Salad days spent in isolation
The grow-your-own approach has been fully embraced by UK gardeners in lockdown, reports LOUISE MIDGLEY
IF THERE is one single positive to emerge from the past few weeks of lockdown, it surely has to be people’s enthusiasm for growing their own produce while simultaneously reconnecting with nature. Spending time in the garden is a luxury many busy, full-time workers can ill afford, and yet furloughed employees and those working from home and saving time on their commute have been able to enjoy their outdoor spaces and garden to their hearts content.
Initially, seeds for vegetables flew off the online shelves and in common with toilet rolls were impossible to source. But after the panic buying calmed down, both were much easier to find.
The restriction of seeds however, did have a beneficial knock-on effect of uniting communities who began sharing and swapping seedlings with close neighbours, albeit at a safe distance.
There is still plenty of time to sow seeds of many edibles, especially ones that have a quick turnaround from plot to plate.
If you are new to growing vegetables, salad crops and herbs, you are in for a treat at harvest time, as freshly picked produce is far more flavoursome and nutrient-rich than any that have amassed road or air miles. If you want to grow herbs super quick but can’t get the seeds, try your local supermarket where small pots of basil, coriander, parsley or chives cost around £1.25.
Water the pot well, empty its contents and prize the leggy, green seedlings into as many small sections as you dare (a dozen is a good result) and repot each of these up separately.
They will probably flag a little for the first few days but will recover in time and before long you will have multiplied your stock immeasurably.