UW-Madison Hosts Free Garden Event with Expert Talks

By Blake Jackson

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Spooner Agricultural Research Station will host its popular Twilight Garden Tour on Thursday, August 21, from 4:00 p.m. until dusk.

This free, family-friendly event will be held at the station’s teaching and display garden at 780 Orchard Lane, just off Highway 70 east of Spooner.

The evening will feature guided tours, educational presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on displays. Visitors can explore ongoing research projects involving hazelnuts, honeyberries, and table grapes. Honeyberries, known for their unique flavor a blend of blueberry and raspberry will be among the featured crops.

The garden also serves as an official All-America Selections (AAS) display garden, showcasing award-winning flowers, vegetables, and grapes. It has earned several national honors in the AAS Landscape Design contest.

Attendees are encouraged to bring plant, insect, or disease samples or clear photos for expert identification and advice. Staff from UW-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), the Division of Extension, and local garden volunteers will be available to answer gardening questions and offer guidance.

This year’s speaker lineup includes:

• Julie Dawson, associate professor and extension specialist, will share updates on organic variety trials from the Seed to Kitchen project.
• PJ Liesch, entomologist and director of the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab, will discuss insect pests expected in 2025.
• Steffen Mirsky, outreach coordinator for emerging crops with Extension’s Agriculture Institute, will highlight new crops under study.

The Spooner Agricultural Research Station, UW’s northernmost research site, spans 383 acres and supports studies on short season crops like oats, barley, soybeans, alfalfa, corn, and forage grasses.

Those needing disability accommodation should email ars_accommodation@cals.wisc.edu at least 10 days before the event. Same-day requests will be accommodated as best as possible.

For more details, email spooner@cals.wisc.edu, call (715) 635-3735, or visit spooner.ars.wisc.edu.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-johnbraid