Small Agriculture: A National Agricultural Library Digital Exhibit

More and Better Victory Gardens Needed in 1945

Recommended for Summer and Fall by the United States Government Victory Garden Committee

National Agricultural Library

victory gardens

More and better victory gardens are needed now than ever before. The food situation is such that every family with suitable open garden space at home, or with convenient access to vacant lot or community gardens, should have an adequate victory garden. This is more urgent than in any year since war started. The requirements of our armed forces will not be lessened much by the defeat of Germany. The need of food by the people of some European countries is greater than some of us had expected. Meanwhile, in this country, planting has been delayed and growing conditions have been poor in many large areas. Continued cold weather and rain have made it impossible for many people to plant, or to re-plant gardens injured by frost.

In spite of the difficulties, it would be a most serious mistake to give up the garden now. Every garden leader, every extension agent, everyone sponsoring the victory garden program should do everything possible to fill the ranks of victory gardeners. The situation calls for more gardens than the 18,500,000 we had last year.

There is still ample time to have fine victory gardens. In most places it is too late now to plant the early vegetables such as peas, green onions, radishes, and lettuce. But there are many kinds of vegetables that can be planted in late Kay, June and July. Every effort should be made to plant and replant a garden and keep it producing all summer and throughout as much of the year as possible. In small gardens valuable ground should not be sacrificed to grow 'the crops that require a large space, such as sweet corn.

U.S. War Food Administration

1945