Searching ...
Real Estate Tips
Sunday, February 02, 2025

Victory Gardens Are Back, And Here’s Why You Should Grow One

A boy in a pink shirt stands in a Victory Garden, holding a wheelbarrow with a basket of vegetables. A bucket filled with tomatoes crowns the top. In the background, a girl and a man grow one together. A logo with "ez" is on the left side.

In a world filled with uncertainties, there’s something undeniably warm and magical about digging your hands into the soil, planting seeds, and watching them grow into a bountiful harvest. If this resonates with you and you’ve been thinking about starting a garden, you’re not alone. More and more people are embracing this soothing, fulfilling hobby.

Research conducted by Scotts Miracle-Gro and Wakefield found that 55% of U.S. households — approximately 71.5 million — now have a garden. This gardening boom first blossomed in 2020, when the isolation of COVID-19 gave many of us extra time at home and a renewed appreciation for simple joys (and a bit of fear of going to the supermarket frequently). 

Since then, this trend has only continued to grow, with proud “plantfluencers” sharing tips, photos, and experiences across social media, sparking inspiration in budding gardeners everywhere.

Among the many gardening trends taking root today, Victory Gardens shine with their pwn light. This historic and meaningful throwback to simpler times is a reminder of how communities once found strength and solace in growing their own food and supporting each other during times of hardship. Curious about Victory Gardens? Keep reading to discover what makes them so special and why starting your own could be the perfect way to begin your gardening journey.

What’s a Victory Garden? 

The idea of Victory Gardens flourished during World War I and World War II as a symbol of hope and resilience. Also called war gardens they were a government initiative that encouraged people to plant small gardens in their homes, schoolyards, public parks, and any small allotments.

The main objective of Victory Gardens was to reduce pressure in on the public food supplies by producing their own fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs, promote patriotic duty, and boost morale. Victory gardens were heavily encouraged and promoted and end up becoming a staple of everyday like on the home front. Apart from United states, UK, Australia, Canada als embraced this practice. 

Types of Victory Gardens

Victory Gardens can be categorized based on where they are planted or the gardening method used. You can find more details below:

Victory Gardens By Location

Backyard or Lawn Garden

Planting a garden to grow veggies in your backyard or your lawn is the most common type of Victory Garden. If you are not happy with the idea of having picture-perfect lawn and want to  trade it for a space that produce more than just beautiful flowers, consider this option. 

Community Garden

Spaces like public gardens or public parks are great to start thys type of Victory Garden. To start, plan what you want to plant, some supplies, and get some neighbor support. Then head to your local park department and ask about available space, gain permission, and start gardening!  

Workplace Garden

If you and your colleagues are like-minded in gardening matters, consider starting a Victory Garden in your workplace. Not all environments would be suitable for this activity, but sometimes all that takes is asking if there’s is a space and start planning the new workplace Victory Garden. 

Rooftop Garden

Living in a condominium doesn’t have to stand in the way of growing your own Victory Garden. Rooftops offer an ideal solution, allowing you to cultivate your backyard gardening dreams even while enjoying the perks of high-rise living.

Allotment Garden

Don’t have a backyard, workplace space, or a rooftop? Allotment gardens are shared garden spaces that allow you to rent a plot of land to grow your Victory Garden. Whether you live in a dense urban area or lack private outdoor space, allotment gardens offer the opportunity to cultivate fresh produce and flowers.

Window Box Garden

A window box garden is a perfect way to start a small-scale Victory Garden, even if space is limited. By using a simple window sill planter, you can grow herbs, flowers, or small vegetables right outside your window. These gardens are especially popular among novice gardeners or those living in urban areas where outdoor space is scarce. 

Patio or Balcony Garden

Who says you need a sprawling yard to grow your own garden? Patio or balcony gardens prove that even the smallest spaces can bloom with life. By using containers, planters, or hanging baskets, you can transform your patio or balcony into a lush Victory Garden.

Victory Gardens By Method

In-Ground Garden

The most common type of Victory Garden was the classic in-ground garden. To replicate it, transform  patches of grass or unused flowerbeds in your yard into thriving vegetable plots. It’s a practical and affordable way to start growing your own food. 

Raised Bed Garden

Using raised beds lift a garden level making the soil it more accessible since it will be above ground. Raised beds for crops can be installed above ground, or, in urban areas, on top of concrete, paving stones, or flat rooftops.

Container Gardens

A variety of planters and pots on a terrace, balcony or deck gives city gardeners the opportunity to cultivate their preferred crops, even without outdoor grounds. Containers came in all sorts of materials and sizes, so you can pick your favorite ones.

Vertical Gardens

By growing upward instead of outward, vertical Victory Gardens allow you to cultivate on walls, trellises, or specially designed vertical structures. Gardeners with outdoor space can use fences, lattice panels or hanging pockets. Hydroponic vertical gardens are another option that uses a water-based system to grow plants without soil. 

Brief History of History Gardens

Victory Gardens, also called war gardens, or food gardens for defense were planted during World War I and World War II. They were designed to supply fresh vegetables to families on the home Front, freeing up non-perishable canned foods to be shipped to soldiers fighting abroad.

Enthusiastically promoted during those times of turmoil, Victory Garden propaganda were featured in posters, pamphlets, newspapers, magazines, and more. They also appeared in countless educational campaigns and community demonstrations. Popular slogans for the initiative include: “Dig for Victory!,” “Grow Your Own, Can Your Own,” “Our Food is Fighting,” and “Sow the Seeds of Victory.”

Three vintage covers highlight the spirit of Victory Gardens. One features a woman in red holding vegetables, another displays a "V" adorned with produce, and the last shows a couple working tirelessly. The word "ez" is positioned on a hexagonal backdrop to the left, enhancing the nostalgic charm.

All America turned to communal gardening. Crops grew in backyards, schoolyards to public parks and even rooftops. Even first lady Eleanor Roosevelt herself planted a Victory Garden on the White House lawn in 1943, inspired by campaign messages from the Department of Agriculture. This act served as a powerful symbol, encouraging the effort even more. 

And it worked. By the end of the war in 1945, American Victory Gardens had produced an impressive 8 to 10 million tons of food. To help maintained the harvested produce longer, food preserve making techniques were also advertised and encouraged. 

A man and a young girl are focused on planting a small green plant in their Victory Garden. Both wear straw hats, showcasing their dedication to grow one small seedling at a time. The blurred greenery serves as the perfect backdrop, with an "ez" logo visible on the left side of the image.

How To Grow Your Victory Garden

A man in a light gray polo shirt gives a thumbs-up, standing amidst thriving plants in an indoor greenhouse reminiscent of Victory Gardens. A hexagonal "ez" logo is displayed on the right. The setting has a modern, industrial look with metal structures overhead, symbolizing innovation and growth.

IMAGE VICTORY GARDEN

For novice gardeners starting a successful Victory Garden would take time, a money investment, and the desire to do it. Whil it might seem intimidating at first, it’s not a complex process. What you need is to be ready to learn from your mistakes and the firm intention of not giving up, you’ll get better as you move on! This is a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Getting Started With Gardening

  1. Choose Your Space: Asses you space and pick where you want to start your Victory Garden. Consider that your garden should get at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, as most vegetables thrive in full sun. For leafy greens or herbs, partial shade works, especially in hot climates. 
  2. Plan Your Layout: Sketch a plan for where you’ll plant each crop. Group plants with similar water and sunlight needs together, and use companion planting strategies to boost growth and deter pests. For example, planting marigolds near tomatoes to repel harmful insects.
  3. Test the Soil: If you are just starting in gardening, purchase pre-mixed, nutrient-rich garden soil from local nurseries or big-box stores. For existing soil, the pH and nutrient levels need to be tested. There are soil testing kits available for this. 

Must-Have Supplies

  • Gardening Tools: Trowels, pruners, gloves, and a watering can are planting essentials worth considering for pruning and maintaining your garden. Invest in durable tools with comfortable grips to avoid strain during extended use.
  • Seeds or Seedlings: Choose organic, non-GMO seed varieties for the best results. You can also use the seeds of organic, non-hybrid vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and melons after you eat the fruit. Simply save the seeds, dried them, and replanted them.
  • Compost: Enrich your soil with natural compost or organic fertilizer to avoid chemicals. Composting kitchen scraps like vegetable peels and coffee grounds is an excellent way to create a sustainable source of fertilizer. You can also purchase fertilized soil.
  • Mulch: Helps retain moisture and reduce weeds. Organic mulches like straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves are environmentally friendly.

The Fast-Growing Vegetables

For a quick and satisfying harvest, consider these crops for your Victory Garden:

  • Radishes: Ready in as little as 3-4 weeks, radishes are a top option. They’re low-maintenance, thrive in almost any soil, and can be interplanted with slower-growing crops to maximize space. Varieties like French Breakfast and Cherry Belle are particularly popular.
  • Lettuce: Lettuce is fun to cultivate, grows rapidly (so it’s very satisfying), and can be harvested multiple times. You can plant it in raised beds, containers, or traditional rows. Varieties like butterhead, romaine, and loose-leaf thrive in most climates.
  • Green Beans: Easy to grow, they come in bush or pole varieties. Pole beans save space since they can be grown vertically. Bush beans are compact and ideal for small spaces. 
  • Zucchini: Zucchini flourishes with minimal care. One or two plants can produce enough to frize, preserve, and share with your friends and neighbors. Try growing them in mounds or raised beds for optimal results.
  • Spinach: Great to be planted in cool weather, spinach grows quickly, making it a favorite for early spring or fall planting. This is one of the veggies featured in the “dirty dozen,” the list of fruits and vegetables that tend to have the highest levels of pesticide residues, so it is worth it to grow it organically. 

The Benefits Of Home Gardening

A home garden offers countless benefits that go far beyond fresh produce and colorful flowers. Let’s explore some of the reasons people are embracing this trend:

Growing Your Organic Food 

Unless you’re a regular at your local farmers market, buying organic produce at the supermarket often means shelling out a hefty price. On the other hand, conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are frequently loaded with pesticides—just look at the “Dirty Dozen” list, featuring items like strawberries, spinach, kale, and apples.

Beyond pesticides, the quality of store-bought produce raises concerns every day: Crops are often harvested prematurely, artificially ripened, or coated with wax to extend shelf life. Add in frequent contamination scares like E. coli outbreaks, the prevalence of GMOs, and unsustainable farming practices like monocropping, and it’s clear why many are turning to home gardening. 

Growing your own organic food is not just a healthier, more sustainable option—it’s also a practical way to combat rising food costs and take control of what ends up on your plate.

Stay Physically Active 

Staying physically active doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym—it can be as simple and rewarding as gardening. While spending hours binge-watching your favorite shows or scrolling on TikTok is tempting, stepping outside to tend a garden gives you fresh air, gentle exercise, and a sense of accomplishment. 

Gardening beats sedentarism and helps you stay fit while doing something meaningful. So, why not trade a little screen time for sunshine and the satisfaction of growing something?

Increase Your Vitamine D Intake

Spending time outdoors isn’t just good for your soul—it’s excellent for your health, too. Activities like gardening expose your skin to sunlight, helping your body produce vitamin D essential for strong bones, a healthy immune system, and boosting your mood. Just a few hours in the garden can do wonders for your well-being.

Cultivate Community 

Gardening isn’t just about growing plants—it’s about increasing connections. In the past, families planned, planted, cared for, and harvested their gardens together, creating shared experiences that strengthened their bonds. 

Gardening can also bring neighbors and friends together, whether exchanging tips, sharing surplus harvests, or working side by side in a community garden. It fosters a sense of belonging and collaboration, reminding us that cultivating food cultivates relationships. So, gather your loved ones, roll up your sleeves, and let the garden become a space where community flourishes.

Play in the Dirt! 

Touching soil exposes us to beneficial microorganisms, strengthens our immune system, and enhances our mood by reducing anxiety and stimulating serotonin production in our brains. That being said, get your hands dirty! Playing in the soil can be a natural way to boost your mental and physical well-being.

Let Homeschool Grow

Turn your homeschool into a living, breathing classroom by adding gardening. Digging in the dirt isn’t just fun—it’s a hands-on way for kids to discover where their food comes from and how plants grow. It’s like a science, nutrition, and ecology lesson all rolled into one. 

Plus, gardening helps build critical thinking and problem-solving skills while fostering responsibility and a deeper connection to nature. The best part? Learning feels less like work and more like an adventure when it involves outdoor activities. 

The Bottom Line: Victory Gardens

We hope this guide has inspired you to start your own Victory Garden. Whether it’s a small pot of herbs on your windowsill or a vegetable patch in your backyard, gardening offers more than just fresh produce—it’s a chance to reconnect with nature and your community. Picture picking sun-ripened tomatoes or sharing a basket of zucchini with your neighbor—these little joys make gardening so rewarding and a booming trend worldwide.

Victory Gardens were once a powerful symbol of resilience, and they are, again, in their own way. Growing your food isn’t just about sustainability or lowering your grocery costs; it’s about creating something meaningful with your hands and having a better life by being more connected to Earth.

Start Your Home Search

Preston Guyton