BY MORNING SENTINEL STAFF

The last time Fedco Co-op Garden Supplies saw such a spike in demand for seeds was in 1999, when survivalists tried to buy up inventory believing that seeds would become the post-apocalyptic currency if things didn't go well on Jan, 1, 2000.

Fearing that the turn of the millennium would trigger a massive computer crash, some extreme subscribers to the "Y2K" theory turned to local seed suppliers to prepare for the upending of civilization, Fedco seed purchaser Nikos Kavanya said.

It turned out to be a misguided, if interesting, notion.

"One customer tried to return all the seed next year," she said, with a laugh. "We said, 'No thanks.'"

This year's run on seeds stems from less dramatic, but still sobering, sources. Increasing prices for food and fuel have inspired more people with access to land to begin planting their own gardens in hopes of saving money, seed sellers say.

"A lot of people are saying they are going to grow vegetables at home as best they can to help with the cost of everything," MaryAnne Bartlett, assistant retail manager of Longfellow's Greenhouses in Manchester, said recently. Longfellow's has not encountered seed shortages as a result of the increased demand.

This year, Fedco made more than $1 million from seeds sales, the first time this has happened in the 30 years the company has been in the seed business. Last year, Fedco, of Waterville, made $805,000 from the seeds portion of its operation, Kavanya said. About 100 of the company's 900 varieties of seeds have sold out.

At Johnny's Selected Seeds in Winslow, a spokesman said that demand is up, but he declined to disclose the amount of growth the company has seen in sales.

"There's absolutely no shortage -- there's plenty of seeds in all categories," spokesman Rob Coburn said.

"I think that some of the bigger companies like Johnny's are better able" to deal with volatility in demand.

Another possible reasons behind the increased demand for seeds is the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, which is pushing a "buy local" movement and encouraging organic farming. But the organization has been in existence since 1971, and these are not new initiatives.

At least one couple sees gardening as a good way to ensure that their food is grown locally and organically.

Charlie and Gail Kojigian started gardening again after a long hiatus when they purchased a farm in South China two years ago. Cultivating seven 40-foot beds last summer enabled them to eat their own produce all winter.

Consciously choosing to shop locally, they bought most or all of their seeds at Johnny's Selected Seeds and Fedco. They expect to have squash from last summer until their next harvest, Gail said.

The start-up price of gardening on a large scale may be somewhat exorbitant but in the long run, Gail said, it pays off.

"Besides, we know where our food is coming from," she said. "We both love to garden and it just feels good to be outside and working in the soil."

Joel Elliott -- 861-9252

jelliott@centralmaine.com