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Colo Springs CO

I know the mainstream media spreads whatever propaganda it wants us to think and shapes our beliefs. The news on the coronavirus so far has been focused on just the virus, not what its going to do to the worlds economy. I went to get some supplies at my local grow store yesterday and was informed by the stores owner that many of the products he orders cannot be reordered and will not be available for an unknown amount of time. I realize now the effects this is sure to cause not just for growing, but for our lives in general. I am still planning to grow as planned, but wonder how many growers may turn the patch into a vegetable garden this year due to the madness that is about to unfold. I dont know what things look like in your city, state, or country right now, but one thing is certain, this will affect growing and our season in more ways than one in 2020...

3/12/2020 8:09:58 AM

Bethlehem CT

Marc I have been thinking the exact same thoughts, yet I have kept my mouth shut, for fear of being thought of as an alarmist. Is it worth growing giants even if their are no weigh off's? Should we all be considering, a larger vegetable garden?

3/12/2020 8:23:49 AM

Topsfield,ma.

It's fine by me if you decide to take the year off. One less contender at Topsfield LOL. I know I'll see you there Gary. Never give up no matter what the obstacle. Best thing to do is stop listening to the news and head to the patch!

3/12/2020 9:19:58 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Panic is a terrible thing. We will deal with this. It has happened before and will happen again. Follow the advice of the experts. Avoid unnecessary exposure to other people. Use your head. Wash your hands. Cover your mouth etc etc. Do what is necessary. Lets hope that warmer weather will slow this virus down.

3/12/2020 10:15:44 AM

Merrimack NH

Let's hope this thing runs its course by the time the weigh offs come around this fall.

If staying away from crowded locations is the best thing to do then I can't think of a better place to stay safe and healthy than the pumpkin patch!

3/12/2020 10:35:10 AM

I would not change my growing because of the virus. That being said I have been thinking the last few years about growing some of my own stuff because a lot of the produce in stores has become bland due to modern breeding for sameness, storage, and shipping and forgetting about taste. When I give people some of the heirloom tomatoes, they can't believe the difference in taste.
Just follow common sense like avoiding crowds etc. for the next while but do not panic.

3/12/2020 10:42:28 AM

Plymouth, MN

There is a long time between now and weigh offs. If I can't get a fruit to scale, I'd still like to have a big 'kin in the front yard for the neighbors to gawk at.

3/12/2020 10:43:31 AM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Good question Mark. I was leaning toward only growing edible vegetables this year anyway. If anything, the Coronavirus may reinforce that. I already have many vegetable seeds ordered. Eating healthier is a goal of mine. I also enjoy vegetable gardening. Taking last year off from giants showed me that I didn't really miss it much. Not getting together with the other growers at the weigh offs was the only downside. Each person has their own views and priorities, and I respect that.

3/12/2020 11:54:13 AM

Grittyville, WA

If I cant grow one pumpkin then put me in the ground and plant a daisy? If you dont use pesticides the little female AG's are better than summer squash in my opinion 3-5 dap . Merit is killing too many bees so we are in trouble in that way too use your heads to stay happy and fed.

3/12/2020 2:16:47 PM

Grittyville, WA

... Try growing an AG out over a patch of potatoes... I promise you wont be disappointed. Good post mark.

3/12/2020 2:29:27 PM

Bethlehem CT

G Kins good idea.

3/12/2020 6:29:41 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I am going to put chicken wire around my entire garden to keep critters out. Might buy a .22 lr rifle to take out critters; getting light primer strikes on my magnum so it isn't dependable enough. I need to get more compost. Just pulled soil sample today. Going to build a new, bigger hoop house for watermelons. Peppers have been started, will start tomatoes tonight. Jacob and I will be growing as a team instead of competing against each other. going to get a new chainsaw tomorrow to cut wood for next winter and eliminate shade on garden.

Basically, we are going to do things like normal and forget all of this insanity. I never thought people could be whipped into such a display of stupidity like we are seeing now.

3/12/2020 8:03:58 PM

Colo Springs CO

In just one day here in Colorado Springs, there are no stores in this city which carry toilet paper, hand sanitizer or bottled water. Schools in and around town are closing and going to an online home school format. All kinds of school sporting events are cancelled. Businesses are canceling all kinds of functions and events, as are city events such as this weekends parade and 5 K run... The NBA...the NHL cancelling games, maybe the season! I have heard several people planning today to withdraw all of thier money out of the bank today... If I didnt know better Id swear I am in some kind of bad Hollywood movie! Is this common everywhere else or is this just our city ?

3/13/2020 8:18:51 AM

Cheshire Ma USA

I predict larger pumpkins as most growers can self quarintine in the garden!

3/13/2020 8:57:34 AM

Bethlehem CT

Marc it is similar here too. Everything is cancelled.

3/13/2020 9:05:36 AM

Southeast

Listen I can bury Vines on an intubator.If there is one otherwise I'm fertilizer

3/13/2020 11:54:49 AM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Marc,
Some supplies are hard to come by here in central MN as well. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but there seems to be a somber mood overall, when people are out and about. A general malaise so to speak.

3/13/2020 12:11:08 PM

Bethlehem CT

We shouldn't panic but we do need to heed the advice of the experts and a little preparation is not a bad thing. Perhaps our state and federal governments are over-reacting with all the restrictions now being set. But what if they are not. It is better to be safe than sorry.
I would think if anything it would benefit the government to down play this flu until the last possible minute. You have seen what is going on with the economy. That is not something any one wants. On the surface some on the left may like the idea of being able to blame the president for the tanked economy. But no one wants to see it affect their retirement 401 k or stock investments. I don't care which. party you allign with
This has never happened before in my lifetime. I believe the last flu epidemic was in 1918.

3/13/2020 3:25:16 PM

Western NY

I can do without all the stocking up on food BS just make sure we have enough booze on hand.

3/13/2020 5:09:41 PM

just think if stores run out of food those who cant hunt/shoot or fish goin hungry

3/13/2020 6:31:49 PM

Deer Park WA

LoL Don, A good old country boy with a 22 rifle and a few acres of land should be able to feed his family pretty easy here in the PNW. I, for what its worth think the Wohan Covid-19 Virus while Novel and surely deadly is simply a mutation of SARs coronavirus from years past and a vacination has already been developed but has not compleated the painstakinly long human trials because it died out and went away. Anyway, hope all my fellow growers remain healthy and safe during this national emergency.

God Bless the US,

Gerry

3/13/2020 10:32:37 PM