Taped by WGBH Forum Network, Botanist Judith Sumner visited the Arnold Arboretum in Boston to talk about Victory Gardens and their role in World War II.
Sumner explained how the U.S. government encouraged housewives, families, employers, and schools to plant vegetable gardens during the war to reduce the use of needed plastics and metals. Due to food rationing and food shortages, Americans used these "victory gardens" or "liberty gardens" to grow their own tomatoes, watermelons, and other important produce. In addition to these gardens, cookbooks across the nation began printing recipes to teach people how to use these new vegetables and retain essential vitamins.
This talk took place on Jan. 26, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
