updated March 2026

We have successfully excluded the ground squirrels for over a year with a combination of buried metal panels, above ground fence, and net! The holes in the net allow many pollinator species to enter (it does exclude the largest bees and moths).

This spring, the south part of the research plot is being used to grow out several inter-breeding b. rapa crops, including tatsoi, chijimsai, mizuna, and turnips. We plan to use this seed in future years for plant breeding and selection activities with K-12 and University students. We are allowing the plants to grow through the net above, so the upper portions are accessible to pollinators of all sizes. The lower portions are not, but they are protected from birds eating the seeds.

For Summer 2026, the research plot will primarily be used to grow chiles for the Canyon City Chile project.

Prof. C. Chen's research group has begun transplanting Snowy Sunflower (h. niveus) into the northern portion of the research plot for the summer growing season. Last year's effort to refresh their seed supply was successful, and germination rates with the new seed are much higher than with old seed last year.