Plant self-sowing annuals Annuals add color and bloom for weeks or months, but reseeding saves time and money. They reseed where they want, not necessarily where you want. Favorite self-sowers: tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis*), flowering tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris), purple perilla (Perilla frutescens* cvs.). Mulch, then mulch some more Mulch dresses up beds, conserves moisture, suppresses...
Author: Pike
Calgary Gardeners, Time to Feed the Bees
What kind of insects do you cheer for, where you come from? the Gnat inquired. That playful Lewis Carroll line lands well here, because bees are exactly the sort of insects we want buzzing through our Calgary gardens. Pollinators are essential for the food crops and ornamental plants we enjoy, and native bees are often...
Autumn Garden Prep for our Prairie Winters
If you’re in Calgary, Alberta, you know our climate: dry air, intense sun, high winds, and long, cold winters. Fall is short here, but it’s the perfect time to tidy up, protect vulnerable plants, and set the stage for a strong spring. Use this checklist to tailor your routine to our prairie conditions. Root-prune shrubs...
August Gardening Checklist
Garden chores slow down from spring’s fevered pace, but many of us may be away on vacation. Use this concise checklist to keep things running smoothly. ANNUALS Deadhead spent blooms. Continue feeding weekly with a slow-release fertilizer. Before leaving on vacation, cut annuals back for a second flush of growth and cluster pots in the...
Garden Ornaments for Calgary Gardens: A Prairie-Inspired Look
Calgary’s climate asks a lot of its garden decor. Short growing seasons, bright sun, dry air, and fierce winds mean our ornaments need to be sturdy, weather-ready, and well placed. Beyond mere decoration, the right pieces tell a story about our landscape and become focal points that look right in every season—from snow-dusted winters to...
Trees and Grass Shouldn’t Touch
If you’ve ever admired a big feature tree in a Calgary front yard, you’ve probably also noticed the unease of trying to keep the lawn beneath it happy. Our long, sunny summers and cold, windy winters aren’t ideal for grass growing in shade anyway. Here’s a Calgary-style rewrite of the idea: separate the tree from...
Calgary Garden Rooms: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Garden with “Rooms”
If you’re aiming for a Calgary-ready yard that feels curated yet welcoming, you can design a sequence of intimate garden rooms around a central house. The key ideas are a cohesive color echo, defined spaces, microclimates that let a wide range of perennials flourish, and showy features like a pond and a greenhouse. Here’s a...
Leaf Mulch in your Flower Beds
If you’ve got a yard in Calgary, Alberta, you know our springs can be quick and unpredictable, summers can bake, and our soil—often clay or dry and dusty—can use a little help. Leaf mulch is an easy, effective, and almost magical way to boost your soil’s health with materials you already have: fallen leaves. It’s...
A Practical Guide to a Productive Vegetable Garden in a Short-Season, High-Altitude Climate
This guide distills design ideas, crop choices, and cultivation practices to help you harvest a rich, varied, and dependable garden. It preserves the plant names and offers clear steps you can follow. Garden Design and Layout Create an enclosed-feel, flowing space that moves from house to greenhouse and workshop. Central feature: a diamond-shaped lower bed...
Water features for Calgary homes: small spaces, big calm
If your yard is tight or you only have a balcony, you can still enjoy a soothing water feature. This instructional guide covers practical, Calgary-friendly options for small spaces, with setup steps, materials, and maintenance tips. Plan and design for Calgary climate Space targets: good options fit in areas around 10×10 feet (about 3×3 meters)...