Edible garden tours encourage new gardeners

Idaho gardeners face unpredictable growing conditions and this can discourage those new to gardening or with limited experience. Gardening offers many benefits, including food security, personal empowerment, economic savings and physical activity. University of Idaho Extension organized a self-guided Edible Garden Tour with 13 experienced home gardeners to encourage and educate new gardeners. Each host garden was unique, from the gardeners’ experience to the crops grown. The local library provided a mid-day meeting point and location for Extension demonstrations.

Participants had to register and sign a university waiver but there was no fee. Extension gathered garden interest and experience in the registration form and sent a post-event evaluation. The 136 participants increased self-efficacy, knowledge and skills to garden at home. 80% of evaluation respondents also felt more connected to the community. The tour also introduced 50% of the participants to Extension, it was their first event or class with the organization. Expanding the community’s knowledge about growing food is a priority and the Edible Garden Tour helped make progress toward the goal in an engaging format.

Project supported by state appropriations and county funds. Photo courtesy University of Idaho Extension.