Harrowsmith – Spring 2026 – Harrowsmith

SFG supports growing in other unlikely places, such as on rooftops, patios, balconies or steps. Literally anywhere you have some space and decent sun exposure is a potential site. How the Grid System Works Square-foot gardening employs a uniquely simple system that divides your growing space into a grid of square feet. Plants are then spaced in varying densities within each square foot depending on their size; the namesake book published by Bartholomew and countless online planting charts detail this system. From the tiniest, most delicate cress, to towering, unruly tomato plants, and everything in between, only plants with excessively deep roots, such as burdock, are unsuitable for this system.

SFG isn’t limited to large raised beds in a backyard; it works just as well in containers and more accessible raised-bed setups, too. The method is forgiving, making it easy to adapt planting guidelines to small, round or otherwise uniquely shaped containers. Today, numerous raised-bed kits are available that can be placed almost anywhere and are fully elevated off the ground, allowing gardeners to work at standing or sitting height without needing to bend or kneel. To continue with my own SFG story, when I first started my own garden, the sunniest spot in my backyard was alongside a fence.

I decided to build my own raised beds out of untreated cedar, making the beds both less deep and taller than the average bed to suit my specific situation. I started with one bed, eventually ending up with 72 feet of growing space tucked away along one side of my backyard.

(That’s enough space to grow 1,152 green onions!) In my first year using the SFG method, I went from almost no gardening experience to confidently churning out an incredible harvest of edible flowers, carrots, onions, peppers, salad greens, kale, chard, arugula and beets. In the years that have followed, I have successfully raised a wide variety of crops including tomatillos, peas, hot peppers, turnips, radishes, zucchini, tomatoes, green beans, leeks, lettuces, mustard greens, soy beans and squashes, not to mention countless varieties of herbs.

Once your beds are filled with good-quality soil, you can demarcate the grid system by stapling twine to the sides of your bed, or using a wood divider system. Over time, I just simply press a stick into the soil. At the beginning of the growing season, an SFG bed might look like this. I even use my fence as a trellis to fit a long row of peas at the back of the bed for extra bounty.

Harrowsmith Spring 2026 | 37 I don’t follow the SFG method exactly. For example, while the method suggests a specific soil mix, I prefer to use the glorious nutritious soil I have sourced for many years at my local supplier.

Natalie MacMaster on music, food, family and staying focused on what matters most Other smooth hydrangeas may bend or break, but this one stands tall through any weather. With strong stems, bold blooms, and nonstop pollinator appeal, nothing compares to Incrediball Storm Proof hydrangea. Look for Incrediball Storm Proof hydrangea in the distinctive white Proven Winners container at your local garden centre, or learn more at ProvenWinnersColorChoice.com INCREDIBALL STORM PROOF ™ Hydrangea TRIALED & TESTED FOR YOUR SUCCESS Harrowsmith Spring 2026 | 1 Welcome Spring!

On the Cover: ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide Kelly Hutchison takes a pause among the ancient Sitka spruce trees in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, B.C. Ready to dive into forest bathing? Flip to page 68! Photo by Dave Hutchison. IN EVERY ISSUE 4 Masthead 5 Editor’s Note 6 Publisher’s Letter 80 Snapshot 7 LIVING WELL 8 Gifts for Mom Show her you care with picks that are practical, beautiful and proudly made in Canada. 12 A New Lease on Life We visit Second Chance Ranch, a refuge where animals find loving homes.

14 Animal Therapy How farm animals can help children, teens and adults overcome mental health challenges. 17 On Our Bookshelf Whether you are dreaming of starting a flower farm, planning a vegetable garden or craving wild, open spaces, our book picks take you there. 18 Nurturing Love We sat down with fiddling legend Natalie MacMaster to talk family, food and staying grounded.

26 18 PHOTOGRAPHY: LEFT: COURTESY OF FRANK FERRAGINE; RIGHT: BY PERMISSION NATALIE MACMASTER / MACINTRYE PURCELL PUBLISHING 2 | harrowsmithmag.com 40 76 PHOTOGRAPHY: LEFT: ILONA DANIEL; RIGHT DAVE HAGEMAN 20 Harrowsmith Kids Sit down for some analog fun with board games for all ages — and celebrate Earth Day with activities to connect with the environment. 22 The Mother of All Cookbooks Turn your favourite family recipes into a one-of-a-kind gift every mother on your list will treasure forever. 25 GARDENING 26 The Secret World of Trial Gardens Gardening guru Frank Ferragine takes us inside living laboratories for the latest trends.

32 The Buzz on Community Science Whether it’s bees or butterflies, we show you how tracking the inhabitants of your own backyard can make a difference. 34 Gardening by the Foot Square-foot gardening can turn even the smallest of spaces into abundant vegetable gardens. Here’s how to get started. 39 HOME COOKING 40 Sumac, Smoke and Spring Chef ILona Daniel revisits the flavours of her Beirutsi-Armenian background for a spring feast.

46 Bee-licious Gardens Feed your family — and the bees — with a vegetable-and- pollinator garden. 49 Celebrating the Women in Our Lives Get cooking with an elegant menu shaped by fresh ingredients, family traditions and the women who raise and inspire us.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

Book Information

• Unique ID: 6beb35e2a7273966
• File Extension: .pdf
• File Size: 46,919,879 bytes (44.746 MB)
• Title: –
• Author: Unknown
• ISBN: 4169033965
• Pages: 85
• Language: English (en)

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• Estimated Reading Time: 120.62 minutes
• Total Words: 24,125
• Total Characters: 148,319
• Average Words per Page: 283.82
• Average Characters per Page: 1744.93

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