One thing I hope the Tulsa Master Gardeners are known for is education. In support of our educational mandate, we maintain a Diagnostic Center 5 days a week at the Tulsa County OSU Extension. In this Diagnostic Center you can call, email, or drop by to get your horticultural questions answered.

We also teach classes during the year on growing vegetables as well as composting. And, we have a group of individuals that can come to your civic organization or business to make presentations about various horticultural topics. One of our educational efforts that has gained in popularity over the years is our Lunch and Learn Series.

We typically have a Spring Lunch and Learn Series and a Fall Lunch and Learn Series, and you guessed it, our Fall Lunch and Learn presentations are about to begin.

Initially, these presentations were only available at the Tulsa Central Library in downtown Tulsa, but in the last year or so we added the Hardesty Regional Library to the schedule.

The Fall Lunch and Learns begin on Tuesday, September 24^th at the Tulsa Central Library and then on Thursday, September 26^th at the Hardesty Regional Library. The presentation begins at 12:00 at the Central Library and at 1:00 at the Hardesty Regional Library.

When attending these presentations, you can bring your lunch and learn about one of our topics this fall. In the first week’s session, we’ll be talking about re-thinking how we approach our fall garden clean up. Did you know that many pollinating insects overwinter in garden debris? They do, and in this session, you’ll learn some strategies to help encourage local pollinators.

On October 1^st and 3^rd, we’ll be talking about utilizing Native Plants for fall color in our gardens. Native plants are becoming more and more popular for a variety of reasons. One of the major reasons is that native plants are acclimated to our climate etc. and thrive in these native habitats. Pollinating insects also search out native plants since these are the ones they are most familiar with. So when deciding what to plant, learn how to lean into native plants at this presentation.

On October 8^th and 10^th, we’ll have one of Tulsa’s well-known meteorologists who is now a Tulsa Master Gardener talking about Climate and Microclimates in Oklahoma so stop by to say hello to Master Gardener Frank Mitchell.

And then on October 15^th and 17^th, we’ll be talking about Landscaping 101 and ways you can approach your landscape design for a more balanced and attractive look.

These will be the final educational opportunities for 2024, so mark you calendar for one or all and come join us. We would love to say hello!

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