KeyWee's Blog

Thursday 8/30/07 ~ Class #2 ~ Princeton, Kentucky

University of Kentucky Experimental Farm ~ 1700 acres of tests and trials to see what will do best in Zone 6b.

We spent the better part of the day in the blazing sun (yes, I have a rather odd-looking spot on my arm that I'm going to keep an eye on) inspecting maple trees for disease and desirability.  Since the trees were all the same age and planted on the same day, it's amazing how some adapt and some give up the ghost.  The trees are not babied, but allowed to "sink or swim" as conditions prevail.  This way, the best tree wins and others are eliminated for sale to local greenhouses.  I never knew there were so many kinds of maple tree and one was definitely a favorite of mine, just because it was so different-looking (I like weird).  It was called a hedge maple and the expert said it is practically immune to disease and pests, but does not grow as tall or have the large desirable canopy.  I loved it for its small, close-to-the-branch curly leaves.  So there you have it ~ my pick for the week!

Onward to the vegetable garden (yes, we had to travel by vehicle ~ 1700 acres is not walkable).  Here they were testing the effects of herbicide on tomatoes.  I know I can just hear you ~ HOW interesting!!  But it was, and we were allowed as many maters as we could carry.  Even though I have my own, I had to take some for "taste comparison" ~ mine are just as good haHA!

Wait, we're not finished ........ on to grapes, apples and bramble berries.  I have to admit I have never seen such large blackberries in my life. 

All in all a productive day and I feel I am learning something for my $80 ~ the doorstop manual alone is probably worth the cost.