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DURHAM, N.H. – Learn how to make an aquaponics system using household materials at the spring open house of the Â鶹app’s Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, 2017. The greenhouses will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. both days, and the event is free and open to the public.

UNH faculty, staff and students will present displays and lectures of interest to home gardeners, greenhouse producers, and landscapers. In addition to learning about aquaponics, visitors will learn how to create a water feature in a home garden, why they should be eating more berries and other fruits and find creative ways to integrate them into a daily diet, and how to grow small fruits in a home garden. Garden show-quality displays will showcase the landscape of Peter Pan.

This year’s spring open house celebrates the year of the pansy. According to the National Garden Bureau, pansies were considered a weed until the 19^thÌýcentury. Today, pansies are a hybrid plant cultivated from those wildflowers in Europe and western Asia.

In addition, the NH Agricultural Experiment Station will host a research field day from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 31. Researchers will be available to discuss the latest in UNH research at the greenhouses on vegetable and fruit breeding, aquaponics, and more.

The UNH Plant Diagnostic Lab and Cooperative Extension Plant Health Program will have a display on common diseases and problems of garden and landscape plants. Attendees are encouraged to come with questions about plant health problems.

Other open house activities include a plant sale hosted by the Thompson School horticulture program and tours of both the greenhouses and the high tunnels, two greenhouse-style structures where students produce greens for on-campus consumption. The Greenhouse Café will serve coffee, lunch, and homemade treats.

On Saturday, April 1, the Open House coincides with theÌýSeacoast Home and Garden Show.

The greenhouses are located off Main Street on the west end of Durham. Seminars will take place in Putnam Hall across the parking lot from the greenhouses.ÌýOn Friday, metered parking is available at the UNH Visitor Center across from the greenhouses; parking on Saturday is free. Handicap parking spaces and short-term parking for plant pickup will be available near the main greenhouse entrance. The greenhouses are also served by Wildcat Transit’s shuttle service:Ìý/transportation/wildcat-transit.

For more information, please visit and .

The UNH Greenhouse Open House is sponsored by the , the , the biological and sustainable agriculture programs of the , and .

Founded in 1887, the at the is UNH’s original research center and an elemental component of New Hampshire's land-grant university heritage and mission.