Maureen Mallach, Supervisor with Greengate Garden Centres, has had 27 years experience answering all the questions there are on vegetable gardening. She says that the only things that are truly hard to grow in Calgary are corn and cucumbers. She says that it’s really not warm enough for these two garden items, but pretty much everything else is possible, however, there are appropriate times to plant different varieties, and it is important to follow some guidelines. “Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and brussel-spouts have to be started in the house and must remain there until the danger of frost is gone,” says Maureen. “In Calgary there’s no real guarantee, but usually it’s safe to transplant these vegetables after May 24th.” She says that tomatoes should also be started inside around the second week of March and that there are several types that do well. “Early Girls and Manitoba tomatoes are early maturing varieties and do well here,” says Maureen. “Also cherry tomatoes are very popular. Sweet 100s and Tiny Tims are great, and Tumbler is another type of cherry tomato that is really good!” Peppers are another great addition to any garden, and also require a head start indoors, usually around the third week in March.

Apparently carrots and peas should be planted directly outside, and you can do so anytime after the first of May. Beans should also be planted directly outside, but due to the fact that they grow so quickly and will freeze instantly, you should wait until after May 24th or whenever you are sure that there will not be a return frost. All these plants require as much direct sunlight as possible so they should be planted in a south-facing area that receives the most sun exposure. If you have a shady area that you would like to utilize, most varieties of lettuce can take the shade. Another great addition to any garden are potatoes. These grow really well here, and there are all types to choose from. Maureen explains that you can choose from red, white or russet, or get a little fancier and go with Yukon Golds which are a delicious yellow, inside and out, or Russian Blues which have a purple-blue skin and have ‘really blue’ flesh inside.

Maureen says that new seed is available in the store right after Christmas and people have been purchasing their seeds already. Sometimes you may have some seeds left over from a previous year and some will still be viable, and some might not. She says that as a general rule, the larger the seed, the longer it will last. Lettuce, parsnips and carrots have very small seeds and are usually only good for about a year, whereas peas and beans can sometimes last up to five years. Calgary’s soil is pretty good, but if you think your plants will need an added boost you can fertilize. However, if you are going to do this, you should make sure that it is well worked into the soil before you plant because if tender seeds come into direct contact with fertilizer it will burn them and render them useless. The same can be said for newly sprouted plants. “Plants must have at least two or more sets of leaves and be fairly established before adding fertilizer to your planted garden,” says Maureen. As helpful as the added nutrients can be to you garden, you wouldn’t want to burn delicate young plants.

There are other things you can do to maximize your vegetable crop, such as removing choking weeds, (when your garden is young you have to make sure it’s actually weeds you’re pulling!) and planting pest-deterrent flowers, such as marigolds, around your garden’s borders. With a little work and a lot of love, you can enjoy your own delicious home-grown carrots or plump juicy tomatoes, and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment you get every time you harvest your own vegetables.  NL