Outdoor Classroom

Photograph by Mark McCoy

The University of Kentucky Demonstration & Trial Garden was developed by Purchase Area Master Gardeners (PAMGA) in 1999. Leased by PAMGA from McCracken County, the 1.5 acre plot is used as an outdoor classroom. A vegetable garden, small orchard, rain garden, and herb garden are currently featured.

 

Photograph by Mark McCoy

 

 

 

Raised beds, adopted by PAMGA members, demonstrate a variety of plants and designs, including daylilies, iris, daisies, herbs, patriotism and new this year, a fairy garden.

The garden is also used for plant trials, both for the UK Extension Service and PAMGA members. As part of a statewide effort, currently 10 plants of 20 varieties of annual and perennial bedding plants were installed in May and will be evaluated monthly by Master Gardeners until frost. The evaluations will be sent to the UK Extension Service to help determine how the plants will perform in the average home landscape.

 

 

                            

 Photographs by Mark McCoy                                                                                                                                                     

 

 

 

In the vegetable garden, PAMGA Members are trialing the Three Sisters method of growing corn, squash and beans, and experimenting with edible soybeans. Members are encouraged to try new plants and designs in their adopted beds.

At Twilight in the Garden, PAMGA volunteers will guide visitors through the garden and answer questions. Master Gardeners will demonstrate and explain various garden activities such as vermicomposting, propagation, fall gardening and gardening in very small spaces. Activities are also planned for children including the telling of the Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, and a garden scavenger hunt based on the stories.