'Victory Gardens' return as more growing their own patch of produce

Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) (MCT) - Some call them "recession gardens."

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Others label them revivals of the Victory Gardens, an early 1940s campaign that helped people put more food on the table during hard economic times.

Whatever the label, one fact is known _ people are growing more of their own vegetables this year.

Seed specialists like Burpee report vegetable seed sales are up 25 to 30 percent, and local garden centers support that claim.

Seeds can be an economic way to begin a garden but National Gardening Association experts advise gardeners to be realistic about their expectations. A $70 investment in a garden yields about $600 in produce for the year _ not thousands like some seed companies claim.

Even so, vegetable gardening is good in many respects. It gets you outdoors, moving muscles and soaking up a little Vitamin D from the sun. It's also fun to pick a cherry tomato straight from the vine and pop it into your mouth while you harvest some for dinnertime salads.

Renee Shepherd of Renee's Garden Seeds believes these are some of the best reasons to vegetable garden. Renee, based in Fenton, Calif., has been specializing in heirloom and hybrid seeds for 24 years. She discusses what's new and unique from seed during Colonial Williamsburg's 63rd Garden Symposium May 1-2 at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Va.

"There is a growing interest in where your food comes from and not having to worry if it's safe and healthy, especially given recent food safety scares about peanuts, spinach, salad, etc.," she says.

Renee also sees a trend in younger families want to become self-reliant and live simpler lives.

"Many young mothers have new interest in seeing nutritious food as an important part of raising healthy kids," she says. "My 30- to 40-something customers view gardening as a healthy low-cost way to spend food quality family time together."

Renee shops the world for seeds, bringing basil seeds from Italy, French beans from France and sweet peas from England. Her seeds are sold in independent garden centers nationwide and online at www.reneesgarden.com.

A family of four can garden in a small space _ beginners should never attempt to turn the entire back yard into a garden _ and grow a lot of yummy fresh produce, she says. In a 10-foot-square plot, start with a cool-season salad garden of spring greens and lettuces. When those wilt, follow with highly productive warm-season plants like zucchini and summer squash, pole or bush beans, beets, carrots, tomatoes, sweet or chili peppers and chard.

"I would certain plant some basil, chives and oregano to season the other veggies and to attract beneficial insects and pollinators," she says.

Because gardeners increasingly look for ornamental edible plants, Renee's company likes to introduce pretty plants like Neon Glow chard with stalks of glowing magenta and gold.

For gardeners who like quick results, there's the new Asian baby leaf salad mix that's ready to cut in a month.

For gardeners who like to grow vegetables in containers, there are varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, sweet peppers, basil and several types of lettuce that thrive in pots and window boxes.

If you prefer to plant via seed, Renee offers these tips:

_Use fresh high-quality seeds.

_Follow packet instructions.

_Prepare the soil well first before planting seeds _ your garden is only as good as the soil.

_For most warm-season vegetables and herbs, wait until the weather and soil are warm and settled and the nights are in the 50s before planting. Many gardeners plant too early.

_Don't plant more than you need the first season so you can get used to the rhythms of gardening.

_When lots of seedlings come up from seeds you plant, it's critical to thin them out the final spacing suggested on the packets if you want to get the most healthy and high production from your plants.

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To learn more about the workshops and garden tours associated with Colonial Williamsburg's Garden Symposium, visit www.history.org/conted or call 1-800-603-0948.

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© 2009, Daily Press (Newport News, Va.).