Hi folks,

Hoping I'm not breaking any community rules here by accident.  Went looking through various threads/posts, but hoping to hear more information.  

Situation:    
Edmonton.   My parents live in a house. A decently sized back yard, with a significant chunk of it once being used for veggies, various flowers like hydrangeas, even raspberry bushes and others.  Almost 40 years now.

They're coming up on 80yrs, but still love being able to garden, but bending down, kneeling, etc is difficult due to a brutal amount of arthritis.  Worse most of their garden beds got invaded by grass, weeds, etc.    The Arthritis has caused a lot of damage... I'm trying to remedy that.

I am looking into senior citizen aids and tools to help with the physical motion situation... but... Gardening, that's really not my thing.   I want to help them and let them keep gardening, but knowing what plants work in what containers, really not my strong suit.    

I've picked up a few raised tomato planters for them.  And one metal, 1-2ft  raised bed that won't require bending over to maintain.  I'll be buying them more I think, but... I have no knowledge in terms of what plants work well in pots, planters, raised beds, etc as far as veggies or flowers are concerned.  And fertilizer, watering or general maintenance concerns. 

Carrots, lettuce, cabbage, potatos (plus the tomatos, but they're in their own containers already covered) - are the veggies in question.  Maybe others if any of you would recommend, but those are the significant ones.

Hydrangeas, roses, daisies are a few of what I'm aware of for flowers they had once before.  Would be willing to hear about more that are possible in Alberta, and are container friendly.

If anyone here has thoughts or thread links, guides or otherwise they'd recommend, I'd be more than happy to take a look.  

<div class="md"><p>Hi folks,</p>

<p>Hoping I&#39;m not breaking any community rules here by accident.  Went looking through various threads/posts, but hoping to hear more information.  </p>

<p>Situation:<br/>
Edmonton.   My parents live in a house. A decently sized back yard, with a significant chunk of it once being used for veggies, various flowers like hydrangeas, even raspberry bushes and others.  Almost 40 years now.</p>

<p>They&#39;re coming up on 80yrs, but still love being able to garden, but bending down, kneeling, etc is difficult due to a brutal amount of arthritis.  Worse most of their garden beds got invaded by grass, weeds, etc.    The Arthritis has caused a lot of damage... I&#39;m trying to remedy that.</p>

<p>I am looking into senior citizen aids and tools to help with the physical motion situation... but... Gardening, that&#39;s really not my thing.   I want to help them and let them keep gardening, but knowing what plants work in what containers, really not my strong suit.    </p>

<p>I&#39;ve picked up a few raised tomato planters for them.  And one metal, 1-2ft  raised bed that won&#39;t require bending over to maintain.  I&#39;ll be buying them more I think, but... I have no knowledge in terms of what plants work well in pots, planters, raised beds, etc as far as veggies or flowers are concerned.  And fertilizer, watering or general maintenance concerns. </p>

<p>Carrots, lettuce, cabbage, potatos (plus the tomatos, but they&#39;re in their own containers already covered) - are the veggies in question.  Maybe others if any of you would recommend, but those are the significant ones.</p>

<p>Hydrangeas, roses, daisies are a few of what I&#39;m aware of for flowers they had once before.  Would be willing to hear about more that are possible in Alberta, and are container friendly.</p>

<p>If anyone here has thoughts or thread links, guides or otherwise they&#39;d recommend, I&#39;d be more than happy to take a look.  </p>
</div>

Senior Citizens - Raised beds - Veggies vs Flowers? 

Vertical Cattle Panel Trellis worked like magic in our hoophouse. Northwest of Sundre

I am looking to set up some flowering native perennials perennials in my new house. We have an established mountain ash tree (though with a ring of tree suckers around it). I was hoping to plant some native perennials under it. I have either some wild strawberry seeds or some twinning honeysuckle I was hoping to plant under it. 

I know I can't just pile up soil on the earth under as it'll harm the tree. It seems like adding a few inches of soil and compost under a tree to plant is fine. 

My question is, is there anything specific to mountain ash that I should keep in mind? It seems like they are hardy. Also if anyone has done something similar, then how did you remove the grass underneath the tree? 

<div class="md"><p>I am looking to set up some flowering native perennials perennials in my new house. We have an established mountain ash tree (though with a ring of tree suckers around it). I was hoping to plant some native perennials under it. I have either some wild strawberry seeds or some twinning honeysuckle I was hoping to plant under it. </p>

<p>I know I can&#39;t just pile up soil on the earth under as it&#39;ll harm the tree. It seems like adding a few inches of soil and compost under a tree to plant is fine. </p>

<p>My question is, is there anything specific to mountain ash that I should keep in mind? It seems like they are hardy. Also if anyone has done something similar, then how did you remove the grass underneath the tree? </p>
</div>

Planting underneath a mature mountain ash tree

Now that Halloween is gone and I still have my harvest pumpkin display, are there any good recipes for the pumpkins?  These have sat outside for a month and are still firm.

<div class="md"><p>Now that Halloween is gone and I still have my harvest pumpkin display, are there any good recipes for the pumpkins?  These have sat outside for a month and are still firm.</p>
</div>

Any good recipes for my Halloween pumpkin display? (Not jack o'lanterns)

I ordered a bunch of bulbs (tulips and irises) from Brecks and the delivery was delayed. Is it too late to plant them now that it’s reached freezing temperatures at night? 

If I wait for a chinook will they stand a chance? Or should I wait until spring? 

<div class="md"><p>I ordered a bunch of bulbs (tulips and irises) from Brecks and the delivery was delayed. Is it too late to plant them now that it’s reached freezing temperatures at night? </p>

<p>If I wait for a chinook will they stand a chance? Or should I wait until spring? </p>
</div>

Is it too late to plant bulbs? 

Canadian Mango

https://preview.redd.it/35gs0gn1m7xd1.jpg?width=4160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=702322d0bc1da5273e701d546ac42475e5c63962

I did not know sunflower seed shell can be white!  It's not because the seeds are immature.  The seeds are the normal size.  There is a well formed kernel in the seeds I opened.

Does anyone know how the seeds are white; is it a genetic thing?  Does anyone else also have sunflowers with white seeds?

<div class="md"><p><a href="https://preview.redd.it/35gs0gn1m7xd1.jpg?width=4160&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;s=702322d0bc1da5273e701d546ac42475e5c63962">https://preview.redd.it/35gs0gn1m7xd1.jpg?width=4160&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;s=702322d0bc1da5273e701d546ac42475e5c63962</a></p>

<p>I did not know sunflower seed shell can be white!  It&#39;s not because the seeds are immature.  The seeds are the normal size.  There is a well formed kernel in the seeds I opened.</p>

<p>Does anyone know how the seeds are white; is it a genetic thing?  Does anyone else also have sunflowers with white seeds?</p>
</div>

Sunflower seeds are white?

I'm new to gardening in Alberta, and gardening in general, and the weather took me by surprise. My squash still doesn't look ready, but temperatures are getting cold. Should I cut them from the stem now? It's a light green/yellow and my nail goes through the skin.

<div class="md"><p>I&#39;m new to gardening in Alberta, and gardening in general, and the weather took me by surprise. My squash still doesn&#39;t look ready, but temperatures are getting cold. Should I cut them from the stem now? It&#39;s a light green/yellow and my nail goes through the skin.</p>
</div>

Should I harvest my squash?

I'm thinking of doing a living fence around my neighbors and front side walk.

On second thought, I should have stated that they don't need to be native, as long as they can survive Alberta cold snaps. Thanks.

<div class="md"><p>I&#39;m thinking of doing a living fence around my neighbors and front side walk.</p>

<p>On second thought, I should have stated that they don&#39;t need to be native, as long as they can survive Alberta cold snaps. Thanks.</p>
</div>

Any native hedges that are 4' - 8' in height, no invasive roots, no suckering, and no (or minimal) berries?

Hi guys,

Any recommendations on winterizing my raspberry bushes in Calgary?

I only got a small amount of Berries this year, 2nd year, didn't do much last year.

I weeded, trimmed the dead ish shoots, though there weren't many, and I put compost under them. Will cover with mulch

Getting some mixed research, but wondering if i should tie the branches together and cover with burlap, or is that overkill?

Thank you in advance!

<div class="md"><p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>Any recommendations on winterizing my raspberry bushes in Calgary?</p>

<p>I only got a small amount of Berries this year, 2nd year, didn&#39;t do much last year.</p>

<p>I weeded, trimmed the dead ish shoots, though there weren&#39;t many, and I put compost under them. Will cover with mulch</p>

<p>Getting some mixed research, but wondering if i should tie the branches together and cover with burlap, or is that overkill?</p>

<p>Thank you in advance!</p>
</div>

Winterizing raspberry plants in Calgary

Pulled carrots out of the ground yesterday and left them overnight in an unheated shed (weatherman said low of 5) and unwashed. This morning they seem to be a bit limp and rubbery. I currently have them soaking in ice water in the sink to hopefully put some life back into them. Ideally I’d like to store them in the fridge to use throughout the next couple months. Will they last now or will we have to eat them fairly quickly? 

<div class="md"><p>Pulled carrots out of the ground yesterday and left them overnight in an unheated shed (weatherman said low of 5) and unwashed. This morning they seem to be a bit limp and rubbery. I currently have them soaking in ice water in the sink to hopefully put some life back into them. Ideally I’d like to store them in the fridge to use throughout the next couple months. Will they last now or will we have to eat them fairly quickly? </p>
</div>

Limp Carrots

It is the Legacy variety.  First time sowing this. How much mulch would you add?

<div class="md"><p>It is the Legacy variety.  First time sowing this. How much mulch would you add?</p>
</div>

Garlic is in!

And how does one control them? 
I don't mind the look but I'm forever beating them back and don't want them to completely take over my flower beds. 
Thanks!

<div class="md"><p>And how does one control them? 
I don&#39;t mind the look but I&#39;m forever beating them back and don&#39;t want them to completely take over my flower beds. 
Thanks!</p>
</div>

What are these called?

Anyone try outdoor cannabis plants? I am in 3b and i tried a plant but i find the plant flips too late and encounters frost before flowering can finish. Anyone have any Alberta specific tips for getting it to flower easily before it frosts?

<div class="md"><p>Anyone try outdoor cannabis plants? I am in 3b and i tried a plant but i find the plant flips too late and encounters frost before flowering can finish. Anyone have any Alberta specific tips for getting it to flower easily before it frosts?</p>
</div>

Outdoor cannabis plants

I let my vegetable garden keep going since it has been so temperate this fall (hey fall tomatoes!) and my plan has been to do some work to fix the junky soil before winter (add some nutrients, break up the clayish soil, then add more mulch on top) as it was my first year with these beds and the rock hard soil made it tough to get things growing. I started taking my plants out and the leaves, mulch, etc. have tons of ladybugs cozied up in them already! I am panicking that if I start taking out plants and mulch that I'm going to kill all these friends when the frost comes (or just accidentally smoosh them moving stuff around). Did I just miss the boat and wait too late to start digging stuff out? Should I leave the gardens as is until spring and deal with the soil then? Or do I just try to be careful and proceed as planned? Help, I'm having a new(ish) gardener moral panic here lol.

<div class="md"><p>I let my vegetable garden keep going since it has been so temperate this fall (hey fall tomatoes!) and my plan has been to do some work to fix the junky soil before winter (add some nutrients, break up the clayish soil, then add more mulch on top) as it was my first year with these beds and the rock hard soil made it tough to get things growing. I started taking my plants out and the leaves, mulch, etc. have tons of ladybugs cozied up in them already! I am panicking that if I start taking out plants and mulch that I&#39;m going to kill all these friends when the frost comes (or just accidentally smoosh them moving stuff around). Did I just miss the boat and wait too late to start digging stuff out? Should I leave the gardens as is until spring and deal with the soil then? Or do I just try to be careful and proceed as planned? Help, I&#39;m having a new(ish) gardener moral panic here lol.</p>
</div>

Hibernating ladybugs vs. Garden cleanup?!

<div class="md"><p>See you next year!!</p>
</div>

Garlic cloves planted

I've got a large spruce tree in my front yard and I noticed today it has some browning on lots of the branches towards the trunk of the tree. First time I have seen this. I am assuming it's from lack of water. But again, just an assumption as it has always otherwise been healthy. Should I water it a ton this weekend before shutting everything off for the winter?

<div class="md"><p>I&#39;ve got a large spruce tree in my front yard and I noticed today it has some browning on lots of the branches towards the trunk of the tree. First time I have seen this. I am assuming it&#39;s from lack of water. But again, just an assumption as it has always otherwise been healthy. Should I water it a ton this weekend before shutting everything off for the winter?</p>
</div>

Water my trees?

Hello everyone! My girlfriend and I just bought a beautiful old home in Edmonton and we were looking for idea on dog friendly vines that can grow up the side of our house (I’m building a trellis) to cover the area where we had our chimney removed as the stucco is a different colour and there’s chunks of mortar stuck in there. We are very new to gardening but this place has beautiful greenery. I googled Virginia Creeper since my neighbour has some but some sites are saying it’s pet safe and some are saying it’s highly toxic. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I’m hoping to have them planted in a 4’ x 3’ planter that I’m going to make that sits on the footing that the previous chimney was on. 

Thank you! 

<div class="md"><p>Hello everyone! My girlfriend and I just bought a beautiful old home in Edmonton and we were looking for idea on dog friendly vines that can grow up the side of our house (I’m building a trellis) to cover the area where we had our chimney removed as the stucco is a different colour and there’s chunks of mortar stuck in there. We are very new to gardening but this place has beautiful greenery. I googled Virginia Creeper since my neighbour has some but some sites are saying it’s pet safe and some are saying it’s highly toxic. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I’m hoping to have them planted in a 4’ x 3’ planter that I’m going to make that sits on the footing that the previous chimney was on. </p>

<p>Thank you! </p>
</div>

Dog friendly vine suggestions!

Previously featured on this sub. Polycarbonate roof, poly walls, built on pallets so it can be transported easily. 

Building a garage and won’t have any space for it after. 

I am in downtown Calgary. DM for details. 

<div class="md"><p>Previously featured on this sub. Polycarbonate roof, poly walls, built on pallets so it can be transported easily. </p>

<p>Building a garage and won’t have any space for it after. </p>

<p>I am in downtown Calgary. DM for details. </p>
</div>

Anyone interested in a Greenhouse?

Where can I buy giant Red Russian garlic seeds in Canada?

Is it too late to get my garlic in the ground? Calgary area?  I've just been so swamped with real life stuff I haven't had time to get any gardening done.

<div class="md"><p>Is it too late to get my garlic in the ground? Calgary area?  I&#39;ve just been so swamped with real life stuff I haven&#39;t had time to get any gardening done.</p>
</div>

Garlic

They were barely even the size of golf balls but the tops were abundant. What did I do wrong? This has been my first year gardening and I've learned A thing or two that's for sure and certain!! 

<div class="md"><p>They were barely even the size of golf balls but the tops were abundant. What did I do wrong? This has been my first year gardening and I&#39;ve learned A thing or two that&#39;s for sure and certain!! </p>
</div>

My beets were tiny

Hello, just looking for some assistance because I’m not finding much for information on my own. I want to start a commercial greenhouse in Alberta. Can anyone direct me towards licensing info, permits, etc? YES I already checked the government sites. Thank you

<div class="md"><p>Hello, just looking for some assistance because I’m not finding much for information on my own. I want to start a commercial greenhouse in Alberta. Can anyone direct me towards licensing info, permits, etc? YES I already checked the government sites. Thank you</p>
</div>

Commercial greenhouse licensing

My partner and I recently bought a home with a beautiful East-facing backyard (Calgary). Much of it is semi-shaded by a tree in the southern neighbour's yard. 

I love gardening and had been excited for raspberry bushes, sour cherries, and maybe a pear tree. Does anybody with a similarly shaded yard have success with these plants? Any specific varieties?   
  
I also have an area in the front yard that could work, but I'm not sure how much my neighbours would like raspberry bushes for a lawn. 

<div class="md"><p>My partner and I recently bought a home with a beautiful East-facing backyard (Calgary). Much of it is semi-shaded by a tree in the southern neighbour&#39;s yard. </p>

<p>I love gardening and had been excited for raspberry bushes, sour cherries, and maybe a pear tree. Does anybody with a similarly shaded yard have success with these plants? Any specific varieties?   </p>

<p>I also have an area in the front yard that could work, but I&#39;m not sure how much my neighbours would like raspberry bushes for a lawn. </p>
</div>

Fruits & Berries

Needing advice on wintering ornamental grass (Unknown) in pots. The pots can be moved so location? outside? unheated garage? burlap wrapped? leave as is? cut down now or spring?

Thank you

<div class="md"><p>Needing advice on wintering ornamental grass (Unknown) in pots. The pots can be moved so location? outside? unheated garage? burlap wrapped? leave as is? cut down now or spring?</p>

<p>Thank you</p>
</div>

Ornamental grass in pots

I am in fall craft mode and want to make a wreath with pine cones. Hoping to scavenge some rather than buy them. Does anyone know where there are pine trees in or around Edmonton?

<div class="md"><p>I am in fall craft mode and want to make a wreath with pine cones. Hoping to scavenge some rather than buy them. Does anyone know where there are pine trees in or around Edmonton?</p>
</div>

Pine trees in Edmonton for cones?

To rake or not rake? Should I just let the leaves fall and rake up in spring or should I rake them up this fall? I am in zone3.

Pulled off all my peppers.

Squash and kale harvest. 

this may not be the right place to ask this but i was wondering if anyone knows of any bur oak/other oak in edmonton where i could maybe find a few acorns? 

<div class="md"><p>this may not be the right place to ask this but i was wondering if anyone knows of any bur oak/other oak in edmonton where i could maybe find a few acorns? </p>
</div>