Grow your best garden ever with Family Horticulture Day

The Agricultural Research Stations of UW–Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) were formerly known as “experimental farms.” Given the breadth of activities, resources, studies and other outreach events taking place around the state, the stations offer so much more than just farming.

The trial and demonstration gardens at the West Madison station, open from dawn to dusk during the growing season, offer free resources for home gardeners of all levels. With spring flowers bursting into bloom and summer salads just around the corner, now is the perfect time to build a garden – with every member of the family involved.

Horticulture will be a Technicolor experience at Family Horticulture Day, held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the West Madison Ag Research Station. Families can learn how to develop a backyard kitchen garden in a small space. A variety of activities will engage children and spark their interest in gardening and nature. All are welcome; the event is free and open to the public.

Purple, red, and yellow potatoes, red popcorn and green caterpillars will be the features of the day. Tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and eggplant seedlings will be provided, along with instructions for growing them. Master gardeners will be on hand to help provide directions for sowing vegetable and flower seeds. Participants can see and sample multicolored vegetables, learn to plant and care for kitchen gardens and “island gardens” for native pollinators, and take home seeds and seedlings.

The West Madison Ag Research Station is located at 8502 Mineral Point Road in Verona. For more information, visit online or contact staff at 262-2257 or via e-mail.