Your Backyard Garden Information Source
How to grow Corydalis (kor-e-day-lis) From the Greek korydalis, a crested lark, a reference to the shape of the flowers (Fumariaceae). Hardy annuals and perennials, widely distributed throughout the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Perennial species cultivated C allenii, 3-4 inches, pink and white flowers, spring. C. cashmeriana, 6 inches, blue flowers, spring. C. cheilanthifolia, 10 inches, yellow flowers, summer. […]
Although the outdoor landscape may be bleak right now, the greenhouse industry has found a way to bring spring into our homes. And that’s by fooling tulips and other spring flowers into blooming early indoors. The cut tulips you find at your florist shop, local greenhouse, and supermarket this time of year are “forced” tulips that were grown in greenhouses […]
While it may be true that April showers bring May flowers, April also brings warmer weather, longer days, and our first chance to do some outdoor gardening. Peas, onions, parsnips, spinach, and other cool weather crops can all be planted in the garden towards the end of the month, provided that the soil isn’t too wet. Proper garden preparation is […]
September is the time to plant spring blooming bulbs. Tulips, Daffodils or Narcissus, Grape Hyacinths, Squill and Crocuses are the ones that grow well in Central Alberta. These bulbs need to be planted early in the fall, to give them enough time to develop a good root system, before the ground freezes solid. Careful consideration must be given to the […]
Learn the monthly garden tasks for your gardening hardiness zone. Do you know what your hardiness zone? Once known, then find the required task. Zone 1 Finish planting bare-root trees, shrubs, roses Prune roses, then apply dormant spray Apply dormant spray to trees and shrubs before they leaf out Spade or till garden beds as soon as the soil is […]
The North Paper Mulch, For home gardeners with limited space to devote to vegetables, paper mulch offers the following advantages: increase yield, earlier harvest, and elimination of hard cultivating work. The most satisfactory paper mulch fastening for small gardens has been found to be placing stove wire, binder twine, or laths_ along each edge of the paper strip, tying it […]
Many people rely on crocus, tulips and daffodil bulbs to give spring colour, but several other spring bloomers are available to grow. Most are relatively low growing and will tolerate various conditions offered to them, thereby allowing all gardeners to give them a try. Pulmonaria – commonly called “Lungwort” and named for the spotted leaves that were thought to help […]
Cottage Gardens The cottage garden tradition is one that is peculiarly English in character. The old-world charm of the cottager’s plot owed little or nothing to any of the major developments in garden design or landscape architecture. The English cottage garden just ‘happened’ and its chief attraction lies in the effect of ordered chaos that it produces. Like the wild […]
The North Shrub-cuttings taken last fall and buried in the ground during winter should be planted 6 inches apart in the row and 2 feet between rows as soon as possible. Allow an inch or two of the cuttings to project above the ground. Never allow them to dry before planting. Dormant sprays of oil and lime-sulphur must be applied […]
I am lucky. Gardening has always been a slightly guilty pleasure for me. I used to think that it was because I never had enough time in the garden. Now I am positive that I would feel the same way even if I had all the time in the world. As a little more light and a bit more warmth […]