A Victory Garden

I planted a Victory Garden yesterday, inspired by the Victory Gardens of WWI and WWII.

Originally called War Gardens in WWI, while soldiers fought on the European battlefields, loved ones at home showed their support by planting vegetable gardens. Slogans such as “Sow the Seeds of Victory”and”Preserve Your Reserve” encouraged Americans to grow their own food to help preserve the nation’s food supply, but also as a way to boost morale. Following the end of the war, the gardens became know as Victory Gardens. During WWII, posters popped up in support of the effort and Americans produced up to 41% of the vegetables consumed.

I’m struck by the parallel of the war we fight today against Covid19. It’s a World War Pandemic and maintaining heath and good nutrition have never been more important. A Victory Garden once again seems appropriate. Together we are doing our part in staying home, self-quarantining. As fresh food–not to mention the processed foods and TP!–became limited in grocery stores, and advice to limit our trips to the grocery store became a plea, I was inspired to plant my own Victory Garden. My garden is small, but it’s a start. It gave me immense pleasure to plant, but also I felt empowered, much like the Victory gardeners of old. There is joy in growing veggies and herbs in pots and on the windowsill too, so if space is limited I encourage you to give that a try. My little Victory Garden is a small step, but it may be the small steps that save us! Hope you are staying healthy and safe. Please let me know how you are doing and the ways you are coping. We are in this together! Love, Rebecca

REBECCA DE MARINO writes inspirational historical romance and is the author of The Southold Chronicles (Revell). The three-book series is set in the 17^th century on Long Island and is based on her real-life ninth great-grandparents who came from England on a little ship called The Swallow. Rebecca’s titles include A Place in His Heart (2014). To Capture Her Heart (2015), and To Follow Her Heart (2016). She is also published in Guideposts and Angels on Earth magazines. Rebecca inherited her love of baking and gardening from her mother, a love of horses, reading, and writing from her dad, and the wanderlust gene from both parents. Her research and travels have taken her from Alaska to Nebraska and Florida, from Long Island to England and Italy, and from Washington DC to Texas, California and Guam. But usually you can find her at home in the beautiful Pacific NW, enjoying her grandchildren and baking crisp little ginger cakes just like her Grandmother Horton’s. Rebecca would love to connect with you on Facebook or tweet her @RebeccaDeMarino.