Planting for the Soul Victory

Wiith all the craziness going on in the world today, it’s a good time to get back to basics The National Garden Bureau has launched a campaign I can totally get behind: the Victory Garden 2 0

The concept of victory gardens was conceived during WWII when food and other resources were scarce Sound familiar? In 1943 nearly 40 percent of all fruits and vegetables grown in the U S were grown in home and community victory gardens That’s impressive Planting a garden may not seem like much, but it’s doing something to put you and your family in better control of your lives and your future, thus it lifts the spirits .

by lIsa Cullen

Besides, it’s fun . Kids eat veggies that they themselves grow It’s easy and gives the entire family a project they can do together

James H Burdett, founder of the National Garden Bureau, wrote the “Victory Garden Manual” from which much of this information was gleaned Let’s revive the victory garden, shall we? Here’s the stepby-step on how to get started I’ll list resources for plants and other materials both local and online at the end of this column

1. Know your growing zone. Most of Santa Barbara is in Zone 23 according to Sunset Magazine and Zone 10a according to the USDA . But double-check as there are slight variances if you live inland or Santa Ynez Valley, Fillmore, Ojai, etc

2. Make a list of the items your family enjoys eating. This is obvious; no sense planting broccoli that no one will eat

3. From this list research specific varieties. Honestly, most anything can grow in Santa Barbara Plus, when you grow from seed there a lot more choices Have some fun with it and grow something you’ve never eaten before .

4. Decide which of these plants you will grow from seed or buy as seedlings. Look at the “days to harvest” on the seed packet Some vegetables are easy to grow from seed, such as green beans, radishes, cucumbers, carrots, beets, chard, kale, and herbs like basil and parsley Tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers should be planted as seedlings

5. Determine how much produce your family can reasonably consume during key harvest times. Decide if you have the resources to freeze or can the excess. Again, pretty obvious . We’ve all heard stories of a giant zucchini being left on doorsteps and one can only bake so much zucchini bread .

Pro tip: I freeze my excess tomatoes and so have tomatoes for cooking all year It’s super easy Wash them, quarter them, put them in freezer bags and put in freezer . No fuss .

6. Plan your garden space (in-ground, raised beds, containers) accordingly. Make sure the location gets plenty of sun for the crops you choose . In Santa Barbara, cool-season crops like broccoli, kale, chard, and the like will take a bit of shade in the summer Warm-season veggies like tomatoes, peppers, beans, eggplant, and cucumbers will want as much heat as you’ve got so full sun, please

Pro tip: If you’re building raised beds they should be a minimum of 24 inches tall, and you must install gopher wire halfway up the sides of your boxes, not just on the bottom If you purchase beds, even the metal ones, line in gopher wire

7. No space? No problem. Apartment and condo dwellers can grow veggies too Create a mini farm by planting in pots and window boxes Even better, it may be time to petition the HOA board to establish a “community garden” with some of that open space . Just sayin’ .

8. Know your soil or buy good quality gardening mixes. It’s best to use the rule of adding in no more than 20-30 percent amendments to your native soil Commercial planting mixes should be used as amendments only Add in compost, beneficial soil microbes and other organic matter to lighten the soil and, if you have heavy clay, use raised beds and fill with topsoil and use fewer amendments

Growing your own food is fun and addicting This should be enough to get your started Still have questions? You can email me any time at Lisacullen@ montecitolandscape com I’d be happy to help

Until next time, fill your garden with joy and lots of homegrown veggies

Lisa Cullen, landscape designer and organic gardener, owns Montecito Landscape with her husband, Chris. She can be reached at 805.969.3984 or www.montecitolandscape.com

RESOURCES:

Where to buy vegetable seeds and seedlings

Terra Sol Garden Center

They offer a gourmet selection of vegetables and herbs for your home garden including tried and true varieties, heirlooms, and disease resistant choices as well They stock according to the season, providing quality herbs and vegetables which will allow you to produce a fresh and healthy harvest

5325 Overpass Rd . 805-964-7811 www . terrasol-gardencenter .com

Island Seed and Feed: The best of the best for organic amendments, fertilizers, seeds, seedlings . and a lot more Their knowledgeable staff will help you decide what to plant and what amendments you need

29 S Fairview Ave, Goleta, CA 805-967-5262

La Sumida: Large selection of seedlings and seeds as well as gardening gloves, hats, and equipment, as well as amendments Their staff is knowledgeable in all aspects of gardening

165 S Patterson Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93111 805-964-9944

These companies sell non-GMO seeds and are employee owned:

Renee’s Garden (www reneesgarden com)

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (www rareseeds com)

Seed Savers Exchange (www seedsavers org)

Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden (www groworganic com)

Johnny’s Seeds (www johnnyseeds com)

Territorial Seeds (territorialseed com)

Seeds of Change (www seedsofchange com)

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