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...
Category: Vegetable Gardens
Vegetable gardening in Grand Junction, Colorado, requires careful planning for the high desert climate. Gardeners prioritize raised beds, water-efficient practices, and heat-tolerant crops to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce year-round.
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...
Late Blight Alert for Calgary Gardeners: What You Need to Know
This season, experts are warning Prairie gardeners—especially those in Calgary, Alberta—that late blight may pose a serious threat to your vegetable crops. If you notice any infected tomatoes, potatoes, or other Solanaceae family plants, it’s crucial to remove and destroy these plants immediately to prevent the disease from spreading further in your garden. What Is...
Bug Bytes: How to Keep Carrot Flies Out of Your Calgary Garden
If you love growing fresh vegetables in your Calgary yard, you’ve probably heard of the pesky carrot fly. Though it sounds tiny, this insect can cause big problems for your carrots and other root vegetables. The good news? There are simple ways to protect your garden and keep these “low-flying cruise missiles” at bay. What...
The Calgary Gardener’s Guide to Growing Potatoes
The development of new vegetable varieties is rapid, especially with hundreds of new options tested annually by research institutions. But in the world of potatoes, change tends to come more slowly—many popular varieties have been around for decades. For Calgary gardeners, understanding the best potato varieties for our unique climate can make all the difference....
The Prairie Gardener’s Guide to Rhubarb in Calgary
Rhubarb has long been a favorite in prairie gardens—its toughness, ease of growth, and perennial nature make it perfect for Calgary’s variable climate. Its versatility in pies, cakes, preserves, and desserts makes it a must-have for every kitchen garden. Growing Rhubarb in Calgary’s Climate Care Tips: Plant rhubarb in full sun or light shade—Calgary’s sunny...
Growing Strawberries in Calgary, AB: A Quick Guide
Why Add Strawberries to Your Calgary Garden? Beautiful, shiny red fruit with tiny seeds Complements flowers like lilies and roses Rich history and symbolism of purity and royalty Delicious and visually appealing Growing Tips for Calgary Gardens Soil Preparation Prefer sandy loam soil rich in organic matter Amend soil with compost for better fertility and...
Growing Beans in Calgary: A Step-by-Step Guide
Beans are a nutritious and rewarding crop to grow in your Calgary garden. With minimal effort, you can enjoy fresh pods in summer and preserve dried beans for hearty soups and stews throughout the year. Here’s how to successfully grow beans in Calgary’s unique climate. Introduction to Beans Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were originally cultivated in...
Best Layout for Vegetable Gardens
Plant in Blocks, Not Rows! When it comes to making the most of your garden space, planting in blocks or beds is a game-changer compared to traditional rows. For example, plants that can be spaced 2 inches apart can fit four times the number of plants in a bed compared to rows. If Harvest Moon...
What is Lovage?
Lovage: The Herb That Thinks It’s Celery Lovage is that surprisingly tall plant in the garden that looks like celery but smells like parsley on steroids. It’s a culinary herb—and also has a history as a medicinal one. As Leslie Cox once said: “Lovage, Levisticum officinale, is one of those herbs you either know and...