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Everybody says (and evidence has shown) that vegetable gardening is waaay up since the pandemic started. Making the most of it, we’ll be having a garden contest in St. John Parish this spring for the first time!

The LSU AgCenter, St. John Farm Bureau and Tractor Supply will sponsor the Home Vegetable Garden Contest for adults and youth growing in St. John Parish.

The Contest is being held to encourage home gardeners to produce quality vegetables for home consumption, economic gain, and to improve their knowledge of cultural practices and insect and disease control in the home vegetable garden.

Categories for vegetable gardens are as follows: Youth Gardens; Adult Small home vegetable gardens (less than 1000 sq. ft.); Adult Medium (1000 sq. ft. up to 3500 sq. ft.); and Adult Large gardens (greater than 3500 sq. ft.).

All gardens must have at least four different types of vegetables.  Only gardens located in St. John Parish are eligible for participation.  The first, second, and third place winner in each category will receive a plaque, a yard sign, and a gift package from Tractor Supply.

The criteria for judging the gardens are:

1. 1. Records (Planting, Harvest, Fertilizer, Pesticide Application Records, etc.)…… 30 points
2. Apparent Productivity …………………………………………………………………………….. 15 points
3. Absence of Weed Pressure……………………………………………………………………….. 15 points
4. Absence of Insect Pressure……………………………………………………………………….. 15 points
5. Absence of Disease Pressure…………………………………………………………………….. 15 points
6. Vegetable Site, Adequate Drainage, Proper Spacing……………………………………. 10 points
7. Bonus (Cultivation of LSU Recommended Varieties)…………………………………. 10 points

Gardens will be judged in late May or early June.  More information will be sent to individuals entering the contest or as requested.

Anyone interested in entering the Home Vegetable Garden Contest, please call André Brock at 985-497-3261 at the Extension Office no later than May 13.