Los Baños and Baguio LGUs Encourage Residents to Grow Survival Gardens By Giving Free Vegetable Seeds

Time to put that green thumb to use.
by Kyzia Maramara | March 27, 2020

Since President Duterte has placed the country in a state of national emergency due to the novel coronavirus, local government units (LGUs) doubled down on implementing the enhanced community quarantine rules. No one is allowed to loiter outside their homes, residents are given quarantine passes and only one person per household is allowed to go out and buy essentials.

Almost all establishments are closed until further notice and grocery stores have shelves swiped clean of food and essentials, add that to the fact that the Philippines has a larger percentage of the marginalized community who are daily wage earners and are now struggling to provide food on their tables every day – everything is essentially a crisis.

Since it’s getting scarier to go out every day, why not explore growing an urban garden? It might be the best way to secure fresh food for you and your family in the future.

 

Sustainable relief goods

Mayors of different cities are getting creative and stepping up to provide for their constituents. This week we saw various images of relief goods in the form of canned goods, instant noodles, and rice provided by LGUs.

On Monday, March 23, the Baguio City Veterinary Office – Agricultural Services Division posted photos of repacked vegetable seeds for distribution to barangays in Baguio City. These seeds are so people can start their own “survival gardens” and harvest crops later on. The seeds in small packets include eggplant, okra, flowering pechay, hybrid spinach, and more.

Los Baños LGU likewise implemented a similar strategy. Residents are encouraged to plant seeds in their backyard or even in makeshift pots from empty bottles and unused tires.

Those residing in Los Banos can contact the official Facebook page of the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist to know how to get your free vegetable seeds.

Now that it’s getting difficult to find fresh food, this brilliant move helps residents grow their own lush gardens and secure fresh vegetable food in the future.

 

Urban gardening

Fighting a virus will force everyone to get creative and growing a garden in your home, no matter how small, can certainly help you a little.

If you live in the city, repurposing empty bottles of water or old containers, filling them with soil, and planting seeds can be a start. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t expect to harvest a basket of beautiful and plump tomatoes or huge okras at the first try. Growing a green thumb and caring for a small garden takes time and experimenting but in the long run, it’s a tipid tip and a source of fresh produce.

 

Will you be starting your own survival garden?