How Covid-19 changes the blog
Based on the April medical advice from State and Federal Health Authorities about the Covid-19 virus, we’ve encouraged our friends and clients to make their own health a priority and work remotely to limit personal contact with others. We expect this to be the case until at least 2022 due to the life of the virus.
We continue to encourage everyone to take care of their loved ones and be among your supportive family while working remotely at home in your garden during this unprecedented period in our history. There will be a wide range of people who adopt sensible medical advice, so think of your whole family.
No visiting. This could last all year – until there is a vaccine.
My oldest son caught the virus just before his birthday and was the sickest he’s ever been with a fever that reached 104. He was one of the 1st 1000 in Seattle – and he’s young, healthy, living alone, and walking alone to work. At my age & condition – I’d be a mess.
In response to his experience, I’ve gone 100% virtual in my current location in Arizona, so all contact will be on these posts or by email. No visits. [ 2022 Update: I’m back in Washington State, & the major Covid impacts have lessened. ]
Even before COVID-19, “business as usual” for me was usually “business anywhere” – in shared office space, at home, or in gardens – in the US or Europe. Luckily, I was already equipped with the basic virtual tools I needed to connect with others, so this connectivity shift is fairly seamless.
But traveling to the garden is different now.
The state of Arizona, as a state today, has stopped travel for all non-essential people – no choice. I’ve been stopped trying to return library books to the drop box so far, so I’ve had my warning shot.
So, we’re getting all essentials delivered by ordering online from local vendors. That supports the local economy and still keeps us isolated.
So in turn, today I’m making 2 changes.
Adding product links to the posts to make it a deeper resource for home gardeners to shop the same way. Plants, tools, bagged goods, kits, seedlings, etc can be bought online now and delivered. The infrastructure is in place for it. [ 2021 update: All major retailers have made delivery a central part of their offerings – so Amazon is less of a go-to resource now. ]
By continuing to use in-line links, it shouldn’t make much of a visual difference to the reader, while adding added features to each post that will allow home shopping and delivery of garden items as big as raised bed kits.
Broadening of content to include crop gardens that provide basic foods. I remember watching the post-WWII Victory Garden Shows from the 50’s & 60’s as I write this. Seems relevant again.
I’ll add starter & raised bed kitchen gardens that are a fit for small and medium sized lots to grow herbs, easy vegetables & maybe seeded fruits like strawberries. As always, comments are welcome . . .
Part of this is [ was ] to formally become a sales affiliate of numerous large companies like Amazon, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, and The Company Store – plus numerous independent sales companies. They all pay out a small referral fee to bloggers like me when you buy. [ 2022 update: I’ve discontinued this effort due to the retailers cutting back on fees by 2/3. ]
Note: the prices you would pay are the same, whether you go through my links or buy direct – but it supports the site.
In this time of economic change, it’s still important to work with people who have a history of being trustworthy – especially since we’re not going into the stores face-to-face for some time.
I’d also like to say THANK YOU if you do buy here. I really appreciate it.
This allows me the resources to add content to the Blog & donate to worthy causes as I continue to work at home like everyone else.
Most of the products and services are ones that I use or have used myself and am proud to recommend. If I show a link to products I have not used, then they will be offered by trusted companies I have worked with in the past.
I hope this update gives the reader an explanation of what’s coming up, so you can continue to come back and read the new posts. Signing up for the Newsletter will keep you up to date. I try to have 1 post a week published with uplifting pictures like this one. And maybe a wise-guy dog or two.
