The National War Garden Commission introduced the concept of Victory Gardens to Americans during World War I to promote a healthier nation, mitigate rising grocery prices and support the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of American families during wartime.
To pool resources and knowledge, private backyard gardening was discouraged in favor of utilizing vacant urban lots, school grounds and public parks. Rekindled in World War II, American Victory Gardeners produced 8-10 million tons of food by 1945.
If these circumstances sound familiar, history often repeats itself. Grocery prices are nearly 2% higher than this time last year, while eating out costs nearly 4% more. That may be just the beginning. A fertilizer shortage due to the war in Iran threatens crop yields for American farmers, as soaring oil prices from the conflict tighten finances for many households. Many Pittsburghers are returning to the tradition of home gardening or starting for the first time, a reflection of a larger movement, particularly among younger Americans.
Lahia Annis-Christy is the owner of Burghblooms, a micro flower farm and floral studio in Larimer offering bouquet workshops and wedding flower arrangements. While flowers are the focal point of her businesses, she has expanded her home garden to include pantry staples like onions, potatoes and pole beans.
“There is so much uncertainty with what’s going to happen with our economy and food chain,” she said. “Knowing that your food security is coming from your own efforts makes you feel more in control.”
City living can easily distance us from where our food comes from, but thankfully Pittsburgh has a plethora of resources to bridge that gap.
Getting started
Pittsburgh sits in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s hardiness zone 6b, typically frost-free from around Mother’s Day to mid-October. Our climate supports heartier perennials that can survive frigid winters while tolerating summer heatwaves. Native ornamentals like yarrow, black eyed Susans, milkweed and trumpet vines do very well in our region, in addition to summer vegetables and herbs.
Raised beds are a favorite for urban gardeners to counter poor soil quality and backyard rubble. The Phipps Homegrown Program provides raised beds to home gardeners in underserved neighborhoods and is currently accepting applications for residents in the greater Hazelwood area. Additionally, Phipps Homegrown offers free in-person and online classes for experienced and beginner gardeners alike.
The Garden Resource Center in Larimer offers a sliding scale annual membership in exchange for free gardening tool rentals throughout the growing season. Their inventory includes everything from wheelbarrows to pruning shears, and members also have access to bulk necessities like compost and potting soil.
Sourcing seeds from local nurseries
Grow Pittsburgh is a local gardening nonprofit offering organic seedlings at three locations: Braddock Farms (in May), Garden Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery in Wilkinsburg (through June 20) and the East End Food Co-op (through mid-July).
Rust Belt Natives is a local native plant nursery offering sporadic pop-up sales from May to October. Trees, shrubs and edible plants can be ordered online and scheduled for pickup outside of these event times.
Shadyside Nursery is an urban nursery located on Maryland Avenue that sells plants and gardening supplies and offers workshops and year-round landscaping services.
Family-owned and operated since 1921, Brenckle’s Greenhouse is a gardener’s haven on Mt. Troy Road in Reserve. Spend an afternoon browsing their greenhouses and stay for a bite at their food truck events.
The Audubon Center for Native Plants at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve offers a yearly native plant sale from May to October, where you’ll find a wide selection of native ornamental plants, shrubs and perennials. Their knowledgeable staff is ready to answer any questions.
Finding community in urban gardens
With more than 70 community gardens located throughout Pittsburgh, apartment dwellers still have the opportunity to get their hands dirty — although patience is required when reserving a plot.
“I applied for it so long ago, I don’t even remember when I [first] applied,” said Jess Koppenhofer of Regent Square, who waited over two years for their plot at the Hamnett Place Community Garden. “I’ve never really had a garden to call my own, but I’m in it for the experience and an excuse to be outside,” said Koppenhofer, who uses they/them pronouns.
Koppenhofer plans to fill their 3×12 foot raised bed with a variety of crops from mini cucumbers and cabbage to baby watermelon and strawberries — less out of economic urgency than to cultivate belonging and community.
“It’s more important than ever to just be around people who can help you feel hope,” they reflected. “Will this little tomato plant solve the [problems of the] world and save my life? No, but it is somewhere to go on a Saturday morning and something to do when I’m feeling distraught.”
Some gardens have lengthy waitlists to secure your spot, but most welcome volunteers all season long. Grow Pittsburgh has compiled an extensive map, of which Public Source has highlighted a few selections:
- Allegheny Commons Community Garden, 240 Stockton Ave., Allegheny Center
- Sharpsburg Community Garden, 1212 Main St., Sharpsburg
- Swissvale Community Garden, 7301 Denniston Ave., Swissvale
- Garfield Community Farm, 601 N Aiken Ave., Garfield
- Beechview Community Garden, 1229 Rockland Ave. Beechview
In times of political uncertainty, home gardening has many more benefits than just financial or economic relief. Research has shown that microbes in organic soil release a chemical in the brain similar in effect to antidepressants, relaxing the nervous system and promoting relaxation. Whether it be vegetables or ornamentals, gardening in any form can foster community among neighbors and encourage mental wellbeing during challenging times.
“I sometimes feel silly encouraging flower [gardening] because it’s not something we eat. It’s seen as a frivolous activity in a crisis time,” said Annis-Christy. “But the joy we get from being outside, and the joy that flowers bring is important too. It’s not just about survival.”
Jordan Stovka is a creative nonfiction writer with backgrounds in illustration, poetry and local journalism. You can read her newsletter More Than A Feeling on Substack or find her on Instagram.
This story was fact-checked by Emma Folts.
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