Insect/Weed Identification and Soil Sampling Included
SPRING HILL, Tenn. – Finding the answers to those prickly garden questions may be as easy as making a short drive to the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center on Tuesday, June 12.
That day the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture will host its 5th annual Fruits of the Backyard field day. This event is free and open to all. It will feature three gardening workshops and new this year, a plant and pest identification center
staffed by plant pathologists and entomologists from UT. Bring along those insects or weeds that are spoiling your lawn and garden, and these experts will diagnose your problem and recommend treatments.
Another new feature is a free test of your soil’s pH levels provided by the UT Extension Soil, Plant & Pest Center. Just be sure to bring your soil sample! For directions on how to collect your sample go to
http://soilplantandpest.utk.edu or call your local UT Extension county office.
Fruits of the Backyard begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration and a chance to tour the industry trade show, educational displays and research fruit orchards. The first presentation begins at 9:30 when Wendel Smith, UT Extension agent, Lawrence County, explains
how to prepare your soil before you plant.
Following Smith, UT Extension Vegetable Specialist, Dr. Annette Wszelaki will lead a presentation on “Creative Container Gardening.” The final presentation is titled “Harvesting Sunlight – Grape Trellising Systems.” It will be delivered by UT Fruit and Nut
Specialist Dr. David Lockwood.
A question and answer session will follow each presentation. Area farmers will also be on hand to respond to questions. Fruits of the Backyard will conclude at 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit the website,
http://middletennessee.tennessee.edu or call 931-486-2129.
The Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center is one of 10 research facilities operated across the state by UT AgResearch and is located on Highway 31, just minutes south of Nashville. Take exit 53 from I-65 and follow the signs to Columbia. The Research
and Education Center is on the east side of Hwy. 31.
UT AgResearch is one of four units in the UT Institute of Agriculture. In addition to its agricultural research programs, UTIA also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the
UT College of Veterinary Medicine and UT Extension offices in every county in the state.