According to Garden Avenue Greenhouse & Garden Center in Billings, demand for home garden supplies has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While some people have turned to movies, video games, and adopting new pets, others have started their own gardens during self-isolation.
Garden Avenue Greenhouse’s co-owner Shelli Gayvert says gardening can be satisfying and rewarding and a great way to alleviate boredom.
Gayvert says first-time gardeners can start with some easier plants to improve their gardening skills.
“Easiest thing is herbs. Tomatoes aren’t hard, they just take a little more space, a little more water. Then peppers are the next, some cucumbers maybe. All that is basic real easy stuff that we can help you get going on,” says Gayvert.
Gayvert says that if you want to make sure you are getting the most out of your garden, then you must take care of it properly.
“The watering is crucial, and full sun is crucial on a vegetable garden. Everything is better if it gets full sun. It’ll produce better, and fertilizer is a good thing,” says Gayvert.
For people who live in apartments and are concerned that they may not have space for a garden, Gayvert says all people need is constant sunlight, whether on a porch or deck.
For people without access to either, Gayvert says their gardens will be limited, but the staff at Garden Avenue Greenhouse can help.
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly caused more people to garden, but similar actions were taken during World War II. During the war, the U.S government encouraged citizens to grow their own fruits and vegetables due to the shortage in supermarkets and transportation labor to bring in fresh produce.
Gayvert says the increase in gardening due to COVID-19 is similar to the victory gardens during the war.
According to numerous studies, the effects of gardening can be positive, resulting in less stress and anxiety. Gayvert says the satisfaction that you get from gardening is one of many benefits.
For more information on starting your own garden visit https://gardenavenuegreenhouse.com/.
