Shea Simmons
Last year, massive numbers of people started gardening. Some kept it small with indoor aerogardens, while others went all out on large basins of flowers, or patches of fruits and veggies. It appears that in 2021, the gardening craze will continue, so you should probably buy your seeds now.
During the pandemic, the demand for seeds grew by 300%, which led to shortages in everything from flowers to veggies. But before you start hoarding seeds like toilet paper, take a beat. Mike Lizotte, president of the Home Garden Seed Association, told Better Homes & Gardens that retailers have prepared for the surge, so there’s unlikely to be another shortage.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start planning now. While another shortage might not occur, due to increased demand, certain varieties will likely sell out before others. The trick to dealing with this, according to Lizotte, is being open to trying new plants or different varieties of the things you already love.
Of course, if you shop early, you can likely beat the rush and get your hands on the seeds you really want. If not, though, there are plenty of ways you can still get into the gardening spirit. From trading seeds with neighbors to checking out some new online retailers, you can make your garden more plentiful than ever.
However, this would be a good year to get a little more adventurous and creative in the garden. You’ll likely fall in love with some new plants.
If you do find that the seeds you want are out of stock, you might be able to replace them with some you already have in your kitchen.
[Via Better Homes & Gardens]
