During World War 2, people at home helped win the war as much as any soldier did. A
             good part of our resources were used to support the national war effort. People at the
             home front had to do everything they could to help their country. They helped fund the
             war by purchasing bonds, recycling, conserving raw materials like oil, and rallying
             behind their troops. All these efforts helped us achieve victory but were not enough on
             their own. Food needed to be shipped out to troops who were fighting at home and
             abroad. Many of them may have starved if it weren't for the victory gardens that people
             planted. These gardens helped feed a nation that was fighting for freedom.
             If we were going to win the war, we needed lots of food. Government agencies,
             private foundations, businesses, schools, and seed companies helped spread this message.
             They used all different forms of propaganda, such as colorful posters and feature articles
             in magazines and newspapers to get the word out. Also public service booklets helped
             provide information. These booklets taught the basics of gardening. They covered topics
             like how to plant, when to plant, how to tend plants, soil health, pest identification, and
             what to plant. Hearst (Good Housekeeping), International Harvester, Beech-nut packing
             company, Simon and Schuster (House and Garden Magazine) were the main providers of
             these booklets. Of course factual information wouldn't be enough to keep people
             gardening and stick with it. The government came up with messages that were simple,
             symbolic, and patriotic. They wanted people to make gardening a family and community
             effort. It became a pastime and national duty, not a chore or burden.
             The victory gardens were vegetables gardens planted during the war to provide
             enough food for civilians and troops. These gardens came in every shape and size, from
             window boxes to community plots. They were planted ...