I'm a newbie in gardenning, I just got the news that I got my plot at one of the Community gardens in Montreal, Qc. My main concern is the space that is alloted to each person and what are the best veggies that grow well in a limited root space while planning a diversified garden. I'd like to grow wax beans, sweet peas, sweet peppers, cucumbers, carrots, cherry tomatoes, zuchinies, lettuce and perhaps a pumpkin!!!
Another factor is the lenght of the season up here, if there are varieties that grow to maturity relatively quick, all the better! Any advice on varieties and doesn't require large root space would be appreciated, Thank you!

May I strongly suggest going to your local library - get a book on vegetable gardening. Surf the web - some rather interesting sources of gardening can be found in Mother Earth News (Magazine), search for garden plots, community gardening - check out the links.

And, go and check out the allotment to see who is hanging out and don't be shy to say hello and ask your fellow gardeners what they will be planting this year. Ask THEM if there are any favourite varieties of seed that they use. Your best advice may be the local advice.

Have you tried writing your gardening column of your local newspaper?

Pioneer gardening is another interesting search as well.

A consideration also - do you want to use pesticides or natural products? Make a decision and stick with it if you can. Do a little homework on pest control - my preference is hand weeding, for things like aphids - try Murphy's Oil Soap - take a spray bottle - for every cup of water add about a tablespoon of soap. Mix up and use this to spray your aphids off any plant. It is a repeat process but the oil in the natural soap sticks to their little bodies and kills them as well as knocks them off the plants.

I don't know if I have been of any help, but they are just a few thoughts running through my mind right now.

Good luck and enjoy!
McPeg