This works especially well in areas with poor soil, such as Harris County with its heavy gumbo-soil, which would normally need extensive amendments and labor to support an actively producing garden. This method, which is not labor-intensive, works well for demonstration purposes for numerous gardening experiments for students. Cylinder gardening requires little land and little pre-gardening preparation or experience. Once the cylinders are filled and planted, the only labor is minor maintenance, watering and harvesting. It should be pointed out however, that the method of growing vegetables in containers, such as Cylinder Gardening, is not the usual way of commercial vegetable farming.
Commercial farmers grow in straight rows to facilitate the use of equipment.
During 1996 the Men's Garden Club of Houston completed four years of activity with the Harris County Master Gardener Association. During the spring and fall terms of 1996, more than 203 classes of Cylinder Gardening were enrolled. Participation of children in Harris County for the two terms amounted to over 10,000. One hundred twenty schools and 6 school districts were involved. During 1996 the Men's Garden Club and Harris County Master Gardener sponsored two teacher in-service training sessions, one in Hermann Park Garden Center and the other at the Extension Service Center at Bear Creek Park.