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Orvall Bunting and son Jack, 6, cultivate and hoe their vegetable garden. This is their first year. July 1957
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Marit Oie, left, and Margrethe Oie, 1802 Eastman, at the garden plot, rented by their brother Michael Oie, they have had for seven years. July 1957
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A crew of about 40 men from the Dow agricultural chemical labs is in charge to keep up the grounds. Their main job, however, is at the Dow experimental farm adjacent to the Victory Gardens. Jack Eastman, right, is in charge of taking care of the field work at the gardens. Vikor Stachowiak, at left, is the crew leader. July 1957
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Mr. and Mrs. Peter Chevis, 915 Eastman, are raising vegetables on their plot to put in their freezer. Peter Chevis sprays Brussels sprouts. Many families split their full-size plots with others. July 1957
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Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Beattie, 112 E. Baker, have gardened on their plot for six years. Even the family dog helps out. July 1957
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Robert Hedlund, 202 Williams, gets some help thinning out squash from his children, Linda, 9, Kathleen, 4, and Billy, 7, in the garden. July 1957
Robert House and his sons, Jim, 11, and Tom, 6, 1009 Gordon, work several hours during the week in their garden. Tom is holding some radishes. July 1957
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Dow Victory Gardens, located on Eastman and Sugnet roads, was started in the early 1940s by Dr. Ernest Grether. Seventy-six gardeners participated at first. In 1957, there were 156 plots turned into gardens by community members.
Any Dow employee was eligible for a plot, which were staked 40-by-50-foot sections. They were issued on a first come, first served basis. About 30% of the reservations were made the fall before.
Gardeners paid $6 for their plots, which covered water, plowing and fertilizer.
In the spring, Dow plowed and fertilized the plots. The gardeners planted seeds, tended their gardens and reaped the harvests. They cleaned up the plots after the growing season.
Throwback is compiled by former Daily News managing editor, Lori Qualls. She can be contacted at loriquallsmdn@gmail.com.
