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:
July
11 a.m., July 7
Seed Sowing
Tomatoes, cabbage, and broccoli, oh my! Learn how to sow vegetable plants for the coming fall and sow your own using an upcycled plastic bottle. Included with general admission.
11 a.m., July 14
Division
It’s the great divide! Learn about division, an asexual propagation technique. Included with general admission.
11 a.m., July 21
Summer Garden Tour
Time to get your steps in! Take a walking tour of the gardens with our grounds team and learn all about what’s growing on! Included with general admission.
August
11 a.m., Aug. 11
Fall Vegetable Sowing
Observe and ask questions as gardens staff sow the museum's fall vegetable garden! We'll plant lettuce, cucumber, lima beans, winter squash, carrots, radish, cabbage, and broccoli. Included with general admission.
11 a.m., Aug 18
Summer Garden Tour
Time to get your steps in! Take a walking tour of the gardens with our grounds team and learn all about what’s growing on! Included with general admission.
September
11 a.m., Sept. 1
Fall Vegetable Planting
Follow along as our gardens team plants our fall vegetable garden! They'll plant the seeds sown in August for a fall harvest — lettuce, cucumber, lima beans, winter squash, carrots, radish, cabbage, and broccoli. Included with general admission.
11 a.m., Sept. 8
End-Of-Summer Garden Tour
Time to get your steps in! Take a walking tour of the gardens with our grounds team and learn all about what’s growing on! Included with general admission.
11 a.m., Sept. 15
End-Of-Summer Garden Tour
Time to get your steps in! Take a walking tour of the gardens with our grounds team and learn all about what’s growing on! Included with general admission.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 29
Tinkerfest
Tinkerfest isn't just inside - it covers the entire museum and grounds! Join SMO staff and volunteers in the gardens for hands-on tinkering activities and lessons in sustainability. Learn more about Tinkerfest.
October
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 13
Painting Pumpkins
Paint pumpkins in the SMO Gardens! Pumpkins are available while supplies last and are included with general admission. One pumpkin per person, please.
11 a.m., Oct. 20
Bulb Planting
If you want tulips in the spring, fall is the time to plan! Join the SMO gardens team to learn the ins and outs of where and how to plant bulbs for spring color. Included with general admission.
11 a.m., Oct. 27
Fall Garden Tour
Time to get your steps in! Take a walking tour of the gardens with our grounds team and learn all about what’s growing on! Included with general admission.
