From Backyard Beds to Statewide Science: Why We Love the OSU Home Vegetable Trials

Community Roots
Aug 14
3 min read

“We don't just grow for survival!

We don't just grow for fun!

We also grow for science in the rain and sun!” 🌞

At Community Roots, the garden is our classroom, our research lab, and our community hub. That’s why we’re proud participants in The Ohio State University Extension Program’s Home Vegetable Trials—a citizen science initiative that turns home gardeners into data-collecting, taste-testing, soil-loving scientists.

The Roots of the Program

The OSU Extension’s Home Vegetable Trials began with a simple but powerful idea: the best way to know what varieties perform well in Ohio’s diverse growing conditions is to ask the people who grow in them. Rather than relying solely on research station plots, the program invites everyday gardeners—urban, rural, balcony, backyard—to test and report on different varieties of vegetables and flowers.

Participants receive seed packets, planting instructions, and a simple survey. Over the course of the season, they note things like germination rates, growth habits, pest and disease resistance, yield, and flavor. At the end of the season, these results are compiled into a statewide report that helps guide future seed offerings, informs growers, and contributes to broader horticultural research.

It’s low-cost, high-impact science—and it fosters something just as valuable as data: connection. Gardeners learn from each other, see themselves as part of a bigger network, and experience firsthand how their observations contribute to the future of gardening in Ohio.

Why Citizen Science Matters

Citizen science—when non-professionals contribute to formal research—has been transforming everything from astronomy to epidemiology. In gardening, it’s a perfect fit.

When hundreds of gardeners across Ohio grow the same varieties, each in their unique microclimate and soil, we get a rich, real-world data set that no single research station could replicate. We learn not just which varieties can grow here, but which varieties thrive in the messy, unpredictable conditions of real life.

And there’s a personal benefit too: when you participate in research, you sharpen your observation skills, learn to spot subtle differences in plant performance, and connect the dots between weather, soil, and harvest. You become more than a gardener—you become a garden detective.

Meet Basima: The Squash with Star Power

This year, one of our assigned trial crops is the Basima squash, and she’s already making an impression. Pale green and elongated, Basima is a Middle Eastern variety prized for its tender texture and mild, sweet flavor. It’s often picked young for cooking—perfect for stuffing, sautéing, or adding to stews.

Here in our beds, Basima has been a standout performer. She’s set fruit early, handled the unpredictable summer weather with ease, and produced abundantly. Compared to her trial counterpart, Goldprize, Basima had the advantage of establishing quickly before the worst of June’s heatwave, giving her a head start she’s kept all season.

While Goldprize is still working to catch up, Basima’s vigor has given us plenty of opportunities to test her in the kitchen. Early taste tests confirm what other growers have said: she’s versatile, tender, and flavorful even without much seasoning.

The Harvest Season Ahead

Basima is just the beginning. We’re also trialing zinnias, beets, carrots, lettuce, and parsley, and each will get its moment in the spotlight as the season progresses. We’ll share updates, flavor notes, and side-by-side comparisons, along with the quirks and surprises every garden throws our way.

If you’re curious about last year’s findings, we’d be happy to share the full report. And if you want to be part of this living experiment next year, sign-ups will open in winter. Whether you’ve got a quarter-acre or a couple of pots on a balcony, you can contribute to the future of gardening in Ohio.