Find Inner Peas–By Gardening! Tips to Turnip Your Garden Game
Sydney Neumeier - 2T5, MAM
One of the greatest activities you can do in the summer is to start your own garden; not only does it decrease your carbon footprint and save you money, but it is a highly rewarding and grounding (no pun intended) process. Eating the food you grow shows how much work goes into producing a crop. As an avid plant lover, I wanted to share some tips and tricks I picked up with you. Happy gardening!
“Eating the food you grow shows how much work goes into producing a crop.”
Where to garden in Toronto/Mississauga:
Space is limited, and not everyone may have access to their own space. Here are some options you might not have known about:
Local community gardens
A community garden involves having your own designated space to grow your plants, and in return you have access to other members’ help and food in exchange! It’s also a great way to meet people. Some apartment buildings even have their own community gardens, so it’s worth checking out with the building as well. Here are some links to some of the community gardens in Toronto and Mississauga:
Rent a plot
Toronto offers garden allotments for $100/plot. You can sign up for the waitlist here: Toronto Garden Allotments
Balcony gardening
Most crops require full or partial sun, and if your balcony has enough space, then there are many options for gardening smaller crops that will still save you money. Herbs such as mint, parsley, cilantro, oregano, rosemary do well in partial shade, and vegetables such as arugula, lettuce, beets, radishes, peas, broccoli, kale, and Swiss chard can tolerate partial shade or full sun. Flowers, such as begonias and hydrangeas, are another great way to attract pollinators and spruce up your balcony. Always check the back of the flower ticket or seed packet when purchasing to review optimal growing conditions.
Windowsill
No balcony? No problem. There are still many options for herbs and veggies to grow inside: Windowsill Vegetables and Herbs
Ensure there is adequate sun, and that the plants are not toxic to any pets when choosing this method.
Backyard Setup
It’s helpful to have a raised garden bed if you have the space. Some reasons include: fewer weeds, better drainage, less damage from animals, improved ergonomics, and a longer growing season (soil warms up faster in the spring in a raised bed). You can purchase a raised garden bed or build your own from simple materials: DIY Raised Garden Bed Ideas
“Always check the back of the flower ticket or seed packet when purchasing to review optimal growing conditions.”
Basic Growing Guide:
Additional Gardening Tips:
Watering:
Water late in the evening or early morning to avoid evaporation.
Keep leaves dry and try to only water the base of the plant near the soil to prevent plant disease.
Clay-rich soil often has better water retention.
Ensure your soil/raised garden bed also has proper drainage to prevent rot.
Watering deeply once a day during the hot summer months is usually adequate. Soaking the soil deeply allows for stronger root growth.
Don’t know when to water? A good rule is to stick your finger into the soil and if it feels dry up to your second knuckle, it’s time to water.
Harvesting:
Keep the greens cool and moist.
Harvest during the cooler times of the day (early or in the eve).
Protect greens from direct sunlight as you pick them .
Rinse them before you pick or immediately after.
Put elastic bands around kale and chard stocks. Bunch in small bundles, so it doesn’t go to waste on the other end.
Dry off roots as they don’t like to be wet. Greens can be a little wet.
Pest Control:
Natural is best! If your plant has aphids (small green bugs) or any other pest, try mixing a few drops of dish soap and water in a spray bottle and apply to the leaves at least once per day.
