The Botanic Garden at OSU offers something for everyone
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Now that spring has sprung, activities are quickly picking up speed at The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University.
Some highlights of what will happen throughout the rest of the year include concerts, yoga, open houses, educational classes, children’s activities and much more, said Laura Payne, volunteer coordinator at the garden.
“The Botanic Garden at OSU is so much more than a garden,” Payne said. “It’s a place to come experience, enjoy, participate in activities, have fun and learn something new.”
Beginning April 4 and running each Wednesday through May 23 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the public is invited to participate in Yoga in the Garden. The sessions are taught by a certified yoga instructor. This free event is sponsored by OSU’s Department of Wellness and OSU Cooperative Extension.
The Payne County Master Gardeners present a monthly Tuesday Gardening Series on the second Tuesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. These events are free, hands-on programs covering a variety of topics of interest to both new and seasoned gardeners. Upcoming topics include DIY Garden Projects and Herbs, April 10; Water Harvesting, May 8; Flower Arranging and Rain Gardens, June 12; Growing Tomatoes and Tomato Tasting, July 10; Growing Microgreens and Hummingbird Gardens, Aug. 14; Plants for Fall Color and Starting a Wildflower Garden, Sept. 11; and Growing Edible Mushrooms, Oct. 9. Please contact Keith Reed at the Payne County OSU Cooperative Extension Office, 405-747-8320, if you plan to attend.
The Botanic Garden at OSU will once again be hosting Open House every other Saturday beginning May 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to come take a stroll through the garden and see the Studio Garden where “Oklahoma Gardening” is filmed.
“Visitors to the garden during each Open House will be greeted by our very knowledgeable Garden Ambassadors who will be on hand to answer any of your gardening and plant questions,” Payne said. “The Ambassadors have a wealth of experience and information and they look forward to sharing it with visitors to the garden. This also is a great time for gardeners to get some new ideas for landscape design and different plants to use in their own landscapes. Open House also will feature a variety of children’s activities, so it truly is something for the whole family.”
Back by popular demand is the Concerts in the Garden series. The spring concerts will feature Steel Wind May 16 and Moe Towne Alex June 1. The fall concert series begins Sept. 21 with the Tulsa-based band Beacon Drive, followed by Stillwater’s own Val Gladden Band Oct. 5. Concerts take place from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“These concerts are a great way to kick off the weekend. We encourage everyone to bring a picnic supper, along with chairs or a blanket, and enjoy not only the beauty of the garden, but some great music, too,” Payne said.
Another fun event on the calendar is the Herb and Succulent Festival slated June 23, 9 a.m. to noon. Casey Hentges, host of “Oklahoma Gardening,” will be on hand to talk about building a vertical herb garden. Also on the agenda will be a demonstration of brewing teas from herbs. Members of the Central Oklahoma Cactus and Succulent Society be on hand to share information. Vendors featuring soaps, plants, cacti, succulents and herbs will be there, along with the musical group Misspent Ukes.
Make plans to attend the 17th annual GardenFest and Mum Sale slated Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will feature a day of learning opportunities, fun children’s activities, live music, vendors and food trucks. More information on this event will be available closer to the time of the event.
“The Botanic Garden at OSU has so much to offer and we encourage visitors to come out any time, especially during these special events we have planned throughout the year,” Payne said.
For more information about The Botanic Garden at OSU and planned activities, please visit http://botanicgarden.okstate.edu/events.