Canadian County Cooperative Extension Service Courtney Keck, Horticulture Extension Educator FALL N EWSLETTER Volume 4, Issue 1 Upcoming Events
Other Upcoming Events Czech Festival Master Gardener Booth >Saturday, October 1st >8:00am-5:00pm >Located in Yukon, on 5th & Main Street Seed Harvesting Class >Saturday, October 15th >10:00am-11:00am >Mustang Public Library >1201 N. Mustang Rd, Mustang, OK 73064 >Prelude to the Seed Swap in January Horticulture Industries Show >Friday-Saturday, January 13-14th >The Chancellor Hotel in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas >Find updated information here: http://www.hortla.okstate.edu/researchand-outreach/programs/his
Seed Swap >Saturday, January 21st >10:00am-10:30am >Mustang Public Library >1201 N. Mustang Rd, Mustang, OK 73064 CC Master Gardener Meetings & Dates MG Training Class, WK 3 >September 14th >National Weather Center >120 David L Boren Blvd, Norman, OK 73072 >Fruit & Nut Production >Mesonet MG Training Class, WK 4 >September 21st >Turfgrasses MG Training Class, WK 5 >September 28th >Soil Fertility Monthly Meeting >October 4th >9:30am-11:30am MG Training Class, WK 6 >October 5th >Herbaceous Ornamentals MG Training Class, WK 7 >October 12th >Plant Detective MG Training Class, WK 8 >October 19th >Entomology MG Training Class, WK 9 >October 26th >Integrated Pest Management >Pesticide Labels Arkansas Field Trip >October 28-29th >Contact Ginger Mercer for details >Friday - Crystal Bridges Museum >Saturday - The Botanic Garden of the Ozarks Monthly Meeting >November 1st >9:30am-11:30am MG Training Class, WK 10 >November 2nd >Woody Plant Material MG Training Class, WK 11 >November 9th >Plant Diseases MG Training Class, WK 12 >November 16th >Propagation >Wrap Up MG Graduation >November 29th >11:00am-1:00pm >Students from 2015 class will graduate MG Student Phone Training >January 11th >9:00am-12:00pm >Canadian Valley Technology Center >6505 E. Hwy 66, El Reno, OK 73036
Should I Stake My Tree? The Myth Trees can't establish well unless they are securely staked. The Truth Studies have shown that trees benefit more if they are allowed to sway in the wind while they are young. But... In western Oklahoma "where the wind comes sweeping down the plain", it may be necessary to stake a tree until the end of the first or second year. After that, take them off. Also, the less stakes you use, the better off the tree will be. Tree Planting Tips Be mindful of where you place trees in the landscape. Score the root ball before planting. A properly raised planting should not have soil mounded up against the trunk. I'm sure you've heard to choose the right tree for the right place. If you're going to plant a large tree in the yard, make sure that it isn't too close to the house and make sure that you can afford to maintain it when needed. Generally, it should be as far away from the house as the mature height of the tree. This will dismiss any future damage to the foundation of the house from the roots. As far as maintenance, tree companies charge an insane amount to prune out damaged limbs (say, after an ice storm), and for good reason, so budget for such circumstances if you're going to plant a large tree. If Score the root ball vertically with a knife or shovel when you take it out of the container. This will encourage the roots to grow. It's similar to breaking up the roots of annuals and perennials with your hands, before planting. After placing the tree in the planting hole, back fill the hole with the soil you displaced. Do not add any amended soil, fertilizer, or anything. In fact, trees do not need fertilizer unless you see a noticeable problem with the tree and a soil test points to a nutrient deficiency. Lightly tamp the back fill soil When placing a tree in the planting hole, the top of the root ball should be even with the soil line. The exception to the rule is if the soil has a high clay content, which could inhibit drainage, OR if you are planting a tree that absolutely does not tolerate wet feet. In both of these cases, you can raise the the root ball by a few inches, which will create a mound that will allow excess water to roll off of the roots. Even if the tree you planted has been deemed drought tolerant, for optimum performance, you will need to water it every week for the first year. This is the year of
you're thinking that you can take care of such tasks yourself, please think again. About 180-200 people die every year in North America from cutting down trees. around the base of the tree trunk with your feet. It needs to be secure, yet porous enough for roots to get the oxygen and water it needs. establishment. In other words, the roots need to grow and tap into deeper soil before it can truly tolerate drought conditions. For a visual aid to tree planting, here is a great resource - https://youtu.be/pjttjpsrdmo Monthly Landscape Maintenance Tips Goldenrod - Solidago sp. Ornamental Kale - Brassica oleracea Beautyberry - Callicarpa sp. SEPTEMBER - Apply fertilizer no later than this month to warm-season grasses, such as bermuda - Apply nitrogen fertilizer at the end of this month to cool-season grasses, such as fescue - You can still apply preemergent herbicides to the lawn for cool-season weeds - Apply post-emergent herbicides to the lawn for warn-season broadleaf weeds - Apply curative insecticides to control white grubs (Dylox, Bayer Advanced 24 Hour Grub Killer, Arena, Green Light Grub Control with Arena) - Overseed or reseed with coolseason grasses, like fescue, in areas where cool-season grass is desired - Divide and replant perennials - Start moving tender plants into the house or garage - Start searching for springflowering bulbs - Get soil tested and amend soil before winter arrives OCTOBER - Plant spring-flowering bulbs - Plant pansies, kale, cabbage, mums, and other fall plants - Plant containerized trees & shrubs - Dig up tender bulbs, such as dahlias, caladiums, cannas, and gladiolus after the first frost. Let them sit in a warm room before storing them in a 55 degree room. - Protect younger plants from rabbits and rodents with chicken wire or some barrier that can be placed around the base of the trunk - As leaves start to fall, consider mowing over them with a mulching mower, and either collect them to put in the compost or garden, or leave them on the lawn to break down and provide nutrients to the turf - Place a net over the water garden to prevent leaves from collecting in the water - Remove diseased plants from the garden so the diseases don't overwinter and spread next year NOVEMBER - Continue to plant springflowering bulbs - Apply nitrogen fertilizer at the beginning of this month to coolseason grasses, such as fescue - Continue to mow cool-season lawns at a 2.5" height - Mow fallen leaves with a mulching mower. Use them in the compost, as mulch for the garden or around trees, or let them decompose into the turf to provide nutrients. - Continue to use a post-emergent herbicide to control broadleaf weeds - This is the last month to get the soil tested and amend the soil before the ground freezes - Control scale insects with a dormant oil spray when the temperature is above 40 degrees, but do not apply to evergreens - Clean and put your tools to bed for the winter, and drain all gasoline from power tools BECOME A MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER
Stay Connected with Canadian County Hortic ulture PO BOX 519, EL RENO, OK 73036 405.262.0155 courtney.sidwell@okstate.edu