Ultimate anecdotal

Just how big is the "backyard garden" trend going to be this summer? We may never know, but news editors at newspapers across the country are assigning stories to their reporters that tend to confirm and reinforce the trend. I have my doubts how much volume backyard gardens will account for this year, though it is true we may be on the leading edge of a movement that sees more people attempt to garden. We see recurring stories on the Web about victory gardens, but most of these stories interview one or two backyard gardeners and don't really flesh out the extent of the purported increase in vegetable gardens. From The Berkshire Record in Massachusetts, this is a typical approach:

The price of gas is not the only rising cost that is altering Americans’ summer plans. The soaring cost of fruits and vegetables at supermarkets across the nation is prompting people to, quite literally, rely on the “fruits of their labor” for their fresh produce. New Marlborough resident Nory Loeung is one of those creating her own vegetable garden this year.

TK: More sophistication in backyard growing is noted by advocates of greenhouse gardening:

Greenhouse gardening is a terrific way to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for your family at a fraction of the cost of purchasing those same items from a commercial retailer, like Wal Mart. Growing your own fruits and vegetables in the greenhouse also allows you to grow organically and to control what, if any, pesticides are used in growing your family’s fruits and vegetables. Greenhouse gardening produces fruits and vegetables all year-round, providing fresh, balanced nutrition for the whole family.


TK: Another theme is that backyard gardens are increasing in response to food safety concerns. This news release from Penn State follows that thinking but issues a reminder:

The recent tomato contamination outbreak has many people thinking about growing their own garden-fresh fruits and vegetables. But a food-safety specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says it's not where the produce is grown, but how it's grown, so amateur cultivators should know a few important tips about home-garden food safety.

Since many of the bacteria and parasites that make people sick are transmitted through animal and human waste, it's important to protect the garden from wild animals and household pets, said Luke LaBorde, associate professor of food science. While people are sharing their harvest with them, they could be sharing potential illnesses via saliva and droppings.

"It's just common sense," LaBorde said. "We don’t want droppings to contact the produce, particularly if we're going to be eating it raw -- which we often are.

"Treat your garden like something you want to eat," he added. "You don’t want birds and animals snooping around your food. Deer are cute, and they'll be attracted to your lettuce and green peppers. But they'll leave something behind, so try to divert them to another area.

TK: Until we see statistics that put backyard gardening in a measurable context, I think the trend is being over-reported in relation to its importance. Few people can commit the time and energy to grow their own vegetable gardens, but the trend merits watching for commercial produce marketers.