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Five questions: Having a field day

By Staff | Jul 16, 2013

Kansas State Research and Extension Horticulture Center director Alan Stevens, pointing and wearing a white shirt, shares information about the Prairie Star test plot during a past field day at the center. This year's field day will be Saturday July 27 at the center about 7 miles west of Olathe. File photo

The 16th annual Kansas State Research and Extension Horticulture Center Field Day will be July 27. Alan Stevens, the center’s director, explains what visitors to the center near Olathe can expect during the field day.

Q. When is the field day?

A. It will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27, rain, shine or scorching hot. The $5 admission includes bottled water, seminars, classes in air-conditioned rooms and demonstrations. Lunch will be available at an added cost.

Q. How many people attend?

A. We’ve had as few as 400 and as many as 1,400. We typically have from 500 to 600 people.

Q. What is the purpose of the center and the field day?

A. Kansas State Research and Extension develops its list of recommended grass, flower and vegetable varieties at the center’s test plots. The field day is the public’s chance to get a peek at that process, talk to experts and learn about the latest varieties and methods tested at the farm, which the gardeners can then apply to their own efforts.

Q. What classes will be available?

A. We’ll have six classroom classes. They will include: Growing a Monet-inspired iris garden, 9 a.m.; growing cut flowers, 10:15 a.m.; making quick and easy jellies, 11:15 a.m.; improving garden soils; 12:15 p.m.; native pollinators; 1:15 p.m.; and must-have perennials that thrive in the Midwest, 2:15 p.m.

Q. Where is the research center?

A. It’s on the east side of the closed Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant at 35230 W. 135th St. It’s about 9 miles west on 135th Street of Kansas Highway 7 or 4 miles south of the Kansas Highway 10/Kill Creek Road intersection on Homestead Road. Signs will be posted.