I love plants (thus the gardening blog) so having a vegetable garden is something I do most years. At the very least I have tomatoes in pots and maybe an herb garden. I like to experiment and have fun. While I enjoy cooking with the fruits of my labor, I have never really relied on it. This year feels different and I have decided to go old school and plant a Victory Garden.
During Covid-19, I have not been hoarding, but I find myself obsessing about food as a way to control. It also is a hobby to find some joy through eating. I started a garden from seeds as something to do with my kid during quarantine. It hasn’t really produced but it has been fun. This garden feels more purposeful.
During World War II, people living in the United States planted Victory Gardens as a way to help their country in the war effort. Many canned foods, cheese, milk, and eggs were rationed. At the time, mostly only men worked outside of the home, and when the young men went off to war, there was a shortage in the labor and transportation markets. To ease the burden on those industries, the United States asked its citizens to grow its own food. They even gave them a catchy name, Victory Gardens. People would eat what the could grow and preserve the rest by canning it and saving it for later.
I decided to start my own Victory Garden. I ordered a raised bed online and started the seeds inside. I was so pleased watching the seeds sprout in the safety of my kitchen, but as I transplanted them outside, the plants that seemed healthy and robust died. Only those seedlings that were small were able to make the transfer. After I noticed this though, I planted more seeds and many have sprouted. Next year, I will start them out that way in the first place and skip the transfer which seemed to sap their will to live.
More About the Raised Bed
I planted this in the front yard for three main reasons. The first being that our front yard gets more sun. The second, that we redid the back yard and it doesn’t really fit. Most importantly though is that our Boston Terrier has free reign of the backyard and will use my garden as his own personal feeding trough. That little dog has been my most notorious garden pest!
I purchased a garden bed from gardeners supply and while it is a little smaller than I like, it came together easily and is certainly worth a try. It made setting it up a breeze. The soil (and some steer manure) I ordered it online and picked up at Home Depot.
I planted:
- Zucchini Squash
- Mexican Squash
- Eggplant
- Early Girl Tomatoes
- Roma Tomatoes
- Jalapeno Peppers
- Two different types of Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Leeks
- Strawberries
- Cauliflower
- Green Beans
- Marigolds as companion plants
Good luck growing your own Victory Gardens (or potted tomato plant). I encourage you to try growing something and eating it. Not only can the results be delicious, but deeply satisfying.