AARS Test Garden

We now propose the construction of the Phase 4 garden, immediately west of Phase 2. This would provide over 2500sf for an Award of Excellence Test Bed and 1500sf for the Demonstration bed.

These beds would follow the same curving design of the original beds, as well as surround a new putting green for the use of the college and community. It is proposed that the local administration of the AOE garden would be handled by Robert B. Martin, PSW District Director.

Viewed from the Phase 2 AARS Test Beds, the new AOE beds would be immediately to the west. As indicated on the above design, it will incorporate a putting green in the center of the beds.

In 2000, the Rose Garden at MCC received formal approval from the All-America Rose Selections (AARS) to become one of 26 test gardens nationwide. When the garden was visited by Frank Benardella, representing the AARS, he indicated that he considered it be among the top three or four test gardens in the United States, based upon the quality of the garden itself and the conscientious work of the local AARS evaluators. In a later visit by Johnny Becnel, he declared the garden to be one of the finest public gardens he had ever seen.

The addition of a trial garden in a desert climate will substantially improve the evaluation of miniatrue and mini-flora in the AOE Trials.