Do you grumble about rising food costs? Is your shopping list shrinking each week? Do global warming, peak oil, and the economic crisis leave you feeling overwhelmed and helpless? One can stay with these feelings or adapt. Growing some food is a constructive step. Yes, there are some obstacles to overcome like gardening skills, no land, cash for tools and fertilizer. It is hoped that this 10-minute crash course will help you get started, and empower you for next steps.The time issueHow much time will growing food require? How important is fresh, healthy, affordable food to you? Two hours set aside one morning a week may be all you need.No land?Not everyone has land for a garden but it is not absolutely necessary. Vegetables can be grown in containers, vertical gardens, or community gardens, but also consider land sharing in exchange for vegetables, a service, or share the work.Which method?Whether you choose Grow Biointensive, African Keyhole, No Dig, Permaculture, Square Foot, or Container gardening, do it organically. Start small then expand as your skills improve. A few hand tools are needed for “in-the-ground” gardening, less for container and no-dig methods.Where to?Most vegetables need at least six hours of direct sun, especially in the winter. Shade-tolerant vegetables can be planted in shady areas in spring and summer. Locate the garden close to the house for convenience. Don’t hesitate to use the front yard if the best soil and sun is there, or build a framed raised bed and bring soil to it. Think “edible landscape” and use fruiting shrubs and trees as windbreaks.WateringYou will need a watering can and/or regular garden hose with a spray head. During the hot months apply mulch to protect the soil and retain moisture.Fertilisers and amendmentsA professional soil test is recommended to determine nutrient levels but only home soil test kits are available locally. The most sustainable thing to do is create your own fertiliser but that is an involved topic for another time. In the meantime, packaged organic fertilisers are available that list nutrient content. For example, 4-4-4 indicates the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium present. Trace minerals may not be listed but are essential for plant health. Seaweed can supply these.Local horse, cow, poultry manures are available but may not be organic. Horse manure mixed with non-toxic wood shavings or shredded paper should be composted for six months to a year before incorporating in the soil. Make your own compost or get it from the Marsh Folly Composting Facility. Sift before taking it home.The pH factorMost vegetables prefer a neutral (7) to slightly acidic (6.5) soil. When the pH is above 7 some nutrients get tied up in the soil. Lowering the pH releases them. Peat moss and garden sulphur lowers pH but the latter is less costly. Some composts and manures also lower pH. An option is to plant high pH tolerant vegetables.What about the pests?Prevention is key. A healthy soil produces healthy plants. Most of the time pests attack unhealthy plants. Focus on creating healthy soil and diversity. If there is an invasion of pests, find out what they are and what is out of balance. Different types of insects or diseases require different treatments. The Department of Environmental Protection’s lab is there to help you. Take a specimen for identification and ask for non-toxic treatment options.Buy seedlingsFor vegetables such as tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, onions, buy seedlings to transplant. Start these from seeds when you are more experienced. Many seeds are best planted directly in the ground since they do not transplant well. Keep a record of the vegetable varieties that produce well to plant them again. Failure is not always due to lack of experience. Use heirloom seeds to participate in increasing seed diversity.To weed or not to weedPerfection is neither a goal nor a requirement but less weeding is achieved with raised beds than traditional rows and further reduced by mulch.Take a real courseIf you need a booster take a real live gardening course. The next Grow Biointensive course starts February 10. For more information contact franceseddy@logic.bm.Square Foot Gardening courses are offered through the Community Education programme.