“Victory Gardens,” are making a comeback

SALINAS, Calif. (KION)

During this coronavirus pandemic, medical experts are stressing the importance of eating healthy and people are truly fearful of going to the grocery store for fear of exposure to COVID-19.

There is one solution that is making a big comeback from American's wartimes. Growing what you consume yourself.

They're known as Victory Gardens and were big during World War I and II. Growing your own fruits and vegetables was considered a civic duty. The major agriculture produce was reserved for the soldiers overseas. At one point it's estimated that 40 percent of fruits and vegetables were grown in people's gardens. People were encouraged to use every inch of soil available.

Bokay Nursery in Salinas says sudden "everyone wants to be a farmer." Their sales for fruit plants and all types of seeds have significantly increased.

Owner Jeff Nilsen says right now is a good time to plant tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and herbs.

On Friday, KION anchor Veronica Macias, for KION's life under confinement series, planted carrots, a vegetable that takes about 70 days or 10 weeks to harvest.

According to the USDA, the Central Coast is considered a Zone 9 to grow.

Happy Planting!