All the Dirt on Gardening

MUST-HEAR TALK Free and open to public Plants Go To War: A Botanical History of World War II July 8, 7 pm, Tulsa Garden Center Judith Sumner speaking Info Sandy Dimmitt-Carroll 918.693.9416 Today, many medications are manufactured in China but in the years leading up to the war, they came from Amsterdam. When Germany seized Holland, herbs were compounded as replacements.  During WWII small gardens were planted across the US and England to feed the people at home, resulting in 40% of Americans’ food coming from Victory Gardens. US-produced meat and crops went to the troops while vegetarianism soared to 95% on the home front.  In a recent telephone interview, author Judith Sumner talked about her new book, “Plants Go to War”. Sumner grew up hearing about plant compounds, rubber scarcity, synthetic tires, synthetic chewing gum for soldiers’ ration packs, and more, from her father who was an Army chemist. Sumner’s book outlines WWII agriculture, from identifying...

Tulsa Herb Society Presents “Garden Lady” C. L. Fornari for 30th Anniversary Celebration July 16th Educational Speaker   Tulsa Garden Center What:   The Cocktail Hour Garden: For most of us, life is jam-packed. In the 21st century it becomes even more important to take a break at the end of the work day, put aside our digital devices and reconnect with other people and the natural world. This talk explores how we can all benefit from a garden created for the senses. Whether you sit in such a space with a cup of coffee in the morning, an iced tea in the afternoon, or a cocktail at the end of the day, The Cocktail Hour Garden will be a refuge where you can relax, recharge, and reconnect with other people and the natural world.  Who : C.L. Fornari is a writer, speaker, radio host and garden consultant. She is the author of several books including Coffee for Roses and The Cocktail Hour Garden. She gardens at Poison Ivy Acres on Cape Cod, and her initials may or may...

Herbs are so easy to grow they are among the plants that are ideal for young gardeners because they will have success from their first attempt.  Winter protection helps herbs survive cold temperatures Herbs add scent in bouquets and their flavors create delicious beverages, salads, vegetables and meats that rival any restaurant fare.  Patsy Wynn of Tulsa Herb Society said that since most herbs are ancient, they add history to the garden. Wynn said she cooks with basil, rosemary, thyme and oregano mostly. “Mediterranean herbs are the easiest to grow,” Wynn said. “Give them average soil, plenty of sun, a little fertilizer and average water. The biggest mistake is keeping them too wet.” Herbs and vegetables can be interspersed To create an easy-to-grow container, Wynn suggested an airy, tall, fennel plant for the middle, golden oregano or sage for the center and parsley or thyme for the low growing plants. Just be careful to not over-water. The kitche...

Hand made items are raffled Members of the Tulsa Herb Society spend a full year making flavored vinegars, chutneys, jams, jellies, holiday decorations and more holiday goodies so we can enjoy shopping. Carols and Crumpets 2017 Dec 3 from 8 am to 3 pm Tulsa Garden Center  2435 S Peoria AV Tulsa In addition to holiday goodies, the Herbies offer lunch at their Snowflake Cafe and evergreens to decorate your home at the other end of the Garden Center. Tulsa Herb Society's hand made gift items Dozens of vendors join the event to make it one of the most eclectic holiday shopping experiences in the area. Not to be missed. (Hint - Arrive early - great prices so lots of items sell out early)

Event is free and open to the public Monday -- July 13, 2015  -- 7pm  to 8:30pm Tulsa Garden Center  2435 S. Peoria, Tulsa, Oklahoma. For More information, check THS Facebook page Contact:   918-894-8131 The phrase:  “Inspiring Gardeners to Create”  has guided Sue’s life as a garden designer, writer and speaker. Based in Washington State, Sue is a certified professional horticulturist (CPH)  She shares  “…a creative gardener…celebrates the garden for all of its uses.” Her personal passion is all about what the garden gives back.  She encourages people to make discoveries in their own gardens.  And that passion has awarded her gold medals at numerous flower and garden shows.  Her home garden has been featured in Northwest Home and Garden magazine as well as Country Gardens magazine.  And she has been highlighted in both Sunset and Fine Gardening magazines. Tulsa Herb Society is hosting Sue Goetz on Monday, Jul...

The Tulsa Herb Society is hosting Patricia Lanza - the queen of lasagne gardening July 8th Tulsa Garden Center 2435 S. Peoria Ave www.tulsaherb.com The Tulsa Herb Society is thrilled to host An Evening with Patricia Lanza , July 8 th from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at the Tulsa Garden Center.   Your invitation to this free event includes an evening of garden exploration; where enjoyment meets functionality.   Join THS as they welcome this knowledgeable gardener to Tulsa. Originally from Crossville, Tennessee Patricia remembers what it was like to keep a garden from watching her grandparents’ garden in rocky, clay soil. She remembers how they rented a mule to plow in the spring then raked out the rows by hand. How they planted, watered and hoed weeds all summer. She also remembers the taste of fresh vegetables right from the garden: red, juicy tomatoes, tender green beans and corn, indeed lots of corn picked by the apron full every day. Patricia began gar...

If you go Nan Chase speaking July 9, 7 to 8:30 pm Tulsa Garden Center 2435 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa, Free and open to the public, refreshments served I nformation www.tulsaherb.com Nan Chase has three books to her credit, including:   “Asheville: A History”, and “Eat Your Yard: Edible trees, shrubs, vines, herbs and flowersfor your landscape” . After 30-years of what she calls serious gardening, Chase and her husband moved to a home with a small lot in Asheville, NC. When they had land they grew apple, pear, and peach trees; berries , nuts, and herbs; green beans, tomatoes, lettuce, and kale, pawpaws, persimmons, crabapples, quince, yucca, and medlar. Their move to a more manageable place meant less work but growing edibles was part of their life and they had to figure out a way to grow things that were familiar. The Chases rotated plantings, engineered trellises, fences and railings that would support food crops growing vertically. They added ...

Tulsa Herb Society Carols and Crumpets: An Herbal Craft Fair Dec 3 from 8 to 3pm Snowflake Café open from 11 to 2 Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 South Peoria AV, Tulsa Information – Patsy Wynn 918-496-8019 or patsywynn@cox.net The annual Tulsa Herb Society holiday craft fair, Carols and Crumpets, will be held on Saturday, December 3 from 8 am to 3pm at the Tulsa Garden Center. Their annual raffle is always popular. This year’s winner will take home table top white wool, feather tree with felt beaded cupcake, petite four and ribbon candy ornaments with a coordinating beaded tree skirt.   Many of the outside vendors will be familiar to attendees but there will be plenty of new crafters and the artists’ creations will make great gifts for yourself and anyone on your gift list. Herb Society members contribute a room full of fresh greenery from their gardens that you can take home to use for decorating. In addition, Utopia Gardens will have live wreaths and Lori Wilbins Designs will have ...

The photos below are from the Tulsa Herb Society Tablescapes event. Tomorrow I'll post the Christmas Tablescape photos.

The Tulsa Herb Society welcomes Crescent Dragonwagon to Tulsa Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa, OK July 12th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Crescent Dragonwagon, Ellen Zolotow is a writer, teacher, and performer who works in the literary, culinary and dramatic arts and the author of more than fifty books. Presentation "Food, Shelter, Story: The World comes to us by Plate and Word" Crescent Dragonwagon Food, Shelter, Story: The World comes to us by Plate and Word: The last two decades have seen a deepening and genre-blending of culinary writing, which reflects our growing understanding that food always, has something to say. Its languages are not just personal but historical, ecological, political, national, regional, economic, cultural, spiritual. What, how, where, why, and when do we eat? How does our food come to us? Though eating may appear to be a matter of satiating hunger while giving us sensual pleasure and nourishment, it's complex, tying us to the world a...

You could start a batch of herb vinegar this month, decant it into gift bottles and decorate them for holiday gifts. Every Tuesday morning a group of Tulsa Herb Society members ( herbalistas ) gather to make crafts for Carols and Crumpets, talk about herbs and plan trips. The Herb Society's jams include: Pineapple sage, holiday cranberry, cranberry chutney, mango chutney, apricot surprise (with horseradish), hot pepper, lemon verbena, pear honey, peach blush (with cherries), 10-pepper, and apple butter. Last week members brought in herbs from their gardens and demonstrated making herb vinegars. Their herb vinegars include: Hot and spicy, Italian, citrus, bouquet garni , cranberry-rosemary, strawberry-mint, raspberry-rose, Mediterrano , and lemon, lemon, lemon. Cut herbs from your garden or visit Muskogee Farmer's Market. We can't predict what you will find, but on a recent visit the vendors had lemon grass, Thai and purple basil, pineapple sage, mint and others. Kim Walto...