War time gardening themesDigging for VictoryWorld War II created a major food shortage, as Britain had previously relied on imports to feed its ever-increasing population. The Germans started to bomb food-carrying cargo ships, so rationing was introduced on 8 January 1940. Everyone at home in England was asked to grow as much food as possible for the nation. The Dig for Victory campaign was started in September 1940, launched by one of the first gardening media celebrities, Mr Middleton, on his radio show. He encouraged people to take on an allotment and grow vegetables, such as leeks and sprouts, instead of only growing short-lived summer crops. Potatoes were also encouraged because of their long-term storage potential. Everyone joined in. Garden professionals were asked to volunteer their time to teach others gardening, while the Women's Institute taught jam-making. One in five homes had an allotment, while others dug up their own back lawns and herbaceous borders to make room for growing vegetables. Even playing fields and the London Parks were ploughed up to create space. To help with the food shortage, 90,000 girls joined the Land Army. They grew food on farms while many men were off fighting. Media gardening - the beginningThe first gardening programme to be broadcast to the nation was Mr Middleton's series In your Garden. About 3.5 million listeners tuned into the BBC Home service every Sunday afternoon to listen to his horticultural tips. He also launched the Dig for Victory campaign on 10 September 1940. |
