The Young's Plant Farm Trial Garden was implemented as part of the operation's production to effectively test both current and newly released plant varieties in a garden setting. It gives Young's Plant Farm the ability to adjust its production varieties to include those that perform best in the mid-South, to ensure the highest success potential for consumers who purchase its products.

 

The trial garden is located in Auburn, AL in USDA Zone 8 and consists of 26,400 square feet of raised beds, which include both sun and shade conditions. During a seasonal trial, Young's Plant Farm can evaluate 432 individual varieties, 180 combination planters, 56 combination hanging baskets and landscape bed trials. ​

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Make sure to register by sending an email to trialgarden@youngsplantfarm.com

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​This year, Young’s Plant Farm Trial Garden is partnering with Food U, a program at Auburn University that provides sustainable, student-grown food for on-site consumption. This program gives the students and employees involved an opportunity to have hands-on experience in a tight-knit food production system.

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In collaboration with Food U, the 2025 Young’s Plant Farm Trial Garden will feature herbs, vegetables, and edible flowering annuals throughout the trial garden. Jack Maruna, FoodU Coordinator, will be present at the Trial Garden Open House to answer any questions about edible gardening and how their program has changed the way Auburn University eats.

 

Guests will also be able to arrange for a tour of the rooftop garden at The Laurel Hotel. The rooftop garden is a unique hotel feature, providing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers to be used at the 1856-Culinary Residence and by students in the culinary laboratories. This partnership between Horticulture and Hospitality offers both disciplines an opportunity to better understand how their food is grown and just as importantly, how it ends up on the plate sitting in front of a guest.