Gardening with Nature's Crossroads

Happy Independence Day!  In our neck of the woods, it’s a holiday often celebrated with fireworks, parades, and patriotic bunting along with a barbecue (perhaps featuring some fresh green beans from the garden and maybe a couple of tomatoes if we really got a head start on our gardens this spring).  It’s also a time to celebrate the birth of our nation many years ago when we declared independence from the British and formed the United States of America.

There are plenty of ways to be patriotic but our favorite is to show your support by gardening!  Victory Gardens were originally created during World War II when our government urged citizens to increase their home food production in order to free up resources for our troops fighting overseas.  There was a fair amount of rationing during the war and home vegetable production helped everyone stay healthy and enjoy full bellies. Some historians estimate that as many as 5 million gardens were planted, producing an estimated $1.2 billion in food during the war.  Perhaps the most famous Victory Garden was planted by Eleanor Roosevelt on the grounds of the White House.

Today the Victory Garden movement has resurfaced as a way to show our energy independence and our local food security by ensuring that we are producing plenty of healthy, fresh food in our own communities.  There are groups around the country working to encourage the creation of new gardens in back yards, front yards, empty lots, and even on rooftops (not to mention bringing gardening back to the White House).  Community gardens are springing up to give people without a good garden spot the opportunity to garden on a rented plot in the company of other gardeners.  Many groups encourage gardeners to plant a little extra (such as the widely known Plant a Row program) to give to those who are most in need of food support during tough economic times.  Other programs are focused on building the next generation of farmers who earn their living selling fresh food to their neighbors and fellow citizens while using sustainable growing practices.

From the Victory Garden Initiative in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:  “The Victory Garden Initiative promotes the use of our own backyards (and front yards and rooftops and patios) for the production of food. We are gardeners supporting other gardeners in their own paths towards a self-sufficient, sustainable, and healthy food supply. Through mentoring, modeling and outreach we aim to make Victory Gardening a way of life for everyone. Gardening is the new protest, the passive resistance of our time. Lay down, next to me, in front of this bulldozer.  This is a grassroots movement.  Move grass.  Grow food.”

We think it’s great that there are groups all over the country providing support and education.  Nothing in your area?  Consider starting the movement by planting (or expanding) your Victory Garden to celebrate Independence Day and show your commitment to local food independence!

Tags: garden, Independence Day, Victory Garden