History of Victory Gardens:

Victory gardens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Germany during World War I and World War II. In the war time, governments encouraged people to plant victory gardens not only to supplement their rations but also to boost morale.

George Washington Carver wrote an agricultural tract and promoted the idea of what he called a “Victory Garden”. They were used along with Rationing Stamps and Cards to reduce pressure on the public food supply. Besides indirectly aiding the war effort, these gardens were also considered a civil “morale booster” in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. This made victory gardens a part of daily life on the home front.

Source: Wikipedia //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_garden

Victory Gardens 2020:

As we write this in March 2020, there is a global “war” being waged against a common enemy, COVID-19, the pandemic virus. 

In these troubled times, gardening has a big part to play in the well-being of so many of us. Gardening is one of the few activities that is not cancelled, and it  is a valuable outlet in these times of turmoil. But to get the most benefit from our gardens, perhaps we should  turn to the practice of creating Victory Gardens once again, and grow some of our own food this season.

Growing your own food is important for so many reasons, with so many benefits:

• Food security: Agriculture will be impacted by COVID-19 in coming months and there will be disruptions and potential shortages of some fresh foods. By planting an edible garden, you’ll be providing your family with a steady supply.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables will likely increase in price. Your garden can even  grow organic fruit and vegetables, which will save you money in the long run.
• Gardening is not cancelled! This fresh-air activity is therapeutic and can be practiced with safe outdoor social distancing, even if done in a community garden setting. Gardening improves morale in tough times, and, if you plant them, you get tomatoes!
• Gardening has benefits for the environment and your victory garden will help combat climate change.You can have an edible garden in any space, whether it is a collection of pots of fresh herbs on a windowsill, a grouping of containers on a deck or patio, or a full garden bed on your plot. We can show you how in our series of posts here and on twitter.
  
  
• Edible gardens are a great teaching tool for kids. Studies show that children are more likely to eat vegetables that they’ve had a hand in growing, so that is win-win as well! Now that kids are home from school, why not involve them in growing seeds and planting your edible garden?
• Nothing tastes better than the fresh produce that comes from your own garden, where you know exactly what has gone into the final product.  And vegetables you grow yourself are likely more nutritious as well.

Follow our series of posts here on our website, on our MMG Facebook and on twitter @MississaugaMGs.
Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting advice on how to get started, what to plant from seed now & later, how to transplant seedlings, edibles in containers, and more.

If we miss answering your question about #VictoryGarden2020, get in contact with us through our social media contacts or by email at
mississaugamgwebmaster@gmail.com

Mississauga Master Gardeners are  here to help with gardening advice.
NB: Sorry, we can’t come over and plant the garden for you, even when social distancing ends!

Let’s #GetGrowing, Everybody!