July 2, 2008
CONTACT: Yvonne Savio, (323) 260-3407, ydsavio@ucdavis.edu
UC Cooperative Extension urges L.A. County residents to grow their own food
In order to counter rising fuel and food costs, UC Cooperative Extension in Los Angeles County is urging residents to turn to their backyards and grow their own fruits and vegetables. This is one way families can stretch their food dollars. In addition, growing your own food can be a rewarding experience.
Currently, UC Cooperative Extension provides useful information for first-time and experienced gardeners. The site offers gardening tips, helpful articles on specific topics, such as composting and what to plant when, instructions on how to start a school or community garden, and a Master Gardener Help Line. Free help from volunteer Master Gardeners is available by phone, (323) 260-3238, and email, mglosangeleshelpline@ucdavis.edu.
Gardens can be as tiny as a one-gallon container with one tomato plant on a patio. Containers should be deeper than they are wide so roots have lots of room to grow. Plants that yield fruit like tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and peppers need more than six hours of direct sun daily. Plants that produce edible foliage, such as lettuce, parsley and cilantro can thrive with less sun. Water only when the soil is dry three inches down (maybe twice a week when air temperatures are above 90 degrees, but only once a week when it's cooler).
"Summer vegetables that are the easiest to grow and produce the most for the amount of effort and water you invest include tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants and onions. For winter, the best producers include lettuce, broccoli, beets, carrots, kohlrabi, leek, peas, radishes, spinach and leafy greens like kale, collards, bok choi and swiss chard," says Yvonne Savio, program manager for Cooperative Extension's Common Ground Garden Program.
As part of the University of California, Cooperative Extension was established in 1914 to connect local communities to their state's land grant university. An office in each county in California responds to the changing needs of its local populations, designing and carrying out research-based programs in the areas of food, health, agriculture and the environment. For more information on Cooperative Extension activities and services, please visit http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/.