LONDON, Ohio -- With the downturn in the economy and the move toward healthier, locally produced foods, more Ohio homeowners are interested in growing their own backyard fruits. They'll be happy to learn that it isn't hard to get started and they can learn how at Farm Science Review.
Gary Gao, an Ohio State University Extension educator in agriculture and natural resources, will present a session at the Utzinger Garden on blackberries and raspberries, two of the most popular small fruits being grown in Ohio. The session will be on Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. The Farm Science Review will take place Sept. 21-23 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio.
"There is tremendous interest right now to grow brambles," said Gao, "and homeowners have access to all kinds of varieties. Brambles are beginner-grower friendly. It just takes a little management input, time and patience."
Gao's presentation is one of 15 educational sessions being offered at Utzinger Garden that focuses on gardening and horticulture techniques. Other topics include heirloom tomatoes, pruning woody plants, getting started in beekeeping, weed identification, controlling garden diseases, and picking the best annuals and perennials. A complete schedule can be found at http://fsr.osu.edu/scheduleutzinger.html.
Utzinger Garden is located along Friday Avenue of the Farm Science Review exhibitor grounds.
In addition to the educational sessions, organizers are bringing back the popular Millin', Chillin', and Grillin' event, which emphasizes gardening through the joy of what Utzinger offers and the expertise of the horticulturists who maintain it.
Millin, Chillin', and Grillin' will be held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. The Millin' portion of the event will be held Sept. 21 and will feature horticulturists from Ohio State University and Master Gardener volunteers who will be on hand to answer visitor questions on gardening, insect and disease issues and other plant-related information from perennials to lawn care to fruits and vegetables.
The Chillin' portion of the event will be held Sept. 22 and will give visitors the opportunity to relax in Utzinger Garden while enjoying music performed by area musicians.
The Grillin' portion of the event will held Sept. 23. Clark County Master Gardeners will be grilling up some seasonal fruits and vegetables and other tasty treats. Visitors are invited to stop by for some sampling.
Farm Science Review is sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. It attracts upwards of 140,000 visitors from all over the country and Canada, who come for three days to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, and learn the latest in agricultural research, conservation, family and nutrition, and gardening and landscape.
Farm Science Review pre-show tickets are now on sale for $5 at all OSU Extension county offices. Tickets will also be available at local agribusinesses. Tickets are $8 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21-22 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23.
For more information, log on to http://fsr.osu.edu. For the latest news and updates, follow Farm Science Review on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/OhioStateFSR), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/FarmScienceReview), and Ning (http://fsrosu.ning.com).