'Gardening 101' Series For Budding Green Thumbs Starts at Science Museum Oklahoma, Jan. 18
January 10, 2020
“Gardening 101” is taught by the SMO Gardens education team and will cover everything from soils and seeds to roots and stems and will include a hands-on component at each event. The all-ages series is included with general admission and is free for museum members.
A new 7-part gardening series perfect for those who want to start a home garden, who have a “black” thumb, or who simply want to learn more about gardening is kicking off on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Science Museum Oklahoma in the lead up to the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in April.
Part of the SMO Gardens “What’s Growing On” program, “Gardening 101” is taught by the SMO Gardens education team and will cover everything from soils and seeds to roots and stems and will include a hands-on component at each event. The all-ages series is included with general admission and is free for museum members.
“Guests that are able to attend this series will walk away with the basic knowledge to become a successful gardener, but they’ll also have a deeper appreciation for nature and the importance of sustainability in everything we do, especially as we look toward the 50th anniversary of Earth Day,” said Barry Fox, gardens and grounds manager for SMO.
“We’ve designed this program to cover the basics of gardening – it’s a great entry point for anyone who wants to start a garden but isn’t sure how, or for someone who has a garden but needs guidance on how to keep it healthy and thriving.”
A 30-minute talk on each subject will start at 11 a.m. on select Saturdays through April at the Sideshow Science stage on the museum’s first floor, while the hands-on activity will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. or while supplies last in the SMO Gardens, weather permitting.
Dates, topics and activities are:
- Jan. 18, Soil and Composting: Get the dirt on the minerals in top soil, how to improve a garden’s soil and find out what plants need to grow, plus make a worm home and find out how to start home composting for your garden.
- Feb. 1, Roots: Uncover the different types of roots, how to establish a healthy root system and find out which plants have the deepest roots, plus explore what is growing in the SMO Gardens through nature weaving.
- Feb. 15, Seeds: Dig up information about the different types of seeds, how seeds develop and how to start seeds of all kinds at home, plus make a “seed bomb” to take home.
- Feb. 29, Stems: Not STEM, stems! Learn about different stems and surprising stems like potatoes as well as the purpose and parts of stems, plus decorate sticks with yarn and garden elements to take home.
- March 28, Leaves: Learn about the importance of leaves, their parts and purpose, and what leaves have to do with water intake, plus explore different leaf textures through leaf rubbings.
- April 4, Flowers: There is more to flowers than their good looks — explore the four parts of a flower and what they do, the importance of flowers, plus use flowers to make a painting.
- April 18, Fruit: All flowers make fruit — learn all about fruits that float, fly and taste great, plus create an art piece from the colors in various fruits.
The museum will celebrate with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 18 and 22 with a series of special events alongside local partner organizations.
Located at 2020 Remington Pl. in Oklahoma City, Science Museum Oklahoma is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Daily general admission is $16.95 for adults (ages 13-64) and $13.95 for children and seniors (ages 3-12 and 65 and older). Annual memberships begin at $105.
For more information about Science Museum Oklahoma’s gardens, visit www.sciencemuseumok.org/gardens.
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