History of Oklahoma Gardening and the OBGA Ambassadors
In 1975, the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) joined with Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service horticulturist Joe Maxson to produce a half-hour program called Oklahoma Gardening. Joe carried plants grown at Oklahoma State University to OETA's Oklahoma City studios, where he demonstrated basic gardening techniques. Joe was soon followed by horticulture professor Raymond Kays, who hosted the show for five years.
In 1980, Extension horticulturist Ray Campbell began hosting Oklahoma Gardening from his backyard in Stillwater, since advances in video technology allowed the show to be taped in advance.
When horticulture professor Paul Mitchell became host in 1986, the show featured gardens and arboretums across the state. That year, Oklahoma Gardening was given a parcel of land at OBGA west of the OSU campus in Stillwater.
In 1987, new hosts Sue Gray and Jim Gallott, both Extension horticulturists, converted this overgrown research plot into demonstration gardens, teaching viewers how to build raised beds, plant a fruit orchard, install a new lawn, design flower beds and much more.
Steve Dobbs, Extension consumer horticulturist, took over as the show's seventh host in 1990 and a full-time garden manager, Allen Jobes was hired. During Steve's tenure as host of Oklahoma Gardening, he established the OBGA Ambassadors, a volunteer group to assist with the planting and promotion of the studio gardens. An irrigation system, formal garden, shade-loving perennial flower beds, water gardens, a butterfly garden and the garden railway were added.
In 1995, Sue Gray took over as interim host of Oklahoma Gardening and in 1996 Steve Owens became the studio gardens manager and Brenda Simons became the host of Oklahoma Gardening. David Hillock came on board as a consumer horticulturist in 1997. Additions to the studio gardens in 1997 included an alpine rock garden and a Japanese Tea Ceremony garden. With her marriage in 1999, Brenda's names changed to Brenda Sanders. A Children's Educational garden and a larger Butterfly garden were installed in 1999.
Oklahoma Gardening celebrated it's 25th anniversary in 2000. The 2000 season also saw the addition of a Bog garden and the construction of a larger water garden.
Steve Owens became the ninth host of Oklahoma Gardening in May of 2001. A native of Vian, Oklahoma, Steve has gardened professionally, as well as earning both his bachelor and master degrees in horticulture from Oklahoma State University. Steve is on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Horticultural Society and is a member of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, the American Horticultural Society, and the American Society of Horticultural Sciences. He loves all aspects of gardening and has a special interest in herbaceous ornamentals and garden design.
Laura Payne is a native of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and has worked at the gardens since 1998. In November of 2001, she became the new studio garden manager. Laura has a Bachelors degree from Oklahoma State University in horticulture with an emphasis in public horticulture. Laura's area of special interest is horticulture therapy.
Oklahoma is a wonderful state for gardeners but there are many considerations unique to our state, which is why for 29 years Oklahoma Gardening has been the best place to tune in for gardening, lawn care, and landscaping information in Oklahoma. During the 2004 season we will continue our regional spotlight with a tour of southwestern Oklahoma. Join us each week on the OETA for "TV you'll grow to love."
