The Down and Dirty: A Guide to First-time Veggie Gardening for the Busy Islander
I’d like to say right off the bat, that the first thing to consider when having a small veggie plot at home, is that you are NOT a full-time farmer. Most people with home gardens have full- time jobs, and upkeep can be hard work. But you can make it a little easier by knowing what’s the easiest to grow, and I’m happy to offer some insight from my “busy mom” with small kids, a full-time job, and several side hustles” perspective. So, let’s start at the beginning: springtime. When is that exactly, on PEI? Well, that alone is a loaded question. Most gardening books and seed packets will recommend planting seeds directly into the ground in April (for cole crops, or frost-tolerant vegetables). Some years that is feasible, but often April in PEI looks much like February, so I recommend keeping an eye on the weather, both the present and future forecasts. Once the soil is “able to be worked” (that is, once you can get a shovel in it and toss
After spending years working in greenhouses and garden centres, and having my own large vegetable garden at home, I’ve learned a thing or two about growing veggies here on PEI for someone like me who has a busy life and not a lot of free time.
By Story Sheidow
SPRING 2021 www.pei-living.ca
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