1914: Makes Vacant Lots Pay in Minneapolis
H. W. Darr Realized $300 Last Year on the Produce of Six Lots.
Star Tribune
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Apr 15, 1914
H. W. Darr, who lives at 5025 Harriet Avenue, is one of the Minneapolis gardeners who can vouch for the truth of the Garden club’s declaration that “you can make $50 on a vacant lot Garden.”
Last year he cultivated four average sized lots and two smaller ones, and he made more than $300. His family of six persons got enough vegetables from the garden to supply it from the time the garden began producing clear through the winter. He sold the rest to grocery stores, and it brought him $196.81 in cash.
More than that, between seasons Mr. Darr received a goodly sum additional by means of his garden. He wrote and told the “Country Gentleman” how he conducted his garden. This month that publication printed Mr. Darr’s account and sent him a flattering letter with a check.
During the winter months Mr. Darr was thinking busily about his gardening plans. He a careful study of the soil of the various lots adjacent to his home, use of which he had obtained. He decided what vegetables might be expected to grow best in the various parts of his proposed garden. Then he measured off each portion and made a chart of the garden, including in it a plotting plan.
Every contemplated row of vegetables was marked on the chart together with the name of the vegetable and the specific variety of that vegetable, and the quantity of seed he estimated would be required. Thus, he was able to figure exactly how much seed of every sort he would need, and because he could do so he was able to save money in buying his seeds.
When planting time came he took the chart with him into the garden, As each row was planted in accordance with its specifications, he indicated on the chart the date of planting. And then as the season advanced he made further notations—when the crop began to yield; how great a quantity it bore; and how much he realized from it. At the end of the season he was able to itemize exactly the record of each variety of vegetable and to tell just how profitable it had been to him.
Here are Mr. Darr’s itemized results of his 1913 garden sales.
Onions $28.00
Peas $23.23
Beans $21.43
Sweet corn $20.85
Tomatoes $16.93
Carrots $7.00
Radishes $7.67
Beets $6.57
Lettuce $3.00
Popcorn $15.00
Cucumbers $6.95
Cabbages $6.35
Melons $7.50
Potatoes $6.15
Squash $3.20
Pumpkins $1.20
Parsnips $2.06
Miscellaneous $13.45
The Tribune wants stories of actual accomplishment to be used in this department.
If you’ve met with unusual success with a with flowers, fruit or shrubs or in the raising of dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, ferrets, song-birds, goldfish, or anything else that might come under the heading of household pets, The Tribune wants the story.
A number of stories have accumulated to give the department its start, but there are hundreds of others available. For every article that is accepted and printed, The Tribune pay $1. Tell your story in your own words. Send in photographs if you have them. Address “The City Farmer, care Minneapolis Tribune.”
