Back Issue
July/August 1997

Plant Science Day
by Pamela Weil

This event is held on the same day each year, the first Wednesday in August.

It's quite an interesting experience; once you've been, you'll probably want to return again. In fact, some Connecticut gardeners even take a day off work to attend Plant Science Day at Lockwood Farm in Hamden. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station owns Lockwood Farm and it is a research farm where many Station Scientists conduct their experiments.

The Plant Science Day program begins with short talks and demonstrations under the main tent at 10:15 am. A program featuring a keynote speaker starts at 11:30 am, followed by more short talks and demonstrations until about 3 pm. In the meantime, there are exhibits in the barn and 62 experimental plots to explore; many of them quite fascinating.

Visitors are free to attend the programs or wander through the farm's entire 75 acres, but most of us stay within the demonstration plot area. You can explore on foot or ride the air-conditioned small bus.

Many of the demonstration plots are of interest to the home gardener. There are different varieties growing of wine grape, raspberry, strawberry, super sweet corn, winter squash, romaine lettuce, asparagus, beans, eggplant, cantaloupe, sweet potato, globe artichoke, pumpkin and tomato. You'll be able to compare notes with the Station Scientists conducting the trials.

The native woody shrub plot offers the opportunity to see full grown specimens of some of our native shrubs; the nurserymen's garden highlights the numerous plants developed here in Connecticut; and every gardener will recognize friends and foes among the weed and wild plant display. A bird and butterfly garden is new this year, a collaboration between the Experiment Station and the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut. The powdery mildew and medicinal herb exhibits were informative last year and have been continued and expanded this year.

Bring your soil, insect and plant questions and specimens with you, there is a question and answer tent. Buy a hamburger, or pack yourself a lunch. Coffee and cold drinks are free. It's always hot — remember sunglasses, sun tan lotion and a hat — and shoes and socks will help protect you from ticks and poison ivy.

Over 1,000 visitors are expected. If you come, you'll be glad you did.

Directions to Lockwood Farm,
corner of Evergreen Avenue and Kenwood Avenue, Hamden:

From Wilbur Cross Parkway (Route 15) traveling South:
Take exit 62 (Whitney Avenue). Take a right off the exit and go north for 2.2 miles. Take a left onto Evergreen Avenue, go 0.1 mile and take a right onto Kenwood Avenue. The farm is on your left; enter the second driveway

From Interstate 91 traveling North:
Take exit 10. Follow the Route 40 connector for 3.1 miles. Take a right onto Whitney Avenue (route 10) and go north for 0.6 miles. Take a left onto Evergreen Avenue, go 0.1 mile and take a right onto Kenwood Avenue. The farm is on your left, enter the second driveway.

Connecticut Gardener
P.O. Box 248
Greens Farms, CT 06436
1-800-600-0476
email: editor@ conngardener.com