Observe and map where you are
Growing in a space starts with understanding the space. Draw a diagram of the plot, then start to fill it in with your garden observations, ideas, and dreams.
- Observe how many hours of sun your plot gets each day. Are there parts of the garden that get more or less sun? Consider adding those shadows into a diagram of your plot to place shade-lovers appropriately.
- Observe the soil. Is it compacted? Sandy? Fluffy? Consider amending it with compost or soil top-ups before you plant if necessary.
- Where is the pathway in relation to your plot? If you’re concerned about passersby sampling the vegetables you grow, consider placing your most prized crops (like pumpkins or tomatoes) further from the pathway to make them less tempting.
Choosing your crops
What do you like to eat? What are you excited to grow? Browse a seed catalogue in the Urban Bounty office, or Urban Bounty’s seed library, for inspiration!
Consider maintenance
Some crops require more water and work than others! Native plants and wildflowers are often a great low-maintenance choice, since they are already adapted to the region’s environmental conditions. Herbs are also a great low-maintenance choice, especially drought-tolerant varieties like thyme, oregano, and rosemary.
Consider companion planting
Some crops support each other! Companion planting ideas include:
- Try scattering carrot and radish seeds together. Radishes mature quicker, and when you harvest the radishes, it frees up space for the slower-growing carrot taproots to mature.
- From the soil to a caprese salad, tomatoes and basil are a complimentary pair.
- A flower border of nasturtiums or marigolds around crops like tomatoes can attract bugs away from vegetables, while beautifying the garden.
- Check out this resource on Gardenary.com for more ideas!
Consider the ecosystem
Native plants are already adapted to this region’s ecosystem and climate! Many are also shade-lovers, since most of the Lower Mainland has historically been old-growth forest. For ideas for incorporating native plants into gardening, see Urban Bounty’s resource here.
Native wildflowers are also an amazing addition to support native pollinators (which differ from invasive European honeybees). They are also often hardy, drought-tolerant, and beautiful.
Watch out for invasives!
Urban Bounty community gardens prohibit invasive species, as well as raspberries and blackberries (which spread aggressively).
A word of warning: Some desirable herbs can spread invasively if you don’t contain them. Fennel and mint, while delicious and allowed, should be monitored carefully so they don’t take over.
Consider cover cropping
Cover crops are plants that regenerate the soil as they grow. Plant them in early spring and late fall to protect your soil year-round! Urban Bounty’s custom cover crop blend includes nitrogen-fixing legumes (like field peas and fava beans) and weed-suppressing grasses (like rye and oat grass).
Plan out your planting
Lay out your crops on your diagram. Look at the square footage each crop requires (which should be listed on the seed packet) to determine how to space seeds/starts. You can also use the maturation time to determine when crops will be ready to harvest – and, in some cases, when to succession plant others to take their places.
Choose what to start indoors from seed (to transplant later), seeds to plant outdoors (called “direct sowing”), and starts to purchase. The West Coast Seeds Planting Calendar can help you determine when to plant!
Write in a loose calendar under your diagram to guide your year of gardening!
Year-round gardening
Gardening doesn’t end in September. Make sure to plan to either put your garden to bed for the winter by removing annuals and covering the soil, or plan to keep the garden going into the cold season! Crops like cool season greens (including arugula, kale, and cabbage), carrots, and garlic can all overwinter. Consider planning to plant winter crops in late summer for year-round bounty.
