The "Victory Garden" of Today

The Victory Garden

As the poster illustrates, part of the World War II home front effort was a Victory Garden. These gardens were simple backyard vegetable, herb, and fruit gardens that homeowners were encouraged to plant and tend. Soldiers were off to war, leaving fewer workers in the states to support the war effort and keep America going. "Rosie the Riveter" is often the image brought to mind of the women taking up the slack in the manufacturing world - but there were also fewer farmers to produce food as well. Victory Gardens helped the war effort by decentralizing the food production to back yard gardens and relieving pressure on delivery systems to get that food where it needed to go. As more and more families planted backyard gardens, it is thought now that the Victory Gardens produced up to 41% of America's vegetable needs during those years. This indirect but essential aspect of the World War II effort contributed to "Victory" (as the name suggests), but also played a role in boosting morale. Victory Gardens were a hands-on way that mothers, sisters, and family members of the soldiers could feel empowered to help.

A Lesson for Today

Empowerment is a powerful thing. Research and media attention (Think Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution TV show on ABC, for example) on our food system has recently brought to light concerns about what and how we are eating. And the link between chemicals/pesticides in food and cancer rates are also gaining some attention by health care providers and others. But what to do? The average consumer is not empowered to change the current Agriculture system. Yet there are options: Farmer's Markets and roadside stands offer one alternative, usually home-grown and local produce. Of course, if you have a yard...just plant your own! The Victory Garden idea has a modern twist for those who are concerned about chemicals, pesticides, or even just the transportation of food (both the degradation of the quality & taste of the food itself  during the trip and the oil consumed for transport). And just as the Victory Garden of yesteryear was a healthful morale boost for those at home during the war, today the garden provides an enriching place to reconnect with family, chat with the neighbors, and put aside food for the winter.

Marion, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5, so now is the time to start thinking and planning your backyard garden. Find a spot that is in full sun and has good access to a water source. In April you should plant spinach, lettuces, peas, and carrots from seed. Your local hardware or even grocery stores carry seed packets for $1-$2 apiece. Follow the directions on the packet, keep it watered and weeded, and you will be enjoying the harvest soon enough! Around May 15, you can add plants that are less tolerant of cold, such as tomatoes and pepper plants. These plants can be purchased from hardware/gardening stores as "transplants", or small plants that you would plant directly into the garden.

Personally, I think store-bought tomatoes can't hold a candle to a fresh-picked homegrown tomato still warm from the sun. Gardening brings one closer to the earth - literally - and closer to the wonder that our Creator has made. Even weeding serves it's purpose: I weed not only to tend my garden and keep it growing well, but also to take out frustration. There is a peace among the plants that can't be found amongst the trappings of our digital world, in my view.

Genesis 2:15 - The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden, to tend and keep it. (NKJ)

Do you garden? What are your plans this year? Why do you garden?