b'BY T H E E D I TO R S O F H A R R OWS M I T H M AG A Z I N EHOW TO START AVEGETABLE GARDENin 12 Easy StepsNOT SINCE THE ERA of the Victory Gardens of the Second World War has there been a stronger movement toward growing our own food, and at Harrowsmith headquarters, we get excited every time we hear that someone has replaced part of their driveway or lawn to start a new food garden. Whether its in the city, the country or the suburbs, people who have never considered food gardening as a use of space or time are giving it their attention. And rightly so, the opportunities for growing your own healthy food right now are so diverse. From berries to fruit trees to nuts, every feature plant in your garden has the potential to produce food if you plan for it and take advantage of the harvest. 1 . G E T S TA R T E D S U S TA I N A B LY 2 .C H O O S E A S I T EOrganic gardening is about having a deep reverence to natural prin- Start small. Although you may have good intentions of growing a ciples and not using chemicals. Planting diverse gardens around yourhuge garden, the easiest way to turn yourself off gardening is to take home is an important part of organic gardening. By choosing a wideon too much. Start with a raised bed, small border garden or a patio range of trees, bushes, perennials and annuals, you are encouraginggarden with a few big pots of herbs and vegetables.the biodiversity of plant, animal and insect species in your yard. 3 .P R E PA R E T H E S I T E 4 .K N OW YO U R S O I LMost food crops require full sunlight, with few exceptions. FullHealthy soil is the basis for every garden. Nutrients, water, and oxygen sunlight means that vegetables and herbs should have a minimum ofare all building blocks of plant life that are provided by the soil through 6 hours of sunlight each day. If possible, plant vegetables in a south-the roots. All soil will represent some mix of sand, silt, and clay, but the facing location.healthy soils are teeming with microbial life and abundant organic matter. W I N E - LOV I N G F R U I T S , H E R B S A N D V E G G I E SWhen you grow your own food, you are capturing flavours at theirVegetables that are often roasted such as butternut squash, peak so you will want to savour every bite with your favourite wines.pumpkin, turnip and carrots are excellent when served with Heres our quick guide to help you enjoy the sweet fruits of your labour.bigger red wines like cabernet sauvignon and malbec.Lighter, vibrant vegetables, such as peas, celery, fresh greens, orThe vegetables that pair best with almost every wine are corn, French green beans, pair well with sparkling wines or crisp white wines. fava beans, French beans, shallots, leeks, garlic and mushrooms Savory, earthy vegetables, such as mushrooms, sweet potatoes, Swissand herbs such as thyme, basil and tarragon.chard and lentils, pair well with richer white wines like chardonnay,Summer strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, ross, or even light red wines like gamay and pinot noir. blackberries, currants and mulberries go perfectly with ross and young, fruity, red wines.'