Front Yard Victory Gardens Make a Comeback

Planting gardens is not exactly a new thing. It's been around roughly since the development of agriculture at the dawn of human civilization. During World War I to help increase the supply of food for soldiers being sent overseas, Americans were encouraged to plant 'victory gardens.' It is estimated that 40% of America's vegetables were produced in these patriotic gardens during the first World War. However, a new movement gaining ground is causing gardens to be moved to the front yard of the home.

While victory gardens may have been a patriotic statement, people ripping up their lawn to plant food in the front yard are often making another statement -- that people can grow their own food. At least one person, Leigh Anders of Viroqua, Wisconsion hopes that by getting more people to plant vegetables in their front yard, they will take business away from the large farmers that dominate it today.

Backyard gardens may be far more common, but sometimes people need to put them in the front yard. It could be because their backyard is too small or that there is too much shade for the backyard.

In addition to growing your own food, gardens have a number of health benefits as well. People who do gardening as a hobby will point out the mental heath benefits of relaxation and relieving stress. Gardening also provides a cardiovascular and muscular workout routine. Encouraging more Americans to garden might help reduce the risk of obesity.

Bloggers may jump on the dangers of pesticides every time we find out some new survey, but the growing movement has more to do with the relase of a book called Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden and Your Neighborhood into a Community started a growing movement which now has several offshoot groups.

While some people will add livestock to their front yard gardens, the zoning laws in many communities prevent keeping livestock inside the town borders. If you plan on adding chickens or something to further supplement your food intake, check your local laws before making such a purchase. If you get no other benefit from the garden, at least many people will agree that freshly grown vegetables are far superior in taste to those bought off a shelf in a grocery store. Just remember to put on some sunscreen and wear a hat if you are worried about the effects of ultraviolet radiation.

Sources:

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/04/Homes/Front_yard_vegetable_.shtml

http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=front+yard+gardens&btnG=Google+Search