Mcclain County OSU Extension

02/06/2026

February Hort Tips

Trees and Shrubs

•Fertilize trees, including fruit trees, nut trees, and shrubs, according to a soil test. (HLA-6412)
•Most bare-rooted trees and shrubs should be planted in February or March. (HLA-6414)
•Finishing pruning shade trees, summer flowering shrubs and hedges. Spring blooming shrubs such as forsythia may be pruned immediately after flowering. Do not top trees or prune just for the sake of pruning. (HLA-6409)
•Look for arborvitae aphids on many evergreen shrubs during the warmer days of early spring.
•Gall-producing insects on oaks, pecans, hackberries, etc. need to be sprayed prior to bud break of foliage.
•Dormant oil can still be applied to control mites, galls, overwinter aphids, etc.

Flower Beds

•Water plantings thoroughly at least 24 hours before a hard freeze, especially if the soil is dry.
•Avoid the temptation to prune roses. This should be done in March.
•Pre-emergent herbicides labeled for landscape beds, such as shrub borders and perennial beds, can be applied at this time to control summer annual w**ds.

Vegetables

•Start cool-season vegetable transplants for a late spring garden. (HLA-6020)
•Terminate cover crops 10 to 14 days prior to planting. (HLA-6436)

Lawn and Turf

•A broad-spectrum herbicide labeled for use in Bermuda lawns can be used when temperatures are above 50°F for winter w**d control. (HLA-6421)
•Apply pre-emergent herbicides for crabgrass and broadleaf summer w**d control. (HLA-6421) Heed label cautions when using any w**d killers near or in the root zone of desirable plantings.

Fruit and Nuts

•Spray peaches and nectarines with a fungicide for prevention of peach leaf curl before bud swell. (EPP-7319)
•Fertilizer fruit and nuts trees according to soil test.
•Plant bare-rooted fruit trees as soon as they arrive.
•Choose fruit that are well-adapted for Oklahoma's climate. Check out HLA-6222 for a list of recommended varieties.
•Collect and store graft wood for grafting pecans later this spring.

Indoors

•Force spring flowering branches like forsythia, quince, peach, apple, and weigela for early bloom indoors.
•Forced spring bulbs should begin to bloom indoors; many need 10-12 weeks of cold, dark conditions prior to blooming.

General

•Provide feed and unfrozen water for birds. (HLA-6435)
•Clean up birdhouses before spring tenants arrive. (HLA-6435)

02/03/2026

Beginner Quilt Classes February 20th and 23rd, 9:00 am-4:00 pm, at the McClain County Farm & Home Building.
Brush up your skills or learn to make a basic 3 yard quilt. Contact us for the supply list, space is limited. Call 405-527-2174 to register by February 18th.

01/24/2026

We have CEU opportunities coming up for those with categories Private Applicator, 1A, 3A, 10, and 6! CEUs are currently pending ODAFF Approval.

The South Central Pasture Pesticide Conference is scheduled for March 3rd at the Pontotoc County Agri-Plex Convention Center. The conference opens at 8:30am - 4pm.

Preregistration is required for this conference. Registration fee is $20 and can be made payable to the Pontotoc County OSU Extension Office by February 24th. Preregistration is needed for lunch count.

Topics:
• Aquatic W**d Plants
• When Herbicides Don't Work
• Insect Pests in the Pasture: What's the Deal with Armyworms
• Dry Fertilizer Impregnated with Herbicide
• Pesticide Safety
• Kaput Feral Hog Control

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact Erin Hubbard at 580-332-2153 or erin.r.hubbard@okstate.edu at least two weeks prior to the event.

For more information, you can contact the Pontotoc County OSU Extension office. 580-332-2153

12/02/2025

GARDEN TIPS FOR DECEMBER!

Lawn & Turf

Remove leaves from cool-season grasses or mow with a mulching mower. (HLA-6420)
Continue mowing cool-season lawns on a regular basis. (HLA-6420)
Continue to control broadleaf w**ds in well-established warm or cool-season lawns with a post-emergent broadleaf w**d killer. (HLA-6421)

Tree & Shrubs

Select a freshly cut Christmas tree. Make a new cut prior to placing in tree stand. Add water daily.
Live Christmas trees are a wise investment, as they become permanent additions to the landscape after the holidays.
Light prunings of evergreens can be used for holiday decorations. Be careful with sap that can mar surfaces.

Flowers

Apply winter mulch to protect rose bush bud unions and other perennials. Wait until after several early freezes.
Poinsettias must have at least six hours of bright, indirect light daily. Keep plants away from drafts. (HLA-6413)
Watch for and control pests on indoor houseplants. (HLA-6411)
Make sure indoor plants are receiving enough light or set up an indoor fluorescent plant light. (HLA-6411)

Fruits & Nuts

Cover strawberry plants with a mulch about 3-4 inches thick if plants are prone to winter injury. (HLA-6214)
Wait to prune fruit trees until late February or March. (HLA-6228)

General

Keep all plants watered during dry conditions even though some may be dormant. Irrigate all plantings at least 24 hours before hard-freezing weather if soil is dry. (HLA-6404)
Order gardening supplies for next season.
Now is a great time to design and make structural improvements in your garden and landscape. (HLA-6425, HLA-6440, HLA-6441)
Christmas gift ideas for the gardener might include tools, garden books, magazine subscriptions, or membership to The Botanic Garden at OSU (http://botanicgarden.okstate.edu).
Clean and fill bird feeders.
Till garden plots without a cover crop to further expose garden pests to harsh winter conditions.
Visit your county extension office or visit the fact sheets web page to obtain gardening information for the new gardening season.
Join a horticulture, plant, or urban forestry society and support community “greening” or “beautification” projects.
Review your garden records so you can correct past mistakes. Purchase a new gardening journal or calendar to keep the New Year’s gardening records.

11/24/2025

Join us on December 9, 2025, at 1:00pm for a Holiday Bites and Sips workshop at the McClain County OSU Extension Office.
To register, call (405) 527-2174.

11/07/2025

GARDEN TIPS FOR NOVEMBER

Lawn & Turf

•Fertilize cool-season grasses like fescue with 1 pound nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft.
•Continue to mow fescue as needed at 2 inches and water during dry conditions.
•Control broadleaf winter w**ds like dandelions (HLA-6601).
•Keep falling leaves off fescue to avoid damage to the foliage.

Tree & Shrub

•Prune deciduous trees if in early part of winter. Prune only for structural and safety purposes.
•Wrap young, thin-barked trees with commercial protective material to prevent winter sunscald.
•Apply dormant oil for scale infested trees and shrubs before temperatures fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Follow label directions.
•Continue to plant balled & burlap and containerized trees.
•Watch for arborvitae aphids, which tolerate cooler temperatures in evergreen shrubs.

Flowers

•Tulips can still be successfully planted through the middle of November.
•Leave foliage on asparagus, mums, and other perennials to help insulate crowns from harsh winter conditions.
•Bulbs like hyacinth, narcissus and tulip can be potted in containers for indoor forcing.

Miscellaneous

•Leftover garden seeds can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer until the next planting season. Discard seeds over 3 years old.
•Gather and shred leaves. Add to compost, use as mulch, or till into garden plots.
•Clean and store garden and landscape tools. Coat with a light application of oil to prevent rusting. Drain fuel tanks, irrigation lines, and hoses. Bring garden hoses indoors.

Fruits & Nuts

•Delay pruning fruit trees until next February or March before bud break.
•Harvest pecans and walnuts immediately to eliminate deterioration of the kernel.

10/08/2025

10/02/2025

GARDEN TIPS FOR OCTOBER!

Turfgrass

•You can continue to replant or establish cool-season lawns like fescue.
•The mowing height for fescue should be lowered to approximately 2 ½ inches for fall and winter cutting.
•Broadleaf w**ds like dandelions can be easily controlled during October (HLA-6601).
•Mow and neatly edge warm season lawns before killing frost.

Ornamentals

•Plant cool season annuals like pansies, ornamental cabbage or kale, snapdragons, and dusty miller when temperatures begin to cool.
•Begin planting spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, hyacinths, crocus and daffodils.
•Good companion plants for bulbs are ground covers such as ajuga, vinca, alyssum, moneywort, phlox, oxalis, and leadwort.
•Peonies, daylilies, and other spring-flowering perennials should be divided or planted now.
•Dig and store tender perennials like cannas, dahlias, and caladiums in a cool, dry location.
•Purchase trees from nurseries and garden centers to select the fall color you prefer.
•Many perennials can be planted at this time, and the selection is quite nice.
•Plant fall mums and asters and keep them watered during dry conditions. Don’t crowd since they take a couple of years to reach maturity.
•Plant container-grown trees and shrubs this month.
•Check and treat houseplants for insect pests before bringing them indoors and repot rootbound plants.

Fruits & Vegetables

•Dig sweet potatoes and harvest pumpkins and winter squash.
•Remove green fruit from tomato plants when frost threatens.
•Harvest Oriental persimmons and pawpaws as they begin to change color.
•There is still time to plant radishes and mustard in the fall garden.
•Use a cold frame device to plant spinach, lettuce, and various other cool season crops for production most of the winter.
•Plant cool season cover crops like Austrian winter peas, wheat, clover, and rye in otherwise fallow garden plots.
•Remove debris from the vegetable garden to prevent overwintering of various garden pests.
•Start new planting bed preparations now with plenty of organic matter.

Water Gardens

•Take tropical water garden plants indoors when water temperatures near 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
•Close the water garden for the winter by placing hardy plants in the deeper areas of the pool. Stop feeding the fish.
•Cover water gardens with bird netting to catch dropping leaves during the winter months.

09/25/2025

Bulb planting season is here: Prepare for a burst of color

By Trisha Gedon

STILLWATER, Okla. – As the summer gardening season ends, brightly-colored flowers are fading, as if saying goodbye. While the vibrancy of a summer garden slips quietly away, gardeners can prepare for next spring’s vivid colors in the landscape by planting spring-flowering bulbs now through early November.
David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist, said planting bulbs in the fall gives them time to establish a root system before the winter cold sets in.

“Bulbs need a chilling period to bloom in the spring,” he said. “Planting the bulbs at this time of year will provide that and help ensure the bulbs will grow into a strong plant next spring. Be aware that planting bulbs too early will result in premature sprouting.”

Hillock suggests visiting the local garden store soon to have the best bulb selection. Gardeners may also opt to order from their favorite seed and bulb company. Online ordering often provides gardeners with a broader selection of bulb varieties. Quality bulbs make a significant difference, so look for firm, plump bulbs void of mold or soft spots.

As with all aspects of gardening, selecting the right place in the landscape is crucial. Choose a site that drains well because bulbs don’t like soggy conditions. Many Oklahoma gardeners can attest that the abundance of clay soil is common, which means less-than-desirable growing conditions. Planting on a slope can help with drainage issues. Also, select a site that has full sun exposure. It’s helpful if there is protection from heavy winds that can damage the flowers once they’ve emerged.

“Good, well-drained soil is a must for gardening success, and preparing the soil before planting is important,” Hillock said. “Bulbs sitting in water-logged soil will develop root rot. Mixing in organic matter, such as compost, will help with drainage issues in clay soil.”
In addition to clay soil, parts of the state also feature sandy soil, which isn’t suitable for gardening. Amending clay soil with compost will help it become more workable and improve drainage. Compost helps enhance water retention in sandy soil.

Gardeners who don’t have great soil in the landscape can opt for raised beds. Gardeners can fill the beds with the best soil, but raised beds are also easier for garden tasks like w**ding and fertilizing.

“Be sure to read the directions on the bulb package and follow the planting guide,” he said. “Plant at the correct depth, smooth over the soil and tamp it down slightly. Bulbs are typically planted at a depth two to three times their diameter. A 2-inch bulb should be planted 4 to 6 inches deep. Also, remember that bulbs should be planted with the roots facing down. Irrigate until the soil is moist but not soupy. Finally, cover with a 2- to 3-inch blanket of mulch to protect the bulbs from Old Man Winter.”

When planting bulbs, don’t be shy. Planting generously provides a lot of visual interest in the landscape. Plant tulip bulbs in groups of 20 or more with about a foot between each bulb to create a big pop of color.

“Daffodils provide a fantastic display when organized in swaths, much like a lazy river,” Hillock said. “Also, mixing different species and varieties of species will provide a longer display of blooms in the landscape. Consider other spring flowering bulbs such as hyacinths, snowdrops, Siberian squill, Spanish bluebells, fritillaria, and crocus to add visual interest. There are early, mid- and late-season blooming varieties, so mix and match for the best effect.”

Don’t forget about protecting against pests and diseases. Gardeners put in a lot of work planting a garden, and it can be frustrating when pests and diseases wreak havoc. Be vigilant in scouting for pests and treat accordingly.

“The work gardeners put in this fall will pay big dividends in the spring when the landscape is full of beautiful, flowering bulbs,” he said.

Check out more OSU Extension gardening information.

OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state's 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.

MEDIA CONTACT: Trisha Gedon | Office of Communications & Marketing, OSU Agriculture | 405-744-3625 | trisha.gedon@okstate.edu

09/02/2025

GARDEN TIPS FOR SEPTEMBER!

Landscape:

•Watch for fall specials at garden centers and nurseries since fall is a great time for planting many ornamentals.
•Choose spring flowering bulbs as soon as available.
•Plant cool season annuals like pansies, ornamental cabbage or kale, snapdragons and dusty miller when temperatures begin to cool.
•Watch for and control any late infestations of tree webworms.
•Twig girdler insects should be controlled if large numbers of small branches of elms, pecans, or persimmons are uniformly girdled from the tree and fall to the ground.
•Begin to reduce the amount of light on outside tropical houseplants by placing them under shade trees before bringing them indoors for the winter.

Vegetables:

•You have all of September to plant cool season vegetables like spinach, leaf lettuce, mustard and radishes, and until the middle of September to plant rutabagas, Swiss chard, garlic and turnips.

Lawn:

•Last nitrogen fertilizer application of the year on warm-season grasses should be applied no later than September 15th. (HLA-6420)
•Winter broadleaf w**ds like dandelion will begin to emerge in late September, which is also the best time to control them with a 2, 4-D type herbicide.
•If pre-emergent control of winter-annual w**ds (henbit, chickw**d, annual bluegrass, etc.) is desired in lawns, the application should be completed by the 2nd week of September. (HLA-6421) Note: Do not treat areas that will be seeded in the fall.
•Continue bermudagrass spray program with glyphosate products for areas being converted over to tall fescue this fall. (HLA-6421)
•Plan to seed bluegrass, fescue, or ryegrass as needed in shady areas in mid- to late-September. Fall is the best time to establish cool-season lawns (HLA-6419).
•White grub damage can become visible this month. Apply appropriate soil insecticide if white grubs are a problem (EPP-7306). Water products into soil.

09/02/2025

Have you heard? A McClain County Election is scheduled for next Tuesday. You will be voting to continue a current county tax. This is not a new or additional tax. This has been in place for almost 20 years.
The McClain County ½ cent sales tax provides dedicated funding to the OSU Extension Office, with 7% of revenue supporting extension and 4-H services. This funding enables a variety of research-based programs that benefit the community, including:
• Agriculture & Natural Resources: Support for farmers and ranchers.
• Family & Consumer Sciences: Education on budgeting, nutrition, and wellness.
• 4-H Youth Development: Leadership, STEM, and life skills for youth.
• School Enrichment: Curriculum-based programs in STEM, agriculture, and health for local schools.
• Community Development: Resources for informed planning and growth.
These programs are designed to solve local problems, enhance quality of life, and build stronger communities using the resources and expertise of OSU.

08/06/2025

📣 Attention McClain County Residents!

You're invited to the McClain County 4-H Open House — a fun and FREE event to learn all about the incredible opportunities 4-H offers youth ages 5 through high school graduation! 🌟🍀

📅 Date: August 18th
🕕 Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Location: McClain County OSU Extension Office

Come explore hands-on activities, meet 4-H members and leaders, and see how 4-H builds skills in leadership, citizenship, STEM, cooking, livestock, and so much more!

🎉 Families welcome — fun guaranteed!

📞 For more info, call us at (405) 527-2174