Gardening grows in popularity, putting strain on supply chain

Gray's Garden Center in Eugene said they have seen a 25% increase in demand since the stay-at-home order began

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With people stuck at home... more are turning to gardening as a way to pass the time.

And there's not enough vegetable starts..

To go around.

Kezi nine news reporter connor mccarthy is live at gray's garden center in eugene with what they're experiecning.

And connor what do you got there?

Matt and renee-- this is a cilantro plant.

Grays garden center says this plant...as well as peppers and tomatoes are being bought up for salsa.

The general manager says other warm season vegtables are flying off the shelves as more people try to occupy themsleves during the pandemic.

But as more people turn to gardening the supply can't keep up the demand.

I saw people walking out with carts full of blooming plants for their garden.

Many people here were eager to pick out plants for their garden---many starting a garden for their first time.

The general manager says this surge in demand by nearly 25 percent was a surprise.

No expectation no way to plan for this.

A lot of crops that your are getting were planted in january and february before any of this had happened.

So again we are seeing growers add an additional crop rotation, where they were doing two crops now theye doing three.

But for some gardening is a way to put food on the table.

As national food suppliers warn of the chain breaking, some are turning to gardening as a way to make sure their family is fed.

Matt and renee-- it's also strawberry season and here are some you can plant yourself.

Leaton says if the plants you want are sold out, come back in because suppliers are slowly catching up with the demand.

Reporting live in eugene connor mccarthy kezi