University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture

09/28/2026

This summer and fall, the Rudolph Lab conducted a pumpkin cultivar trial at our Horticulture Research Farm. They grew nine Jack o’ lantern cultivars with different shapes, sizes, and colors to observe their growth and development.

See all cultivars grown at the farm in the third slide for inspiration as you choose your own cultivar! Back row, left to right: ‘The Boss’, ‘Rocket’, ‘Early Giant’, ‘Renegade’, ‘Spicy Mocha’, and ‘Kratos’. Front row, left to right: ‘Mellow Yellow’, ‘Ghost Town’, and ‘Racer’.

09/08/2026

Our Horticulture Research Farm recently hosted the Appropriate Tools & Technologies field day! We had great attendance, great food and great support!

08/31/2026

Extension Associate Shari Dutton led a fantastic walk-n-talk about AAS Winning Plants trial plants at the Arboretum with Jesse Dahl, Arboretum Grounds and Facilities Superintendent. Shari and Jesse highlighted all the winners in the trial: ornamentals, cuts flowers, and edible plants! 🌻

08/05/2026

Really excited about this publication by our colleagues over in the University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture! Just in time to start prepping for this winter!
https://ccd.uky.edu/news/new-guide-helps-growers-prepare-severe-weather

08/05/2026

⭐ New Pub Alert ⭐

🍅 If you are using a high tunnel or greenhouse structure to support extended-season growth of indeterminate tomatoes, check out the latest publication from the UK Greenhouse and Controlled-Environment Agriculture (CEA) group, in collaboration with UK Plant Pathology.

🍅 Growers interested in grafting or early seedling development may consult another guide from the group, which also includes a teaching activity to help beginners understand young plant development and identify issues that may affect mature plant productivity.

Learn more about these publications here 👉 https://ccd.uky.edu/news/new-greenhouse-tomato-resources-published

07/28/2026

We had an amazing workshop at the South Farm last Tuesday (7/21) with Common Earth Gardens Urban Farm (https://www.facebook.com/CommonEarthGardens) discussing use of interpreters when hosting events for specialty crop growers. Chef Tanya at the Food Connection (https://www.facebook.com/ukfoodconnect) created an amazing meal using ingredients sourced from local farms. We even squeezed in a farm tour!

07/13/2026

07/10/2026

We had a great seed entrepreneurship workshop yesterday at RCARS! We covered basics of laws and regulations and considerations of equipment. 🌱

Shawn Wright and Jack Keith from RCARS (https://www.facebook.com/ukrobinsoncenter) demonstrated seed cleaners and Steph Hamborsky from Grow Appalachia (https://www.facebook.com/GrowAppalachia) demonstrated an air screen cleaner.

07/07/2026

Learn the Basics of Seed Farming & Entrepreneurship this coming Thursday!

Are you a farmer or technical service provider interested in learning more about seed farming as an additional farm enterprise?

Join the University of Kentucky and Berea College’s Grow Appalachia on Thursday, July 9th, from 9am to 12pm ET at the Robinson Center’s Wood Utilization Center at 130 Robinson Road in Jackson, KY.

During this workshop, Cindy Finneseth, Assistant Professor of Community Horticulture at UK, will teach attendees the basics of seed entrepreneurship (regulations, considerations, required equipment, etc.). Participants will then break out into rotations to try out seed-processing and cleaning equipment and learn about hot-water treatment to prevent seed-borne diseases. Finally, we will wrap up the workshop in the field and learn about seed production with UK Extension Specialist Shawn Wright.

Breakfast, snacks, and beverages will be provided for attendees.

The workshop is free! Register now at: bit.ly/seedfarming2026

07/03/2026

Learn the Basics of Seed Farming & Entrepreneurship

Are you a farmer or technical service provider interested in learning more about seed farming as an additional farm enterprise?
Join the University of Kentucky and Berea College's Grow Appalachia on Thursday, July 9th, from 9am to 12pm ET at the Robinson Center's Wood Utilization Center at 130 Robinson Road in Jackson, KY.
During this workshop, Cindy Finneseth, Assistant Professor of Community Horticulture at UK, will teach attendees the basics of seed entrepreneurship (regulations, considerations, required equipment, etc.). Participants will then break out into rotations to try out seed-processing and cleaning equipment and learn about hot-water treatment to prevent seed-borne diseases. Finally, we will wrap up the workshop in the field and learn about seed production with UK Extension Specialist Shawn Wright.
Breakfast, snacks, and beverages will be provided for attendees.
The workshop is free! Register now at: bit.ly/seedfarming2026