Hi Suzanne, I appreciate your storytelling about the Victory garden history. It gives thoughtful context to current and projected increases in residential vegetable gardening. As you probably know, Philadelphia has a strong tradition of community gardening. Growing goes far beyond the veggie rows. Community gardening is neighbors getting to know each other, sharing stories, recipes, child care, philosophy, family experiences. It is neighborhoods, towns and cities stronger for these vital threads. Yes, the economy's in the dumps; people are struggling to pay their bills, keep their jobs. We are fortunate, though, to have this opportunity to connect with the earth, its bounty and each other. Thanks for giving it voice. Charlotte
In My Garden Blog:
New England
March 12, 2009
By
Suzanne DeJohn,
Cambridge, VT
Leeks, shallots, and blue potatoes are three easy-to-grow gourmet crops that are perfect for home gardens.
A New Generation of Victory Gardens
During tough times generations of Americans have turned to food gardening as a way to help feed their families, and our country's current economic downturn is no exception. A recent poll projects a 20 percent rise in the number of households growing vegetables this year over last. In addition to putting food on the table, could this renewed interest in growing one's own food spark a sense of empowerment and community pride, as it did during the "victory garden" era of the 1940s?
Americans planted victory gardens during World War II as a way to support the war effort. By growing produce to feed themselves and their communities, these home gardeners allowed the nation to divert more of the national food and fuel supplies to the troops. People felt personal pride in the labor they contributed, and the food they grew helped offset the privations caused by war. Some 20 million Americans answered the call of "Plant More in '44." Altogether, they produced about 40 percent of the vegetables consumed nationally that year. The victory garden concept changed gardening from a practical pastime to a civic duty and patriotic gesture.
Sixty-five years later Americans are again struggling to make ends meet, and food gardening is experiencing a revival. This time around the reasons have less to do with patriotism and more to do with saving money and promoting self-sufficiency. However, what started as a simple trend appears to be growing into a full-fledged movement as activists try to rekindle the fervor for home food gardening as a means not only to harvesting edibles but also to building community and increasing environmental awareness. There's even a campaign afoot to convince President Obama to dig up part of the White House lawn and restore the victory garden planted in 1943 by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. It may be time to dust off the victory garden moniker and use it once again to unite and inspire gardeners.
Most young Americans are a few generations removed from their gardening and farming roots. After WWII, many families abandoned food gardening to pursue leisure activities. Suburban landscapes became seas of manicured lawns punctuated by a few ornamentals. If someone grew vegetables, it was likely in a corner of the backyard. This suburban lawn paradigm even resulted in some homeowners' associations forbidding food gardening by residents. In just a few short decades food gardening went from patriotic to prohibited!
Now the tides are turning again, and a new generation is eager to grow food. According to recent polls conducted by the National Gardening Association, two million more households grew vegetables in 2008 than in 2007, and results suggest there will be a 20 percent increase in vegetable gardening this year over last year. Those of us who've watched interest in food gardening decline can rejoice in its revival. Perhaps the silver lining of this economic recession will be that it inspires a new generation of gardeners.
Although Americans returning to gardening to put vegetables on the table, it's unlikely we'll see the zeal -- and productivity -- of the WWII victory garden era. However, even a small home garden can help offset rising food prices and empower people to provide for themselves and their families during these tough economic times. And if calling these revitalized plantings "victory gardens" inspires participation and camaraderie among neighbors, so much the better. We'll need a new slogan, though. How about "Homegrown is Fine in 2009?"
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Charlotte | March 12, 2009 | 8:04PM
Becky Benton | March 13, 2009 | 12:47PM
Visions of Victory Garden's of the 1940's have been running though
my thoughts in the past few days as well. As matter of fact, I was
quite startled see this article today! I'm happy to know that there
are others out there who share my same thoughts!
Starting a vegetable garden is an easy concept for those of us who
know how to garden. For those who don't, it's daunting.
There is a real need for families to learn how to grow a garden
successfully.
I'm a master gardener volunteer, and spend one day a week running
an after school gardening club for students at a small primary
school in Maine. At our recent meeting (yesterday), we discussed
growing a row of food for the local food pantry in our new school
garden. The students were excited about contributing to their
community, especially knowing that some of these same children would
become the recipients of the bounty. They asked if they could teach
others what they have learned, which nearly brought me to tears, and
filled my heart with pride. Yes! I am making a difference!
It's at these special moments in life that we reach for the
"Pollyanna" dream.
Their reaction lit a fire within me. My mind spinning with idea's
to empower these kids through a community project.
I am making plans to team with the local county extension office and
fellow master gardeners, to provide a free gardening "101" workshop
in my community. Families who have never held a spade in their
hand, can come learn the basic's of starting a vegetable garden.
Weekend hands-on workshops at the school garden will introduce
families to composting, season extension, raised bed gardening, soil
structure improvement, pest control, and countless other
information.
With the first day of Spring looming, and the snow pack melting,
the time to "jump" is now.
This current economy has shown that "we" can not rely on our state
government to help provide the answers and help in a timely manner.
As in the 1940's, we must act as a community, "step-forward", fill
the delayed void, and inspire those around us to to the same. These
kids are an Inspiration!
Suzanne DeJohn | March 13, 2009 | 1:08PM
Thanks so much for your comments! It's so nice to know there are like-minded souls out there. You inspire me!
Annelise McCay | March 15, 2009 | 12:03AM
Liked your Victory garden article. We have started a school garden here in Fairfield CT. It has struck interested by some of the parents in some of the other local schools. As we were not allowed to use the produce grown in the garden for the school lunches, we were able to donate much of it to our local food pantry. But I think it is so important to teach this next generation about growing fruit, vegetables & herbs. There are so many wonderful lessons to be learned in a garden. How to take care of themselves, their environment, the community. I am so glad there is renewed interest in gardens for growing food at home & in schools.
Lin | May 7, 2009 | 7:43AM
I was thinking the samething! So I just tilled my entire front yard up. There is no sun in my back yard. I am going to paint a sign Recession Garden and post it out front. I am a town girl from Iowa and I miss the huge gardens of fresh tomatos, green beans and corn. I also miss wild raspberries, blackberries and plums. Detroit is a wall to wall concrete jungle, and I need to cultivate the little land that I can. The best part is the pride of seeing rows and rows, of jars of jams, jellies, juice, beans and pumpkin lined up on the pantry shelves. My grandma would be proud.
Suzanne | May 8, 2009 | 8:47AM
Congratulations on your new adventure. It's heartwarming to see so many people returning to their farming and gardening "roots."
Gina Breslau | July 23, 2009 | 8:43PM
Thanks Suzanne for your article and for all the comments. Very often, it's hard to see the many people out there making a difference. I have started a small veggie garden in the yard in our new apartment and have caught the gardening bug. But reading about the history and these inspiring stories sure makes me even more enthusiastic! We're a young newlywed couple here in LA, CA--aspiring to follow the foot steps!
Krystina | February 22, 2010 | 1:34PM
I can attest to the truth of this article. Having suffered the loss of partial and full incomes, my family of five will be combining our strength to grow our first garden. We're picking simple crops that are delicious and hardy like cucumbers, corn, and tomatoes. Foods that are plentiful, easily cared for, and cannable! The only thing that stopped us before was simply our last name, Fears. Last year, we had a random planting of accidental corn from decorative stalks. We were all so amazed how food really can just grow in our backyard. So now we're choosing to empower ourselves with the gift of life.