Geneva, NY

Phil Griffiths oversees trials in the Geneva, NY area, where diverse and unpredictable growing challenges enable the selection of broadly adaptable crops with tolerance to environmental stresses.

Some of that unpredictability was evident in this year's unusually wet spring weather. Planting of the first trial was delayed until 23 May due to soggy field conditions, but the broccoli is now growing well. We expect summer heat will further test the stress tolerance of these varieties. A second trial will go into the ground in July.

Phil Griffiths at the Geneva, NY 2011 broccoli trial. Photo: Sarah Durkee.

2011 broccoli trial, 4 weeks after transplant. Photo: Phil Griffiths.