The "Gardens During A Time Of Need" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Doing an archive "Dive" of the Lancaster Newspaper's files which date back to 1794.  I'm in search of stories about a topic that has recently been in the Lancaster Newspaper known as "Victory Gardens," or an earlier rendition of the same known as the "War Gardens."  Being that I am a subscriber to the Lancaster Newspaper's print edition, I also have access to the Online edition which gives me a chance to search the past 226 years of history of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania that has been set in type, produced by the Linotype machine, typed on a typewriter or digitally entered on a computer into print form.  And, Lancaster's history is amazing!  I found an article published in The Daily New Era from Saturday, January 26, 1918 that has a headline that reads, "Will Lay Ground Work For Next Summer's War Gardens."  Seems a public meeting was called by the Agricultural Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the war garden work in the city and suburbs of Lancaster.  

Poster for War Gardens

The War Garden, or food garden for defense, were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks during WWI and WWII.  In war time the government encouraged people to plant gardens to supplement their rations and also to boost morale.  These gardens were used along with Rationing Stamps and Cards to reduce pressure on the public food supply.  They were also considered a civil "morale booster" in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown.  In the January 26 story, it was written that the New Era has been in touch with the National Emergency Food Garden Commission in regards to the coming growing season.  

The Garden Primer

A new, illustrated, 32-page war garden primer will be available to help with the planting and growing of your war garden.  Another article from Saturday, July 13, 1918 was titled "Just See Our War Gardens! We Have Hundreds of Thousands Of Them at Work!"  The article told that the war gardeners of the United States answered General Pershing's call to "keep the food coming."  It was reported that there were 4,900,000 war gardens in the United States.  That was said to be 40% more than in 1917.  The article went on to tell which parts of the country had the biggest increase of war gardens.  Then on Friday, September 4, 1942 the title of a story on page 3 read, "Victory Garden Show Sept. 18-19."  Seems the war garden is now known as the Victory Garden in hopes of leading our nation to victory.  

A Victory Garden years ago.

The event was a flower and victory garden show held in the Armory on North Queen Street.  It was sponsored by the Victory Garden Committee and the Men's Garden Club.  The show was part of a program of 20,000 registered flower and vegetable shows throughout the country, destined to raise $2,000,000 for men in the service and their families.  Also, during the fall of 1942, 200 people had signed up for the public victory gardens in Lancaster City.  For $1.25, you received a plowed and fertilized plot of land, 50 feet by 50 feet.  

More posters telling you to participate in the victory garden.

For $1 more you got a 50x100 foot garden.  As the war continued, people were asked to make more sacrifices.  Food and gasoline supplies were rationed so more could be sent to the war effort.  In order to make up the difference, people began to grow their own vegetables.  In 1943, nonessential vegetables and fruits such as watermelon, artichokes, eggplant, celery, cucumbers, radishes, rhubarb, leeks and pumpkins became scarce so if you wanted any of them, you would be best planting them yourself in your victory garden.  The land in front of Lancaster McCaskey High School, as well as parts of the local Media Heights Golf Club, were offered for those who wanted to plant a victory garden.  

How to make an outdoor seed box.

Many people turned their lawns into gardens.  An article from Sunday, April 11, 1943 showed how to make an outdoor seed box useful to speed your victory garden.   A four-panel explanation showing a woman creating her seed box was featured in the article.  Then in the summer of 1944 a wave of optimism swept over the country when a collapse of Germany seemed near.    When the war finally ended, it wasn't the end of the victory garden since food was badly needed in Europe.  Victory gardens were more needed in 1946 than during the war.  One local group, the Illustrious Order of Yams held a picnic in Lititz Springs Park in July of 1946.  Eventually the gardens began to disappear with some becoming playgrounds while others turned back into lawns.  It wan't until 1971 that victory gardens were mentioned once again.  Some even renamed them inflation gardens due to the cost of food.  Then on April 4, 1991, an article appeared in the Lancaster New Era that was titled "Is now the time to bring back the Victory Garden?"  

Many people today have neighborhood plots.

With the economy being uncertain, was it time once again to grow your own fruits and vegetables?  Should the Victory Gardens of old be turned back into gardens once again?  It did prove to be a place where people could gather and socialize and develop new friendships.  Today there are many local communities that sponsor garden plots that you can use to raise your one fruits and vegetables.  In the community where I live, Manheim Township, we have a very large plot that you can use to raise what you care to.  As for my brother, a few years ago he got tired of having to mow the grass on part of his property so he turned in into a garden.  Now has fruit trees as well as tomatoes, corn, asparagus and a variety of other vegetables.  I enjoy his garden since he makes great soups with what he raises and invited the family to visit for a meal.  A victory for all of us!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.