It’s spring and those with green thumbs have been itching to get outside.
But Carson Arthur, gardening expert, host of CJBQ’s Take it Outside and owner of Carson’s Garden + Market in Prince Edward County believes gardening can and should be for everyone.
While gardening may have become a popular thing to do during the pandemic, Arthur says inflation is keeping the home garden an affordable option for people to have healthy food.
“Rising food prices are a big impetus to that. We’re expected to go up another eight per cent in food costs this year alone. And that really puts a damper on people when they’re trying to be more active, lead healthier lifestyles and having to make choices between, you know, do I want a head of cauliflower this week or a head of lettuce. What can I afford?”
And for those with small spaces, the planting options are increasing.
“We’re seeing more and more plant varieties designed specifically for container gardening, for small space gardening. Things like, obviously, we’ve got dwarf tomatoes but now you’re starting to see dwarf cucumber plants and zucchini plants that grow in containers that, they grow as bushes instead of with big long runners. And bush beans, bush peas. So we’re seeing a lot of emphasis being put on that.”
Arthur says plants are a little behind this year after Ontario suffered one of its greyest winters in decades.
“And, as a result, greenhouses and garden centres, and even home owners who start their own seedlings, relying on Mother Nature and sunlight to get them going, were all kind of set back a little bit. So we’re getting caught up though. The sun over the last couple of weeks has really helped.”
And it’s not just vegetable gardens growing in popularity, Arthur says people are also planting more fruit trees.
“So, apples and pears and plums and cherries and all the things we used to have in the back yard and people think they’re messy or they bring in the bees so we don’t want them anymore but now with, again, those rising food costs, more and more people are planting their apple trees in the backyard. They’re really getting into growing blueberries, strawberries and having this fresh food available in their own outdoor spaces.”
Planting native species is also a good environmental decision because they attract multiple types of pollinators.
“For example, the Bartlett Ornamental Pear. It’s a beautiful plant, we use it in landscaping, it flowers, it’s gorgeous – it only supports one insect. Whereas if we went with Serviceberry or say, even a Red Canadian Maple versus the Norway, those plants serve thousands of different insects and species of birds, butterflies, all those things we’re supposed to be taking care of.”
Arthur says you see a lot of non-native species at garden centres because that’s what people are asking for.
“So if we can get more customers asking for the native species, they’ll provide more native species. Currently we have customers saying I want those beautiful Hydrangeas, the Incrediballs or I want more Rose of Sharon. And they’re beautiful plants but they’re not necessarily native to our area. So, if we’re looking at instead of maybe hydrangea, we ask for Vibernum options, those are native and more garden centres will be able to supply them because the demand now goes up.”
Ultimately, Arthur says it’s time for people to think about their backyard spaces as more than just a place to hang out in the summer.
“It’s an opportunity to grow your own food. And whether you’re starting out small with one tomato plant in a container or you wanna do three or four raised beds, just make it a hobby, make it fun. Because when it’s a hobby, it doesn’t feel like work. So make it an enjoyable experience. Try different things, push the envelope a little bit. Maybe get a tomato that you’ve never tried or seen before. Have an experience with your garden.”
Arthur takes all your calls and questions about everything gardening and landscape-related on Take it Outside with Carson Arthur, Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on CJBQ 800 am.
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