Re: Terrific Story & Photo Opportunity

**D* C* <d*@juno.com>**

On Tue, 3 Aug 2004 19:28:48 -0500 "Doreen Howard"
<gardendiva@charter.net> writes:
> Today, Nona Koivula, Executive Director of Al-America Selections, and 
> her
> staff visited Rotary Gardens in Janesville, WI to see 165 AAS 
> winners from
> 1933 to 2005. 

Presumably the now almost forgotten First Lady marigold is there. Put
that up against Inca in a home garden and there is little contest. But
sadly, Inca blooms earlier in the pack.

I have serious concerns about AAS selections. I seldom write about them,
never in the year of introduction. And I absolutely hate those spring
magazines that feature multi-page articles on new introductions which are
essentially copied from the PR releases of seed companies. It's like the
NYT writing news articles from the daily Democrat talking points fax.

My first problem with AAS is that I write about what I know. When the new
products hit the market, I know nothing about them except what their
promoters say. I don't always trust that. Maybe there are garden writers
that get test samples to try in real garden situations before release,
but I am not in that exaulted crowd.

But here is my real concern, one that I have taken up with local Master
Gardeners who are awed by the AAS designation. In order to qualify as an
AAS, a variety must perform at least moderately well across the country,
from San Diego, California, to Grande Isle, Maine. A variety that does
well in a wide range of climates is not necessarily the best variety for
your particular area. That is where local or regional garden writers,
particularly those with dirty hands, are important. 

I have trialed, once they come on the market, a number of AAS winners,
and many have done well for me. Some are keepers. But just between you
and me, I'm not going to take their word for it.

D

I am Duane Campbell and I approve this message.

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