KUDZU KULTUR

Kudzu is native to Japan and China. However it grows well in Georgia. Kudzu is a vine that when left uncontrolled will eventually grow over almost any fixed object in its proximity including houses, barns and other vegetation. Kudzu, over a period of several years will kill trees by blocking the sunlight and for this and other reasons many would like to find ways to get rid of it. The flowers which bloom in late summer have a very pleasant fragrance and the shapes and forms created by kudzu vines growing over trees and bushes can be pleasing to the eye during the summer months.

We first became acquainted with kudzu driving through Georgia on I-75. There is nothing just like it up North. What prompted this posting was an article in the Gainesville Times today, written by Ashley Bates. She writes:

“You can eat it. Try young kudzu leaves in place of Spinach."

“Deep-fried kudzu leaves are like potato chips.”

“Kudzu can grow 7 feet a week.”

“It’s a vine only a goat could love.”

It was introduced at an International Exposition in the late 1800’s as a means of controlling soil erosion. Now kudzu is considered a pest, monitored by the Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council. http://www.gaeppc.org

The photos shown here were taken by Jack Anthony in North Georgia. One shows a house completely covered and the other shows a scene of covered trees.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Soil Conservation Service promoted kudzu for erosion control. Hundreds of young men were given work planting kudzu through the Civilian Conservation Corps. Farmers were paid as much as eight dollars an acre as incentive to plant fields of the vines in the 1940s.

There is a whole culture of kudzu stuff which you are invited to explore. Here are some links:

The Amazing Story of Kudzu - Filmmaker Max Shores' excellent overview of Kudzu and its history in the US. Max is producer/director at the University of Alabama Center for Public Television and Radio in Tuscaloosa.

Kudzu Kingdom - Juanitta Baldwin's kudzu site featuring kudzu jelly, postcards, photos, books and other products and information. Juanitta's book, "Kudzu Cuisine" is described as well as her most recent book about kudzu titled "Kudzu in America."

Kudzu Cabin Designs - Nancy Basket's amazing and beautiful designs and art using kudzu and other materials.

The Kudzu Collection is Dave Lineback's wonderful gallery of photographs showing North Carolina kudzu at its best.

Kudzu-The Vine is Jack Anthony's collection of photos featuring various north Georgia structures covered by kudzu.

Shofuso: The Japanese House and Garden is where kudzu was first planted on American soil. The Japanese garden dates to 1876, but the villa was added later.