What to grow in late March/Early April
To get a jumpstart on the 2023 growing season, here are some plants that you should be considering. Based on frost dates in Oshawa, Ontario, you can already begin directly sowing your radish and spinach seeds! It might seem incredible, but this information comes from a credible source called almanac.com. Come March 31st, direct seed your carrots and dill.
Bell peppers and celery have a long growing season. For this reason, they should have already been started indoors. If you are behind schedule, don’t fret; start them today! The same goes for basil, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, kale, rosemary, sage, thyme and tomatoes, which could have been started as of March 9th! Time to start those seeds now.
Kohlrabi, lettuce, and swiss chard should be sown inside from March 24 - April 7. Oregano too.
Looking forward a bit, you can start your cantaloupe, cucumbers and sweet potatoes as of April 7. On April 14th, get those pumpkins, watermelons, and zucchini going.
Arugula, beets can be directly sown outdoors in your prepared bed beginning April 21st.
These dates are all fairly important to adhere to. Starting too early can cause leggy seedlings. Starting too late and you may not reap what you have sown.
To learn how to actually get started gardening, or to refresh your memory, why not check out our guide called “Starting a vegetable garden at home: a beginner’s guide” (https://www.durhamdigs.ca/resources)
See our Summer 2022 newsletter for what you can plant in the Autumn to extend your growing season, and enjoy fresh vegetables well into Winter.
Starting a vegetable garden at home: a beginner’s guide
Have you also wanted to start a backyard garden, but were unsure of where to start? Check out our newest handbook, available free to download as a PDF. Written by frequent DIG collaborator, Ruth Latimer, this easy to follow guide starts from the very beginning and walks you through the steps to take to make your dream into a reality. Check it out here.
NEWSLETTER
DIG This! A QUARTERLY publication of Durham Integrated Growers
Covid-19 Information from Durham Integrated Growers (UPDATED)
Community and Allotment Gardens During COVID-19
Gardens Designated as Essential Food Producers
Recommendations for Gardens During Covid-19 - Click Here for PDF
Open Letter to Premier Ford - Community Gardens are Essential - Click Here for PDF
Digging for a Just and Sustainable Food System
This report focuses on urban agriculture policy in relation to the Durham region food system. The report uses a broad definition of “policy”, and includes a look at official plans, by-laws and regulations, strategies, and other municipally-approved planning documents that guide land use decisions. The purpose of this initiative was to identify policies that support or restrict elements of urban agriculture and also to look at gaps where effectively enacted policy would provide a more supportive environment for urban agriculture as part of a sustainable food system.
For a copy of the report CLICK HERE.
How and why should food be considered within the climate policies of cities?
LINKS
Resilient Communities Regenerative Landscapes Symposium Report Link to report
Cultivating the Conversation Summary Report 2017
Durham Food Policy https://www.durhamfoodpolicycouncil.com/
Nourishing Communities www.nourishingontario.ca
Subversion’s from the Informal and Social Economy of Food: http://nourishingontario.ca/blog
Winter 2020 Newsletter
