STILLWATER, Okla. – For half a century, gardening enthusiasts have tuned in to the television show “Oklahoma Gardening” for cutting-edge information, tips and inspirational ideas. Kicking off the 50th season of the popular program on Feb. 15, the show will continue providing viewers with the latest horticulture information while celebrating the past and looking to the future.
Viewers will walk down memory lane as previous hosts of the show return to the studio garden for the golden anniversary celebration, said Casey Hentges, Oklahoma State University Extension associate specialist and show host.
“The previous hosts paved the path for me as the host of the show for the past nine years,” Hentges said. “I’m happy to have them back in the studio garden to reminisce and see how we continue to cultivate what they did previously and how the show continues to move forward.”
“Oklahoma Gardening” will also look at how technology has changed the production of the show, which started with live filming in Oklahoma City before moving to its current home at The Botanic Garden at OSU. There will be segments featuring behind-the-scenes action of how the show is filmed today.
“To help viewers get a better understanding of how the studio garden has changed over the decades, signs with historical photos will be posted from the same vantage points throughout the botanic garden,” she said.
Hentges said in celebration of the show’s golden anniversary, viewers are encouraged to participate in the Plant-A-Row Challenge.
“Plant-A-Row is a national program we’ve featured on the show before, and we’re challenging viewers to plant an extra row and donate the food to their local food resource center,” she said.
“Participants are encouraged to record their donations on the ‘Oklahoma Gardening’ website, and those who record a donation of 50 pounds or more of food will be entered in a raffle for a garden tiller.”
Other new things planned this season include looking at how technology is changing gardening – from drones to computer programs to smartphone apps. In addition, there will be a youth gardening contest for children in middle school and high school.
“I know we have young people out there doing extraordinary things, and this is one way we can celebrate them and recognize their interest in horticulture,” she said.
While featuring these new elements this season, “Oklahoma Gardening” is staying true to its roots of offering timely horticulture information to enhance the experiences of Oklahoma gardeners. It will also feature new tools, tour gardens from around the state and offer information on great plant selections suited for the state’s diverse growing conditions.
An in-depth documentary, “Rooted in Oklahoma: Celebrating 50 Years of Oklahoma Gardening,” will air at 7 p.m. on March 27 on OETA. Hentges said excerpts from the documentary will be highlighted throughout the season.
A special edition “Oklahoma Gardening” T-shirt is one more way the golden anniversary is being celebrated. In partnership with Stillwater, Oklahoma’s Eskimo Joe’s, the shirt features world-famous Joe and Buffy along with fun gardening art. Partial proceeds will go to “Oklahoma Gardening” and the OSU Student Farm. The shirt will be available at all Eskimo Joe’s Clothes stores and online beginning Feb. 15.
“This season is going to be special because it combines the strong roots of our past with the promise of a bright gardening future,” Hentges said. “The ‘Oklahoma Gardening’ crew is excited to share it with our dedicated viewers.”
“Oklahoma Gardening” airs Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. and Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. on local OETA-TV channels across the state. Viewers can also subscribe to the “Oklahoma Gardening” YouTube channel to see full shows or search for specifi c segments.
Check out the “Oklahoma Gardening” website for video clips, links to gardening resources, featured recipes and more.
“Oklahoma Gardening” can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.
The Botanic Garden at OSU is the home of the “Oklahoma Gardening” studio garden and is located west of Stillwater on the north side of Highway 51. The show is produced by OSU Extension, OSU’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and the Office of Communications and Marketing for OSU Agriculture.
OSU Extension uses research- based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state's 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.
