Extension

Vegetable Garden

Make fall vegetable garden plantings in late July. Fact Sheet Fall Gardening gives planting recommendations.

 

Lawn

• Brown patch disease of cool-season grasses can be a problem. (HLA-6420 Lawn Management in Oklahoma)
• Meet water requirements of turfgrasses. (HLA-6420)
• Fertilization of warm-season grasses can continue if water is present for growth. (HLA-6420)
• Vegetative establishment of warm-season grasses should be completed by the end of July to ensure the least risk of winter kill. (HLA-6419 Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma)
• Mowing heights for cool-season turf grasses should be at 3” during hot, dry summer months. Gradually raise mowing height of bermudagrass lawns from 1 ½ to 2”.
• Sharpen or replace mower blades as needed. Shredded leaf blades are an invitation to disease and allow more stress on the grass.

 

Tree and Shrub

Control bermudagrass around trees and shrubs with products containing sethoxydim, fusilade, or glyphosate herbicides. Follow directions closely to avoid harming desirable plants.

 

Fruits

• Continue insect combat and control in the orchard, garden, and landscape. (EPP-7306, EPP-7313, EPP-7319)
• Check pesticide labels for “stop” spraying recommendations prior to harvest.
• Harvest fruit from the orchard early in the morning and refrigerate as soon as possible.

 

Flowers

Divide and replant crowded Hybrid iris (Bearded Iris) after flowering until August.

 

General Landscape

• Water plants deeply and early in the morning. Most plants need approximately 1 to 2 ½ inches of water per week.
• Providing birdbaths, shelter and food will help turn your landscape into a backyard wildlife habitat.
• Insect identification is important, so you don’t get rid of the “Good Guys.” (EPP-7307)
• The hotter and drier it gets, the larger the spider mite populations!
• Expect some leaf fall, a normal reaction to drought. Water young plantings well.
• Have you visited The Botanic Garden at OSU and the OKG Studio Gardens in Stillwater for a group tour?

 

David Hillock, 320G Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078; or email to  hillock@okstate.edu