One of the primary purposes for the Tulsa County Master Gardeners is to share horticultural information with area residents. We do a variety of other things like maintaining the beautiful planters in Brookside, landscaping the Habitat for Humanity homes, growing produce on our Seed to Supper Farm for distribution to those less fortunate etc. But education is our prime directive so to speak.

To that end we offer classes at various times of the year, and we have several opportunities coming up.

First up is our Lunch and Learn series in cooperation with the Tulsa Central Library. These classes occur during the lunch hour at the downtown Tulsa Central Library. They begin at noon and typically end by 12:45 so you can bring your lunch and listen to a presentation on a horticultural topic of interest. This fall we will have four Lunch and Learns on Tuesdays beginning September 20^th and continuing for 3 more Tuesdays. Here’s a list of topics: 9/20 Composting, 9/27 Planting Trees & Shrubs, 10/4 Fall and Winter Garden Prep, and 10/11 Winter Bird Survival Tips.

Each class is taught by a Master Gardener and there is typically enough time to answer some questions as well. So, if you work downtown or can make your way downtown, these free classes will be great.

Also coming up are classes from our Urban Gardener Series that are related to growing vegetables in a home garden.

In these classes you will learn about soil chemistry, proper fertilization, planning your garden, types of gardens, varieties that work well in Oklahoma, starting seeds, and how to give your plants the best shot through Integrated Pest Management techniques.

Previously we offered these classes on a weeknight but we’re trying something different and packing all the information into a one-day Saturday seminar. This class will be November 12^th from 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. There is a cost of $30 for the class which will include a bunch of handouts and pizza for lunch. Seating is limited and these classes typically sell out so if you are interested you better sign up soon. More information and ticketing are available on our website.

Also coming up is a wonderful opportunity for area 3^rd graders to participate in something we call Exploring Insects. Exploring Insects is held at the Tulsa Fairgrounds Exchange Center and is a hand-on learning experience about insects. Students will learn about spiders and ticks, get to race roaches, and create art in something we call maggot art. They’ll also learn about Monarch butterflies and bees. And they’ll even have an opportunity to taste cooked meal worms! This is one event where the Master Gardeners have just a good a time as the kids. If you are interested in your child attending this event, just have their teacher visit our website for more info and to sign up their class. Homeschooled students can sign up individually on our website.

More information and sign-ups are available on our website www.tulsamastergardeners.org.

You can get answers to all your gardening questions by calling the Tulsa Master Gardeners Help Line at 918-746-3701, dropping by our Diagnostic Center at 4116 E. 15th Street, or by emailing us at mg@tulsamastergardeners.org. Photo: Tom Ingram