P-L-A-N-T YOUR GARDEN

P-L-A-N-T Your Garden with These FIVE steps

Acronyms abound because many of them actually help us remember important facts. The acronym F-A-S-T, for example, helps people easily access the signs of stroke. F stands for facial drooping, A for arm weakness, S for speech difficulties, and T for time.

During the springtime of every year, people just like you want to grow a garden but many don’t know where to start. This is where my new acronym will help. P-L-A-N-T will help you remember the easy-to-do steps for starting your own garden in whatever space you have available!

Plan: When planning for your backyard or container garden, consider what you want to grow, where to plant it, when to plant it, and how to plant it. For example, if you want to grow tomatoes, make sure you have a space that receives full sun for 6-8 hours or more per day. You can choose to plant your tomato plants in a container or in the ground, and you can choose between plants or seeds. Consider getting your soil tested through the OSU Extension to find out what specific nutrients your soil needs. HERE IN OKLAHOMA, PLAN AHEAD TO PLANT AFTER APRIL 15TH!

Learn: Before planting your garden, take some time to learn all you can about the plant you want to grow. For our tomato example, tomato plants require abundant moisture, so make sure you place them in a location that’s easily accessible for watering. Tomatoes, for example, may also need some type of support system or cage, and they need well-drained soil since poor drainage promotes root loss. Start learning at https://extension. okstate.edu/fact-sheets/ which has great info on all things growing in Oklahoma.

Add together: After planning and learning, you’re ready to plant your garden. If you’re placing a plant in a container, add the potting soil and make a hole. Again, for a tomato plant, place it into the hole and then fill the hole with additional soil. Follow the planting by watering everything very well. If you are planting a tomato, make sure you set the tomato plant slightly deeper than it originally grew so the lower leaves are close to the ground. For staked or caged plants, place tomato plants at least three feet apart. For unsupported tomato plants, leave three to five feet between them.

Nourish: Besides sun and soil, plants need water and fertilization to help produce the desired amount of fruit or flowers. A complete garden fertilizer should be added to the soil when your plants are young and need the extra help. Tomatoes, for example, prefer a fertilizer low in nitrogen, high in phosphorus, and medium to high in potassium. Look for fertilizer that suits your preferences and don’t forget to nourish your plants several times throughout the growing season.

Time: The last step in planting your backyard garden is time. If you’re planting into the ground, make sure the timing is right. Soil temperatures should be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, these conditions usually occur in mid-April. To avoid a late freeze, wait until the average last freeze date for your area, usually around April 15. Then give your plants time to develop and process all the wonderful things you give them. Tomatoes, for instance, take six to eight weeks to produce an 8-inch tall, dark green plant from seed.

No matter what you choose to plant, following these five steps will prepare you and your plants for a summer full of life and wonderful produce in your own space. So no matter the type of space or type of plant, try something now - get outside and start planting!

For more information contact the OSU Extension Center at 405-713-1125 or visit their website at: https://extension.okstate.edu/

With one FunDay completed and two more FunDays on the horizon, 2023 is definitely off to a fun start! This year’s 2nd Annual Del City Better With Age FunDay was on March 23rd. Our goal since the beginning, in the spring of 2019, of Better With Age FunDays, is to entertain, educate and enlighten all who attend. Some comments as attendees were surrounding the exhibitors; “This is so much fun!”, “I can’t believe they fed everyone for free all day, I’m stuffed!”, “When is the big fun day at the Northpark Mall? I will be there.” Your excitement, laughter, singing, and joy are music to our ears!

To the City of Del City, the Mayor, City Manager, and City staff thank you for another wonderful collaboration. It is easy and fun when you have great people eager to have a successful event who work hard to make it happen.

To the “Joint Post Color Guard” from VFW Post 9969 and American Legion Post 73 thank you. Tom Nix, performer extraordinaire, thank you for playing the keyboard, singing, and encouraging the audience participation! DJ Jammin Jeff Aynes, another superb production as emcee all while playing tunes that made the day flow by! There were the lovely ladies of the “Not Just Country Line Dancers”, who are the personification of becoming better with age, dancing and teaching the more adventurous attendees and exhibitors a few new steps.

Thank you to our amazing exhibitors who provided giveaways, resources and information. The attendees won over 50 door prizes you provided. The energy and positivity could be felt throughout the Del City community center it was inspirational.

A special thank you to Centric Health for sponsoring the fabulous photo booth that gave a keepsake memory of the FunDay. Complementary food items and snacks, including hot breakfast biscuits, fresh fruit, yogurt, granola bars and more. Provided everyone with options for nourishment for the entire event.

The 2nd Annual Del City Better With Age FunDay was fun, informative and high-energy! Add the 4th Annual NorthPark FunDays on May 11th and October 12th to your calendars and join us at the Shoppes at NorthPark, 122nd & North May Ave. from 9 am - 1 pm.

GREAT FUN AND SURPRISES ARE WAITING!

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