By LINDA McGURK
Indiana Correspondent

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — With less money in their pockets and uncertainty about the economy looming, Americans are scrambling to save money any way they can. The flip side of the nation’s newfound thriftiness is that the nearly lost art of gardening is making a remarkably strong comeback.

“We’ve had at least a 100 percent increase already. It’s unbelievable,” said Mark Davidson, owner of Davidson Greenhouse and Nursery in Crawfordsville, Ind. “We’re seeing a lot of new gardeners, and old gardeners who are making their gardens bigger. Everybody decided to grow food this year.”

Because of strong customer demand, Davidson had brought several varieties of seed potatoes, onions and other root crops that can be planted early to his booth at the 11th annual Montgomery County Lawn and Garden Show in Crawfordsville on March 27-28.

“Part of it is the weather. March has been really nice, but I think people are also trying to be self-sufficient and grow vegetables without herbicides,” he said.

A telltale sign of the times is that Montgomery County Master Gardeners were overrun with calls after advertising about their next master gardener class, and had to put three people on a waiting list after filling it. Mel Kelly, a Purdue University extension educator in Montgomery County, said the new trend had affected the garden show, too.

“Several of the greenhouses have said they are cutting back on flowers and bringing more vegetables this year,” Kelly said.
“I have noticed people commenting that they are going to make their garden bigger this year,” said Marcia Goings, owner of County Line Greenhouse, who sold rhubarbs, flowers and gardening accessories in her booth. “I think it’s because of the economy. Some people who have gotten away from gardening are going back for that reason.”

If you’re willing to put some sweat equity into the soil, there are definitely savings to be had. Take red peppers, for example; these often sell for as much as $3 apiece in grocery stores, but in contrast, a plant that may yield half a dozen or more only costs around $2.

Davidson believes the average gardener could easily save $500 per year by growing their own food, whereas an advanced gardener could raise $1,500 worth of produce.

“The success rate is high, but there’s a real learning curve,” he said. “If you don’t know what to buy, I always suggest that you get several varieties and mark them well.”

Davidson advised designing one’s garden on a piece of paper before planting it and keeping the notes. That way, one can make sure the crops are rotated properly from year to year, which helps in controlling disease.

Another option is container gardening, since many of the pathogens that affect vegetables are caused by fungi that live in the soil.

“There’s a whole plethora of products for weed and disease control. Personally, I’ve had some success with carnivorous insects,” Davidson said.

Constance Ferry, owner of Hobbit Gardens, recommended companion planting as a way of controlling disease. For example, planting tomatoes with basil helps with insect control as well as improving the flavor of the tomatoes. Likewise, catnip is believed to repel flea beetles. “Gardening is easy,” she said. “I teach master gardening classes and I always tell my students to think about soil, attention and diversity. Those are the three things that will make your garden thrive.”

Ferry, who sells a wide variety of herbs and some vegetables at farmers’ markets and garden shows, said she too has noticed the recent renaissance of the residential garden.

“I think things that bring us closer to Earth and closer to home will be good (during the recession). I think people are starting to look to their communities, and I think it will make society better,” she added.