Small Victories

Back in 1943, nearly every yard on the West Side of Buffalo, no matter the size, became what was then called a Victory Garden. My mother and father both recall the vibrant, productive gardens that filled these small spaces, and remember doing what they could to contribute, though they were only small children when World War II broke out. Families across the country worked together to do their part by growing fresh fruit and vegetables on their own plot of land to support the war effort and supplement the rationed food supply.

My parents remember West Side gardens filled with everything from tomatoes and peppers to raspberry bushes, grapevines, and fruit trees. Some families planted gardens in empty lots, on rooftops, even in pots and sacks on front porches. People bought pressure cookers to can whatever produce they did not need to eat immediately, thus ensuring a ready supply of vitamin-packed fruits and veggies throughout the Buffalo winter.

The Victory Garden movement actually began during World War I, when the government declared that the “Prevention of widespread starvation is the peacetime obligation of the United States. … The War Garden of 1918 must become the Victory Garden of 1919.”  The idea was heralded again during World War II when US home, school, and community gardens produced an estimated 40 percent of the country’s fresh vegetables from something like 20 million Victory Gardens.

Now, as word spreads of possible long term disruptions in the food supply as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are talking about them again, this time as Victory Over the Virus gardens. Using quarantine time to start an edible garden has apparently caught on.

“Like every seed company, we’ve had a huge uptick in sales,” said Nate Kleinman, in a recent New York Times article. “People seem to be preparing for some serious disruptions in the food supply. I’m not alone in feeling concerned with how this may go down,” he said.[1]

But many novices will likely learn, as they did in 1943, that growing an edible garden is more challenging than it seems. At our annual “Grow It Eat It” community event each year, Master Gardeners are often asked, “How do I get started? How much space will I need? What are easy crops to grow? What if I don’t have a yard? Can I grow food in containers?

This year, one of my responsibilities was to teach an Urban Gardening class on growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs in containers. Sadly, the class was cancelled, like so many things this spring, so I decided to use this blog to pass along a few tips for those who have small yards, or no yards, and want to try their hand at growing their own food.

For those who have a small yard, or have never cultivated the soil in their yard, raised beds are a great option. I have raised beds in two sizes: 4’x4’ and 4’x8’. Most hardware stores will cut 8 foot boards to the size you need. It is then a fairly simple matter of fastening the corners and filling the bed with a good mix of compost and garden soil sold in bags at the same stores.

To make the most of each raised bed, I plant things that are great “companion” plants. For example, my strawberry plants seem to love the peppers I plant with them each summer. In other beds, I plant a combination of root vegetables (like beets and carrots) with shallow rooted leafy greens (like spinach and swiss chard). Garlic and onions form the perimeter of many of my raised beds, not only because they are very compatible with plants like tomatoes and potatoes, but also because they ward off many pests.

If your growing space is limited to a deck or balcony, you can still grow edibles in a variety of containers. The key is to focus on plants that are appropriate for the size of your pots. Herbs do wonderfully well in pots and window boxes, as do all types of greens. Potatoes, beets, carrots and other root vegetable are easily grown in half whiskey barrels and even tomatoes (varieties like Bushsteak, Roma or Red Cherry do best) can be grown in large pots, provided they get at least six hours of full sun.

The most important elements of success, of course, are sunlight, water, and the right kind of growing medium. Regular garden soil is much too heavy for pots, and potting soils often do not have enough nutrients. The internet is chock full of information about the type of supplements each different fruit or vegetable requires. For example, instead of throwing my coffee grounds in the trash, I toss them on the soil of all my acid loving plants (like blueberries and tomatoes).

There is an old adage, that “Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.” If you have never planted an edible garden before, why not try it now? The important thing is to get started soon. Many types of vegetable seeds should be planted just after the last frost date in your area, if your garden is to reach full maturity this summer.

Edible gardening is not only an enjoyable pastime and hobby, it may become a necessity in the months to come.  Are you planning your own “Victory Garden” this year? Please let my readers know in the comments below what you are planting and your tips for gardening success.

[1] See “Food Anxiety Brings Back Victory Gardens,” Tejal Rao, New York Times, March 25, 2020

Moxie Gardiner is a writer and gardener who grew up on the West Side of Buffalo, NY. In a previous life she was a journalist, magazine editor, speech writer, and policy wonk. Back in the day she made three solo parachute jumps, flew in an F-15 fighter jet, and crawled through mud pits at the Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama. She now meditates and practices yoga. She is almost ready to publish her first novel, set in Buffalo.