South Dakota is a large, primarily rural state, with only about 720,000 people, relying on agricultural production as a major input into the state's economy. Commercial horticultural enterprises are continuing to become more common and increase in size. There are several different types of horticultural enterprises in the state including nursery, landscaping, garden centers or lawn care operations and fruit, vegetable and Christmas tree production.
Of course, written publications are the most common means providing information to the public. We also try to address immediate concerns of commercial horticultural enterprises in the state through newsletters like Pest Alert which was published weekly during the growing season. Currently, Pest Updates provide timely information to growers and plant care professionals about various insect and disease pests and cultural information on a wide array of horticultural plants and trees.
Home horticulture is a very
important program in South Dakota. It is estimated that over 150,000 people in South
Dakota have vegetable or flower gardens and regularly garden as a leisure activity.
Questions regarding home horticulture may make up 50% or more of the total number of
calls received by field staff during the growing season.
One of the most important means of addressing home gardener's concerns utilizing Garden Line which is broadcast on Tuesday nights on South Dakota Public Television. Garden Line combines the expertise of four specialists into an hour-long, live call-in program. Each season hundreds of questions are answered during Garden Line, South Dakota Public Television's most popular locally produced programs.
The Master Gardener Program is also quite active here in South Dakota. Participants around the state each year receive 9 days of extensive training in such topic areas as lawn care, fruit and vegetable gardening, flowers and perennials, tree and shrub establishment and care, soils and fertilizers, disease and insect control, safe use of pesticides, and plant diagnosis. Master Gardeners help county field staff to answer gardening questions, put on gardening programs around the state and work with 4-H youth during County Achievement Days and the South Dakota State Fair. If you are interested in perhaps becoming a South Dakota Master Gardener, see the Master Gardener home page for more information.
David Graper, Head Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks Department