HOME AND GARDEN NOTES
To submit items, call Melissa Howell at 4753770 or send email to mhowell@oklahoman.com. Reference “Home and garden calendar.” Please submit items at least 10 days before publication.
MEETINGS
Central Oklahoma Bonsai Society, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Will Rogers Exhibition Center, 3400 NW 36. Visitors welcome.
Central Oklahoma Cactus and Succulent Society, 7 p.m. Oct. 18, Will Rogers Exhibition Center, 3400 NW 36. Program is “Greenroof ABCs” presented by Jay Ross, horticulture curator at the Tulsa Zoo. Meeting is free and open to the public.
Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association, 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 19, Will Rogers Exhibition Center, 3400 NW 36.
Apogon Iris Garden Club, noon Oct. 24, home of Shirley Kennedy, 1200 Chisholm Road. Program is “All about Succulents.”
Oklahoma Horticultural Society, 7 p.m. Oct. 25, OSU Agriculture Resource Center, 400 N Portland Ave. Program is "Great Plants for Fall Blooms" by Sharon Beasley.
Oklahoma Iris Society, 7 p.m. Nov. 2, Will Rogers Exhibition Center, 3400 NW 36. Hugh Stout will present program on the American Iris Society Convention that was held this spring in Louisiana.
WORKSHOPS
WEDNESDAYS @ WILL Wednesday @ Will Rogers Gardens lecture series is held at the Will Rogers Exhibition Center, 3400 NW 36. Workshops open to the public and are presented at no charge by the Oklahoma County Extension Master Gardeners and the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service.
Gardening with Kids, 6 p.m. Wednesday. Ceci Leonard, Oklahoma County Master Gardener president and chair of the Junior Master Gardener program, talks about her experience and helpful tips for including kids in your garden time. No registration is required and all ages are welcome.
COMMONWEALTH URBAN FARMS
The following workshop is at CommonWealth Urban Farms, 3310 N Olie Ave. Workshops are $10 per session, $15 per couple or pair and free to volunteers. Full season price is $100 for 18 workshops. Pay on-site with cash or check for individual classes or purchase a season membership online. No registration required. Go to commonwealthurbanfarms.com for information or season passes.
Cover Crops: Feed Your Soil, 11 a.m. to noon, Oct. 13. What’s the easiest way to turn Oklahoma’s heavy red clay into rich, loamy soil? Cover crops! By planting cover crops every fall and summer, you can increase soil fertility and tilth, prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds and attract pollinating insects. Cover crop seed will be available for sale after class. Instructor is Elia Woods, co-founder and farm manager of CommonWealth.
MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS
The following workshops are at Myriad Botanical Gardens 301 W Reno. Prices vary. Call 445-7080, or go to www.myriadgardens.org for information or to register.
Herbal Medicine Kit Workshop, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, secondfloor conference room. Prepare your own herbal medicine kit by learning to make an immune boosting elderberry syrup; a natural vaporizing rub with eucalyptus, thyme and mint; and some appropriate herbs for colds and sore throats with a licorice root, echinacea and sage infusion. Program presented by Stephanie Holiman, founder of Huerto Hada Verde. Cost is $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers. Register by Oct. 4.
Native Seed Collecting, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oklahoma Prairie Garden. Autumn is the perfect time for collecting native plant seeds. Join Bill Farris Farris, of Prairie Wind Nursery, as he leads a hands-on seed collecting expedition of our Oklahoma Prairie Garden. The class will meet outside the front entrance of the south lobby of the Crystal Bridge Conservatory. Cost is $8 for members $12 for nonmembers. Register by Oct. 8.
Autumn Wreath Making Class, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Oct. 21, Pumpkinville Programming Tent. This is a class for beginners. Make beautiful wreaths out of willow and natural elements. Each participant will create a wreath to take home with them. Cost is $30 for members, $35 for nonmembers. Best for adults. Register by Oct. 19.
EVENTS
2018 Garden Tour for Connoisseurs presented by the Oklahoma Horticultural Society, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 13, at five Oklahoma City locations. Garden tour chairman John Fluitt, has selected the gardens for their horticultural, architectural and artistic interest. Prices are $15 in advance, $20 the day of the tour. Children 12 and under are free. Go to www.ok-hort.org/garden-tour for information and ticket locations.
Harvest Celebration, noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 20, Commonwealth Urban Farms, 3310 N Olie Ave. Celebrate a year of growing food (and flowers) together. Bring a potluck dish to share and join the Commonwealth team for good food and good company. Also featuring farm tours, games and live music. This event is free to attend.
Orchids in October honoring Carl Shortt Jr., 11:30 a.m. Oct. 25, Water Stage, Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno. Luncheon immediately following, Park House Events Center. This award is an annual tribute to those who significantly impact the beauty and success of the Myriad Botanical Gardens and Oklahoma City. Tickets are $85. Go to www.myriadgardens.org for more information.
Gardens Walking Tour, 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 27, Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno. Meet in the North Lobby and walk the garden grounds. Expand your knowledge of Oklahoma plants and find inspiration for your own garden with educational walking tours. Geared toward adults, children and leashed dogs. Free.
HELPLINE: For answers to horticulture questions, call the Oklahoma County Cooperative Extension at 713-1125, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday-Friday and ask to speak to a Master Gardener. Questions via email may be sent to okmganswers@gmail.com.