Kevin Kalies and Doug Watson, both members of the 2009 Master Gardening class; Jim Shull, longtime master gardener; Joe Littlefield, volunteer; and I installed landscaping at six of the Horses in the City locations during August and September. They are located at City Hall, Angelic Hospice, Shawnee Heart Center, Town and Country Veterinary Clinic, plus Arvest Bank and BancFirst on Harrison.

Why are my tree leaves yellowing or browning out?
 
This often happens as we approach fall. New plantings are very susceptible to this. I also see older trees do this, especially large-leaved trees, but all will do it. 
The tree is pulling sap and energy to the root system and saving it for winter. It starts this process in early August. This, of course, is a stress on the tree.

Why are pecans falling from my pecan trees?

I have received a number of calls from concerned pecan tree owners. 
The short answer is that too much or too little moisture, disease and insects can all abort nuts from trees. 

Gaillardia, also known as Indian Blanket Flower, has been blooming prolifically this summer.  The flowers planted in the park at Main and Broadway that features Oklahoma native plants are a good example.  This cultivar is ‘Goblin.’

Why is my oak tree dying?
The following information is in response to calls I get and gleaned from a tree disease specialist at Oklahoma State University. The title reflects a very popular greeting line I have received when answering my office phone over the past 30 years. My usual response to the statement is as follows: “Well, we are not sure. Do you want us to send a sample of your dying tree to Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostic Laboratory at Oklahoma State University?”

Some flowers are so exotic they almost look artificial. The flower of the Passion Flower vine falls into that category.
People who drive on West 11th street in Shawnee between Kickapoo and Aydelotte will see a vine growing on a fence and on a trellis inside the yard that may have as many as 20 purple blooms, each one of them an intricate display of beauty.

This a common problem in Oklahoma pecan trees. You will normally see a small hole in the pecan as they fall off the tree in the fall or when harvested.

If you haven’t ever entered flowers or vegetables in the fair, or even considered doing so, you should. It is easy, you often have a good chance at some ribbons — perhaps even monetary awards — and you will be adding to the beauty and enjoyment for all to see. This year’s Pottawatomie County Free Fair is Sept. 9-12. Entries will be taken 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Sept. 9, and the fair is open to the public beginning 5 p.m. Sept. 10.

When do I plant fescue in my yard?
 
Fescue is used in Oklahoma lawns in areas that are shady. Fescue, however, still needs some sunlight. Usually two to four hours, depending upon soil conditions. It’s best to get a couple hours of full sunlight and a couple of hours of dappled light. Fescue is planted in Oklahoma from Sept. 15 through late October.

Newalla resident Tom Bergey spoke to the Multi-County Master Gardeners and members of the public at the monthly master gardeners meeting Aug. 19 at the OSU Extension Center in Shawnee. The emphasis of his presentation focused on selecting, growing, and the culinary use of herbs.

After last week’s rain, I had small soil mounds appear all over my yard, there were hundreds of them.  What are they?
 
You are referring to mounds made by short-tailed crickets.  These crickets over winter, as nymphs, burrowed deep into our soil.  In spring, they reach adulthood, lay eggs, the eggs hatch and soon leave their parents then they burrow to construct one of their own.

Ornamental sweet potato vines are providing a splash of color to the late summer landscape in downtown Shawnee, at residences and at businesses throughout the area.
Once established, along with proper weather conditions, these plants grow amazingly fast.
The large containers in the traffic island on Bell Street were planted with Margarita (chartreuse) and Blackie (dark purple) ornamental sweet potatoes this year.

The Multi-County Master Gardener Association will sponsor a “Raising Herbs” educational seminar on Wednesday, Aug. 19, beginning at 10:30 a.m. 
Tom Bergy, Golden Trowel, will discuss raising herbs, how to process and how to cook with them. This would be an excellent opportunity for Master Gardeners to pick up some educational hours. Also, anyone interested in herbs is encouraged to attend.

I have these grass-looking plants that first appeared in my flower beds and now are spreading to my lawn. What can I do?

Dahlias done right bring delight — done wrong they often bring dismay. Katherine Benton does them right as evidenced in the photo.

Over the last few years I have been in several meetings during which the idea of creating a community garden was discussed, but that was as far as the idea progressed. University Baptist Church member, Canaan Crane, is doing something about it.

Late summer or early autumn is the best time to divide perennials that bloom in spring and summer.
But not all perennials need to be divided. Generally, perennials should be divided to rejuvenate an old, overgrown planting or to increase the number of plants in the garden. Plants such as peonies, iris, hosta and daylilies are among the most common garden perennials that are easily divided.
Making divisions is a simple task, but should be done with care to avoid injury.

My ornamental pear tree has branches dying at the tips and then dying back toward the trunk. This has occurred over the last couple of months, what can I do?

The disease is called fire blight. The ends of the leaves and stems will have a dark brown to blackened look, much like someone set fire to the branches, thus the name fire blight. Given the right circumstances, such as warm, moist conditions, this disease can move quickly. It can affect any apple or pear tree, either fruit or ornamental.

Donna and Ed Guthrie, longtime members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee, have created a beautiful garden east of the church building near the preschool play area that attracts butterflies.

I have webworms in some of my trees, what are my options?

Webworms are out in full force in many areas. This is the webbing you see in many trees and these webs can contain hundreds of caterpillars.