The Victory Gardens (or War Gardens) of WWI, the Depression and WWII saw 3/5 of American families engaged in some sort of gardening. This effort produce 60% of all fruits and vegetable consumed in the U.S.
In this period of econimic and environmental upheaval, the Victory Garden is needed again. Even 90 years ago, the government knew transportation too expensive. Local production maent fresh food without having to transport it. This is still a good idea today when the average piece of produce travels 1,500 miles from farm to table.
Some Background...
Here is a photcopied 1918 WWI Victory Garden Manual in pdf format. This manual is quite complete with directions for canning, drying and other methods to store your crops. The low-tech approach of 100 years ago is, in some ways, still applicable to today.
Click the 'play' button below to view a WWII movie documenting hw you can grow a Victory Garden. The home-made remidies where certainly potent; I'd feel a lot better if the poor lad in the movie had at least a face mask during his spraying.
Interestingly enough, we have come a long way from 'only good bug is a dead bug' thinking of the times. I did not hear any mention of Integrated Pest Management.
A Victory Garden is like a share in an airplane factory. It helps win the War and pays dividends, too...
