It goes without saying in this period of skyrocketing inflation, economic malaise, and the ever-present threat of grave world events that people are concerned – to say the least, and are looking for ways to save money, either at the pumps or in their grocery bill.

It should come as no surprise that over the past couple of years there has been increased interest not only in homesteading and hobby farming but also with average folks wanting to start gardens.

If you have been gardening for a long time, you’ll know that it can be a time consuming but very rewarding activity which will provide you with an abundance of fresh vegetables and possibly other staples for the summer months if not longer should you have the ability and know how two bottle and can your food or storage in a cool dry place such as a root cellar.

So, if you’re new to gardening, where do you begin? a more fitting question you should be asking yourself is where exactly are you going to plant your garden? Obviously, if you live in an apartment in downtown Toronto, New York, or some other major city, your best bet will be to grow plants on your balcony or even inside next to a window whereby a lot of sunlight comes through.

If you have access to a lot of land – or even a little – you will start the process of your garden by marking out where you want it to be. Next, you will need to till the plot of land. New tillers range in price from a couple of hundred to a few thousand dollars. If you don’t have the budget for a new tiller, it is possible to rent one, generally at a reasonable price.

Once your garden is tilled, depending on the weather of course, you will start planting. If you live in Canada, you should familiarize yourself with the country’s hardiness zones. Naturally, the further south you go (again, it all depends upon soil and elevation) the longer of a growing season you are going to have. Also, during the time when you till your garden, mixing in manure or fertilizer will greatly help your vegetables to grow.

Although I don’t consider myself to have a prolific green thumb, I do enjoy planting an annual garden. I always create rows and then plant a variety of vegetables including carrots, green and yellow beans, beets, onions, and tomatoes, as well as other things such as parsley and even sunflowers.

Canada is known for its long winters and short summers. Even in June, it’s not uncommon to get the occasional frost. Therefore, it is imperative to always be watching weather conditions and – in the event of a frost warning – cover your plants at night.

Although short, Canadian summers can be quite hot and dry. To keep my plants watered, I run a hose from the side of the house to the garden, which is then connected to a sprinkler.

When is the best time to pick your freshly grown vegetables?

An adequate abundance of water and heat will ensure that they grow. As soon as they are grown, it is time to pick them.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your gardening experience:

• It is recommended that people select vegetables that are generally expensive to purchase at the grocery store. these include tomatoes and melons, summer squash, potatoes, peppers, and spinach.
• Grow vegetables that are easy to store or preserve
• Always do research and have a plan in place before starting your garden.