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The original demonstration garden. The concepts garden is Oklahoma Gardening’s dedicated area within The Botanic Garden at OSU to demonstrate various concepts pertaining to gardening techniques. This area provides a space for filming “how to” segments for the Oklahoma Gardening TV show. It also allows the construction of new beds without disrupting the charm of the primary area of the gardens.


Concrete Block Garden

Two flower beds made from concrete blocks.

 

  Concrete Block Garden Pros Concrete Block Garden Cons
 
  • Customizable to desired height/No bending
  • Multiyear usage
  • Tidy appearance
  • Can be placed on any surface
  • Low maintenance
  • Simple construction
  • Readily assessable materials
  • Some construction
  • Many need large volume of soil media depending on height

 

 


Concrete Bench Planter

 

A bench planter made of concrete blocks and wood planks.

 

  Concrete Bench Planter Pros Concrete Bench Planter Cons
 
  • A decorative bench to sit on
  • Several spots for placing plants
  • Customizable design depending on preferences
  • Requires some construction
  • Limited plant selection for the small space

 


Keyhole Garden

 

A flower bed made of rocks with plants growing.

 

  Keyhole Garden Pros Keyhole Garden Cons
 
  • Good for areas with little/poor soil
  • Somewhat flexible in size and height
  • Uses various materials
  • Build soil
  • Incorporates ugly compost bin
  • Can take time to collect material
  • Will take time to build soil

 

 

 


Spiral Herb Garden

 

A garden bed made of rocks stacked in a spiral pattern.

 

  Spiral Herb Garden Pros Spiral Herb Garden Cons
 
  • Incorporates difference soil textures for drainage allowing for a range of plants
  • Visually pleasing
  • Uses found materials (e.g. stone, pavers, bricks, etc)
  • Requires construction
  • Requires large volume of soil

 


Table Garden

 

A flowerbed made of wood with green plants growing in it.

 

  Table Garden Pros Table Garden Cons
 
  • Customizable to desired height/No bending
  • Multiyear usage
  • Tidy appearance
  • Can be placed on any surface
  • Construction required
  • Wood requires yearly maintenance seal

 

 

Table Garden Factsheets

HLA-6455: Construction of Table Gardens


Hügelkultur / Mound Garden / Hill Garden

 

A pile of dirt with vegetable plants planted in it.

 

  Hügelkultur / Mound Garden / Hill Garden Pros Hügelkultur / Mound Garden / Hill Garden Cons
 
  • Flexible shape and size
  • Utilize available materials
  • No parameters
  • Suitable for veggies or ornamentals
  • Longer-life
  • Can use to redirect water
  • Bermudagrass will encroach
  • May be Nitrogen deficient

 

 

 

 

Hügelkultur / Mound Garden / Hill Garden Factsheets

HLA-6501: Sustainable Landscapes: Creating a Hügelkultur for Gardening with Stormwater Management Benefits


Pallet Gardening

 

A small garden with all four sides made of pallets.

 

  Pallet Gardening Pros Pallet Gardening Cons
 
  • Inexpensive
  • Easy assembly
  • Recycling
  • Rustic look
  • Edge to sit on
  • Less concern about Bermudagrass
  • Less flexible shape
  • Requires more soil
  • Eventually will deteriorate

 


Plastic Grow Bags

  Plastic Grow Bags Pros Plastic Grow Bags Cons
 
  • No building
  • Temporary
  • Flexible in size and shape
  • Fewer weed problems
  • Fewer pest problems
  • Adds to OM
  • Utilitarian
  • Temporary
  • Best suited for certain plants
  • Requires regular watering
  • Pricey

Strawbale Garden

 

Green plants growing from a strawbale.

 

  Strawbale Garden Pros Strawbale Garden Cons
 
  • No building
  • Temporary
  • Flexible in size and shape
  • Minimal soil required
  • No waste
  • Adds organic matter to existing garden
  • Utilitarian
  • Temporary
  • Best suited for certain plants
  • Requires frequent watering

 

 

 

Strawbale Garden Factsheets

PSS-2264: Straw Bale Bed: A Way to Garden While Building Soil


Vertical Pallet Garden

 

A pallet sitting upright with plants growing between the boards.

 

  Vertical Pallet Garden Pros Vertical Pallet Garden Cons
 
  • Unique
  • Space saver
  • Great for herbs
  • Minimal materials
  • Will be restrictions of plants one can use
  • Requires frequent watering
  • Only lasts one year

 

Additional Notes

  • Best to start the garden by laying it flat to get roots established.
  • Plant the top after you prop it up vertically.
  • Plant more drought tolerant plants toward the top.

 


Woven/Cloth Garden (Smart Pot)

 

Square woven pots with plants.

 

  Woven/Cloth Garden Pros Woven/Cloth Garden Cons
 
  • No building
  • Portable
  • Large variety of shapes, sizes, colors
  • Can grow a variety of different plants
  • Aesthetics may not fit landscape

 

 

 

 

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