May / June, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Containers brimming with colorful flowers can brighten a patio, deck or walkway. The same containers can also yield a bounty of vegetables throughout the summer. Container gardening will be one of several topics on tap at the Master Gardener demonstration during Ag Expo, July 22-24 at Michigan State University.
"Container gardening is not limited to flowers," says Joyce Dankenbring, advanced Master Gardener and the demonstration coordinator. "You can grow vegetables, strawberries, lots of things in a pot out on your deck, patio or front walk."
In addition to demonstrating how to start and maintain container gardens, presenters will also discuss small-scale vegetable gardening and companion planting.
Companion plants are those that flourish when grown side by side or repel pests and predators. Parsley and asparagus do well when planted near each other, as do pole beans and corn, beets and onions, and broccoli and sage or peppermint.
"You can also plant things to attract birds or discourage birds and other pests," Dankenbring says. "For example, planting pumpkins with corn will keep the raccoons out."
The demonstration garden will also feature several unusual crops and perennials that many Michigan gardeners don't consider, such as climbing spinach, birdhouse gourds and dwarf sunflowers.
Master Gardeners will staff the Master Gardener tent, located on Ag Expo's "education row". Visitors can come and ask questions about flower or vegetable gardening and hear talks about garden-related topics. July 22 there will be a presentation on growing plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. During the July 23 show, visitors can learn to make fresh herbal salad with ingredients from their own gardens, including tomato and basil.
MSU educators -- from agronomists and agricultural engineers to foresters, veterinarians, animal scientists and others -- will staff exhibits on the main site. They will be on hand to discuss their work and share information on various aspects of farm business management and production.
Ag Expo will feature commercial farm equipment from throughout the Midwest and several Canadian provinces on the 35-acre main exhibition site and the 40-acre field demonstration area.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 22 and 23 (Tuesday and Wednesday) and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 24. All Ag Expo events and parking at Far Lane and Mt. Hope Road are free. For more information about Ag Expo, call 1-800-366-7055 or visit www.agexpo.msu.edu.
Agricultural Engineering
Michigan State University
A.W. Farrall Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1323
(517) 355-4720
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