Ball Customer Day a Big Success

Chris Beytes

1,162. That’s how many folks descended upon The Gardens at Ball on July 25 for the annual Ball Customer Day—more formally known as Ball Seed Field Day & Landscape Day. But you probably know it as the last Friday in July when you, and possibly your dad, and your grandfather before him, visited Ball Seed to check out the new flower varieties for the coming season. The event has been going on since the ’50s, Anna Ball told me during a brief interview as she greeted customers at the entrance. A few clouds floated by to deliver just a few sprinkles, but otherwise the weather cooperated.

Highlights included some of their newest genetics, including Bounce interspecific impatiens from Selecta and Kabloom F1 calibrachoa from PanAmerican Seed—the first calibrachoa from seed. But the gardens are much more than just annuals now, with loads of perennials, woodies, vegetables and container gardens to view. Plus, tours of the seed lab. And lunch, naturally, accompanied by a great talk by the ever-inspiring Dr. Allan Armitage.

If you missed it, check out our video on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/growertalks. GT