• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Home Hardware Mark’s Choice
    • New Products
    • Hand Tools
    • Cutting Tools
    • Boots and Gloves
    • Hose and Watering Accessories
    • Bird Feeders and Bird Seed
    • Container Gardening
    • Seeds and Bulbs
    • Plant Supports
    • Gardening Accessories
  • CIL Iron Plus
    • C-I-L Iron Plus Lawn Fertilizers
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
April 23, 2013

It’s Your Year to Grow Veggies

 As many of us are gearing up for the gardening season (be patient, only a few more weeks), some are thinking about starting a vegetable garden. Whether you’ve been thinking about it for a while or the idea just came to mind, I’m here to provide you with a little more incentive to get out and grow some veggies.

I recently read an article that looked at the effects that gardening had on a group of community gardeners in Utah. The researchers determined that those who worked in a community garden had lower BMIs (body mass indexes) than those who did not, which translated to approximately 11 lbs for women and 16 pounds for men. These gardeners were also less likely to be obese: 46% less for women and 62% less for men.

Interesting findings, but not really surprising. Gardening, whether in a community garden or in your backyard, is physically demanding. Everything from soil prep to weeding to harvesting requires an effort on your part. Think about the benefits though: more exercise, fresh food, general satisfaction. You can’t get that from many other activities.

Getting Started

It’s not that difficult, really. Here are the basics:

Location: most veggies do best in full sun or at least 6 hours of sun a day.

Soil: quality triple mix to start. You can work it into the top 12 inches for a fluffy “chocolate cake” consistency or you can order enough to build up the area.

Plants : if you’re just thinking about starting now, chances are you didn’t start any seeds indoors. No worries! Every garden centre in Canada will have young veggies ready to take home and plant. Choose healthy ones that have been watered well. Look for dark foliage that doesn’t droop and always inspect for insects. Pick these up mid to late May and keep them outdoors during the day to harden them off before planting them in your prepared garden – around the May 2-4 weekend.

Fertilize: some veggies are heavy feeders (tomatoes and peppers come to mind); herbs do not like fertilizer. Read the labels on your plants. Buy the right fertilizer for the job and follow the instructions on the package.

Water: this is a must, especially as we wade into the hot, dry summer months. Water deeply for optimal root growth.

And there you have it! See, it’s not that hard! By the end of the summer, your friends and family will be thanking you for sharing.

blog_veg-garden

 

← Previous post
More Spring Q & A

Next post →
Your Lawn Questions Answered

Search

Recent Posts

  • Around the Acres This Week February 2, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020
  • Around the Acres this Week November 2, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark CullenFollow

Mark Cullen
1 Mar

The March issue of Gardening with Mark and Ben is available now. https://conta.cc/3b1Bcn2

Reply on Twitter 1366391953886240768Retweet on Twitter 13663919538862407682Like on Twitter 136639195388624076812
25 Feb

Make sure you check out Toronto's Virtual Seedy Saturday coming up this weekend, complete with a very impressive roster of events http://seedysaturday.ca/toronto/ #seedysaturday

Reply on Twitter 1365024629199433728Retweet on Twitter 13650246291994337283Like on Twitter 13650246291994337288
24 Feb

This week we're talking front yard gardening, and a review of @thatTaraNolan 's new book on the topic https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/02/23/heres-how-to-grow-your-front-yard-garden.html

Reply on Twitter 1364412643856031747Retweet on Twitter 136441264385603174711Like on Twitter 136441264385603174721
20 Feb

Thanks so much, Niki. We are enjoying podcasts more and more all the time - honoured that Green File made the list. Great stuff here.

Reply on Twitter 1362954664359133185Retweet on Twitter 1362954664359133185Like on Twitter 13629546643591331857

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods Share Agriculture Foundation Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑