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Seminars

Spring Clean – Up

Posted on by Brandi
Spring Clean – Up
17
Apr
Hello!

I’m seeing signs of spring EVERYWHERE in Calgary! The snow is melting to promote plant growth, we’ve opened our annuals, perennials, and treelot departments, and the forecast is ABOVE ZERO! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! I’ve been looking at my yard a lot lately, and it’s got me thinking about getting out there and getting my hands dirty. So, what kinds of things can you do for your yard right now? What tools do you need? Why clean it up at all?

  This week I sat down with assistant manager, Brian MacDonald, our go-to guy for advice on general gardening and lawn care. We talked about Spring Yard Clean-up in this weeks webinar, and boy, did I learn a lot!! I’m itching to get out there this weekend!

Brian is a true outdoorsmen. Not only has he devoted many years to the hardscaping, landscaping, and maintenance industries, but when he’s not at Golden Acre, he’s known to spend time on the golf course, fish at the lake, or just be in nature; garden included! His daughter, Marli, looooves being in the garden! It’s one of their favourite activities to do together.

  Q: Why is it important?

“Spring clean-up is important for the health of your plants and soil. It makes room for new growth and removes rotting material which steals nutrition from the soil to break down.”

  Q: When do I start?

“I like to do my spring clean when the soil starts to thaw. A good indication of that for me is when I see the first bit of green in my lawn. Cleaning debris can be done any time it’s possible.”

  Q: What are the essential tasks that need to be done?

“You want to clean all leaves, sticks, garbage, dead plants and branches from in and around your trees, shrubs, garden, and lawn. You also want to clean out SOME of the thatch (layer of dead and living grass shoots, roots, and stems) in your lawn which is best don’t with a soil rake. This is also a good time to prune your trees and shrubs that need it (see our tree care seminar coming soon). Depending on the layout of your garden beds and lawn you may want to have a few different size rakes. For instance in tight areas its nice to have a shrub rake. Where for my lawn I like using a Big Load Leaf Rake. Around your perennial plants and trees using a cultivator allows you to loosen the soil without disturbing the roots. After finishing clean up it is a good time to add what you would like for amendments in your soil. This could be compost, rock dust, manure, peat moss or coconut coir.”

  Q: What are my essential tools?

“The tools that will help you get the job done right are Leaf and Soil rakes for cleaning debris and loosening soil. Pruning snips to remove dead branches and plant material still attached. Shovel/trowel for digging up weeds and dead plants from the previous years. A Cultivator for working the soil around your trees and perennials and in open beds to prepare it for the season. Compost bin is where you would put all of your organic material from clean up.”

  Q: Should I fertilize my lawn? My plants?

“Fertilizing should be done when you see new growth on your plant and believe winter is gone. It is best to wait until you believe we will not be getting any more bad frosts. So some years you will fertilize during spring cleanup and other years not.”

  Q: Is it too early for lawn seed?

“It is not to early to do lawn seed. It is best practice to scratch the surface with a soil rake to loosen and top dress with good quality soil. As long as you can do those things you can apply grass seed.”

    A BIG thanks to Brian for taking the time to talk about yard clean-up! As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out on our social media, and we’ll do our best to answer them for you! Links below!

Next week, we’re talking Lawn Care 101: How to Get the Perfect Grass!

Happy Gardening!

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.