Written by Claire McArthur
We’re living in unprecedented times, but amid all of this chaos and uncertainty, at least one thing remains true: If you plant a seed in the ground, give it sunlight and water, it will grow. More people than ever have turned to growing their food — some for the first time — in the wake of COVID-19. Not only is doing so resourceful, but gardening is an excellent stress reliever and gets people outside while still observing social distancing.
Fisk Farm Herbs, Two Ravens Farm, and Mewaldt Organics are offering sliding-scale discounts for their seedlings.
Photo courtesy of Fisk Farms Herbs
It’s also a great way to support regional farms and nurseries as they navigate these difficult economic times. A number of these businesses across Reno-Tahoe have adapted their business practices to make purchasing seedlings safer this year, so skip the bulk orders from large online retailers, and instead put your dollars back into the local economy.
Moana Nursery
In response to COVID-19, Moana Nursery launched an online store with curbside pickup at the Moana Lane location and delivery to anywhere in Reno and Sparks. Call the South Virginia Street and Pyramid Lane locations to utilize the personal shopper service for curbside pickup. Moana Nursery also has created various sized “victory garden packages” to get you started on an edible garden, including a phone or Zoom consultation with a gardening expert, vegetable starts based on the conversation, soil, and fertilizer.
Moana Lane Garden Center
1100 W. Moana Lane, Reno
775-825-0600
Moananursery.com
Pyramid Way Garden Center
3397 Pyramid Way, Sparks
775-425-4300
South Virginia Street Garden Center
11301 S. Virginia St., Reno
775-853-1319
Loping Coyote Farms
Though you can’t browse Loping Coyote Farms’ annual plant sale in person this year, you can flip through the nursery’s online plant catalogue and place orders over the phone or through email. Plant pickup day is May 2 at the north parking lot of Bordertown Casino, located at 19575 US Hwy. 395, Reno.
775-686-0008
Lopingcoyotefarms.com
Old Stone House Gift and Garden
Old Stone House Gift and Garden has curbside pickup and delivery options from its Reno greenhouses. They also offer delivery of gift-wrapped potted plants as a way to send a thoughtful gift to someone you care about but can’t see in person due to social distancing.
1350 Geiger Grade Road, Reno
775-358-1700
Facebook.com/oldstonehousenursery
Reno Food Systems
Reno Food Systems, a nonprofit organization cultivating community-based food systems, has been hosting seedling sales outside at its Park Farm. Five packs of seedlings go for $5, with the sixth plant getting donated to local organizations that help feed people in need, such as Soulful Seeds and Katharina’s Garden and Compost Program.
Reno Food Systems has been holding seedlings sales, announced through its social media platforms, at its Park Farm.
Photo courtesy of Reno Food Systems
Future sale dates are not yet set and are based on when the seedlings are ready, so follow along on Facebook or Instagram for updates. To ensure social distancing, a board is used to provide shoppers with a number to text to “get in line” for the sale while they wait in their cars. Reno Food Systems also accepts payment through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Park Farm
3295 Mayberry Drive, Reno
Renofoodsystems.org
Great Basin Community Food Co-op
Though Great Basin Community Food Co-op had to cancel its usual in-person seedling sale, seedlings from regional farms are available for sale on the co-op’s website, with curbside pickup. All orders must be placed by 10 p.m. on May 12 for pickup in the parking lot on Fri., May 15 from noon – 3 p.m. or Sat., May 16 from 9 a.m. – noon.
240 Court St., Reno
775-324-6133
Greatbasinfood.coop
Greenhouse Garden Center
Call Greenhouse Garden Center to place and pay for an order for curbside pickup or delivery. Delivery fees apply based on location.
2450 S. Curry St., Carson City
775-882-8600
Greenhousegardencenter.com
Fallon Food Hub
The Fallon Food Hub is doing an online seedling sale with local farmers. Items are available for purchase on the Great Basin Basket Farm Share website, with pickup at Lattin Farms, located at 1955 McLean Road in Fallon.
775-571-3415
Fallonfoodhub.com
Fisk Farm Herbs, Two Ravens Farm, and Mewaldt Organics
This trio of Fallon farms has teamed up to deliver vegetable, fruit, medicinal, and culinary herb seedlings to homes in Fallon, Reno, Sparks, and Carson City with a minimum purchase of $40, through the end of April. They also are offering sliding-scale discounts from 10 to 50 percent off. Visit Fisk Farm Herbs’ website and submit your email to get details on how to purchase the seedlings.
775-741-4043
Fiskfarmherbs.com
Claire McArthur is a freelance writer and avid gardener who has beefed up her edible garden this year with a 14-foot raspberry patch and new vertical gardening solutions to optimize space. You can reach her at clairecudahy@gmail.com.
