By Staff
For years the interest in home gardens has dwindled. However, recent hard times and the desire for control over how and where food is produced have led to an increased interest in home gardening. In some cases, people have no idea where to start, and in others things have changed, since they last gardened.
The good news is that we have all the information you need to get started with your home garden free at the County Extension Office. Much of the information you will need is available on the web at www.aces.edu. There is also a Master Gardener information line at 1-877-252-4769.
Additionally, we have partnered with the Brewton Agricultural Research Unit to plant demonstration gardens and fruit plantings. A tour and informational meeting will be held at the garden site at 5 p.m. April 23.
One of the best gardening primers you can find for the state of Alabama is “The Alabama Vegetable Gardener.” The publication number is ANR-0479. It, along with many other publications, is available at the previously mentioned Web site either by Google search of the site using the name or the number of the publication, or under the publication tab.
The publication covers everything from planning the garden to how to harvest vegetables.
Written information is extremely helpful. However, sometimes it is much easier when you have someone demonstrate how something is done. That’s where the demonstration gardens are helpful. At the April 23 meeting, Extension and Experiment Station staff will be on hand to discuss topics such as raised-bed gardening, site selection and irrigation, crop rotation, variety selection and integrated pest management.
One of the changes that may have occurred, since the last time people gardened, is the availability of land. In years past, the garden was often several acres, in part of an agricultural field. Now, many people don’t have large spaces or equipment to cultivate a large garden. For this reason, the raised bed demonstration garden was planted. The purpose of the garden is to show how to plant a variety of vegetables, and make fresh garden vegetables available nearly year-round.
The garden is small and requires a minimum of equipment. If you would like any information on gardening, or to register for the demonstration meeting and tour, call the County Extension Office at 867-7760.