Complete Compendium of Hardy Manchurian Apricots for the Prairies

Growing Hardy Zone 3 Garden Apricots in Alberta Manchurian Apricots are a winter-hardy relative of the native plum. This tree can stand some drought, but will not handle standing water or saturated moist soils. They are wonderful trees for conservation and diversity projects, and can be used in shelterbelts, thickets, or as a specimen tree in a sheltered back yard. …

Canadian Hardiness Zones are Not the Same as US Hardiness Zones!

How to Choose Plants Hardy to Your Zone Our farm and tree nursery, Prairie Gardens, is dedicated to producing plants that grow on the Canadian Prairies – which range from zones 0 (hardy to Alaska) to zone 4 (hardy in Edmonton). Our tree nursery was established in 1956 – with almost 70 years of experience, naturally, we get a lot …

Spring Planting Fruit Trees for the Prairies!

In-depth Fruit Tree Planting Tips for the Home Garden in Alberta The following suggestions will help you to successfully plant fruit trees in Canadian Hardiness Zones 0 to 4 for Alberta gardens, whether it is spring, summer or fall, and you’ll have an in depth understanding on how to grow hardy fruits in the north! Spring Planting Springtime is the …

Highbush Cranberry, aka Kalyna; Half-High American Cranberry and Bog Cranberry

Hardy Fruit for Zone 2 Gardens The American Highbush Cranberry grows wild in Alberta.  It is found around lakes, in shady forest glens, and along forgotten streams that flow in the spring.  You’ll smell them on the breeze before you see them. They have a distinct aroma, vaguely reminiscent of blue cheese or more likely – “stinky socks”!  The fruit …

Fall Planting Cherries for the Prairies

It’s not too late to plant cherries in the prairies! Cherry plants that have been grown in containers can be planted from spring and right through until fall. We have planted sour cherries well into early October with great success. We mulch the root balls with about 12” of wood shavings or wood chips the last week of October to …

Why Fall Is a Great Time to Plant Fruit Trees in the Prairies?

Plus a few tips on the secret lives of trees – below ground. Fall planting allows just enough time for the roots of a fruit tree to become established before winter. And that acclimation period is extremely important. After a summer of big swings in weather – with excessive heat and drought in the spring, followed by excessive wet and …

Agri-tourism – You Made a Difference

Due to the overwhelming public support for Prairie Gardens and other local farms in the region, Sturgeon County has now adopted a new approach to Agriculture and Tourism in the region with a new take on Agri-tourism! Prairie Gardens and nine other farms are now promoted as excellent places to visit in Sturgeon County. Original Article: https://www.sturgeoncounty.ca/importance-of-agritourism/?mc_cid=cb8bbf38f2&mc_eid=d78ec987a6 Growing Connections: The …

Prairie Gardens is a Sustainable Tourism Award Finalist

We are very proud of being a Sustainable Tourism Award finalist. We have maintained a sustainability action plan score of 94%. Doing our part to protect the environment! Learn more and view minute 1:35 for the Prairie Gardens finalist overview.

Growing Plums & Cherry Plums for the Prairies Zone 2-3

Compendium for Growing Plums & Cherry Plums for the Prairies in Canadian Hardiness Zone 2-3 Did you know we can grow plums in Edmonton and across Alberta?   There are actually four types of plum trees that can be grown in prairie climate of Alberta in the Canadian Hardiness Zone 2-3-3b throughout the Edmonton region.  In the cities (Lethbridge, Medicine Hat …

Compendium of Sour or Tart Cherry Information

University of Saskatchewan fruit expert, Bob Bors has been working on something unique: a collection of bush-type tart cherries that produce large, tasty fruits well-suited for harvesting for fresh eating or pie making. Interesting fact: The BRIX sugar level is actually higher in these “Tart”cherries than it is in the traditional Bing cherry (22 vs 16) but as they have …