Maggie Stuckey’s book, The Container Victory Garden, is about growing vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers in containers. Aimed at beginning gardeners, the book shows readers new to container gardening how limited space can be used to significantly contribute to the food supply all through the growing season. Stuckey shares her trial and error experience to help readers decide for themselves what works, what doesn’t and what isn’t worth the trouble.
Stuckley begins by telling the story of victory gardens from World War I to the coronavirus pandemic that broke out in 2020. She combines historical research with personal stories of victory gardens in the past to create an informative and inspirational narrative. We learn that early victory gardens were called war gardens but became Victory Gardens after the end of the war. As World War II began, growing food for family and neighbors became a symbol of patriotism and by the time the war ended Victory Gardeners had produced more than one billion tons of food. Especially charming are the posters of the time promoting “Grow Vitamins at Your Kitchen Door”.
Subsequent chapters deal with all aspects of growing vegetables in containers. Stuckley describes how to evaluate the available space in terms of sunlight, water, wind, and frost dates, and suggests plants that will provide the most food for their size. Next, the author discusses the purchase of tools and equipment, different kinds of containers, potting soil, fertilizer, water gels, and ways to make the most out of limited space. Finally, Stuckley gives directions for choosing plants, planting, thinning, and keeping plants safe from pests and diseases.
The heart of the book is three chapters on specific vegetables, herbs, and edible plants. Vegetables include beets, carrots, greens, radishes, green beans, peas, and tomatoes. Herbs covered are basil, chives, marjoram, oregano, mint, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, and thyme, while edible flowers include begonias, dianthus, nasturtiums, pansies, and violas. Each entry includes basic needs and characteristics of the crop plant, planting and growing tips, suggestions for harvesting, and recommendations for suitable varieties. The coverage on each plant is ample and emphasizes the unique qualities that make the plant a good choice for a container Victory Garden.
The Container Victory Garden is an excellent choice for first time container gardeners to to try their hand at growing food in planters. Written in a friendly and casual style, the book provides all the information needed to get started and maintain a container garden. The descriptions of suitable varieties ares especially helpful in selecting just the right plants to bring success and meet the needs and wants of the gardener. The line drawings, although in light print, are helpful in explaining the garden techniques and the photographs, especially in the photo gallery at the end of the book, add color and clarification. The numerous accounts of personal experiences of various people from all over the country add a personal touch that brings the text to another level.
To buy The Container Victory Garden from Amazon, click here.