The Rejuvenated Victory Garden Movement
With more time at home, Victory Gardens are a means to increasing food security and decreasing reliance on the industrial food system. Working the soil and gardening can help combat isolation, and provide a sense of physical and mental wellbeing. And with programs like "Plant an Extra Row," you can grow a little extra to donate to your local food shelf at a time when they're seeing steady increases in demand.
Compost & the Victory Garden: Healthy Soil is the Key to Success!
How to grow your own food at home: a primer from raised beds to lawn conversion
Compost is an essential ingredient to a successful Victory Garden, providing nutrients and organic matter to replenish tired soil. During International Compost Awareness Week Mark Krawczyk shared tips on using compost to convert lawn to garden, nourish existing garden beds, establish raised beds, and plant in containers.
Learn more about Compost & Soil Health
Compost is Important for:
Improving or maintaining soil quality
Growing healthy plants
Reducing use of fertilizer and pesticides
Increasing water infiltration and retention
Protecting the environment
Mark Krawczyk completed a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont in 2001. He then spent close to four years apprenticing with mentors throughout the United States and Europe. He has earned a Diploma of Applied Permaculture from the British Permaculture Association as well as dual Diplomas in Education and Site Design from the Permaculture Institute of the Northeast.
In 2012, Mark and his wife Ammy began putting their skills and vision into practice, building their home and homestead from the ground up in Vermont's Champlain Valley. Along with a supportive, positive attitude, Mark brings this deep experience to the relationships he builds with clients, students, mentees and partners. We look forward to an opportunity to help manifest your vision.
Support your local compost producers!
Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law (Act 148) has been diverting organics from the landfill since 2014! Both making and selling compost are essential services during Governor Scott’s Stay Home/Stay Safe order: Responsible solid waste management turns organics into an effective resource for supporting health soil!
Here’s a list of where you can find Vermont-made compost.
The website links go directly to products or distribution pages. Remember to check their websites or call to get the latest information on how and where to get compost products.
Black Dirt Farm 802-533-7033 (Stannard, Caledonia county) - bulk compost, raised garden mix, and worm castings available from their farm; bagged products available from distributors throughout the State
Cookeville Compost at Sandburg Farm 802-439-5563; BobSndbrg@gmail.com (Corinth, Orange county) - call or email to arrange for pickup of bulk compost from their farm
Green Mountain Compost 802-660-3138 (Williston, Chittenden county) - their bulk compost and garden mix are available at a variety of distributors in Chittenden, Franklin, Washington counties
Grow Compost of Vermont 802-882-8154 (Moretown, Washington County and Hartland, Windsor county) - they have bulk compost, garden mix, and seed starter mixes
Hudak Farm 782-7739 (Swanton, Franklin county) - they have bulk compost and planting mix
Lamoille Soil 563-2647 (Johnson, Lamoille county) - they have bulk compost
TAM Organics 802-447-1300 (Shaftsbury, Bennington county)
Vermont Compost Company 802-223-6049 (Montpelier, Washington county) - their compost products can be delivered throughout Vermont
VT Natural Ag. Products 802-388-1137 (Middlebury, Addison county) - their compost products are available at a variety of distributors throughout Vermont
BrattleGrow Compost 802-257-0272 (Brattleboro, Windham county) - their bulk compost is available at a variety of distributors in Windham county
Victory Gardening Resources
UVM Extension Master Gardener Program has a number of Victory Garden projects, including:
Vermont Victory Gardens: Master Gardener Project, that will support those suffering from food insecurity
Vermont Victory Over Virus: Vegetable Gardening Resource Map
Vegetable Gardening Videos by Master Gardeners, including a seed starting video
A variety of Research-Based Fact Sheets & Articles, on topics like:The profound health benefits; supporting wildlife and pollinators during the pandemic; Food Safety in a Community Garden setting; Disinfectant Use Guidance During COVID-19.
A listing of the Ordering Status of Gardening/Seed Companies
Vermont Community Gardens Network is hosting a Weekly Garden Chat with VCGN staff and friends, Thursdays at 11am via Zoom. They have also posted COVID-19 Guidelines & Resources for Safe Community Gardening
Gardening With Charlie Nardozzi In honor of Earth Day, and to support those new gardeners trying vegetable gardening for the first time due to the pandemic, Charlie Nardozzi recorded a free 1-hour Vegetable Victory Garden Webinar, all about the basics of vegetable gardening. It includes information on siting the garden, soil, and vegetable varieties.
Garden Plans & Garden Types
Composting & Covid-19 Resources
US Composting Council Resources & recordings from the Composting in the Time of COVID-19 Webinar series
VT ANR has issued guidance for facility managers and for the public