During a time when people were struggling with finances, concerned about food supply chains, and the devastation of watching loved ones go off to war, there were glimmers of optimism, patriotism, and mindfulness. How could any sort of positivity be found with so much uncertainty happening in the world, both at home and abroad? It came in the form of a small garden, known as the Victory Garden.
The Victory Garden program was heavily promoted by the United States government first during World War I and later during World War II, as an effort to conserve commercially produced, non-perishable food being exported to the troops in war zones and to alleviate the risk of food shortages here at home. Charles Lathrop Pack organized the National War Garden Commission, which urged Americans to “do their part” by growing as much produce at home as possible. (1)
While men were sent off to war, 3 million farming jobs were left vacant. Members of the Women’s Land Army of America (WLAA) filled those jobs by working in both urban and rural farms and gardens. Women’s universities such as Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Vassar, and Barnard College began offering students training in how to work in agriculture settings. These trainings offered lectures, workshops, and hands-on training at local farms. It's estimated that 20,000 women took part in the WLAA in the 40 states that offered programming. (2)
Victory Gardens were more than just a perceived patriotic duty though. They encouraged sustainability, promoted self-sufficiency, and helped boost morale. By the end of World War II in 1944, Victory Gardens had produced approximately 8 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables and provided America with 40% of the nation’s produce. (3)
Three reasons to start your own Victory Garden
Food Security
If we take a look around us, it isn’t hard to see that the world we live in has its problems. Just a couple of years ago, we saw firsthand just how much we rely on stable food supply chains. For many, it was eye-opening and served as a call to action. Victory Gardens are once again in bloom, though some of us just call it “backyard gardening”. There's a peace of mind that comes along with growing your own produce.
Quality & Control
There's been an uptick of those not only concerned with the ingredients and production practices of commercially produced food but also those who wish to get back to the simplicity of what food is; Back to a time when meat was meat and fruit was fruit. As a working mom, I completely understand the want for convenience items. Quick snacks that can be taken along to an extracurricular activity, or dinner that can be ready in 10 minutes are definitely easier and less stressful, but at what cost to our health?
Mental Health
Life is stressful. We juggle jobs, kids, relationships, and other obligations around the clock, and it can begin to take its toll. Gardening has become known to have powerful effects on the body and mind. Gardening is empowering; it helps to build physical strength, can improve motor functioning, helps ease stress, and can help encourage positive mental well-being. There's actually scientific evidence that the bacterium found in soil can help to stimulate serotonin production in our brains. The short version, playing in the dirt, can make us happier and feel more relaxed. (4)
Planting your own Victory Garden doesn’t have to take up a lot of space, time, or money. You can plant in flowerpots, food-safe 5-gallon buckets like I started with in 2021 here, in raised beds like I have now, or in small, elevated beds. To completely control, and not only know what you’re eating, but to know exactly where it came from and the conditions in how it was grown is worth its weight in gold in peace of mind. Growing your own food can also help alleviate stress when there’s a kink in the food supply chain.
Some of our favorite things to grow are potatoes, onions, garlic, lettuce, kale, tomatoes, squash, carrots, and broccoli. I've purchased seeds from my local dollar stores, big box stores, local nurseries, and online. I've had success and lessons with all of them. You can read more about our gardening experiences here. We also like to preserve our harvests, which you can read more about here.
If you are interested in starting your own Victory Garden at home, I recommend you plan out your ideas on a planning sheet like this one.
Sources
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