By Christine Morgan, ND, President, Somervell County Master Gardeners.
What is a Victory Garden?
As part of the war effort during World War II, the government rationed foods like sugar, butter, milk, cheese, eggs, coffee, meat and canned goods. Labor and transportation shortages made it hard to harvest and move fruits and vegetables to market. So, the government turned to its citizens and encouraged them to plant “Victory Gardens.” They wanted individuals to provide their own fruits and vegetables.
Nearly 20 million Americans answered the call. They planted gardens in backyards, empty lots and even city rooftops. Neighbors pooled their resources, planted different kinds of foods and formed cooperatives, all in the name of patriotism. For the average American in World War II, the Victory Garden was a practical way to contribute to the war effort. Some 20 million Victory Gardens were planted (US population in 1940 was 132 million), and by 1943, these little plots produced 40 percent of all vegetables consumed in the US. It’s estimated that 9-10 million tons of vegetables were grown.
Victory Gardens sprang up on farms, in backyards, and on city rooftops. Even some window boxes were converted from flowers to vegetables. Communal gardens were planted in parks and vacant lots and baseball fields.
The average small-town or city-dweller knew little about gardening. Pamphlets provided sample planting schedules and garden plans to show the newcomer how to grow enough to feed his family for a year without wasting seed or food. These pamphlets described how to choose the garden site, prepare the soil, fertilize, plant properly, weed, and harvest.
Families were encouraged to can their own vegetables to save commercial canned goods for the troops. In 1943, families bought 315,000 pressure cookers (used in the process of canning), compared to 66,000 in 1942. The government and businesses urged people to make gardening a family and community effort.
The result of victory gardening? The US Department of Agriculture estimates that more than 20 million victory gardens were planted. Fruit and vegetables harvested in these home and community plots was estimated to be 9-10 million tons, an amount equal to all commercial production of fresh vegetables. So, the program made a difference!!
VICTORY GARDENS FOR HEALTH
The idea of planting Victory Gardens goes back to World War I and II, and was advertised as a way for patriots to make a difference on the home front. Planting these gardens helped the citizens combat food shortages by supplying themselves and their neighbors with fresh produce.
We want to bring back the idea of personal food responsibility. We encourage every family to produce some food! Victory Gardens for Health!!!
✓ The way to escalate your health and become more responsible for your own food…
✓ Teach yourself, your children or grandchildren about REAL FOOD and how to make it…
✓ Reap the results of organic, non-GMO food for you and your family…
✓ Take advantage of the many benefits of contact with the earth…
Commit to a 3X3 space or 6 large pots to grow food in all year long! We need your pledge and support for this massive community project!
Planting your own Victory Garden can go a long way toward healthier eating, and in the long run, it can provide incentive for industry-wide change, and a return to a diet of real food, for everyone, everywhere.
Another great way to grow food is by sprouting seeds. They may be small, but sprouts are packed with nutrition and best of all, they’re easy and inexpensive to grow. Also is the possibility of growing microgreens. Sprouts that have been allowed to grow to between 4-6 inches tall. They are jam-packed with bio-available nutrition also! Growing food is possible…no matter your age or where you live!
VICTORY GARDEN PLEDGE
Name:
I pledge to grow FOOD in at least a minimum 3×3 space, or 6 large pots at least one season a year…but hopefully will be encouraged to grow more! Check one or more!
o Spring (January thru April)
o Summer (May thru August)
o Fall/Winter (September thru December)
Master Gardeners are here and available to help you plan and answer questions. Remember…one tomato or squash plant, 4 okra plants, scattered greens or lettuce seeds is all it takes! Thank you so much for joining our movement to grow food in Somervell County! Please contact me with questions concerning your Victory Garden. Open to any age resident of Somervell County!
You will be updated in future newsletters has to how many people have committed! LET’S DO THIS!
Sincerely and with Gratitude,
President of Somervell County Master Gardeners Dr. Christine Morgan ND, PSc.D.
Date: ____________________
Signature: _____________________________