All the Dirt on Gardening

We have a grove of trees on our back acre and have planted dozens of plant varieties back there. Based on our soil type, rainfall amount, and lack of attention (zone 7 NE OK) I can recommend some real winners. We've gardened on these 2 acres for 20 years now and these are the plants that have thrived with minimal attention. All of these are blooming now - photos taken yesterday. Viburnum shrub Daffodils planted under shade trees return every year Flowering quince in half shade  Native Phlox blooms, spreads Shasta daisies do quite well around shrubs Iris of course bloom before trees leaf out Rue Anemone spreads very slowly and blooms every spring Spicebush shrub blooms every spring and feeds Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars Virginia bluebells - native - incredible! Spanish bluebells - thrive here Native violets feed bees, butterflies

Here's the Walk Run Ride the Trails schedule for Mar 27 - Apr 2.  The up-to-date activities list can be found at  www.muskogeeparks.org/trails  at the Walk, Run or Ride the Trails 2017 link. Check back for updates.  Contact: Brooke Hall (918- 684-6302 X 1477 ) or Doug Walton  (918-683-0321 ). WALKS  Wear comfortable shoes and bring water * 3/27 5:30-6 pm Elliott Park/Sadler Arts Academy  – History walk and talk led by Jonita Mullins *3/27 6-6:30 pm Sadler Arts Academy – Casual walk of the recently restored primitive trail led by Doug Walton *3/28 noon -12:30 Centennial Trail/Hatbox/Arline at 34 th  St.- Casual trail walk for all ages led by Martha Stoodley* *3/28 5 – 6 pm Civitan Park Playground, 3301 Gibson St.  – Group walk of the Civitan trail led by Denise Hickman *3/29 12:30 – 1 pm Muskogee City Hall, 229 W Okmulgee – Mayor Bob Coburn will lead a walk to the trailhead and back * 3/31 9 -10 am Henry Bresser Nature Trail/...

Most of us experienced gardeners grow herbs and vegetables and and some fruits in our flower and perennial beds and now it's become a movement. I've tucked cucumbers on the fence behind the perennials, grown cantaloupe vines and grapes on chain link fences among shrubs and flowering trees, grown pawpaws in the daylily bed, etc. A new book "The Foodscape Revolution: Finding a Better Way to Make Space for Food and Beauty in Your Garden" by Brie Arthur tells us more about how to succeed and introduces new gardeners to the idea of mixing things up. If you enjoy videos, here's a link to her 25 minute podcast https://briegrows.com/2016/10/ "Getting Dirty in Your Garden", brought to you by North Carolina State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers. Arthur's How-to:  •Use the existing landscape • Utilize a an ornamental base • Work with HOA Guidelines • Think Outside of the Box • Select plants to create an engaging space • Full sun • High traffic a...

Walking, running or riding bikes on the trails at Honor Heights Park is a great way to get outside this weekend.  Here's the scoop on all the options - Bresser is my favorite! http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/walk-run-or-ride-the-trails-week-begins-march/article_43e3a355-f9f7-5530-af92-2425327b3c41.html With three paved plus two primitive walking and bicycle trails, there is something for everyone at Honor Heights Park. Amenities include restrooms and water fountains. The Walk, Run or Ride the Trails Week from March 27 to April 2 will have free, organized group events at Honor Heights Park.  You can visit the trails on your own, too. Maps are online to print or use on your phone at  www.Muskogeeparks.org/trails . Woodland Garden Trail is a concrete .28-mile (round trip) stroll through what was called the White Garden, with several benches along the way. Park on the 48th Street side of the park. Stem Beach Trail also is paved. The two access points a...

The Flower Garden and Nature Society of NorthWest Arkansas welcomes Susan Young  Topic “Fields Red with Strawberries in Northwest Arkansas”  Day Saturday, March 18, 2017  Time 9:30 am Social Time - 10:00 am Program Location Northwest Technical Institute - Springdale Arkansas Susan Young is the outreach coordinator at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale, a position she has held since 1994.  Susan is a lifelong resident of Fayetteville and a fifth-generation Ozarker.  She is the author of "So Big, This Little Place," a history of the founding of Tontitown, Arkansas, and the editor of “Memories I Can't Let Go Of”, a collection of life stories from Tontitown, Arkansas.  In 2014, Susan received the Washington County Historical Society's Distinguished Citizen Award.  Susan serves on the boards of the Arkansas Historical Association and the Ozark Folk Cultural Center Commission. Her Ozark history interests include traditional folkwa...

Most spiders are harmless but some people still fear the very sight of them. This is a 10:42 minute YouTube video that will help dispel any myths you may still hold about spiders. It's by Thomas Shahan, micro photographer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAYblesQA3w If you want to learn more about these creatures, here are a couple of Facebook pages of interest - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheEntomologyGroup/ and https://www.facebook.com/RelaxImAnEntomologist/ And, here are 10 spiders you should be very cautious around.  http://travel.aol.co.uk/2015/06/26/poisonous-spiders-around-the-world/

This is one of the catalogs I love to browse - they have many unusual and unique seed varieties. Their email today - A number of interesting new items are now listed at: http://www.jlhudsonseeds.net/N ew%20Arrivals.htm These include:  Chocolate vine - Akebia quinata Variegated fishtail palm - Caryota mitis variegata Triangle palm - Dypsis Decaryi Indian peach Dogwoods Egyptian top onion Yugoslavian giant garlic

Although they are not cold hardy in our zone 7 gardens, Fuchsias are widely sold here for hanging baskets and planters. It's easy to forget about Fuchsias unless you've been to CA lately, but they are as lovely as the other tender plants we select to grow as annuals here. And, the overwinter indoors just as easily. Bella Fuchsia Sophia And, check out this new introduction - Fuchsia Bella Nikita. Talk about adding a bright spot of color to your patio!  Bella Fuchsia  Nikita If you prefer pastels, Sophia will be your preference. 

If you go Coody Creek Trail - Bicycle and walking/running trail lighted parking lot at the Bark Park, 2 nd St. at Madison One block southwest of South Main/Hwy 64 & Kalamazoo Families and groups who enjoy walking, running and bicycle riding have several options in Muskogee.  The trail system is well-developed with paved surfaces, parking lots and water fountains. The choices include several paved trails. Some are wide open and sunny and others are wooded and shady. There are also a few primitive, unpaved, trails that give you a feeling of a walk in the woods. Muskogee Parks and Recreation Department has posted the trail maps online.   ( http://www.muskogeeonline.org/departments/parks_and_recreation/trails/index.php ). The first page illustrates the paved trail system and the second page is a guide to the three unpaved trails. The newest paved trail, Coody Creek Trail, begins at Second and Madison Streets. There is plenty of lighted parkin...