I find it highly doubtful that in World War I, individual victory gardens in the US could have done much at all to feed Europe. Just common sense.
To start with, there is no uniformity in victory gardens, so there is no substantial amount of a given crop at a particular time that is ripe. Then that crop would have to be harvested and put on board a non-refrigerated ship for a nine day voyage across the Atlantic. Then once it arrived in a major European port, it would have to be shipped again to its final destination.
And for every “What if they did it this way?” alternative, there are still huge roadblocks to success.
Even making a successful victory garden at home takes a lot of prior planning and a lot of work. Most people grow easier crops like zucchini, tomatoes and herbs, that while enjoyable do not provide substantial nutrition. Instead, growing crops like potatoes and squash gives much more food value for the same area. They are also less prone to insect attack.
Victory gardens may have reduce demand for commercial crops enough to have a surplus that was shipped overseas.
Perhaps the WWI Victory Gardens left more farm-raised produce to be mechanically canned and shipped overseas.
“Instead, growing crops like potatoes and squash gives much more food value for the same area. They are also less prone to insect attack.”
Agreed, to an extent.
I think if varies greatly by geography. I have clay soil, so root crops don’t grow well for me. I grow potatoes above ground in tire rings, and my onions are grown in my much-improved flower beds. Carrots? Fuggeddaboudit!
Thirty miles north of me is ‘sand country’ and I can get onions, potatoes and root veggie for a song...so they’re not worth the garden space to me.
But you’re absolutely right. To be totally self-sufficent takes some planning and hard work. I’ve had my farm for 15 years now and I’m about a QUARTER of the way there between my garden, orchard and laying hens. I really, really REALLY want a milk cow, but Husband isn’t budging on that.
For now...LOL! :)
>>>I find it highly doubtful that in World War I, individual victory gardens in the US could have done much at all to feed Europe. Just common sense.<<<
The Victory Gardens both during WW I & II were not to feed Europe - they fed your own family & friends - this freed up 40%+ of commercialy grown crops to be diverted to Europe and our troops overseas instead of domestic consumption.
Don’t underestimate the absolute need for acquiring and using the skills of gardening and preserving today. Already passed by the house and if the Senate passes H.R.2749, the FDA will gear up to enforce newly passed asinine provisions. I won’t get on my soapbox here, but I will say that genetically modified, pesticide use, herbicide use become ‘best practice’ which is mandated under this bill. Our new Food Czar was a Monsanto Attorney. If you are not familiar with them, I suggest you google it and decide for yourself.