Johnson County

K-State Research and Extension Horticulture Center Field Day July 25

The K-State Research and Extension Horticulture Center’s Annual Field Day is the public’s best opportunity to learn how Kansas State University Research and Extension develops its list of recommended varieties of grass, flowers and vegetable.

The event will be held Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

This is a once-a-year opportunity to:

• talk with the experts,
• learn about the latest plant varieties,
• learn about methods for success in the garden.

Admission is $5 per person, and includes bottled water and hourly seminars delivered by professionally trained experts.

The popular showcase of the field day will be the flower plant trials. Thousands of annuals growing on two acres demonstrate the latest techniques in gardening. Companies from around the world submit their newest developments for testing. Through research, the trials show which plants can withstand the Kansas climate. A free brochure listing the “Prairie Stars” will be available. The trials illustrate that not all varieties are created equal. This field day offers a firsthand view of the dead, dying and ugly plants, helping to avoid costly mistakes when purchasing plants
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 What You Will See in 2009

• 45 varieties of sunflowers – 12 inch tall to 8 feet tall.
• Buffalo grass variety trial – come see which variety of this drought tolerant grass does best.
• Flowers in pots and planters – 140 patio planters on display
• Veggie gardening for homeowners – come see great ideas for your home vegetable garden
• Fruit for home gardens – come get ideas on fruit trees, dwarf and espaliered, sized to fit your back yard, also blueberries, raspberries and thornless blackberries. (veggies and fruit in MG backyard garden project)  Return to the top of the page.

The Center conducts horticulture research in turfgrass plots, and high tunnel fruit and vegetable research, along with its flower trials. The site is also an All American Selections Trial Ground. Test sites located throughout the United States conduct side-by-side comparison trials.

Visitors will be able to speak directly with many of the university professors heading up the research and with Johnson County Extension Master Gardener volunteers. Volunteers will staff a plant clinic booth and answer gardening questions. Visitors are encouraged to bring ailing plants or specimens for identification. Lunch will be available for purchase to visitors during the event.
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 Prairie Star annual flowers

 Prairie Bloom perennial flowers

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