The UGA Research and Education Garden is a 65-acre facility located on the UGA Griffin Campus that is dedicated to the development, evaluation, and delivery of science-based management practices for southern landscapes. The Garden provides a unique blend of mission-oriented research and education. Classroom facilities are complimented with a backdrop of theme gardens, turfed areas, active research plots, and a growing urban arboretum. Together, these provide an enhanced learning environment for landscape and nursery professionals, homeowners, gardening enthusiasts, garden club members, students, and other lifelong learners.
Research
A variety of research projects are routinely conducted within the confines of the UGA Research and Education Garden. Project leaders are CAES scientists and their cooperators and include such topics as biodiversity, plant variety evaluation and selection, management of insect and weed pests, conservation of pollinators and natural enemies, and best management practices for landscapes and home gardens.
Some current projects in the Garden are:
- Pollinator and Natural Enemy Conservation Study – S.K. Braman & B. Pennisi
- Azalea Breeding, Evaluation, and Selection – C. Robacker
- Roadside Weed Management Project – P. McCullough
- Commercial Blueberry Variety Evaluation, Selection, and Management – S. Nesmith
- Edible Landscape Blueberry Variety Development – S. Nesmith
- USDA National Germplasm System Warm-Season Grass Biomass Clonal Collection – M. Dunn
- Evaluation of Ornamental Grasses for Nursery and Landscape Industries – W. Hanna, S.K. Braman, & B. Schwartz
- Momi Fir as a Viable Christmas Tree Alternative or Root Stock for Frasir Fir in the Southeast – M. Czarnota
- Turfgrass Weed Management Study – P. McCullough
- Insect Pest Management in Turfgrasses – S.K. Braman
- Identification of Pest-Resistant Turfgrasses – S.K. Braman, P. Raymer, W. Hannah, & B. Schwartz
- Tolerance of Selected Ornamental Annuals and Perennials to Herbicides – M. Czarnota
- Daylily Rust Management – J. Buck
- Plant Growth Regulator Impacts on Ornamental Shrub Growth Characteristics – M. Czarnota
- Squash Pest Suppression Potential for Home Gardens and Small Market Vegetable Growers – S.K. Braman
- Raised Bed Vegetable Production Feasibility Study – R. Westerfield
- Evaluation of Canna Lily Varieties for Insect Pest and Natural Enemy Occurrence – S.K. Braman
- Insect Pest Management on Knockout Roses – S.K. Braman
- Chinese Privet Using Selected Herbicide Paints – M. Czarnota
Education
The Garden Education Building in the UGA Research and Education Garden houses the Joyce G. Latimer Classroom with a maximum capacity of 42. The classroom and the building are used daily for workshops, classes, and various civic and community activities.
The Garden is routinely used as an outdoor teaching facility. Instructors on the UGA Griffin Campus, as well as Southern Crescent Technical College, use the Garden for plant identification and landscape management classes. Faculty also offer educational workshops on many topics including plant propagation, pruning, and rain harvesting. Workshops are attended by homeowners and professional landscapers. Certification testing for the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional program is periodically held at the garden.
Each year, graduates of the 2007 UGA Griffin Campus Master Gardener organize and conduct workshops for home gardeners and a day camp for educating children ages 7-11 on plant production and management, environmental topics, and other exploratory programs. The workshops and day camps are taught by certified Master Gardeners or other experts in the appropriate field.
Community
The Garden hosts family-oriented community events that are free and open to the public. These events include kite flying, art exhibits, Scarecrows in the Garden, and celestial viewings with the local Flint River Astronomy Club. The annual April Plant Sale and Open House is organized by the Friends of the Research and Education Garden, a non-profit group that supports the Garden and its programs. This group also conducts an on-line plant sale each fall and hosts a visit to the Garden by Santa and Mrs. Claus for kids of all ages.
The Garden is open to the public every non-holiday weekday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm from May through October.
For more information contact wgardner@uga.edu.