Start Your Veggie Garden: Tips for Beginners to Grow and Thrive

With the May long weekend ushering in the unofficial start of summer, there’s no better time to start a vegetable garden. Not only can growing your own vegetables help reduce your grocery bill, but it’s also a rewarding way to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce right at your doorstep. If you’re new to gardening, here’s a simple guide to help you get started and set yourself up for success.
Choose the Right Location
- Vegetables thrive in sunlight, so pick a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day. Fruiting crops like tomatoes and peppers especially need lots of light, while leafy greens can tolerate a bit less.
- Shelter your garden from strong winds to prevent seedlings from breaking and drying out.
Prepare Your Soil
- Healthy, rich soil is the foundation of a productive vegetable garden. Mix in plenty of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to boost fertility and drainage.
- For container gardens, invest in high-quality potting soil to ensure good drainage and nutrient content.
- If your soil is heavy clay or too sandy, amend it with organic materials to improve its texture and water retention.
Pick What to Grow
- Focus on vegetables your household enjoys eating. There’s no sense in growing crops that will go to waste.
- Stagger your plantings every couple of weeks to keep your harvest coming and avoid being overwhelmed by a single crop all at once.
- Consider growing produce that’s expensive or hard to find at your local store, such as specialty herbs.
- Some of the easiest vegetables for beginners include lettuce, beans, tomatoes, peppers, peas, cucumbers, kale, and radishes.
Planting Tips
- Use the best quality seeds or transplants you can find for strong, healthy plants.
- Pay attention to planting depths and spacing-crowding can lead to disease and poor growth.
- Support taller plants like tomatoes and pole beans with stakes or trellises.
Care and Maintenance
- Mulch your garden with straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Water regularly, especially during dry spells, aiming for about 1–2 inches per week for most crops.
- Weed early and often to prevent competition for nutrients and water.
- Mix in flowers like marigolds, sweet alyssum, or zinnias to attract pollinators and beneficial insects, and to deter pests.
Container Gardening
- If space is limited, many vegetables and herbs thrive in containers. Use buckets or pots with drainage holes and quality soil.
- Move containers as needed to chase the sun or provide afternoon shade during heatwaves.
Harvest and Enjoy
- Harvest regularly to encourage more production and enjoy your veggies at their peak.
- Make notes about what worked well and what you’d like to try next year to continuously improve your gardening skills.
Final Thoughts on Starting Your Own Garden This Spring and Summer
Starting a veggie garden is a fantastic way to connect with your food, enjoy the outdoors, and add value to your home. Whether you’re working with multiple acres, a backyard plot, or a sunny balcony, these tips will help you grow a bountiful harvest all season long.
If you find yourself dreaming of a bigger backyard or more outdoor space to expand your gardening ambitions, I’m here to help! Contact me today to start your search for a home with the perfect garden space. Let’s find you a property where you can truly dig in and watch your gardening dreams grow!
Happy gardening!
Looking to buy, sell, or invest? As your REALTOR®, I’ll guide you every step of the way. Contact me today to schedule a free consultation and let’s turn your real estate dreams into reality!
For more information, contact:
Susan Moffat, REALTOR® with Century 21 In-Studio Realty Inc., Brokerage
519.377.5154
susan.moffat@c21.ca
Landscaping Choices That Can Hurt Your Home’s Resale Value

When preparing your home for sale, your landscaping can be a powerful asset-or a hidden liability. While attractive, well-maintained yards boost curb appeal, certain landscaping features can actually reduce your home’s value or make it less appealing to potential buyers. Here are four landscaping choices to approach with caution:
High-Maintenance Gardens
Lush, intricate gardens filled with specialty plants, elaborate flower beds, or extensive vegetable plots may look stunning, but they often require significant upkeep. Many buyers see high-maintenance gardens as a burden, not a benefit. Unless your buyer is an avid gardener, the thought of hours spent weeding, pruning, and watering can be a major turnoff. Studies show that buyers overwhelmingly prefer low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for yards that offer beauty without demanding too much time or expertise.
Artificial Grass
Although artificial grass is marketed as a low-maintenance, evergreen solution, it doesn’t appeal to everyone. Many buyers-especially families with children or pets-prefer natural grass for play and relaxation. Artificial turf can be expensive to remove, and some buyers worry about heat retention, environmental impact, or local restrictions. In fact, installing artificial grass can reduce your home’s resale value by as much as 5%, as buyers may factor in the cost of replacing it with natural lawn.
Too Much Concrete or Hardscaping
While patios and walkways can add value, excessive hardscaping, such as large concrete slabs or sprawling paved areas, can make your yard feel cold and uninviting. Buyers often want a balance of green space and hardscape for both aesthetics and usability. Overly large or poorly designed concrete patios may limit outdoor activities and reduce the overall appeal of your property. In some cases, a big concrete patio can actually hurt your home’s value, especially if it leaves little room for grass or gardens.
Highly Customized or Niche Features
Personal touches like koi ponds, elaborate fountains, oversized fire pits, or themed garden structures may reflect your tastes, but they can alienate potential buyers. Highly customized landscaping features often require specialized maintenance and may not suit the needs or preferences of most buyers. These niche additions can limit your buyer pool and rarely offer a good return on investment. Buyers may see them as projects to remove, not perks to enjoy.
Key Takeaways
- Keep it simple: Opt for classic, low-maintenance landscaping that appeals to the widest range of buyers.
- Balance is best: Ensure there’s a mix of greenery and hardscape, with plenty of usable outdoor space.
- Think resale: Avoid features that are costly to maintain, difficult to remove, or tailored to very specific tastes.
Final Thoughts on Landscaping
By steering clear of these landscaping missteps, you’ll help ensure your home makes a great first impression-and retains its maximum resale value. Of course, your home and yard should reflect your own tastes and lifestyle, and you should feel free to create the outdoor space that makes you happiest.
Looking to buy, sell, or invest? As your REALTOR®, I’ll guide you every step of the way. Contact me today to schedule a free consultation and let’s turn your real estate dreams into reality!
For more information, contact:
Susan Moffat, REALTOR® with Century 21 In-Studio Realty Inc., Brokerage
519.377.5154
susan.moffat@c21.ca
The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Guide for 2025

As the flowers bloom and daylight lingers, spring is the perfect season to breathe new life into your home. Whether you’re preparing to sell or simply want to enjoy a brighter, healthier space, a thorough spring cleaning can make all the difference. Here are expert-backed tips to help you tackle your spring cleaning efficiently and effectively.
Start with a Plan
Before diving in, create a checklist of areas that need attention. Prioritize high-traffic zones like kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces, and set a realistic timeline to keep you on track. A well-organized plan ensures nothing gets overlooked and helps reduce overwhelm.
Declutter Every Room
Clutter can make even the largest rooms feel cramped. Go through each space and remove items you no longer need or use. Use the “Four-Box Method”: one for items to keep, one to donate or sell, one to store, and one for trash. This not only opens up your home but also makes it easier for potential buyers to envision themselves living there.
Deep Clean from Top to Bottom
Work systematically, starting at the ceiling and moving down. Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and shelves before tackling furniture and floors. Don’t forget to clean windows and blinds to let in more natural light, and wash or vacuum curtains and upholstery for a fresher feel.
Refresh Textiles and Bedding
Wash all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and comforters, to remove dust and allergens. Rotate your mattress and launder curtains, throws, and cushions for a complete refresh.
Focus on Kitchens and Bathrooms
These rooms are especially important if you’re selling. Clean all surfaces thoroughly, including countertops, cabinets, and appliances. Pay special attention to grout, faucets, and fixtures—bleach dull grout and polish hardware for a sparkling finish.
Clean and Organize Storage Spaces
Tidy up closets, cupboards, and the garage. Box up off-season clothing and bulky winter items to showcase storage space and make your home feel more spacious.
Don’t Forget the Exterior
Curb appeal matters! Rake leaves, trim bushes, and add fresh mulch to flowerbeds. Pressure wash siding, walkways, and porches. Consider painting the front door a cheerful colour and updating your welcome mat to make a great first impression.
Add a Touch of Spring Indoors
Bring in fresh flowers or budding branches for a pop of colour and a hint of spring fragrance. Rearranging furniture or swapping out throw pillows for brighter hues can also give your home a seasonal update.
Remember: It Doesn’t Have to Be Done in One Day
Spring cleaning can feel overwhelming, but there’s no need to tackle everything at once. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and spread them out over several days or weekends. This approach keeps the process stress-free and ensures you don’t burn out before you finish. Celebrate each completed task—you’ll see progress and stay motivated!
Maintain the Clean
Once your spring cleaning is complete, keep your home tidy by doing a little maintenance each week. This ensures your space stays inviting—especially important if your home is on the market.
Final Thoughts on Spring Cleaning
A sparkling clean home not only feels great to live in but also stands out to potential buyers. If you’re considering selling this spring, these tips will help your property shine. For more personalized advice or to discuss your real estate goals, reach out today! Happy Cleaning!
Looking to buy, sell, or invest? As your REALTOR®, I’ll guide you every step of the way. Contact me today to schedule a free consultation and let’s turn your real estate dreams into reality!
For more information, contact:
Susan Moffat, REALTOR® with Century 21 In-Studio Realty Inc., Brokerage
519.377.5154
susan.moffat@c21.ca
Bank of Canada Holds Policy Rate at 2.75%

This morning, April 16, 2025, the Bank of Canada announced it will keep its key interest rate steady at 2.75%. This decision comes as the country faces heightened economic uncertainty due to ongoing trade tensions and tariffs with the United States, as well as recent signs of slowing economic growth and cooling inflation.
Key Points:
- The policy rate remains at 2.75%, unchanged since the last quarter-point cut in March.
Inflation cooled to 2.3% in March, down from previous months.
The Bank cited “widespread uncertainty” from the US-Canada tariff dispute, which complicates economic forecasts and policy decisions.
Business and consumer confidence, along with the housing sector, have slowed due to market volatility and trade policy unpredictability.
The Bank of Canada emphasized its commitment to price stability but warned monetary policy cannot offset all impacts of a trade war.
What This Could Mean For You:
- Homebuyers: Stable rates provide a predictable environment, helping you plan your next move with confidence. This steady footing can support ongoing affordability and borrowing options.
Sellers: The pause in rate changes helps maintain current market stability, which can be advantageous as you position your property. Market resilience means opportunities remain for motivated buyers.
Investors: While global uncertainties persist, the steady rate environment offers a foundation for cautious optimism and strategic planning in real estate and financial markets.
Looking Ahead
The Bank of Canada’s next rate announcement is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The Bank will publish its next Monetary Policy Report on July 30, 2025.
Read the Press Release.
Whether you’re a homeowner, prospective buyer, or real estate investor, understanding these market changes is crucial. As your trusted REALTOR®, I’m here to help you navigate these shifts and make informed decisions! Call, text, email, or DM me to chat about how this announcement affects your real estate plans!
For more information, contact:
Susan Moffat, REALTOR® with Century 21 In-Studio Realty Inc., Brokerage
519.377.5154
susan.moffat@c21.ca
How to Improve Curb Appeal Before Selling

When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything. Curb appeal can significantly impact your property’s value and selling potential, with studies showing it can add up to 7% to your home’s sale price. Here’s how to make your home stand out from the moment potential buyers arrive:
Start with the Basics
Deep Clean and Maintain
Begin with a thorough cleaning of your home’s exterior. Rent a pressure washer to clean siding, windows, gutters, sidewalks, and decks. This simple step can make your home look newer and well-maintained.
Landscape for Success
A well-kept yard is crucial. Mow the lawn, trim shrubs, and prune trees. Consider adding seasonal flowers or plants around your entrance for a pop of colour. Fresh mulch can also give your landscaping a polished look.
Enhance Key Features
Revamp Your Front Door
Your front door is a focal point. Consider repainting it in a bold, statement colour that complements your home’s exterior. If it’s beyond repair, replacing it with a new steel door can offer an excellent return on investment.
Upgrade Outdoor Lighting
Install new porch lights or add pathway lighting to create a welcoming ambiance and highlight your home’s best features.
Refresh Your Mailbox
Often overlooked, a new or freshly painted mailbox can significantly impact curb appeal.
Add Finishing Touches
Create an Inviting Entrance
If you have a porch, add some seating to help potential buyers envision themselves enjoying the space.
Update Hardware and Accents
Replace outdated house numbers, door handles, and light fixtures for a modern touch.
Consider a Fresh Coat of Paint
If your home’s exterior paint is fading or peeling, a fresh coat can work wonders.
Don’t Forget the Details
Clean Windows and Siding
Power wash your siding and clean your windows to make your home sparkle.
Tend to the Lawn
Regular lawn care, including fertilizing and weed control, can yield a high return on investment.
Final Thoughts on Boosting Curb Appeal
By focusing on these curb appeal improvements, you’re not just making your home more attractive to potential buyers – you’re potentially increasing its value. Remember, the goal is to create an inviting first impression that makes buyers eager to see what’s inside.
With these upgrades, your home will stand out in listing photos and leave a lasting impression during in-person viewings. A little effort on the exterior can go a long way in securing a quicker sale and a better price for your property.
Looking to buy, sell, or invest? As your REALTOR®, I’ll guide you every step of the way. Contact me today and let’s turn your real estate dreams into reality!
For more information, contact:
Susan Moffat, REALTOR® with Century 21 In-Studio Realty Inc., Brokerage
519.377.5154
susan.moffat@c21.ca