Plant a Victory Garden in 2009

The original "Victory Gardens" were planted as part of the war relief efforts of ordinary citizens during World War II. Citizens saw it as their patriotic duty to grow their own food, to ensure that there was plenty from farms to be used to feed troops, and plenty in private gardens at home to feed themselves.

Today, when many citizens are unemployed and having trouble buying food for their families, it is common sense to revive the Victory Garden mentality. The current economic situation should make us all plan to turn a portion of grass into a garden. Personally, I believe it is a shame to waste time and space maintaining a lawn. It's just grass, or in my case, grass and weeds. If I'm going to spend time and energy growing something, I'd much rather it be edible or floral.

Like most other communities in the US, the rural community where I live operates a food bank. The usual donations are non-perishable items. This year, they will be accepting fresh fruits and vegetables as donations. Last year, a local nursery donated hundreds of vegetable plants to local churches for members to grow, and some of that produce made its way back to the food bank.

When you plan your garden this year, plan an extra row or two to give away. If your food bank can't handle perishables, ask churches or service organizations to help distribute your excess. There may be people in your community who are unable to care for a garden themselves, but who would like to donate an area of their yard for others to garden. Join a garden group or organize one to help beginning gardeners plan and plant and care for their plot with success. For those who have never grown food, the idea of planting a garden can be quite overwhelming. Be sure to provide ongoing encouragement and support for beginners.

It may surprise you to know that the food you buy at the supermarket has travelled an average of 1500 miles from field to your table. The transport of fruits and vegetables to and from storage and processing facilities, and then through distribution channels is a terrible waste of fuel. Of course a very large percentage of our food comes from Central and South America and other countries. Support your local farmers, and when fruits and vegetables are in season locally, buy from them. The shorter the distance from harvest to table, the more nutritious and tasty your fruits and vegetables will be. And the shortest distance of all is from your own garden to your table.