Victory Gardens began on the home front during the first and second world wars to help increase food supplies to the troops by decreasing the food needed for the public. These gardens gave everyone the chance to do their part for the war effort. During those years the gardens accounted for nearly one-third the vegetables consumed.
Today the gardens may evolve to be the Economy Garden. With our current energy cost soaring and foods traveling thousands of miles to reach our grocery stores, Economy Gardens can help. Planting your own garden allows you to control how the plants are grown and reduces wasted energy on transportation. Best of all gardening improves health and relaxes the soul, have you ever heard a plant talk back!
Large or small, everyone can create an Economy Garden. If your lucky to have a large piece of land for gardening, then using traditional rows would work fine. But if you have a small area, then try incorporating vegetables with flowers in your landscape or use large containers on your deck, balcony, or porch. Best of all join a community garden near by or start one for your own community!
The original seed that I bought came from University of New Mexico. I grew this in my garden for the Summer of 2008 and had the highest yielding peppers I’ve ever grown. Problem is that I’m not much of a hot pepper fan and really didn’t try them myself. So I passed a few plants along to others that like hot peppers. They all said it was h-h-h-h-hot and used it moderately in the place of Habenaro.
Catalog page for Pepper ‘Bhut Jolokia’
Summer heat can’t keep vinca from performing. The main problem is preventing diseases such as aerial phytophora. This can mainly be done by mulching plants with course material before watering to prevent soil from splashing on the foliage, which is the carrier of the disease. Once the disease has infected a plant it can not be saved.
Transplant into the landscape when soil temperatures are above 70-80 degrees. Cold temperatures will stall the plants and stunt growth. Once established the plants are very drought tolerant and love the summer heat.
Saving thousands of seed occasionally results in interesting plants. Here are some of the seedlings that showed promise:
Yes, that’s an echinacea. I’ve had it since 2004 and it has held true to form. The plants flower over a long period with half dozen or more flowers over the season. Blooms continuously from July to September.
