During World War II, the concept of the "victory garden" was introduced by the federal government to encourage people to grow their own food in their backyards, and thus decrease the strain on national commercial food production, allowing that energy to flow to the war effort. One 1940s-era book on the subject told people they'd save money on groceries and then suggested what to do with the money:
"Those dollars can go into the bank account, or you may patriotically transform your beet, onion and cabbage savings directly into Defense Bonds."
These days, with increasing popular concern about food safety, increasing interest in organic eating and a growing desire among more and more people to reduce their "carbon footprints" food gardening is popping into vogue again. The L.A. Times recently reported on the phenomenon, anecdotally suggesting that gardening for political, ecological or budgetary reasons (or all three) are standing in these days for the single-minded war effort of the 40s.
I found the article intriguing in part because, after having children, my insistence on organic produce increased a hundredfold and my grocery bill almost increased as much. I have shopped farmers' markets and joined CSAs but when desperate, I've forked over the hard, cold cash at Whole Paycheck as necessary.
This year, with an increased amount of outdoor space--albeit, on a third-floor condo patio--I've decided to try container gardening for food. My older child will be four next month and I am planning to involve her in the whole project from sprouting seedlings and transplanting to harvesting and preparing the food. This way, I get even more for my time, money and effort. I get educational enrichment and fun family time with my kids.
Do you garden? Do you garden with children? Do you garden for fun, profit, food security, politics or other reasons? Have you taken up gardening recently, or have you done it for years? What's your advice for me and any other gardening newbies out there?
image: local harvest.org
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