Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, when much of the nation is shut down, springtime has arrived on time; and with it brings new opportunities. Millions of Americans sheltering in place have turned to their gardens to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise, and family fun.

Home gardeners are snatching up everything at their local nurseries and seed sales are skyrocketing. People want the safety and security of growing healthy food in their own gardens, or what some are now referring to as “modern day victory gardens.”

The evolution of “victory gardens,” originally called “war gardens,” blossomed during World War I when the government called upon Americans to grow their own gardens to free up food for soldiers fighting overseas. The concept flourished during World War II when labor shortages stretched the nation’s food production to the limits. Americans were encouraged to harvest their own food by establishing “victory gardens” at their homes. An estimated 20 million World War II “victory gardens” produced nearly 40 percent of the nation’s fruits and vegetables during the war.

While the goals during the COVID-19 pandemic are not quite this ambitious, Americans are saving the occasional trip to the grocery store by harvesting food in their own gardens. During this rejuvenated “victory gardens” movement, gardeners are wise to invest in high-quality compost and compost blends—such as those available at the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility—to help their fruits and vegetables thrive.

Instead of joining in the frenzy of overbuying toilet paper during this pandemic, consider focusing your energy on participating in the rejuvenated “victory garden” movement; get outside, get your hands dirty, and get growing with quality compost from the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility!

Source: compostingcouncil.org