By Ashley V.
Spring is officially here, and that means it is time to start planting our Victory Gardens! If you are not familiar with the term “Victory Gardens,” it refers to war times when food shortages sparked everyone to grow their own food and create their own gardens. This first began during World War I, when Europe was experiencing a food crisis, and the U.S. Government encouraged everyone to create gardens so they could send more food over to our allies.1 Using propaganda posters the United States government was very successful in encouraging families to start gardens and help with the war efforts. Once the war was over, Victory Gardens died off but came back quickly during World War II.
“In 1942, roughly 15 million families planted Victory Gardens; by 1944, an estimated 20 million Victory Gardens produced roughly 8 million tons of food, which was the equivalent of more than 40% of all fresh fruits and vegetables consumed in the United States.”
History.com
Now, we might not be involved in a direct war right now, but a global pandemic undoubtedly sparked the use of Victory Gardens again. Shutdowns and restricted food items caused people to feel uneasy and raised questions about food security. Victory Gardens gave people a sense of security and pride when they can supply their own food. Many seed supply and gardening companies had explosive sales records due to the pandemic because many people turned to gardening as a hobby that would provide food and hopefully a much-needed break from the stress of the pandemic.
Besides providing food, gardens have many added benefits. Not only is it good for your health because you are getting Vitamin D and exercise, but gardening has been found to boost mood and improve your overall well-being.2 Gardens also build community and foster conversations with neighbors and other gardeners alike.
But, beyond being good for you and your neighbor, gardens are good for the planet. The plants you grow produce oxygen, sequester carbon into the soil, and help remove chemicals and bacteria from the air.3 By having a garden, you are not relying on food that has been shipped in from all over the world, creating a massive carbon footprint just to reach your grocery store.
We don’t need a war or a pandemic to have Victory Gardens. As our population grows, there is an increased demand to grow food. This increased demand leads to deforestation to create farmland which leads to increased carbon emissions.
Today, agriculture and forestry activities generate 24% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
Project Drawdown
By creating our own food and reducing the demand for intense, large-scale agriculture, we can decrease deforestation and help our planet. Every single garden we plant (no matter how big or small) is one more victory in the fight against climate change. Whether you have a large backyard to create a lush garden or you live in a small apartment, get creative with it. There are many ways to create a garden, and with each green leaf that sprouts, you can feel a sense of pride knowing you are making a difference.
Actionable Tips:
- Just go for it. Many people who want to start a garden often spend so much time planning that they miss their growing season. Don’t psych yourself out. You can do this, just plant the seed.
- Start with just a few plants that you know you will enjoy. There is no sense in growing beets if you don’t like them…unless you plan on sharing with others.
- When looking for pots, containers, and gardening supplies, do not rush out to the nearest supply store. Check out garage sales, second-hand shops, and talk to your family and neighbors. There are PLENTY of gardening materials that have already been created that are not being used! Try to avoid buying new if at all possible.
- Avoid the big box store and support your local nursery. While it may be easier to go to Walmart to get your plants, your local nursery most likely is the one that needs your business the most. Also, they are likely to have more knowledge on the native species in your area and what would work best for your home/garden space.
- Don’t fall for the chemicals. Just because years of marketing and advertising tells you that you need fertilizers/pesticides/etc to have a successful garden does not mean it’s true. Gardening does not have to be fancy or complicated—soil, seed, water, and sunlight. Let nature do the rest.
Sources:
1 – https://www.history.com/news/americas-patriotic-victory-gardens
2 – https://northerngardener.org/10-reasons-gardens-matter/
3 – https://usgreentechnology.com/environmental-benefits-gardening/
Sustainable Saplings 