- Joined
- Mar 27, 2020
- Messages
- 280
- Climate
- Temperate (all seasons)
I posed the question here not long ago, what has changed for you in the past few weeks with all the changes regarding the virus, I really hope that was not considered insensitive or anything - I apologize if I offended any with that question. I didn't get much of a response but thinking about it, I wouldn't really expect much from everyone here because you are all probably growing lots and heading towards self sufficiency and as such will not be greatly affected by any restrictions Anyway, I did get talking to others in my community and I think that the ones most affected would be working parents with children. I was also thinking of households who have gone into isolation for whatever reason and that has got to be hard, especially if you don't have an interest in gardening/cooking/preserving already.
The idea came up that we may be able to reach out to anyone we know in isolation, via post. There is currently a Seed Share Station in our nearest town, packets of seeds have been donated and are re packaged with basic instructions for planting, there may only be a dozen or so of each seed in the packet but they are available for free to members of the public. So, if one of us knows of any in isolation, they could get a few packets of seed and post them (or do a distance drop off? in the letter box and leave?). Instructions could be put on the envelope about putting the envelope in direct sunlight for 10minutes per side to destroy any germs and then the same could be done with the contents of the envelope? Also washing hands after handling the envelope initially? It would be up to whoever sent the envelope to decide, based on how well they know the people they are sending/giving it to.
The seed packets are currently made with donated scrapbooking papers, they are very colorful and pretty and appealing and we think that children would love them. The next stage, when the papers run out would be old magazines - preferably gardening ones - the template is basic and you can see in the picture to the left of the magazine is one already made and the pretty flowers on the left page have a template drawn and ready to be cut out. Fold the sides and glue together with a glu stick. Labels are kept small with basic planting details as per the second picture and attached with sticky tape on the front of the envelope. With all the older expiry dated seed packets, some of the seeds were tested to make sure they were still viable but the name of the original company and expiry date have been included anyway.
It is still in the progress of going from a thought to action here at the moment but I thought someone here might be able to reach out to someone they know would appreciate the gesture? I'll certainly let you know what kind of response we get in this part of the world
The idea came up that we may be able to reach out to anyone we know in isolation, via post. There is currently a Seed Share Station in our nearest town, packets of seeds have been donated and are re packaged with basic instructions for planting, there may only be a dozen or so of each seed in the packet but they are available for free to members of the public. So, if one of us knows of any in isolation, they could get a few packets of seed and post them (or do a distance drop off? in the letter box and leave?). Instructions could be put on the envelope about putting the envelope in direct sunlight for 10minutes per side to destroy any germs and then the same could be done with the contents of the envelope? Also washing hands after handling the envelope initially? It would be up to whoever sent the envelope to decide, based on how well they know the people they are sending/giving it to.
The seed packets are currently made with donated scrapbooking papers, they are very colorful and pretty and appealing and we think that children would love them. The next stage, when the papers run out would be old magazines - preferably gardening ones - the template is basic and you can see in the picture to the left of the magazine is one already made and the pretty flowers on the left page have a template drawn and ready to be cut out. Fold the sides and glue together with a glu stick. Labels are kept small with basic planting details as per the second picture and attached with sticky tape on the front of the envelope. With all the older expiry dated seed packets, some of the seeds were tested to make sure they were still viable but the name of the original company and expiry date have been included anyway.
It is still in the progress of going from a thought to action here at the moment but I thought someone here might be able to reach out to someone they know would appreciate the gesture? I'll certainly let you know what kind of response we get in this part of the world