Demand for fruit and vegetable seeds is rocketing as millions turn to growing their own food during the UK coronavirus lockdown.
Earlier this week the Prime Minister instructed Britons to stay indoors and only leave for a select few reasons in a desperate bid to stop the virus rapidly spreading across the country.
It left many scrambling around for a new domestic hobby as they face hours locked away at home.
Budding Instagram gardener ‘gingergrows’ has been sharing her tips on how to make the most out of your plot during the lockdown
Thousands of families are planning to become more self-sufficient and grow their own food as they transform lawns into market gardens (pictured, a gardener shows how he is maintaining social distance during the coronavirus outbreak)
With fresh fruit and vegetables an increasing rarity on the supermarket shelves after weeks of panic buying, it appears that many have taken to growing their own as seed manufacturers and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) report a dramatic rise in interest.
The RHS said views of web pages with advice on ‘grow your own’ and growing vegetables in particular have more than doubled this week compared with the same time last year.
While some seed firms have been unable to cope with demand for its products and are turning away new orders.
As demand grows, a new study has claimed that British cities have lost 65 per cent of allotment land since the mid-twentieth century.
A lack of allotment space means cities are more dependent on importing fruit and veg from abroad, which leads to food security risks.
Budding gardeners have spoken to MailOnline about their lockdown gardening as they encourage others to do the same.
Calvin Benson, 49 , from Maida Vale, north London, said: ‘Gardening is in my blood and during times of national emergency my family have risen to the challenge to do our bit and if the lockdown is longer than expected growing your own food will take a little stress off the food production chain – it is also very satisfying and whiles away time – of which we have plenty now.
Retired Mark Stevens, 67, from the Isle of Man, (pictured) has been gardening for a number of years but thinks it is the perfect activity to take up while in lockdown
Calvin Benson, 49 , from Maida Vale, north London, said spending his time gardening is very satisfying and whiles away time. Mr Benson wants others to start growing their own vegetables during the lockdown
Hundreds up and down the country have been sharing their efforts as they while away the time during lockdown (above and below)
‘It is early days and I am in the process of potting up and making sure the plot is dug over ready for planting in a week or two.
‘I will most certainly be continuing after lockdown it is very relaxing and I can’t wait to cook my own grown food and share it out.’
Mr Benson wants others to start growing their own vegetables during the lockdown.
He said: ‘If you have never grown anything before start with some strawberries and tomatoes you don’t need a lot of space for them and speak to others most areas have gardening clubs esp for the elderly but all ages are welcome.’
Retired Mark Stevens, 67, from the Isle of Man, has been gardening for a number of years but thinks it is the perfect activity to take up while in lockdown.
He shared his top tips for getting involved and getting started.
‘I have been growing fruit and veg for years. For others just starting, it’s good exercise, an interesting hobby, and gives you good fresh produce.
‘It can be hard to fit in sometimes and it is hard work but it’s a great hobby and you’re always learning something new.
‘I have been growing for over 40 years so will carry on. The main thing is go with your instinct. There are so many different views and weather conditions in different parts that will dictate what will work.
‘You need patience and to keep plants and seeds well watered and weeded. Grow things that you will eat is your first priority.’
He added: ‘Don’t put too many seeds into one pot or tray. It is better to use individual pots for each seed if possible.’
It’s not just Mr Benson and Mr Stevens enjoying gardening during the lockdown however.
Hundreds have taken to Twitter to share their newfound passion for gardening with many encouraging others to take up the activity during isolation.
One said: ‘I’m hoping coronavirus will prompt more people to grow vegetables. We’re blessed right now to have a freezer full of organic food from last year’s garden.’
While another said: ‘There is no time like the present being stuck at home with a wee bit of spare ground. Break out those forks, spades and wheelbarrows people. You absolutely won’t regret it.’
The Royal Horticultural Society reports that it has seen a spike in visits to its online advice pages on how to grow your own vegetables, fruit and edible plants (above and below, gardeners share their recent efforts)
Also on Twitter, another said: ‘Now is the time to convert your gardens into growing spaces. Coronavirus has identified mass weaknesses in our food security. Meaning that we just don’t grown enough food to feed us all.’
The rise in interest in gardening was noted by garden centres as stay-at-home Britons embark on a major ‘Grow Your Own’ boom.
Thousands of families are planning to become more self-sufficient and grow their own food as they transform lawns into market gardens.
The Royal Horticultural Society reports that it has seen a spike in visits to its online advice pages on how to grow your own vegetables, fruit and edible plants.
In addition stockists have also seen a boost in sales of vegetable seeds, seed potatoes and herbs, as well as other plants and gardening equipment.
Guy Barter, Chief Horticulturalist at the RHS, said: ‘There’s never been a better time to start growing at home and you don’t need a lot of space, a windowsill or 1 x 1m plot will do,
‘Not only can you grow vegetables in as little as 4-6 weeks, gardening can also have a noticeable impact on active lifestyles and mental wellbeing.
‘You’ll need soil (and in a sunny spot). If your ground doesn’t even support weeds, it might not be suitable. Growbags or pots can be a good alternative.
‘Clear the area of weeks, and if possible add garden compost or rotted manure, to improve the soil.
‘Many crops that taste best home-grown are already favourites and relatively easy to grow – salad leaves in particular, also tomatoes, chard, potatoes, beetroot and spinach. Bargain seeds offered at supermarkets are perfectly good.
‘Rake moist but not soggy soil until it’s fine, make shallow grooves with the corner of your rake deep enough for the seeds to be covered when the soil is gently raked back over. Once the seeds have sprouted and are big enough to handle, thin them out to prevent overcrowding. Keep moist and wait for your harvest.’
The ‘grow your own’ trend comes as people are being ordered to stay at home except for essential work and travel, and panic-buying has cleared supermarket shelves of fresh food.
The RHS said views of web pages with advice on ‘grow your own’ and growing vegetables in particular have more than doubled this week compared with the same time last year.
There has been a particular interest in potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and courgettes, and levels of people checking out what they need to do this month, in March, to grow their own has quadrupled compared with last year.
A woman inspects vines on an allotment plot in Bromley as gardeners are flocking to find advice on growing their own fruit and vegetables in the light of the coronavirus crisis
Stockists have also seen a boost in sales of vegetable seeds, seed potatoes and herbs, as well as other plants and gardening equipment (pictured, gardeners in Bromley)
The RHS said views of web pages with advice on ‘grow your own’ and growing vegetables in particular have more than doubled this week compared with the same time last year (pictured, an allotment in Bromley)
The RHS has had to cancel the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show, which was due to take place in late May, because of the Covid-19 outbreak, and is currently looking at ways of holding a ‘virtual show’ online.
In an open letter on the RHS website, director general Sue Biggs said it was clear ‘how many feel they need gardening in their life now more than ever before for their mental and physical wellbeing during this national emergency.
‘This applies to everyone from those who are having to self-isolate to families planning, maybe for the first time, to grow their own food,’
The RHS has also had to close its gardens around the country. Before it closed, RHS Wisley, in Surrey, had seen purchases of fruit and berry plants increase significantly, while sales in herb and vegetable plants doubled.
Sales of seeds have also rocketed due to Britons’ newfound passions for gardening.
Nick Wyatt, growth marketing manager at Seed Pantry, said he has seen sales more than double in the last week. He told the i: ‘The last few days have been massive. It’s been like Christmas.
While Middlesex firm Seed Parade has suspended any new orders because of higher than normal demand. ‘We are prepared for a large amount of orders in the spring, but this spring is just not normal because of the coronavirus,’ it said on its website.
Real Seeds has also issued a warning on its website urging people not to stockpile seeds.
It said: ‘A few people are asking to place huge orders, but it’s not necessary. Seeds do not keep so there is no point in stockpiling them.
‘All orders are now limited to one packet of each variety and no more than 35 different things. Please be considerate of others who would like to garden too, and only order what you think you can realistically use.’