Scaling up my gardening

I've had a veggie garden of some kind since I moved out of my parent's place when I was 19, but it's never been a very big garden. We were always temporary. We moved a LOT. Except when we lived at the housing co-op while Abby was young. My community garden plot there was larger and much more productive. I gave away a LOT of tomatoes. I never supported myself from it.
I've been reading these how-to market gardening books, and dreaming, and thinking, and planning... but never doing. This year my plan is to grow as many veggies as I can and try to grow all of our produce for the months of July and August. Fruit isn't possible yet, so that can be a plan for next year. Herbs are completely possible. I'm going to be able to grow all of my mint tea for the year, and hopefully a good portion of my chamomile.

Planning a dye garden for myself

If I'm lucky this is what we'll get done this coming summer. I forgot to label the water barrel (bottom right) and the composter (the yellow and brown box at the top), and the small shed (empty white box at the top).

How to attract Bumblebees to your garden

According to Hinterland Who's Who Bumblebees are native to North America (unlike honey bees which did not exist here until Colonists brought them over). They are large and fuzzy, and non-aggressive, unless you disturb their nest or swat at them (or step on them). Their stinger isn't barbed, unlike the honey bee, so they can sting multiple times if they need to. The drones (males) do not have a stinger at all. Bumblebees see in UV light so they are more attracted to blue and purple flowers, but they will happily feed off of any flowers they find.

Only 45 species of bumblebees are social, meaning that they live in hives of up to 200 individuals, whereas honeybees have colonies of up to 40,000. Bumblebees make very little honey as all but the new queens die off over the winter. They usually nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows, and they can be found in sub-Arctic to sub-Tropical climates.

Starting a new garden bed

A garden is nothing without a good foundation, and that foundation is the soil. Soil has its own complicated ecosystem from worms and beetles on down to tiny, nearly-microscopic filaments of fungi and bacteria. As with anywhere on earth, a healthy ecosystem is essential for optimal growth and health.

In my backyard the soil is a heavy clay over a base of sand. It barely grows grass in some places. But, if you build it they will come... The raised bed that I put in last summer is nearly overflowing with worms, and centipedes are fairly common, too, much to my husband's chagrin. It started off life as a lasagna garden, with a base layer of cardboard boxes recycled after the move, a couple bags of dirt from the grocery store garden center, and some trench-compost piles. Now there's enough good dirt to grow short-ish carrots, and my herbs are taking off. The bed isn't very large because it takes a fair input of cash to start that way, with the boards and hardware to attach the corners. I used two un-treated cedar deck planks and cut them down to a rectangle.

Herbs for a kitchen garden (common and not)

Until I get my own 'forever garden' I'm not going to bother with too many perennials this year unless I get them dirt-cheap from somewhere) but it's nice to think about it and dream. Just for a reference, my area is a 5b on the plant hardiness zones map.
Ontario and Quebec plant hardiness zones


Perennials

Bay- this evergreen tree *may* survive outside under the right conditions, but it does quite well in a big pot which you can over-winter in a sunny, south-facing window or a nice, protected greenhouse or garage. Although, if we keep getting warm winters it shouldn't be a problem. Not that this is necessarily a good thing. It needs full sunshine and a good watering once it dries down. These leaves are the traditional garlands used to award the victors of athletic competitions in Greece.

Chives- this is probably the easiest plant to grow on the planet. The leaves and flowers are edible, and every once in a while it's a good idea to split it to give the roots room to grow. It will grow in part shade but prefers full sun, and they like dry feet so just throw a bit of water at them every once in a while.

Lavender- there are two varieties commonly grown in gardens, English and French. The English variety is smaller and has smaller flowers, but it's hardy to zone 5. Keep in a sheltered area with good sun for the best chance of it surviving the winter. It's not a typical 'culinary' herb, but it's lovely, smells great, and is easy to grow. So, why not?