This spring we’re focusing on a crash course in vegetable gardening.  Specifically, we’re growing Viral Victory Gardens.  So where do we start?  We need to start with a plan.  As my educator friends say, “Plan your work, work your plan.”  The National Garden Bureau i.e. the folks who literally wrote the manual on Victory Gardens, have released an updated version of their plans.  Here are some points to consider when starting.

1. Know Your Zone

The US is divided up into USDA Plant Hardiness Zones.  Bob’s Market is located in Zone 6 here in the Mid-Ohio Valley.  Click the button below to find your zone.

2. Decide What to Grow

What types of veggies does your family enjoy?  Also, how much will you need?  … Don’t worry, you’ll always have too much zucchini!  That’s the law of vegetable gardening.

Are you planning on home canning or freezing vegetables?  You’ll want to think ahead to specific recipes and quantities, and then plan from there.  Also, don’t forget to stock up on canning supplies.

3. Seeds & Starts

Decide what you want to grow from seeds versus starts.  I have a confession.  I’m terrible at starting vegetable seeds inside.  I’ve gotten better over the years, and this year I’m attempting tomatoes.  If I’ve had luck direct sowing seeds in the garden like leaf lettuce and squash, I’ll go that route first.  However, some finicky plants like cabbage and peppers, I’ll always go with starts from Bob’s.

4. Plan When to Plant

Now is the time to plant cool weather crops like potatoes, onions, cabbage, lettuce, and many other crops.  Based off of the crop time (how long it takes to grow until harvest), you’ll also want to plan succession plantings throughout the summer and into fall.  For example, when your leaf lettuce bolts in early June, replace it with pepper plants.  After the peppers are harvested in September, sow some turnip seed.  That way you can get multiple crops from the same patch of soil.

5. Plan Your Garden Space

You want to choose an area that gets plenty of sun, has well drained soil, and is relatively flat (sometimes a challenge in West Virginia).  Back in the day, folks just tilled up a patch of land.  That still works.  (It’s what I do.)  However, if you want raised beds, go for it!  A container garden on your patio?  No problem!  The point is to grow your own foods by any means available.  During WWII many lawns became gardens, empty lots in cities became gardens, and even the front lawn of the White House was used as a Victory Garden.

Use the search function of our website to find previous blog posts!  Over the past decade we’ve amassed quite a collection of helpful blog posts on gardening.  Also, check out our podcast.  We have helpful episodes on everything from creating a foodscape to straw bale gardening.  This season we’re going to be focusing completely on Victory Gardens.  The first episode will be out this coming Monday!