MONTROSE, Pa. — The Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program is taking a fresh look at Victory Gardening during the current pandemic by offering a webinar series where you will learn how to create your own Victory Garden!
In 1917 millions of people were starving in Europe as a result of World War. The burden of feeding the desperate masses fell to the United States. In March, just before the US entered the war, the National War Garden Commission was organized for the purpose of encouraging Americans to contribute by growing their own food so that more could be sent to our allies. The result was three million plots in 1917, 5.2 million by 1918. By the end of the War they were dubbed “Victory Gardens.”
By 1941 we were once again embroiled in conflict, World War II. Crops were diverted to the military overseas and with the beginning of food rationing in 1942, there was great incentive to grow one’s own vegetables leading to a resurgence of Victory Gardens. By 1942 there were 15M family gardens, by 1944 there were 20M, producing 8M tons of fruit and vegetables or 40% of all that was used in the US. To give this a little perspective, 1M tons is the equivalent of 120,000 elephants or 17,000 army tanks! History of Victory Gardens adapted by: Jo Merrell is a Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Centre County.
Shelter-in-place is a new concept for most of us, and as we spend more time confined to our homes, many people are finding that time outdoors in the garden relieves stress and provides needed exercise. And as a bonus, delicious vegetables and fruits can be grown and harvested at a reduced cost.
Extension educators and Master Gardeners will be providing up-to-date, research-based information on best practices for growing vegetables in containers, raised beds, and in-ground beds. This eight-week webinar series will be held on Tuesdays, beginning April 14 from noon to 1 p.m. To join: https://extension.psu.edu/victory-garden-reinvented-webinar-series
Topics covered include vegetable gardening basics: seed starting, site selection, soils, mulching, integrated pest management, weeds, and succession planting. Sessions will also cover cultural requirements and pest problems for specific vegetables and fruits.
The webinars are free to attend, but you will need to register online to receive the links for the live webinars. The sessions will also be recorded and will be available on the Penn State Extension website.
The schedule is as follows but slight changes may occur.
Tuesday, April 14: Vegetable Gardening Basics
Basic botany, seed starting transplants, site selection, soils and compost, mulch
Tuesday, April 21: Vegetable Gardening Basics Part 2
Growing zones, watering, fertilizers, IPM/ row covers, succession planting, interplanting, weeds, wildlife
Tuesday, April 28: Early Spring Vegetables: beets, kale, Swiss chard, spinach, lettuce, endive, escarole, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, alliums, peas and carrots
Tuesday, May 5: Spring and Early Summer Vegetables: potatoes, beans, black-eyed peas, dried beans
Tuesday, May 12: Summer Vegetables: tomatoes – open-pollinated vs. hybrid, seed saving, okra
eggplant and peppers
Tuesday, May 19: Summer Vegetables: cucumbers, melons, squash, gourds, pumpkins, corn
Tuesday, May 26: Fruit
strawberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, figs
Tuesday, June 2: Fall Gardening and Perennial Vegetables
Cover crops and season extenders
Perennial vegetables: rhubarb, asparagus, horseradish
garlic, spinach, lettuces, radishes, Asian greens
Tuesday, June 9: Victory Garden Hotline
Master Gardeners will offer research-based explanations and answers to pre-submitted questions.
For more information or help registering you can leave a message on the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Susquehanna County Hotline at 570.666.9003 or email: susquehannamg@psu.edu.
–Kimberly Grace, Penn State Extension Susquehanna County