The rising price of produce and high unemployment leaves many people struggling to put fresh, wholesome food on the table.

“Victory gardens” once popular during World War I and II are consequently experiencing a comeback. There is also a generation of those who have never gardened before.

If you are flexing your green thumb for the first time, the first in a series of free Gearing Up for Gardening talks is going to focus on new or novice vegetable gardeners.

This talk, sponsored by Benton County Master Gardeners, could be perfect for those who don’t have a lot of money, time, soil or space, says presenter Gail Langellotto, urban and community horticulture specialist for OSU and statewide coordinator for the OSU Master Gardener program.

“OSU Extension has always been at the forefront of helping folks to eat healthy,” Langellotto says, “via 4-H, nutrition education programs and the Master Food Preservers.”

“However, the need for information and resources related to vegetable gardening seems to be especially acute during these economic times.”

Pennies on the dollar

At OSU, Langellotto, 37, helps develop and deliver educational programs related to urban and community horticulture around the state.

She took a lead role in developing the online Master Gardener course and is heavily involved in writing a gardening curriculum (together with nutrition educators and Horticulture Extension faculty at OSU) called “Growing Healthy Kids.”

This curriculum aims to use gardening as a vehicle to teach kids (first to third graders) about nutrition, healthy eating and active lifestyles.

An entomologist by training, her research at Fordham University in New York City was to develop a better understanding of how gardens can support natural pest control and pollination services. She still samples gardens to assess the diversity of bees and biological control agents (i.e. parasitoid wasps, lacewings, ladybugs and other insects that contribute to natural pest control) — and then tries to experimentally link the diversity of these beneficial insects to the ecosytem services of pollination and pest control in the Portland Metro area, as well as Corvallis.

“Everyone deserves to eat well, and fresh vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet,” Langellotto says. Gardening is a great way to incorporate veggies into your diet for pennies on the dollar of what you would pay at a market.”

Top 10 tips

Langellotto suggests the following tips for all new gardeners out there:

1. Do not expect perfection. Plants are not immortal. They will die. Sometimes there might have been something you could have done to prevent this death. However, learning from your mistakes can be a great experience, in life and in gardening.

2. Compost organic waste (kitchen and yard) for a fantastic and free soil amendment.

3. Perform a soil test, to learn whether you need to add more organic matter or specific nutrients to your soil. The tests cost money (about $45), but can yield very valuable information.

4. Choose plants that your family will enjoy eating, but also plant one or two new and surprising plants. Gardening and cooking are both creative endeavors, and using new plants in the vegetable garden can serve as a muse of sorts.

5. Using raised beds or containers allows you to concentrate all of your efforts in soil building and gardening in a relatively small space.

6. When selecting a site for your garden. Look for a level area that has loose, well-drained soil and that receives at least 8 hours of sun per day.

7. Order seeds at least 2 to 4 months before planting. Plan your garden on paper as early as January or February. List recommended varieties and planting dates. Draw a map showing arrangement and spacing of crops.

8. Group plants by growing period. Plant spring crops together so you can plant later crops in these areas after the early crops mature. Put perennial crops to the side of garden so they will not be disturbed by annual tillage and replanting.

9. Quality tools will last a long time and are well worth the initial investment and expense. Metal parts should be made of steel or hardened aluminum. These materials stay sharp, keep their shape and outlast tools made out of softer metals.

10. Utilize the resources offered by your local Master Gardener volunteers — a great resource of information on: plant varieties that work well in our area, sources for quality seed, adopting an integrated and environmentally friendly approach to pest control, etc.

So if you are new to the area or new to gardening check out these classes (see list on C6) for more tips.