Kansas State University

The Friends of The KSU Gardens have organized an annual fundraising gala for the past 11 years. This year’s theme was “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”. It was another successful event, raising more than $15,000 for The Gardens. These funds are used to support the hiring of student interns and gardeners to work year round on maintaining garden grounds.

Since there is only one full-time employee at The Gardens and more than six acres to maintain, student gardeners contribute many man hours of labor.  Interns working at The Gardens gain valuable experience managing a garden crew and working on special projects that further garden development. Continue reading “How the Garden Gala helps The Gardens grow” →

Iris bloom in May and The Gardens’ collection is usually at its peak around Mother’s Day.  If you missed the spectacular display this year, you can check out the range of colors and names on The Gardens’ website.

Each year, on the last Saturday in July, The Flint Hills Iris Society hosts an Iris sale in The Gardens.  Most of the Iris in the collection are represented at the sale each year.  So, be sure to bring your list of favorites and come early as they don’t last long.  All proceeds from the sale are used to improve The Gardens and its Iris collection.
Continue reading “Iris Sale from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, July 25, 2015” →

In the late 1980’s I was serving as the Riley County Extension Director and horticulture education was one of my responsibilities. I wrote a weekly column and had a weekly radio show that focused on all things horticultural. Dr. Paul Jennings, late head of the department of horticulture, approached me to organize a support group for the Kansas State University Gardens, which was just getting off the ground. I remembered the affect the original campus gardens had on me as a student at K-State. It was a place to go and relax, reflect and enjoy the beautifully landscaped garden. That original garden was replaced with a new campus building, leaving a real void for the campus and the community. Continue reading “Why I care about The Gardens” →

You may think of the word “endowment” as a financial term, but as many K-Staters will tell you, it’s actually a way to create a lasting legacy. When you establish an endowed fund, your gift is invested and managed in perpetuity. A portion of the investment earnings is distributed to a purpose you are most passionate about, while your original gift is preserved as principal. Continue reading “A gift that lives on” →

Mark your calendar for Friday, September 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. for “A September Stroll in The Gardens”. Experience The Gardens at their best and enjoy some light refreshments with family and friends.