Now is the Time to Plant a Victory Garden

Many people are beginning to realize the importance of self-sufficiency and the security it brings.   One way to achieve this is by growing your own food.

Victory gardens were popular during World War II when food was scarce, and people had to rely on their own resources to feed their families.

Today, we can draw inspiration from those times and start our own victory garden. It is a way of securing our food source, and the ability to grow the healthiest, organic, fresh vegetables and fruit.  In recent years, victory gardens have experienced a resurgence in popularity. People are once again turning to gardening as a way to provide for themselves and their families, and to connect with nature in an increasingly busy and technology-driven world.

In this blog post, we will explore some valuable lessons we can learn from a Victory Garden also known as War or Liberty Garden.

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History of Victory Gardens

The concept of victory gardens first emerged during World War I in response to food supply concerns. It became especially well known during World War II when governments encouraged citizens to start vegetable gardens in public parks, backyards, and even city rooftops. Growing this produce helped alleviate the pressure on the public food supply brought on by war. They were also a means of boosting morale and encouraging a sense of community.

In the United States, victory gardens were a patriotic symbol.  The government provided citizens with guidance on creating and managing their gardens through pamphlets and educational programs. These gardens were a common sight across America and played a significant role in the war-time culture.  

One of the biggest supporters of this movement was none other than First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Mrs. Roosevelt wasn’t just an advocate for victory gardens in theory – she also put her beliefs into practice by planting her own garden at the White House. Her efforts inspired countless others across the country to do the same, from urban dwellers planting tomatoes in window boxes to rural families cultivating large plots of land.

The impact of these victory gardens was significant. By 1944, it’s estimated that Americans had grown more than 20 million tons of fruits and vegetables in their own gardens! This not only helped reduce pressure on the food supply chain but also provided much-needed nutrition for families who might otherwise have gone hungry. The legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt and the victory garden movement lives on today, reminding us that even in times of hardship, we can come together to create something beautiful and nourishing.

The United States Department of Agriculture encouraged food production and provided a wide variety of reports and booklets to help gardeners succeed. I was surprised by just how much information our U.S. government provided.  Here is a list of some of them, which I got from the USDA National Agricultural Library.

• Victory Gardens (1943).
• Victory Garden Leader’s Handbook (1943).
• Victory Garden Kit: Your Victory Garden Program (1945)
• Victory Garden Insect Guide (1944)
• A Victory Gardener’s Handbook on Insects and Diseases (1944).
• Victory Gardeners Can Prevent Ear-Worms From Entering Their Corn (1943).
• Oven Drying: One Way to Save Victory Garden Surplus (1943).
• Drying Foods for Victory Meals (1942).
• Be A Victory Planner in Your Home (1942).
• Community Food Preservation Centers (1941).
• Home Canning of Fruits and Vegetables: Seven Points for Success (1944).
• Take Care of Pressure Canners (1943)
• Home Canning of Fruits, Vegetables, and Meats (1942).

War Gardens in Europe

While victory gardens have an important place in American history. The concept of personal and community gardens during wartime was also adopted by European countries. In Britain, the “Dig for Victory” campaign was launched during World War II, which copied the U.S. efforts and encouraged British citizens to grow their own vegetables. Despite the challenges of limited space and often harsh weather conditions, gardens sprouted in every available patch of land, from private yards to public parks and even the grounds of the Tower of London.

In Germany, the war gardens or “Schrebergärten” took on a unique cultural meaning during wartime. Originally developed in the 19th century by a German physician, Dr. Moritz Schreber, after whom these community gardens were named.   They were meant for city workers to get back to nature and deal with the stress of city life. It was also a community space where children would play and get physical activity, which was hard to do in the city. These allotment gardens became crucial during the World Wars. During food shortages and economic uncertainty, they provided an important source of food and independence for German families. Despite the destruction of war, these gardens were a peaceful place where the German citizens could contribute to the war effort while raising their spirits by growing their own food.

My childhood memories of my grandmother’s Schrebergarten.

You may know I am a German immigrant if you have read some of my past blog posts.  My grandmother actually had one of these small gardens in an allotment community.  

I have fond memories of this garden that my grandmother. Gerda, or Omi as we called her, rode her bicycle to that garden until she was close to 70. She had a huge cherry tree on the back lot line. Red, white, and black currant bushes lined one side of the garden.  I know she grew a large variety of fruits and vegetables in her small garden. Potatoes, cherries, and currants are what I remember the most.  She had the most wonderful tiny garden hut where she fixed little lunches and Kaffee und Kuchen.  Kaffee und Kuchen is a serious business in Germany which literally means coffee and cake.   It is enjoyed religiously!  It is usually an afternoon pick-me-up, much like English afternoon tea.

I also fondly remember a community garden event where there was a Maypole. In the evening, there was a children’s paper lantern parade where the lanterns were lit with candles.

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This is where my love of gardening began.

I have always had small gardens with a couple of raised beds, and at one house, I only had a container garden.

As Covid-19 came into our lives, I started being concerned about the availability of food.  The rising cost of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially the organic selections, got me to expand my garden from 4 raised beds to an additional eight rows that are each approximately 4 feet by 45 feet long.  So that first year, when we expanded my garden, I decided to have a goal of growing enough tomatoes and preserving 100 jars of tomatoes, diced and sauce.   Well, that first year, I preserved over 90 jars of tomatoes!!  Since then, I have reached my 100 canned jars!  I am driven by these weird goals I come up with!?

Once your garden starts producing, the Canning & Preserving hub has everything you need to put it all up.

It gives me such joy and satisfaction to take seeds that I order from seed companies or starts from my local garden center and grow my own vegetables and fresh fruits.    

I don’t recommend going wild like I did that first year after I expanded my garden. Gardening has given me pride in growing my own vegetables and has been a great learning experience. I recommend that everyone takes control of their food sources by growing a little or a lot of their own produce.

 

Victory gardens remind us to take control of our food supply, especially in these uncertain times.  

It is fun to show my grandkids that carrots don’t come from little bags that are pre-washed/peeled and are all about 3 inches long.  I love them being able to pick blackberries straight from the bushes and not just eat them from little 6 oz containers. Of course, nothing brings me more joy than having all our grandkids come to our garden and pick fall pumpkins!

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Here are lessons and thoughts when starting your own victory garden.

Start small

One important lesson we can learn from victory gardens is to start small. In fact, even a small space can produce a large bounty with the right planning. Many start with just a few plants and gradually expand their gardens over time. This approach allowed them to gain experience, experiment with different techniques, and develop their skills gradually.  Joining a community garden is a great way to start small and learn from other gardeners.

Starting small also helps you avoid getting overwhelmed or discouraged if things don’t go according to plan initially. You can learn from your mistakes without losing too much time or resources.

Not sure where to begin? Early Spring Garden Prep walks you through exactly what to do first — even if you’re starting from scratch.

Focus on variety

Another valuable lesson from victory gardens is the importance of variety in your garden. Growing different types of plants ensures that you have a diverse range of nutrients in your diet while making it less likely for pests or diseases to wipe out all your crops simultaneously.

Victory gardeners would often plant several different types of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and even flowers in their plots. They would also experiment with new varieties every year and share seeds or cuttings with other gardeners.

Use organic methods

The use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers was limited during World War II due to their scarcity and the need to redirect resources towards the war effort. As a result, victory gardeners had to rely on organic methods to grow healthy crops. Today, we have access to a wide range of organic gardening techniques that can help us achieve similar results. These include composting, crop rotation, natural pest control methods, and companion planting.

Companion planting is one of the easiest natural pest control methods — 30 Flowers and Herbs That Repel Pests Naturally is a great place to start.

Get creative

Victory gardeners would get creative with their gardens. They would organize themed plots or include unusual plants or decorations in their designs.

Getting creative with your garden makes it more enjoyable and helps you maximize space and yield. You can plant vertically, use containers or raised beds, incorporate edible flowers, or try new growing techniques such as hydroponics or aquaponics.

Share your bounty

Victory garden gardeners also emphasized the importance of sharing your harvest with others. Gardeners would often trade or share their fresh produce with neighbors and friends.

Sharing your bounty helps those in need and fosters a sense of community and goodwill.

Share your garden seeds

Gardeners not only shared their produce but also shared seeds they collected at the end of the garden season. You can also exchange seeds or starter plants with other gardeners and learn from each other’s experiences.

I enjoy collecting seeds from my garden, and it has been fun to make little seed packets and share them with family and friends.

Victory gardens provide valuable lessons we can apply today as we strive for self-sufficiency and sustainability.

If you want to take what you grow straight to the table, my free Farm to Table Meal Plan makes it easy.

Start by buying a seed packet or two and a few vegetables starts from your local garden center. By starting small, focusing on variety, using organic methods, getting creative with our gardens, and sharing our bounty with others, we can grow healthy food while building stronger communities.

The good news is if you are thinking of growing your own vegetable plants and the thought of a large garden makes you nervous, start small.  Window boxes or container planters full of fresh herbs, a tomato plant, or just one small garden bed with carrots and some leafy greens are a great place to start.  Plan your victory garden now!

More gardening posts you might enjoy

• Ten Gardening Secrets to Success
  
• Starting Seeds Indoors – An Easy Guide For Success
  
• 12 Things That Will Produce a Dream Tomato Harvest
  

Ready to grow your own food? The Garden Problems & Fixes hub has everything from seed starting to harvest in one place.

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