Would you like to get your hands dirty and grow your own food this year? Are you an experienced gardener but interested in some new tips? Have you thought about planting your own vegetable garden, but don’t know where to start?
As the birds get busy foraging building blocks for nests, and the sun shines down, warming our earth, it is time to start prepping for the upcoming growing season.
Read below on some tips you can do now to set yourself (and your garden) up for success.
1. Think about what you and your family eat, and what capacity you have to maintain the garden.
- What's the purpose of the garden? Is it to feed your family or neighbors? Or do you just want to plant one or two plants?
- Do you make lots of salads? Do you like fruit? What about root vegetables? How many cucumbers does your household consume a week? Would like like to make spaghetti squash pasta? This is your time to get creative! Remember - there are many different varieties of fruits and vegetables to choose from that aren’t traditionally sold in our local grocery stores.
-
Be realistic about how much time and energy you and your family have to maintain the garden. In an ideal world it would be amazing to have the biggest garden with an abundance of produce. But when your tomato plants are overflowing with fruits (cherry tomatoes in particular!), will you have the time (and energy) to preserve and make tomato sauce?
2. Decide where to plant your garden and maximize your growing space.
Here are some things to think about:
- Where does the sun hit your property throughout the day? Maybe your front or side yard would be better than the backyard.
- If space is limited - try growing up! Vine plants love to grow vertically, and will try to reach the sun. This will allow for more airflow among the soil and roots, and will also keep you from untangling the plants. Attach string, or install trellises, and watch you vine plants thrive! (Check out the photo below of my vertical bean plants from my garden last year)
- If you rent, talk to your landlord about growing a garden, (and mention - it will add value to the the home ;) ). If this isn’t an option, you could grow from a porch or balcony, or check out the many community gardens throughout our city.
- Do you have any microclimates you can take advantage of? (i.e. planting lettuce near a large tree that provides partial shade)
- Think about your property zones. For example; if you need access to your garden regularly, it's a good idea to plant your higher maintenance plants near your living space.
Think outside the box, and remember: No space is too small or limited!
3. Companion plant companion plant companion plant
Nature doesn’t grow rows of singular plant species. Everything is interconnected and many plants benefit each other. Biodiversity is key to a successful garden (and the health of our precious ecosystems). Companion planting increases the health of your plants, optimizes your soil conditions, while allowing you to grow organically. Here are just some examples:
- The rule of the 3 sisters: Squash, beans, corn. These three vegetables are known to highly benefit one another.
- Growing marigolds amongst your vegetables attracts many pollinators. Provides pest control by repelling unwanted pests such as aphids, cabbage moths, whiteflies, and nematodes. Attracts beneficial insects such as lady bugs, which help to control other unwanted critters in your garden. Marigolds are a great companion plant (my favourite - see below!), especially for the brassicas family.
- Planting dill throughout your garden will attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies, that prey on unwanted insects. It also provides a nice aroma!
- Nasturtiums will act as a sacrificial flower, as aphids will gravitate towards this plant rather than your produce
There are a variety of online tools and resources available to map out your garden.
Wishing you bountiful harvests, remember to think outside the box, have some fun, and happy growing!!
Joanna MacLeod
Sustainability Coordinator, Thriving Communities Lead
