Girlfriend's Guide to... Getting into Gardening

Plant what you like to eat fresh and what your kids and husband likes. Everyone in my family likes lettuce so we ate that all summer.


Think about your favourite preserved foods. I go crazy for pickled beets so grew them and canned them and brought them out ‘for special.’

Consider your work load and time commitment. I really like swiss chard, but hated the amount of time it took to wash, look for bugs, then blanch, drain, cool and bag. It didn’t seem worth it when my kids wouldn’t even eat it.

When your kids are young, plant vegetables that they can help process to make your job easier. We spent many afternoons sitting on the deck popping peas from their pods and putting them in a colander to be blanched and frozen later. Once your kids are old enough to use a knife, get them to sit and watch their favourite movie while snipping the ends off the beans.

Understand that it is an important experience for your children to eat food directly out of the garden. Let them eat sun warm fresh veggies.

If wasps are busy drinking water as you water your garden, don’t wear a knit sweater, wear a tight knit fabric to prevent the biters from getting caught between you and your sweater.

Keep a hankie in your pocket if your nose runs.

Put up some poultry wire around your garden to prevent your dogs from discovering that they like potatoes and carrots. Our dog went digging for a vole and discovered he like fresh veggies too.

When spending the day outside doing heavy work, pause and stretch your muscles. Bend at the waist and touch your toes. Stretch those arm, back and leg muscles because gardening can be hard work and your body needs a break.

Take pictures to mark your progress and to remind you of what you did so you can make changes or keep doing what works.

Have a Garden Party. Show off your work and chat it up with your friends and celebrate your success whether it is in the beginning, middle or after harvest. The enjoyment of food is a very social experience and what can be better than serving your friends and family food that you grew?

Try to discover a new recipe with an ingredient from your vegetables, herbs or fruits. I recently had Limestone Lemonade made with lemon juice, lime vodka and a sprig of rosemary, my mouth is watering and wishing for weekends on the deck. http://www.tastereport.com/TasteReport.com/Drink/Entries/2009/2/24_Cocktail_Nation:_drink_experts_dish.html