It’s an understatement to say that COVID-19 and the resulting quarantine changed our lives in many ways. If you were like me you figured a couple of weeks not working would be fun and then we’d be back to normal. Needless to say, that didn’t happen.
The few weeks stretched into months and many took up new hobbies to occupy our time and provide emotional support. Going to the grocery store was an adventure in “get what’s left and make do”. Baking became a national pastime as evidenced by the empty shelves in the flour section of the grocery stores. We quarantined and binged watched movies and read. We untangled yarn and crochet and knitted. We pulled out crafts, and even DIY home projects were other “leisure” activities people undertook.
For those who wanted more physical activity, working out at home was the only choice since gyms were closed. (I now have an exercise bike that I had to wait a month for) So, while some of us gained weight during quarantine, others lost weight and became more fit.
Gardening also was one of the more popular choices as an activity that would not only provide exercise but reduce stress and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Victory Gardens went up in backyards, front yards, porches and high-rise balconies. Those in condos or apartments planted chives, oregano, basil and other fabulous herbs. Tomatoes, a variety of peppers and Ichiban eggplant thrived in decorative and plain clay pots.
Those of us who had space learned how to prepare our soil, test it for pH, add necessary fertilizers and plant, plant, plant. We found plans for building raised garden beds and planted tomatoes, beans, squash and for some, even corn. We watched our seeds sprout, grow and begin to produce beautiful, good-for-you-veggies! Well, mostly beautiful produce – I had to replant my tomatoes and competed with the rabbits and deer for some of my bounty.
Fortunately, COVID-19 rules on isolation are easing up. We’re told it’s okay to go back to work as long as we wear our masks and social distance. We’re trying to get back to “life as normal,” whatever that is. But what about your Victory Garden? Will there be time to plan, prepare, plant and care for what you’ve started?
One thing the pandemic reminded me was that it’s okay to slow down. I don’t have to build a homestead or attempt to survive off of only what I’ve planted. I can enjoy having fresh herbs in my garden window. It’s a treat to look at and is beneficial for my family and me. While we may not have as much time at home as our work shifts us back to the office, we don’t have to “throw in the trowel” on our Victory Gardens. In other words, you don’t have to be a farmer to reap the benefits of gardening.
Here are some thoughts I’d like to share:
1. Keep it small. Determine what you can handle without causing stress. After all, one of the benefits of Victory Gardening is that it reduces stress, and if you try to take care of more than your workload will allow, it is bound to be stressful. Stick a couple of tomato plants in one of your borders. Grow some basil and chives on the back porch. If you have a large garden space that you can’t handle, plant what you can and put a thick mulch on the rest. Your soil will benefit greatly and be ready for planting next season or when you are ready.
2. Only grow what you love. Does your family live for the Southern ‘mater sandwiches with mayo on white bread in the summer? Then definitely grow a nice heirloom like Cherokee Purple, Mortgage Lifter, or Kellogg’s Breakfast (why heirloom? So you can save the seeds! Read more here https://victorygardengal.com/5-terms-you-need-to-know-for-your-victory-garden/). Are your bread and butter pickles to die for? Plant some pickling cucumbers on a fence so that they’re easy to pick for pickling. Love stuffed poblano peppers? Three pepper plants will provide all you can eat in late summer and fall – provided the deer don’t find them!
3. Try something new. Along with what you love, try something you never grew before. Peruse your favorite seed catalog and find something different like chayote squash or Louisiana Green Eggplant. You can find the latter and other “New and Noteworthy Seeds” by clicking on “New for 2020” at www.seedsaversexchange.com
4. Join a garden group (even online). Gardening groups are fun ways to exchange ideas, pick up new ideas and meet new people who enjoy gardening as much as you do. If you don’t have time for weekly or even monthly meetings, there are plenty of online groups. The advantage is that you can “meet” when it’s convenient, or you have a few minutes to spare. To find an online gardening club, check out this website: https://www.treehugger.com/online-gardening-communities-you-should-join-4858500.
5. Save seeds/share seeds to keep costs down. Sometimes it seems like it’s all about time and money and gardening can be an expensive hobby. Seeds aren’t cheap, so try to save seeds from the open-pollinated plants in your Victory Garden and share with friends and neighbors.
6. Compost. Even when you aren’t growing vegetables, you can compost. Saving your eggshells, trimmings from uncooked fruit and vegetables, banana skins, coffee and tea grounds, cardboard packing – all will work together to produce awesome compost in your Victory Garden. Make use of the leaves you rake this fall and add them to your compost as well. Then, when you shove your garden spade into the soil, you are probably going to find quite a few fat earthworms. They love composted soil and are working to make it even better as they tunnel around. They also love the roots of the vegetables you grew over the summer. Pull them up, cut off the stem and throw the roots in the compost pile. The worms will work them into your soil and make it even better. To keep from killing them, instead of tilling the soil next spring, cover it with a thick layer of straw and leaves. Your earthworms will do the tilling for you and save you time and labor.
Growing takes practice, patience, and a little luck. Teaching yourself the art of growing is a lifetime hobby that helps lift depression, is good for the environment, your community and keeps you moving.
So, as we return to our jobs, don’t “throw in the trowel” on your Victory Garden. The health benefits of gardening are far beyond what you harvest. Small Victories are still Victories.
One last thing: Absolutely no vegetables go into the making of this cake; but this pound cake is AMAZING!!
Pound Cake from a Friend
Put the following ingredients in a large mixing bowl:
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour (sift into the bowl)
1 cup soft butter
6 whole eggs (large)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Beat for 12 minutes with electric mixer.
Pour into greased, floured Bundt pan.
Place in COLD oven. Set oven at 325 degrees and bake.
Check with a toothpick after 50 minutes. (it can take 10-15 minutes longer). In my oven it takes 60 minutes.
Cool 10 minutes, go around the edge of the pan with a butter knife to loosen the cake.
Turn it over and the cake should come out easily.
Happy Planting!
DeeAnn
The Victory Garden Gal