Mobile Farmers Market helps youth learn about nutrition

By Trisha Gedon By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Students at Zion Public School in Stilwell, Oklahoma, recently set aside their traditional reading, writing and arithmetic studies for lessons on healthy eating, produce and budgeting. More than 100 students in first through third grades had an opportunity to shop at the Mobile Farmers Market set up in the school’s gymnasium, thanks to the High Obesity Prevention Program through Oklahoma State University Extension. Jessie Collins, HOP Program…

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The magic of fall is found in the garden

By Gail Ellis   STILLWATER, Okla. – When summer begins to fade, don’t hang up that gardening trowel just yet. A renewed season of fall vegetables awaits in your own backyard.  Oklahoma’s mild climate is ideal for fall gardening, and Oklahoma State University Extension provides educational opportunities for both experienced and novice gardeners to extend the growing season.  “Small farmers and producers have figured out there’s a successful cool season in the fall, and they’ve really upped their production with…

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Blanching is important part of vegetable freezing process

By Trisha Gedon  STILLWATER, Okla. – Asparagus, green beans, squash and okra are some favorites among vegetable growers. For many, those well-tended plants produce so much bounty, the family can’t eat it all before it spoils. One way to preserve that summer taste is to freeze the extra fresh vegetables.  This isn’t just a matter of plucking the vegetables from the garden and tossing them in the freezer. Before freezing, many vegetables need…

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OSU Extension checks canning equipment for safety

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – With home gardens ripe for picking and farmers markets bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables, many Oklahomans also are gearing up for canning season. Canning the bounty from a garden is a great way to get that fresh-picked taste all year long, said Barbara Brown, Oklahoma State University Extension food specialist. “Canning can help gardeners avoid waste of excess produce by preserving the food for months. However, making sure…

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Upcycling can turn unused items into great gardening containers

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – By upcycling unused items around the home, gardeners can prove the cliché that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure while keeping those materials out of landfills and creating whimsical, decorative features. It’s a sure bet that nearly any gardener can find some really interesting things that can be repurposed into unique garden planters, said Keith Reed, Oklahoma State University Extension horticulture educator in Payne County. However, such a project…

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Farmers market season renewing community spirit statewide

By Gail Ellis   STILLWATER, Okla. – Much like the annual food festivals and hometown celebrations that center on Oklahoma’s bountiful harvests, farmers markets are kicking off their summer schedules in communities across the state.  Each market varies, but for most weekly popup events, opening weekend is held in late April or May and runs through August or October. As the COVID-19 pandemic loosens its grip on the country and safety protocols are lifted, organizers remain diligent…

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Vertical gardening makes most of limited ground space

STILLWATER, Okla. – Things are looking up for gardening enthusiasts who want to think outside of the box – literally – and those with limited ground area for traditional gardens to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers. Growing plants vertically expands possibilities for garden spaces, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist. Although plants naturally reach vertically toward sunlight, vertical in this case refers to the surfaces they grow along. “Vertical gardening is a…

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Squash bugs put damper on successful gardening

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Gardeners know that as the weather improves and temperatures rise, they’re getting closer to fresh produce such as squash, melons and cucumbers. Unfortunately, that excitement can be “squashed” when the squash bugs arrive, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist. “You certainly didn’t invite them into your garden, but they’ve moved in and are wreaking havoc, which can be extremely disappointing,” Hillock said. “The squash bug is…

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Raised beds can keep gardeners busy until spring

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – Gardeners are counting the days until they can get back to tending their landscapes without the need for hot chocolate breaks. While Oklahoma still has a few cold weeks until gardening season traditionally takes off, gardeners can keep themselves busy building raised garden beds. The idea behind raised bed gardening isn’t complicated: It’s an area that is elevated anywhere from a few inches up to 2 or 3…

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Canning produce requires careful recipe for tastiest results

By Lauren Raley STILLWATER, Okla. – Canning can be a fun and rewarding way to prolong fresh produce as the season turns chilly, but it requires careful attention to the fruit or vegetable’s chemical profile, Oklahoma State University Extension specialists said. For example, a popular OSU Extension fact sheet on the importance of food pH in canning operations highlights information about acidity, or pH levels. Canning is the process of sterilizing and preserving food in an airtight…

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