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This June has been a rough month on gardens. It got hot quickly, stressing many plants and opening them to attack by insects and diseases. But some gardeners are still doing well and were willing to let a volunteer and me judge them for our first ever St. John Home Garden Contest.

We recognized Mr. Camille Perret of Edgard as our first place winner in the adult category. He has repurposed some fences and other materials to make good use of a section of yard for an in-ground garden near the river. He grows tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and more on what was once rice land (a long time ago.)

The team of Emma, Luke, and Sophie Perret (yes, related) won our youth garden division. They’re growing the usual veggies with help from their rabbit manure. But they’re also growing ‘Creole’ pumpkins, something I’d never heard of before. We can’t wait to see how these heirloom pumpkins come out in fall.

Winners will get plaques and yard signs sponsored by St. John Farm Bureau. They’ll also receive gift baskets from Tractor Supply Company with some gardening items.

If you didn’t enter this year, think about showing off your green thumb next spring!

 

If you want to know more about gardening, landscaping, or anything else horticultural, contact the St. John & St. James parishes Horticulture Extension Agent André Brock at abrock@agcenter.lsu.edu. Also, the LSU Ag Center’s website can be accessed at www.lsuagcenter.com with lots of user-friendly information, including this article.