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Think Spring!: "Ontario groundhog says "early spring is coming!" is it time to start thinking "seeds" or pulling out the groundhog? 🦁
Practical and Seasonal
Growing Food Guidance
Every Spring I tell myself the same story and now my family just laughs, because they know I'll just do it. :)
And still in the back of my mind, every spring, I tell myself the "Little Red Hen" story:
- Growing:
- "Who will plant the seeds? I will. (Starting seedlings, weeding, watering for 90 days)."
- Harvesting:
- "Who will pick the ripe fruit? I will. (Lugging 150 lbs of tomatoes from the garden to the kitchen)."
- Processing (The Marathon):
- "Who will wash, core, peel, and can the food? I will. (Highlighting the 6-hour marathon session of boiling, peeling, jarring and water-bathing 50 quarts)."
- Cleaning:
- "Who will clean up the sticky, acidic mess? I will."
The Reward:
The powerful payoff? The incredible satisfaction, the superior taste of homegrown food and the security of having a fully stocked pantry.
The Lesson:
The work is immense, but the nourishment, connection to the food and independence are worth every single minute of it. ( - Most days — and then the days that the jars won't seal, I would rather be sailing. :) - )
Explore the Garden by Crop Type
The Full Planting Plan: Vegetables, Fruit and HerbsUse these guides to plan your planting strategy for a year's supply of food for two:
- Root, Tuber & Bulb Crops (carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, beets, turnips)
- Leafy Greens (lettuce, spinach, kale, chard)
- Legumes (peas, beans)
- Brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts)
- Nightshades & Fruiting Veggies (tomatoes, eggplants, peppers)
- Cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, melons)
Perennial Vegetables & Herbs – Quick Reference (Zone 5–7)
| Plant | Zone Perennial | Notes / Tips | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | 3–8 | Requires 2–3 yrs to establish | Harvest annually | Mulch in winter | |
| Kale (Lacinato) | 5–7 | Can overwinter | Cut-and-come-again | Hardy leaves through frost | |
| Rhubarb | 3–7 | Long-lived | Divide every few years | Harvest stalks in spring | |
| Green Salad Onions | 5–7 | Regrows year after year | Cut as needed | Mulch for winter protection | |
| Bulb Onions | 5–7 | Can overwinter | Harvest bulbs annually | Protect in harsh winters | |
| Garlic | 5–7 | Plant fall for next summer harvest | Leaves edible | Some varieties perennial if left in ground | Grow Garlic |
| Chives | 4–8 | Hardy | Cut as needed | Flowers edible | Multipurpose in cooking | |
| Mint | 3–8 | Spreads vigorously | Keep in container if needed | Hardy perennial | |
| Thyme | 5–9 | Drought tolerant | Great for borders | Prune lightly after flowering | |
| Oregano | 5–9 | Cut after flowering | Keep bushy | Hardy culinary herb | |
| Sage | 4–8 | Overwinters well | Prune lightly in spring | Aromatic culinary herb | |
| Tarragon (French) | 4–9 | Hardy perennial | Propagate by division | Culinary favorite | |
| Lemon Balm | 4–9 | Hardy | Aromatic | Can self-seed | Great for teas | |
| Lavender | 5–9 | Needs good drainage | Attracts pollinators | Prune after flowering | |
| Rosemary | 7+ (zone 5–6 indoor protection) | Tender perennial | Winter protection needed in zones 5-6 | Aromatic | |
| Sorrel | 4-9 | Hardy perennial | Zone 5 it may die back but regrows quickly. | Leaves are tangy, great in salads or soups. | |
| Perpetual Spinach | 3-9 | Mulch heavily | Cut-and-come-again harvest | Leaves regrow for multiple seasons. |