Thanks to all of you who weighed in on the front-yard gardening post! A few of you mentioned the Victory Gardens from World War II. One of my readers left this message on Facebook: “Back in the day, the government says it’s patriotic to have a “victory garden” in your yard. Now they want to make it a crime.” Thanks Clayton, good point! I was sooo fascinated by the reference, I did a little research of my own:
In the 1940′s, Victory Gardens began to sprout up across the country in order to ease the burden of an already stressed and taxed country. They were meant to reduce food production costs, reduce the reliance on the railroad system for our food supply, and create a surplus of foods to can and preserve for when food supplies ran short. The gardens were planted in any bit of unused space: empty dirt lots, backyards, and unused city parcels. Um, hello! Why does it take a war to do something that makes so much sense?
{Your Victory Garden Counts More Than Ever poster}
For the first time since World War I, gardening became a past-time, not a social and economic necessity for just the poor. People of every background came together in an effort to keep the country functioning. In 1942, 5.5 million people participated in the Victory Gardens movement. Holy Canolies! Plus, seed packet sales rose 300% that year. {There’s your economic stimulus!} It is estimated that 44% of the country’s fresh produce was grown in Victory Gardens in 1942. Just imagine what we could do now, with our fancy grow lights and extendable growing seasons?
Want to eat local? Dig for your dinner.
Now get out there and plant something! {Okay, or at least get your seed packets ready!}
♥ Mavis
{Dig for Victory Now poster}
{Isn’t that old garden caddy cool?}
By Brett L. Markham
{Tomatoes and Basil – August 2012}
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