With the push to eat locally, there's never been a bigger motivation to start growing veggies in your own backyard. But horticulturalists say most new gardeners make some common mistakes when they're getting started.
"The biggest mistake that beginner gardeners make is they start too large," says UBC food horticulturist Tony Maniezzo.
Even though it's tempting to jump in with plans to grow enough veggies to last a family all year, Maniezzo suggests starting small.
"The ideal width of a raised bed is one that you can reach the centre of from the outside so you can get it from both sides," he says.
"(That way) you are not into the soil and compacting it," he says.
Having a raised bed also helps the soil heat up faster in spring and keeps weeds from growing in from outside by creating a physical barrier.
When you are planting vegetables, pick no more than half a dozen for your first go round.
Tony starts sowing seeds in early March, but for beginners there is a better idea.
"Most nurseries now have a full compliment of vegetables that you can buy already started and that will increase your success rate ten fold," says Tony.
A vegetable garden is never maintenance free, but with the help of a stirrup hoe you can stop weeds from taking over with a little regular tender loving care.
For watering, a soaker hose is best. You can tell if you have enough water in your garden through a simple test.
Grab a little bit of soil and squeeze it between your fingers. If it sticks together in a ball, there's enough moisture in the soil.
Tony doesn't use pesticides. Even though there may be some cosmetic damage on the produce caused by bugs, he says the taste is unrivaled.
"There is nothing like a home grown carrot, a home grown tomato is much better," says Tony.
Even if you don't have a back yard you can still start a container garden on a balcony or patio, or contact your city hall and ask about community gardens in your neighbourhood.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
