By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University’s Horticulture Research and Demonstration Gardens are marking their 20th anniversary with a special celebration on July 29. The community is invited to join a day of learning, fun, and floral beauty in Fargo, North Dakota.
Located at 12th Avenue North and 18th Street, the NDSU Gardens serve as a living classroom focused on regional plants, environmental care, and plant conservation. Featured collections include vibrant annual flowers, ornamental grasses, sustainable plants, native pollinator habitats, and the country’s largest public display of daylily cultivars.
“We’ve been working hard to prepare the gardens and they will be a feast for the eyes,” said Esther McGinnis, NDSU Extension horticulturist.
The event begins at 1:30 p.m. with free indoor workshops at the NDSU Peltier Complex. Topics include gardening tips, the gardens' history, and daylily insights. Pre-registration is required due to limited space.
Outdoor festivities kick off at 4 p.m. with a special announcement at 4:15 p.m. Walking tours of the gardens will take place at 4:30 p.m. and again at 6:45 p.m. A light meal will be served at 5 p.m. while supplies last.
At 5:30 p.m., Don Kinzler will present a live demonstration on growing healthy annual flowers. Educational booths for all ages will feature topics like emerald ash borer awareness, NDSU tree varieties, cereal crop origins, weed identification, and pollinator care. Extension Master Gardeners will also answer gardening questions.
Children can enjoy a live sheep learning station from 4 to 6 p.m., highlighting the gardens' partnership with the NDSU Sheep Unit. The unit supplies composted manure, helping enrich the garden soils.
The event will also collect fresh produce and canned goods for the Fargo Emergency Food Pantry.
Live jazz by the Ryne Ortez Trio at 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. will conclude the celebration.
“The NDSU Sheep Unit and the garden developed an unexpected but mutually beneficial collaboration,” said McGinnis. “Faced with a waste product, the Sheep Unit offered its composted manure to the gardens. We gratefully accepted this offer and used the composted manure as a soil amendment for our depleted flower beds.”
“Whether you’re a lifelong gardener, a curious beginner or just looking for a beautiful evening out, this 20th anniversary celebration has something for everyone,” said McGinnis.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-artiemedvedev
Categories: North Dakota, Business