Escape to the SMO Gardens! Explore native plants, meet the museum's bunnies and koi fish, learn about horticulture during 'What's Growing On?' events, play yard games, and much more.
The Gardens at Science Museum Oklahoma are made up of native and Oklahoma-proven plants. You'll find a kids’ garden, herb garden, native plants garden, a Monarch Waystation, a vegetable garden and orchard, a water garden, a Japanese garden, a hobby greenhouse, lawn games, spacious picnic tables, miniature excavators, a bunny hutch that demonstrates permaculture and aquaculture, and a whole lot more!
The gardens at SMO are a typically a serene escape with picnic tables and four lawn spaces perfect for a lunch or lawn games. The gardens are often an ideal location for sensory-sensitive guests who may need a quieter, more predictable environment. The gardens can be accessed through Pavlov's Cafe or through the doors on the south central side of the Science Floor.
Learn how our (and your!) garden grows! During SMO's regular What's Growing On? programs, guests will learn about gardening techniques, maintenance, and follow along as gardens and grounds staff take care of the SMO Gardens.
Events are included with general admission unless noted and take place at 11 a.m. on select Saturdays. Check out the dates and activities below:
January
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 12
Birdhouse Building | $5 per birdhouse
What's Growing On is for the birds! Join the SMO staff to build a birdhouse that you can take home to provide a shelter and protected nesting place for the birds that visit your yard. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To cover the cost of supplies, participation is $5 per birdhouse.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 19
Cool-Season Vegetable Seeding, Row Cover
Join the SMO gardens team as they plant cool-season vegetables like cabbage and broccoli and add row cover to the gardens to protect plants from the cold. Included with general admission.
February
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 2
Pre-Emergent Application
Join the SMO staff to learn how to apply pre-emergent to your lawn and prevent warm-season weeds. Included with general admission.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 9
Cool-Season Vegetable Seeding
Join the SMO gardens team as they seed cool-season vegetables like cabbage and broccoli. Included with general admission.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 16
Vegetable Gardening
It’s time to start the vegetable garden! Join the SMO gardens team as they plant potatoes, onions, turnips, spinach, carrots, lettuce, and peas. Included with general admission.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 23
Native Wildflower Seed Bombs
March is the best time to seed most wildflowers – join the SMO gardens team to get ready for spring and make seed bombs! Included with general admission.
March
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 9
Seeding Radish
Our spring vegetable garden is taking root! Join the SMO Gardens team as they plant radish.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 16
Tomatoes and Pumpkins
Our spring vegetable garden is taking root! Join the SMO Gardens team as they transplant tomato and pumpkin.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 23
Drip Irrigation and Native Gardening
Let’s talk water conservation! Learn how to convert a pop-up irrigation system to a more efficient drip irrigation system.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 30
Garden Tours
Time to get your steps in! Take a guided tour of our gardens with our horticulture experts. Come with questions about your own garden or ask questions about ours!
April
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 13
Vegetable Gardening
It’s time to start the warm-season vegetable garden! Join the SMO gardens team as they get our garden growing. Included with general admission.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 20
Earth Day Celebration
Celebrate Earth Day with SMO! Join us for a butterfly release, lots of activities related to sustainability, and more! Included with general admission.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 27
Planting Annuals
Add some color to the garden! Join the SMO gardens team as they plant warm-season annuals in advance of summer. Included with general admission.
