August for Oklahoma lawns and gardens can easily be summed up with one word, WATER.

Plant

Divide and replant any spring blooming perennials.

Finish any last minute planting of fall vegetables in your Oklahoma Garden.

Mums and asters

Fall bulbs like amaryllis and crocus.

Fertilize

Bermuda lawns if adequate moisture is available

Young trees and shrubs

Foliar feed your Oklahoma Atlas and other evergreens with Garret Juice (see Amazon Links)

Struggling plants would also benefit from a soil drenching of Garret Juice (see Amazon Links)

Prune

Dead head declining flowering plants to clean up the  appearance of you Oklahoma flower bed, to encourage more blooming and to keep some of those ever multiplying flowers in one spot. 

Dead and damaged branches from shrubs and trees.  Do not do major pruning

Finish dead heading roses by mid month to help initiate winter hardiness

Water

All potted and hanging plants

Oklahoma lawns and gardens, unless it has been usually wet and rainy (ha-ha) this is the month you will have to water more than any other month.  Try to watering more deeply as I learned to do years ago. I like to put down an inch or so with each watering. If you do, you will water less often, save money and time, have fewer incidents of plant and turf stress between watering and it will train the roots to go deeper into the ground. (note: soil types, weather patterns and plant recommendations will vary watering patterns and frequencies). see article on Saving Your Oklahoma Lawn While On Vacation

Do not forget to water the birds and have fun watching them!

“The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Sharing my gardening interests with others is so enjoyable. Whether you play the Native American Flute, ride a Harley Davidson, collect vintage automobiles, quilt with friends and neighbors, show dogs, cattle or horses, play baseball, support little league,or work with wood consider SHARING YOUR PASSION WITH OTHERS! I recommend  Digital Seasons of Life for your very own affordable website.

They are an Oklahoma company that has been a joy to work with .  Digital Seasons of Life’s sites are simple for me to update with new articles and pictures and they are always there when I need them.  Share your passion and contact them today. 

Save $25 on site design and your first year of hosting for free ($100 value).

Use Coupon Code: RED DIRT TWO

Click the banner below for information

HMMMMM, how could this be good for your tree?

Enjoy working in your yard this month!The following is your Oklahoma Red Dirt Gardening Calendar for July.

3 Easy Steps To Prepare An Oklahoma Lawn Or Oklahoma Garden For Vacation Time

Plant

Color for fall such as asters, cosmos, marigolds, morning glory, ornamental grasses, zinnias.

Establishment of warm season lawns should be completed by the end of this month to ensure the least amount of plant damage caused by winter kill.

Fertilize

Roses to encourage fall blooms.

Planting beds that were not fertilized in June.

Bermuda lawns for the 4th out of 5 consecutive applications. Oklahoma Annual Fertilization Schedule Be sure enough moisture is present during Oklahoma’s summer heat and drying winds.

Don’t know how much to put down try this calculator. Oklahoma Lawn Fertilization Calculator

Greensand can be used around all nitrogen deficient plants as can Ironite which may be easier to find in Oklahoma.  Nitrogen deficiency is easy to detect. Notice on the picture below the pale leaves with dark green veins.

Prune

Dead and damaged limbs should be removed so not to promote disease and further damage…do not make flush cuts.  See article on Pruning

Remove all spent blooms on flowering plants to encourage new blooms and prevent disease

Mow

Remember, Bermuda grass stores moisture in its leaves, so do not mow off more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at any one time.  Use a mulching blade on you mower instead of catching the clippings.  This will return some of the nitrogen to the soil.  If you must catch, then compost the clippings.

Rise your mower this month to 2 inches for Bermuda grass and 3 inches for Fescue. 

Water

Water all lawns and beds during Oklahoma’s century days and hot winds.  Water to a depth of 6 inches.  It is less expense to water fewer times and deeply than it is to water many times a week for only a few minutes. Do not water in the evenings as this will promote a number of diseases and funguses. Best time to water is early in the morning.

Do not forget to put out fresh water for the birds!

“The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

 Here is the price I am paying…what price do you pay?

1. mowing and edging

2. pruning & shearing shrubs into various shapes along with selective pruning to maintain health & over all beauty

3. dead heading blooms

4. fertilizing and watering on a schedule

5. cultivating in mulch and compost

6. cleaning and sharpening tools

7. enjoying the porch and patio in the evenings and mornings

8. watching the birds and bunnies

Enjoy your hard work and below is the Oklahoma Red Dirt Gardeners calendar for June.

Plant

Finish seeding of warm season grass to prevent winter over kill.

Sod with buffalo grass or burmuda at this time.

Summer Perennials like blue daze, cocks comb, copper leaf or cosmos to name a few.

COCKS COMB IS AVIALBLE IN A NUMBER OF COLORS

Summer Annuals such as begonias, caladiums, verbena, lantana and marigolds are all easy to grow.

Shrubs and trees that are of flowering types can still be planted, like crape myrtle.

Fertilize

If you have not done a soil test in the last 3 years, it is time do so again.  This assures you are putting down the correct fertilizer.

Oklahoma Soil Test

Second Major Fertilization Of The Season

Warm season grass like bermuda can be fertilized for the second time this year. If you use chemicals see these articles (Oklahoma Red Dirt Gardening annual fertilization schedule), (Red Dirt Gardening application calculator)

Organic fertilizers can be applied to all areas with out worrying about burning the plants or having to change your watering pattern.  Apply 20lbs to every 1000 sq. ft.  Your plants can be given a boost with fish meal or corn gluten meal.

During this time of the year I spray all my plants 1 to 2 times per month with Garrett Juice. 

            I would not be without this product.

purchase this from Amazon

Post emergent control for crabgrass and summer annual  grasses will have better results when applied to young plants.

Broad leave post emergent can also be applied at this time but no later than the first week of July.

If you have pines suffering from any type of needle diseases it is time to treat them again as we close in on mid June.

Leave grass clippings on your yard to add nitrogen back into the soil and to keep the clippings out of landfills. If you do bag, this is a great source of green materials for your compost pile. Best results are achieved by having a mulching blade put on your mower. (How to Install a Mulching Blade).

Prune

Deadhead all flowers to improve the appearance and over all health of the plant.  This will also trigger a new flush of blooms on most plants.

June is the prime time to prune most deciduous trees and shrubs.

Vigorous shoots from shrubs can be “selectively” pruned down at the base of the plant.

Remove any dead or damaged branches that  remain in your trees or shrubs from the spring storms.

Remove any unwanted bulbs that are confused about what time of the year it is.

Water

Watering deeply will save you time and money because you will be able to water less frequently.  Oklahoma’s hot summer weather coupled by the high winds we are currently experiencing may cause all of us to have to water more often.

Remember to provide water for the birds!

You can help the birds weather the Oklahoma heat by providing them a fresh water source.  An important part of a bird’s daily life is to drink and bath in fresh water. This not only helps the bird to cool down but also helps to rid themselves of parasites. 

I use a variety of different items in my gardens to provide the birds with fresh water. I have not only an “official bird bath” but also a small water feature which is easy to maintain, a pot plate, and even an old copper kitchen bowl which is not more than about 3 inches deep. Often I will put a rock in the container that sticks up above the water for the birds to sit on. 

Since I have enough lawn work already and I did not want to add any more chores to my list I was thoughtful regarding the placement of the baths  in my beds. I made sure that each bird bath was were near a water source and it was easily accessible for cleaning.  The only mistake I made was putting one of the bird baths by the kitchen window.  Perfect place to watch the birds, right?  Well between their splashing and my refilling & cleaning of the bird bath, I have one spotted window!

You will need to check your birdbath or pond frequently to assess water levels and water cleanliness/freshness. On windier days, you may need to top off the water more often.  I have found that being aware of the water level in the bird baths and how fast the water is evaporating out of them, gives me a little insight to what may be going on with the moisture levels in my lawn and gardens.

Remember to never use chemicals in the water for control of insects or algae.  There are products specifically used to reduce algae, like Bird Bath Protector and you can scrub most of the algae off with a stiff brush. (One special note, moving water does not collect mosquitoes.)

"The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Plant

All hot weather herbs.

Ground covers such as Asian jasmine, English ivy, purple winter creeper.

Vegetables that do well in hot weather such as peas, okra, squash, melons.

Perennials like gladiolas cannas, asters, & mums.

Warm weather annuals including, begonias, zinnia, periwinkles, caladiums, elephant ears, verbena.

Lawns for warm weather can be put in from sod, seed, plugs and even by hydro mulching.

Container trees and shrubs…remember to harden them off before planting. Remove all burlap & any twine  or cord.  Plant with the root flare exposed above ground. (Do not kill your Oklahoma tree by over mulching)

Fertilize

All annual flowers and potted plants.  Any new plantings can have their roots drenched with a root stimulator to help set buds for flowers.

Warm season lawns can be fertilized again in May. (Oklahoma bermuda lawn fertilization schedule)

If you use chemicals a second application of pre-emergent grass herbicide can be applied at the end of the month, depending on the timing of the first application.

Prune

Great time to shear branches (not to cut limbs) on scale leaved evergreens.

As flowers fade on spring flowering plants they can be pruned.

Water

As needed, if windy you may need to water more than normal.

All new plantings.

Do forget to feed and water the birds!

"The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Remember not to remove the foliage on your spring bulbs just yet.  The bulbs are still gathering nutrients for next years flowers.  Once the leaves begin to die back then remove them.

Plant

Bedding plants, summer bulbs, annual flowering seeds can begin about mid April.

Warm season crops such as okra, tomatoes What is Wrong With My Tomatoes, squash.

Herbs like basil, lemongrass, mint, oregano, sage and thyme, etc.

It is still not too late to get in your Oklahoma trees and shrubs.

Begin planting Oklahoma Bermuda lawns at the end of the month from sprigs, plugs or sod.

Fertilize

I drench the roots of all new plantings with Garret Juice. My Favorite Organic Products  I also use it as a foliar spray.  Since it is organic it will not burn your plants.

If you use organic lawn fertilizer that can also be applied at 20LBS/1000 sq. ft.

If you use chemical fertilizers and have an Oklahoma warm-season lawn you will need to fertilize 5 times per year.  The first application will be the last week of April to the first week of May. When to Fertilize Your Oklahoma Warm-Season Lawn.  The application rate for high nitrogen fertilizer is one pound per 1000sf.  this will produce a high quality lawn.  Remember to water in the this type of fertilizer.

Prune

If you still have freeze damage on branches or other plants remove it to promote new growth and to improve the over all appearance and health of the plant/shrub/tree.

Mow Bermuda and Zoysia to a height of 1 to 1.5 inches and buffalo grass to 3 inches.  It is not necessary to scalp your lawn it only promotes the growth of weeds. 

Water

Water as needed, however pay more attention to new plantings. Also, Oklahoma winds will dry things out quickly. 

Container plants as needed.

Do forget to feed and water the birds!

"The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Sharing my gardening interests with others is so enjoyable. Whether you play the Native American Flute, ride a Harley Davidson, collect vintage automobiles, quilt with friends and neighbors, show dogs, cattle or horses, play baseball, support little league,or work with wood consider SHARING YOUR PASSION WITH OTHERS! I recommend  Digital Seasons of Life for your very own affordable website.

They are an Oklahoma company that has been a joy to work with .  Digital Seasons of Life’s sites are simple for me to update with new articles and pictures and they are always there when I need them.  Share your passion and contact them today.

Save $25 on site design and your first year of hosting for free ($100 value).

Use Coupon Code: RED DIRT TWO

Oklahoma trees, shrubs and other permanent plants can still be planted.

Cultivate your Oklahoma beds to get rid of weeds.  If you have a lot of weeds, cover the bed with 5 sheets of newspaper and top with compost.

Begin warm season crops like lettuce, cauliflower, peas, radish, potatoes, spinach and onion. read article on "The Most Important Day Of Your Onions Life"

Fertilize

Drench new plantings with Garret Juice to stimulate root growth.

Organic fertilizer can be put down at approximately 20lbs. per 1000sf. (Sustane, Yum,Yum or Soil Mender).Buy Soil Mender

Actively growing plants can be drenched with Garrett Juice.

Garrett Juice (ready to spray) The BEST basic organic foliar spray/soil drench you will ever use! Here’s the recipe:

1 cup manure-based compost tea
1 ounce molasses
1 ounce natural apple cider vinegar
1 ounce liquid seaweed

Garrett Juice Concentrate
1 gallon Compost Tea
1 pint Cider Vinegar
1 pint Liquefied Seaweed
1 pint Blackstrap Molasses

Mix all ingredients together. For spraying: use 1 ½ cups of concentrate per 1 gallon of water.
*1 pint = 2 cups = 16 ounces

Weed Control

Broad leaf weeds can still be controlled as long as it is not 50 degrees with a post emergent.

Corn Gluten can be put down to control turf weeds.

Prune

Time to finish all major pruning.  This includes grasses like Maiden grasses and monkey grass/liriope.

Prune Oklahoma roses just before growth begins.  Watch for disease.

If you have any cold weather damage to foliage this should be removed as well.

Remove all suckers from the bases of deciduous shrubs.

Fruit trees should be pruned just before bud break.

DO NOT prune your spring flowering vines/shrubs until they finish their spring flowering: wisteria, spirea, flowering quince, azaleas, camellias. 

Water

Annuals and all dry soil areas as needed.

Potted plants.

Turf during dry conditions.

Yellow Finch’s plumage will begin to turn bright yellow in March.  These beautiful boys will then begin to build a nest to attract a mate.  Upon completion of the nest, he proceeds with his load  singing early in the morning and continuing late into the evening for a female.  Showing each eligible girl his nest.  If she takes a shine to him, she will promptly tear up his nest to build her own.  Ah, such is love.

To attract this colorful bird to your yard put out a thistle feeder.

Remember to feed and water the birds!

"The Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Oklahoma gardeners will want to take advantage of this month being an excellent month to plant bare rooted trees, shrubs, ground covers, vines, plants that are permanent. 

Begin vegetable garden with cool season plants like onions, radishes and potatoes (see article on the Best onions and potatoes for Oklahoma gardeners).

Finish up transplanting

Fertilizer

If you have never done a soil test on your yard/beds now would be a great time to do so as we approach the growing season.  (see article "SOIL TESTING"). 

Continue with pre-emergent weed control. Corn gluten meal can be applied at 20lbs./ 10000 sq.ft.

If you use chemicals this will be the 1st application of a broad leaf pre-emergent February 20th. Prior to the 10th use post-emergent .

Prune

Shade and ornamental trees can be pruned lightly to remove limbs that have been damaged by the winter winds/freezes.  Also remove limbs that are crossing and those the would allow more light into the plant.  Following proper pruning techniques.

Evergreens with scale type leaves should have the longest canes pruned to reduce height and maintain the plants natural appearance.

Roses that bloom only once should be pruned, ie. bush and climbers.

Finish up pruning all summer flowering shrubs and hedges.

Water

Winter annuals and any dry soil areas…particularly in drought and windy conditions.

Do not Forget to feed and water the birds

Oklahoma’s "Original" Red Dirt Gardener

Plant
All remaining daffodils and tulips that were not planted earlier. Oklahoma Red Dirt Bulb Planting 101

Transplant all remaining shrubs that need to moved.

Trees, shrubs, and vines.

Fertilizer
Organic fertilization of newly planted trees and shrubs can be drenched with Garrett Juice to stimulate root growth.  This can be done each month until the plant is established.

If you did not treat young pines for tip bores in November do so before March.

Organic treatment of cool season weeds in dormant turf can be done with real 10% vinegar made from grain alcohol (do not use 20% vinegar made from 99% acetic acid).

To chemically treat cool weather weeds, you can use a post emergent broad leaf weed killer as long as it is above 50 degrees F.  ie Roundup. 

Prune
Most deciduous trees and shrubs.

Evergreens with both scale and needle like leaves.

All dead and diseased branches and limbs.

Lower limbs to facilitate mowing and allow for passage down sidewalks.

Limbs or branches that are crossing Crowded center branches can also be removed to improve air flow.

Summer flowering trees to shape them.

Remember not to use pruning paint and not to make flush cuts.  Leave the branch collar.

(see Red Dirt Gardening article on "Pruning") 

Water
Check soils moisture levels.  The top of the soil maybe dry to the touch, so you might want to use a long screw driver or 10" nail to see if the under lying soil is still moist.  This can be done by sticking a screw driver or nail  down in the ground about 6 inches.  

If there has been no significant rain fall water all beds and turf.                                       

24 hours before a hard freeze.

Do not forget to feed and water the birds

The Original Red Dirt Gardener

 

Plant

Container grown shade trees and shrubs.  (see Red Dirt Gardening’s article on "Proper Tree Planting").

Transplant shrubs or vines that need moved.

Fertilize

Easy to pull henbit and clover that might emerge this month. 

Apply broad weed herbicide to well established cool and warm season lawns.

Prune

Evergreens to improve their appearance and natural shape. (see Red Dirt Gardening’s "Pruning Calendar for Home Owners").

Shade trees can can be pruned to improve their appearance. Do Not prune to "thin".  Selective pruning is recommended for removal of crossing branches and limbs to allow light to the under story plantings.  and to prevent weighted "crotches" from splitting in the ice and wind.

Remove dead limbs from shade trees.

Do not prune newly planted trees

Do not make flush cuts, top trees or pruning paints(see Red Dirt Gardening’s article on "Pruning" for proper techniques and tools).

While trees are in their dormant months remove any ground cover away from the root flare and trunks.  Remove dirt carefully using a stiff broom or water.

Remove any dead or diseased plantings from your beds.

Water

Continue to water once a month if soil is dry. 

Water 24 hours before a freeze.  This will help to prevent winter freeze and plant death.

Don’t Forget To Feed & Water The Birds

The Original Red Dirt Gardener

You would think in all this color and beauty, there would be a break in the Oklahoma garden chores …but NO!  Below are the “Original” Red Dirt Gardener’s tips for the month of November.

Plant

Continue planting spring flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, & hyacinths. I always cool my bulbs for 30 to 45 days prior to planting in December. (do not store bulbs in plastic bags or plastic containers as they might become diseased by the moisture).

Finish planting cool season spring flowering annuals  like pansies, kale, flowering cabbage, alyssum and Johnny jump ups.

Transplanting of woody plants can begin after the first frost.

Spring and summer flowering perennials like iris and day lilies.

Trees, shrubs and vines.

Fertilize

During the first week fertilize cool season turf.

Continue controlling broadleaf weeds in well established warm and cool season lawns with post emergent weed killer.  If you are opposed to chemicals as I am, manually remove the emerging weeds.

Put down 1/2” of compost if you have a poorly performing lawn.  the compost also servers as an excellent dressing in your beds.

Foliar feed all actively growing plants like evergreens with Garret juice. (see recommended organic products)

Prune

Remove (deadhead) all spent blooms and dead tips on annuals and perennials.

Trim away all dead and dying.

Selectively prune spindly growth.

Do major pruning from mid November through February.

Compost all debris except of what is diseased

Due to the numerous pine diseases in Oklahoma I recommend disposing of all pine needles and cones by removing them from your property.

Do not prune newly planted trees or shrubs.

Mulch

All bare ornamental beds for winter protection and help in preventing weeds in the spring.

DO NOT pile mulch up the trunk of trees as it will only cause the tree to become diseased. see “Red Dirt Gardening’s 5 Tips for Mulching Trees”

Continue mowing cool season lawns.

Save those leaves and branches to chipper shred and use for mulch in your beds.

Water

The Oklahoma wind still dries out our Oklahoma red dirt lawn and garden. Though we do not need to water as often, vegetation still needs water so water at least once a month if the soil is dry.

Water 24 hours before a freeze.  This will help to prevent winter freeze and plant death.

If You Have A Water Feature

Now is a good time to lay a screening material, anchored by stones over the pool portion of your Oklahoma water feature to keep out the debris. As soon as all the leaves have fallen and have been raked up, remove the screening material and store until next year.

November’s Last Weekend Chore 

As Oklahoma Red Dirt Gardening chores begin to slow down, I find that November is also a good time to clean up and winterize all my tools. This includes draining the fuel from my power equipment.  As well as cleaning and sharpening my tools. They are stored with a quick spray of lubricant on them to prevent rusting. 

Click here for tips on winterizing your sprinkler system in the OKC and surrounding areas. 

Don’t forget to feed and water the birds!

The “Original” Red Dirt Gardener