Growing Veggies in Alberta – IncrediGrow Garden Centre

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Growing Veggies in Alberta

Starting a vegetable garden in Alberta can be a great way to grow fresh, healthy produce. To get the best results, it's important to choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, improve soil with organic matter, use raised beds, and water and fertilize properly. Start vegetables indoors around 6-8 weeks before the last frost date and transplant them outside around May. And don't forget crop rotation.

What can I grow outdoors in Alberta?

Vegetables that can be grown outdoors in Alberta include cool-season crops such as:

  • Peas
  • Radishes
  • Lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Arugula
  • Kale
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Leeks
  • Onions
  • Garlic

In addition, warm-season crops such as:

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Eggplants
  • Cucumbers
  • Zucchini
  • Squash
  • Melons
  • Corn
  • Bean
  • Potatoes

Depending on the specific variety, these vegetables can be planted directly in the ground or started indoors and then transplanted into the garden later.

As for the timing, generally speaking, in Alberta, the soil should be workable around May and May is considered the best time to start transplanting the seedlings outside in the garden. However, you should start seedling inside around 6-8 weeks before the last frost date of your area. This allows time for seedlings to grow strong enough to be transplanted outside without getting damaged by frost.

How can I start my garden in Alberta?

Starting a vegetable garden in Alberta can be a rewarding experience, but it does require some planning and preparation. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

  1. Choose the right location: Look for a spot in your yard that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day and has well-draining soil.
  2. Timing is important: Alberta has a short growing season, so it's important to choose vegetables that can mature quickly. Some examples of fast-maturing vegetables include radishes, peas, and lettuce.
  3. Improve your soil: Adding organic matter such as compost or aged manure to your soil will help improve its structure and fertility.
  4. Use raised beds: Raised beds warm up faster in the spring and drain well, which can be helpful in a climate like Alberta's.
  5. Water and fertilize properly: Adequate water and fertilization are crucial to the success of your garden. Be sure to water your plants regularly and fertilize them according to their specific needs.
  6. Be prepared for pests: Be ready to deal with common garden pests, such as aphids and tomato hornworms, in an organic way by checking regularly and handpicking them or companion planting with certain plants.
  7. Don't forget crop rotation: rotate your crops every year to help prevent soil-borne diseases, pests and nutrient depletion.

Following these tips should help you get off to a good start with your outdoor vegetable garden in Alberta.

Outdoor Garden Pests

In Alberta, there are several pests that gardeners and farmers should be aware of, including:

  1. Cutworms: These are larvae of various species of moths that can damage the stems of young plants, causing them to wilt or die.

  2. Aphids: These are small insects that feed on the sap of plants and can cause wilting, yellowing, and stunted growth.

  3. Cabbage worms: These are the larvae of butterflies that feed on cabbage, broccoli, and other members of the Brassicaceae family, causing damage to the leaves and heads of these plants.

  4. Spider mites: These are tiny arachnids that can cause leaf damage and discoloration on plants.

  5. Grasshoppers: These insects can cause significant damage to crops, feeding on the leaves and stems of plants.

  6. Leafhoppers: These insects can transmit diseases to plants and cause discoloration and damage to the leaves.

  7. Colorado potato beetles: These beetles can cause damage to potato plants, feeding on the leaves and potentially reducing yields.

It is important to monitor plants regularly for signs of pests and to take appropriate measures to prevent and control infestations. Some strategies for pest control include using insecticidal soaps or oils, introducing beneficial insects, and practicing good cultural practices such as crop rotation and proper sanitation.

Deer & Jackrabbits

Deer and jackrabbits can cause significant damage to gardens and crops, so it's important to take steps to protect your plants. Here are some strategies you can use to keep deer and jackrabbits out of your garden:

  1. Install a fence: A tall fence (at least 8 feet high) can help keep deer out of your garden. Make sure to bury the fence at least 6 inches deep to prevent deer from digging under it. A shorter fence (about 2-3 feet high) can also help keep jackrabbits out of your garden.

  2. Use repellents: There are several types of repellents available that can help keep deer and jackrabbits away from your garden. Some popular options include sprays that contain putrescent eggs, garlic, or hot pepper, as well as motion-activated sprinklers that spray water when animals approach.

  3. Plant deer-resistant and rabbit-resistant plants: There are several plants that deer and jackrabbits tend to avoid, including lavender, marigolds, yarrow, and butterfly bush. Planting these types of plants in and around your garden can help deter animals from eating your crops.

  4. Create physical barriers: You can create physical barriers around your garden using materials such as chicken wire or netting. This can be particularly effective for protecting individual plants or small garden beds.

  5. Harvest crops early: If deer and jackrabbits are particularly problematic in your area, consider harvesting your crops early before they have a chance to attract animals. Alternatively, you can cover your plants with netting or row covers to protect them from animal damage.

By using a combination of these strategies, you can help protect your garden from deer and jackrabbits and keep your crops safe.

Magpies & Other Birds

Magpies and other birds can also cause damage to gardens and crops. Here are some strategies you can use to protect your garden from birds:

  1. Use netting: Covering your crops with netting can help protect them from birds. Make sure to secure the netting tightly to the ground to prevent birds from getting underneath.

  2. Scare tactics: Some gardeners use scare tactics to keep birds away from their gardens. This can include hanging shiny objects such as old Soul Asylum CDs or aluminum foil strips, or using scarecrows or decoys. Be sure to rotate your decoys as birds tend to get used to them. 

  3. Create distractions: Providing a separate area for birds to feed can help distract them from your garden. This can include hanging bird feeders or planting bird-friendly plants such as sunflowers or berry bushes.

  4. Use sound deterrents: Some gardeners use sound deterrents such as bird alarms or predator calls to keep birds away from their gardens.

  5. Choose bird-resistant plants: There are several types of plants that are less attractive to birds, such as herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano, or vegetables like peppers and tomatoes.

It's important to note that some birds, such as songbirds, can be beneficial to gardens as they help to control insect populations. It's important to strike a balance between protecting your crops and maintaining a healthy ecosystem in your garden.

Cats

Cats can also be a problem for gardeners, as they can use garden beds as litter boxes or dig up newly planted seedlings. Here are some strategies you can use to protect your garden from cats:

  1. Create physical barriers: Use physical barriers such as chicken wire or netting to keep cats out of garden beds. You can also try placing rocks or thorny branches around the edges of garden beds to discourage cats from entering.

  2. Use repellents: There are several types of repellents available that can help keep cats out of your garden. Some popular options include sprays that contain essential oils such as lavender or citronella, or granules that contain substances such as garlic or pepper.

  3. Provide a designated area for cats: Creating a separate area for cats to play or use as a litter box can help keep them out of your garden beds. This can include setting up a designated litter box area or creating a small outdoor cat enclosure.

  4. Use motion-activated deterrents: Motion-activated devices such as sprinklers or ultrasonic devices can startle cats and discourage them from entering your garden.

  5. Choose plants that cats don't like: There are several plants that cats tend to avoid, such as lavender, rosemary, and pennyroyal. Planting these types of plants in and around your garden can help deter cats from entering.

By using a combination of these strategies, you can help protect your garden from cats and keep your plants safe.

Other animals

There are a number of other animals that can cause damage to your garden: 

Raccoons are not native to Alberta, but have been introduced to some areas and can be found in urban areas in the province. They are known to raid gardens and garbage cans in search of food.

Porcupines are native to Alberta and can be found in forests and wooded areas. They are known for their sharp quills, which they use for self-defense.

Other animals that can be found in Alberta include moose, elk, deer, black bears, coyotes, foxes, beavers, and many others. It's important to be aware of the wildlife in your area and take steps to protect your garden and property from damage.

Hedgehogs do not live in Alberta. It is too cold for them to survive.