Hi All,

Check out organicgardening.com's new blog on the homepage! I thought our readers would be interested to see what happens at the official OG test garden each summer and get some fresh ideas for organic living. Drop by and feel free to comment. Thanks!

Abby
assistant editor
organicgardening.com

I liked your blog. I especially enjoyed the photos. So that is an official test garden at OG? You are otherwise an apartment dweller?

Thanks, Abby for bringing this to my attention! I really enjoyed reading/looking at the photos...everything look beautiful!

Exactly right, wasrabbity- the photo slideshows I post weekly are from the official OG Test Garden- where we try different varieties of plants, new techniques, etc...
I go every wednesday morning and meet Pam there- who is the Test Garden Manager and also writes for the magazine.
I am stuck in an apartment with no lawn- but fortunately my town just started a community garden this summer and I have a plot! Photos of the plot are in an earlier post in the blog- which reminds me- I need to go water!

Very sweet.
I'm curious about the fennel you picked?
I didn't see a photo of it, or get the scoop on why it's in the test garden, what variety, special growing techniques used, harvest times, replanting (second crop), Pam's POV...??

I love the "newbie gardener" meets the "master gardener" @ the test garden element/angle of your blog. You must wear Pam out with all your questions. I know I would.

Happy Gardening!

Hey cool! Thanks, that's a great idea!

Hey Purplebean-

Here is a photo of the fennel:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ogmag/649398436/
I started a flickr account for the pictures I take at the OG test garden... I take so many that I thought having little slideshows within the posts on my blog would work out well- except that people with slow connections never get to see the slideshows (sorry, mom) so I will have to experiment till I find the right way to show everyone.
Anyways- as you can see, the variety is "Trevil," we didn't use any special techniques (that I know of) I know the seeds were started in the greenhouse, and we just harvested the first bulbs last wednesday. I will have to get Pam's input on it...
And yes, I really do wear Pam out with questions- fortunately she is very patient with me .
Thanks for the encouragement, and check back soon!

Thanks Abby for your reply and link!
Lovely pics, by the way.
So, what did you end up making with the "Trevil Fennel??"

I had to chuckle to myself when you wrote about being sent to the tool shed/barn (to fix the cart)...maybe so Pam could have a breather and think?? lol!

I'm sure I'd be sent to the shed every other question!

Good Luck!

well...check out my most recent post- "fennel frustration"- maybe you have some pointers.

Hey Purplebean-

I talked to Pam and she's open to answer some gardening queries- got anything you'd like to know about? (Or anyone else for that matter!) I will post her article on her blog!

Abby

Abby -

Is your test garden the one I see signs for on Rte. 222 between Allentown and Kutztown? I've always wondered what sort of "testing" took place there! Ha!

Good question!
That is a part of Rodale but not where the OG Test Garden is located. The garden you are referring to belongs to the Rodale Institute- you can find out more about it here:
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/
Pam actually started her seeds in their greenhouse this year. The garden I work in is located off Cedar Crest Blvd, in Emmaus.

My old stomping grounds - I know it well!

Where am I going to see all this? I went to organicgardening.com. Then where? Test gardens? How do I get there from here? duh!!

Hi Pea-

Here is the link for my blog, which features my lastest trip to the OG Test Garden on wednesday:
http://www.goodnplanty.com/

and if you want to see all of the pictures at once, check out the pictures at Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ogmag/

Hope that answered your question!
-abby