Heather’s Gardening Service

Written by Heather Morren

Another dreary Edmonton winter has come and is almost gone. The days of negative temperatures and unexpected snowstorms will soon be replaced by warm and sunny weather. According to the calendar, there are only 19 more days until it is officially spring.

With all these positive changes, you might already be thinking about all of the wonderful things you want to plant in your vegetable garden this year. But, be wary. Spring in Edmonton always has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Historically, the weather in Edmonton tends to stay on the cool side until mid to late May. We have been known to get cold spells that dip below zero and result in snow all the way up to the May Long Weekend. It is recommended to wait at least until the last spring frost before sowing your seeds, otherwise you risk the soil being too cold for the seeds to germinate.

Can’t Wait that Long?

“May Long Weekend?” you cry, “That’s almost 3 months away!” I know! I know! It sounds like forever when you’re itching to get planting but there are some things you can do in the meantime. If you have a nice sunny spot in your home, you can start to sow your seeds inside. Many vegetables like herbs, tomatoes, lettuce and peppers can be planted indoors.

Planting kits can be purchased at any local garden centers or even at a Dollar Store. All you need is some seeds, soil, a planting tray, labels, water and sunshine. A tray cover helps to keep the plants nice and toasty, as well.

What Should I Plant?

Fortunately for gardeners in Edmonton and area, the weather in zone 3/4 is great for growing almost any vegetable you might find in the grocery store. 

Some of the more common vegetables gardeners like to grow can include lettuce, carrots, peas, beans, onions, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and cucumbers. Herbs, such as, parsley, cilantro, oregano, basil, dill, rosemary, and thyme also grow well outdoors. You may also wish to try your hand at some more challenging crops including pumpkins, watermelon, squash, celery, corn, eggplant, and cauliflower. 

What you decide to grow really depends on what you and your family and friends want to eat!

When Should I Plant My Seeds?

You may be surprised to learn that Edmonton’s growing season is actually one of the longest in the Canadian Prairies. On average, it ranges from mid May until mid September, which is approximately 135-140 frost free days. 

When it comes to planting times for vegetables though, there is a lot of variability. Some plants take longer than others to reach maturity. 

Spinach and lettuce, for example, need about 40-45 days to reach maturity. You would not want to start your seeds indoors too soon otherwise you will have a mature plant before you even get it into the ground. 

Carrots, peas, beans and cucumbers, on the other hand, take approximately 55-65 days to reach maturity. They should be planted earlier in the season to allow them more time to grow. However, it is recommended that the plants just mentioned be planted directly into the soil rather than starting them indoors. 

Other vegetables, like pumpkins, brussel sprouts and some types of squash, take about 90-100 days to reach maturity, which explains why they are more commonly seen in stores in the fall, rather than the summer. 

For a detailed list of when to plant specific edible plants, check out the chart at https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/AB/Edmonton. It tells you when they recommend that you should start planting indoors, when to transplant to outside, when to start planting outdoors and when your last crop of the season should be planted by. It’s an excellent resource and I will be using it to guide my planting this season.

No Room? Not Enough Sun? Now What?

If you don’t have the space, sun or time, to start your plants indoors, you can still start preparing for the gardening season as early as April. Start tidying up your yard, getting rid of old dead growth and tilling or adding nutrients, like compost, to the soil. Decide on the plants you want to grow and where you’d like to plant them. Be sure to research what kinds of sunlight, moisture and support your plants will need. Take time to make sure you have quality seeds and equipment on hand too. 

Happy Planting!

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