Freezing temperature is something we constantly deal with in a northern garden. There can always be another frost after the "last day of frost" and before the "first day of frost". Plant protection from frost is crucial for growing a successful garden in cold climate. In this post, we will talk ...
Gardening
Growing Peppers in Cold Climate
Growing peppers in cold climate is in many ways similar to growing tomatoes, but still different. Tomatoes are more popular, more forgiving and a bit easier to grow. In overall though if you are successful in growing tomatoes, peppers can be your next thing to conquer. We love to grow peppers. ...
Growing Tomatoes Summer Update
Growing tomatoes in cold climate and harvesting ripe tomatoes in the summer is something we write a lot about here at Northern Homestead. Today we are sharing a 'growing tomatoes summer update' in pictures. Starting from seeds, planting and harvesting ripe tomatoes in July. This (2019) is a good ...
Dry Spring Challenge in the Garden
Planting seeds into something that feels more like dust than soil, is a common thing here in Alberta. With over 300 days of sunshine a year we do not get much of rain at any time. Spring, however, often feels especially dry. Here we share how we deal with the dry spring weather challenge in the ...
To Till or Not to Till the Garden
To till or not to till the garden is a question gardeners in the past did not have. Growing up on a homestead, our garden has always been cleaned up, fertilized with composted manure, and turned over. We did that every spring. Teens and young adults in our rural town would form work crews to help to ...
Do Not Use Weed Control Fabric in the Garden
Just to roll some Weed Control Fabric (aka landscape fabric) out in your garden and not to worry about weeding anymore sounds good. Stopping weeds without dangerous chemical, and doing it for many years - some give a 25 years guarantee, wow! But is this true, does it work as promised? Here are 3 ...
Blizzard Conditions In The Garden
Living in Alberta Canada, blizzard conditions in the garden are a common threat. We have experienced it in spring as well as in fall. There is the possibility of snow in every month of the year. Our first spring here in 2008 we had beautiful weather in mid of April . We were excited to finally ...
Successful Gardening is not Depending on a Green Thumb
It is a common assumption that successful gardening is depending on a green thumb. Some people have the ability to grow a great garden, and some don't. People with a green thumb can grow almost anything in any climate. If you don't have a green thumb, you might be able to develop one if you study ...
When to Plant What – And Why Not To Follow the General Rule
When to plant what? - The answer to that question in our area seems to be very simple: on the May long weekend. This has to do with our last frost day, which is around May 25, and the Canadian Victoria day, a holiday that happens to be around the last frost day. Many gardeners here have followed ...
Growing Food – Onions
If you are into growing food – onions is a great plant in your garden. We definitely recommend growing onions even though they are not on the dirty dozen list of foods that are contaminated with pesticides the most. So if there is no room in your garden, or you struggle to grow a good onion, you can ...