Dan Bulkowski, horticulture demonstration gardens manager. Photo by G.L. Kohuth

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Visitors from across the globe visit MSU’s horticulture demonstration gardens, and it’s up to manager Dan Bulkowski to make sure everything is in full bloom.

In an oasis on the campus’ south side, Bulkowski supervises the gardens and the teaching greenhouses for students.

His responsibilities include supervising a three-member staff, who oversee the perennial gardens, the annual trial gardens and the 4-H Children’s Garden. Plus, he works with a group of 12 students in the teaching greenhouses.

“It’s fun working with students,” Bulkowski said. “It keeps you young and keeps you going.

“I like meeting and greeting the people that come through. We have visitors from all over the country and Canada come by, and many other foreign countries as well.”

Bulkowski and his staff recently welcomed guests to their Garden Day, a day of workshops and nationally-known speakers centered on gardening and agriculture.

The gardens also are becoming a popular setting for weddings.

“We have three, four weddings a weekend, starting in early May and going up until football season,” Bulkowski said.

“We work outdoors through October and if not, later, and then we switch gears and go inside once the frost and snow comes along.”

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