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PENNSYLVANIA STATE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE
STEPS IN GARDEN ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY GARDENS
One of the most important duties of the local Victory Garden Committee in
suburban or urban areas is to enable families who so desire to obtain
suitable land and other facilities for growing at least a part of their
own vegetable supply. If other activities make it inadvisable for the
committee as a whole to undertake this, a sub-committee on procurement
and preparation of land may be set up to discharge. this function, as
explained previously.
VACANT LOT GARDENING
In most American towns and cities, numerous vacant lots may be found in
all except the most congested areas. These may be examined by qualified
members of the Committee or others designated by them to determine the
suitability of such lots for vegetable growing; the owners should be
consulted, and a list of lots, with their locations and the names and
addresses of their owners should be compiled. Families then are assigned
to lots which are most conveniently located, among those of suitable
area in proportion to the size and requirements of the particular
families.
In order to attain the greatest possible efficiency in the utilization of
facilities, it may be advisable for the committee to arrange for the
plowing, harrowing, liming, manuring if manure is locally available, and
fertilizing of plots. Families which are assigned to the respective
plots are charged the costs of these services.
Contracts should be drawn between the owners of lots and responsible
members of the respective families assigned to them, for their mutual
protection. A common form of contract may be provided by the committee,
prepared with competent legal advice, which insures to the family the
ownership of the vegetables produced and protects the owner against
damage to his property. Suitable rentals of the land may be included in
the contract, though many vacant lot owners will not exact rental
charges.
In Allentown Pennsylvania, a Vacant Lot Gardeners' Association has been
organized, to promote this type of gardening and to advance the
interests of those who participate in it. Such associations might well
be formed in other towns and cities, and be assigned the functions of
the Victory Garden Sub-Committees with respect to the organization and
maitenance of vacant lot gardening as a community activity.
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click for larger photo
Victory Gardens
Handbook of the
Victory Garden Committee
War Services, Pennsylvania
State Council of Defense
April, 1944
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page v
page vi
page vii
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