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Planting Outdoors

Posted on by Brandi
Planting Outdoors
22
May
Happy May Long Weekend!

This is about the time when we Southern Albertans are given the green light to go wild in the garden. However, do so with caution because the weather can be unpredictable here. That being said, we are loving all the excitement for gardening this year! Thank you to everyone who has joined us for our weekly webinars, on GAKidsTV, on our social channels, and in-store! Your enthusiasm is AWESOME!

Colin included a great quote in today’s webinar that I want to include here:

“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose, I would always greet it in a garden”

– Ruth Stout

Whenever I see people chatting about spring, they’re almost always referring to their garden. What flowers are starting to pop up? What birds are out and about? It’s not hard to see why we get so excited to start growing. As we do start moving into the garden, this week’s webinar covered garden safety and garden essentials. There was a lot to cover, so if you’d like to view Colin’s beautiful and informative Powerpoint, click here.

We have more free webinars that you can register for now on Eventbrite!

Frost

In Southern Alberta, you’re almost always gambling with frost. Having a frost blanket can save some of your more tender plants.
  • Hardy Plants
    • Broccoli, Spinach, Peas, Pansies, Kale, Dianthus, Alyssum, Snapdragons
  • Tender Plants
    • New Guinea Impatiens, Lavender, Basil, Tomato, Pepper, Strawberry, Cosmos, Bacopa, Lobelia, Geranium.
Essential Tools

Before you start gardening, take note of the condition of your tools
  • Hose and Nozzle
  • Cultivator/Fork
  • Shovel/Trowel
  • Rake
  • Pruners/Shears/Knives
  • Plant Supports (Tomato/Peony Rings, Bamboo Stakes)
Do you need to replace anything? Do you need to clean or sharpen anything? Prep work can save you a lot of time and make gardening even more enjoyable. Preparing Soil This is essential at the start of the growing season. Build a strong foundation for your plants to flourish in. This week on GAKidsTV we covered soil amending, pH, and misconceptions. Essentially, you’ll want to add “stuff” to your garden. That could be in the form of compost for nutrition, peat moss, biochar, worm castings, etc.
  • Types of amending
  • For Garden Beds
    • Work amendments into the top 2-4″ of the soil. That’s where the roots are going to be. Any deeper, and the nutrients will just leach out.
    • Firm soil down – “Duck Walk”
    • Level the soil surface to create an even starting point for planting.
  • For Planters/Pots
    • Caution when using compost/topsoil. Consider an all-purpose mix like Promix.
    • Firm down, but don’t compact. Roots still need to explore!
  • When dealing with pH…
    • Calgary’s soil is fairly neutral (7) on the pH scale due to our clay and calcium-rich parent material.
    • pH matters because if your soil is too acidic or too basic, some plants will struggle with taking in nutrients.
    • If you’re curious about the pH of your soil, we carry soil testing kits!
Activate your Inner Book Worm
  • Research
    • How much sun does your garden receive?
    • Are you going to need more shade-loving or sun-loving plants?
    • Do your desired plants require companion plants for pollination like Apple trees?
    • Do your desired plants survive in zone 2? For example, cedar trees are considered annual here.
    • Do your desired plants require lots of maintenance?
    • Do you need to start some plants inside before transplanting them?
  • Plan
    • Where are your plants going based on lighting conditions, spacing, and environmental conditions?
Sun Safety

The sun is essential for plants and humans. It’s a Vitamin D source, reduces stress, and is good for moving our bodies. However, we have to be careful. As a professional landscaper, Colin has struggled with the negative side of the sun including dehydration, sunburn, heatstroke, headaches, and fatigue. Colin briefly spoke about his experience with skin cancer. Sun exposure is something we need to take seriously, so make sure you’re prepared with water, SPF 50, a hat, UV protective glasses, and light clothing when out in the garden.

Breathe. Take it in. 

Garden isn’t a chore. Slow down and appreciate all the effort you’ve put into the garden. Proudly post that selfie. Share your experience with others. Don’t feel like you need to complete your garden in a single weekend. A garden is never truly finished. Take breaks. Take care of your body. Have fun!

   
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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.