Posted by Stephanie | Posted in Park Seed | Posted on 03-10-2008
Gardening. Outdoors. Horticulture. These are the three things I think of when it comes to my passions. My name is Chris Browne and I am the Trial Gardens Manager here at Park Seed. My passion for the horticulture industry was sparked by a summer landscaping job when I was only 14 years old. I found myself yearning for more knowledge about plants and why they grew the way they did. As each year went by, I promised myself to always find a summer job that would help grow my experience and understanding.
Upon graduating high school, I decided that I wanted to continue my education in this field. I therefore chose to go to Clemson University and study horticulture. My early interest in plants has developed into a full-time career in which I can honestly say that I learn something new every day.
The Trial Gardens here at Park Seed make up a 9-acre area that incorporates new varieties of annuals, perennials, and vegetables, along with other great varieties we choose to showcase in our catalog. In addition to the trial rows, we have developed permanent theme beds, which include the hummingbird and butterfly garden, the winter-interest garden, and the tropical garden.
At this point in the season, we are preparing the gardens for winter annuals. We are now cleaning up all of the summer annuals and will be planting the winter ones as soon as fall gets here.
I will be posting updates from time to time to keep you informed of the new and exciting things going on here. I look forward to the future of the Park Seed Trial Gardens as we continue to grow and develop new plants and new relationships.
I Have a question ? My grass in my yard has no root system. It comes out of the ground very easily ,yet i keep it watered and fertilized properly. What could be the problem.
Thanks,
Elmer Bray
Nice to meet you Chris, may you have years of enjoyment
in horticulture!ccI need to improve the soil in my
flower beds. Can I just put compost and black garden
soil over the perennials this fall?
I will enjoy reading your blog and watching you grow as the Parks Trial Gardens Manager. I hope you will include some pictures of developing beds along with successes and failures. In our home gardens we mark our successes and failures too and perhaps with your scope of acreage availability we can learn what might and might not work for us. I’d love to see pictures of the beds when first planted (I want instant gratification so I plant too close and in two weeks it’s a jungle!) and then as the growing progresses. I know your beds are much bigger than mine but it would give me an idea. Are you available for questions regarding our home gardens? I look forward to more from the new Parks Trial Gardens Manager, Chris. Congratulations and good luck, debbie
Welcome Aboard Chris!
Residing in zone 5/6 of Southwestern Pennsylvania, I’m partial to The Pennsylvania State University. Everyone else refers to it as “Penn State.”
Of course, Clemson also has excellent horticlture and agricultural sciences progams of study. We visited Clemson several years ago and were impressed by the campus.
Also, My Father and I enjoyed a provate tour hosted by your Bob Hill of Park Seed/Wayside Garden two years ago this month.
I have been a regular customer for years!
Congratulations and Best Wishes, Chris!
“B”
CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS ON THE PURSUIT OF A CAREER IN SOMETHING THAT YOU TRULY LOVE AND LEARN NEW THINGS DAILY!!! PARK SEED IS TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE YOU THERE AS TRIAL GARDENS MANAGER, NO DOUBT THAT YOU WILL BE AN ASSET TO THE CO. FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. HAVING KNOWN YOU FOR A VERY LONG TIME, I LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING YOUR CAREER PROGRESS. WILL LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO ASK MY GARDENING QUESTIONS VIA E-MAIL AND KNOWING THAT I WILL RECEIVE ACCURATE AND PROMPT ANSWERS.
BEST OF LUCK!
Congratulations on your new position at Park! We need help with our beds in our front yard. What grows well in our parched soil in full sun?? Also,
how long does it take to grow snow peas??Thanks.Dexter and Mary Anne
Chris, Congrats on the great job! I am so glad that you are doing what you love! I enjoyed reading your blog. ME
Answer to Elmer Bray’s question: I would suggest taking a soil sample to Clemson University and following their nutrient guidelines. Their number is 1-888-656-9988.
Answer to Rita’s question: Yes, this is something that will work, but you want to make sure to wait until they go dormant before covering them up, or you can just work around them. Might I suggest the organic soil we offer here at Park Seed?
To Debbie: We will be updating the journal periodically throughout the year with pictures and more information, so continue to check in with us from time to time.
To Barry: Thank you for your business!
To Love to Garden: Thank you for your support! Continue to follow along as we will have new updates on a weekly basis.
To Mary Anne: Depending on the variety, snow peas usually take somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 days.
To Mary Elisabeth: Thanks! Please continue to follow the blog for new and exciting things.