Autumn Gardening
During World War II, most people who were not engaged in military duty had some sort of job in that precious arena called the Home Front. Citizens were constantly reminded their actions had a direct impact on the final outcome of the war. One major activity many were compelled to take up was gardening. In some parts of the world, like the United States and Canada, food was more abundant. But massive quantities of food were required for troops and also to share with countries threatened with starvation. Everyone else was encouraged to grow and preserve as much as possible in Victory Gardens.
Victory Gardens
In Britain, these gardens provided literal tons of food that could not have been provided in any other way. Part of their enemies’ war strategy was to starve the island nation into submission. Before World War II Britain imported the majority of its food. German U-boats made this endeavor risky, and when merchant marine ships were able to bring supplies to Britain, military supplies were often more urgent than food. Governments began to look for ways to minimize the space and weight of shipped foods, and ways to avoid shipping anything not absolutely necessary.
British citizens immediately began digging up every possible plot of land and planting food. Prized rose gardens were dug up so that vegetables could be grown. Window boxes, schools—even Hyde Park and the grounds of Buckingham Palace—were victory garden sites. Gardeners used everything from wood ash to the lime mortar from bomb sites as fertilizer.
Victory gardens were essential for obtaining food but also provided exercise, a measure of stress relief, and a sense of community for many left at home.
Starting a Winter Garden
While gardening was a major focus during the spring and summer months, there were also a number of foods that could be grown in colder months in many places. These days we have many options to help gardens thrive year-round—portable greenhouses, raised beds, cold frames, row covers, vertical planters and polytunnels—and probably more.
For cold-weather crops, the general rule is to plant seeds 90 days before the first frost. Transplants can be planted even later. If you need help figuring out the frost dates or recommended vegetables in your area for a winter garden, most areas have a cooperative extension service that could offer free help specific to where you live. There are many vegetables that are even tastier after the first frost, so if you are interested in growing some of your own food, it isn’t too late!
What Does Your Garden Grow?
Autumn is a great time of year to grow leafy greens, especially collards, spinach, mustard greens, arugula, Swiss chard, tatsoi, bok choy, cabbages and endive. Some of these are ready for harvest in as little as one month. Collards and tatsoi even grow well in snow! Lettuces also do well in cooler weather and can be ready for harvest before frost in many growing zones.
Root vegetables such as beets, carrots, parsnips, radishes and turnips can be planted. Also, kohlrabi, cauliflower, some bush beans and the fabulous leek. Parsley, rosemary, chives, thyme, sage, lavender, cilantro, mint and oregano do well in colder weather. Some cold-weather flowers are not only beautiful but edible—pansies, chrysanthemum, viola, sweet alyssum, snapdragon, and dianthus petals. Flower petal garnishes add variety, color and nutrient value to meals.
With canned goods either rationed or on a points system that limited what could be purchased, folks on the home front during World War II grew and preserved everything they could, to ensure they would have enough food. While the majority of foods were grown during summer, winter crops provided extra insurance, variety and the nutrition of freshly-grown produce. People were regularly reminded that “food fights for freedom” and “food is a weapon.” Without it, there would have been no liberty. That is a sobering reminder even 80 years later.
References
Birds Eye advertisement. Life, Vol. 17 No. 9. August 28, 1944. Chicago, IL: TIME Inc., p. 42.
“For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.”
Isaiah 61: 11