Growing your own food

Gardening can be done in many places, from your backyard to your balcony. Front and side yards should also be considered. It is important to check local bylaws for any restrictions prior to setting up a garden.

Select locations which:

• Are easy to access
• Contain good soil with adequate drainage
• Have adequate access to direct sunlight

Avoid areas where vehicle fumes or chemical applications could affect produce.

Gardens can be planted directly in the ground, in garden beds, or in containers. Plant alongside native species to add biodiversity and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.  

Planting directly in the ground requires less materials than garden beds but more digging. Visit Alberta One Call prior to digging to ensure you do not dig into underground utilities.

To create your garden, edge out the area where you would like to plant, removing as much grass as possible. Turn and rake the soil, adding a 1-inch layer of compost to increase organic matter content.

Garden beds are a convenient and efficient way to grow produce. They are a preferred method if yard soil is contaminated or lacks drainage. This method requires more materials but less digging than planting directly in the ground.

To build a garden bed, choose a level location and layer with newspaper or cardboard to prevent grass growth. Add the frame and fill garden beds with good soil, topping with compost

Container gardening involves using containers, reusable grocery bags, or even plastic bottles as planters. This method allows you to garden where space is limited, such as on a patio or balcony.  

Small containers (<2L) can be used for herbs and salad greens whereas larger containers can be used to grow potatoes, onions, carrots, and beets. Vertical gardens can be constructed by using wood pallets or by stringing bottles together to create a hanging garden. Plastic bottles should be food-grade and any container that has come into contact with harmful chemicals should be avoided.

Good garden soil is deep, loose, fertile, and well-drained, and contains decayed organic matter. That said, vegetables and other food plants will often tolerate a range of soil types as long as care is taken to overcome deficiencies. Test your soil type by scooping up a handful of soil and forming it into a ball.

Sandy soil is loose and gritty and will not form into a ball. Lacking fertility, this soil requires generous composting.

Silt and loam hold some shape when formed into a ball, and the texture is smooth but somewhat gritty. These soils are fertile and can be enhanced by adding compost annually.

Chalky soil is pale in color and holds some shape. This soil is fertile but drains quickly. Compost should be added occasionally.

Clay is smooth and easily forms a firm ball. While it bakes hard in hot weather and can become waterlogged in wet weather, clay can be very fertile. Sand and generous composting will help break it up and add organic matter.

Peaty/Organic soil is dark in color, crumbly, and fibrous. This soil is very fertile. 

When selecting produce to grow, take into consideration:

• Space
• Sunlight and shading
• Frost dates/growing season

Talking to a local horticultural club, garden center, or supplier is a great way to learn what vegetables, fruits, and herbs grow well in your garden's conditions.

Some plants to consider include:

• Plants that prefer full sun (>6 hours of direct sunlight): basil, lavender, peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, beets, cabbage, cucumber, onions, and raspberries.
• Plants that prefer partial sun (3-6 hours of direct sunlight): dill, beans, carrots, chives, peas, and arugula.
• Plants that prefer full shade (<3 hours of direct sunlight): cilantro, parsley, kale, and spinach.

Planting

Check a planting calendar to determine vegetable planting times in your area. Hardening off seedlings before planting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions can improve seedling survival. The best time for planting is in the evening or on cloudy days.

Beans, beets, carrots, corn, peas and radishes should be started from seed, following the instructions on the seed pack. If directions are absent, plant seeds about three times as deep as their diameter, covering smaller seeds with fine compost or soil.

When removing plants from containers, keep as much soil around the roots as possible. A handful of compost should be added into the hole when planting.

Watering

Water plants thoroughly after planting.

Water regularly by soaking the soil early in the morning. Directing your hose directly to the base of the plants provides them with the necessary hydration right where they need it.

After-planting care

Remove weeds as they appear, moistening the soil to make removal easier. Do not disturb the roots of the plants.

Add a half-inch layer of compost around the base of plants once they are growing quickly. Heavy feeders like tomatoes, corn, and squash benefit from this monthly.

Plants in garden beds benefit from fertilizers every 2-4 weeks. Organic fertilizers, such as compost, castings, or aged manure avoid harsh chemicals and provide nutrients and beneficial bacteria. Garden beds can be enriched in the spring and fall by adding an inch of compost into the top few inches of soil.