Michigan State University News Office
Contact: Sue Nichols; [email protected]
Sign of spring - MSU garden feature tips sprout
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The soil brings out a nearly irresistible urge to turn, to grow, to tinker what nature has put there. It's a chance to dance with Mother Nature - and finding that sometimes she even lets you lead.
Michigan State University's horticulture department stands out not only in its research and service to the horticulture industry, but also in its practicality and outreach. We teach people how to grow things and grow them better - be they professional growers or beginning gardeners.
The stories are good. The visual possibilities stunning.
If you'd like to come tour our acres of demonstration gardens, give me a call and I'll set you up.
Sue Nichols
Science Writer
(517) 355-2281
[email protected]
Perennial blooms on demand
Research at Michigan State University is working so gardeners don't need a crystal ball to create a perennial garden.
The problem lies in the vast array of little green plants that carpet nurseries in the spring. Because many annuals bloom in mid to late summer, the young plants give few clues as to what they'll look like once planted.
MSU has figured out how to make virtually any perennial bloom at prime buying time - a trick that stands to revolutionize the way consumers shop in the spring.
"Most people just getting into perennials don't know how they'll look in a garden," said Leslie Finical, a research graduate assistant in MSU's horticulture department. "Nursery employees spend a lot of time explaining what things will look like." To bloom, perennials need specific amounts of low temperatures, and precise photo periods - that being amounts of light. Once scientists document the precise formula for each plant, they share the secrets with growers and sellers.
"We develop a cookbook with what it takes to bring a plant out to flower," said William Carlson, professor of horticulture. "This cookbook means the consumer can see what he or she wants."
Contact: Will Carlson, (517) 355-5178.
Cactus can make a point even up north
Ah, spring, a time for gardeners in wintery climates to start planning a traditional garden of black-eyed Susans, lilly of the valley and prickly pear cactus.
Yeah, cactus.
Garden experts at MSU point out that cactus and other succulents are native even in cold climates and a few spikes might be just what an adventurous gardener needs.
"These plants aren't for the faint of heart," says MSU horticulturist Ann Hancock. "We're talking spines on these babies."
Cactus can be seen in the idea garden portion of the MSU Horticultural and Demonstration Gardens.
Contact: Ann Hancock (527) 355-6469.
Water gardens make a splash
Watering the garden isn't just a chore anymore -- it's a trend.
Water gardens are sweeping -- or rather seeping -- the country, according to Doug Badgero, MSU greenhouse manager.
"Like any other garden, there are many different kinds to chose from -- ones with hardy water lilies, ones with fish, tropical water gardens, waterfalls," Badgero said. "You can go all the way from a very inexpensive small desk-size water garden to one that is several acres."
Badgero has built three water gardens on campus and gives numerous lectures on the topic.
Contact: Doug Badgero, (517) 355-0348.
Gardeners masters of more than their own domain
If Johnny Appleseed were around today, he'd probably be a Master Gardener.
Michigan State University boasts one of the nation's top Master Gardener programs - teaching more than 10,000 green-thumbed folk not only the art and science of gardening, but how to share their expertise.
"We train people so they can go back into their communities and give their knowledge away to others," said Mary McLellan, head of MSU's Master Gardener program. "We've taught people in prisons, we've worked to give people in nursing homes who once had gardens garden again. We are the seeds and we are the waterers."
Contact: Mary McLellan, (517) 353-3774.
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