Depression gardens.  Recession gardens.  Victory gardens. 



--American WWII-era posters promoting victory gardens.

What ever the name, all these gardens have one thing in common, promoting growing food in your backyard to help with the budget and to supply healthier food for your family.  There always seems to be a spike in the number of backyard gardens when times get tough:  Burpee Seed Company, the largest seed and gardening supply company in the country and located right here in Pennsylvania, says it has seen a 25 to 30 percent spike in vegetable seed and plant sales this spring compared with last.  Rising food and fuel costs are the main culprit, but during tough economic times, people seem to become more aware of the need to be more involved with where their food comes from.  To save money?  To feel connected to something?  Guess it's just getting back to basics.  And who can argue that homegrown food tastes better?



First lady Michelle Obama helped break ground recently on a new White House organic "kitchen garden."  It will be the first working garden at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue since Eleanor Roosevelt planted a so-called "victory garden" at the height of World War II.

Our own little victory garden is growing so fast it's hard to catch up!



Just days ago the strawberries were covered in blossoms and we were only anticipating a big crop.



Today, a few are ripe and ready to enjoy!  Tomorrow, strawberry preserves!



The lettuce is picture perfect!



Radishes too!



The onion bed is filled with several varieties.



As the snow peas climb, they are flanked by the garlic that was planted last fall.



A bunch of broccoli raab is ready for the sauté pan--add a little olive oil and garlic and dinner is served!



An update on the espalier apple tree project:  After they were pruned down to about 24-inches, they immediately began to show signs of life.



Now comes the rewarding part of training the branches.



An under planting of peonies completes espaliered apple tree area.

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Garden Plot



Legend:

1.  pea, garlic (16’ bed)
2.  onion (16’ bed)
3.  tomato--with companion plantings of beets and carrots (16’ bed) 
4.  tomato--with companion plantings of beets and carrots (16’ bed)
5.  cucumber (8’ bed)
6.  strawberry (12’ bed)
7.  shallots, herbs (8’ bed)
8.  peppers, herbs (8’ bed)
9.  strawberry (12’ bed)
10. broccoli (8’ bed)
11. asparagus (4’ bed)
12. squash (8’ bed)
13. eggplant (4’ bed)
14. spinach, (4’ bed)
15. lettuce, broccoli raab, greens (8’ bed)
16. asparagus (4’ bed)
17. potato, espaliered apple trees. peonies (12’ X 24’)
18. bean (6’ X 24’)
19. bean (6’ X 24’)
20. blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, rhubarb, horseradish, espaliered apple trees. peonies (20’ X 24’)

to be added:
21. rose garden (22’ X 20’)
22. water garden (to be determined)
23. potting shed area (22’ X 12’/potting shed 12’ X 10’)

Wow. I can't believe how fast those apple trees have grown. It seemed like they'd look stubby and bald for a while, but they look adorable!

Umm. I am just going to give up gardening now, and live vicariously through you. So, would you mind adding a knot garden? I would really enjoy one. Seriously,did you try any of those White Flower Farm woodland type strawberries? I live too far south for those. I have managed to harvest one Black Cherry tomato, 3 regular and one Lemon Boy so far this year, along with some blueberries and a eggplant. And I always have my citrus. I am eagerly awaiting the progress of your apples. Very Cool.