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Growing Goodness at Home

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Hello! Welcome to our first DIY. This project focuses on reducing the number of food miles and plastic packaging on some easily grown herbs and vegetables! 

Often when we think of where we get our food, we think of our local grocery store. Ya know, the one just down the road, in the big plaza, near the gas station? I certainly do. And yes, of course, that is true...but where does the food come from before the grocery store shelf?

Various regions across Canada are known for the rich and fertile land that provides agricultural goods. From June to September many Canadians are eager for the cherries from British Columbia, asparagus from Ontario, and wild blueberries from Nova Scotia. The problem? You guessed it – WINTER.

Because of our northern latitude, the growing season is short, sweet, and only four months of the year. As a result, Canadians rely on imports of fresh produce the remaining months.

So that brings us back to the question... what are food miles? The concept of food miles is recording the distance food travels from the farm it was grown on to the dinner plate it is served on. The greater the distance between the exporting country and the importing country, the greater the food miles. The growing concern for food miles in the discussion of sustainability is the amount of carbon dioxide and energy inputs that are required when purchasing food from far away. The most sustainable option is to buy local food. 

This DIY project is focused on reducing the number of food miles to some easily grown herbs and vegetables! Additionally, growing your own food at home results in less plastic packaging and consequently less plastic that ends up in our Ocean! 

SUPPLIES

Use a selection of herbs and vegetable seeds of your choice, I planted tomato, basil, zucchini and beans.

You will need...

 

  • Seeds

  • Containers 

  • Potting Soil

I used egg cartons, used k-cups that are clean and free of coffee, rinsed and washed yogurt containers

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INSTRUCTIONS

Fill your container with soil and 1-2 seeds per pot. Make sure seeds are fully covered by soil but ensure they are not too deeply buried. Aim for a 0.5-1cm depth for seeds less than 0.5cm tall. For seeds greater than 0.5cm, bury 2 cm beneath the soil. 

Lightly water the newly planted seeds. Soil should be damp with no excess of water. 

Keep the seedlings in a warm and sunny place, water every 1-2 days! 

After the May-long- weekend, the plants can be moved outside!  I recommend waiting until then because there is no longer a risk of frost!  

If you are using K-cups or egg cartons, repot seedlings to a larger container once you can see the green sprouting tops. 

Brrr

Using a spray bottle to lightly spray the plants is a great idea too! 

i.e. large yogurt containers or potting plants

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TIPS AND TRICKS

If it’s your first time trying an at-home garden or you do not have any outdoor garden space, don’t worry! I would recommend sticking with herbs like basil, parsley, or mint because they grow fantastically indoors. Just make sure they get plenty of sunlight! 

FEEL GOODS

Remember, try to buy local, seasonal and only what you need to keep the oceans clean! 

- Reduce food miles

- Fresh and flavourful produce

- Reduce the use of plastic in food packaging 

- The satisfaction that YOU grew it!! 

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