The Modern Day “Victory Garden”

During World War I food production was at a low in both the United States and Europe. In the United States, food prices soared and meatless and wheatless days were introduced to cut consumption. When it became apparent that food production needed to be increased, the National War Garden Commission was formed and encouraged Americans to do their part to contribute to the war effort by cultivating home “victory” gardens. During World War II victory gardens returned and grew in popularity under the National Victory Garden Program. Gardening was part of popular culture, no longer reserved for those who could not afford to purchase food. Gardens could be found in vacant lots, back yards, and city parks. When the war ended and the baby boomer era began, the interest in gardening waned.Gardening is once again part of popular culture with many Americans cultivating home gardens for both health and environmental benefits. Many property owners across the nation have been caught off guard to discover their gardens are in violation of local ordinances and/or restrictive covenants. Some have been fined and others threatened with jail time while local governments struggle to determine what, if any, limits can be placed on the rights of individual property owners. This paper will discuss challenges to zoning ordinances that restrict gardening, as well as changes to local ordinances that allow gardens, and in some cases chickens and bees, in suburban and urban areas.