A new insect has been trapped in Owasso (June 2013) for the first time that is a threat to berry growers and other fresh fruit growers in the Tulsa County area. It is called the Spotted Winged Drosophila. See the links to two articles published by the main universities that are studying this pest. The main OSU entomologist is working on a fact sheet for Oklahoma and this page will link to it when it is published. Now is the time to spray for this pest to protect berry crops.
SWD - Management for Michigan Blueberries 2013June25 (6 pages)
SWD - Spotted Winged Drosophila Presentation by Dr Johnson (64 pages)
Natural Resource Management
Tree and Small Fruit Resources
Pecan Tree Resources
Vegetable and Small Fruit Production Resources
Greenhouse Production Resources
Christmas Tree Resources
Climate Information for Tulsa County
Midwest Vegetable Production Guide For Commercial Growers 2012
Midwest Small Fruit And Grape Spray Guide 2013
Midwest Tree Fruit Spray Guide 2013
Educational programs offered throughout the year are designed to keep growers current in their areas of interest. Growers learn about new plant varieties, planting techniques, and what grants are available for their operations. Throughout the year there are various field days for growers to have hands on education concerning the crops they are interested in.
One meeting that offers something for everyone is the annual Horticulture Industries Show. This two-day meeting provides lectures and a trade show for members of grower associations and newcomers in the following areas: Christmas trees, pecans, tree fruit, small fruit, vegetables, farmers marketing, sustainable agriculture and herb growing. This event is usually held the first or second Friday and Saturday of January and alternates yearly between Tulsa and Fort Smith, Ark. Contact the Tulsa County Cooperative Extension office at 918-746-3707 in early November for details.
Upcoming events are announced on our website calendar, as well as in local newspapers and on local radio programs. Call 918-746-3700 or use the request link to have your name added to our mailing lists.
Keeping honeybees can be either a rewarding hobby or a full-time enterprise. Northeast Oklahoma Beekeepers Association, (NEOBA) , is one of our local groups of enthusiasts.
When are meetings/classes?
NEOBA has several meetings every month and a series of classes, "Starting Right with Bees", repeats five times during the fall and winter and is held at the Tulsa County OSU Extension Center.
For more information concerning classes, raising bees, ordering supplies, capturing bee swarms or joining NEOBA, please contact NEOBA here. The beekeepers association also has an excellent monthly newsletter What's Buzzin' which details beekeeping maintenance throughout the calendar year.
What to do if you see a honeybee swarm . . .
Honeybees routinely split their colony to make more room in the hive. Half of the bees leave with the queen and fly to a nearby tree or shrub where they remain clustered tightly around the queen while scouts search for new lodging.
While in a swarm bees are very docile. They have filled their bodies with honey to survive the move to a new home. This condition makes it very hard for them to bend their bodies to sting someone. If a swarm is spotted please contact the Extension office at 918-746-3707 for a list of beekeepers that citizens can call for advice or to pick up a swarm. After picking up the swarm the beekeeper will gather it into a new hive and begin a new colony. By all means, do NOT panic, this is a natural occurrence for honey bees and should not pose a threat. In fact, if nothing is done, the bees will move on after a few hours.
The Tulsa County Cooperative Extension staff is committed to sound use of our land and water resources. We work closely with the Tulsa County Conservation District in several joint programs throughout the year in the areas of pesticide safety, stream bank stabilization and protecting trees at construction sites.
P.O. Box 77
Afton, VA 22920
1065 Messinger Rd.
Grants Pass, Oregon 97527
391 Butts Road
Morton, WA 98356
Stark Brothers Nursery (Request a commercial grower's catalog.)
P.O. Box 10
Louisiana, MO 63353
Womack's Nursery (A source for trees in southern Oklahoma)
Rt. 1, Box 80
DeLeon, TX 76444
For detailed information on sustainable orchard management (using a minimum of pesticides) consider contacting ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural America). Based in Fayetteville, AR, ATTRA is a national clearinghouse of information on sustainable agriculture. 1-800-346-9140
The Kerr Center in Poteau http://www.kerrcenter.com (918-647-9123) and the Noble Foundation in Ardmore http://www.noble.org/ (580-223-5810) also have a lot of valuable information concerning growing crops sustainably in Oklahoma.
For more information, check out these Web sites:
OSU Horticulture Department
OSU Fact Sheets
University of California at Davis Pest Management Guide for Pears
Pennsylvania State University Tree Fruit Production Guide
Virginia Fruit Production Guide
The Pollination Home Page
Tulsa County ranks in the top three of major pecan producing counties in Oklahoma. Over 80 percent of our production are native pecans that grow throughout our river and creek bottom areas in and around Tulsa. Many growers have also grafted seedling trees with improved varieties (papershells). These nuts grow larger and, sometimes, bear pecans more reliably.
The Tulsa County Cooperative Extension office has a wealth of information on raising and managing pecans. Landowners with commercial interests in pecans are welcome to call for free field consultations. Contact Kenda Woodburn (918-746-3716) for more details.
Additional sources of pecan information:
The Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association (OPGA) http://okpecangrowers.com/ is an educational and advocacy group that gives a voice to Oklahoma's pecan industry. Grower membership is $75 per year, which includes a very informative quarterly newsletter, subscription to Pecan South magazine and discounts on registration at the annual OPGA meeting. Held every June, this two-day meeting includes educational talks, a trade show and an excellent "hands-on" field day. This year’s meeting will be held June 27-29, 2013 in Ardmore , Oklahoma.
To join contact:
Oklahoma Pecan Growers Assn.
2115 N. Dobi
Stillwater, OK 74075
Or email them at email@example.com
Sources of Pecan Equipment and Chemicals:
Pecan and Agriculture Equipment, Inc.
118 E. 8th St.
400 N Industrial Road
Madill, Oklahoma 73446
Helena Chemical Company
Oklahoma has three distinct vegetable growing seasons--two short, cool seasons in spring and fall and one long, warm season beginning around April 15. One grower can grow and manage an acre or two of vegetables or small fruits, grown for the local markets. Larger operations will require more labor to harvest these perishable products. Although many vegetables will thrive in the Oklahoma climate, the major fresh-market vegetables grown here are tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, green beans, squash, potatoes, onions and pumpkins.
Our climate is so variable that drip irrigation, wind protection and attention to spring and fall frosts are essential for success. Insect and disease pressure is high in northeast Oklahoma due to our mild winters and humid climate.
There are several ways to sell produce and small fruits in the Tulsa area. At a farm-based Pick-Your-Own operation or roadside stand, at a Farmers Market such as the Collinsville or Cherry Street Farmers Markets or producers can sell wholesale to various local roadside markets, centered around Bixby, OK. Some independent grocers also purchase locally-grown produce.
Sources of information:
OSU Fact Sheets available at the
Tulsa County Cooperative Extension office
(4116 E. 15th St. 918-746-3700)
American Vegetable Grower magazine 407-537-6552
Growing for Market newsletter 913-841-2559
With abundant sunshine and low-cost fuel, Oklahoma is a great place for greenhouse production. Cooperative Extension has a wealth of fact sheets containing information on locating and choosing materials, as well as outfitting and managing greenhouses.
These fact sheets offer tips and techniques on growing bedding plants, herbs, perennials, house plants, potted floral crops, and greenhouse grown cut flowers, the primary crops raised in Oklahoma greenhouses.
A two and-a-half day greenhouse production short course, sponsored annually by OSU and the Oklahoma Greenhouse Growers Association (OGGA) is an excellent way to enter this rapidly growing part of the industry. The course is held each June; to enroll contact the OSU Horticulture Department. To join OGGA contact: Oklahoma Greenhouse Growers Association, 400 N. Portland, Oklahoma City, OK 73107.
The Oklahoma Botanical Garden Arboretum, based at the OSU Horticulture Department at the Stillwater campus offers a wealth of year-round courses and field days for the ornamentals industry. Check out the Horticulture website for a current listing of upcoming events.
Oklahoma Christmas tree production involves two main species of trees: The Virginia Pine and Scotch Pine. Trees are planted as seedlings and while growing over a six-or-seven-year period are watered, weeded, sprayed for pests, and pruned into a classic Christmas tree shape.
Most operations start out small with just a few acres of trees. The site needs to be well drained as pines do not tolerate standing water.
As harvest approaches Christmas tree farms open up for "choose and cut" sales to shoppers. It's an outing for most families, so host farms provide additional items for holiday decor. They also serve hot cider and cocoa or cookies to add to the festive atmosphere. Many who have additional acreage offer hayrides to families and groups.
This is a people-oriented business. Unlike the Northern states, most trees here are sold at retail prices. Generally, the trees are not sold wholesale for distant shipping points.
The Oklahoma Christmas Tree Association meets several times a year. For more details on Christmas Tree culture stop by the Tulsa County Extension office (4116 E. 15th St.) and pick up OSU Fact Sheets in the #5020 series including: "Introduction to Growing Christmas Trees", "Weed Control in Christmas Tree Plantings", "Fertilizing Christmas Trees", etc.
For home gardening and landscape (home horticulture) information visit the Master Gardener section of this site.
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service:
The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References made to commercial products or trade names is with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.