| The Shawnee News star
STILLWATER – Green-thumb Oklahomans don’t have to wait for good weather to kick off a new season of Oklahoma gardening that began again on February 13th.
Oklahoma Gardening airs every Saturday morning at 11 a.m. and Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. on local OETA-TV (PBS) channels across the state. Viewers who cannot watch TV can subscribe to the Oklahoma Gardening YouTube channel and watch full programs or search for specific segments as they see fit.
Casey Hentges, host of the longest-running garden show on television, said season 47 will introduce new topics to viewers and revisit some old favorites.
“Like any gardener, we’re expecting longer days and warmer temperatures soon, and we get excited when we see the spring onions pop out of the ground,” said Hentges. “While some of our programs had to change last season due to the pandemic and travel restrictions, everyone’s interest in gardening hasn’t changed. We will continue to be the point of contact for timely garden information for gardeners of all skill levels. “
Last season’s lineup had plans for a Southwest Oklahoma Garden tour, but the COVID-19 pandemic guide put a brake on that. Regardless of whether Hentges and the show’s producers are able to explore the state this year, they will continue to offer home and public gardens.
“While we may not be able to travel the way we hoped, we have many new developments in the Oklahoma State University Botanical Garden that we look forward to showing,” she said. “Part of this new development includes a backyard demonstration garden, thanks to a generous donation from the Noble Research Institute.”
The demonstration garden will consist of two 40 by 40 foot courtyards that will be filled with various types of raised beds. One yard will have a hobby greenhouse; the other will have a hobby hoophouse.
Hentges said she looks forward to producing many educational segments for the show to provide new ideas to homeowners who grow vegetables and ornamental plants in their backyards.
Gardening offers so much to the gardener – food, comfort, therapy, fitness, and a community of fellow gardeners. Hentges said there are as many reasons to garden as there are options, and a person’s gardening style can change as life changes.
“I used to have a lot of house plants, but now with two toddlers running around, I have an easy garden outside and the house plants have found a new home,” she said. “Maybe you’ve bought a new house and are looking forward to the landscaping. Perhaps you live in an apartment with limited outdoor space. If parents are staying at home to help children with online schooling during the pandemic, you might be looking for educational projects related to a back garden. “
She added, “With the 2021 season we look forward to showing how gardening can be a lifesaver in uncertain times, and we will continue to look at all of the different gardening methods that suit different lifestyles.”
The Oklahoma Gardening website has video clips of the program, links to gardening resources, links to recipes featured on the show, and more. Oklahoma Gardening can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Botanical Gardens at OSU is home to 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 Horticultural, Landscaping and Agricultural Communications Services division.
