Weird, weird times at the moment and it doesn't look set to get any better any time soon.
I hope everyone is looking after themselves and doing as much social distancing as possible and staying home when they can. Unfortunately my wife can't as she is a teacher looking after key workers children, but the children and I are holding up at home and ramping up vegetable production.
I think in the coming months the shops will see a shortage in green leafy crops and some veg. With the recent floods, predicted labour shortages and now the Corona virus it's going to have a huge impact, both here and abroad. My dad has a few friends that farm veg that weren't even going to bother this year as we would have no one to pick them due to brexit, so this will compound that. And I can't see Spain and others wanting to ship much here if they have their own shortages due it the lockdown, although money talks so who knows.
So now is an important time as gardeners to step up to the plate and grow what we can. It's also never been a more important time to be a seed saver. Online seed sellers have been selling out, our little pots of home saved seed are like gold dust! Maintaining what diversity we can in a wide range of crops has never been more important.
Doing this also will give the children and me some real purpose and make us feel mildly useful.
As I'm looking after the kids at home they are going to become my own little "land army" and will receive a mainly "outdoor education" as much as possible. I know that hopefully there wont be major food shortages, farmers are key workers, and the supermarkets being empty are due to panic buying nothing else, but I do think it's a good time to be a veg grow, for our bellies and our mental state of being and just encase!
Remember it's still early so don't sow too much just yet!
Look after each other, keep in contact and grow!
Sending love,
Kev and family
XXX
We have some shortages here in the US that are surprising too - lettuce and cabbage. I'm going out today for the first time in weeks to see if I can buy just a little. Really craving coleslaw. I also have a friend that has picked me up some tomato plants and soil that she'll drop off on my drive today. I'm probably ordering some lettuce seeds - never tried from seeds - but there's always a first time! I think "life lessons" are so important for the children. Yours will do well, I think!
ReplyDeleteI guess it's anything that is high labour at the moment that we'll suffer with first.
DeleteExcellent post, Kev. Encouraging without focusing on all the negatives that people are obsessed with these days. Stress never helps anyone's immune system!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't but good to be informed, I think doling something and being busy is key for me at times like this.
DeleteWe have planted potatoes and started some seeds. Greens will be planted today along with peas. Will start the rest of the seeds this week. Part of the problem I see in the US, around here anyway, is that non essential businesses have been closed just when all of our small family plant nurseries are due to open for the season. I worry that these family businesses may not be able to weather the loss of profits when they only have a few months to make their income for the year :(
ReplyDeleteYes, I worry about the small nurseries, there are measures in place to help but I should imagine it won't work liek that for them as a lot of their profit is in one go.
DeleteI'm suprised we don't have any major shortagers around here. Maybe because commercial greenhouse season has begun already (mid winter we have mostly fresh imported veggies like tomatoes), but I think some products will be in short supply soon, like fruits.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm not worried for short term effects, long term effects will be much worse (just as you said, Kev, farmers are not prepared to plant/sow certain crops at all and now those products will not be imported). Like there will be shortage of tinned tomato products. In Italy and Spain most (if not all) farm workers are basically foreigners from Southern Africa, and now they can't came to Italy to work. I don't think Italians or Spaniards will go back to field work. At least some crops are already planted (hopefully) but who will do harvesting?
I'm sowing my tomatoes soon, and after "counting my seeds" I know what I need to buy (parsnips, salads, tomatoes if I can find beef tomatoes).
We still have frost here, and snow, I haven't seen any growth on nettles yet. But they will grow, and this spring my foraging season is much more important than ever before.
I think that being in the western world, money will talk and we'll probably import from somewhere and that other countries might then suffer as a consequence.
DeleteYou and your family will be OK as you're well prepared already. Your wife is doing a great job too, I just hope that you all stay fit and well. Best wishes to all of you and keep up the good work xx
ReplyDeleteYes, I just hope our health holds. We can only shut out the world so much.
DeleteIndeed Kevin. I see a lot of people suddenly taking an interest where there was none before - all to the good.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've had lots of phone calls and emails.
DeleteWell done Kev - and your little family:) Keep taking the challenge and stay healthy and happy!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And to you!
DeleteGood post, hope your children enjoy their new teacher! Good idea to get planting, I'm doing extra plants to give to friends. Hopefully will be able to give them in person, if not I'll leave them on their doorstep. I have 2 working from home and my eldest works in the NHS. Stay well and enjoy the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think the extra plants is a great idea. It must be hard to see someoen you love going into the thick of it but hopefully they'll be okay. They're doing a great job.
DeleteIf you are interested there is a blog called "Homesteading with Jackie Clay"..she is located in northeastern Minnesota,USA...they grow and sell seeds..lotza heirloom stuff..
ReplyDeleteYes, I think I have. luckily I did a seed swap with someone in the US eariler in the year and got lots fo interesting seeds to try.
DeleteLove that you're digging up your lawn. A really proactive approached. I'm so glad I've been into seed saving for so many years, I have a good stock here, enough to scale up my garden this year hopefully! Going to be hard not to see our parents as well here, video calling and things make it easier though.
ReplyDelete