What is a now a yearly tradition, vegetable breeding companies dealing in the Fresh Market and Home Garden segments are hosting the Summer Vegetable Trials via Open Houses and Field Days. This event is hosted by six participating breeders from August 12-16, 2019. Those breeders are listed below and on the Veggie Trials website. Modeled after the long-standing CA Spring Trials that are held annually in California during the spring, attendees will have the opportunity to visit breeder company trial sites throughout the state in the middle of August.
Customers, growers, seed companies and the media should contact each company below to arrange their visit. Please note that not all stops are open all days. Visits will focus on observing new varieties in a field or garden setting and learning about new breeding and marketing opportunities from respective hosts.
National Garden Bureau, the non-profit organization promoting gardening on behalf of the horticulture industry, organizes and publicizes this event on behalf of its members. As a bonus, many locations also host the All-America Selections Edible trials.
Individual companies hosting a Field Day or Open House during August are:
Bejo Seeds, Oceano, CA
- Crops featured: Cabbage (Chinese, Red, Savoy, White), Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Cucumber, Endive, Fennel, Gherkin, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Onion, Parsley, Pak Choi, Peppers, Radish, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Tomato, Zucchini,
- http://www.bejoseeds.com/bejo-seeds-inc
- PH: 267-838-0078
- Dates: August 12-16, 2019
- Appointments are mandatory, no drop-ins
- Contact: Chelsey Lenczyk
PanAmerican Seed, Woodland, CA (Contact for location address)
- Crops featured: Vegetables
- www.panamseed.com
- PH: 541-914-5548
- Dates: August 12 – 16, 2019
- Appointments are mandatory, no drop-ins.
- Contact: Josh Kirschenbaum
Sakata Seed America, 105 Boronda Road, Salinas, CA
- Crops featured: Cool crops. 2019 AAS Edible/Vegetable and Ornamental Trials.
- http://www.sakatavegetables.com/
- PH: 408.782.5379
- Dates: August 19-21, 2019
- Appointments are mandatory, no drop-ins.
- Contact: Jiana Escobar
Sakata Seed America, 13459 County Road 100, Woodland, CA 95776
- Crops featured: Warm crops
- http://www.sakatavegetables.com/
- PH: 408.782.5379
- Dates: August 14-16, 2019
- Appointments are mandatory, no drop-ins.
- Contact: Jiana Escobar
Seeds By Design, 4599 Mc Dermott Road, Maxwell, CA 95955
- Crops featured: Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Melon, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Pumpkin, Watermelon, Herb and Sunflower.
- Dates: Summer Trials and 25th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, August 16, 2019
- www.seedsbydesign.com
- PH: 530-438-2126 for appointments
- Contact: Miles Rogers or Susan Birdseye
Seminis/Monsanto/Bayer Home Garden
- Crops featured: Vegetable Trials, 2019 AAS Edible Trial and Ornamental Trials
- 37437 State Highway 16
- Woodland, CA 95695
- www,seminis-us.com/home-garden
- Contact: Tyler Ash
- PH: 530-631-9927
- Dates: August 12-16, 2019
- RSVP to schedule a time
Syngenta at Syngenta Flowers, 2280 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA
- Crops featured: In-ground and patio trials featuring tomato, pepper, squash, beans, cantaloupe and watermelon. 2019 AAS Ornamental and Edible Trials.
- www.syngentafhg.com
- PH: 408-847-7333
- Dates: August 12-16, 2019
- Contact: Jeannine Bogard or syngenta.flowers-1@syngenta.com
NGB Member American Takii is holding a Sunflower Open House in August
- http://www.takii.com/
- PH: 630-885-6579
- Contact: Allison Zeeb
- Date: Open house on August 13, 2019 but visits welcome August 12-16, 2019.
- Appointments are not mandatory but are appreciated.
For more information:
National Garden Bureau
Diane Blazek
blazekdiane@gmail.com
ngb.org