Calling all students: your local farm needs you
SIR – Concern has been expressed that the lack of immigrant farmworkers caused by the coronavirus pandemic will lead to a dearth of fruit and vegetables in shops.
Is it now time to set up a land army to help harvest such crops? With colleges and universities closed, there are thousands of young people at home. Many will live in, or close to, farming areas, and would be ideal to fill these roles. The very nature of the work would mean they would not be in close proximity to each other, and they would gain both an income and valuable experience. Ted Shorter Tonbridge, Kent
SIR – Self-isolation has created a sustained period of “gardening leave” for very many people. The therapeutic benefits of gardening are well-known, and there is much interest in “growing your own”.
Given that April and May are crucial planting months, why are garden centres closed? By all means have entry restrictions and keep cafes closed, but items such as seeds, plants, composts and fertilisers should be readily available. Mike Hames Cradley, Herefordshire
SIR – I have recently had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in my gym at the bottom of the garden. While rowing, cycling and using an elliptical trainer, the highest heart rate I have achieved is 150 beats per minute. Yesterday, however, my tracker recorded 170 bpm. I had been forking over a couple of flowerbeds. Geoff Brown Haywards Heath, West Sussex