Over the Garden Fence: Farm Science Review has variety

The journey to London, Ohio, was touched by some fog. No problem when you are headed for the Farm Science Review.

It is a good thing that folks at the gate handed us a bright yellow tote bag. At the end of the day’s visit we were packing many educational items, seeds for a bee garden, a couple of cookbooks and a bag of chips from the Ohio Soybean Council.

Usually our exploration begins in the soy exhibit area where we can see soy byproducts, and talk with representatives.

We picked up this year’s Soyfoods Guide. The Pizza Stuffed Peppers recipe is coming soon to our table. As we meandered through the streets, we headed for the Utzinger Memorial garden area. Master Gardeners prepare and maintain this area, and several lectures were scheduled at the gazebo. Since we attended on Wednesday, we were in time for Small Space Gardening with Greg Meyer, Warren County Extension agent. Focused on veggies, he encouraged using sunny areas. “Water is important, but forget rototillers which destroy soil structure,” he said. His point was to use one before planting and at the end of the season. He cited containers and bush varieties as an aid to conserving space. Forget rows; distribute seeds in small areas, thinning later.

Garden and insect photography followed. Danae Wolf from Summit County pointed out that insects are easier to photograph in the morning or when the air is cooler. Insects move much more slowly then. Go out with patience and without expectations.

You will find surprises. Photographs exhibited her skills at capturing close-ups.

We made the walk toward the wagons to take us to the Gwynne Conservation area stopping to choose a Gala apple on the way. Joy Lauthers wanted to catch the Composting presentation, while Cheryl Corney and I stopped by the Ohio Nut Growers tent. We learned that the Ohio Pawpaw Growers Association, with Dr. Ron Powell, has undertaken a phrenology study working with schools, and children.

Grabbing three handouts, I agreed to contact him in the hope that the presence of the pawpaw trees at Wynford’s Royal Woods, might provide support for the study. We caught the share session on bats, and grabbed many tracts from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources exhibit area. Invasive plants, viburnum beetles, managing quail, gypsy moths, ash borers, timber sale or marketing, Asian long-horned beetles, ticks and non-native plants affecting the health of land areas.

After the sharing on plant investigation, we walked along Conservation Avenue and found ourselves at Beck’s Hybrids where we enjoyed a bag of popcorn and a cup of cider. Further, we came to a building on Wheat Street where the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives had completed its microwave demonstration. We were invited to sample several items, including a yummy couscous dish with roasted almonds and a flavor of apricot-rosemary chicken. A chip dip, vegetables in orange sauce, oatmeal bread, and a chocolate lava cake took the edge off our late afternoon appetite.

Although the poster on kudzu vine and its ability to grow one foot per day concerned me, this sunny day brought many pleasant educational experiences.

Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth-grade teacher.