Home Vegetable Gardens Research Articles

Earth-Kind® Vegetable Production in the Home Garden Using Mushroom and City Compost

A field study was conducted in 2010 and 2011 to determine the suitability of Earth-Kind® production principles for home vegetable gardening. Earth-Kind® production encourages water and energy conservation, and reduction of fertilizer and pesticide use. Seven vegetable cultivars [Sweet Banana and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum); Celebrity and Juliet tomato (Solanum lycopersicum); Spacemaster cucumber (Cucumis sativus); Ichiban eggplant (Solanum melongena); Spineless Beauty zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)] were grown in mushroom compost (MC) or city compost (CC). Both composts were incorporated preplant into the soil with shredded wood mulch placed over them. In each year, nitrogen (N) fertilizer (15.5N–0P–0K from calcium nitrate) was applied preplant to CC plots to bring initial soil fertility levels similar to MC plots. No additional fertilizer was applied during the growing season. Drip irrigation was supplemented weekly. One application each of neem oil and pyrethrin (organic insecticides) and chlorothalonil (synthetic fungicide) was applied before harvest in 2010, but none was applied in 2011. Results indicated that Earth-Kind® technique could be effectively implemented in a home vegetable garden. MC is better suited for Earth-Kind® vegetable production than CC for some vegetables. Banana pepper, bell pepper, and zucchini had twice the yield in MC plots when compared with CC plots. No yield differences (P > 0.05) were observed between composts for tomato, eggplant, or cucumber. With proper irrigation and soil preparation practices such as addition of compost and mulch, Earth-Kind® vegetable gardening techniques can be used for selected vegetable crops without additional N fertilizer or pesticides. Furthermore, Earth-Kind® vegetable gardening can be successful as long as the home gardener understands that low yields may result from using this production method. However, often the home gardener is more concerned about producing vegetables using sustainable, environmentally friendly methods than maximizing yields.

What Are the Economic Costs and Benefits of Home Vegetable Gardens?

Home vegetable gardens are often promoted as a way to cut household costs by providing low-cost access to fruits and vegetables. How much can gardeners expect to spend and recoup from their efforts? An analysis of published data suggests that home vegetable gardens are profitable, if the fair market value of garden labor is excluded from calculated costs. On average, home vegetable gardens produce $677 worth of fruits and vegetables, beyond the cost of $238 worth of materials and supplies. Local environmental conditions, gardening practices, and crop choices will influence the actual net value realized by individual gardeners.

Traps and Trap Placement May Affect Location of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Increase Injury to Tomato Fruits in Home Gardens

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an important pest of field crops, fruit orchards, commercial vegetables, ornamental plants, and home vegetable gardens. Pheromone-baited traps designed to attract, trap, and kill H. halys are marketed for use in home gardens to reduce damage to plants. To test this assertion, we conducted the following experiment: One group of 15 gardeners placed stink bug traps at the end of a row of tomatoes, Solanum lycopersicum (L.), in their vegetable garden and another group of 14 placed no traps in their garden and served as controls. Gardeners with traps were no more or less likely to have H. halys on tomato plants than those without traps, but the abundance of H. halys on tomato fruits was marginally greater in gardens with traps. However, tomato fruits grown in gardens with traps sustained significantly more injury than tomato fruits grown in gardens without traps. Furthermore, tomato fruits on plants near the trap housed more H. halys than tomato fruits on plants at the end of a row away from the trap. Traps may be useful in identifying gardens where H. halys is likely to be found and ones in which stink bug injury to tomatoes is likely. We found no evidence that stink bug traps protected tomatoes from H. halys, and it appears that the addition of traps to gardens may increase injury to tomato fruits.

The Economic and Nutritive Value of the Raised Bed Home Vegetable Garden: A Model for the Southeastern United States

The Economic and Nutritive Value of the Raised Bed Home Vegetable Garden: A Model for the Southeastern United States

Seed Sources for Florida Homegrown Vegetables

The right vegetable varieties can make a big difference in the success of a home vegetable garden. Although a huge selection of seeds and transplants are available through garden centers, seed catalogs, and the internet, choosing what to buy can be confusing. Some of the best varieties for Florida gardens and seed suppliers that currently sell them are listed in this 6-page fact sheet written by Ed Thralls, Sydney Park Brown, and Ed Paulson, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, November 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep486

Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women since the implementation of the Surveillance Program of Toxoplasmosis Acquired in Pregnancy and Congenital in the western region of Paraná, Brazil

To evaluate the susceptibility to toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in the public health service from two cities in the western region of Paraná, Brazil. Four thousand twenty-two pregnant women were evaluated for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM by ELISA and MEIA. Seronegative pregnant women repeated the serology in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Neonatal screening of 27 newborns was also performed in one of the cities to detect IgM anti- Toxoplasma gondii by fluorometry. All pregnant women answered an epidemiological questionnaire to analyze the factors associated with the risk of infection by Toxoplasma gondii. For statistical analysis, the presence of IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii was considered as the dependent variable and the variables contained in the epidemiological questionnaire as the independent ones. The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG in pregnant women was 59.8 and 60.6%. In one of the cities, the variables associated with the presence of IgG antibodies were low educational level and more than one pregnancy. There was no association with other factors studied such as consumption of raw or undercooked meat, consumption of raw vegetables, consumption of colonial salami, handling soil or sand, the presence of a home vegetable garden and cats in the household. In the other city there was no statistical association with the variables studied. No case of acute infection and no seroconversion were confirmed in either city. None of the infants evaluated were positive for toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is common in pregnant women attended by the public health service in the region studied and 40% of them are susceptible to the infection. These data reinforce the need to keep the screening program in these cities.

Evaluation of a rural community pharmacy-based Waist Management Project: bringing the program to the people

Time constraints and lack of awareness of risk factors for future chronic disease development prevent many young adults from accessing lifestyle programs offered by local health services. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a rural pharmacy-based multidisciplinary healthy lifestyle pilot program on reducing risk factors for chronic disease development among young adults. Individuals under the age of 50 with chronic disease risk factors were referred to the program. All subjects were provided with free after-hours nutritional counselling from a dietitian at the local community pharmacy, a comprehensive medication review conducted by the pharmacist, gym membership and access to cooking classes and supermarket tours. Selected participants also received bulk-billed GP appointments and assistance with establishing a home vegetable garden. Body weight, waist circumference, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity were assessed at baseline and after program conclusion. Forty participants regularly attended the program between March 2009 and March 2010. At program conclusion, mean body weight was reduced by 3.8±6.7kg (P<0.001) and waist circumference reduced by 3.9±6.5cm (P<0.001). Fruit consumption increased by 1.2±0.2 serves/day (P<0.001) and vegetable intake increased by 1.6±1.0 serves/day (P<0.001). Participants also spent an average of 88.0±47.7 more min/week (P<0.001) engaged in physical activity on completion of the program. The community pharmacy provided an accessible location for the delivery of a successful chronic disease risk reduction program targeting young adults in a rural area.

Home Vegetable Garden Techniques: Hand Pollination of Squash and Corn in Small Gardens

HS-1149, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by Ed Thralls and Danielle Treadwell, addresses techniques for hand pollination of squash and corn to produce bountiful harvests in home gardens. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, December 2008. HS1149/HS398: Home Vegetable Garden Techniques: Hand Pollination of Squash and Corn in Small Gardens (ufl.edu)

A NEW APPROACH TO VEGETABLE VARIETY EVALUATIONS FOR THE HOME GARDEN

Conducting varietal evaluations for the home vegetable garden are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly. As a result, most are done on an observational basis only. In 1991, a horticultural training program modeled after the highly successful Master Gardener program began at the Utah State Prison, Draper, for the prison inmate population. In 1994, 12 broccoli, 20 pepper, and 30 tomato varieties commonly used in the home garden were evaluated for growth and yield at the Prison Farm. Inmates raised, tended, harvested, and compiled the trial's data and participated in all evaluations of the varieties. Extension personnel provided the instruction and regular visits to conduct the trial. The project provides instruction on vegetable production and cultivar evaluations to the inmates while providing the public with needed cultivar information for the home garden. In addition, the partnership with the inmate population limits the time inputs necessary to conduct the trials by extension staff. This project will continue and greatly expand in 1995.

Cadmium, copper, and lead in soils and garden produce near a metal smelter at Flin Flon, Manitoba

Towns in the vicinity of base metal smelters are subject to contamination from atmospheric fallout containing heavy metals. Many smelters have been in operation for decades, and have resulted in substantial accumulation of metals in the surrounding soils. Metal contamination of edible vegetation near mines and smelters has been the source of health concerns in a number of countries. One smelter that has operated for more than half a century is located at Flin Flon, Manitoba. Many Flin Flon residents utilize home vegetable gardens year after year. However little is known regarding heavy metal contamination of locally grown garden produce. Since food can contribute as much as 90% of total body uptake of metals it is important to identify any sources which may account for the disproportionate share. The objective of the present study was to examine concentrations of cadmium, copper and lead in soils and garden produce in the vicinity of the Flin Flon smelter.

INFLUENCE OF COMPANION PLANTS ON OVIPOSITION OF IMPORTED CABBAGEWORM, PIERIS RAPAE (LEPIDOPTERA: PIERIDAE), AND CABBAGE LOOPER, TRICHOPLUSIA NI (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE), ON COLLARD PLANTS

Public participation in home vegetable gardening and small farm operations is increasing in North America. This is expected to intensify the use of insecticides and disproportionately increase public exposure to them. For instance, von Rurnker et al. (1972) estimated that on an area basis homeowners in the midwestern United States applied ca. 5.0 lb of pesticides per acre. This amount when compared with 1½ to 3 lb per acre applied by the farmer suggests that backyard gardens receive a heavier pesticide application than most other land areas in the United States. It is, therefore, important to develop ecologically less aggressive control methods for small farm operations.

Computer-planned Gardens1

Abstract The Fast Agricultural Communications Terminal System (FACTS) is a computer-based communications system with intelligent terminals in each Indiana County Extension office, departmental offices at Purdue, and linkage to a central computer. A program was developed to plan a home vegetable garden which included 27 vegetables, data on crop placement, planting dates, general cultural information and yield data. The program was based on input and predetermined yield data. It has been widely accepted by neophyte as well as experienced gardeners and is a prototype for additional programs in home horticulture.

A No-Cultivation Concept for Vegetable Gardening1

Abstract A uniform and convenient herbicide application technique was developed for home vegetable gardens. 4-(Methylsulfonyl)-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropylanaline (nitralin) was either sprayed on the soil surface, or applied to 1 m wide sheets of water soluble plastic. A light sprinkling of water released the nitralin from the water soluble plastic and permitted soil adsorption. Weed control was excellent when 3.4 kg/ha nitralin was applied to the soil with water soluble plastic. Germinating vegetable seeds were protected from nitralin injury with a mixture of activated carbon and vermiculite. The “no-cultivation concept” may have broad horticultural application, especially in home gardens where herbicides are difficult to use.