Economic Woes May Bring Back Victory Gardens

Centre Daily Times ^ | Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009 | Bill Lamont

[nickcarraway]

I can remember my mother talking about the victory garden she had in the backyard of their home during World War II. My dad was in the Navy in the Pacific theater during the war and my mother felt that she was supporting the war effort with her little garden.

If you look up victory gardens you will find that during World War I and World War II, the government asked the residents of the United States to plant gardens in order to support the war effort. It was one way to bring the people together in support of a common goal and to make them feel that they were contributing to the war effort. It is estimated that millions of people planted gardens. In one article that I read it is recorded that “in 1943, Americans planted over 20 million victory gardens, and the harvest accounted for nearly a third of all the vegetables consumed in the country that year.” The article also stated “emphasis was placed on making gardening a family or community effort, not a drudgery, but a pastime, and a national duty.”

Jump forward to 2009. Given the not so rosy economic picture that the country and individuals are facing maybe we need to revisit the victory garden concept. If you go to www.revivevictorygarden.org/ you will find info on victory gardens. Victory gardens are not much different from vegetable gardens of today and the gardening principles and practices followed in the victory gardens are still the ones we use today in our gardens.

I would say that during World War I and World War II, everyone was encouraged to plant a garden, even if it was a small container on the patio or balcony.

Think if everyone planted some kind of a garden today. The amount of produce produced would be considerable and would dramatically increase the consumption of fresh and locally produced nutritious vegetables that would add to the well-being and health of our society, not to mention the positive impact to the family budget.

I am sure that many of the vegetables produced in the victory gardens were also canned and put up for use during the winter months, which in our society today is a dying art, but one that could be revived.

I see many positive aspects of encouraging victory gardens today. It seems to me that they hit the nail on the head when they said, “emphasis was placed on making gardening a family or community effort, not a drudgery, but a pastime, and a national duty.”

It seems to me that we need more of that kind of activity, commitment and spirit in society today. Make plans to have an economic victory garden in 2009.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thanks! Great link. :)

Here’s another family that really ‘walks the walk’ while making a buck off of the rest of us, of course. ;)

http://www.pathtofreedom.com

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Did you know that the ‘Granny Smith’ apple originated in Australia? It was accidentally bred by “Granny Smith’ who was an orchid breeder. I don’t know all of the mechanics of it, but you somehow need apple seeds or blossoms to breed new orchids.

Anyhow, my brain-pan holds useless data like that. And Freepers are always welcome to it, LOL!

[dr_who]

Mmmm. Would sell a lot of tillers.

[anonsquared]

Use six 1x12s that are eight feet long. Stack two for each long side and cut the other two in half and stack and voila, you have a 8’ by 4’ raised bed. (I used 1x1s in the corners.)

Be sure to tack galvanized screening to the bottom to keep out the gophers.

[mysterio]

I started mine two years ago. Will continue to do so for the rest of my life, health permitting.

[anonsquared]

Sounds yummy! You may want to check out http://www.groworganic.com

Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply offers multi-fruit trees so you can get three kinds of apples, peaches, or pears on one grafted tree.

http://groworganic.com/search.html?pCommand=DoSearch&pMode=Search&sText=multi%20fruit&sCategory=catalog

[jerry639]

“I see many positive aspects of encouraging victory gardens today. “

Although I don't refer to mine as a victory garden I do enjoy gardening. The biggest problem is crabgrass. Fight it all spring and summer. Have never found the answer as to how to get rid of it.

[Gabz]

(Victory) Garden Ping!!!!!!!!

[lonestar]

What kind of soil do you use? Do you have a compost?

[Brad’s Gramma]

Wow! GREAT GREAT inspiration!!! Pasadena, CA???

Thanks!!!!

[anonsquared]

Before I built my raised beds and eliminated my weed problem, I had some success using layers of newspapers (black and white only/no colored print) to block weeds between rows and around plants. About seven sheets works best and it decomposes through the season and softens up clay soil. Lay it down, wet it, and throw a bit of soil over to cover.

[Viking2002]

That's an interesting factoid. All I know is, my mother has sworn by Granny Smith apples as the best all-around cooking and baking apple for over 60 years. Truth be told, I'd thought that I'd planted a Stayman Winesap - that's what the nursery tag said - but didn't find out otherwise, until the fruit started coming in about three or four years ago. The first year, I let the damn things hang on the branches until they rotted, because I kept expecting them to turn red. LOL Last year was the first year the tree really produced - it was just a bowl full for the first couple of seasons. Last year, it finally went nuts. But, I grew up in apple country, so it's a point of pride to own my own, personal apple tree, right in front of my door. I think this year I'll keeps some seeds, and see about germinating some seedlings, 'cuz this tree is a keeper, genetically-speaking.

[hedgetrimmer]

Make a bean pole tee pee for them. They’ll have a blast.

[anonsquared]

I have two acres that used to be part of a cattle ranch. I do compost just by throwing all the garden scraps in a huge pile under an oak tree every fall. By spring I pull off the top layer and enjoy everything that is cooked underneath.

Every few years I take a plastic garbage can up to the garden store and get soil amendment that comes from crushed shells. It really adds to the soil, but it does produce mushrooms that may or may not be edible.

[Squantos]

As stated before we learned from grandparents and parents long ago.....no need to bring back a victory garden. We still have ours !.......:o)

[ken21]

“think global, act local.”

/s

[Viking2002]

You know, I live in central Alabama, and pecan trees literally grow like weeds around here. The squirrels get the nuts from my neighbor's tree, and bury them for the winter. The next spring, I find them growing EVERYWHERE in the yard. My Dachshunds learned to shell thin-walled nuts like peanuts, pecans, and walnuts when they were pups (dogs that love mixed nuts - go figure), and every fall, the back porch is usually coved in pecan shells, not to mention the odd shell I find in the house. They fall out of the tree on our side of the fence, and they cart them off for a snack. LOL

[Gabz]

The next spring, I find them growing EVERYWHERE in the yard.

Dig them up and mail them to me!!!!!!!!

The folks that I knew with pecan trees that kept me unlimitedly supplied have all passed away and now I don't know anyone with a pecan tree :(

[tubebender]

Been there and Done that since tending my Dads large gardens of the 30s and 40s then a break in the 50s and continually since then. We started cutting back last year when I hauled about 50 dozen Ball and Kerr canning jars to the Discovery Shop. We kept 50 dozen wide mouth pint and 1/2 pint jars for our own needs. We put Albacore Tuna up in the 1/2 pints.

There is not much of a savings when you start buying tillers and shredders. Once your soil is improved you can spade it in very little time

[jerry639]

Thanks, I try your suggestion.