A film crew records an outdoor interview in a sunny, wooded area. An elderly man and a woman sit at a small table on a beige rug, speaking, while a crew member holds a clapperboard. Lighting equipment and a camera operator in a blue 'Westbrook' jersey are visible in the foreground. — “Oklahoma Gardening” host Casey Hentges prepares to interview former host Ray Campbell in celebration of the show’s 50th anniversary.

50 Years on the Air: 'Oklahoma Gardening' is television you've grown to love

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | editor@okstate.edu

Long before cable television, social media and streaming services, a show dedicated to hands-on gardening education in Oklahoma debuted in 1975 on the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority channel in Oklahoma City.

When Oklahoma State University Extension horticulturist Joe Maxon first hauled plants from Stillwater to the OETA studio to shoot the brand-new, live TV program, “Oklahoma Gardening,” he likely had no idea of the impact it would have. He was laying the groundwork for a show now celebrating its golden anniversary and viewed worldwide.

“‘Oklahoma Gardening’ has been a cornerstone of OSU Agriculture and the community, providing invaluable Extension resources, research-based information and gardening inspiration to countless viewers over the past five decades,” said Dr. Jayson Lusk, vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture. “This milestone is a testament to the dedication and passion of everyone involved in the show, and we look forward to many more years of cultivating a love for gardening in Oklahoma and beyond.”

The faces in front of the camera have changed throughout the decades, with 11 people serving as hosts. Each brought their own style while nurturing the groundwork of their predecessors to produce an award-winning show with a faithful following.

Casey Hentges, current “Oklahoma Gardening” host, said the show’s history will be featured throughout this 50th season. Special segments will revisit previous hosts while offering a glimpse of the future of horticulture.

“We’re staying true to our roots of being a hands-on learning program, but we’re also doing some fun, anniversary-related things this season,” she said. “Fifty years is a big celebration, and we want our viewers there every step of the way.”

A television production scene in an outdoor garden. A man stands behind a cart displaying vegetables and gardening tools, speaking as part of a segment. Raised garden beds with lush plants surround him. A cameraman operates a large vintage studio camera labeled 'OETA,' capturing the scene. — Left: Raymond Kays records an episode of the show at the OETA demonstration garden in Oklahoma City. Right: During Ray Campbell’s time as host, “Oklahoma Gardening” transitioned from a seasonal show to year-round, boasting 50,000 weekly viewers.

An elderly man with gray hair sits outdoors in a wicker chair, smiling and laughing with his hand to his face. He wears a maroon shirt and a wristwatch. A bottle of water sits on the table next to him, and green trees and sunlight fill the background. — Left: Raymond Kays records an episode of the show at the OETA demonstration garden in Oklahoma City. Right: During Ray Campbell’s time as host, “Oklahoma Gardening” transitioned from a seasonal show to year-round, boasting 50,000 weekly viewers.

Starting in the ’70s and ’80s

In those early days, Maxon demonstrated basic gardening techniques while filming live. He was soon followed by then-Oklahoma A&M College alumnus Raymond Kays, who continued filming the show in Oklahoma City for five years.

In 1980, OSU Extension horticulturist Ray Campbell took over the hosting duties, filming segments in his backyard garden and cooking demonstrations in his kitchen. With advancements in technology, the show was now videotaped in advance instead of filming live.

“Live television is a tricky thing,” he said. “I was explaining watermelon selection with what appeared to be a ripe one but when I cut it, it was still green on the inside. I never turned it around for the viewers to see.”

During Campbell’s time as host, “Oklahoma Gardening” transitioned from a seasonal show to year-round, boasting 50,000 weekly viewers.

Cooking segments with Barbara Brown, former OSU Extension food specialist, were added in the early 1980s to help viewers discover ways to use garden-fresh produce in their kitchens. She also offered tips on food storage.

“I always tried to use equipment I thought most people would have in their kitchens, so these cooking segments would be more relatable,” Brown said. “I had two goals each time — to teach basic kitchen skills and how to prepare fruits and vegetables. Oklahoma is known for low consumption of these foods, so I wanted to tie the lessons to fresh produce.”

Brown also took the cooking segments to Italy as part of a course she was teaching, which added to the diversity of “Oklahoma Gardening.”

Paul Mitchell took over hosting duties in 1986. Mitchell, an OSU horticulture professor, steered the show in a new direction by taking it on the road to feature gardens and arboretums statewide. The variety in filming locations enhanced the show, but he knew it needed a permanent home. That year, “Oklahoma Gardening” was given a few acres on the west side of Stillwater, a site that has grown today into The Botanic Garden at OSU.

When Extension horticulturists Sue Gray and Jim Gallott took their places in front of the camera as hosts in 1987, they had their work cut out for them. They converted the overgrown research plot into the “Oklahoma Gardening” studio garden. To keep the show’s original philosophy, Gray and Gallot brought viewers along as they built raised beds, planted a fruit orchard, designed flower beds and more. With the departure of Gallott, Campbell returned to co-host with Gray.

A woman in a light blue shirt stands behind a green tablecloth-covered table outdoors, under a tree. On the table are various items including a blender, small bowls containing ingredients like nuts and liquid, and a bottle of sauce. The background features greenery and part of a house. — Left: Barbara Brown also took the cooking segments to Italy as part of a course she was teaching, which added to the diversity of “Oklahoma Gardening.” Right: Steve Dobbs was instrumental in creating the “Oklahoma Gardening” Ambassadors program to help plant items and promote the studio garden.

A man wearing an orange shirt with black accents and a gray cap. The shirt has a name tag that reads 'OSU' and 'Steve Dobbs.' The background is blurred greenery. — Left: Barbara Brown also took the cooking segments to Italy as part of a course she was teaching, which added to the diversity of “Oklahoma Gardening.” Right: Steve Dobbs was instrumental in creating the “Oklahoma Gardening” Ambassadors program to help plant items and promote the studio garden.

The ’90s

The studio garden continued to grow under the direction of the show’s seventh host, Steve Dobbs.

He capitalized on ideas to expand and improve the studio gardens. He oversaw the installation of butterfly, perennial and shade gardens, and viewers were there to watch and learn along the way. Other new features under Dobbs’ tutelage included an irrigation system, a formal garden, water gardens and a garden railway.

Dobbs was instrumental in creating the “Oklahoma Gardening” Ambassadors program to help plant items and promote the studio garden.

This was also a time when educational videotapes were produced on numerous gardening topics. The tapes were available for checkout in public libraries to give gardeners step-by-step guidance of techniques demonstrated on “Oklahoma Gardening.”

A woman is standing inside a greenhouse, holding a potted plant with colorful leaves. The greenhouse is filled with various plants, and she appears to be explaining or showcasing the plant. There is a professional video camera in the foreground, suggesting that this scene might be part of a video recording or an interview about gardening or horticulture. — Left: Casey Hentges has shared her horticulture expertise with viewers for 11 years. Right: “Oklahoma Gardening” videographers Jacob Schmidt (left) Daniel Farris (right) capture educational gardening content for the show.

Two people are operating professional video cameras outdoors. The person in the foreground is wearing a brown jacket and looking through the viewfinder of a Sony camera mounted on a tripod, with various accessories attached to the camera. The person in the background, whose face is blurred, is also using a camera on a tripod and appears to be focusing on something off-frame. There are red flowers and greenery visible in the background, indicating that this scene takes place in a natural setting. — Left: Casey Hentges has shared her horticulture expertise with viewers for 11 years. Right: “Oklahoma Gardening” videographers Jacob Schmidt (left) Daniel Farris (right) capture educational gardening content for the show.

The ’00s through present day

In May 2001, Steve Owens stepped in as the ninth host after serving as the studio garden manager.

An avid stone collector, he incorporated rock gardening at the studio garden. Several new gardens were established under his direction, including a patio, sun perennial and Oklahoma Proven gardens. The chicken moat became a reality, and the herb garden was redesigned.

When Owens left in 2007, Kim Holmes shared her gardening expertise and entomology knowledge as the 10th host. Along with seasonal-based topics, Holmes explored themes suggested by viewers and implemented programming that continues today, like concerts and yoga in the garden.

Holmes also took the show on the road with statewide, regional and international tours to showcase gardens and visit with experts on various topics.

“People loved to be on ‘Oklahoma Gardening’ when we traveled the state,” Holmes said. “It’s definitely the people’s show.”

Hentges joined the show as the 11th host in 2015. She is the longest-running host with nine full seasons under her belt. She added the Backyard Demonstration Gardens with a hobby greenhouse and hoop house, showcasing how to incorporate vegetables into any backyard garden.

“The experiences I’ve had as host are wonderful,” she said. “I’ve met some great people and taken the audience behind the scenes of different places that most people don’t get to see. And the businesses and homeowners that have opened their doors to us have been great. I grew up in Oklahoma, but this position has really opened my eyes to how unique and diverse our state is.”

Hentges also writes and produces the show in collaboration with the expert video production and editing crew of Daniel Farris and Jacob Schmidt and show assistant Bailey Singleton. Laura Payne, horticulture educator for OSU Extension in Payne County, and Kevin Gragg, a longtime video producer, were also instrumental in elevating the show’s success during the past 25 years.

Since 2010, viewers worldwide have watched “Oklahoma Gardening” on YouTube and Facebook to learn gardening skills. India, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom are among the top-ranking countries tuning in. In 2022, the show was recognized by YouTube for having more than 100,000 subscribers, and it has grown to more than 130,000 subscribers today.

Luther, Oklahoma, residents Jane and George Martin have watched the show for 35 years and said the show is relevant to all levels of gardening.

“Whether you have pots on the patio or a large garden, the show addresses all levels,” Jane Martin said. “We watch every Saturday morning. We may be doing something else, but when it’s 11 o’clock, we stop what we’re doing and watch the show. I love Casey’s personality and enjoy seeing all the new plants on each show.”

A group of five people standing outdoors in a park-like setting with trees and greenery in the background. The individuals are dressed casually, with three women and two men. — “Oklahoma Gardening” crew members Christi Evans, Daniel Farris, Casey Hentges, Jacob Schmidt and Bailey Singleton produce gardening episodes that reflect the seasons year-round.

The next 50 years

Hentges believes the show has remained so popular because the crew keeps the content fresh.

“We put together a list before each season of what we want to showcase, and we never get through a season having done it all,” she said. “Those remaining ideas go on the list for next year. It’s always something new.”

Thanks to an anonymous donor, a new addition to the garden will be introduced later this year. A separate 50th-anniversary display garden and special topiary are under construction.

Also, Stillwater’s Eskimo Joe’s has printed a commemorative 50th anniversary “Oklahoma Gardening” T-shirt that is available at all Joe’s Clothes stores and online.

“Whether you’ve been gardening for 50 years, or you planted your first tomato plant this season, the show has something to offer,” Hentges said. “We’re excited to be a part of the rich history of the show and look forward to where the next 50 years take us.”

Photos by: Mitchell Alcala, Todd Johnson and Judy Kays

Story by: Trisha Gedon | STATE Magazine