Is your neighbor a backyard gardener? The chances are 37 percent of your neighbors will have a garden next year. That is about 43 million households in the USA. Of course, this will vary according to (1) gender, (2) age, (3) education, (4) children in home and (5) household size. According to my research your neighbor will be a female 54 percent of the time, male 46 percent of the time, age 45 to over 55 years of age, be a college graduate or some college 79 percent, and have a 2 person household. The highest number of household gardens is between $35,000 to $50,000 annual income. There are always exceptions to the rule.
The 10 most grown vegetables are in this order. (1) tomatoes, (2) cucumbers, (3) sweet peppers, (4) beans, (5) carrots, (6) summer squash, (7) onions, (8) hot peppers, (9) lettuce and (10) peas. Sweet corn could be added to this list, but has a lower harvest return per square foot of garden. It is better to be a commercial corn grower or purchase sweet corn from the store. Too many growing problems.
If you should happen to peek over your neighbor’s fence, you will find out that his or her garden is 600 square feet. The estimated gross dollar return for a 600 square foot garden is $600 less $70 for growing costs, leaving $530.
The following are the reasons why your neighbor has a garden in this order. (1) to grow better tasting vegetables, (2) to save money on food bills, (3) to grow better quality vegetables,(4) to grow vegetables that are safe to eat, (5) to feel more productive, (6) to spend more time outdoors, (7) to get back to the basics, (8) to have vegetables to share with others, (9) to have a family activity and teach children about gardening.
The average gardener has been gardening for almost 12 years, spending an average of 5 hours per week in the garden.
Twenty percent of next year’s gardeners will be first time gardeners. To be a successful gardener, you must prepare for it, by preparing your knowledge of gardening and preparing the soil itself. If you are one of the 20 percent gardeners that will be starting in 2015, you need to enroll in Home Vegetable Gardening that will be taught at Midlands Technical College. Go on line, type Landscape / Horticulture Courses Midlands Technical College, and sign up. Looking to see you, Professor Ron Cowart.
