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Victory Gardens are back! Today’s version is all about self-reliance, growing your own food Are you familiar with old-time Victory Gardens, and have you heard they’re coming back? Let’s begin by playing the game “Tell us something about you that most people don’t know,” and I’ll go first. You probably know that I’m a native North Dakotan, but did you know my dad was born in Philadelphia and moved while young to neighboring New Jersey, which became his parents’ lifelong home? When I was young, our family took road trips every few years to visit our grandparents in New Jersey, which is officially known as The Garden State. As a young boy, I was especially impressed with the watermelons Grandpa Kinzler grew in his garden, and I still have memories of their flavor. Roadside stands were everywhere, heaped with fresh fruits and vegetables for sale, hoping to attract city dwellers driving to New Jersey’s ocean beaches for the weekend. I remember Grandma Kinzler telling us about the Victory Gardens their family grew during World War I when they resided in the heart of Philadelphia, and again at their New Jersey home during World War II. Planting a Victory Garden made people feel like they were helping to win the war, especially when their family members were overseas on the battlefront. Victory Gardens have an interesting history. During World War I, food production fell drastically worldwide while food prices soared, and in 1917 the U.S. National War Garden Commission launched a campaign to promote what were termed “war gardens.” Also nicknamed “Victory Gardens,” they were promoted on all available private and public lands, and over 5 million gardens were started, growing vegetables and fruits that exceeded $1.2 billion by the war’s end. In World War II, as food rationing began, the U.S. Department of Agriculture encouraged the planting of Victory Gardens, emphasizing to urban and rural residents that their gardens would help to lower the price of vegetables needed by the War Department to feed the troops. Almost 40% of the vegetables produced during the war years came from these gardens, located in home yards and public spaces. By 1943, there were 12 million Victory Gardens in cities and 6 million on farms. Even Eleanor Roosevelt planted a garden on the White House lawn. The government not only encouraged people to plant Victory Gardens to supplement the food supply, but also to boost morale. Gardeners could feel empowered, knowing their contribution was helping the war effort. Victory Gardens became a part of daily life on the homefront and even helped unite communities, as neighbors shared gardening information and experiences. And now, Victory Gardens are back, once again becoming popular. But this time, the goal is different. The new Victory Garden is about self-reliance. It’s about growing your own food so you have control over how it is grown and how much you pay. Today’s gardens are considered victories for healthy eating, wellness, teaching children about fresh food and promoting a sustainable lifestyle. It offers a family increased food security. Like war gardens, today’s Victory Gardens are being planted wherPark Rapids Office ever space is available, 618 1st St. E., Park Rapids including front yards, Tuesdays 10 am - 3 pm, other times by appt. BRIAN HILLESLAND, NBC-HIS apartment balconies, National Board Certified school grounds and Hearing Instrument Specialist raised beds. Toll - Free 1-800-631-4946 218-631-4966
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Growing Together BY DON KINZLER Columnist
Wikimedia Commons A British poster by Peter Fraser from the World War II era.
ing other control methods. When planting a Victory Garden, focus on foods your family eats and enjoys and types you’d like to store, preserve, can or freeze for winter eating. Wikimedia Commons Where space permits, plant fruits like raspberries, An American World War II-era poster promoting Victory Gardens. strawberries, rhubarb, apples and plums. If new to gardening, study, ask questions, dig How to have a Victory Garden A Victory Garden is a concept. It’s a way of think- in, attend classes and remember that experience ing about gardening: a philosophy that works in is a great teacher. Today’s Victory Gardens share an important quality with the gardens of a centugardens of all sizes. Today’s Victory Garden emphasizes soil health ry ago: they unite us as we share our experiences by incorporating organic materials, including com- and knowledge. post, manure and peat moss. Keep soil covered with Don Kinzler, a lifelong gardener, is the horticulturist with North mulches to encourage soil microbes and conserve Dakota State University Extension for Cass County. Readers can moisture. Use pesticides judiciously only after try- reach him at kinzlerd@casscountynd.gov or call 701-241-5707.
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