Gardening fads come and go. There was a time before much was known about their structural deficiencies when eucalypti were popular. For a while, the old tradition of three birches on the front lawn regained popularity, until it also became passe. Remember spider plants and Boston ferns hung in macramé with big wooden beads? It seems that the good fads, like geraniums and star jasmine, do not last long enough. The bad ones, like London plane trees, linger. Generally, I do not have much use for gardening fads; until now.  

Victory Gardens are becoming trendy again because so many of us have less to spend on groceries. We are rediscovering that areas occupied by more or less useless landscapes and lawns can be used to produce fruits and vegetables. Even areas that we already use intensively to grow ornamentals, like annual and perennial flowers, can become more sustaining, and provide us with fresh groceries. Instead of planting trees that are merely ornamental, many of us are planting and learning to properly care for fruit trees.

Victory Gardens are my kind of gardens, particularly since I have always prioritized fruit and vegetable production in my gardens anyway. Even though I do not want to be accused of doing anything trendy, I intend to continue growing fruits and vegetables; and I hope that this fad continues after the economy recovers. Home grown vegetables are not only healthier because of their quality and freshness, but because the process of growing them is so therapeutic. It gets us out in the garden, where we really should be spending more time anyway. 

The motives are certainly different from those that started the tradition of Victory Gardens during World War II. Back then, people grew more of their own groceries at home to decrease the demand for agricultural commodities, or because some fruits and vegetables simply were not available due to rationing. This significantly increased the availability of the vast quantities of produce that were needed for the war effort. I read somewhere that such gardens were known as Liberty Gardens during World War I.

Although I prefer tradition instead of change, it seems that modern Victory Gardens or Liberty Gardens are worthy of their own name that is more appropriate to their purpose. We are not growing them to protect our liberty, or to be victorious in a particular war. Because these gardens are intended to help provide sustenance while the United States of America restores its prosperity, they should be known as ‘Prosperity Gardens’.

We will certainly be hearing more about Prosperity Gardens in the future. Even though I try to avoid fads, and I really do not want to capitalize on a bad economy, this is a gardening trend that I intend to follow. It reintroduces the need for practical horticulture in home gardens, and promotes healthier lifestyles. Remember that your questions and comments about Prosperity Gardens, or any other gardening topic are always welcome at my website, and may give me more useful information to share with others.

Contact Tony Tomeo or look for specialized gardening information and previous columns at www.AskTonyTheGardener.com.