought.

More details on the event to come!

Announcements - Across the State

Celebrate Spring! Check out these fun events:

Tulip Mania Art Exhibit - Myriad Gardens in OKC

Feb 22th to April 9th Link

Scissortail Park Arbor Day Tree Sale - Downtown OKC

Located at Union Station, 300 SW 7th St. OKC 73109

March 31 and April 1st

9 am to 3 pm

Trees starting at $25 and up.

Art in Bloom - Floral Art Show and Competition - OKC Museum of Art, OKC

April 14 - 16th Link

Must purchase tickets in advance online.

Easter is April 9th for 2023

Hay and Drought Resources

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry - Hay Resources Search (click on link)

Pottawatomie County USDA-Text Message Alerts - Text your state and county (OKPottawatomie) to FSANOW (372-669). Standard text messaging rates apply.

Average Fertilizer Prices

Current Price/Last Reported

Urea (46-0-0).......$533 down from $534.00

MAP (11-52-0)......$775 down from $789.00

Pot Ash (0-0-60)..$598 down from $610.00

These prices are based on an average of three area bulk fertilizer dealers. (updated March 30, 2023)

Just a note, these prices can change daily. Shop around for price and availability.

CATTLE PRICES

HAY PRICING

Photo credit - Todd Johnson, OSU Ag Communications

For Hay and Cattle prices: Red will indicate a drop in price, Green will indicate a rise in price. (3/30/2023)

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.

Pottawatomie County OSU Extension | 14001 Acme Rd Shawnee, OK | (405) 273-7683 |

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