Victory Gardens Becoming Necessary Again? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Chad300tdt · #1 07-01-2008, 09:25 AM

I think everyone should be considering starting their own garden. It seems that the cost of food keeps rising.

I was at the grocery store yesterday and prices were higher than the last shopping trip, yet they had signs posted everywhere about how the prices were cut. I guess putting signs every 1-2 feet on every shelf is supposed to blind the customer to the reality of the prices.

I think most people don't really watch the prices of what they buy and signs like that encourage them to "stock up" thinking they're getting a good deal.

I reviewed my household budget yesterday and with the increases in fuel, food, and EVERY other bill (fuel surcharges, shortfall charges, etc.) we are having to redistribute our budget to include LESS savings. Our recent increase/raise in income wasn't enough to cover the increase in expenses across the board.

I'm feeling very motivated to become as self-sufficient as possible. I'm not looking forward to the gouging I expect to see in energy costs this winter.

http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe40s/crops_02.html

Pasted from above link:
"Victory Gardens

As part of the war effort, the government rationed foods like sugar, butter, milk, cheese, eggs, coffee, meat and canned goods. Labor and transportation shortages made it hard to harvest and move fruits and vegetables to market. So, the government turned to its citizens and encouraged them to plant "Victory Gardens." They wanted individuals to provide their own fruits and vegetables.

Nearly 20 million Americans answered the call. They planted gardens in backyards, empty lots and even city rooftops. Neighbors pooled their resources, planted different kinds of foods and formed cooperatives, all in the name of patriotism.

Farm families, of course, had been planting gardens and preserving produce for generations. Now, their urban cousins got into the act. All in the name of patriotism.

Magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post and Life printed stories about victory gardens, and women's magazines gave instructions on how to grow and preserve garden produce. Families were encouraged to can their own vegetables to save commercial canned goods for the troops. In 1943, families bought 315,000 pressure cookers (used in the process of canning), compared to 66,000 in 1942. The government and businesses urged people to make gardening a family and community effort.

The result of victory gardening? The US Department of Agriculture estimates that more than 20 million victory gardens were planted. Fruit and vegetables harvested in these home and community plots was estimated to be 9-10 million tons, an amount equal to all commercial production of fresh vegetables. So, the program made a difference.

Kelly Holthus remembers that it was hard to find fresh produce, and it was a way for individuals to do their part on the home front. "It was a great moral thing," he says. "And for young people like me, it was, you know, I could do my part. I was a part of the effort!"

When World War II ended, so did the government promotion of victory gardens. Many people did not plant a garden in the spring of 1946, but agriculture had not yet geared up to full production for grocery stores, so the country experienced some food shortages."

Botnst · #2 07-01-2008, 09:41 AM

For me, price is less important than quality and what I grow, I know.

SwampYankee · #3 07-01-2008, 09:42 AM

In a word, YES!

We've got a bunch of old Victory Garden signs and advertisements hanging in our office.

Chad300tdt · #4 07-01-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

For me, price is less important than quality and what I grow, I know.

Originally I wanted to start a garden for the "organic" benefit ... better food for my kids and a great way to spend time with them as they learn something cool. I have been putting it on the back burner to finish other projects on my list, but the "price factor" is bringing it to the front burner now.

At this point, it's a "no brainer" for me ... a home garden is a MUST.

Here's a few cool ones Swamp

Pete Geither · #5 07-01-2008, 10:34 AM

If nothing else, we should grow our own tomatoes.

79-240d-project · #6 07-01-2008, 11:01 AM

I know they went out of fashion with most people. Then again most people seem to think I am a little odd.

Ah the sweet taste of victory!

Chad300tdt · #7 07-01-2008, 11:40 AM

Nice garden 79-240d-project.

I was thinking about doing a container garden this year instead of the raised beds I was planning. The biggest benefit for me would be the ability to move the containers to follow the sun. I need to cut down 2 large trees before planting my raised beds since they shade the most logical area for my garden (privacy from neighbors and close to the water source in addition to being a relatively unused portion of my property).

rs899 · #8 07-01-2008, 12:08 PM

We have been doing the "Victory Garden" thing for a few years off and on ( were on again and going to expand it). If you are going to do it, I think it is best to start from seed- here are two of the best seed sources, IMO

www.superseeds.com
www.rareseeds.com

Lots of help in the forums here:

www.gardenweb.com

good luck

Rick

SwampYankee · #9 07-01-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

If you are going to do it, I think it is best to start from seed- here are two of the best seed sources, IMO

www.superseeds.com
www.rareseeds.com

Real Gardeners Plant Seeds.

That rareseeds.com site (Baker Creek) has a lot of neat stuff I haven't come across before. I'll have to give them a holler to see if they sell bulk.

I can vouch for one of Pine Tree's (superseeds.com) suppliers.

rs899 · #10 07-01-2008, 02:42 PM

I don't think they have bulk , per se , but they have handy "homesteader's" packages:

http://rareseeds.com/seeds/Seed-Collections/

seems to me that fedco seeds has bigger lots, if you need them.

Chad300tdt · #11 07-01-2008, 04:18 PM

Those "homesteader" packages are pretty cool. I like that they have a multiple varieties included so you can figure out what you like best.

Do you guys do anything like that Swamp? I have to review my order and get started already.

A friend of mine just gave me a bunch of windows he removed from an old house. I'm using them for my solar window box heater project, but there will be plenty left over. I'm thinking of putting together a mini greenhouse to extend my growing season.

Here's a cool idea to combine a greenhouse and solar window box heater in one:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1980-11-01/Solar-Heater-Greenhouse-Food-Dryer.aspx

I'll have to do more research to figure out what veggies are good candidates for greenhouse growing throughout the year.

aklim · #12 07-01-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79-240d-project

I know they went out of fashion with most people.

When time got short, it probably affected such things. It takes time and effort to do something like that. Unfortunately, it is the sort of constant maintenance thing that kills it. Combined with the less patriotic crowd we have today makes it a harder sell than it was. If the wife and I had full time jobs and came home after a long day's work and you asked us to have dinner with the kids and try spend some quality time or go out digging the garden every day, I think most would not find it so attractive. Now, if you have a stay at home mom with no real job, you could farm that part of the job out to her, so to speak.

MTI · #13 07-01-2008, 06:49 PM

Hmm, I thought if we don't keep shopping, the terrorists win . . .

SirNik84 · #14 07-01-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Hmm, I thought if we don't keep shopping, the terrorists win . . .

They only win if you take your Stimulus Check (or as I like to call is Income Redistribution) and do something responsible with it like pay your mortgage.

If you want the terrorists to loose you will spend your check recklessly at the local Wal-Mart.

aklim · #15 07-01-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirNik84

They only win if you take your Stimulus Check and do something responsible with it like pay your mortgage.

If you want the terrorists to loose you will spend your check recklessly at the local Wal-Mart.

Or the check could be sent to me and I will cash it and spend it at Wal*Mart.