Growing a Victory Garden at Home in Containers & Pots
If you’ve heard stories of World Wars I and II from your grandparents, you might have come across the term: victory garden. Encouragement for Growing Victory Gardens emerged during the wars when the US Government inspired our citizens to grow their own vegetables and fruits.
How to Grow a Victory Garden
The concept was popularized as a way to reduce the pressure on an already burdened public food system, which was used to provide food to our soldiers overseas.
Victory Gardens are Making a Comeback
Currently, with the unsettling global situation and the pressure on everyone to stay at home, it has become more important than ever to practice self-reliance. And, growing some of your own food is the perfect way to do that.
For a more in-depth look at the History of Victory Gardens!
Small scale gardening offers many benefits, which include consuming nutritious, homegrown food, passing on valuable knowledge to children by gardening with kids, sharing essentials with others, and taking some pressure off the national food supply.
Moreover, it’s a constructive way to pass your quarantine time but regardless, growing some of your own food is proactive as well as super healthy and delicious.
Your victory garden doesn’t have to be huge or overwhelming. You can start it off with just a few containers placed in your porch or backyard. Gardening can really help improve your overall well-being during these challenging times by doing something useful, healthy and fun!!
With taking some positive action, breathing in the fresh air and getting a daily dose of sunlight, you will get the opportunity to spend your time in a better way rather than listening to depressing news on the TV all day or watching YouTube videos.
Don’t just watch or read about planting some lettuces and greens…….jump right in and do it!!
Tips for Growing a Victory Garden
Growing your own veggies is a more long-term type project that requires some basic planning and prep. You can follow these simple tips to successfully grow a victory garden at home.
Although, just remember: leaf lettuces, spinach, greens, & radishes can be harvest-ready in approximately 21 days! Just think of Baby Greens!
Pro Tip on Gardening for Beginners
Pick a Location for Your Containers
There’s nothing like choosing a sunny, well-aerated spot in the backyard or porch to grow your container garden. But if you don’t have that available, don’t lose hope!
Large window boxes, apartment balconies, and even rooftops can be utilized for growing vegetables. Even front door vegetable gardens are possible and can add to the aesthetic appeal of your home.
Pick Your Plants
It’s best to choose plants that you utilize frequently so that you can enjoy significant savings on your grocery bills.
Also, include perennial edibles so that they can provide you with lots of produce all year round.
Must Read: Discover simple seed starting ideas!
Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, lettuce, collards, mustard, etc., are some easy-to-grow vegetables that germinate quickly.
You can grow them in containers or in the ground. It’s also a good time to plant broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage as they prefer slightly cooler temperatures.
Or, better yet….try this wonderful Container Garden Organic Seed Collection!
Summer veggies like peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and okra prefer warmer temperatures so you can wait for the weather to get warmer or you can plant their seeds indoors.
This way, you will have seedlings ready to plant outside as soon as the weather changes.
It’s up to you whether you want to fill your containers with seeds or young planters. Planters are convenient, especially for beginners.
Do Some Research
Before you can finalize the list of plants you will grow, it’s necessary that you do some research on their care and growth environment.
Factors like sunlight, water and soil requirements, temperature zone, and more, vary from one plant to another.
Make sure to use the search tab on this site for individual vegetables and how to grow them. But, here is super helpful list of links that I am sure will help you in your gardening adventure.
- Gardening for Beginners
- 5 Tips to Gardening with Kids
- How to Pick Your Best Garden Spot
- Improve Your Garden Soil
- Gardening Tips for Summer
- Planting by the Moon: A Quick Overview (and, it is not weird & crazy!)
- How to Grow an Indoor Herb Garden
Bookmark this Link: Self-Sufficient Garden Overview
Try to include more plants that have similar requirements. Your local gardener can help you with this and you can also read up material online.
Learn More About Your: USDA Growing Zones Map of the USA
Get Your Gardening Supplies Ready
The next step is to buy basic gardening supplies, such as pots (the number and size will depend on what you plan to grow and your available space), organic potting mix, fertilizer, water supply, hand trowel and pruning shears.
You do not need to spend a ton of money so grab what you have around the house to get started.
Even one packet of lettuce seeds, a flower pot and some good soil is really all you need to get planting!
But, if you need some ideas on useful items, take a look at these practical things from Amazon.
Don’t Forget to Plant Some Flowers
A few flowering plants are important for a successful vegetable garden. Flowers help attract valuable pollinating agents like butterflies, bees, and birds.
Without the help of these pollinators, your edible garden may not produce sufficiently. Learn about pollination with zucchini plants in a greenhouse setting.
To Sum Up
If you’re aiming for self-sufficiency during the COVID-19 outbreak or just to start having your own produce, growing a victory garden should be high on your to-do list. It may seem daunting at first but once you get into action, you’re going to love every bit of it. You can even share some of your fresh produce with those around you.