ISHS Acta Horticulturae 641: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: The Knowledge Business: Horticulture Education and Knowledge Transfer
DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF AN ORNAMENTAL TEACHING GARDEN AT THE INDIAN RIVER RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA |
| Authors: | S.B. Wilson, L.A. Krumfolz, J. Gersony |
| Keywords: | education, outdoor laboratory, environmental horticulture, instruction |
| Abstract:
In 1997, a new University of Florida (UF) teaching program was established at the Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC), Fort Pierce, FL, USA. Increased student enrollment and the need for hands-on laboratory activities outdoors inspired the idea of transforming a 0.81 ha piece of fallow land into a teaching garden. The north half of the garden was developed as a subtropical fruit demonstration block displaying 88 specimens of mango, lychee, avocado, citrus and other tropical fruit. The south half of the garden was designed as an ornamental display garden. Site preparation required elevating the plot, installing an underground French-style drainage system, and creating berms for accent and definition. The 8-zone irrigation system was professionally designed for maximum versatility and appropriate water usage. The walking areas of the garden (approximately 740 m2) were sprigged with seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum ‘Sea Isle 1’) selected for its drought tolerance, wear tolerance and chinch bug resistance. Features of the ornamental teaching garden include a pond containing native aquatic plants, a rose garden, and a collection of salt tolerant species. In addition, students enrolled in Florida Native Landscaping and Annual and Perennial courses designed and installed a native plant garden and an annual and perennial display entrance. For teaching purposes, all plants are identified by family, genus, species, and common name. The garden is intended to serve as an outdoor teaching laboratory available to many classes offered at IRREC. It also serves as an ideal location for variety trial testing, master gardener training, as well as leisurely visits from the general public. | |
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