Above: 1945 US victory garden poster.

The Victory Garden,
located behind
the Hans Bethe House at
​1350 Bathtub Row,
​is open to the public. 
Thank you
​to our 2021 sponsor!

See our 2021 garden programs developed with our partners, PEEC and Los Alamos County Library.

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History of Victory Gardens
​in Los Alamos


During WWII, the US government encouraged citizens to plant victory gardens. Growing food, instead of buying it, meant there was more farm-grown food available to send to troops overseas. Growing a victory garden gave families fresh produce, a source of pride, and a way to relax.

Los Alamos was an Army base during World War II. Were there victory gardens? Los Alamos residents planted victory gardens in 1944 and 1945. The Army did not allow water to be used for gardening in the summer of 1943. But in 1944, the community created a space for victory gardens east of Fuller Lodge lawn. Plots were 25 feet by 50 feet and were available to anyone who wanted to start a victory garden.
About one in seven Americans planted a victory garden during WWII, making over 20 million victory gardens across the United States growing more than one million tons of vegetables.
“One thing that really surprised me, I can’t remember where it—when it happened, but I think towards the end of the war we were given a little plot for a Victory Garden. Larry loved to put his hands in the ground, he loved to grow things. I think we grew tomatoes.”
— Evelyn Litz, Voices of the Manhattan Project

Building the Garden

The Los Alamos History Museum's victory garden is a modern take on a WWII victory garden. By planting and tending the garden, we hope to inspire interest in history and in the value of home gardening. Gardening connects us with the history of Los Alamos.

Are you ready for the harvest!