Veggie Gardens Thrive in Lean Times

Sales of vegetable seeds are skyrocketing this season and experts say it’s not just the local food movement or Michelle Obama’s First Garden that’s driving the craze. Americans hit hard by the recession are slashing grocery bills by growing their own, as evidenced by a 30% spike in seed sales at Wal-Mart and a shortage of staple seed stocks at suppliers nationwide.

"When times get tough, it doesn't take long for people to realize what they can do to help themselves," a mail-order seed retailer tells the Washington Post. Sellers are split on whether the new gardeners will stay with it. "You've got this big hole in your yard that you have got to fill with something," reasons a seed marketer.
(More gardening stories.)