I first learned about victory gardens at a young age, thanks to the stories I read about Molly McIntire, a fictional character who grew up during World War II. Molly and her family grew their own vegetables since crops grown by farmers were needed for the American troops. Well, once the war ended, victory gardens took a back seat to the fluorescent lights of the grocery superstore. With our nation’s current financial situation though, I’m not surprised to see victory gardens—or “recession gardens,” as they’re known these days—making a comeback.
I recently read that an estimated 43 million American households will be planting their own “recession gardens” this year. Forty-three million! It just goes to show that lots of people across the nation are catching on to this trend—and with savings of up to $5,000 on groceries a year, no wonder we’re all so keen on the idea. C’mon, even Michelle Obama is doing it!
Now that the weather is getting warmer I’m looking forward to starting my own recession garden. It’s an empowering thought to be a part of the food selection process from start to finish. But all that digging, lifting, hauling…it’s enough to give me a headache (and my tiny five-foot-two frame premature aches and pains). Thankfully for pint-sized gardeners like myself, Lifetime’s Wheelbarrow helps lighten the load. It’s designed to distribute more weight to the wheels and less to the user, so at-home landscapers can work hard without worrying about needing any ice packs later in the day. And, since the Wheelbarrow has a tub made from 100 percent recycled material, I know it’s not only great for my landscape, but also better for the environment.
So, when the springtime air hits New Jersey head on, look for me out back in the garden. I’ll be the girl with the big smile — happy to be picking up where Molly left off, and even happier to be doing so without breaking my back in the process.