MCO boosts demand for seeds, gardening tools

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The demand for vegetable seeds and gardening tools has increased significantly since enforcement of the movement control order (MCO) on March 18, with more people spending their time at home doing gardening.

Plant in Pot nursery owner Farhana Mohamed said online sales for plant seeds and seedlings had increased by up to 70 per cent during MCO period.

"The most sought ones are seeds for herbal plants such as pegaga, Brazilian spinach, daun kesum and turmeric, ” she told Bernama here.

She said since nursery owners are not allowed to open their shops during the MCO, those who also operate the business online are being sought by gardening enthusiasts for their supply of fertilisers, seeds and soil.

According to Nurseries For Mama owner Muhamad Syafiq Osman, his hydroponic sets and other products that fit the urban lifestyle are also in high demand online.

Online sales of his hydroponic pots went up 10-fold within just two weeks of the MCO being enforced.

"I can sell up to 50 units of the hydroponic pots a day compared with just five or six units before the MCO. However, we only had two months’ worth of stock and we are already sold out.

“I believe this is because customers prefer to plant their own food for security, ” he said.

Meanwhile, homemaker Ahalinda Darjan, 30, took up gardening to keep herself busy during the MCO.

She said she started planting using the hydroponic method, which she said is easier to maintain while the plants also grow at a faster clip, compared with soil-potted plants.

“I recycle yoghurt and ice cream containers as well as instant noodle cups for use as hydroponic pots.

“Hydroponic plants are easier to maintain... (they) do not require daily watering, you just need to monitor the water level, ” she said, adding that she learned the method from watching YouTube and through a gardening group.

Ahalinda, who lives in an apartment, said hydroponic planting serves as good therapy for her during the MCO.

"I get the satisfaction when I see the vegetables that I plant, such as curly mustard, white mustard and pak choy, grow well and having my family eat vegetables that I plant myself, ” she added.

Lawyer Nur Aida Md Zainuddin, 34, is also making full use of her time at home during MCO for gardening.

"This activity helps me to sweat it out, keeps me healthy and to remain calm. I’m also able to save by not buying vegetables, but getting the supply from my own garden, which is also fresh, ” she said, adding that water used to rinse rice and clean fish help plants grow better.

She said watermelon and banana peels, as well as eggshell, make for good fertiliser. – Bernama