Gardening A B C's

Spring is in the air, actually it feels a bit like summer, but nevertheless it's a perfect time to plant that garden. This season Tulsa has a hot spot for gardeners, the only one of its kind in the

Friday, April 14th 2006, 10:09 am

By: News On 6

Spring is in the air, actually it feels a bit like summer, but nevertheless it's a perfect time to plant that garden. This season Tulsa has a hot spot for gardeners, the only one of its kind in the state.

News on 6 reporter Heather Lewin took a tour of the new Linneaus Teaching Garden, where your floral fantasies can become reality, even if you don't have a green thumb.

â€œWelcome to our garden, it's a work in progress; do you know much about it?" Work in progress is what the Linneaus garden is all about. Named for a famous Swedish botanist, organizers say it's a place for education and ideas, a model for gardeners of all levels. "Where do I find this, how do I find that? We have so many unique plants in this garden so it's gonna be an opportunity for people to see the plants in a garden setting and lust after them and want them in their own yard." It's a dream come true for Horticulturist Barry Fugatt, every piece donated for learning. â€œThat's all gonna be an herb garden, so we'll have 28 kinds of herbs in that bed."

He says there's just something about gardening that speaks to the soul and with dozens of highly trained volunteers offering free advice. This is a chance for anyone to grow a love of their own. â€œFrom the time I was three years old, I've just been fascinated with it. I think most of us are just bent that way, that there's just something about nature that detoxifies us so to speak, to get out in the garden and in the sunshine." He says local gardeners will be amazed at what they find like these hydrangeas that bloom all summer long or a European fruit-bearing shrub. "They just grow like gangbusters here and are waiting to be discovered by more and more gardeners."

One of the most important aspects of the garden, from just about anywhere you can hear the sound of running water. It's a key ingredient in this peaceful pastime. Even though this was just a sneak preview, the magic is already starting to work. "It's just a wonderful gift for the city of Tulsa and for gardeners." A gift he hopes will take root in the public's heart.

The teaching garden is located at Woodward Park at 21st and Peoria. The grand opening isn't until June, but there is a sneak preview on Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM.