Pick Up Free Seeds to Plant a Victory Garden and Save on Your Grocery Bill
Plant your very own Victory Garden! The Purdue University Extension in Evansville encourages you to take advantage of their free seed library.
Planting a Garden is a Great Way to Save on Your Grocery Bill
With the continued rise in cost of every day goods and services, many of us are looking for ways to save money - especially when it comes to the cost of food. A great way to do that is by planting a garden, and the Purdue Extension Office in Vanderburgh County wants to help.
Growing a Garden Has a Lot of Benefits
Not only can it help you save some cash at the grocery store, but a garden is a wonderful way to add healthy, nutritious food into your daily life. Planting a garden to trim the family budget isn't a new idea. Victory Gardens have helped offset expenses for families across the nation.
Why Are They Called Victory Gardens?
During WWI many Americans planted "Liberty Gardens." It was considered patriotic to have a garden at home because it freed up crops to ensure our soldiers were well fed. When it became apparent that the United States and it allies would win the war, they began being called Victory Gardens.
After WWII There Were Nearly 2 Million Victory Gardens in the United States
At the beginning of WWII, Eleanor Roosevelt began a new campaign to promote Victory Gardens as a patriotic act. At the end of the war, there were almost two million gardens across the nation, and they were responsible for growing 40% of the produce Americans were consuming.
Victory Gardens Offer Self-Sufficiency and Help Build Community
A Victory Garden does more than just grow food and supplement your grocery budget. There is great benefit to spending time in the sunshine and fresh air while tending the garden. It also fosters the self-sufficiency of growing your own food, and also a sense of community - as anyone who has ever grown tomotoes and had extra to share with friends and neighbors can attest.
READ MORE: 17 Foods You Can Grow from Scraps
Whether You Plant In Pots or In The Ground, Anyone Can Grow a Garden
Even if you can't devote a plot of land in your yard to a garden, there are several things you can grow in pots next to your door. Raised beds are another great option if you do have a little space to spare.
Residents in Southern Indiana Can Grow Thier Own Victory Gardens with Free Seeds
If you're ready to grow your own Victory Garden, the Vanderburgh County Extension Office for Purdue University is offering free seeds to the community. They say the last frost is expected April 15th and it's the perfect time to start planting.
Our last frost date, April 15th, is almost here! Come get your free seeds to plant your garden. All kinds of seeds suitable for in-ground, raised bed, or container gardens are available. Take what you need and share with your community.
The Seed Library Is a Free Resource and Sharing is Encouraged
The Seed Library is free and available to anyone who would like to take seeds to plant. They do ask that you only take what you need from the library, but do encourage you to take enough to share with friends, family, or neighbors.
When to Pick Up Free Seeds from the Seed Library
The free seeds at the Seed Library are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, and are only available during the Extension's business hours, Monday through Friday 8am - 4:30pm CST.
Where to Pick Up Seeds from the Seed Library
The Vanderburgh County Purdue Extension Office is located in northern Vanderburgh County at 133011 Darmstadt Road, Evansville, Indiana. This is a wonderful opportunuty to try your hand at growing your own Victory Garden.
[SOURCE: Purdue Extension Office - Vanderburgh County via Facebook; Almanac.com]
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Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals