DIY Gardening

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WUSA) --- You can grow a profit by starting a home garden this spring.

The nonprofit National Gardening Association projects 43 million U.S. households plan to grow their own fruits, vegetables, berries and herbs in 2009.

That's a 19 percent increase from 36 million households in 2008. Fifty-four percent of people say they will grow their own food to save money. That's the second most popular reason next to eating "better-tasting foods."

In early March, First Lady Michelle Obama, along with some DC school children, started digging up a portion of the White House lawn to put in a vegetable garden. Some gardening experts predict this will spark even more interest in home vegetable gardens.

Local floral and gardening centers tell 9NEWS NOW they are seeing a increase in seed sales.

"Anytime there's a little dip in the economy, seeds and vegetables and fruit trees always sell better," said Baron Faust of Johnson's Florists in northwest Washington.

Jon Traunfeld, Director for the Home and Garden Information Center at the Maryland Cooperative Extension, says if you have an 8x8 plot of land you can grow $300 worth of produce.

Faust says now is the optimal time to begin growing "cool weather" produce inside. Seeds or small plants like lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, beets, radishes and spinach do well right now. Once the weather warms up and frost is no longer a factor, the plants can be transferred outside.

The beginning of April is the best time to plant peppers and tomato seeds, says Faust.

FIRST-TIME GARDENER

The National Home and Garden Association says 21 percent of food gardening households will be new gardeners in 2009.

The Home and Garden Information Center's website contains information on how to start a home vegetable garden. There are also gardening classes for beginners in the local area.

Traunfeld says you can also call or email the center with questions. The Center has certified horticulturists ready to answer any questions you have.

LACK OF SPACE

If you don't have enough yard for a garden, The Home and Garden Information Center can help you find community space to create your own plot. You can learn how to start a community garden here.

The center also offers advice on container gardening.

GARDENING COSTS

While seed packs are relatively inexpensive (99-cents to $2.99 a pack), fertilizer costs have gone up this year compared to last year.

At Johnson's Florist, the owner has decided not to carry certain brands, because the cost to the gardening center has doubled from around $9 to over $20 a bag. These costs are then passed onto the consumer.

The reason for the jump in prices has everything to do with petroleum. Chemical fertilizers contain phosphorus and other elements that are byproducts of petroleum. Petroleum prices go up, this means fertilizer does too.

Faust says organic fertilizers have not jumped as much in price.

"The organic are based on different types of manures. Those haven't gone up [because they are] raw materials."

But Traunfeld says it's worth the cost. "Whether it's an organic fertilizer or chemical fertilizer, it would only cost you three or four dollars at the most to fertilize a garden for 100 square feet for the whole year. It's still actually not that expensive compared to what you get out of it."

LACK OF SUN

One of the biggest challenges for gardeners is sunlight, or the lack of it. What grows best in shade and what can tolerate direct sun.

The Home and Garden Information Center offers vegetable profiles for your lighting conditions.

For example, Traunfeld says lettuce, arugula and cilantro grow well in the shade.

SAFETY

Before starting a home garden, Traunfeld says gardeners should get a soil test.

In some cases Traunfeld says soil may contain a dangerous level of lead. It's rare he says, but it is possible.

To find a testing center near you, click here.

TURNING IN THE TROWELL

Traunfeld says don't give up if your first garden isn't Home and Garden worthy. Start out small and build up.

"The first year it does take work," said Traunfeld. "If you get into this, you can save money. The first year you may not save much, but you build up your soil, skills, and then you can save money."

In the end, gardening provides benefits not just to the earth, says Traunfeld. What's good for the soil is also "good for the soul."

And possibly, it's also good for the pocket book.