Veg shortage: Now we’re panic buying lettuce seeds

GARDEN centres are running low on vegetable seeds as families stock up on supplies to protect themselves against future shortages.

The idea of ‘growing your own’ has been gaining popularity in recent years among those who insist fresh produce is tastier than anything the shops can offer.

But the ‘Good Life’ trend has been boosted by the recent shortage of lettuce, courgettes and other vegetables caused by a run of appalling weather in Spain.

The problem has been so bad that Tesco, Morrisons and Asda have banned bulk buying of certain items, such as iceberg lettuce. The shortage has also led to big price rises.

Gardening website Crocus said it had seen year-on-year sales of lettuce seeds grow by 270 per cent since the shortage began.

Wyevale Garden Centres reported similar increases, despite it currently being too cold to plant the seeds. In London, Alleyn Park Garden Centre said they were running low on lettuce seeds, and Hayes Garden World in Cumbria reported an increase in sales.

Cardwell Garden Centre near Gourock, Inverclyde, also said it has almost sold out of packets of lettuce seeds after sales surged.

Bosses added that they have been inundated with requests for advice on how to grow lettuce both outside and indoors.

Cardwell horticulturist Brian Hawthorne said the lettuce shortage may just be the tip of the iceberg, as courgettes are also in short supply after devastating harvests in the Mediterranean.

‘I’ve never known so many people coming in...asking how they can grow their own lettuce and courgettes,’ he said. ‘I’d encourage people to grow their own lettuce, courgettes and other vegetables, as it’s quite easy and...home-grown veg always tastes better.’