Oklahoma Gardening gearing up for 33rd season

Host Kim Rebek said she will introduce elements of design and take viewers through the process of designing beds and landscapes.

“As part of this design process, the show will visit professional landscape designers in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, as well as private and public gardens throughout the state,” Rebek said. “We’ll also have shows dedicated to water features and other hardscape elements that can be incorporated into the landscape.”

The Oklahoma Gardening studio garden is part of the Oklahoma State University Botanical Garden and Arboretum located west of Stillwater.

Rebek said new additions to the studio gardens include the installation of several design demonstration beds that each feature a different gardening style, including contemporary, formal and romantic garden designs.

“Keeping water conservation in mind, we developed the patio garden with a xeriscape garden design,” she said. “The studio garden also features a number of established gardens that demonstrate various styles such as the Japanese garden.”

Theme gardens this year will include the Patriotic garden, as well as the Morning, Noon and Evening, Too garden. Both of these gardens were designed by the OSUBG Ambassadors. The studio garden also will feature a cut-flower garden that will highlight bloomers with a long vase life. In addition, this garden will incorporate a variety of plants that will bloom in succession all season long.

Many of the country’s founding fathers were avid gardeners and they will be honored, along with others who serve our country, with the Patriotic garden. Red, white and blue flowers complement plants with patriotic names.

From morning glories to evening primrose, the Morning, Noon and Evening, Too garden will be beautiful all day long.

“We’ll pay special attention to lighting demonstrations that will make your garden a place to relax and enjoy, even after sunset,” Rebek said.

In keeping with tradition, Oklahoma Gardening will continue with its regional tour by visiting the northwest part of the state.

“Oklahoma is incredibly diverse in terms of plant communities and associated habitat. The regional tours provide us an opportunity to highlight the distinctive features of different parts of the state and focus on garden topics that are unique to that area,” Rebek said. “Also while we’re on the road, we will visit all of the OSUBG affiliate gardens and showcase the beauty and diversity of public gardens throughout the state.”

Later in the season, Rebek said they will begin construction on a new vegetable garden and demonstrate the process from the ground up. In addition, the show will feature a number of urban forestry topics including a special segment about the recent ice damage that afflicted much of the state. Plans also are underway for Summer GardenFest, which will take place June 7.

“I’m really looking forward to my first full season as host of Oklahoma Gardening. We have a wonderful team in place and many exciting plans,” Rebek said. “I’m looking forward to exploring many great gardens across the state and getting to know Oklahoma.”

Oklahoma Gardening airs at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and at 3:30 p.m. on Sundays on local OETA stations. The program is produced by the OSU Cooperative Extension Service through the department of horticulture and landscape architecture and Agricultural Communications Services. The department is part of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
 
Trisha Gedon
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
136 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK  74078
405-744-3625 (phone)
405-744-5739 (fax)
trisha.gedon@okstate.edu