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With the first signs of spring, gardeners are eager to get their hands back in the soil. March is the ideal month to prepare your garden for the growing season.

Here are a few tips for gardens, large or small

1. First of all, you need to choose the best location for your vegetable garden, taking into account sunshine, wind, nearness to a water source and so on.
2. Next, you need to consider the dimensions of your future “playground.” Experienced gardeners agree that you should start small and gradually increase the size of your garden over the years.
3. Whether it’s a balcony garden or a vegetable garden in the ground, it’s important to plan the layout of your plants carefully. For example, in a small space, climbing species should be in the rear, to facilitate weeding and harvesting.
4. It’s up to you to decide whether you prefer a garden that takes the form of one or a few squares, rows, plots, a raised garden or one that shares the limelight with flowers in your flower beds.
5. Soil: don’t use black soil, but rather planting soil, at a ratio of two parts planting soil to one part compost.
6. Start with easy-to-grow vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce (sow seeds every few days), radishes, carrots, beans and herbs. Be sure to follow the planting advice supplied with the plants, and don’t hesitate to ask the clerk for advice when you buy.
7. Water your vegetable garden preferably in the morning, before 10 a.m., to limit evaporation.
8. Weed regularly!

Other articles on the subject (only in french)

From Virage magazine

Jardinage de balcon en 5 leçons
10 astuces pour jardiner à tout âge

From FADOQ website
Petit guide du jardin écologique

From Avenues.ca
Jardiner… pour mieux manger

Are you familiar with Marthe Laverdière? Her Youtube page provides lots of great tips.