The return of the Victory Garden

In World Wars 1 and II, the at-home Victory Garden was a way to secure healthy, often scare food. Now, in the era of social distancing, the idea returns as a self-sufficient means of staying healthy — and staying out of the store. 

To promote food security, the Sonoma Ecology Center will give away 300 “Victory Gardens” on Saturday, April 25, 10am to 1pm, at the Sonoma Plaza Horseshoe (drive-through). 

Victory Gardens were first planted over a century ago to promote independence and healthy eating during wartime. The concept has returned this spring as the COVID-19 pandemic causes some stores to run out of fresh food and other provisions. 

“Given that this crisis has massive implications for the world and for our community, Sonoma Ecology Center hopes to bring back the Victory Garden tradition to Sonoma Valley as a way to promote local sustainability and resilience,” said SEC executive director and co-founder Richard Dale.

Each Victory Garden starter packs will allow people to plant gardens with seasonal vegetables, fruit and flowers. Each will contain a mix of young summer squash, cucumbers, melons, sunflowers, peas, and bean plants. These, along with organic carrot and spinach seed packets and simple growing guidelines, will be provided at no cost to 300 community members on a day of gift-giving. 

The plants are being cultivated for this purpose by Sonoma Valley’s Bee-Well Farms. On April 25, the Victory Garden starter packs will be made available to all Sonoma Valley residents on a first-come, first-served basis. (The location is to be determined.) Limited delivery is available for those unable to pick up. 

For Sonoma Valley residents who don’t have space to plant a garden, Sonoma Ecology Center is also establishing a communal Victory Garden at Sonoma Garden Park, and will share the produce. 

“This is one way Sonoma Ecology Center is thanking the local community for 30 years of partnership to enhance and sustain the ecological health of Sonoma Valley,” said Dale was among a small group of local environmentalists who, on Earth Day in 1990, decided to found a local nonprofit to increase appreciation and stewardship of Sonoma Valley’s natural heritage. Since then Sonoma Ecology Center has created measurable benefits in water, land, biodiversity and community health. 

As the Victory Gardens grow, Sonoma Ecology Center will launch an online campaign, #SECVictoryGardens, to help keep the gardens and their gardeners connected. For updates on this and other news, including Sonoma Ecology Center’s 30th anniversary year, follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @SonomaEcologyCenter.