9 minute read
Backyard Gardener
So “Mulch” To Talk About
Story & Photos Contributed by Kat Long/Contributing Writer
As you read this, you may have celebrated Fat Tuesday, or Ash Wednesday or both and your garden. Hay wasn’t too much are in the middle of Lent (for some of us). Why am I starting with this? you might ask. Well, of a problem when I had chickens for those who begin the Easter celebrations with Lenten practices, Lent is an interesting because they do love the hay seed. proposition. Not to dwell too much, but Lent is a time for some to give things up (think I use hay bales in their bedding for chocolate or sugar or bad habits) for the forty days leading up to Easter. But for me and that very reason. many others, Lent has always been a time to work on being a better person in some way. Volunteering or sticking with a set health or personal regimen every day of Lent, personal development, righting bad habits; you get the gist. Some thought is required, much like gardening, and certain plans and supplies have to be on hand to guarantee success for a Other types of mulch, and these two are near and dear to my heart, are newspaper and cardboard. Both 40-day project. Speaking of supplies, here is what has been happening at the Long house to get ready for Spring. of these can be used under a more eye-pleasing mulch such as wood chips or traditional mulches, but I Types of Mulch use these two types of paper products to prep the ground As everyone knows, I espouse to the “no till” way of getting my planting beds ready. Along with the usual spaces covered with cardboard (see below), I am adding piles of pine and straw on top of the cardboard this year in late February/early March. This will break the cardboard down and add more material under the dirt, which will get put on top of these piles in late April when I get ready to seed and plant. Straw is a great mulch to use in the yard: it doesn’t mat, even when piled high around plants; it allows the plants plenty of air circulation and rain, and it breaks down in one season. for spring planting. When using newspaper, stay away from the slick and colored pages. These types of newspaper often contain heavy metals in the ink and paper that will be detrimental to your plants and soil. Use cardboard without plastic coatings and remove as much tape as possible. I collected a lot of cardboard from all the Christmas packages, got most of it on the Straw is a better bet than hay as hay still has seeds that can germinate and take root in
ground and emptied one of the rain barrels to wet all of it down.
When laying down cardboard and newspaper, keep in mind the Ponca City wind will not be your friend during the process. Have water at the ready to saturate the paper/cardboard (especially if using during summer) as well as bricks or rocks to anchor corners and edges. I use two to three layers of cardboard and overlap the edges by at least three inches. Newspaper can be used before or after planting as it is easier to place around newly dug plants in the garden or just dig a hole through the newspaper. Straw or your favorite mulching agent on top of this paper layer will ensure very little weed growth and a nice nutrient punch to the soil as the growing season continues.
Other organic, defined as derived or made from living matter, mulches to use include partially composted deciduous leaves and grass clippings. If you compost, and mix your leaves and grass cutting in with everything else, think about a separate bin for leaves and grass cuttings. They are high in nitrogen and give a lovely boost to plants when used as mulch. Caveat for leaves and grass cuttings is to make sure they have not been sprayed with inorganic lawn fertilizers or herbicides. I get donations of these things from yards known to be safe: Beware of the bright green and red sprayed yards.
Seed Starting
I have yet to start outdoor seeds, as this process is part of my end of March to-do list (if I start any at all), but others in the gardening community have picked their seeds, mixed their medium and are gently singing “Grow for me” to their seedlings. I have friends texting and asking about types of basil, loofah seeds, etc. Keep in mind that seedlings like warmth and moisture, so window ledges aren’t a prerequisite to continued on page 46
LUCKY YOU!
We are Shower Door Experts.
CHUCK HODDY
– Serving Ponca City since 1983 –
580-762-9844 727 N. Union, Ponca City www.HoddyGlass.com
SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!
I would love to put my many years of real estate experience in this market to work for you! Call or text if buying or selling property is in your plans.
CENTURY 21 GROUP ONE
FRANCES COONROD 580-761-1712
germination. A great way to retain moisture during the germination process is to saran wrap the top of the seedling tray or wrap in a plastic grocery bag, trapping warm air and water droplets in with the seeds. And when I say seedling tray, you can use a cardboard egg carton just as easily as a plastic tray; just put a plastic bag or some type of barrier under to stop water from seeping out the bottom. As your seedlings grow, remove the plastic and use high, even lighting over the top of them instead of trying to use natural light from a window. Window light from one direction can make seedlings “leggy” and weaken the overall plant.
Keep the gardening magazines handy as the weather might not be a gardener’s friend this month. March is always an interesting windy/rainy/ maybe cold kind of month. Maybe. And mark your calendar for Saturday, April 10th and attend The Seed Swap @ City Central The Link, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bring seeds to swap or just come and pick up seeds and chat with some gardeners. We have a lot of fun and you might learn something. And of course,
Happy Gardening!
Get Skilled. GET PAID.
pioneertech.edu 580.762.8336
17 FULL-TIME CAREER PROGRAMS SHORT-TERM & ONLINE ADULT CLASSES BUSINESS & INDUSTRY SERVICES
Pioneer Technology Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex/gender, age, religion, disability or veteran status. 445 Fairview Ave. • Ponca City (580) 762-9102
Remember, when choosing a Hospice provider, there is a difference.
BASIC CARE (Required by Medicare):
• Nursing service with 24/7 emergency care • Personal care by Certified Nursing Assistants • Medical social services • Spiritual support and counseling • Light housekeeping services • Volunteer services • Bereavement services • Ancillary services: Occupational therapy, Physical therapy,
Speech therapy and Dietician service • Durable Medical Equipment and supplies for palliation of the symptoms for terminal illness • Medications used to treat symptoms of the terminal illness
Extra Care Offered by Hospice of NCO (Not required by Medicare):
• Massage therapy • Community bereavement support including
Butterfly Wings (formerly “Raindrops”) support for those who experience a miscarriage or infant loss • Pet Therapy • We Honor Veterans Program • Community equipment loan program • Educational in-services to the community
YOU DESERVE THE BEST REAL ESTATE SERVICE I’M HERE TO PROVIDE IT
International Sterling Society
For demonstrating exceptional sales production, ambition and commitment to excellence.
BECKY POET
580.763.1871
201 E. BROADWAY • PONCA CITY 580-762-4445
We take housing applications for the elderly and disabled. You must be at least 50 years of age or be receiving disability benefits.
We offer simplified, secure living for seniors and the disabled.
• FREE Wi-Fi throughout building • Beautiful grounds and gardens • Friendly and caring staff • Rent based on income • 1-bedroom and efficiencies • Carpet and mini-blinds
• Handicap-accessible units • Meals on Wheels • Movie and game night • Potluck lunch • Friendship Feast transportation Call for information or apply in person.
Office open Monday - Friday 8 am - 3 pm – Closed 12:30 pm - 1 pm –
Treatment programs include, but are not limited to:
◆ CHF/Cardiac Care ◆ Orthopedic Needs ◆ Wound Care Needs ◆ Medication Education ◆ Blood Disorders ◆ Pain Management ◆ Post-Surgery or
Injury Needs ◆ Diabetes ◆ COPD ◆ CVA
ACCEPTING COVID PATIENTS
TELE-HEALTH PHYSICIANS’ VISITS
580.765.8155
Welcome, Terri
On behalf of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory, we would like to take this opportunity to introduce Terri Zerby as a new team member. Terri recently Terri Zerbyrelocated from Norman, Oklahoma, where she worked with special needs children. She is a wife and mother to four children and has a passion for serving those in Family Service Consultant 580-340-6053 - Cell 580-765-4411 her community. She will serve as our family service counselor focusing on prearrangements and cemetery inquiries. Terri is dedicated to serving our community’s needs with integrity and compassion. She is eager to meet and help assist you with all your prearrangement needs.
505 W. Grand Avenue Mailing address: P.O. Box 1029, Ponca City, OK 74602 Website: troutfuneralhome.com E-mail: terrizerby4@gmail.com
It’s Mosquito Season, We Can Help!
✂ COUPON ✂ First Mosquito Service FREE*
*Free with 6-mo. contract, must present coupon, coupon expires 3-31-2021.
3616 Lake Road Ponca City 580-762-6614
PONCA CITY
• Chamber of Commerce, 5th & Grand • Ponca City RecPlex, 1604 W. Grand • Homeland, 2005 N. 14th • Homeland, 904 S. 4th • Ponca City Discount Foods, 2405 N. 14th • Equity Bank, 3rd & Grand • City Central, 400 E. Central • Walmart, 1101 E. Prospect • RCB Bank, 14th & Highland • El Patio, 731 N. 14th • First National Bank, 1501 E. Prospect • Osage Casino C-Store, 64464 US-60 • Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters, 1217 E. Prospect
TONKAWA
• Venture Food Market, 1315 N. Main • NOC Student Union, 1220 E. Grand
BLACKWELL • United Supermarket, 1221 W. Doolin NEWKIRK • Apple Market, 601 W. South
All advertisers have magazines too! Always available online (for free) at poncacitymonthly.com
