Victory Gardens returned during COVID-19 lockdowns (March 2020), echoing the WWII-era movement to grow food at home during crisis.
The Pandemic Boom
As grocery store shelves emptied (March 2020) and people faced lockdowns, seed companies sold out. Burpee, Johnny’s, and Baker Creek reported order backlogs measured in weeks. Google searches for “how to start a garden” hit all-time highs.
The hashtag #VictoryGarden connected the movement to WWII history: 20 million American victory gardens produced 40% of vegetables consumed during the war. The 2020 version: suburban lawns converted to raised beds, urban balconies filled with containers, and first-time gardeners learning from YouTube.
The Learning Curve
Inexperienced gardeners made classic mistakes: starting too late for summer harvest, overplanting zucchini (the meme crop), and underestimating weeds. But the engagement stuck — many continued gardening post-pandemic.
Seed Shortages
Popular varieties (tomatoes, peppers, beans, herbs) sold out spring 2020. Seed companies hired extra staff; some stopped accepting orders. The shortage lasted through 2021.
Source
- The New York Times: “Seed Companies Can’t Keep Up” (March 2020)
- Google Trends: “how to start a garden” peak March-May 2020
- Original Victory Garden era: 1940s WWII