Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Victory Gardens

During World War II, food was rationed and the government encouraged United States citizens to plant gardens to provide their own fruits and vegetables. According to statistics, 20 million Americans planted gardens anywhere they could in support of this government plan. At one point, Americans were growing 40% of their own veggies!

In this economy, we might need to revisit this idea. In fact some people are already doing it. I was listening to a podcast on frugal living. The host was describing how she and some of her friends and Neighbors have formed a cooperative where they each grow different things and supply one another with fresh veggies. Talk about saving! They simply trade out. And, these veggies are pesticide free. Since I am planning to be off with no pay, for 3 months once we get the baby home, I am looking for ways to cut costs. I think a victory Garden is a great way to save money. My problem is that I live in an apartment. While many apartments in LA have either a patio or a balcony, I have neither. So, I am going to try to plant a container garden. There are all kinds of resources on the web with info about what varieties to use. So I am thinking tomatoes, cucumbers and pole beans. I have learned that they have some varieties that have small footprints. I am so excited to do this.

When I was a girl, I used to go to the nursery with my grandmother all the time. Though we lived in Chicago, we had a great garden in the yard in the spring and summer. She grew all kinds of things, including tomatoes, collard greens, banana peppers and even pumpkin and watermelon. She also had all kinds of flowers. She was from the south, A Georgia Peach. She had a very green thumb. One summer, I planted a garden with the boy next door,(my playmate, turned prom date.. By the time we were done, we basically had a muddy messy plot, however, we did grow a handful of beans and a few carrots. I made some sort of soup out of them. Hopefully, things will go a lot better this time! We will see if I inherited that green thumb!

So Here is my little Victory Garden! I have one tomato plant, one yellow bell pepper plant and 3 sunburst squash plants. I hope I can do this! Wish me luck. I am already worried that they won't get enough sun. I will have to figure that part out.

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For more info on victory gardens click here

For more info on container gardening click
here

Adoption progress: Well, we will be meeting our new little one in less than 3 weeks if all continues to go well. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as I know you have been doing. Its very surreal. We are doing everything we need to do to get prepared, but somehow, its really hard to believe that its going to happen. If all goes well, a month from now, I will be holding my own little one! Pray!

12 comments:

Akane said...

Victory garden! 1st Lady Obama has been promoting the victory garden as of late. We should all have one. Nice post.

KimT said...

We women from the southside of Chicago think alike!

Faye Lewis said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog KimT. Yes, having my two sewing buddies is great fun! We were going to get together today, but got rained out and had to postpone. I wish you had some buddies too!

Sheila said...

Thanks for the info on the Victory Garden. I planted herbs and tomatoes the year before last, and last year was just too lazy. Will give it a try this year.

Congratulations and have you in my Prayers.

Thank you for the lovely compliments on my daughter's garments and my blouses.

Lisa said...

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by my blog : )

I like the victory garden! I have some basil, rosemary and marjoram I just bought and a mystery pumpkin vine outside!

Wishing you the very best on your very important upcoming event! How wonderful!

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog Kim. I may start some container gardens myself cause our State is sooooo dry. All my summer veges and herbs have died in the extreme heat.

I empathise with you on waiting for the adoption. We adopted my son from India 30 years ago, but I remember how long the process took. It will be worth it in the end.

Cas... said...

A victory garden sounds perfect! I really want to plant some tomatoes and cucumber and peppers. But I live in a duplex community with an association so I won't be able to plant directly into the ground. Just container gardens like you. I will try it myself.

You're definitely on my prayer list. I everything turns out great for you.

We women of the southside of Chicago are very resoureful.

Virtuous said...

Gurl it has been a minute since I've been over here. LUV your new blog look and the victory garden is such a great thing to be doing. I've been revisiting a lot of things over here myself! Like...generic is great! haha ;o)

I definitely pray you and your hubby can have a little one join your family soon making it 3!!! Be encouraged!!

urbanknitrix said...

Hey lady!!

Thanks for the link. I too want to start a little garden. We will see how that goes....

Dianne said...

Lots of prayers and good vibes are on their way to you!

EdaMommy said...

I love the little victory garden! ^_^ Makes good sense.

Thanks for commenting on my blog, but most importantly:

Best of luck with the coming little one! *\^_^ /\^_^/*

Renee said...

I bought my seeds - now I just have to get them in their starter pots and eventually in the ground. Good luck on your garden!