OCR Text |
Show 6 FARM, RANCH & GARDEN Edition April, 1977 ' Seed sales show increase in gardening Six years ago, home gardners purchased about seven packets of flowers for every three of vegetables. Then, the biggest boom in vegetable gardening since WWII Victory Garden days began in earnest. In 1975, about three packets of flower seeds were sold for each seven packets of vegetables! In flower The garden seed industry seed packets began a feels that strongly recovery; 1976 sales are vegetable gardening is here expected to reach four out to stay. Regarded by some of every ten garden seed only a decade ago as a quaint activity indulged in packets sold. But flower seed sales did not increase by people too poor to shop at of from the produce racks in the expense vegetables; more vegetable supermarkets, vegetable seeds were sold in 1976 than gardening is now respected in 1975. as a way of life. 1975, sales of flAaarnto EXTRA indicators point to increased home vegetable gardening activity. Fresh produce is escalating in cost and decreasing in variety as farmers are squeezed with higher taxes and production costs and beset by labor problems. Strikes at critical periods in harvesting and severity. All transportation are Despite the generally and quality high of com availability mercially frozen or canned home gardeners are "putting up more surplus vegetables than ever before. Part of this reaction is economic; some of it is a reflection, right or wrong, of consumers resistance to food additives. vegetables, in- creasing in frequency and The garden seed industry sees no letup ahead in the demands on North America EXTRA from abroad for grain, meat, fruits and nuts. This demand may force even Price, Helper, Green River Helper State Bank' more commercial vegetable growers into producing crops that are less subject to loss or to labor hassles. In short, prices for fresh and processed vegetables will continue to climb and, except at family operated roadside markets, the variety of produce will Escape Attempts Prove Futile continue to shrink. During its several decades of existence, the National Garden Bureau, the educational service of the garden seed industry, has seen numerous booms (and busts) in home vegetable gardening activity. In their opinion, the negative talk that has convinced some people to stop gardening starts with unrealistic expectations. Gardeners were disappointed because no great savings were realized over As monster scours the nation Everyone is finding it impossible to run from this merciless creature. No one is safe from his vicious attacks. From coast to coast, low, middle and high income families lie hopelessly prey to his demands. He leaves no stone unturned as he continues to feast on property, profits and prices! He is said to be an invisible adversary, lurking in the depths of shadows and sapping the financial strength of all who remain in his path. The General Public: x In general, according to the Bureau, little or no money can be saved by growing your own produce in a small garden because the cost of tools, equipment, pest controls and seeds has to be absorbed by a small plot. At about 300 sq. ft., an experienced gardener can break even or make a small profit. Gardens of 500 sq. ft. or more can really rack up savings, but the gardener must be prepared to can, freeze, dry or sell all the surplus. Savings over purchased vegetables are also limited by the skill of the gardener in working every square foot of his garden smartly to em- phasize high value crops and to harvest the most possible food per square foot. The National Garden Bureau attributes much of the gain in flower seed sales to a desire to pretty up vegetable plots. Vegetable gardens are predominantly green and tend to look weather-beatein late summer. Small patches of flowers can increase the pleasure of and satisfaction of vegetable gardening, not only by pleasing the eye but also by attracting the bees and hummingbirds that aid in pollination. Lastly, states the Bureau, more people are indulging in leisure time activites, and flower gardening is the ultimate in creative pastimes. n Eggplfint popularity climbs out of cellar Caught With Pants Down This inflationary monster has singled one in particular for his viche has no favorites. Rather, tims he is lashing out randomly; ravaging the broadest economic base of the country. Those caught with their those without pants down savings accounts and secure investments are finding resistance to the monsters crunch more and more difficult. His bite, however, has lost some if its severe sting among those foresighted few who have prepared in defense. the cost of store bought vegetables. out no Poor, maligned eggplant! Loved by some and cordially detested by others, eggplant never made it to the top vegetables twenty-fiv- e in garden polls . . . until popularity recently, that is. A recent climbed out of the ratings cellar it shared for so long with rutabaga, salsify, and other If you need a little defense, or Just some advise on being prepared financially for your new home, a car, kid's educations, a vacation, or for any reason, let us help you. Checking, Saving or Borrowing, Come to Helper State where HELP IS. Helper State-BanHelper food wallflowers. 1 garden Whats happening to eggplant? Plant breeders all over the world see its value as a base for meatless dishes and are concentrating on improving it. Eggplant varieties were formerly large, rank and often late fruiting, to susceptible plant diseases carried in garden soil. k Price nwnber FDIC Green River fruit. The newest varieties carry egg-shap- multiple disease resistance. . survey by the National Garden Bureau shows that finally eggplant has Elusive monster caught in act of dubious dealings! the long slender fruit or those with the traditional New eggplant hybrids have low growing, compact plants that set on loads of fruit two to three weeks earlier than the old favorites. You can choose between hybrids bearing Dont take it for granted that the eggplant varieties for sale as plants in local nurseries are modern varieties. Check with the Extension Service of your state college of agriculture; ask for their list of recommended varieties. Review seed catalogs for lists of new disease resistant eggplant hybrids. Whatever your choice in eggplant varieties, harvest the fruits while they are still small, before seeds begin to harden and turn bitter. There, is all the difference in the world in the taste and texture of tender young eggplant and that of mature fruit. You really dont sacrifice total when you production harvest fruit on the small side because allowing eggplant to mature on the plants reduces the formation of new fruit. 1 |