UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials to host Spring 2019 Open House Ratings Days at UC Davis

Landscape and horticulture professionals are invited to evaluate the UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials' current trial plants on one of its Open House Ratings Days, Tuesday or Wednesday morning, April 30 or May 1.

UC LPITTM evaluates plants for low water-use over two years. It irrigates plants regularly during the first summer after planting, then assesses performance during the second growing season on three irrigation treatments corresponding to the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) levels of Low, Moderate and High. Growth and quality ratings are collected by researchers during this period. The Open House allows landscape and horticultural industry professionals and educators the opportunity to see these new offerings and share with them your opinions and preferences by rating a representative sample of the plants in the field. See what it’s all about here.

This trials site is located south of the main UC Davis campus on Old Davis Road – event parking is free. A reminder email will be sent to attendees a week before the event with detailed directions and instructions. Participation will entail recording quality ratings for one individual per treatment for each species/cultivar, providing industry members the opportunity to evaluate the performance of each species across all treatments without rating every plant in the field.

The ratings take roughly 60 to 100 minutes to complete and participants may arrive any time between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. The event is free, but space is limited, so attendees must register by filling out the survey.

Participation is voluntary and is open to landscape and nursery professionals, academics/educators, garden writers and UC Master Gardeners. If you have any questions please contact Karrie Reid at skreid@ucanr.edu and copy Jared Sisneroz at jasisneroz@ucdavis.edu.

Attendees should wear sturdy, comfortable shoes, as the fields are packed dirt. They may also want to pack sunscreen and wear a hat, as most plants are in full sun. Carpooling is encouraged, but not required.  At the trial site, participants will be provided a ratings sheet, writing implement and given general instructions when you arrive. Cold water will be provided.

Register here

Download flier here