Quarantine Spurs Growth in Gardening

Many people all over the world are using mandatory or voluntary quarantine for Covid-19 to pick up some new skills or try new hobbies. Seeing as all this happened at the beginning of spring, many people focused in on their gardens…or started gardening for the first time. During these tight financial times, many first-time gardeners are trying their green thumb at growing their own fruits and vegetables. 

"We have been so busy the last couple months," said Tammi Wells of Skagit Valley Gardens in Mount Vernon. "Financially, these have been record-breaking months for us. But, really, the biggest difference is how happy people are to be here. How happy they are to have some kind of outlet, bring some color and hope into their lives by working on their old gardens or starting new ones. More than ever, people want something to focus on, some kind of beauty and escape."

There are many resources available to help you on your garden-to-kitchen venture, but here are some quick and easy tips to help you get started:

•  Plant what you and your family will actually eat. It’s a thrill to see an eggplant grow from a little start, but it’s less thrilling to see it rot on the soil because no one in your home likes them.
• Start small. We all start with big dreams, but start with a few basic things to get the hang of it first.
• Companion planting is a great way to get the best from your food, but it can be a bit overwhelming. In general, lettuce and spinach grow great next to most other foods, so try planting those greens in between your other plants.
• Make sure you get some joy out of your garden. Feel free to throw some flower seeds of your favorite flower in with your veggies!
• Get creative with the foods you eat. Did you know you can eat pansies and nasturtiums? In fact, nasturtiums (an annual flowering vine) adds a great peppery flavor and color to salads!

"Not everyone has access to a plot for a garden, so many people are building raised beds, container gardening, or even just splurging on indoor plants to bring some outside to their inside," said Wells. "We have sold more indoor plants this year than ever before because people know that nature inside the walls of your home can help with relaxation and just feeling better about stuff."

Many local gardening centers and nurseries are open in the Puget Sound area, so you can ask your local expert for more tips or do some online research.