Recession gardens complete with edibles are on the rise: World War victory gardens with a twist for our times. In fact, the number of American households who will grow their own food in 09 is estimated at 43 million, which is 19% more people whipping out seeds, starters and gardening gloves than last year.

Not sure if that figure includes the members of the Obama family, who started their own organic veggie garden in March on 1100 square feet of White House lawn. We’re all for that! Raised vegetable beds have been an efficient growing technique since the Chinese used them 5,000 years ago.

Now referred to as The French Intensive System (or just plain old raised beds), using beds essentially means that you get better yields of large, healthy plants in a small space (according to California Vegetable Growing by Steve Solomon).

The MinifarmBox works the same, only it’s transportable and perfect for a porch, balcony or any swath of land, however tiny. Check this out: you can grow up to 70 heads of lettuce in one box! Company owner Conor Fitzpatrick has been growing lettuce and everything else for a decade. He built six prototype MinifarmBoxes for himself and his wife and pretty much the only veggies they eat year-round come straight from their own backyard Minifarm.

Each box (a number of sizes available) is made from sustainably harvested redwood, sealed with natural, non-toxic flax seed oil and comes complete with organic planting soil so you’re ready to grow.

Extra goodies include choosing seeds from specific planting “menus” like a salsa or Mediterranean garden, a customized irrigation system and the option of having a master gardener come out and show you how it’s done. Whether you have 1100 square feet or just 10, enter the MinifarmBox, made right here in L.A. for your own homegrown garden.

For more information on the MinifarmBox call (213) 241 – 9160 or visit www.minifarmbox.com.The 4x4x11 boxes are now being offered for a special rate of $159.00 (regularly $189.00)!

Photos courtesy of Mini Farm Box and Etsy