Gas prices are up, more people losing their homes, an increase in bankruptcies and more job losses. “What’s next,” you ask? Food prices soar! That’s right cheap food leaves the country. The cost of food posted the highest increase in 18 years in April according to the US Labor Department. The lady that just left the grocery store shaking her head and wondering if the food will last the week wants to know if there are any solutions. Yes, you can eat less, wait for our free market economy to work, wait for the next President to do something about it, or grab some seed, dirt and water.  “Sounds silly,” you reply.

Once upon a time Americans actually planted vegetable gardens as an act of patriotism. Can you believe it? Fresh hot golden corn next to bright red stewed tomatoes and mashed potatoes right from their own gardens fed thousands of children across this country. During World War II there were worker and transportation problems that hindered the delivery of fruits and vegetables to market. The government came up with a solution. They asked citizens to plant “Victory Gardens.” That’s right.  Good old American citizens planted their own gardens. “Did anybody respond,” you ask? They sure did to the tune of some 20 million gardens. They planted Victory Gardens every where. From their house tops, empty lots, back yards and pots. They even talked with their neighbors and worked together planning various crops. Dad’s and moms used the opportunity as ‘family events’ with their children. Some of you might be old enough to remember your grandparents canning food. According to the US Department of Agriculture these gardens harvested over 9 million tons of fruits and vegetables! At the time that was more than the commercial growers produced.

According to Claudia Reinhardt, “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.”

Are people doing this today? Absolutely, here is a family that grows over 6000 lbs of vegetables annually in their yard.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCPEBM5ol0Q

What about you? Are you ready to dirty your hands with some black top soil? Consider a family project this weekend. Go ahead, you can do it. When you do, let us know how it went.