NGB Members Host California Summer Vegetable Trials

Jennifer Zurko

Six vegetable breeding companies focusing on the fresh market and home garden segments are coming together to host Summer Vegetable Trials via Open Houses and Field Days in seven locations from August 10-21, 2015. Just like the long-standing California Spring Trials that are held annually in California during March or April, attendees will have the opportunity to visit breeding companies’ trial sites throughout the state. 

Customers, growers and the media should contact each company below to arrange their visit. Please note that not all stops are open all 11 days. Visits will focus on observing new varieties in a field or garden setting, learning about new breeding and marketing opportunities from the respective hosts.

National Garden Bureau (NGB), the non-profit organization promoting gardening on behalf of the horticulture industry, is pleased to organize and publicize this event on behalf of our members.
Individual companies hosting a Field Day or Open House during August are:

PanAmerican Seed
Dates: August 10–14, 2015
Appointments are mandatory, no drop-ins.
335 Briggs Road, Santa Paula
Crops featured: Vegetables and cut flowers, 2015 All-America Selections (AAS) ornamental trials
www.panamseed.com
PH: (630) 588-3429
Contact: Josh Kirschenbaum—jkirschenbaum@panamseed.com

Sakata Seed
Dates: August 10–14, 2015
Appointments are mandatory, no drop-ins.
105 Boronda Road, Salinas
Crops featured: Cool crops. 2015 AAS edible/vegetable and ornamental trials
www.sakatavegetables.com
PH: (831) 758-0505
Contact: info@sakata.com

Sakata Seed
Dates: August 12–14, 2015
Appointments are mandatory, no drop-ins.
12498 Country Road 100, Woodland
Crops featured: Warm crops
www.sakatavegetables.com
PH: (530) 458-7333
Contact: info@sakata.com

Seeds By Design/Terra Organics
Open House Date: August 21, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with noon luncheon
1024 Washington Street, Willows
Crops featured: Cucumber, herbs, squash, pumpkin, gourd, pepper, tomato, melon and watermelon; 2015 AAS edible/vegetable trials
www.seedsbydesign.com and www.terraorganics.com
PH: (530) 438-2126
Contact: Miles Rogers or Susan Birdseye—MilesR@seedsbydesign.com or SusanB@seedsbydesign.com

Seminis/Monsanto
Not the actual trial location, details will be provided after appointments are made.
Dates: August 11–13, 2015
Appointments are mandatory, no drop-ins.
2700 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard
Crops featured: Tomatoes, peppers, and latest launches including squash, lettuce and broccoli
www.seminis.com/global/us/products/Pages/Home-Gardeners.aspx
PH: (805) 918-2057
Contact: Rebecca Rehberg—rebecca.rehberg@monsanto.com

Syngenta at Syngenta Flowers
Dates: August 10–20, 2015
2280 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy
Crops featured: In-ground and patio trials featuring tomato, pepper, squash, beans, cantaloupe and watermelon; 2015 AAS ornamental trials
www.syngentafhg.com
PH: (408) 847-7333
Contact: Jeannine Bogard—jeannine.bogard@syngenta.com or syngenta.flowers-1@syngenta.com

Vegetalis/Floranova
Dates: August 10–13*, 2015
*Call to inquire about additional availability
222 North A Street, Lompoc
Crops featured: Full range of compact vegetables perfectly suited for patios and small spaces
http://vegetalis.co.uk/
PH: (574) 594-9284
Contact: Ashley Ransbottom—aransbottom@floranova.com

For more information about this program and/or membership in National Garden Bureau, please contact Diane Blazek at dblazek@aas-ngb.org. GT