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You are here: Home / Local Love / Play Local / Tips For Savvy New Gardeners

Tips For Savvy New Gardeners

May 30, 2019 By Kari Leave a Comment

No-fail perennials, the most fragrant annuals, plants to keep mosquitoes and pets away,
tips for your first raised-bed vegetable garden…and the list goes on!
Keep on reading to discover an abundance of tips for savvy new gardeners!

tips for savvy new gardeners-1I used to be obsessed with shoes; now it’s perennials! Okay, who am I kidding – I’m still shoe obsessed – but I’ve developed a deep love and passion for gardening. I love sinking my hands into the soil and creating something beautiful (yes, even if it means messing up my manicure).

I come from a long line of gardening addicts. My dad spends his days in the dirt whipping up beautiful masterpieces in my parents’ yard. He taught me everything I know about gardening. Both of my grandfathers were avid green thumbs. One was a horticulturist who lived in a house right on the property at the Winnipeg Zoo as the groundskeeper, tending to the landscape and flowers. The other took a less-official approach, effortlessly creating a haven of greens and blooms at his cottage on the river.

tips for savvy new gardeners-2Why We Love Thiels Greenhouses

I definitely have a TON to learn, and I’m all about getting better at gardening. Last August, we did some Saskatoon berry picking with Thiel’s Greenhouses and immediately connected with the family who runs the shop. After 50 years in operation, the Stielows jumped in when the Thiels decided to sell. Nadine Steilow grew up in Bruderheim, and would visit Thiel’s Greenhouses with her mother and grandmother when she was a little girl. The place had special meaning to her.

We love going to Thiel’s for the customized experience. Everyone who works at the centre really takes time to help bring the vision of your garden to life. Plus, Nadine and her family are really great people, and we want to support them! Here are some unique pieces we picked up on our last trip to Thiel’s.

tips for savvy new gardeners-3

Unique Additions To My Garden This Year

 

Mosquito Deterrent

We’ve placed two Citrosa perennial shrubs in pots on our deck, with the goal of keeping mosquitoes away. Citrosa has fragrant leaves reminiscent of citronella. Nadine from Thiel’s suggests even rubbing a bit of the plant on your person while sitting outside (unless you’re allergic, of course!). Here’s hoping they work!

tips for savvy new gardeners-4Easiest Hanging Baskets Ever

These ones tick all the boxes. They’re low-maintenance – they don’t need to be watered a lot, there’s little to no deadheading, and they attract hummingbirds. I’m really hoping for hummingbirds this year! We’ve been told we actually can’t get them in your yard because of where we live in the city, BUT these babies could be the ticket! Lophospermum or ‘Lofos’ is a great full sun to part sun plant that can handle drier growing conditions. tips for savvy new gardeners-5

Keep Pets Out of The Garden

Our pup Moses like to lay right in the dirt in my flowers. Here’s hoping this Stinky Green herb will get him back to his bed on the deck. ๐Ÿ™‚ Some people swear by it and stock up every year! The skunky smells is said to deter cats and dogs from hanging out in the garden.

tips for savvy new gardeners-6

Seven Tips From The Experts at Thiels

 

#1: SELF: Whatโ€™s your passion? Flowers, food, or a combination of both? To determine the size of garden you should grow, decide how much time you have to invest in your garden. TIP: Raised beds are easier to maintain.

tips for savvy new gardeners-7

#2: SUN: On a sunny day off, grab a stack of bottles and cans from your recycle bin and mark where the sun shines throughout the day to determine how much sun or shade is in your space. Choose plants accordingly. Sun-loving plants need 4-6 hours of sun a day. Shade plants can have 3-4 hours of sun maximum.

tips for savvy new gardeners-8

#3: SOIL: Plants need quality soil to grow. To create your best soil, use a blended, bagged soil mix and a good quality compost. Add top soil if available. Home compost is even BETTER!

#4: SHOP: Shop for your seeds and/or plants at a trusted greenhouse. Ask staff questions about the plants you want to grow. Plants grown locally will often perform better. Know your grower! Find a greenhouse that uses biocontrol and no harsh chemicals to combat pests.

tips for savvy new gardeners-9

#5: SPACING: Insert the plants into the soil to cover the roots with the plant level with the soil. Read the labels on the plants to know how big the plant will become so overcrowding doesnโ€™t become an issue. Place different height plants for best aesthetics.

tips for savvy new gardeners-10

#6: SAVOUR: Enjoy your labour of love. Be aware of the weather and water to make up for the lack of water from rain. Donโ€™t over-water. Plants donโ€™t like constant wet feet! Feed with a good quality fertilizer.

tips for savvy new gardeners-11

#7: SHARE: Ask questions from your friends, family, and neighbours. Tell them about your experience and learn from their gardening successes. It takes a community to raise a plant!

tips for savvy new gardeners-12

NO-FAIL Perennials

Sun:

  • Peony
  • Iris
  • Rhubarb
  • Heuchera
  • Bleeding Heart
  • Lilies (Day or Asiatics)

Shade:

  • Astilbe
  • Hostas
  • Bergenia

Most Fragrant Annuals:

  • Nemesia (like Opal Innocence or French Connection)
  • Heliotrope
  • Citrosa a.k.a. Citronella (great as an anti-mosquito plant)
  • Scensation Blue Petunia
  • Evening Stocks
  • Verbena
  • All Herbs

tips for savvy new gardeners-13

Tips for Creating a Raised Bed Veggie Garden

 

#1: Plant veggies that will grow well with the hours of sun your space gets.

tips for savvy new gardeners-14

#2: Make sure your soil is good and use a quality fertilizer when you water.

tips for savvy new gardeners-15

#3: Add pollinators (marigolds, pansies, etc.) with veggies to aid in their growth.

tips for savvy new gardeners-16

#4: Enjoy your harvest!

tips for savvy new gardeners-17

 

Pin this to your Gardening and Backyard Oasis boards and don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest!

tips for savvy new gardeners-18

Thank you to Theils Greenhouse for partnering on this post. Thiels provided beautiful plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs for our garden in exchange for this post! As always, thoughts and opinions are mine.

Other Posts You’ll Like

Seven Simple Ways To Help Save The Planet

Refreshing Herb Garden Cocktails

Our New Outdoor Oasis Reveal

xx

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We ventured out to @jonsfunnyfarm last week and cuddled all the baby farm animals! ๐Ÿšœ

We also met a yak, a bison, and an alpaca that dishes out kisses! ๐Ÿ’‹๐Ÿ’‹

You can book your appointment ahead of time and have the place to yourself. Something safe and fun to do with the fam! Swipe to watch me walk a cow...๐Ÿ˜… (who wears white runners to a farm?) #cityslicker 
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There are beautiful moments but this whole thing is hard and exhausting on everyone.๐Ÿ’›

I'm crossing my fingers for a normal start to school in the fall. Think we'll be good to go? ๐Ÿ˜ฌ In the meantime, virtual hugs to you and yours. We've got this. ๐Ÿ™Œ

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kariskelton

fun finds | decor + organization inspo | style hacks
๐ŸŒท
Mama ๐Ÿ‘ฆ๐Ÿถ๐Ÿถ
Blogger โŒจ
Doing it all from our heritage home ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
Tap the link below for more tips ๐Ÿ‘‡

Kari Skelton | Lifestyle
Shop Local: Unique Motherโ€™s Day Gift Guide! ๐ŸŒธ Shop Local: Unique Motherโ€™s Day Gift Guide! ๐ŸŒธ Featuring charming picnics, curated mom boxes, ice cream delivery, cocktail kits and more!ย ๐Ÿ˜

One thing this pandemic has reminded us of is the importance of supporting our local shops. Weโ€™re not out of this thing yet so please #shoplocal this momโ€™s day!ย ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™Œ

Find the packed-full list fresh on my blog today - KariSkelton.com (Just tap the blue link under @kariskelton to get it).

Got your momโ€™s day plans all lined up, orโ€ฆ ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ

๐Ÿ“ธ @desilesphotography
.
.
.

#mamlove #mamhood #momlifebelike #yegmom
#yegblog #yycmom #yycblogger #kidsstuff #mysweetunscriptedlife #yeglove  #mothersdaygifts #shopsmallmomsday #shopsmall #shoplocalyeg
May your week be filled with as much joy as this g May your week be filled with as much joy as this goat has soaking up the sunshine.๐Ÿ๐ŸŒž
 
We ventured out to @jonsfunnyfarm last week and cuddled all the baby farm animals! ๐Ÿšœ

We also met a yak, a bison, and an alpaca that dishes out kisses! ๐Ÿ’‹๐Ÿ’‹

You can book your appointment ahead of time and have the place to yourself. Something safe and fun to do with the fam! Swipe to watch me walk a cow...๐Ÿ˜… (who wears white runners to a farm?) #cityslicker 
.
.
.
#exploreEdmonton #explorealberta #explorecanada #canadianmama #funnyfarm #farmadventures  #albertafarm #babyfarmanimals #travelalberta #adventurewithkids #yegmom #yycmom #yegblogger #yycblogger
Wyatt's message to COVID. ๐Ÿ˜ There are beautifu Wyatt's message to COVID. ๐Ÿ˜

There are beautiful moments but this whole thing is hard and exhausting on everyone.๐Ÿ’›

I'm crossing my fingers for a normal start to school in the fall. Think we'll be good to go? ๐Ÿ˜ฌ In the meantime, virtual hugs to you and yours. We've got this. ๐Ÿ™Œ

We're going to set up our patio next weekend! ๐ŸŒณHave you done it yet? #backyardbliss #staycations 

๐Ÿ“ธ @tbolinskicreative
.
.
.
#liketkit #makingmyhaven #StayHomeWithLTK #LTKhome #patiodecor #outdoorfurniture #makehomebetter
#makehomematter
#realhomesofinstagram
Wyatt wanted me to get 'rainbow nails'. ๐ŸŒˆ I fee Wyatt wanted me to get 'rainbow nails'. ๐ŸŒˆ I feel like this was a nice compromise.๐Ÿ˜Š Anything for the babes, right?! 

Hope you have a beautiful Sunday! ๐Ÿ’›

Nails by @jessie_nailkeeper @thenailkeeper.๐Ÿ’…

Snapped @creativehiveyeg with 'Peachy Love' #JillyPresets
.
.
.
#summernails #rainbownails #nailpolishlove #nailpolishaddiction #delicatejewelry #stackingrings #jewelryporn #summernails #ombrenails #ombrenails๐Ÿ’… #canadianmom #manigoals #manicure๐Ÿ’… #manicurista #manimonday #shellacnails
Load Moreโ€ฆ Follow on Instagram

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