With the news bantering terms like “Depression 2.0,” “climate crisis,” and “Jennifer Aniston talks divorce for the 1.3 trillionth time,” it is hard not to want to crawl under your bed and come out in better days.  But any grandparent will tell you that good lessons come from hard times.  And one of the best ones is the Victory Gardens of World War II.

In the early 1940s, Victory Gardens planted in American front lawns and backyards accounted for up to 40% of the vegetables consumed nationally.  Over one million tons of vegetables were produced by program’s end.  Even Eleanor Roosevelt got in on the action and had a garden planted on the White House lawn.  (See similar calls for Obama to do the same – would it be a Yes You Can Garden?)   Why did the Victory Gardens work so well?  When times were bleak, they gave people a sense of purpose.  They saved resources, and they saved money. 

With the news bantering terms like “Depression 2.0,” “climate crisis,” and “Jennifer Aniston talks divorce for the 1.3 trillionth time,” it is hard not to want to crawl under your bed and come out in better days.  But any grandparent will tell you that good lessons come from hard times.  And one of the best ones is the Victory Gardens of World War II.

In the early 1940s, Victory Gardens planted in American front lawns and backyards accounted for up to 40% of the vegetables consumed nationally.  Over one million tons of vegetables were produced by program’s end.  Even Eleanor Roosevelt got in on the action and had a garden planted on the White House lawn.  (See similar calls for Obama to do the same – would it be a Yes You Can Garden?)   Why did the Victory Gardens work so well?  When times were bleak, they gave people a sense of purpose.  They saved resources, and they saved money. 

So not surprisingly, lawn gardens are making a comeback across America.  People are tilling their own soil like never before.  But why do it?  Besides the aforementioned saving of resources and money (and a pretty good low-impact workout), there are some other compelling health reasons to ditch your lawn.  Well, if you go organic, you’re being about as green as you can get.  Your produce will be sustainable and nothing is more local than pulling produce off your own property.  And your food will be safe, unless you plan on incorporate your own salmonella poisoning into your food production. 

First, choose your spot.  Working a garden in your front lawn can be a social event.  The Seattle Times recently reported on at-home gardening.  Cathryn Basanich of Kenmore “chose the front yard because of sun — food gardens need as much as possible — but also to be close to her 4-year-old daughter's play space.” 

Now, let me address a problem that may not have been an issue in 1943, but will likely be one today.  People may walk into your unfenced lawns and steal your vegetables! This may be a good reason to put your victory garden in the back.  Either way, you’re still going green in one of the best ways possible. 

Pick your seeds.  If possible, you will want to consider practice xeriscaping, which is “environmentally-friendly landscaping that uses native and drought-tolerant plants, shrubs, and ground cover.”  So what is good for your climate?  Here is a fantastic resource to help you pick the best seeds for your area.  Carrots like it hot.  Beans like it cold.  Who knew?  And when you’re ready to buy, considering getting your seeds organic.  This is a great guide to organic seeds and seed plants all over the country. You can also grow your own seeds trays.   And get supplies to do so here.  

Get rid of your grass.  We have combed the world of gardening for the best suggestions to turn your lawn grass into the nutrient-rich sod your seedlings will need to flourish.  First, remove all weeds, roots and rocks. Then, using a shovel or a roto-tiller, dig the soil to a depth of six to eight inches. 

Be warned, there are debates as to using a shovel versus using a roto-tiller. (Cue Rocky “Eye of the Tiger” music…)  Using a shovel is a great option if you want to get a work-out and don’t have a lot of space to till.  But a roto-tiller will take care of the scourge of the gardening world – the return of crab grass.  Because the grass is tilled under alive, it can easily take root again. 

You can also use sheet mulching to get rid of grass.  This involves laying down a barrier to kill the grass – you plant on top of it.  What to use for your barrier?  Some gardeners suggest clear plastic under the soil.  Now, they probably also have oil wells stuck in their back yards, because this is about the least eco-friendly thing you can do.  As a kid growing up in farmland, one season our neighboring farmers put plastic down to “enrich” the soil.  All this meant was that we were constantly finding pieces of plastic in the dirt for years.  And I am sure it is still there, today.  Plus, experts report that plastic barriers create a hothouse effect, which can counteract all your good gardening. 

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