Victory Gardens: In History and My Own

World War 2 campaign poster to encourage civilians to grow their own food and share surpluses with others

As I thought about appropriate blog topics for this Memorial Day weekend two things came to mind. The first was that this weekend is generally experienced as the gate keeper to summer, the shifting of food preparations outdoors with grilling and picnics.

My second thought was that as holidays go, this is one that is not as straight forward as others like July 4 or Christmas, in terms of its meaning and significance. I wondered how many really ponder the intent of Memorial Day as its tribute to our armed services throughout history. I know armed services people personally who were heroically involved in the aftermath of 911 as well as the Iraq war. Our family history bears soldiers from the Spanish American war as well as the Civil War, from whom we still own relics such as a canteen and genuine horse hair coat keeping history alive in our family. Secretly I’ve always enjoyed the three days of historical films that fill this weekend, giving a nod to a bygone era defined by honor and decency.

Really though where my mind wandered was to Victory Gardens. The campaign to get people to grow their own food. During World Wars 1 and 2, there was incredible pressure on the U.S. food supply. Canned goods and a large percentage of agricultural crops were going to support the U.S. troops at war. There were difficulties transporting food to civilians as well. The government implored families to start a food garden, to support their own needs and bring any surpluses to local grocery stores to aid those with no garden access. Landscaped yards, vacant lots, public and private land was converted to massive food growing gardens.

It is estimated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that over 20 million Victory Gardens were planted with a yield 9-10 million tons (equivalent to all the commercial production at the time)*. As World War 2 and the Victory Garden campaign ended, many people did not resume their gardens. There was a temporary food shortage as agricultural and food sources rebounded after the war to meet consumer demand.

In the past few years there has been a resurgence of home food growing and it has not escaped my attention that it corresponds with the decline in the economy. I think the consciousness in the clean food movement is at play as well. Despite the purpose of Victory Gardens originating from difficult times and circumstances, I find myself a bit enviousof the simplicity of growing one’s food in earnest. Despite the convenience of our modern day existence, I suspect being so close to one’s own necessity bred higher appreciation and satisfaction.

This weekend I planted my victory garden of sorts with Memorial Day on my mind. Though my planting is purely from choice, and overflow will go to others, it still bears the purposeful intent of the war effort; to grow my own food, not for folly.

In this 8 foot by 8 foot plot there are: 8 tomatoes (all heirloom meaning their seed lineage goes back in history some to the 1800s), 9 peppers, 2 eggplant, 2 zucchini, 2 varieties of bush beans (several plants), edible insect-offending flowers, fennel, cilantro, epazote, radishes, cucumbers, lettuce, celery, several other herbs.

A bit of a sad looking photo on this dreary, foggy more-like-Northern-California Colorado morning but it gives you the spacial gist

Victory Gardens were as small as window boxes. I began planting edible-only containers by my front door last year. This year I have an heirloom tomato with nasturtium trailing the front of the pot (flowers are edible and ward off unwelcome insects), 2 large rosemary plants (can only be grown as annuals in Colorado so I can bring the pots indoors over the winter), 3 types of sage (variegated, traditional and pineapple) as well as a pot of calendula (colorful, edible flowers).

*Wessels Living History Farm (click here to learn more)

Comments

The Humble Food Snob says

March 03, 2012 at 9:56 pm

Sorry this comment is so late- I just found this post on Foodgawker. I love the idea of Victory Gardens and truly enjoy mine! But I was wondering about your “edible insect-offending flowers”. What exactly are they? Do they keep insects off of the plants? Thanks!

- Boulder Locavore says
  
  March 03, 2012 at 10:19 pm
  
  I plant marigolds, calendula and nasturtiums. I believe they do help and they are edible themselves (provided they have not been sprayed or something). They are often used in companion planting but can function by attracting the insects away from more prized vegetation so can become insect ridden themselves (though I have not had that occur). As you probably have noticed marigolds have a very strong and distinct aroma. I assume that is what wards off insects in their case. Hope this helps!
  
Elizabeth Treusdell Brunetti says

June 21, 2011 at 11:56 am

If you're ever in DC, my husband is the horticulturist in charge of the Victory Garden at the Smithsonian. He'd be happy to give you a tour!

Lynn says

June 01, 2011 at 9:28 pm

Lovely post. The posters are so wonderful. Good luck with your garden! I don't have my own this year, but I've joined a fun Victory Garden class in my area.

rosemarried says

June 01, 2011 at 5:55 am

Aw, love this post! Really… I love all your gardening and farmer's market posts. These things are very near to my heart! And while I've heard of Victory Gardens, I think that bringing them to mind for Memorial Day is so appropriate. Thank you for the thoughtful post!

Allison says

May 31, 2011 at 2:52 pm

I started a bit of a backyard garden this year (we get most of our veggies from a CSA), and the term “victory garden” never crossed my mind. What a lovely salute to our men and women in uniform – you have given me one more reason to really try harder with this again in the fall (this western WA girl got a little bit of a late start here in AZ) – thank you!
http://decadentphilistines.blogspot.com

the Gardener says

May 31, 2011 at 12:08 pm

I've never heard the term “Victory garden” before, but last year when we planted a successful veggie garden I certainly felt it to be a personal victory! We've got a south-facing side yard which was perfect with lots of sun.

Lizzy says

May 31, 2011 at 12:06 am

I love all that you've planted…I only wish my yard was graced with a bit more sun, but I'm grateful there's enough room for my favorite herbs. Looking forward to see what you make with your harvest.

An Alaskan Cooks | Alaska Food and Wine says

May 30, 2011 at 5:04 pm

A thoughtful post for this holiday, plus a good reminder about the benefits of growning one's own food. It's still not planting season up here but this year I do want to tackle growning some tomatoes and rosemary in planters. Now if I could only cure this brown thumb of mine …

Jess says

May 30, 2011 at 3:49 pm

When I think of victory gardens I think of my great grandmother, a German immigrant whose entire yard was planted with vegetables. She lived in an urban neighborhood and was well loved for her generous spirit, sharing much of her produce with the community. I feel so proud when I think of her, knowing her genes are mine. And so my garden grows too!

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