Grow wild

Creating a garden where all life can thrive

Though it feels like faraway history, the worst man-made ecological disaster in America took place fewer than 90 years ago. Oklahoma’s Dust Bowl struck family farms and wreaked widespread devastation—a natural consequence of greed, drought and misuse of resources. Few Oklahomans live on family farms today, but many of us have access to land—usually a lawn that we maintain. Although we generally don’t depend on our yards for income, it’s become accepted practice to conquer the land with tactics and products that damage the soil, plants and other life that relies on it. 

The terms “sustainable” and “organic” are often thrown around to describe environmentally conscious products and practices. But what do these concepts mean, and how do we implement them? “Sustainable” simply means the ability to continue to maintain at a certain rate or level. Sustainable agriculture, then, proceeds from a respectful question: How do we best use our land, water and air to feed and protect ourselves and other life forms? This approach begins with understanding that we’ve inherited limited resources. Leading up to the Dust Bowl, absent this understanding we destroyed swaths of buffalo grass to make room for wheat farming. Exhausted from drought and unsustainable over-planting, the soil protested in great clouds of deadly dust.

As early as the 1970s, horticulturist Rosalind Creasy wrote about our ongoing love affair with landscaping uniformity as a legacy of the leisure class in 17th and 18th century Europe. Creasy observed that our lawns have no real function except as a status symbol—one that comes at great expense of time, effort and money. Even more troubling, the products used on the average American lawn are often toxic to wildlife, pets and humans. More and more, we’re beginning to question the ideal of a manicured lawn that is green year-round and free of weeds. Is this the best way to use our land?  Have we so quickly forgotten the lessons of the Dust Bowl?

Make a change

Safe, sustainable lawn care and gardening are neither difficult nor expensive. Our present challenge, unlike in the 20s and ‘30s, is a deluge of information. Attempting to sift through all the thoughts, facts and philosophies can easily overwhelm a well-meaning student seeking a personal approach to environmental stewardship.

So, start where you are. Whether it’s a farm, a back yard, a patio or the corner of a table, you can create a garden and practice sustainable gardening. Many people begin with edibles, such as herbs or vegetables, in containers on a porch or windowsill. Get started with the most important ingredient: the soil. Much of Oklahoma’s soil is heavy clay, so you’ll probably need to amend your existing soil with nutrient-rich soil that has balanced levels of Nitrogen, Potash and Potassium.

The “N-P-K” numbers (Nitrogen [N], Potash [P] and Potassium [K]) can be found on the packaging of better-quality soils.

Go native

Along with proper soil, native plants save time and money and help you gain maximum enjoyment from your garden. Tulsa’s climate is categorized as Zone 6. For a fit that works for your garden and any other life that visits, select plants well suited to this climate. Oklahoma Native varieties are hardy, resilient and beautiful and require less fertilizer, water and maintenance. Plant Oklahoma Natives with deciduous and evergreen shrubs to bring color to your garden throughout the year.

Because Oklahoma Natives often come in small transplant size, they require patience on the gardener’s part. These plants need time to develop the deep root structure that sustains their water and food supply. By the second year and into the third year of growth, they show off their color in exciting displays.

Make room

Oklahoma Natives are also perfect for attracting wildlife such as hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.  This is sustainability at its best:  beauty, function and kindness for all life. Wildlife habitats such as bird sanctuaries and butterfly gardens are becoming popular as people look for ways to connect with the life around them. In addition to the benefits for other creatures, interacting with nature and encountering wildlife can have life-changing health benefits for gardeners. 

Addressing garden disease and insects is perhaps the most significant shift needed for sustainability. After all, “wildlife” also includes insects such as ladybugs, earthworms and beneficial nematodes. Instead of using a toxic grass killer, consider horticulture vinegar. Look for organic alternatives to synthetic plant food, like horticulture molasses or compost. The Tulsa County OSU Extension Service is a great go-to resource to learn about kinder ways to manage insects and disease.

Effective wildlife gardens also help to protect wildlife in other ways. Your garden might include a water bath for birds or a butterfly house mounted away from predators. Plants that offer branches for perching, foliage for shelter and color for collecting nectar are all part of a nurturing wildlife garden.

Plan ahead

September, October or November are the best times to plant in Oklahoma. 

During the fall, the soil is warm from the summer months, so transplant shock is less of an issue. The risk of disease and infestations also drops during the fall, when insects are going dormant. Plus, the cool nights and warm days give the plants a head start on the following year’s growth. 

See for yourself

Learn more about creature-friendly gardening at Tulsa Audobon Society’s 2015 Wildlife Habitat Garden Tour and Plant Sale:
Sat., May 30 from 9 a.m. -- 5 p.m. and
Sunday, May 31 from noon -- 5 p.m 

A beginner’s guide to sustainable gardening

Start small and grow with your garden. Experiment with containers of various heights and sizes. This gives you time to learn and build confidence with a manageable project. Be patient with yourself! The best gardens come from seasons of success, failure and learning. If nothing else, a garden teaches kindness, patience and the notion that there’s always next year. 

Choose a direction. Research the kind of garden you’d like or hire a garden designer to give you a compass. Oklahoma Native plants work well for new gardeners if you’re willing to be patient as they grow. Some favorites for a wildlife garden include coreopsis, cardinal flower, monarda, lavender hyssop and coneflowers. Be sure to include small trees and shrubs in your plan, as they provide needed protection for wildlife. For more information on Oklahoma Natives, visit oknativeplants.org.

Get your hands dirty. The simplest, least expensive way to garden sustainably is to invest in appropriate soil. Get to know your plants and their needs by asking experts and reading plant labels. Edibles require less Nitrogen than perennials, and Oklahoma Natives need well-drained soil. For a new a garden, replace existing soil with well-balanced soil or use containers or raised beds. In the second or third year of your established garden, soil tests can help you determine the need for further soil amendments. 

Connect with life and, perhaps, a new way of living by composting, re-thinking your front lawn and learning about herbs and edibles.