National Garden Bureau recently hosted an online discussion panel, SeedFacts, to discuss the high demand for seed as well as shortages on retail shelves of certain varieties.
awọn seven panelists answered questions from the chat and gave some insights into what nwọn si are seeing with the supposed seed shortages. Here is what you need to know.
Awọn igbimọ
Awọn olukopa ni:
- Nathan Zondag, Vice President of Operations at Jung Seed Company
- Curtis Jones, Co-Founder and President of Botanical Interest Seeds
- Judy Seaborn, Co-Owner of Botanical Interest Seeds
- Jeannine Bogard, Home & Garden Vegetable Lead at Syngenta ẹfọ
- Marissa Verdi, Vice President of Harris Seeds
- Nick Pucci, North America East Customer Marketing Manager at Bayer CropScience
- David Mehlhorn, Co-CEO of Awọn irugbin Yiyan ti Johnny
The Seed Shortage is More of a Labor Shortage
One topic reiterated throughout the panel was that the seed shortages are due to labor rather than low seed yields.
"Labo ni awọn tobi isoro, especially in a rural community like mi,” says Nathan Sunday, Vice President of Operations at Jung Seed Company. “COVID-19 also makes things more complicated.”
"Mo would not necessarily say there is a seed shortage, "Sọ pé Jeanine Bogard, Home & Garden Vegetable Lead at Syngenta ẹfọ. "There is plenty of seed to go around, but it might not be in the specific variety someone is looking for at that moment in aago."
awọn Apapọ Age of New Gardeners has Dramatically Ti kuna
Ọkan ohun kan brought up by the panelists was that the average age of new gardeners has silẹ. The industry has needed to catch up with their demands as well.
"The numbers last season have shown we have nine million new ologba, and there will be even more this year,” says Curtis Jones, ÀjọFounder and President of Botanical Interests Seeds. “The average age of gardeners has fallen considerably, and I think you are going to see diẹ ti ẹya interest in organics because of that age idinku."
"The new growers are so excited to grow, and their enthusiasm is great,” Bogard wi. "Trẹ is really a boom for our industry, and the enthusiasm is tNibi."
sũru Is Key
pẹlu everything going on in the seed market, the panelists said it is best to order early and be patient. nwọn si also recommended paIng customers informed but not panicked to avoid any seed hoarding.
"You don’t want to tell consumers to buy their seed now because we are going to run out. They are going to start hoarding it if you say that,” Jones says. “You have to balance what you tell your customers carefully.”
"I do suggest customers and growers turn in their orders early and be patient,” says Judy Seaborn, Àjọeni of Botanical Interest irugbin. “Tell consumers to expect some ko si ọja varieties, and if awọn variety they are looking for is out of stock, show them a substitute. Gardeners and growers alike should be flexible with varieties.”