Something that really piqued my interest this summer was gardening. I am an avid fisherman, and I always keep a container of worms in some dirt so that I will have fresh bait ready to go. One day I decided to feed them a cherry tomato to make sure they had something to survive on. I eventually used up all my worms and forgot about my container of dirt in the backyard. When my mom and I checked it out again after a couple days, we saw little green sprouts popping out. We thought this was just weed growth, but after taking a closer look we came to the realization that the seeds from the tomato I put in there had germinated. This was very exciting for me, and I transferred all the sprouts into various pots, and started watering them everyday. By the end of the summer, the little sprouts that popped up without me planning on it turned into full grown tomato plants that provided a decent harvest. From that moment onward, I fell in love with the process of gardening. I want to continue growing things right now, but summer is over so the crops I decide to grow will need to be able to survive in the fall and winter climates here in British Columbia. I have done the research and am here to share with you some crops I will be looking at growing this season. Feel free to follow along with me, trust me you’ll get hooked!
Sandie Clarke – Unsplash
The first crop I will be going over is lettuce. Lettuce is one of the easiest things you can grow so it is perfect for beginners like me. It is also very time efficient, taking up to only a month to fully grow. This leafy green does not use a lot of space, in fact you can even succeed with growing it in the comfort of your own home as long as you have the proper materials such as seed trays, and direct light. An important tip I would suggest is using more than one seed per mini pot just in case some of the other seeds do not germinate. Lettuce is very versatile, giving you plenty of options once it is ready for harvest. There are many different varieties of lettuce you can grow. The ones I recommend are romaine, butter crisp, and arugula. In a month from now you can have multiple bowls of salad ready to go, how cool is that!
Another crop you can have success growing in the cooler autumn climate is cilantro. This is a very controversial plant because it is definitely an acquired taste. I know some people who compare it to toothpaste, which I think is a little harsh. However, if you are into cilantro it is one of the best things you can start growing right now. Like lettuce, it is very simple to grow. It is time and space efficient, and it prefers cooler weather. This is puzzling to me personally because cilantro is synonymous with salsa and other Latin dishes which I usually eat in the spring and summer seasons. This herb hates the heat, and has an extremely hard time getting through the warmer months of the year. You can start your cilantro outside with other herbs, and then eventually bring it inside when temperatures start to fall below zero. It packs a flavorful punch, and it can boost a lot of your favourite dishes. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are a fan of eating salsa and guacamole year round, I strongly suggest you grow your own cilantro.
Jeswin Thomas – Unsplash
This next crop is very hardy, earthy, and it will stain anything it comes in contact with. Yes that is right, I am talking about beets. This vegetable will certainly need more space than lettuce or cilantro, and it will take longer to harvest. But the reward at the end is well worth the wait. Beets are one of my all time favourite foods because of its unique flavour, texture, and colour. It also does help to know that one of my favourite television characters; Dwight Schrute, runs his own beet farm. Like I said earlier, this taproot is very hardy so it thrives in the cold weather. You will need to invest in some larger pots if you do not have access to a garden, but this should not scare you away from growing them. September is the perfect time to get your seeds in the ground because of the proper balance of warmth and cool, as well as dry and wet conditions. One of my favourite things about beets is that you do not have to waste a single thing. Both the root and the leaves are safe to eat, and can provide various ways to prepare them. Whether it is a delicious salad with nuts, berries and goat cheese, or oven roasting them, this nutritious crop will brighten up your fall meals.
Emma-Jane Hobden – Unsplash
This trio of crops I just shared with you provide a proper balance of ease, as well as space and time effectiveness, which is extremely important for the back to school season. Growing your own food is such a rewarding process. Not only will it save you money down the line, it is also an activity you can share with your family, friends and community. We are in a season of giving and gratitude, and sharing the fruits of your labour is a great way to show your appreciation to your loved ones. These are also not the only crops you can have success in growing this fall. There are plenty of other fruits and vegetables that you can grow well such as broccoli, spinach, and turnips, which can also be wonderful additions to your garden. I recommend that you continue to explore gardening, and be patient with it. Fall in love with the process of it from seed to harvest, and do not be discouraged if things do not go your way, because at the end of the day we are all at the mercy of the weather.