Oklahoma Spring Gardening Tips

Spring is getting ready to well, spring! This means it is the perfect time to start planning your garden if you haven’t already. Whether you love fruits, veggies, or flowers, there is always something that you can grow, especially in Oklahoma’s great gardening climate.

Veggies

Just about any kind of vegetable will grow in Oklahoma’s climate. If you are new to planting, then there are some “easy” vegetables you might want to try growing first. In my experience, squash and zucchini are some of the easiest plants to grow. Their leaves provide natural shade so they do not get dried out. They also love water, so they can thrive in both wet and dry seasons.

Tomatoes are another classic vegetable. If you are an experienced gardener, then starting from seeds is a great idea. If you are a little newer to gardening, then wait until later in the spring when plant nurseries sell pre-started tomato plants. These are a lot hardier than seeds and will be harder to accidentally kill.

Big Rock Foods also sells spices under the Rust brand.

Once your veggies are ready to harvest (usually sometime in the summer), they will be the perfect accompaniment to any barbeques. Try pairing some of your veggies with meat on a kabob. Many of our vendors, including Big Rock Foods, sell great spice mixes that will taste great on any grilled meat or veggies. 

Fruits

Oklahoma doesn’t exactly have a tropical climate, so not just any fruit will grow here. Most fruits also grow on trees, which can take years to produce fruit. If you want fruit quickly, your best bet is going to be berries. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries should all do well in Oklahoma’s climate. All of these, except strawberries, grow on a bush. These can either be grown from seeds or starter bushes bought from nurseries. Usually, berries grow best in somewhat shaded areas. Make sure to place fences or chicken wire around new small plants, as birds love to eat the berries before you can.

Once the berries have grown, you can eat them right off the bush. If you want to preserve them, try turning them into jam or dehydrating them. Dehydrated berries can be used in homemade trail mixes or in bakery.  

Flowers

When growing flowers, you are going to want something that invites bees and butterflies to pollinate, without inviting invasive species into your backyard. According to Red Dirt Ramblings, rudbeckias are some of the easiest flowers to grow in Oklahoma. They are one of the prettiest too. Some other classic flower species that are easy to grow include irises, peonies, roses, and daisies. With so many varieties to pick from, there is sure to be something great for every garden.

If you are going to plant a garden this spring, it is best to get to planning sooner than later. If it is still a bit chilly where you live, then start your plants indoors or in a greenhouse and move them outside when the weather warms up. So long as you do everything right, then it’s never too early in the season to start your garden, so what are you waiting for?