Hello from Toronto

[growsome]

Hi everyone! I have been lurking for awhile here and dreaming of becoming selfsufficient. The climate here is pretty tough for gardening, but many people get great yields. We get 30 degree plus summers and -30 degree winters. This year I am making an attempt to see what I can grow in our tiny backyard plot.

[Bonniegirl]

Hello, I think you're gonna like it here!

I've always fancied a trip to Canada, one day maybe.

So what do they grow so well in your tough climate?

[growsome]

Not sure how exciting Canada would be to someone from the paradise called New Zealand. I don't even live in the beautiful mountainous region. Just the suburbs of a large city (like most people).
Tomatos are always popular here, but not from seed. My parents grow a ton of beans and peas. I tried to grow some lettuce last year, but it got so hot they started to flower and tasted quite bitter. Most people that do well here start their seed indoors, I think. But I'm a little new at this, so I just want to kind of see what the average person can do in their own backyard. See what works, what doesn't.

[Bonniegirl]

I'm sure it is beautiful!

There are a few threads on here that make for a good read, I've put some pics on of our veggie plot

[ohareward]

Welcome Growsome, from another kiwi. How frozen is the ground in the winter. You could build a wooden shelter that could be covered easy. It would not need to be too high. Or even just a framework that would take the weight of frost cloth. A small glass house that could be heated in winter and cooled in summer, ie, sun shading. A good way of doing both in the glass house is to line it with sheet bubble wrap stapled to the woodwork. It acts like double insulation. And it is cheap. Keep us informed on how you get on.
Robin

[red]

welcome

I think I have thsis right - your summers are hotter than here in blighty, but the winters are colder... so you prolly can do better growing stuff than us


do you have slugs over there? does the winter kill them off? I dream of living in a slug free zone

[growsome]

A shelter is a good idea for the future. Baby steps first, though. The ground freezes solid over the winter here for at least 4 months. Temperatures can dip below -30 at times, though not for the whole winter. A green house would basically extend the growing season, not enable year-round growing.

One good thing about winter here is that it kills lots of evil critters. Not too sure about slugs, not sure if its actually a big problem, since the summers are pretty dry. It is common to have watering restrictions or outright bans on watering most summers. Now if I could just figure out a way to get rid of the massive anthill in the front yard. . .

[Bonniegirl]

Minus 30!!!!!

Oh my good gawd! It's warmer in me freezer!

[ohareward]

Growsome. You could get yourself an anteater. They are really handy.
Robin

[Millymollymandy]

Minus 30!!!!!

Oh my good gawd! It's warmer in me freezer!

I wouldn't want the electricity bills of trying to heat a greenhouse in that!

Hi and welcome to the forum!

[Christopher]

Welcome to the site...

Toronto is my birth city so I hold it in high regard. I regularly get the Spacings magazine which is fantastic.

I was reading on Dave Pollards "how to save the earth" site about a guy in Windsor who managed to keep his worm farm going through the winter - although with alot of cardboard and other insulating material!

Let us know how you get on for veges etc this summer?

Christopher.

[growsome]

You could get yourself an anteater. They are really handy.

I can just see myself walking around the block, anteater on a leash, the envy of all my neighbours. I could get little boots for him!

[Bonniegirl]

You could get yourself an anteater. They are really handy.

I can just see myself walking around the block, anteater on a leash, the envy of all my neighbours. I could get little boots for him!

Aww! How cute!

[Andy Hamilton]

Hello there and welcome growsome.

It is quite difficult to suggest things for you to grow as the climate is so different. I an imagine that even brassicas are difficult to grow if the ground is frozen. Although I bet you could get some radishes growing as they don't take much time.

For growing without much water, things like turnips and onions don't need as much.

Good luck.

[9ball]

:welcomeish:

at least -30 is ideal for making applejack!