New horticulture display graces campus entrance

Students, faculty and staff from Northwest's Department of Agriculture have put their green thumbs to use this summer by creating a group of display plots on about a quarter-acre of open land on the northeast corner of the Maryville campus.

Rego Jones, instructor of horticulture, said this is the first year for the display plots, located at the corner of 16^th Street and North College Drive, which he hopes will become a permanent fixture for many growing seasons to come.

The plots serve a dual purpose, Jones said, adding color to the campus' northeast entrance while serving as an example to local gardeners who may want to move beyond the most common varieties of garden fare and ornamental plants.

"This is not really a community garden in the traditional sense, but a place where people can experience diversity and take time to appreciate the tremendous variety of annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs that provide both beauty and nutrition in our Midwest climate," Jones said.

He added that while wholesale harvesting is forbidden, people are welcome to take samples -- such as a sprig of tarragon for a recipe, enough parsley to garnish a meal or a cucumber to cut up for a salad.

Besides flowers, ornamental plants, herbs and peppers, Northwest students and others have also planted watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, cucumbers and pumpkins.

"We only ask that people harvest in moderation and enjoy the wealth of benefits that plants create," Jones said.

Though grown with fertilizer and not technically organic, the plants are free from any chemical residue, and visitors are welcome to pinch, scratch, sniff and sample. Those viewing the vegetation should take care to avoid trampling shoots and stems and remember to leave their pets at home or in the car.

One plot has been designated a children's garden and contains plants with especially intriguing colors and shapes. Youngsters visiting the garden should be supervised by a parent, teacher or other responsible adult.

Students involved in the new horticulture display include Erin Gonseth of Brandon, S.D., and Sarah Hobbie of Dunbar, Neb. Additional assistance was provided by Agriculture Research Technician Carey Stroburg of Maryville.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone (660) 562-1704
Fax (660) 562-1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

Return to Previous Page