If you enjoy a little bit of history as I do, "Victory Gardens" were primarily associated with the World War II movement prompted by the uncertainties of war.

Victory Gardens were grown by nearly 20 million Americans as a way to support the troops keeping the resources of metal for munitions and canned foods for the troops and laborers who had been deployed in masses. The U.S. Agriculture Department suggested that food shortages and rationing were imminent, so the American people would have to grow their own fresh vegetables. In essence, the government turned to its citizens and encouraged them to plant "Victory Gardens."

Patriotic citizens planted gardens in backyards, empty lots and city rooftops. Neighbors pooled their resources, planted different kinds of fruits and vegetables and formed cooperatives all in the name of patriotism.

In 1942, fruits and vegetables harvested in homes and community plots were estimated to be around 9 million tons, so the program made a huge difference, all in the name of patriotism.

Publications addressed soil health, how, when and what to plant, pest identification, food harvesting and canning to preserve the excess. When the war was over, many Americans continued to garden, but most returned to the grocery store and relied on someone else to grow their food.

But in the last few years, there is a movement to return to the idea of growing fresh produce in our own backyards again and relying more on our local farmers markets for our food consumer needs. This movement encourages people to buy goods and services from local farm raised garden fresh food sources.

In our county, there are several local farmers markets and many of our extension customers are growing vegetable gardens all year long.

Whatever one's inspiration to start a "Victory Garden," here a few pointers to get you started:

n Skip the seeds and buy transplants. This will save you time and effort.

n Start small; gardens require maintenance and harvesting. For example, suggested numbers of plantings per person would be: Tomatoes three-to-five plants, cucumbers two-to-three seeds per spot and peppers three-to-five plants.

n Plant food you and your family will eat and enjoy cooking.

n Weed, and keep the garden mulched. It will use less water that way.

n Sharing your bounty with a neighbor, friend or local charity will keep you plugged in to the community!

I found this excerpt from a 1940s "Victory Garden" layout which still rings true today. Some great ideas never change:

"Don't buy too many tools. Many are gadgets or luxuries and in the end increase the cost of the vegetables you raise. The first most important step in growing vegetables successfully is making a plan on paper, then follow it.

"Lay out a small diagram of its intended size and shape. Mark each row, write in the name of the vegetable you want in each row, its planting dates and the distance between each row. Keep the taller growing vegetables on the western side, so all plants will be exposed to the morning sun. Figure out your seed list and decide how much you need."

Most victory plants were corn, tomatoes, pole and snap beans, onions, spinach, lettuce, carrots, beets, broccoli, cucumbers and peas.

Sounds like good advice.

The Victory Garden may have been a product of World War II, but it can be grown by anyone at anytime, anywhere. And you save money too!

Victory Gardens not only produce food, they promote families and communities working together as well. Much pride will come from your victorious garden.

Gainesville Library Lunch and Learn will offer a class on "Victory Gardens" on from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

You can also visit an authentic "Victory Garden" at the Northeast Georgia History Center in Gainesville on beginning at 1 p.m. Sept. 12 in honor of "Patriotic Month." This will be an ongoing garden which will have produce year-round once it is established.

Wanda Cannon is a Master Gardener trained through the Hall County program and also serves as Master Gardener coordinator and horticulture assistant for the Hall County Extension office. Phone: 770-535-8293.