Why Gardening is the Perfect Shelter-in-Place Activity
With Governor Brown’s recent shelter-in-place order for the state of Oregon, many people are looking for ways to get outside safely. The warmer, spring weather usually means that Oregonians are flocking to the great outdoors to see the colorful show of flowers gracing our state this time of year. However, with state parks closed, and gatherings outlawed due to COVID 19, it is time to get creative with how we can enjoy nature safely.
Planting a spring garden is the ideal solution for this dilemma. Spring is the perfect time of year to plant an edible garden, because of longer days and increased precipitation. A garden of fruits, vegetables, and herbs will provide healthy, fresh options for the menu during a time when many are preparing most of their meals at home.
Of course, sowing an edible garden during times of need is not a new concept. As Kami Horton of OPB points out, “During both World Wars, the U.S. government encouraged Americans to grow their own food to relieve shortages. Gardening was promoted as a family-friendly activity that provided exercise and stretched food budgets.” (https://www.opb.org/artsandlife/article/victory-gardens-america-coronavirus-history-oregon/)
These “victory gardens” provided nutrient-rich food for homes across Oregon and the United States.
Cornell Farm Nursery recognizes the importance of gardening to physical and mental health. For this reason, we are planning to remain open with adjusted hours while continuously working to make gardening SAFELY accessible for all our neighbors. In the executive order, Brown laid out specific criteria for the businesses which are allowed to remain open and we were pleased to know that we were already exceeding those requirements. Additionally, we have made many changes to our services in order to minimize contact including:
• Making our catalog available to shop online. (We'll be making more available each day, so keep checking back.)
• Taking phone orders for both our nursery and cafe at 503-292-9895.
• Drive-through style, no-contact order pickup for our nursery.
• Increasing the number of delivery slots every week for plants delivered to your door.
Additionally, we have also increased sanitization, cleanliness, and social distance procedures across our farm. Our lot remains open for in-person shopping with adjusted hours and a cap on visitors. We look forward to resuming normal operations and hours once the shelter-in-place order is lifted.
Whether you are new to gardening and not sure where to start, or a self-proclaimed “green thumb,” Cornell Farm has many resources available on our website to support all levels of gardeners. We offer a variety of guides, tips, calendars, and care manuals, which provide a wealth of information on edible gardening and beyond. Patrons are also encouraged to seek advice from our knowledgeable staff via phone or email.
We want to continue to support our community through efforts that provide wellness for body and soul. We are depending on our loyal fanbase as we work together during this difficult time, and thankful for everyone doing their part to flatten the curve. Nursery gift cards will continue to be available through our website: https://cornellfarms.com/collections/gift-cards
-The Cornell Farm Family
