Beef Producers Association

Calgary Gardens – In 10 steps

September 16th, 2010 | by admin |

A vegetable plot in your Calgary gardens is one of the best way to beautify your garden. Aside the fact that edible crops can save you money from buying in the supermarket.

Step 1: Plant your favorite vegetables

We all have vegetable favorites we like. As much as possible, have those crops that have distinct and tasty flavor. Have some jasmines, onion chives, spinach, parsley and pandan leaf. You can plant oregano, cinnamon and curry leaf too. Just make sure they are fresh when you pick them.

Step 2: Don’t forget smooth ground

Prepare a plot of flat ground that gets full sun nearly all day in your Gardens Calgary. Break up and turn the soil and add compost or other organic material.

A full day of blazing sunshine is especially important if you grow vegetables in the cool weather of early spring, early fall or winter.

Step 3: Figure out the needed space

Figure out how much growing space you have and plant accordingly. Lettuce, for example, can be grown in a solid mat, but tomatoes need to be spaced about 2 feet (60 cm) apart. Give pumpkins at least 4 feet (120 cm) of growing room.

You can read about these in many garden websites. Your supplier can provided them to you for they usually have them handily in their stores.

Step 4: Crops that maximize space

Choose crops that require less room if you have a small vegetable garden or grow vegetables in a container.

Tomatoes can go well in tumblers or even in hanging baskets. You can put the lettuce in pots and they can be a nice ornament along a patio.

The trellis is the best place for vines like cucumbers and it does take less horizontal room. You can just tuck parsley and herbs in the flower beds.

Step 5: Schedule the plantings

Schedule plantings around the two main growing seasons which vary by region: cool (spring and fall) and warm (summer).

These are the plants for the cold season: potatoes, radish, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, lettuce and peas.

Cucumbers, corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, and peppers are some plants common for summer. Some other crops are squash, eggplant, beans, and melons.

Step 6: Set out seeds on ground

Scatter the seeds in the ground for they grow faster when you do it with this method. Spread the seeds of corn, squash, turnips, peas and melons directly to the soil.

Buy the starting seeds in packs or flats for you will save with them more than the planting seedlings.

Step 7: Start with nursery seedlings

The best thing to do is start with nursery seedlings. This is specially true if you’re just a beginning gardener.

To give you idea on the nursery seedlings, they are the following: cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and broccoli.

Squash and cucumber are just some of the plants that can be considered as both seeds and seedlings.

Step 8: Buy seeds after New Year

Make sure you order the seeds in early January or after New Year. Most often, suppliers bring out fresh selections of seeds at this time. Remember to read the labels of packets and see if it’s the current year.

Step 9: Order the seeds that you choose

Get the best choices from the catalogs given by seed companies. Or better yet you can browse on the internet.

Step 10: Condition the soil

Shop for seedlings when your soil is prepared and you are ready to plant. Let the soil be dank and temperate. Ensure it would not be dry in three days.

Get only those seedlings which are in good condition. They should stand up straight and be stocky, not lanky, with no yellow leaves or bug holes.

Written by:
Custom Stone and Waterscapes
3829 Parkhill Place Southwest, Calgary, AB T2S 2W6
(403)870-1142

Calgary Gardens, Calgary Ponds, Calgary Landscape, Calgary Landscape Design