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September Sunday Seminar Series: Autumn Bulb Planting

September Sunday Seminar Series: Autumn Bulb Planting
Welcome back, gardeners!

Bulbs are now available with more on the way! Shop the best selection in store and some varieties online now. As Colin mentioned in today’s webinar, bulbs give us the ultimate delayed gratification. You put all the work into planting spring bulbs, like tulips and daffodils, right now and need to wait until the snow melts next year to fully enjoy them! What a pay off though. There’s nothing like venturing out into the garden after our winter hibernation and seeing those delicate little shoots emerging from the earth. Spring bulbs provide some of the first colour you see in Calgary’s growing season!

Thank you to everyone who logged in to this weeks autumn inspired webinar! Colin explored what bulbs are, how you plant them, and things to expect when dealing with bulbs. Check out Colin’s detailed PowerPoint here.

Some highlights from today:

What is a Bulb?
  • Any plant that stores its complete lifecycle in an underground storage structure.
  • Normally perennial – come back year after year.
  • They undergo periods of dormancy, growth, and flowering.
When to Plant Them
  •  In order to flower in the spring, spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils require a period of cool dormancy. Plant them any time between September and December!
How to Plant them:
  1. Make sure to read the bulb package for specific depth and spacing requirements.
  2. Depth guideline: Usually 2-3 times the height of the bulb.
  3. Plant as individuals, in a row, or clustered together
    1. Clustering Bulbs: Be aware of depth when mixing. See photo below.
  4. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colour!
  5. Be aware of sun and shade requirements.
    1. Shade: Snowdrops, Crocus, Scilla, Anemone, Fritillaria
    2. Sun: Tulips, Daffodil, Grape Hyacinth, Hyacinth, Allium
  6. Consider adding a dusting of bone meal in the hole with blub. This slow-release fertilizer will give your bulb some extra nutrients in the spring.
  7. Consider sprinkling a little blood meal on top of the soil to discourage curious squirrels
https://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/blogs/articles-and-tips/flower-bulb-layering-the-secret-to-massively-increased-blooms-in-same-space
What to Expect
  • Bulbs starting growing when they come in contact with moisture from the melting snow and ice. They break their dormancy and shoots begin emerging. This might happen a different times every year.
https://www.netherlandbulb.com/_ccLib/image/pages/DETA-139.jpg
  • Bulbs become one of the first things you see in the spring and can air pollinators who may be venturing out looking for pollen. This is also a great way to signal that your garden is pollinator friendly which helps your other plants later in the season.
Spring Care & Maintenance
  • Watering: Regular watering is required.
  • Fertilizer: All Purpose or Flower fertilizer is good in the spring! Don’t fertilizer in the autumn because you want them to sleep not wake up!
  • Deadhead: Remove old blooms, but don’t cut back foliage until the plant fully finishes blooming (leaves turn yellow or brown). You can remove the stem of the flower as well so it looks better aesthetically. Leave the leaves!
  • Perennial: Don’t dig out bulbs until you start to notice their bloom come up “tired” looking or non-existent. This is important if you plan on transplanting them to a different section of your garden.
Tips for Long and Happy, Healthy Bulbs
  • Planting daffodils with your tulips will help keep squirrels away.
  • Watering is key not only after planting (so the soil doesn’t dry them out), but also in the spring when the bulb starting producing shoots.
  • If using chicken wire to block squirrels from digging up bulbs over autumn/winter, make sure to quickly remove it in the spring to avoid damaging new shoots.
  We have two more webinars coming up this month! Join us next Sunday when Colin chats about putting our gardens to bed, and the following Sunday will be all about caring for your plants indoors! Keep an eye on our social channels for upcoming announcements!   Have a great day! Brandi    
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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.