Urban Gardener Podcast

In this episode of The Urban Gardener Podcast, Julia, Andrew, and Mason dive into practical and science-backed best management practices to improve soil health and conserve water across a variety of landscapes. Whether you're tending a backyard lawn, cultivating a community garden, or managing a small-acreage farm. From boosting organic matter and using compost to mulching techniques and moisture retention strategies, the trio explores how simple soil care can lead to big water savings. Tune in to learn how healthy soil is the foundation for resilient, water-wise landscapes.Featured Fact Sheets:E-1039: Oklahoma Soil Fertility HandbookPSS-2257: Building Soil Organic Matter for a Sustainable Organic Crop ProductionPSS-2267: Organic Matter in No-Till Production SystemsHLA-6436: Healthy Garden SoilsPSS-2792: Cover Crops for Weed Management in OklahomaPSS-2161: Benefits of Using Cover Crops in Oklahoma No-Till

On the first-ever two-part episode for the podcast, Andrew, Julia, and Mason continue their conversation on helping your lawn beat the heat. In this installment, they focus on turfgrass. They share some tips on how to keep your yard healthy and resilient while staying mindful of water conservation.Related Fact Sheets:HLA-6476: Preparing Your Lawn for DroughtCCR-6609: Commercial Source of Buffalograss Seed, Sod and PlugsL-437: Turfgrass Management in Oklahoma HLA-6418: Selecting a Lawn Grass for OklahomaHLA-6419: Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma HLA-6608: Managing Turfgrass in the Shade in Oklahoma

The 50th episode of the Urban Gardener Podcast is here, and we’ve got a special treat to celebrate! Julia, Andrew, and Mason are marking this milestone with a two-part series you won’t want to miss. In part one, the trio dives into the colorful world of drought-tolerant ornamentals. These plants bring beauty, texture, and year-round interest to your landscape while sipping far less water than traditional choices.They’ll share a mix of tried-and-true favorites and exciting new finds, highlighting what makes each plant special, how they perform in Oklahoma’s challenging climate, and how to design with them for maximum impact. From sun-loving perennials with vibrant blooms to shrubs that thrive in heat and poor soil, you’ll get practical advice for selecting, planting, and caring for ornamentals that can stand up to long, dry summers without losing their charm.Related Fact Sheets: HLA-6444: Drought-Tolerant Plant Selections for OklahomaOklahoma Proven: Plant Selections for Oklahoma (1999-2024)

In this episode of The Urban Gardener Podcast, Julia, Andrew, and Mason dig into the critical role that water pressure plays in irrigation systems. From uneven watering to system damage, the trio explains how too much, or too little, pressure can spell trouble for your landscape. Tune in to learn how to identify pressure problems, adjust your system, and keep your garden thriving with efficient, balanced irrigation.Related Fact Sheets:HLA-6617: Managing Pressure in the Home Irrigation SystemHLA-6462: The Effects of Wind Speed and Water Pressure on Home Sprinkler SystemsBAE-1511: Drip Irrigation Systems

Don’t get lost in the weeds! On today’s episode, Julia, Mason, and Andrew dive into the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating!) world of common weeds in Oklahoma. They’ll explore which weeds you’re most likely to encounter in your lawn, garden, or pasture. From stubborn invaders like thistles and crabgrass to thorny troublemakers like sandburs and sticker weeds.Additional Information:PSS-2750: Guide to Effective Weed Control HLA-6421: Controlling Weeds in Home LawnsRoadside Vegetation Management Guidelines 4th Edition

From bird to bees to bats! On this episode, Julia, Andrew, and Mason discuss pollinators found in Oklahoma, their importance in our daily lives, and how we can encourage their presence in our landscapes. Additional Resources:Video - How to Design a Pollinator GardenVideo- Pollinators in a Native Garden HLA-6464: Wildflower Gardening in OklahomaHLA-6454: Designing a Rain Garden for a Residential Property Oklahoma Proven: Plant Selections for Oklahoma HLA-6430: Landscaping to Attract Butterflies and MothsEPP-7155: Nectar and Pollen Plants of Oklahoma

On this episode, Julia, Andrew, and Mason discuss tips & tricks to prepare your lawn and garden for springtime. Feature Fact Sheets:Soil TestingUnderstanding Your Irrigation Sample ResultsBackyard Composting

In this episode, Julia, Mason, and the former program assistant, now Water Conservation Educator, Andrew discuss the future of water conservation education with OK County OSU Extension. They also discuss how the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust (OCWUT), Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (OK-DEQ), and the Oklahoma Water Resource Board (OWRB) manage water. Related Fact Sheets: AGEC-1018: "Understanding the Different Kinds of Water Addressed by Oklahoma's Water Law" CR-1016: "Economic Impact of Conservation Dollars in Oklahoma" WREC-1017: "Considering Water Quality in Oklahoma" WREC-104: "Introduction to Groundwater Hydrology and Management" L-346: "Responsible Lawn Care" L-458: "Water-Wise Landscape Principles for Oklahoma" HLA-6615: "Simple Irrigation Checkup for Home Sprinkler Systems" BAE-1511: "Drip Irrigation Systems" BAE-1757: "Design of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Oklahoma" PSS-2902: "What Soil, Forage, or Water Test Do You Need?" HLA-6444: "Drought Tolerant Plant Selections for Oklahoma"

On this special holiday episode, Julia, Andrew, and Mason discuss the history, care, and legends on the poinsettia. Related fact sheets and articles: HLA-6413: Poinsettia Care Poinsettias are a long-time holiday favorite Care for poinsettias during the holiday season

On today's spooky episode, Julia and Andrew welcome a new addition to The Urban Gardener Podcast: Mason Huddleston, the new Urban Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator at OK County OSU Extension. Julia, Andrew, and Mason discuss their favorite wicked plants and how the difference between medicine and poison is all in the dose.

On this episode we have a special guest: Ms. Sophia Darrow! Sophia is a student at Oklahoma State working towards her Masters in Horticulture. She is the manager of the Giving Garden at the OK County OSU Extension Office. Her, Julia, and Andrew discuss the benefits of community gardens. Related Fact Sheets: Raised Bed Gardening Oklahoma Garden Planning Guide

On this episode, Julia, Lili, and Andrew discuss the tricks to growing herbs in Oklahoma. Featured Fact Sheets: HLA: 6037---Culinary Herbs for Oklahoma Gardens HLA: 6004---Oklahoma Garden Planning Guide HLA: 6009---Fall Gardening

Julia, Lili, and Andrew discuss the art of harvesting vegetables and other expert tips on how to bring your vegetables to the table. Featured Oklahoma State University Fact Sheets: HLA-6004: Oklahoma Garden Planning Guide HLA-6012: Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden HLA-6026: Squash and Pumpkin Production HLA-6028: Potato Production

In this episode, Julia, Lili, and Andrew discuss the secrets of how to create flourishing combo pots and how to incorporate a thriller, filler, and spiller plant. Fact sheets for this episode: HLA-6458: Container Gardening HLA-6451: Dish Gardening

On this episode of the Urban Gardener Podcast, Julia, Lili, and Andrew discuss tips and tricks for transplanting tomatoes in Oklahoma. Episode's Fact Sheets: HLA-6020: Growing Vegetable Transplants L-249: Soil Testing, The Right First Step Toward Proper Care of Your Lawn and Garden PSS-2207: How to Get a Good Soil Sample PSS-2228: Fertilizer Nutrients with Animal Manure HLA-6032: Vegetable Varieties for the Home Garden in Oklahoma

Julia, Lili, and Andrew discuss tips and tricks on how to prepare for and maintain your summer vegetable garden. Fact Sheets for the episode: HLA-6032: Vegetable Varieties for the Home Garden in Oklahoma HLA-6013: Summer Care of the Home Vegetable Garden HLA-6020: Growing Vegetable Transplants HLA-6004: Oklahoma Garden Planning Guide HLA-6436: Healthy Garden Soils

On this episode, Julia, Lili, and Andrew discuss the benefits of transplanting or using seeds for your garden plants.

On this episode, Julia, Andrew, and Lili take on the secrets of the soil. They discuss proper soil testing, how to improve your soil, and a little bit of soil chemistry (don't be scared!). Fact sheets mentioned on the episode and related fact sheets: Improving Garden Soil Fertility Oklahoma Agricultural Soil Test Summary: 2018-2022 How to Get a Good Soil Sample The Importance of Sampling Depth for Soil Health Assessment OSU Soil Test Interpretations Soil Test Interpretations for Vegetable Crops Soil pH and Buffer Index Healthy Garden Soils Oklahoma Soil Fertility Handbook Backyard Composting in Oklahoma

On today's episode, Julia, Lili, and Andrew discuss types of ornamental plants which will keep their lush green color al through the winter. Fact Sheets for today's episode: Pine Wilt Disease: EPP-7674 Fertilizing Shade and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs: HLA-6412 Oklahoma Proven: Plant Selections for Oklahoma (1999-2023) How to Get a Good Soil Sample: PSS-2207

This episode officially welcomes two new co-hosts: Andrew Fleet and Liliana LeClaire. They join our horticulture expert, Julia Laughlin, as she discusses how to properly prune your trees, shrubs, and other ornamentals as we begin to emerge from winter. Fact sheets for this episode: HLA-6403: Roses in Oklahoma HLA-6408: Landscape Maintenance Schedule HLA-6409: Pruning Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, and Vines HLA-6415: Training Young Shade and Ornamental Trees HLA-6228: Annual Pruning of Fruit Trees