Gardening in the prairies certainly has its challenges but we continue to dig in and grow. Whether it’s big, beautiful trees, lush green lawns, beautiful blooms of carefully tended gardens, or the food we eat, we love to grow. In the last few years, the gardening industry has boomed with a staggering increase of over 18 million new gardeners in North America alone. We see it every day at the Garden Centre. As demand has increased, strategies to extend our growing season are being implemented and indoor gardening is as important as outdoor gardening for many. There are a few basic things to kno ..read more

Are you ready to embark on a delicious and nutritious journey into the world of vegetable gardening? Look no further! This beginner-friendly guide will give you the essential steps to kickstart your vegetable garden adventure. With a little bit of patience, persistence, and tender loving care, you’ll soon be enjoying the fruits (or, rather, vegetables) of your labour. So, let’s dig in and get started on your path to a thriving vegetable garden. Step 1: Choose the Perfect Location The first step in creating a flourishing vegetable garden is selecting the right spot. Here are some factors to co ..read more

Spring is just around the corner, and if you’re a gardening enthusiast, you know what that means – it’s time to get your hands dirty and prepare your garden for the upcoming season. But before you jump right in, you need to complete a few essential things to ensure your garden thrives this spring. Here are eight must-do tasks to prepare your garden for the new season. 8 Must-Do Gardening Tasks this Spring Spring is the perfect time to start gardening. The weather is warming up, the soil is rich, and the plants are eager to grow. With these eight must-do tasks, you can ensure your garden thriv ..read more

Selecting trees that will grow in shady sites can be difficult. Most trees need some sun to thrive but there are some trees that are adaptable and will tolerate lower light locations in the landscape. Blue Grass recommends trying Balsam, Poplar, Bylands Green Poplar, Dancing Flame Trembling Aspen, Golden Willow, Guardian Aspen, Harvest Gold Linden, Hawthorn Hicks Yew* Laurel Leaf Willow, Prairie Skyrise Aspen, Redmong Linden*, River Birch, Serviceberry, Silver Queen Maple*, Swedish Aspen, Tower Poplar, Trembling Aspen and Tristis Poplar. The post Shade Tolerant Trees appeared first on Blue Gra ..read more

Watering/Mowing a Newly Sodded Lawn: water immediately after sod is laid, ensuring it is well-watered right to the edges. During week one water every day, week two every other day, week three once or twice a week. This is just a guideline (soil should be moist to a depth of 4cm), always check if there is too much water or not enough, do not allow roots to rot or edges of sod to dry out. You likely will be able to mow your lawn within 7 days of installation. The post Watering & Fertilizing Sod appeared first on Blue Grass Nursery, Sod & Garden Centres ..read more

You’re not imagining it; grocery prices in Alberta have certainly skyrocketed over the last year. The average household food bill increased by 9.2%, and there isn’t any sign of stopping. More people are looking for alternative ways to get their vegetable and herb fixes, including growing it yourself. There are a ton of veggies you can grow in our climate, including: Beets Cabbage Kale Lettuce Onions Peas Cucumbers Potatoes Spinach Squash Radishes Celery Peppers Carrots And even herbs too! When you’re buying plants that have already been potted, it can become costly. The best way to approach ..read more

It’s the frosty time of the year when our heating bills take a hit, hot chocolate sales go up, and cozy sweater season is in full force. While many homes have gas fireplaces and are easy to use with the flick of a switch, nothing beats the ritual of an old-school fire. The type of firewood you use can significantly affect how your fire burns. This is why it’s essential to consider the uses and benefits of each wood to determine which is right for you. In Alberta, our most popular choices are birch, pine, and tamarack. Read on to learn more about each firewood type and how to choose the best o ..read more

Snow and ice and freezing cold temperatures… It certainly can be miserable outside this time of year. Once winter hits, spending more time hibernating is the status quo for many of us. For the next few months, we’ll be dealing with the bleakness of winter, counting down the time until the first blooms of spring arrive, and we can once again enjoy the outside. However, you don’t have to wait long to see some spring-like greenery. Filling your home with beautiful, lush greenery provides relief and gives you a touch of colour and freshness that is difficult to find in these long months. For anyo ..read more

Cleaner air that helps you breathe easier, bright colours that make you smile, and the feeling of growth that eases a bit of your stress are just a few of the many reasons keeping plants in your home is a great idea. There is something about stepping into a room full of rich, vibrant plant life that lifts your spirit and helps you feel a little more connected to the earth. Indoor plants bring many positive benefits to your household. But some plants could be harmful to certain inhabitants of your home—the kind of inhabitants with four paws. You may have walked into a room to see your cat sitt ..read more

Pruning encourages strong growth, increases flower and fruit production, improves health, and aesthetics of shrubs.   Here are some guidelines when pruning shrubs: Remove dead, diseased and damaged branches Remove leggy and crossing / rubbing branches Rejuvenation pruning for overgrown shrubs Thinning to remove crown density and improve air circulation – allow light to reach inner and lower leaves Corrective pruning to improve health and aesthetics of shrubs damaged by weather, insects, and disease Hedge pruning – the top of the hedge needs to be slightly narrower than the base. Thi ..read more