Our main seed supplier, Johnny's Seeds in Maine, is so overwhelmed with orders that they are only working with commercial customers at this time. We are glad that we got our order in early! According to recent articles in the Washington Post and the New York Times, seed companies all over are experiencing a high volume of sales, with vegetables in great demand. Apparently leafy greens and beans are top sellers. Kale, spinach, bok choi and lettuce are easy to grow and many can be started in cooler weather. Beans are a great source of protein and also easy to grow. Both beans and greens can be planted directly in the garden, instead of started indoors.
The articles speculate on reasons for this surge, including newly unemployed with less income for store-bought food and more time on their hands, just in time for planting season. You are less exposed to coronavirus in your garden than in the store. People may worry about disruptions in the food supply, and it is comforting to know you
The rush to grow food is reminiscent of the victory gardens movement that started in World War I and revived in World War II. Americans grew food in every spare patch of land and in containers. I wonder sometimes how much of a difference it makes to grow your own food in a small urban garden - but apparently it can make a big difference: the Times reports that "at one point, it's estimated that home, school and community gardeners produced close to 40 percent of the country's fresh vegetables, from about 20 million gardens."
Here at Henry Street Farms, we have a few extra seeds: lettuce, basil, lavender, oregano, rosemary, cilantro. Some are from previous years and may have a lower germination rate. We'd be happy to share a few with our Cambridge neighbors. Just fill out the "get in touch" form at the bottom of the page.