Create a bird-friendly oasis in your backyard with our guide to bird bath basics. Attract a diverse range of feathered visitors and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Despite being a land-locked state, Oklahoma has nearly 56,000 miles of shoreline along lakes and ponds which equals about 1,400 square miles of water area. With this much water, it’s vital to the environment to keep it clean.
This mix would be considered a traditional Oklahoma cover crop mix, as the state and most growers are well versed and familiar with growing small grains. This mix can and, in most years, will provide a fairly rapid canopy development.
Mixing in winter legumes to a winter small grains mixture is prevalent in other parts of the county and world. The benefits of the small grains mixes are still present in these systems.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will be looking through several crops grown in Oklahoma, discussing their benefits within a rotation and some management issues/considerations growers may be interested. This will by no means be an extensive list, but an introduction to the discussion.
The Annual Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association Conference & Trade Show brings together industry professionals and vendors from Oklahoma's pecan region for three full days, May 30 - June 1, 2024.
Questions have been arising about the impact some of the cooler temperatures experienced over the last couple of days and those to come will influence soybean still in the field across the state.
The 2024 East Side Fresh Market serves as a food access hub for Northeast Oklahoma City and creates new market opportunities for NE OKC farmers and other Oklahoma City area food producers.
A healthy, well-balanced diet coupled with physical activity has long been touted as the treatment for losing weight. However, in recent years, new drugs have been making headlines as being the key to treating America’s obesity epidemic.
As the weather begins to warm, gardeners may start noticing some movement in the landscape, and it’s not plants sprouting from the soil. Many garden insect pests become active this time of year, so be on the lookout.
Flower gardening is popular in Oklahoma and roses continue to top the list of the most popular plants grown each year. Some rose varieties are considered to be high maintenance while other species are more carefree for gardeners.
Oklahoma families are spending more of their budget on food than they ever have, but taking time to plan meals and shop smartly will help ensure everyone is eating healthy and reducing food waste
Is there anything that tastes better than a fresh-picked strawberry? Gardeners who are looking forward to savoring that flavor know how rewarding it is to grow strawberries. Because Oklahoma tends to be quite sunny in the summer, strawberries are a good choice for the garden.
Although much of Oklahoma has been experiencing a deep freeze recently, gardeners are gearing up for the growing season by starting seeds indoors. Adequate lighting is a must and can be tricky for gardeners who don’t have access to a greenhouse or sunroom environment. Supplemental lighting is important to get seeds off to a good start.
Manually removing ice and snow is effective and environmentally friendly. The less ice and snow present means less deicing material is needed. However, manual removal isn’t always feasible, so other methods need to be considered. Sand is also environmentally friendly, but while providing traction, it doesn’t melt ice.
For a quarter of a century, the Oklahoma Proven program has helped guide gardeners in making smart decisions regarding which trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals are well adapted to an Oklahoma landscape.
Cancer is a diagnosis no one wants, but it was a reality for nearly 2 million Americans in 2023, not including non-melanoma skin cancer. What’s more, more than 600,000 will die from the disease.
As we come into the season of freezing weather and possible ice storms that can render entire towns without electricity, Christi Evans, Oklahoma State University Extension assistant food safety specialist, has some tips for both before and during an outage.
With some 10- to 12-gauge wire, a flower pot, wire cutters, pliers, smaller wire, a little patience and a few other household items, gardeners who enjoy topiaries can make them on a smaller scale to enhance the interior décor of their home.
A prominent smell indicative of the holiday season is evergreens. Decorating with greenery is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Homeowners with evergreens on their property can do a little pruning and turn the greenery into a wreath.
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) and other Ficus species are popular houseplants that are relatively easy to care for, but gardeners may notice they tend to drop a fair number of leaves when moved indoors. Don’t worry about the falling leaves as this is just part of the moving process.
A quick and easy way to add flavor to some of your favorite dishes is to incorporate fresh herbs. Rosemary, thyme, mint, chives, basil, parsley and oregano adapt well to indoor growing conditions.
While trees, shrubs and flowers are the main attraction, lighting can also play a big role in the aesthetics of the landscape. Lighting not only can expand the amount of time homeowners can spend in the landscape, but it also adds an element of home security and safety.
In 1922, a 14-year-old child received the first-ever insulin injection to bring his high blood sugar into a manageable range. To honor this breakthrough in medical science, Nov. 14 is World Diabetes Day and also the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who, along with Charles Best, first extracted insulin from an animal in 1921.
While the obvious elements of a landscape are trees, shrubs and flowers, these elements can serve a dual purpose. Landscaping to attract birds provides year-round enjoyment.
If homeowners are finding an abundance of small branches and twigs on the ground, this is a good indicator that there are visitors in the tree known as twig girdlers.
It won’t be long until it’s time to wrap holiday gifts, but until then, consider wrapping the trunks of the trees in the landscape to boost tree health.
Many people may be thinking about carving pumpkins and what kind of Halloween candy to buy during this time of the year, but gardening enthusiasts know it’s time to get spring-flowering bulbs in the ground before freezing temperatures arrive.
October is more than ghosts, goblins and trick-or-treating – it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This disease affects one in eight women in the United States every year and 2.3 million women worldwide.
Gardeners won’t find them in dill pickle, barbecue or even pizza flavors in their garden, but the seeds from their sunflower plants still can be a tasty treat.
The Leon Bailey Family, Oklahoma State University Pecan Management, Okfuskee County Extension, and the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association are hosting a Native Pecan Field Day on October 12 from 2:30-6 p.m.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve talked about the importance of developing a landscape plan and the elements of a landscape. This week I’m going to share information about the principles of design.
In last week’s column, I talked about the importance of having a landscape design plan when building a new home or updating the look of your current residence. Today’s column is geared toward the elements of your design plan.
Brian Arnall, professor in the OSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and an OSU Extension specialist for precision nutrient management, was named a 2023 ASA Fellow by the American Society of Agronomy.
Whether you’re building a new home or simply want to spruce up the current landscape, it’s important to get a plan in place. The landscape is more than plants – it’s also landforms and man- made structures. Fences, garden bed borders and lighting are just as important as the trees, shrubs and turf.
High temperatures have arrived, and the weather professionals are indicating it may stay that way for a while. While succulents can thrive in this hot weather, it’s vital for gardeners to use the proper precautions when working outside in the heat.
As Smart Irrigation Month ends, some homeowners across the state may have decided their landscape would benefit from the installation of an irrigation system. Before reaching out to your neighbor for help with this process, keep in mind an irrigation system is an investment in the property and should be installed by professionals.
The Oklahoma Pecan Management Program will host two pecan crop thinning demonstrations to help growers improve the quality of this year’s harvest and next season’s return crop. Demonstrations will be held July 27, 4-5:30 p.m. in Madill, and August 8, 4-5:30 p.m. in Perkins.
Some people don’t realize how technology can be involved when irrigating a home landscape, especially if they irrigate with a sprinkler hooked to a water hose.
Compost is a term that’s used liberally in the gardening world, but what exactly is it? Compost is a mixture of ingredients used as a plant fertilizer, as well as to improve soil’s physical, chemical and biological properties.
Pollinator numbers have been declining over the past several years so it’s important to raise awareness of the role pollinators play in gardening and what can be done to protect them.
There are a number of benefits to having an insect hotel in the yard, including increasing the natural balance of insects, providing more opportunities to teach children about insects, attracting insects that help control pest insects, attracting more pollinators, using up recycled materials and more.
Examining the 2020 Decennial Census data, this article explores age distribution and housing vacancy in Oklahoma, revealing the relationship between older and younger residents and patterns of residential vacancy.
Gardeners who choose organic and traditional gardening and landscape principles follow the objectives of Earth-Kind landscaping. This helps create a horticultural system that is based on real-world effectiveness and environmentally responsible actions.
The article highlights population changes in Oklahoma's municipalities and counties, with metropolitan areas experiencing growth while rural regions, particularly in the Northwest, facing decline.
Trees not only look good and provide visual interest, but they also provide shade in the summer and can block cold winter winds. Because of these benefits, it’s in a homeowner’s best interest to take proper care of them.
Today, that percentage has dropped to a mere 2%. That means the majority of fresh fruits and vegetables are imported from other states or other countries, which can strain the local food system.
As the weather warms up, many homeowners are focused on the colorful flowers and plants they’ve got planned for their garden and landscape. But the base of any landscape is the turf, and it requires proper maintenance to help avoid problems and reduce the need for pesticides.
Summer truly begins when experiencing the taste of the first vine-ripened tomato. No matter how you slice it, there’s not much else that tastes so good.
Because of the effort put in to plant a garden or install a new landscape, it can be very disheartening to have it succumb to insects, diseases and weeds.
There’s much more to tree care than digging a hole, planting the tree and watering it. To give a tree the best chance at a long and healthy life, training and pruning are essential.
The Black-eyed Susan is a bright yellow plant with a chocolatey brown center that adds some excitement to the landscape and has been selected as the 2023 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.
With Mother Nature sprinkling in some 70-degree days amongst the colder temperatures, gardeners all across Oklahoma are more than ready to get rolling on their gardens. With as much time and effort that gets put into their gardens and landscapes, gardeners want to make sure their efforts are rewarded.
Gardeners who are looking for a long-time investment in the landscape should consider planting asparagus. An asparagus plant can last up to 15 years, so choosing a spot to grow it should be considered carefully.
Although many gardening activities remain on hold for a few more weeks, it is the time of year to get bare-root plants in the ground. Bare-root plants are available now and should be planted between mid-February and mid-April.
What gardener doesn’t like saving time? But some time-saving measures, such as using an herbicide and fertilizer combo, may be good in theory but not a good solution in all situations.
Gardeners may not have a lot going on in the landscape during this time of year but applying dormant oil to fruit trees is a task that needs to be done. Dormant oils control scale insects, aphids and mites that are overwintering on the trees.
Despite it still being coats, hats and gloves weather, there are some outside chores gardeners need to do before spring planting season arrives. Pruning, although not necessary every year, is an important part of tree and shrub health and can improve functionality. It also keeps the landscape looking neat and cared for.
Gardening can be a challenge, even for the most seasoned growers. Fortunately, the Oklahoma Proven plant selections can help make choosing plants for the garden and landscape more successful.
Tom Royer, Oklahoma State University Extension entomologist and Integrated Pest Management coordinator, is retiring on Feb. 1 after more than 26 years of service to the university and integrated pest management program.
The East Side Fresh Market serves as a food access hub for Northeast Oklahoma City and creates new market opportunities for NE OKC farmers and other Oklahoma City area food producers.
This week on SUNUP find our favorite stories from this past year and see OSU Extension specialists discuss the challenges that Oklahoma producers faced in 2022.
Amy Hagerman, Oklahoma State University Extension specialist for agriculture and food policy, recently released a livestock risk management handbook in partnership with Texas A&M University. The handbook contains a variety of financial programs and other resources for producers.
Information on how the way individuals can understand and obtain health literacy skills and how these skills can positively or negatively affect an individual's life.
The last couple of years have been stressful, and while mental health issues have always been common, there has been a significant increase in mental health conditions in both adults and children since the pandemic.
Children across Oklahoma are preparing to head back to the classroom, parents need to be prepared to fill out various forms at school, including applications for free and reduced lunch programs.
Oklahoma State University hosted a carcass management training in mid-May to teach animal production industry and U.S. Department of Agriculture professionals the basics of composting.
Gina Peek has accepted the offer to serve as associate dean, Extension engagement and continuing education; and assistant director, Oklahoma State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences.
The Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents is slated to approve Wade Thomason as the new department head of plant and soil sciences at its meeting in June. Thomason will begin his role on Aug. 1.
Oklahoma Home and Community Education members know a thing or two about volunteering. It’s always good to show appreciation to volunteers, and there’s no better time to do that than National Volunteer Month, which takes place in April.
While the need to focus on making informed food choices is something that should go on year-round, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics pays special attention to healthy eating each year in March, which has been designated National Nutrition Month.
January 25th, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm. Learn about weed thresholds, herbicide application, fence line brush control and more, including demos and dicamba applicator training.
The unseasonably warm weather has a lot of producers wondering how it will affect their crop yields next year, and ornamental plants have already been spotted in bloom.
The 2021 winter wonderland workshop in Woodward County will include sessions such as Staying Healthy, Shower Steamers & Bath Bombs, Junk Journals & Gift Tags, Holiday Cookie Decorating and making Gnome Ornaments.
The details of the upcoming Cupcake Wars for the Okfuskee County 4-H members. The Cupcake Wars is a cupcake decorating contest taking place in December, 2021.
The Woods county extension winter growing and feeding programs are scheduled for Nov. 30, 2021 and will cover beef wintering costs, marketing growing stocker calves and stocker cattle growing programs.
The Jefferson county OHCE will have their monthly meeting with the lesson "Spices Around the World." Join in to learn about various spices grown around the world.
Woods County 2021 Holiday Happenings is scheduled for November 4, 2021. Sessions offered at Holiday Happenings including a thankful pumpkin board, joy sign, snowman door hanging and an educational lesson on "The 5 Love Languages".
Horse Science Academy is a math and science intensive workshop centered on the biology of the horse. The workshop is for students enrolled or working at the high school level.
The Woods County 4-H Clover Connection September/October 2022 discussed national 4-H week, 4-H enrollment, 4-H meeting guidelines and the west district action conference.
The 2021 September/October FCS Newsletter discusses fall home energy management, the 2021 Woods county fair, the 2022 dues and upcoming meetings and elections.
Oklahoma children are back in school focusing on reading, writing and arithmetic. For the last decade, children also have been learning about where their food comes from and how eating healthy foods is important for their bodies, thanks to a fun, hands-on display called Farm to You.
Three safety skills to learn in case of an emergency or disaster including first aid and CPR, how to use a fire extinguisher and how to shut off utilities.
Oklahoma State University Extension continues its effort to provide family based programming for Oklahoma’s Hispanic youth and their families. The ¡Unidos Se Puede! (United We Can!) program focuses on Hispanic youth in sixth through eighth grade.
