Time-saving Tips for Calgary Gardeners

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 weeds, and insulates soil.
  • One spring application is enough; mulch breaks down and reduces soil amendments and fertilizer needs.
  • Best practice: buy mulch from a local nursery in spring (often cheaper and less work than hauling bags).
  • How much: two square yards to layer 2–3 inches over beds in a typical Calgary yard.
  • On types and price: vary by region—experiment to see what you like best.

Buy tried-and-true perennials

• • Foundation of an easy-care garden helps you handle new plants without big risks.
  • Easy performers to look for: ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Zones 5–9), ‘Goldsturm’ black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivanti ‘Goldsturm’, Zones 4–9), mildew-resistant ‘David’ phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘David’, Zones 4–8).
  • How to find reliable local performers: drive around your neighborhood and see what looks good in real yards.
  • Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum, Zones 3–9) is a neighbor favorite for a carefree late-summer show.

Plant winterproof containers

• • Heavy containers can be a spring and fall headache.
  • In Calgary, use sturdy options like concrete and quality fiberglass (pictured) for all-season durability.
  • Keeping containers on the patio allows winter interest with evergreen boughs and berries.
  • Practical note: helps save time lugging pots up and down stairs.

Rethink your lawn

• • If mowing feels endlessly mundane, try:
    • Expanding garden beds to reduce lawn area, or
    • Hiring someone to mow (with clear guidelines to protect prized plants).
  • If you hire help, give them a quick garden tour and set expectations to avoid surprises on Saturdays.

Invest in bigger plants

• • Starting from seed or buying small starts is time-intensive and risky.
  • Bigger, more mature plants fill in faster and require less constant care.
  • When you fall in love with a plant, choose the biggest available.
  • Larger plants are less likely to suffer from neglect and fill in quickly.

Add a permanent structure

• • A well-placed garden structure can hide flaws and add interest.
  • Options: obelisk, birdhouse, arbor, or tuteur.
  • Even a quirky touch (antique bicycle or painted bamboo canes) can distract from bare spots and provide winter appeal.

Make your garden self-watering

• • Watering is inevitable, but you can simplify it.
  • Use soaker hoses for perennial borders and a patio system for containers.
  • Set on a timer and adjust for weather; the right system still needs some attention but saves far more time than lugging watering cans.

Choose shrubs that don’t need pruning

• • A tidy hedge is great, but it’s easy to run out of time for trimming.
  • If you replace a hedge, consider shrubs that stay compact with minimal pruning:
    • Green Mound boxwood (Buxus ‘Green Mound’, Zones 6–9) ≤ 3 feet tall and wide
    • Doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum and cvs., Zones 4–8, pictured)
    • Spirea (Spiraea spp. and cvs., Zones 4–9)
    • Pittosporum (Pittosporum spp. and cvs., Zones 9–11)
    • Ceanothus (Ceanothus spp. and cvs., Zones 4–10)

Lower your standards

• • Dandelions are common; your neighbor might even turn them into wine.
  • The only person who notices every flaw is you.
  • If you focus on loving your garden and the time you spend in it, perfection isn’t the goal.
  • It’s a work in progress, like life.

Plant names included above:

• Verbena bonariensis
• Nicotiana sylvestris
• Perilla frutescens
• Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’
• Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivanti ‘Goldsturm’
• Phlox paniculata ‘David’
• Eupatorium purpureum
• Joe Pye weed
• Green Mound boxwood (Buxus ‘Green Mound’)
• Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum
• Spiraea spp.
• Pittosporum spp.
• Ceanothus spp.