Late Start for my SFG this year (central Alberta, 3A)

Well, this is the first time I've logged on since last year, and I must say I am envious of everyone's gardens already!! I just looked outside however, and reminded myself why I'm so behind. Yep, there's still snow on the ground and in my garden. No point in getting myself too excited yet! (But I am!!!). However, snow on the ground is no excuse as to why I'm so behind on my seedlings. There's no excuse for that (well except for the fact that this year I'm taking night classes, and all the reading and coursework that comes along with it). But today that all changes. Today is the day I'm starting my seedlings (almost a month late...).

Last night I pulled out my domes and my heating pads, trays, pellets and the seeds I ordered from Stokes in January. Today is the day! However, because TODAY is the day, and not a month ago, I think I will have to adjust just what I seed. I fear it might be too late to start my tomatoes, which were my pride and joy last summer. Typically it is safe to start transplanting here, the first week in June, so I have about 6 weeks to get my seedlings ready. Luckily I have a very generous Grandma and mother-in-law who have offered to share some of their tomato plants with me (the ones THEY started on time....a month ago).

So today, I will be planting my herbs (thyme, sage, oregano, basil and parsley), and my flowers (pansies and marigolds), and who knows...maybe a tomato or two, just so I can say that I tried.

Glad to be back on the forum this year, and look forward to keeping an eye on everyone else's gardens again too!

Cheers!

Welcome back I sometimes think its never too late, things work out always You have tomatoes coming from family and you can get those others started in no time:) Have a nice day of planting, its a good motivator. I know now that Im in the garden again I am motivated more.
Happy Planting!
Ha-v-v

So did you do it? I keep saying I am going to and not doing it. The weather here in Alberta is just too discouraging. I'll probably be picking up my seedlings at Canadian Tire next month.

I know what you mean. It IS discouraging when you see the deep snow and it just doesn't seem like it will EVER go away. And then the people in Texas and Florida or wherever start posting pics of their gardens and you just think....."oh my goodness. Their gardens are gorgeous and I still have snow up to my waist!" And then I feel like going back to bed and hibernating like the bears.
It is hard to get motivated when our last frost date is June 6 or there abouts. Yup! Totally hear you!!

BUT.....they have ridiculous storms that we don't have. Have you seen the news???? And the bugs they have!!! GOOD GRIEF! To say nothing of the poisonous animals and other things they have to contend with. We are soooooo lucky! And if you buy your seedlings at Canadian Tire, that is totally fine.

Just do what you can. Your garden is supposed to be fun.........a source of pleasure, not of guilt. If you start your own seeds......good for you. If you don't start your own seeds......good for you anyway. The garden is for YOU!

I am glad you are back. I so enjoy seeing more Canadians on here. Hang in there. It is almost time to plant!!

Gwynn

What the Hippie say be true.

However, you guys up there need to dig in and rise up...puns intended. Sure, we may have longer growing seasons down here, but you guys are inspirations to us, too. We may rev your engines early, but you guys are the sprinters. You guys have to burn rubber out of the blocks just to hit the finish line.

I can guarantee you that if I lived above the 49, I wouldn't likely be interested in gardening at all. I doubt I would feel anything had time to grow. But, you guys prove that wrong....or I hope you do.

We ALL have our challenges to overcome in a growing season. I, for one, am having my first season on this forum and would love to see how YOUR gardens grow.

As for the frost dates, you guys have experience. You KNOW the frost dates will come and pass. You KNOW your snow will melt and summer will come. You plant in advance planning for that day...having faith in that day. You stagger your planning in case you are slightly off.

Either way, your frost dates are even more critical than ours. Your seasons have to be masterfully planned to get things harvested in time, from what I've read. That intensity is what makes you guys so inspirational for me to watch. I can't wait to see YOUR gardens, too!

Thanks for motivation guys! Yes, our weather here in Alberta can be discouraging, and a challenge, but I think that's what keeps it interesting. This weekend is beautiful though. I think we might get our "spring" finally. (I heard 17 degrees on Monday, woo hooo!!)

I did get my seeds started. They're sitting in my front window, and I've been obsessively checking the temperature and keeping an eye on them. I already have a couple of cucumber seeds starting to sprout!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Thanks, BBG for the encouragement. I never looked at our kind of gardening the way you do. It is always great to hear someone else's point of view. I am so bad at posting pics but will try to be more diligent about that.

Ryley, keep it up. It is almost time to plant outside!! We are supposed to have a warm weekend although today is certainly not anything to brag about. It is sunny but the wind is very cold and it still is only +7 C. Tomorrow and Sunday are supposed to be nice. Sucks I have to work tomorrow. I did manage to get the top part of the compost piles turned and cleaned up today. The middle is still frozen solid. It will be a while yet before that is thawed.

Strawberries are looking good. The little bit of extra warmth they got from having the acrylic dome over them seems to have got them going a bit earlier than previous years. I DO have to invest in a lot of plastic forks to keep the neighbourhood cats out of the flower beds. Either that or a Reuger with a silencer.

Hang in there.

Gwynn