Agricultural News
Oklahoma Gardening's 48th season premiers Feb. 12
Wed, 09 Feb 2022 10:32:41 CST
While much of Oklahoma was recently covered in snow, most state residents probably weren't thinking about gardening; however, the Oklahoma Gardening crew has been hard at work preparing for the show's 48th season, set to premier Feb. 12.
Casey Hentges, Oklahoma State University Extension horticulture specialist and the show's host, said the new season will feature new plants, travel around the state to look at home landscapes and a showcase of the state's horticulture industry.
"We're going to continue doing the things that have made Oklahoma Gardening the longest-running gardening show on television," Hentges said. "Something I'm really looking forward to this season is getting back on the road to resume our regional tours. After a couple of years of limited travel due to the pandemic, we're glad to be able to get out in the state."
One stop planned this year is J-M Farms, the wholesale mushroom company in Miami, Oklahoma. The show will also feature a sneak peek at the Tulsa Garden Club Garden Tour, as well as a follow-up on the renovation of the Myriad Gardens Conservatory in Oklahoma City.
Other show topics will include installing new gardens, along with some do-it-yourself garden projects at The Botanic Garden at OSU, which is home to Oklahoma Gardening. Hentges said she'll also introduce the 2022 Oklahoma Proven selections.
"Gardening can be a challenge in Oklahoma for several reasons, one being extreme weather. Throughout the season we'll look at the seasonal weather and how it might impact our plants and landscapes," she said.
In addition to all the helpful gardening information, there will be a new face on the show this season. Jessica Riggin, an OSU Extension family and consumer sciences specialist and director of Lincoln County Extension, will conduct cooking segments and share recipes.
As a registered dietician, Riggin said each time she demonstrates a new recipe, she'll share the health benefits and nutritional information with viewers.
"My overall goal with these cooking segments is to encourage people to cook and eat at home. I hope they'll try new vegetables," she said. "Oklahoma ranks 48th in the nation for vegetable and fruit consumption, so I hope to inspire viewers to try new things or at least try cooking their old favorites in a new, healthy way."
Riggin said recipes will feature seasonal vegetables and other ingredients that are easily accessible. She'll also offer menu planning and tips to get a meal on the table quickly for busy families.
"Like many other gardeners, I think my passion for gardening is reinvigorated every year in the late winter when we're teased with plant and seed catalogs," Hentges said. "We're longing for that first spring bulb to break the soil or that first hint of pink as the redbuds pop. In the winter, I have more time to get around the state and give presentations to various groups, and I love the interaction and the feedback I get from viewers. It's these face-to-face interactions that help inspire each new season of Oklahoma Gardening."
Oklahoma Gardening airs every Saturday morning at 11 a.m. and Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. on local OETA-TV (PBS) channels across the state. Viewers who are unable to watch on television can subscribe to the Oklahoma Gardening YouTube channel and see full shows or search for specific segments.
Check out the Oklahoma Gardening website for video clips of the program, links to gardening resources, recipes featured on the show and much more. Oklahoma Gardening can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Botanic Garden at OSU is the home of 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 Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Agricultural Communications Services.
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