Friday, February 20, 2009

Victory Gardens Go Modern

Have you planted something for your nation recently?

In the depths of World War II, households all across the country turned to their frontyards and backyards to provide much of their own food. Victory Gardens popped up as a way of increasing self-sufficiency and supporting the war effort in an era of tight rationing.

Of course the vast majority of these gardens disappeared after the war, replaced by lawns and landscaping as food became abundant.

But now with the economic crisis picking up steam and more people in need of food assistance, are we about to see a return of the old style Victory Garden? If so, it won't be war encouraging people to re-examine how gardening can help them obtain some level of self-sufficiency, but instead the reality of scarce jobs and higher food costs, paired with a growing sense that the nation needs a more sustainable agricultural system.

It's an idea that seems to be gaining steam. The city of San Francisco recently turned part of it's civic center into a vegetable garden and is encouraging people to start growing food where they live. There's even an online petition to convince President Obama to create a vegetable garden on the White House lawn.

Is it time to rip up some of your front lawn to make room for veggies? It's at least something to consider. Victory Gardens may soon be making appearances at lawns near you...

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