Oregon Garden Challenge offers free seed kits

(March 8, 2021) For some people, gardening is a popular hobby, especially during the pandemic. For other people, gardening provides fresh fruits and vegetables to eat. In either case, the Oregon State University Extension Service wants to encourage more Oregonians to garden. It started the 2021 "Grow This! Oregon Garden Challenge" March 1.

While supplies last, participants can receive a seed kit, free of charge. Each seed kit includes four full packets of seeds for plants that grow well in the participant's area. Oregon State University will send seed kits to county offices, or other nearby locations. They will schedule a pick-up with participants in March.

The seed packets were donated by Bi-Mart. They will be packaged into 8,000 seed kits of four different plants: one cool-weather vegetable, one warm-weather vegetable, one herb or edible flowers, and flowers to encourage pollination. The seeds will come with instructions and information about planting outdoors, indoors, and in containers.

Participants who do not want to pick up a seed kit can also join the challenge by using their own seeds. At least once a month throughout the growing season, the program will email participants a fun letter with new ideas for growing, tips on harvesting, and recipes. There will be additional videos and ideas for gardening.

To sign up, participants must first complete a short survey.