A victory garden is a traditional vegetable garden, usually found in backyards, churchyards, city parks, or playgrounds, that was planted during wartimes to help prevent food shortages. Victory gardens were a key part of the American home front during World War I and World War II, helping to feed American troops by providing fresh vegetables that were not available commercially.
If you are a beginner at growing plants, it is recommended that you start with a few seeds or seedlings in your first victory garden, to get the hang of things and see how the process works. Once you are comfortable with the basics, you can begin to experiment with different varieties of vegetables and fruits in your garden.
Getting Started
The first step in planting your Victory Garden is to find the perfect spot for it. You’ll want to make sure you have a good area that gets at least a few hours of sunlight each day, and is free of any heavy soil or sandy spots.
Next, you’ll need to choose the best seed or vegetable varieties for your area. Check out your local nurseries and gardening stores for a variety of seeds or seedlings. Or, you can order your seeds online and have them delivered directly to your door.
You’ll also want to have a plan for how you’re going to water your garden and maintain it. This is especially important if you are not experienced in this area.
Once you have a plan, you’ll want to choose the best planting and sowing dates for your particular climate. There are some online tools to help you do this easily, and NGB member Gardener’s Supply has a great one!
Your Victory Garden will need to be well-nourished to produce the freshest vegetables possible. This means having the right soil for each crop you plant. Whether you are growing in-ground, raised beds or containers, it’s always a good idea to add Miracle-Gro(r) Performance Organics(r) In-Ground Soil or Raised Bed Mix, enriched with aged compost, to the soil.
If you’re growing in-ground, you’ll need to prepare the soil by mixing in a good amount of Miracle-Gro(r) Performance organics potting soil before sowing your seeds. Adding this mixture to your soil will give it the nutrients it needs to grow healthy and strong plants.
It’s also a good idea to mix in a fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro(r) Performance(r) Plant Nutrition to boost your crops’ growth. This will help them thrive and stay healthier longer.
Victory Gardens Create Self Sufficiency
If your family is looking to cut back on grocery bills, or you just love the idea of fresh, homegrown veggies, it’s time to take the plunge and grow a victory garden! The benefits are endless: fresh produce, an opportunity to get outdoors and relieve stress, exercise, and the satisfaction of knowing that you are eating food grown with your own two hands.
Whether you are a beginner at gardening or an experienced pro, a Victory Garden is a great way to enjoy the benefits of growing your own food while helping to ensure that our nation’s supplies remain plentiful. Even if you live in a small apartment or condo, you can still get started on your own victory garden!
Did you miss our previous article…
https://diygardeningtips.com/beginners-gardening/choosing-plants-for-zone-7-gardening/