VICTORY GARDENS: A HISTORY
Victory Gardens were created to relieve tensions during a time when essentials where in high demand. They produced a solution and built a more positive and sustainable life for the people of our nation. Let’s come together in a different way and work towards the same mission of growing for the greater good of our nation, our communities, and our families.
First, to grow in our future, we must learn from our past. During World War I, a food crisis hit the world and America formed a plan to help. The National War Garden Commission set forth the mission to the American people to “Sow the Seeds of Victory”. Americans were encouraged to contribute to the effort by planting fruits and vegetables as a means of supporting their families and allowing America the ability to support and feed the troops.
During World War II, this concept re-emerged. Families on the American home front worked together to do their part and began their harvest. Gardens were “cropping up” everywhere from back yards, empty lots, and city roof tops. It is said that over 20 million Victory Gardens were planted during this time. This produced a plentiful harvest of 10 million tons of fresh fruits and vegetables. Communities came together to ensure each home was fed, school lunches were provided, and our troops were supported.
Victory Gardens boosted moral throughout the country. They gave Americans a sense of relief, knowing that their families and their troops had access to quality nourishment. Victory Gardens grew more than just vegetables, they produced purpose for Americans during times of unease. They paved the way to a successful, sustainable, and unified life for our country and our homes.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO “DIG FOR VICTORY”
Why should you “Dig for Victory”? Setting up your family for success starts with a sustainable life. Devising a plan to promote wellness, purpose, and a sense of security begins in your garden. Reap the many benefits throughout the process and grow together as a family as you work towards a unified mission and goal. Setting the example and encouraging your family to do their part will help put focus on a positive task and will allow each person grow in their character, knowledge, and confidence.
Relieve Stress & Reconnect With Nature
Grow from the past and let’s go back to the basics. Reconnecting with nature is essential to bettering your overall well being. Feeling the cool earth in your hands or the lush grass between your toes can make you feel more centered and level-headed.
Take the time to soak up your surroundings by allowing yourself to feel the warm sun and listen to nature’s symphony of birds chirping and leaves swaying in the wind. Feel the stress of the day, the strain from your computer screen, and the noisy world melt away in your special oasis right in your back yard. Embrace the meditative beauty and allow it to soothe your soul while you discover the possibilities of your outdoor space.
Planting for Sustainability
Growing a garden for sustainability is a commodity as well as a lifestyle. The results are immediate and a gift that keeps on giving. Looking to the future and figuring out a healthy way to support your family all starts with fresh produce.
Growing a sustainable garden is one of the most important practices we can follow, especially now. It improves our soils while it feeds your family fresh, organic food. Utilizing an essential and renewable resource like edible plants is key to protecting our environment and providing support for your family. Growing what we eat creates a sense of security and relief by knowing we have control over something so essential like food.
HOW TO “SOW THE SEEDS OF VICTORY”
First, it important to have a strong understanding of your garden and its needs. Knowing how much sunlight your garden receives throughout the day is vital when it comes to your plant selections and how to provide adequate care. Choose plants with similar sun and water requirements to start your Victory Garden on the “right root” for gardening success.
Important information to know about your garden:
- Where are you planting (flowerbed, container garden, raised garden, hanging basket, etc.)?
- What size is the planting area or container?
- How much sunlight will that area receive during the day?
- Do you have access to a water source?
- Are there any permanent fixtures to keep in mind when planting?
Familiarizing yourself with your garden will also help you figure out supplies you will need to get started like, how much soil you will need, how many plants you will need, and what plants are ideal for your garden.
Garden Prep
Determine the location of your garden, the plant selection, and the time requirement for harvest. Plant in an open area that receives at least 5-7 hours of sunlight daily. Avoid planting in areas that easily puddle or flood when it rains.
Before you start planting, remove all weeds, debris, and rocks in your garden. Use an organic rich compost like Calloway’s Organic Garden Compost and start your bed off right with the added benefit of Expanded Shale. It is a light and porous soil amendment that improves the aeration and drainage in your soil.
Start by spreading about 3 inches of Expanded Shale onto the soil. Then, till the top layer of existing soil with 3 inches of Calloway’s Organic Compost. It helps improve drainage and stimulates beneficial microorganisms for plant growth. Smooth the surface and start planting. When you are finished planting, always water in thoroughly.
If you are creating a container garden, select a container that is large, so your plants have room to grow and to avoid the container from drying out too quickly. Plant with Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil for the ideal balance of ingredients to foster healthy root growth for thriving plants.
Planting your Victory Garden
Choose easy to grow vegetables like tomatoes, beans, peas, corn, squash, okra, cucumbers, peppers, and herbs. Consider interspersing vegetable rows with herbs for an extra flavorful garden. Explore the “Thriller, Spiller, Filler” method in designing your garden or when planting in containers. Plant tall vegetables on the north side of your garden to avoid overshadowing for the rest of your plants.
Small Space Gardening
Limited space? Set up a container garden display. Display a various selection of fantastic pottery and make your vegetable garden a fashion statement as well as commodity. Learn more about small space gardening and the ideal edibles to plant at our blog here! Or, try planting herbs indoors!
The great thing about growing your own fresh herbs is that they are ready to go immediately after planting and you can mix and match flavors to create different themes. You can create an Italian spice garden, or you can trend your theme south of the border. Some of the best herbs to grow indoors are mint, thyme, oregano, parsley, and rosemary because they can tolerate indoor conditions fairly well and are readily available as young plants. Other great options are basil, cilantro, sage, and more! The key ingredient for your planting success is natural light and a sunny location in your home.
Keep your home extra stylish and stay trendy with a selection of fabulous containers for your fresh herbs or create a hanging display, perfect for any kitchen with easy access to your fresh herbs. Learn more about growing herbs indoors here!
Foodscaping
Another fantastic design approach and a popular gardening trend is Foodscaping. Planning a functional as well as beautiful landscape for all seasons can provide your home with lasting color and fresh produce throughout the year. Foodscaping moves away from the traditional concept of planting edibles in rows. It uses edible plants as a food source and a visual alternative to ornamental plants.
To begin designing your Foodscape, start with larger growing ‘anchor’ trees like pecan trees, which can provide shade and a great food source. Add interest with smaller fruit trees like peach trees for their blooming fruits and colors. Add berry plants like Bountiful Blue® Blueberries among other evergreen type plants for good structure throughout the year. Next, add vegetable varieties like tomatoes for a sprawling effect and peppers for filler areas. Try lining borders with fresh herbs to complete the look.
Feed your Plants
Give your plants the best with Calloway’s Natural Lawn & Garden Food. Made with a 10-3-1 formula containing Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Soluble Potash to help produce better results for your lawn. Contains COFFEE-K™, an activated organic matter product made with GeoJava’s™ real coffee grounds. Infused with Sigma Agriscience Biologicals™ to create a living environment for beneficial microorganisms to flourish! Increases soil organic matter, provides beneficial fungi and bacteria, and promotes organic Chelation of iron.
Let’s do our part and start planting for positivity, for wellness, for sustainability, and for each other. During times like these, taking control is essential for our well being as we focus on working towards a positive goal. With the help and gift of nature, we can get through this. Learning the basics and starting your Victory Garden now will give you the tools to approach each day with confidence. With each abundance of produce you grow, you can provide your family with a nutritious meal, share with those in need, and find your purpose. Let’s grow stronger together and unify in our mission for a prosperous future with the simplicity of a more sustainable life.
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we are here for all your gardening needs! Visit us today and explore our entire collection of seasonal blooms, fantastic pottery, indoor plants, fresh vegetables, stately trees and shrubs, and so much more! Shop one of our 28 neighborhood stores, serving our loyal customers for over 35 years.
Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
