Learn to grow veggies at York Region Food Network’s Seedy Saturday

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 23, 2017
By Hayley Mutch

Canada’s groundhogs have predicted an early spring, and it’s time to start thinking about our vegetable gardens.

Whether you are a beginner gardener or a seasoned veteran, growing your own food can help you eat better, reduce your environmental footprint, avoid pesticides and chemicals, waste less, and save money on groceries. It’s also great exercise.

Getting started with your own vegetable garden can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be with these simple tips to help you ensure that your first vegetable garden is a successful one.

1. If you are a beginner gardener, a smaller vegetable garden with fewer plants will be much more manageable for you. If you have a patio or balcony, container gardening is a good option. If you do not have the space for a garden of any kind, consider joining a community garden in your area.

2. Most vegetables need a sunny location to thrive. Six hours or more of direct sunlight per day is ideal. More sunlight will give you a larger harvest and better tasting vegetables. Some vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce, can tolerate shade.

3. Good soil is crucial for a successful vegetable garden. The soil should be moist and not too soft or too hard. It also needs to have good drainage. Raised garden beds help with soil drainage, and so does spreading gravel at the bottom of your container garden. Adding organic matter such as compost helps to improve soil health and drainage in the garden.

4. Plan which vegetables you want to grow. Vegetables that are easy for beginners include lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, green beans, peppers, and zucchini. Make sure there is enough space in your garden so that taller plants such as tomatoes won’t stop sunlight from reaching shorter ones.

5. Come to York Region Food Network’s fifth annual Seedy Saturday event on Saturday, March 4 at the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to participate in a seed exchange or purchase seeds from our many vendors. There will be workshops and presentations from experienced gardeners and a planting station where you can start your seeds before taking them home. There will also be food vendors, contests and activities for kids.

Make sure to give your seedlings a lot of water and TLC. Follow these simple guidelines and you’ll be picking and eating your own healthy, delicious homegrown vegetables in no time.