Grow More, Give More
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Home Horticulture team is bringing hands-on research to the world of home gardening. In the Grow More, Give More Home Garden Variety Trials, gardeners across the state gather critical data as they examine the performance of select plant varieties under Alabama conditions. This program is the first Alabama-specific variety trial program geared toward home gardening.
Program Goals
- Identify well-adapted vegetable, flower, herb, and other plant varieties for Alabama.
- Introduce gardeners to new and promising varieties.
- Engage gardeners in a hands-on citizen science project.
How it Works
Variety trials are wildly known and used in the agricultural industry, but home gardeners may not be as familiar with them. In these trials, gardeners grow and compare selected varieties in their own gardens. During the growing season, participants manage their own trials, collect simple data sets, and submit evaluations about each variety. This information includes each varieties’ germination, health, yield, appearance, and flavor.
Simultaneously, the Extension Home Horticulture team grows demonstration gardens with these same varieties. Through this, the team can provide up-to-date information to participants on what the plants should look like at different growth stages, observed disease and insect pressures, and timely management recommendations.
At the end of the season, these data sets are combined statewide to identify the top-performing varieties. This information helps gardeners make future decisions on planting the varieties that may perform best in their gardens. The hope is that the information also leads to higher yields, better flavor, and reduced reliance on chemical pest and disease control.
How to Participate
Gardeners may enroll in up to five trials each year of the program. Participants receive enough seed to plant a 10-foot row for each trial. There is currently no cost to participate. The 2026 variety trials are already underway. Information on how to participate in the 2027 trials will available later in the year.