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EDGARD—Spring is here (officially, this time) and it’s an exciting time for horticulture. I’m giving a free monthly lecture series in conjunction with local libraries; the next ones are all about ornamentals. I’ll be speaking at the Edgard library April 4^th starting at 5 pm. Then April 5^th I’ll give the same talk at Garyville library at 10 am. Come by the West Bank or East Bank talk to hear about best practices and ideas for prettying up the landscape for the warm season.

Next up: the annual St. John Vegetable Garden contest. 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 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 Gardens (less than 1000 sq. ft.); Adult Medium Gardens (1000 sq. ft. up to 3500 sq. ft.); and Adult Large gardens (greater than 3500 sq. ft.).

All gardens must have at least 4 different types of vegetables.  Only gardens located in St. John Parish are eligible for participation.  The top winners in each category will receive a plaque, a yard sign, and a gift package from Tractor Supply.

Criteria for judging the gardens:

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.  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 12^th.