Whether you live in an apartment building or a house, there are several reasons why raised garden beds are a fantastic option for gardeners. With Spring still in full bloom, it’s a great time to get started on a raised garden bed of your own. In this article, we’re here to share how a raised garden bed could be a game changer for your home garden!
10 Reasons to Use a Raised Garden Bed
Keep your garden safe from kids & pets playing.
Prevent burrowing pests from entering by using a base.
Provide plants with oxygen and good draining.
A great way to moderate soil needs and types of soil.
Easy access for those with disabilities, aches and pains – less bending.
Longer planting season with warmer soil temperatures.
Neat and tidy gardening, with easy structure support for trellises, netting and strings.
Helps concentrate all your hard-earned compost to where you need it!
Allows for gardening in small spaces without yards.
Easy planning! Raised garden beds are a great way to map out the exact area you have to work with.
Types of Raised Garden Beds
Raised Ground Beds: Using an in-ground garden bed is a great way to prevent weeds from creeping into your garden while also getting all the nutrients mother nature has to offer. In-ground planters built directly into the soil will also allow deeper rooting for plants that need it. Have underground pests? Be sure to apply netting to the bottom of the planter to keep them out. To raise your in-ground garden bed, look for beds that offer extensions like the Veggie Garden Planter above by CR Plastics, with unlimited expansion capabilities for ease.
Containerized Raised Beds – Raised containers come in various sizes and shapes to accommodate many unique growing conditions and spaces. Frequently used on balconies and apartments, they create small garden spaces where gardens aren’t often found. With limited space, herb gardeners are commonly cultivated in raised containers and provide endless supplies of fresh basil, parsley, mint, cilantro and more!
Supported Raised Garden Beds – Do you have an uneven ground for planting? Support your raised garden bed with a built-in bottom and/or by adding legs to support your bed, also known as a raised garden table. This will give you the even lift you need to create an equal distribution for your plants to absorb water and allow you to work in the garden with mobile ease. When choosing your supported raised garden bed, it’s essential to keep in mind the height at which you feel most comfortable working at. If you prefer a chair, opt for a raised bed with legs. If you want to kneel at a comfortable height, take measurements for how tall that would be while in a comfortable kneeling position.
Plant Based Beds
To determine the best raised garden bed for your home, start by knowing what it is you would like to plant. Each plant requires a unique combination of sunlight, water, soil drainage and depth for its roots. For example, if you have decided that you would like to grow tomatoes, you will need a bed with the following requirements.
Example:
SUN
Full-sun, preferably in a south-facing location.
WATER
Keep evenly moist; tomatoes don’t like too much water.
SOIL
Well-draining, slightly acidic, rich in nutrients.
DEPTH
12″ or deeper for best root development.
Once you have carefully mapped out all the requirements to choose your perfect garden bed for your favourite plants, incorporate more plants! The best way to add more plants would be to research similar growing condition plants or companion plants. For tomatoes, we recommend planting herbs; Basil or Parsley, Flowers; Marigolds or Nasturtiums, Vegetables; Asparagus or Garlic.
Tip: Keep in mind how much water your plants may require and how often. Is your raised garden bed in a convenient location to access the water they need?
Tools & Supplies
Now that you’ve chosen your plants and raised garden bed, you’re almost ready! If your plants don’t get nutrients directly from the earth, you will need to prepare nutrient-rich soil for them to grow strong and healthy. We recommend mixing an adequate amount of Sea Soil and/or compost with your soil, plus adequate plant food and to finishing with mulch for good water retention.
To determine the proper nutrients for your plants, you will need to research their individual nutrient needs when grown in a container. Using tomatoes as an example, try Nurseryland Tomato Food 5-10-5.
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Once upon a summer, somewhere, someone planted a tree during the year’s hottest season. The end of the story did not end in a happy ever after with luscious green leaves, as the tree was unable to grow in such hot conditions. We’re here to make your summer tree planting dreams come true this year! There is still time to give your new trees the happy ever after they deserve. With Spring still in bloom, the soil is moist, and the temperatures are right. If planting a summer tree is on your gardening agenda, we will help you make the right choices with our top 5 favourite trees to plant this Spring.
1. Magnolia Tree
Well known for their enormous and fragrant blooms from February until June. Magnolia trees belong to the Magnoliaceae family and originate from Southeast Asia and North America. Used in traditional Chinese medicines for its healing abilities. Gifted as a symbol of purity and nobility.
Sun: Full sun to light shade. Water: Once weekly for two seasons, bi-weekly after that. Soil: Well-drained soil, slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0. Zone: 7-10
2. Dogwood
Famous for their unique blossoms, bark and berries, Dogwood trees belong to the Cornaceae family. Dogwoods originate in Europe, Eastern Asia and North America. They have been a symbol of rebirth and are closely tied to many religions. With over 17 varieties, American Dogwood has been used to treat ailments like headaches and fevers.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade. Water: Once weekly, six inches deep. Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.0 pH. Zone: 5-9
3. Red Maple
Also known as Acer Rubrum, Swamp Maple, Water Maple or Soft Maple. The Red Maple creates bursts of colour across landscapes year-round, with tall bright red leaves. Native to easter and central America, the Red Maple can reach up to 40 to 70 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade. Water: Frequent watering. Twice weekly and three to four times during droughts. Soil: Acidic, loamy and well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5-6.5. Zone: 3-9
4. Cherry Tree
With many symbols and representations, it is said that gifting someone with a Cherry Tree blossom brings good fortune and beginnings to its receiver. If you’re lucky enough to care for a blossom tree, you can expect gorgeous spring blooms delivering soft scents of lilac to your home.
Sun: Full sun. Water: Initially, water deeply every two or three days. Then, once a week. Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Zone: 5-7
5. Tulip Tree
With blooms that resemble tulips, it’s no wonder how the Tulip Tree got its name. Belonging to the magnolia family, there are two main types of Tulip Trees; the Chinese Tulip Tree and American Tulip Tree, with very little difference between the two. Growing up to 70-90 feet tall and 40 feet wide, the Tulip Tree can live up to 500 years old. The Tulip Tree is a long-standing symbol of liberty and democracy.
Sun: Full sun Water: Frequently water, with five to seven gallons per week or when the top 3 inches of soil are dry. Soil: Slightly acidic, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.0-8.0. Zone: 4-9
Pro-Tips
As the weather warms up it’s important to remember that your new tree will require watering more frequently. We recommend having tree watering bags on hand to ensure your tree gets the water it needs with the summers we’ve been having. Tree bags are a great way to provide a slow release of water over five to eight hours to ensure your tree isn’t overwatered or underwatered. They can be used on new trees and mature trees and are a fantastic cost-cutting practice for water consumption.
Don’t forget! New trees require plenty of food to help them establish strong healthy roots, we recommend using Bone Meal 2-13-0. After planting be sure to use a good amount of mulch to further assist with retaining moisture in your soil.
For more inspiration and advice for growing trees, check out our latest episode of Get Up and Grow, with our President Gord Nickel, Tips for Growing Weeping Japanese Maples” below.
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Spring is here, and we are in full bloom! Though, the weather could warm up a little if you ask us. We’re still grateful to be outside planting, with each day getting warmer and warmer! To get the most out of your June garden, we’ve come up with a handy list of June to-do’s to keep you busy and growing!
Lawn & Pond
Summer is the time to enjoy your pond. Check water quality regularly.
Plant water plants! Water plants are now available to be planted in ponds and fountains.
Late spring is the perfect time to add fish to your ponds! Wait for temperatures to be 20-23 degrees Celsius.
Only feed your fish as much as they can eat in three minutes to avoid choking while they come out of hibernation.
New water features have been added to wildwood.express! Add some contemporary pond decor to your landscapes.
Plants
Plant starter vegetables like Tomatoes, Beans, Peppers and Squash.
Plant Cosmos, Marigolds, Zinnias, Nasturtiums, Morning Glory and Sunflowers.
When using slug bait, broadcast around your vegetable plants, never in a pile.
Make sure your frequently needed supplies are on hand before you get started. Gloves, Labels, Twine, Plant Food, Pruners, etc.
Consider using a rain barrel for sustainability and cost!
Raise your lawn mower’s blades when the weather starts to get hot and leave the clippings for “green” fertilizer.
Set up trellises for climbers like clematis, tomatoes, cucumbers and pole beans.
Use covers or netting to protect berries from birds.
Pre-order fall bulbs for spring blooms!
Check to see if compost is ready for use. Turn over or start new as needed.
Watch for pests and diseases like aphids, beetles, cabbage worms, hornworms, cutworms and more! Treat as needed.
For more help with your June gardening, check out ‘How to Prune and Plant a Clematis’ on Get Up and Grow with our President Gord Nickel on Chek News below!
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While it may seem like a tree with its tall stance and long reach, Wisteria is a fast-growing vine capable of growing in many ways. Famous for its ability to cascade pergolas, archways and trellises. Wisterias drape shades of purple, pink, white and blue flowers creating a beautiful floral shelter wherever it grows.
About Wisteria
Ordinating in Asia, Wister belongs to the legume family. The leaves and the flowers have been cultivated for centuries for teas and stems to make paper. It is essential to know that the pods produced by Wisteria are highly toxic if consumed yet the flowers remain edible. You can find Wisteria in various variations of blooms and colours. However, there are two primary varieties of Wisteria.
Chinese Wisteria – Also known as Wisteria Sinensis, Chinese Wisteria originates from China. As a more extensive variety of Wisteria with strong climbing abilities, Chinese Wisteria is known to be an invasive species across many states. Reaching up to 60 ft tall and 15 ft wide, Chinese Wisteria can also grow indoors, reaching approximately 2 ft tall as a Bonsai Tree. Chinese Wisteria is the most popular variety of Wisteria available in shades of white, blue, pink and purple, all with different scents.
Japanese Wisteria – With more prominent and more scented blooms, Japanese Wisteria originates from Japan. They grow up to 35 ft tall and 25 ft wide. Japanese Wisteria uses surrounding objects like trellises to spread. With varieties of blooms in pink, white, blue, and purple shades. With proper care, this vigorous grower can reach up to 10 feet tall in just one year.
Planting Wisteria
Canadian Wisteria
In Canada, Wisteria can withstand a wide variety of temperatures allowing it to grow happily in zones 4 through 9. Initially, Wisteria will require protection from Canada’s harsh winters, but once matured, it will be able to take on the cold. Once planted, Wisteria can take up to 5 years to produce blooms. Beautiful Wisteria blooms can then appear for four to five weeks in and around May. Depending on the variety of Wisteria and growing conditions, a second bloom can sometimes occur in August!
Supporting Wisteria
When planting your new Wisteria vine, give your vine plenty of space from any objects you do not want it to climb on while also giving it the support it needs to grow to its fullest potential. If you choose to use a pergola, trellis or an arbour, it is crucial to ensure the structure’s weight is strong enough to host the Wisteria. A rule of thumb is to use support beams that are a minimum of 4 x 4 inches and made from wood or metal. To assist with the direction of growth, use strong garden twine while it matures to the top of your structure.
Wisteria Care
For more tips and tricks on how to grow Wisteria at home, check out the latest episode of Get Up and Growth with our President, Gord Nickel on Chek News below!
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By introducing more pollinators to your garden, you can expect higher yields, bigger blooms and more plants! These busy-bee workers aren’t just bees. Pollinators come in a wide variety of insects and mammals. Some fantastic pollinators you can find in Canada are bats, birds, moths, butterflies, flies, wasps, beetles and more. To get you started on attracting more pollinators to your home garden, we’ve created a list of tips to help make these critters feel right at home at your home!
1.) Just Add Water
Like us, our pollinator friends need water to survive! To help keep their wings clean and their thirst quenched, maintain a constant supply of fresh water out for them to rely on. A safe way to do so is by keeping a shallow water dish out with sticks and rocks for perching.
Pro-tip: Try using a refillable dog bowl for a constant fresh water supply.
2.) Less Chemicals, More Nature
While it may seem like an excellent way to get rid of pesky insects, chemical-based products aren’t pollinator friendly. Don’t worry! Chemicals aren’t necessary to get rid of garden pests. In fact, many pollinators like birds, praying mantis, wasps and bats prey on these insects! Making your garden more protein rich for them.
Pro-tip: When in doubt, look for certified organic products!
3.) Single or Double?
The bigger the bloom, the better? Not when it comes to helping our pollinator friends out. With bigger flowers comes more petals to navigate through to get to what really matters -the pollen! To make your garden more appealing for pollinators, introduce single petal blooms for quick and easy pollen access!
4.) Favourite Colours
When we humans look at a garden, we see every colour of the rainbow! Interestingly enough, our bee friends don’t. They see the world through ultraviolet rays, making them unable to see reds! Plant yellows, blues, and purples for high visibility to attract more bees.
Pro-tip: To attract butterflies, plant whites, pinks, purples, reds, yellows and oranges. For hummingbirds, plant plenty of reds!
5.) Group setting
Don’t be shy! Plant more of them when you’ve decided on your favourite pollinator-friendly plants. Planting groups of the same plants together will lure in pollinators like an all-you-can-eat buffet!
Pro-tip: Try naturalizing with plants like Crocus and Snowdrops for mass landscaping.
6.) Hang-out Spots
Like your favourite lazy boy recliner, each pollinator has a favourite hang-out spot. Hummingbirds prefer to hide from the sunshine in shady areas under trees and near bushes. While butterflies and bees prefer energizing in the sunshine. To keep your pollinator guests happy, try placings rocks in the sun for bees and butterflies to catch some rays. While keeping some hummingbird favourites out of the sun so that they can keep their cool.
Pro-tip: For night protection, use a butterfly habit box for butterflies and a mason bee home for mason bees to keep protected from harsh weather.
7.) Bloom time!
The best way to attract pollinators and keep them coming back for more is to have more! Once your blooms are gone, your pollinators will be too. To ensure they stick around, be sure to offer continuous blooms by planning your blooms times. Here is a cheat sheet to keep on hand when you’re planning!
