Oklahoma Gardening still going strong after more than 40 years

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Attention gardening enthusiasts across the state. Oklahoma Gardening is gearing up for its new season starting Feb. 14 and promises to be filled with all types of educational information.

Oklahoma Gardening will be carrying on its tradition of high quality programming that has been shared with viewers for more than 40 years, said Kim Toscano, host of the show.

“In fact, Oklahoma Gardening is the longest consecutive-running gardening show in the United States,” Toscano said. “I’m excited to tell you we’ve got all kind of tricks up our sleeves this season and we can’t wait to share them with you.”

Early in the season, viewers may think they have traveled back in time, but never fear, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Viewers will get a special treat this season as the show brings back several of its former hosts do guest spots throughout the year.

One of the show’s early hosts, Ray Campbell, will be appearing, as will Steve Dobbs, Brenda Sanders and Steve Owens. With all of their years of experience and expertise, viewers are sure to continue to experience the high quality programming they are used to with each episode of Oklahoma Gardening.

Toscano said the show will have the same format, but will simply be featuring more faces.

In addition to seeing the former hosts, show favorites Barbara Brown and David Hillock also will be back this year.

“As in the past, Oklahoma Gardening will focus on a theme, and this year it’s going to be water. We’ll be looking at ways to conserve water, protect our natural waterways and manage water in the landscape,” she said. “Our regional tour this season will be geared toward water as well and we’ll visit sites throughout this great state of ours to look at different management practices.”

Last season the garden contest was very successful and plans are in the works to do another contest this season. Toscano said they will be looking for gardens that build on this season’s water theme. More information will be available after the Oklahoma Gardening season begins to air.

Specialists at Oklahoma State University will be on hand to share their expertise in a wide range of topics including invasive species, grafting vegetables, tools and trees, just to name a few. The popular Turf Talk segments also will continue this season.

Oklahoma Gardening airs every Saturday morning at 11 a.m. and at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons on local OETA channels. Be sure to check out the show’s website at www.oklahomagardening.okstate.edu for video clips of the program, a link to gardening resources, a link to recipes featured on the show and much more.

Oklahoma Gardening will air new episodes Feb. 14-15 and Feb. 21-22 before going on hiatus for OETA’s fundraising festival. Oklahoma Gardening will return March 21.

Oklahoma Gardening is produced at The Botanic Garden at OSU located west of Stillwater on the north side of Highway 51. Other collaborators include OSU Cooperative Extension, OSU’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Agricultural Communications Services and OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Come out and visit us at the studio garden!