Canadian Gardening: Anyone from Calgary?, 1 by fancyvan

fancyvan wrote:
Hi Michelle:

It has been quite an eye opener to join DG and read about how things grow in warmer climates! Just had not thought about it before! I hear people talk about plants they consider invasive and they are just fine in my garden! And all the pretty things I cant grow in this zone!
Truth to tell I have never had my soil tested - generally speaking I think Calgary is alkaline - and of course clay!
I live in an older community (Killarney) in a little 'wartime' house on a big lot so lots of gardening room.I have seveal hundred feet of perennial beds.Both my front and back yards were professionally landscaped because I couldnt do the hardwork myself. I also had my large veggie garden transformed 3 years ago to raised beds. I dont start anything from seed - just have not got a decent set up/room for that.I grow lots of veggies - all the usual stuff - and usually try something new every year. This year in an effort to push the season I am going to put row covers on the raised beds a month before planting time and see what I can do. I love being able to eat out of my garden for 3-4 months a year and I usually have so much that I pass it around to friends and neighjbors who dont have gardens.
Of course gardening in Calgary is a bit of a crap shoot because you never quite know when it will freeze! Ah the challange!
I have been posting some garden pics in my diary - have a look. Most of the pics were taken a couple of years ago - I entered the Hort Society garden competition and won a few prizes.
This is a pic taken last fall.

carol