Usually, by this time in May, Oklahoma s grass is dark green, and we re mowing it every week. That s hasn t been the case this year. It s partially because the state s soil temperature is stuck in early spring mode. Typically, early to mid-May is when we start to see Bermuda grass really take off, said Joshua Campbell, Urban Ag & Natural Resources educator with the Oklahoma State University Extension.This year looks a bit different. That top 4 to 6 inches of soil, what happens in terms of temperature swings, moisture swings, things like that can really play a big impact on the overall health of our turf grass, Campbell said.As of Monday, the soil temperature 4 inches below the surface is hanging out in the 60s. That s more like early April soil temperatures.Campbell told KOCO 5 that there could be a few reasons for this. The extreme cold temperatures that we experienced a few months ago certainly set us back, he said.Bermuda grass is well-adapted to Oklahoma in normal conditi
Oklahoman
To submit items, send an email to Richard Mize at rmize@oklahoman.com. In the subject line, put “Garden calendar.” Please submit items at least 10 days before publication. Meetings and workshops free and open to the public unless stated otherwise.
Events
OKC Flower and Garden Festival: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. West side of Myriad Botanical Gardens. The annual festival features plants, decor and tools for home gardening. Visitors will find Oklahoma-grown herbs, perennials, annuals, native plants, culinary herbs, vegetable plants, succulents, ornamental grasses, pollinator plants, wildlife habitat, pottery, jewelry, wineries and more. Food trucks will be on hand. For a list of vendors go to myriadgardens.org. Sponsored by Sweet Mary Jane.
Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services
Vinita Newman, RestoreOKC farm manager, right, gives OSU Extension Urban Agriculture Educator Josh Campbell an overview of the aquaculture-grown greens at the Restore Farms greenhouse. OSU Extension helps launch community grocery store
Brian Brus, OSU | May 07, 2021
Suggested Event
Jun 15, 2021 to Jun 17, 2021
A new community grocery store is bringing healthy produce to a food desert in northeast Oklahoma City, in a private-public partnership supported by Oklahoma State University Extension agricultural expertise.
The Market at Eastpoint, 1708 NE 23rd Street, opened recently with the target of improving food security. In the process, it’s also developing new jobs, transportation infrastructure, urban agriculture education and long-term goals for the community, said Caylee Dodson, executive director at RestoreOKC.
Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services
A good cut of steak is paramount to a pleasurable eating experience. Prime? Choice? Select? What do they mean and how can you choose the best steak for your next cookout?
Suggested Event
Jun 15, 2021 to Jun 17, 2021
Grocery meat counters are filled with beef steaks labeled Choice, and while many consumers rightfully associate the label as a good choice for grilling or the stovetop, they might not be familiar with industry quality standards behind the designation.
A beef steak’s tenderness, juiciness and flavor all affect its palatability, or the degree to which food and fluids are deemed desirable and satisfying to a person’s palate, said Earl Ward, Oklahoma State University Extension area livestock specialist for northeastern Oklahoma.
Pet Talk:Pest control vital for overall pet health
Trisha Gedon
OSU Extension Center
STILLWATER – There’s more to caring for a pet than choosing the right food. Protecting pets from fleas, ticks and other parasites is vital to good health.
The first thing pet owners need to do when deciding on a pest control regimen is to contact their veterinarian, said Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, Oklahoma State University Extension veterinarian and director of continuing education for the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
“Choosing a plan of action depends on several things, including the pet’s age, how they’re housed, the risk of exposure or if the animal has existing medical conditions. These factors will help determine which products are going to be the most effective,” Biggs said. “Pet owners may discover that indoor pets will have different recommendations than outdoor only pets.”