In the U.S., during World War I, we called them 'War Gardens.' They became 'Victory Gardens' in World War II. And they saved this country (and others) from a severe food shortage. It has been estimated that, in WWII, home and community gardens produced more than one-third of all vegetables grown in the United States and provided about 70 percent of the vegetables eaten by Americans at home.

Victory Gardens came in every shape and size. Governments and corporations promoted this call for self-reliance. People in all areas, rural and urban alike, worked the soil to raise food for their families, friends, and neighbors. Victory gardening enabled more supplies to be shipped to our troops around the world.

Nowadays, there are still remnants of these gardens in our backyards. Some are just home vegetable gardens. Others are yards filled with fruit trees, citrus, apricot, apples, avocado, etc. In some cities, they are community urban gardens. But our large farms are so efficient that it's unlikely we need any victory gardens anymore — or do we?

The barrel price of oil has risen a dollar or more since last year, and it is unlikely to go back down to its previous level. Not only are we paying more at the pump, we are paying more for anything that must be shipped from one point to another, and food is one of those things. In addition, oil is used in producing plastics, for heating and in many other ways. We won't starve, but we will be paying more for many things, and budgets will be tighter.

A home vegetable garden is a good way to save money, in more ways than one. If you like your vegetables really fresh, it's necessary to shop more often. Unless you live within walking or bicycling distance of a place that sells fresh vegetables (or take buses), you are using gas to do that shopping. And if that isn't a good enough argument for 'growing your own,' the taste of freshly-picked produce will convince you, if you just try it once! Plucking fresh veggies or fruit from your own garden, just in time for that evening's meal, will give you a huge sense of pride, not to mention the unbelievable sweet freshness — even better than getting them from your local produce stand. Those of you who already grow your own vegetables can help by giving out a bit of your fresh fruits and vegetables to your neighbors — that alone may convince them to try it!

Many people resist growing food at home — for many reasons.

1) They think an attractive garden must be only decorative — and although many decorative flowers are edible (rose petals, for example), most people don't eat them. But many food plants are also decorative — eggplants have a very pretty flower, many herbs are grown as decorative plants, and pepper plants are often sold as ornamentals. Admittedly, tomato plants are generally unprepossessing— but you aren't limited to tomatoes!

2) Some people are low on space— apartment dwellers, for instance. Well...you'd be surprised what can be grown in a pot on your front patio or on a balcony (or even indoors). Some people even grow tomatoes upside-down as hanging plants. Also, in urban environments, community gardens are becoming more popular. Find out if there is one— or interest in one— in your area.

3) Some think growing their own food is just too much work. About half of the ones I know who say that belong to a health club for exercise...no comment.

4) Then there are those, especially in northern areas, who say, "Winter is just around the corner— too late now." Not really. See the above comment on growing indoors, and consider cold-weather crops like kale.

So, save some money, save some energy, and enjoy the great taste of freshly picked produce - plant your own 'victory garden' and encourage your friends to do the same!

Why You Should Prune

• Pruning dead, injured and diseased limbs from your plants helps keep them strong and healthy. Dead limbs can break in storms and damage other parts of the plant (or your house, if we are talking about trees).
• Pruning helps in producing larger, healthier flowers and fruit. Keeping a plant from overproducing also helps keep the plant healthy. Overproduction can weaken plants.
• Pruning to shape trees and bushes makes for a nicer looking garden.
• Pruning for space keeps your plants from running wild and taking over the lawn or garden.
• Pruning can help restore vigor to older trees and shrubs, as well as improving appearance.

Tools

• Use hand shears for branches ¼ inch in diameter and smaller.
• Loppers are for larger jobs. The longer handles give you longer reach and better leverage. You can use these for branches up to about 2" on softwoods, less on hard woods (depending on the size and strength of the loppers — and you).
• Use pruning saws for larger branches.
• You might need a chain saw, or a professional tree cutter, for very large branches.

Matt was born and raised in San Jose. After graduating from high school, Matt left San Jose to attend Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, where he received a degree in Ornamental Horticulture. Matt first worked as a foreman with a landscape maintenance company at the Stanford Research Institute and then at another retail nursery before joining us in 1993.

He is very active in the industry and has served as president of the our local chapter of the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers. Matt also gives educational garden talks to various garden clubs in the area.

Matt once was an extra on the TV show "America's Most Wanted." His closest brush with fame was watching the 2003 Super Bowl in Las Vegas with William "The Refrigerator" Perry of the Chicago Bears.

Matt has an extensive wine collection as well as rock 'n roll art memorabilia. In his spare time he likes to go wine tasting with his wife Jenny and big game fishing with his friends in Mexico.

My Celebrity Service staff and I look forward to serving you this year. We'll go out of our way to make your day!

Eric Wilder - President