4 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

You may remember from your childhood, watching adults in your neighbourhood or at friends’ houses working in their garden. It may have been a hobby or a necessity to feed the family. Regardless of the reason, growing your own food in a garden is a great way to save money at the grocery store, and it is not difficult to start. With a few pointers, you can be on your way to growing your own food better than anything you’ll find in the stores!

1. Your Garden Can Be Any Size That is Practical

Whether you live in a suburban house, on an acreage, or in an apartment, there are plenty of options to get started growing food. You don’t want to go all in and create a huge garden right off the bat. The trick is to start small and work your way up.

The most traditional garden setup is a dedicated spot in the backyard. This works well for houses with the land to use for it. Smaller yards can accommodate a couple of raised beds. But people living in apartments or other alternative living situations should start with something smaller. If you have a balcony, set up a small bed, or even just a couple of plant pots. Even a large window can be home to a small herb garden. Anything helps.

If there are no options on your property, look around for a community garden. They are becoming a more popular option for people wanting to grow their own food and can lead to making friends as you plant and harvest alongside other members of your community.

2. Know Your Sun, Soil, and Water

Sun, soil, and water are the three essential ingredients needed for a garden to thrive. Most vegetables need a lot of sunshine, at least six to eight hours a day. However, there are a couple of outliers that could benefit from a shady spot under a tree.

Before buying any soil, do a simple squeeze test to determine the type of soil you are working with – clay, sand, or loam. Root vegetables like carrots and onions will do just fine in sandy soil, while clay soil should be reserved for flowers and trees. A bag of topsoil from your local greenhouse will do the trick if you don’t have naturally occurring loam soil in your yard.

We all learned as kids that plants need water to grow. However, some vegetables require more water than others. Watch for signs of dehydration, and be sure to water often during hot, dry spells.

3. Location, Location, Location

There are three location aspects you need to consider when planting a garden:

Location on the globe – Different climates and environments will be suitable for different plants. For example, fruits that thrive in the Okanagan Valley may not grow up north in Nunavut.

Location in the yard – You want to ensure that your garden is in a prime spot on your property to receive as much sunlight as possible. In Canada, you should try planting your garden on the south side of your property to get the most sun.

Location within the garden – There is an art to planning the locations of the vegetables in your garden, but doing so will reap as bountiful a crop as possible. For example, tomatoes grow well near most other vegetables, but potatoes can spread blight to them, and corn will attract pests that can kill tomatoes.

4. Timing is Everything

A big mistake many rookie gardeners make is thinking that the first warm day means seeds should be planted. This is not the case. There can be a risk of frost well into May that can kill your plants, so follow the planting guide on your seed packet.

Once your vegetables are ripe, some might need to be harvested immediately, while others can wait a little longer. Keep a close eye, and don’t be afraid to take a bite out of a vegetable if you’re not sure whether to harvest it yet.

Most importantly, be patient. The delicious bounty is worth the wait.

There are few feelings more satisfying than sitting down to a homemade meal cooked with fruits and vegetables that you grew yourself. The food will be fresh, in season, and taste better than anything store-bought. Not only do you reap the reward of delicious food, but gardening is a good workout and stress reliever. There really is no downside.

Achievements

100% Club
Platinum Club
RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award

Steve Higgins

Associate
Your Neighbourhood Expert

I am focused on providing you with the best results and service in the industry.  I listen carefully to understand your real estate goals and work hard to create solutions that make sense for you.  Whether you are new to the market or an experienced investor, I have the expertise, proven track record, and resources to help you achieve your real estate goals.

As is often said, real estate is about location, location, location. I have extensive knowledge of the Kelowna, BC area and can help you find the right home for you or the right buyer for your home.

My strong negotiation skills help his customers reach the “Best Deal” possible when Buying, Selling or Investing in Real Estate in Kelowna and area. Honesty, Integrity and a Customer Service attitude ensure my clients total satisfaction whether or not your relocation is local or long distance.

Achievements

Certified Payroll Manager
Economic Studies Certificate
Bookkeeping Certificate
Payroll Certified Practitioner

Samantha Martin

Office Manager / Accountant
Because It’s Not Just A House, It’s Your Home!

Sam is indispensable and adaptable. She brings a wealth of experience to Team Martin and exemplifies an eye for detail, efficiency and resource management. Her background in numerous areas, including small business ownership, bookkeeping, inside sales, client services, advertising/marketing, contract management, event coordination, accounting & payroll, make her a tremendous resource and the ultimate swiss army knife in helping Derek & Charles bring top notch service and marketing to their clients. Her support and assistance allow Team Martin to operate at a high level of efficiency no matter how big or small the challenges are in the fast paced environment of the Okanagan real estate market.

Achievements

100% Club
Platinum Club
Re/MAX Hall of Fame Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Numerous Top Office Producer Awards
Numerous Top 100 in Canada Production Awards

Charles Martin

Unlicensed Consultatant
Home Is A Sense Of Place

For over a quarter of a century, Charles has been making a difference in the lives of his clients in Kelowna, West Kelowna and throughout the Central Okanagan. As one of the area’s top real estate professionals, he understands how important a sense of place is for a homeowner or a prospective home buyer. Charles knows that a home is many things to many people, but most of all, it is the centerpiece around which many cherished moments occur. He values these moments in his own family and in serving his clients he has the opportunity to help them to find a very special place that is distinctly their own.

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in Kelowna, West Kelowna or the rest of the Central Okanagan, or just have a question about the highly complex local real estate market that you’d like to have answered by a knowledgeable, experienced real estate professional, then contact Charles and let him put you where you picture yourself wanting to be.

Achievements

MCNE – Master Certified Negotiation Expert
100% Club
Platinum Club
RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award
RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award

Read My Reviews


Best of Kelowna

Derek Martin

Personal Real Estate Corporation
REALTOR
Your Friendly Neighbourhood Realtor!

Derek Martin is a longtime resident of the Central Okanagan and a firm believer in the Okanagan way of life. His own father has been a successful licensed real estate agent in the Valley for 35 years, providing Derek the opportunity to learn exceptional service ethics and gain sound insight into our complex local markets.

With over 9 years in help desk support and network administration, Derek exemplifies an eye for detail and accuracy, as well as superior troubleshooting and multi-tasking abilities. His high-tech background serves to his client’s advantage, providing access to current web-based technologies and techniques to successfully aid them in buying and selling their homes.

A dedicated husband and father, when Derek isn’t busy helping people buy and sell real estate he is spending time with his family enjoying all the Okanagan has to offer in wine touring, golfing, mountain biking, fly fishing, snowboarding and hiking.

Derek is known for his can-do attitude, friendly demeanour and customer service oriented approach to business which will make your next real estate experience a successful one. Call Derek today for all your real estate needs; because it’s not just a house, it’s your home.