GARDENING is experiencing a boom among Penola and district residents as people turn to their backyards while in self-isolation.
Seedlings have been flying off the shelves at Penola True Hardware, with owners reporting a 100pc increase in packet and tray seed sales.
Hardware store owner and manager Leanne Galpin-Thomas said gardening tools, mulch, soil and fertiliser had also been selling well as residents turn to green therapy.
“Gardening has become a huge thing with many people being in isolation and keeping the family home,” Ms Galpin-Thomas said.
“It is genuinely because people have a lot more time on their hands this season.”
Ms Galpin-Thomas said broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and cabbage had been the most popular varieties.
“It is the time of year to plant winter vegetables and we do see an increase each year in seedlings around this time,” she said.
“But this year’s increase is phenomenal because people are home and are deciding to put vegetable gardens in.
Ms Galpin-Thomas said gardening was both a way to pass the time, as well as a stress reliever.
“Gardening is really good for both physical and mental health for those who are in lock down or isolation,” she said.
“We have found there is a wide demographic of people coming in to buy the products
“People are unsure and don’t know what to do, what is involved in social isolation or how restricted they are and I think that is where a lot of people have picked up the new hobby.
Penola’s Circle of Gardens group has also noted an increase of green thumbs, with members Rhett McDonald and Doug Redman saying gardening was a way to keep active and social.
“Gardening during these times is a fantastic idea, bearing in mind quite a lot of the elderly who are self-isolating grew up with gardens,” Mr Redman said.
“It can also create quite a social hub for people and bring them together once this is over.”
Mr McDonald expected a surge in people growing and eating homegrown produce.
He said gardening would provide an opportunity for people who are self-isolating to connect with nature.
“There will also be benefits after restrictions are lifted because gardening does not need to be a lonely experience as there are the opportunities for people to communicate and connect,” Mr McDonald said.
The pair hoped individuals who continue to garden post-COVID-19 would join Penola’s gardening club.
