Backyard Gardener

Story & Photos by Kat Long/Contributing Writer

May is a fabulous month in Oklahoma. Well, for gardeners; for parents of graduating seniors, it is hectic; for parents of kids in sports, wow, talk about coordinating schedules. Throw in pandemic, vaccinations and the world wanting to get back to normal, whew, gardening is looking pretty good. May is also a time, and I mean this literally, to stop and smell, look and enjoy the flowers. Flowers and flowering plants are blooming everywhere; and they will not stay forever. So grab those graduating seniors, those sports kids that wolf down their dinner or snack to get to the next practice; heck, grab your best friend or hubby and stop to smell the flowers.

Here is what’s blooming around town. First off, grab a picture in front of the Bradford Pear Trees. Nonexistent on the eating list, but man, are they beautiful. And then, check out a dandelion or two.

Ode to the Dandelion

You are sure to see the fabulous yellow dandelions everywhere; quickly replaced by the overnight sprouting of the puffballs, so enjoy their sunniness now. But dandelions are important for many reasons. First, they are a first food for bees. Please leave them for as long as your organizational heart will allow, as these early blooms give bees and other pollinators some quickly gathered pollen for themselves or the hive. Second, the yellow flowers are edible and can be stir-fried with other veggies, deep-fried and dipped in your favorite dip or just thrown on First Apple top of a salad for some beautiful, edible Blossoms in garnishment. And third, but not least, the Long Yard the puffballs have been entertaining kids for years. Do not deprive your littles of picking them and blowing the seeds to the wind.

Fruit Trees

Now is the season of fruit tree flowerings. Also, let us bow our heads for all the little blooms lost to that last freeze. I know some peach trees, nectarine trees and other early bloomers will not be bearing much or any fruit this year. However, I cannot contain my joy in announcing one of my

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apple trees has bloomed this year! I planted three dwarf apple trees four years ago, and one (only one) has finally produced blooms. And there was much rejoicing! I may or may not get apples, but the happy dance was done for the blooms.

The nectarine tree has blooms as well, but after last spring, I am not holding my breath on fruit. And May is shaping up to be a rather boisterous wind/storm season, so hang on, shore up the trees and make sure to give them some fertilizer, compost and support if needed.

Fruit Plants

The blackberries did so well last year, I added two other fruiting plants to the yard – sand cherries and blueberries. Oddly enough, the blueberry plant was a no go. It started out well, and I have grown blueberries in the yard before, but by August last year, it had shriveled and pretty much made itself nonexistent. The sand cherry bushes did great! Sand cherries are a cousin of sand plums, and I am hoping to get some fruit this year as all the branches were covered in blossoms by early April. I will let you know if they are worth eating straight off the plant or gathering for jelly.

The other fruit in the yard is the fig tree. It has done well for the last three years; coming back each year with longer stems and more

First Wildflower in the Yard

leaves. But that last freeze may have been the last. No leaves yet, but I keep saying a prayer, doing a dance and sending good thoughts her way. We shall see.

Flowers

For those of you who have perennial plants, say hello to all the flowers for me – irises, tulips, daffodils, crocus, violets and sage, just to name a few. So many flowers; so little time, but make the time. For all of us working on the annual plantings, you never know when an annual may pop up and surprise you. This little orange wildflower even beat the bachelor buttons in popping up and making me smile all week.

Getting Plants

Lots of people ask me where I get my plants; my seeds; my patience. Well, the plants I get everywhere; the seeds are from a few places listed below and my patience comes from my mom, I believe, or possibly age. Lots of stuff comes with age, so let’s just go with that one. Two of my favorite places to get plants are on the horizon: Greenfields by Smith Home Furnishings and The Herb Festival here in Ponca City. Greenfields greenhouse has some great plants for your garden or your planters. I have always enjoyed the pepper plants and any herb plants purchased there. The marigolds and sweet peas are great as well. Make sure to check them out in May. And mark your calendars for Herb Festival at LA Cann gardens on June 5. Pace yourself, but visiting the festival early in the day is better than later when shopping for plants. Of course you can do both like I do, and we can have a drink together around 3:30 p.m. The dollar herb lady on the south side of the walk has some great herbs, and there is always Bustani Gardens with their perennials and landscaping plants. On a side note, The Farmer’s Market at Pioneer Woman Circle opens that weekend, as well. Take time to check out the Cann Gardens themselves sometime in May and June when all the plants are in bloom. The City and the Kay County Master Gardeners do an amazing job of keeping the beds looking great, adding new plants and answering questions. This year Gotham comes to Ponca City Herb Festival weekend, so make sure to check out the Bat-man themed events happening Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You may even see Poison Ivy or the Man himself wandering the streets of PC.

Grab a few minutes for yourself this month. Smell the flowers; plant some plants and get your hands dirty. Your soul will thank you. It may even give you some patience for everything and everyone else – and of course, Happy Gardening.

Sand Cherry Blossoms

Seeds

I still have seeds leftover from the seed swap, so give me a call at 580.761.3028 if you would like any – sunflowers, basil, okra, lemon balm and flower mixes, to name a few. www.rareseeds.com

www.anniesheirloomseeds.com

www.Johnnyseeds.com www.seedsavers.org (great stories about generationally grown seeds)

Jay’s Farm & Ranch – Jay has seeds in bulk, as well as other gardening supplies. Go check him out at 307 W. Grand. He also answers questions. I love that about Jay’s.