Master Gardener’s Educational Programs Can Help You Succeed in the Garden

Master Gardener’s Educational Programs Can Help 

Brian Jervis: Ask a Master Gardener

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Q: After a few years of gardening, I am not happy with the results I am getting. How do I “up my game” so to speak? JF

A: That is a good question, and it is one experienced gardeners also deal with. We buy the plant, we do our best, and it still doesn’t thrive. Why?

There are a variety of factors that contribute to your success or failure.

• Did the plant get too much sun?

• Did the plant not get enough sun?

• Did the plant get too much water?

• Did the plant not get enough water?

• Was the soil chemistry appropriate for the plant?

• Did I fertilize properly and with the correct ingredients?

The list goes on and on, and we are not going to be able to cover the variety of variables in a single article.

But what we can do is tell you about all of the opportunities we have this spring for you that can help you become more successful.

First of all, our ever-popular Urban Gardener classes begin March 14. There are six classes on consecutive Thursday evenings where we will cover topics such as plant botany, pollination, composting, soil science, growing vegetables, pollinator gardens, shrubs and trees, and turf. These are fairly in-depth classes for beginners and those wanting to “up their game” as you said. The series costs $40 or you can sign up for individual classes for $10 each. If you are interested, you can sign up on our website.

Next, we have our Lunch & Learn classes at the Tulsa Central Library. For six Tuesdays from 12:10-12:50 p.m. starting March 26 we will have classes covering spring garden tips, tomatoes, fruit trees, pollinator gardens, seed saving and composting. Did you know the Central Library has a seed library where you can check out seeds? Find out about this and a variety of other topics in these free classes. Bring your lunch and learn from the Tulsa County Master Gardeners.

Can’t decide what plants to add to your garden this spring? Each year, we offer a huge selection of Master Gardener-approved flowers in our online plant pre-sale fundraiser. We have more than 200 annuals, perennials, herbs, tomatoes and grasses. Plus, this year we added succulents, steppables and a “sort” for pollinator plants so you can build your own pollinator garden. The shopping is easy (online) and when plant pick up day comes (April 18) you can drop by the Exchange Center at Expo Square, pick up your plants (we’ll even load them in your car for you) and shop a special selection of plants available in our one-day pop-up plant store. We will have a lot of milkweed available so you can do your part to help support the Monarch population this year.

More information is available for all these opportunities on our website: tulsamastergardeners.org.

Garden tips

• If you had previous damage to the tips of pine tree limbs, especially non-native pines, it may be diplodia tip blight (a fungus) or Nantucket pine tip moth damage. Both are controlled with pesticides starting this month. Call the Master Gardener office at 918-746-3701 for recommendations.
• Pre-emergent herbicide to control crabgrass should be applied by the middle of March.
• Divide and share with friends and replant overcrowded summer- and fall-blooming perennials.