‘GREEN SHOOTS’ AT LAST...
THE coronavirus is having one unexpected, and positive, side-effect on our lives – more and more people are turning to nature to get them through the crisis.
Incredibly, one garden centre in Dublin has sold more seed in the past fortnight than in all of 2019.
‘People seem to be getting back to the basics’ said Sean Doyle, manager of Doyle’s Nursery & Garden Centre in Cabinteely, Co. Dublin.
He added that people want something that they can ‘plant and watch for maybe 12 weeks over the summer and reap rewards from’.
While his centre has sold the same amount of edible seeds in the past two weeks as in 2019, sales of grow kits on Grow, Cook, Eat presenter Michael Kelly’s GIY website have doubled year-on-year.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan’s dream of a nation growing their own food was kept alive earlier this week when the National Public Health Emergency Team designated hardware shops and garden centres as essential retail outlets. And it seems his plea to for seeds to be planted in ‘every south-facing windowsill in the country’ has fallen on fertile ground.
Tomatoes, lettuces, sweet potatoes, onions, peas and carrots are the most popular vegetables for first-time gardeners, and even Mr Doyle’s own children, who had previously shown no interest in their dad’s business, are joining in.
Nurseries nationwide agree measures to combat the spread of coronavirus have been a boost to business, with many families looking to do something fun and time-consuming while restricted to their homes.
Catriona Taylor, manager of Blessington Lakes Garden Centre in Co. Wicklow, said customers who’d usually buy flowers are now buying seeds to grow vegetables.
‘The reason is because of the virus,’ she added.
‘Of course, we do feel like we’re doing a little bit to help people through. It’s a thing that people were getting into anyway – going back to basics – but this has just accelerated things.’