True confession time: DW and I are compulsive gardeners. We do it for vastly superior food, aesthetic beauty, and to create wildlife habitat. I grew up with it; it's as natural to me as the change of the seasons.

We're in Zone 3b. That means there are still snowbanks, and the frost line is approximately six feet deep. But we're already making plans, and working in various corners of the yard in preparation. I guess prairie gardeners are a tenacious lot.

So, anybody else planting a garden? Perhaps for the first time? Container gardening? Putting in a little extra as a hedge against the difficulties of 2020?

Just getting started. our mainstay is an avocado tree, with supplemental veggies, which taste delicious freshly picked. Will expand our efforts.

Mrs. Magnet is a decent gardener.

Me on the other hand, I once killed a plastic fern.

I'm hearing reports that seed companies (especially specialty, heirloom producers) are swamped with seed orders.

I assume this is because of the economic downturn. The same thing happened in 2008.

If there's something specific you want to plant, it may be prudent to grab seeds sooner rather than later.

I'm helping Mom plant Boston ferns.

Jeanette Isabelle

Fortunately the avocado and orange tree were planted some years ago. couple of tomato plants are producing. Our broccoli just finished and we will renew that crop - I never knew broc could taste that good

I'm envious! Right now I'll I'm growing is snowbanks and a pandemic goatee. But all in good time!

Looking forward to your wheat...

Had to make an visit to the local hardware store today for some emergency plumbing parts. While there, I cruised by the seed collection and for this time of year, it was slim pickings. Still managed to grab a few more packs of beans, peas, zucchini, radishes and carrots. Talked briefly (from a distance) with a knowledgeable employee and they are not expecting any more seeds in for months, if not all for this year. Luckily I had stocked up on a lot of seeds in late Feb and so the seeds purchased today are just a bonus.

McKenzie Seeds, an excellent seed company out of Brandon Man., reports that their turnaround time is now 5-7 days for online orders, due to volume. It used to be same-day. They still have lots of stock though.

As I write this, I see fresh snow coming down and snowbanks over my garden. But we already have a list of additional seeds we need, and this will be filled in the next few days. When the weather turns warm, everybody will have the same idea.

It looks like local greenhouses will offer a curbside pickup program. This is good: we prefer to buy tomato plants that are 4' tall and already bearing green fruit, because our frost-free season is so short.

In addition to our own garden, our close family will be substantially expanding the garden capacity on an undeveloped property we have access to. Seed has already been purchased. If the downturn drags out, this will be for our use. More likely, the surplus will support extended family and the local food bank, which in the last two weeks saw its demand quadruple. People who were hanging by a thread are in freefall now.

Buckle up, it's going to be a bumpy ride.