AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms will host a series of Demonstration Garden Field Days beginning July 22.
Among the plants featured at the gardens will be a colored pepper trial, grafted tomatoes, raised tomato beds and “giant” vegetables and flowers. Cindy Haynes, an associate professor of horticulture, will lead the field days, provide information on the plants and answer general gardening questions. Many of the research farms also will feature related research or other aspects of the farm during each field day.
The field days are free and open to the public. They take place rain or shine.
The Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm (53020 Hitchcock Ave., Lewis) is the site of the first field day July 22 at 6:30 p.m. The farm is located 12 miles southwest of Atlantic on Highway 6, half a mile south on 525th Street and a half mile east on Hitchcock Avenue; or 13 miles east of Oakland on Highway 6, half a mile south on 525th Street and half a mile east on Hitchcock Avenue.
The Armstrong farm contains livestock and those visiting it are asked to take a few precautions: change clothing and footwear after being at another livestock operation; and refrain from bringing any food items to the farm. Those who have recently returned from a trip abroad are asked to wait five days before visiting the farm. If you have any questions about the precautions, call the Research and Demonstration Farms office at (515) 294-5045.
Rock Rapids will be the site of the second field day at 6 p.m. July 23. It will take place at the Lyon County Fairgrounds off South Fifth Avenue.
Two field days are scheduled for Aug. 6, both at 6:30 p.m., at the Northern Research and Demonstration Farm (310 S. Main St., Kanawha), located just south of Kanawha on county road R35, and the Horticulture Research Station (55519 170th St., Ames). The Horticulture Research station is three miles north of Ames on Highway 69, east on 170th Street and about one and a half miles on the north side of the road.
On Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m., the Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm will host its garden field day. It is located at 111 North St. in Fruitland.
The last field day will be at 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm (3321 290th St., Nashua). It is located one mile west of the Highway 218 and B60 intersection in Nashua, one mile south and a quarter mile east.