STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University’s Pesticide Safety Education Program will partner with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to host two unwanted pesticide disposal days in McAlester, Oklahoma, on April 25, and Kingfisher, Oklahoma, on April 27.
The events will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Southeast Expo Center, 4500 West, 4500 US-270 in McAlester and the Kingfisher County Fairgrounds, 300 S. 13th St., in Kingfisher.
Farmers, ranchers, applicators, pesticide dealers and homeowners may bring up to 2,000 pounds of pesticides to the drop-off sites for proper disposal at no charge. A fee is required if bringing more than 2,000 pounds of pesticides.
ODAFF has contracted with Clean Earth, a licensed hazardous waste company, to collect and properly dispose of waste pesticides. Pesticide dealers are asked to preregister through the OSU Pesticide Safety Education Program because of the potential for large quantities of pesticides coming in from multiple dealers. Applicators and agricultural producers are not required to preregister. Paint, batteries, oil or fertilizer will not be accepted.
Participants will need to safely transport their pesticides to one of the collection sites. Pick-up services are not available. Read these safe transportation tips before bringing chemicals to the drop-off site.
Originating in 2006, 1.232 million pounds of pesticides have been properly disposed of during Unwanted Pesticide Disposal Days, keeping the chemicals out of rivers, streams, landfills, storm drains and illegal roadside dumps. Proper disposal also lessens the chance of groundwater contamination and helps consumers get rid of containers taking up space in their barns, storage buildings and garages in an environmentally safe manner.
For more information, visit the OSU Pesticide Safety Education Program website or contact Charles Luper, OSU Extension associate, at 405744-5808.
*These dates indicate planting times from southeast to northwest Oklahoma. Specific climate and weather may influence planting dates. For cool-season vegetables, the soil temperature at the depth where the seeds are planted should be at least 40°F.
Fruit and Nut 5* Don’t spray insecticides during fruit tree bloom or pollination may be affected. Disease sprays can continue according to schedule and label directions. (EPP-7319) 6* Control cedar-apple rust. When the orange jelly galls are visible on juniper (cedar), following a rain, begin treating apple and crabapple trees with a fungicide. (EPP7319, EPP-7611) 7* Fire blight bacterial disease (EPP-7615) can be controlled at this time. Plant disease-resistant varieties to avoid diseases.
8* Continue spray schedules for disease prone fruit and pine trees.
Lawn 9* Warm-season grass lawns can be established beginning late April from sprigs, plugs or sod. (HLA-6419) 10* Fertilizer programs can begin for warm-season grasses in April. The following recommendations are to achieve optimum performance and appearance of commonly grown species in Oklahoma. - Zoysiagrass: 3 lbs N/1,000 sq. ft./year - Buffalograss: 2 - 3 lbs N/1,000 sq. ft./year - Buffalograss/grama mixes: 3 lbs N/1,000 sq. ft./ year - Bermudagrass: 4-6 lbs N/1,000 sq. ft./year - Centipedegrass: 2 lbs N/1,000 sq. ft./year - St. Augustinegrass: 3-6 lbs N/1,000 sq. ft./year When using quick release forms of fertilizer, use one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. per application; water in nitrate fertilizers. (HLA-6420) Mowing of warm-season lawns can begin now (HLA6420). Cutting height for bermuda and zoysia should be 1 to 1½ inches high, and buffalograss 1½ to 3 inches high.
Damage from Spring Dead Spot Disease (SDS) becomes visible in bermudagrass (EPP7665). Perform practices that promote grass recovery. Do not spray fungicides at this time for SDS control.
Grub damage can be visible in lawns at this time. Check for the presence of grubs before ever applying any insecticide treatments. Apply appropriate soil insecticide if white grubs are a problem (EPP-7306). Water product into soil.
Tree and Shrub 11* Proper watering of newly planted trees and shrubs often means the difference between success and
replacement.
12* Remove any winter- damaged branches or plants that have not begun to grow. Prune spring flowering plants as soon as they are finished blooming. (HLA-6404, HLA-6409) 13* Control of powdery mildew disease can be done with early detection and regular treatment. Many new plant cultivars are resistant. (EPP7617) 14* Leaf spot diseases can cause premature death of foliage and reduce plant vigor.
Flowers 15* Most bedding plants, summer flowering bulbs, and annual flower seeds can be planted after danger of frost. This happens around mid-April in most of Oklahoma. Hold off mulching these crops until spring rains subside and soil temperatures warm up. Warm-season annuals should not be planted until soil temperatures are in the low to mid 60s.
16* Harden off transplants outside in partial protection from sun and wind prior to planting.
17* Let spring flowering bulb foliage remain as long as possible before removing it.
Landscape - General 18* Hummingbirds arrive in Oklahoma in early April. Get your feeders ready using 1-part sugar to 4-parts water. Do not use red food coloring.
19* Keep the bird feeder filled during the summer and help control insects at the same time.
20* Lace bugs, aphids, spider mites, bagworms, etc. can start popping up in the landscape and garden later this month. Keep a close eye on all plants and use mechanical, cultural, and biological control options first.
21* Be alert for both insect pests and predators. Some pests can be hand picked without using a pesticide. Do not spray if predators such as lady beetles are present. Spray only when there are too few predators to be effective.
For additional information please contact Beckham County Extension office at 580-9282139.
Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. References within this publication to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
