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| Kohlrabi in a North Louisiana garden. |
A recent LSU AgCenter survey of Louisiana home vegetable gardens shows a "diamond in the rough," claims LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. The survey estimates that the state had 302,720 home gardens in 2006.
"Considering our average 400-square-foot garden producing in summer, fall and winter, the value of these home gardens reaches $60.5 million," Koske says. "Last period the metro New Orleans and Lake Charles areas that were hit by the hurricanes were adjusted for losing their fall and winter harvests.These metro portions are still down, and this accounts for a 10% drop from 2005 reported values. These after-tax dollar savings allow the family paycheck to go farther while keeping nutritious food on the table," the horticulturist adds.
Garden surveys regularly indicate that this savings is not the main reason Louisiana citizens grow vegetables. They garden because they enjoy the fresh taste of garden produce and enjoy being outdoors, getting exercise and working with nature. The typical Louisiana gardener is a male senior citizen living in the suburbs.
The AgCenter noticed this resource several years ago and listed home gardens and home grounds as a priority area for its agricultural support along with traditional commercial agriculture. Its Horticulture Enhancement Initiative and Louisiana Master Gardener programs are two major AgCenter programs that directly support this resource.
Related yard and garden topics are available by contacting an extension agent in your parish LSU AgCenter office. Also, look for Lawn & Garden and Get It Growing links in the Feature section of the LSU AgCenter Web site: www.lsuagcenter.com.