MASTER GARDNER TIPS FOR FALL

Planting a fall garden in July and August can provide fresh vegetables until Thanksgiving. Oklahoma’s mild autumn seasons offer an ideal time to engage in vegetable gardening, and now is the perfect moment to start. Surprisingly, there is still time to sow cool-season plants.

David Hillock from Oklahoma State University Extension states, “People who garden develop an appreciation and a desire for fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables. Some of the highest-quality garden vegetables in Oklahoma are grown and harvested in the fall when warm, sunny days are followed by cool, humid nights.”

Here are some tips to ensure a successful fall garden: Watering: Proper watering is crucial to keep the new plants cool and moist. Since temperatures may still be warm in early fall, it is essential to provide consistent and regular watering to prevent the soil from drying out. Water deeply, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

Mulching: Apply organic mulch around the plants to retain moisture in the soil and regulate soil temperature. Mulch acts as a barrier against evaporation and helps keep the roots cool.

Shade and Protection: If fall weather remains hot, consider providing shade to shield plants from excessive heat. You can use shade cloth or position taller plants or structures strategically to create shade for late-season plants.

Cold Frames or Row Covers: As temperatures drop in the progressing fall, protecting plants from cooler temperatures, frost, or light freezes becomes necessary. Cold frames or row covers can provide insulation and shield plants from extreme weather conditions.

Plant Selection: Choose plant varieties that thrive in cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours. Opt for cold-tolerant vegetables like lettuce, kale, spinach, radishes, carrots, and broccoli, which flourish in the fall. Other suitable vegetables include mustard, beets, Swiss chard, turnips, pole and lima beans, winter squash, and Chinese cabbage.

These vegetables are best started in warm soil and reach maturity during cool days and nights. Local shops and stores offer a wide variety of fall-planting vegetables. Additionally, if you have leftover seeds from spring planting, you can plant them in late summer for a second harvest. Tender crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, squashes, eggplants, and beans only require around 50 days to mature.

Casey Hentges of OSU Agriculture’s Oklahoma Gardening show explains, “Some plants, such as radishes, mature in as little as 20 days, but other vegetables like broccoli and pumpkin can take 100 days or more before harvest. Gardeners need to ensure they have enough time between planting and harvest before winter arrives.”

If your spring planting didn’t go as expected, now is an opportunity to try again. August is an ideal month to plant bush beans, pole beans, cucumbers, and squash. Remember to monitor your garden regularly, paying attention to soil moisture levels and adjusting watering accordingly. Take note of any specific requirements for the plants you’re growing, as different species may have varying needs. Enjoy the process of planting cool-season vegetables and relish the delicious fall dishes they will provide for your kitchen table! Happy gardening!

Thank You To Our Photo Booth Sponsor

With two With two FunDays completed and one FunDays completed and one more FunDay on the horizon, 2023 has more FunDay on the horizon, 2023 has definitely been an exciting and Fun year! definitely been an exciting and Fun year! The upcoming FunDay will be the best The upcoming FunDay will be the best yet with over 90 exhibitors bringing over yet with over 90 exhibitors bringing over 80 door prizes for you to win. 80 door prizes for you to win.

Tom Nix, will be playing the piano and Tom Nix, will be playing the piano and singing, with a little help from the singing, with a little help from the audience! The legendary Oklahoma audience! The legendary Oklahoma singer Cathy Castello will perform our singer Cathy Castello will perform our opening ceremony Patriotic medley. DJ opening ceremony Patriotic medley. DJ Jammin Jeff Aynes, another superb talent Jammin Jeff Aynes, another superb talent will emcee and play our favorite tunes! will emcee and play our favorite tunes! OHAI instructors always do a great job OHAI instructors always do a great job showing us how to add exercise into our showing us how to add exercise into our day. The lovely ladies of the “Not Just day. The lovely ladies of the “Not Just Country Line Dancers” will dance and Country Line Dancers” will dance and teach the more adventurous attendees teach the more adventurous attendees and exhibitors a few new steps. The and exhibitors a few new steps. The Oklahoma Senior Games is bringing their Oklahoma Senior Games is bringing their game zone packed full of fun. game zone packed full of fun.

Many thanks to our sponsors: Centric

Many thanks our sponsors: Centric Home Health and Hospice, Home Health and Hospice, Woundynamics, Advanced Body Scan, Woundynamics, Advanced Body Scan, Spanish Cove Retirement Village and Spanish Cove Retirement Village and Compass Sr. Living Solutions. Courtesy of Compass Sr. Living Solutions. Courtesy of Spanish Cove and Advanced Body Scan, Spanish Cove and Advanced Body Scan, our food and beverage sponsors, a great our food and beverage sponsors, a great variety of complementary beverages, variety of complementary beverages, food items, and snacks will be available, food items, and snacks will be available, including hot breakfast and lunch. including hot breakfast and lunch. Providing everyone options for Providing everyone options for nourishment for the entire event nourishment for the entire event

Centric Home Health and Hospice are Centric Home Health and Hospice are our Photo Booth Sponsor stop by the our Photo Booth Sponsor stop by the fountain area and get your fountain area and get your commemorative photo taken. Add the commemorative photo taken. Add the October 12th Better With Age FunDay October 12th Better With Age FunDay to your calendars. Great information, fun, to your calendars. Great information, surprises, and prizes are waiting! surprises, and prizes are waiting!