There is an old adage that suggests that one should prune whenever the pruning shears is sharp. Although light pruning in any season is unlikely to cause permanent harm to an established tree or shrub, the timing and magnitude of the pruning process will greatly influence the growth and flowering of most plants.
The extremely cold weather this winter has caused Liriope, also known as Monkey Grass, to look extremely ragged and unkempt.
Now is the best time to cut it back to the ground in preparation for new growth that will begin as soon as the weather gets a little warmer.
While the lingering snow cover and soft, soggy soils may limit raking and spring cleaning our borders, this is an ideal time to begin pruning many dormant trees and shrubs. A late-winter survey of your property’s trees and shrubs should be performed annually. Mid-February to mid-April is a preferred time of year to prune dormant plants since it is considerably easier to view their architecture and observe damaged, diseased, or crossed branches.
It has been said that the anticipation of something can be as rewarding as the actual event itself. I think that's why early March is one of my favorite times of the year. Each year about now we're so eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of the promise of spring.
Most of us are familiar with the cypress in the swamps, with woody knees poking out of the shallow water. Pond cypress, contrary to what you might think, doesn’t produce as many. Neither produces the knees when planted in the typical landscape where water doesn’t stand. Unlike the larch, the needles of the bald and pond cypress aren’t soft — though not as tough as Scots pine, blue spruce or the Douglas fir.
Strawberries are a relatively simple fruit to grow in the home garden. They can be grown successfully throughout the state. Of course, the plants will require weekly irrigation when the rains subside, so be sure the location you choose is accessible to water. Also look for a spot that receives full sun, as shade can reduce fruit set.
Kenneth and Lori Friend, Tecumseh, are new members of the American Angus Association®, reports Bryce Schumann, CEO of the national breed registry organization in Saint Joseph, Mo.
What sets the larch apart, besides breathtaking fall color, is the needles. When the tree starts leafing out in spring, the needles are a soft, lime-green color with a shimmer. As they mature, they take on a soft, dark green color, a little darker than the yew. More importantly, the needles are soft.
Torrential downpours pummeled South Shore landscapes during the past week, flooding lawns and gardens and scattering debris far and wide.
Seasoned vegetable gardeners, first time vegetable gardeners, and people who just plant veggies in containers can get valuable information Saturday, March 6, at the Spring Home and Gardening Show in the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Conference Center.
It will be months before you can plant the enticing seeds showcased in gardening catalogs. But now is a good time to learn how to make them thrive.
This is the time you might be thinking about buying seeds to start your vegetables or flowers inside. Somehow the winter seems less harsh when you can cultivate seedlings.
Although we have had a wet winter, we know that we will have dry conditions later. Two presentations at the free Spring Home and Garden Show at the Expo Conference Center will give good information on the wise use of water.
The OSU Extension Center will present a soil and plant nutrition seminar scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 2.
After many years of testing and culling, Oklahoma regulatory veterinarians, practitioners and cow-calf producers have succeeded in pretty much eliminating Brucellosis as a threat to reproductive efficiency.
Cooking demos and a woodworking expo add entertainment value to the annual show to attract people who may have no plans for home improvements.
A well-designed property should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, an extension of your indoor living areas. In the landscape, the sky and the mature tree canopy form the roof; shrubs, walls or fences serve as the walls; and ground covers, grass or hardscape function as the floor.
“What do cattle have to do with me? I don’t have any in my backyard.”
This might be your first reaction to the statement above. Many folks have a hard time connecting themselves to Agriculture and some of its products.
Every piece of furniture sculptured by Michael Amaral has a story behind it. “When you look at it, you’re almost looking at the tree it came from,” said the 34-year-old Cumberland furniture designer and builder, who prefers to use species harvested around Rhode Island, especially salvaged trees or sustainable resources.
Shrubs that exhibit colored twigs during the winter months are great additions to our borders and are particularly effective against a backdrop of evergreens or when landscapes are snow-covered.
