George Weigel, a garden writer for The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Penn., heard something through the grapevine and wants to find out if the rumors are true.

“I’ve been hearing some rumblings that a lot of newbie vegetable gardeners are ready to pack it in already after the punishing growing season we just had,” he wrote.

Weigel worked with Steve Bogash, a Penn State University Extension specialist, to create a 15-question survey to find out if new vegetable and herb gardeners plan to keep on growing in the future. Any gardener who started gardening within the past five years is welcome to participate.

The survey asks questions about the crops gardeners planted, how they tried growing them, and what problems they encountered during the season.

Gardeners who report they intend to give up gardening altogether, are asked the reasons why. Was it too much work? Not enough time? Effort wasn’t worth it? Too many problems with insects, plant diseases, or animal damage?

There’s even room to comment on what gardeners wished they had known about vegetable gardening before they got started.

The last I heard, more than 600 surveys were completed, with more gardeners giving their opinions every day. The survey closes November 19.

If you’d like to participate, just follow this link to the survey. All gardeners will remain anonymous, no personal information will be shared, and Weigel promises to let us know the results once they’re tabulated.
by Jodi Torpey