On the seventh day of my apprenticeship at Prairie Gardens, I, along with Mackenzie, another apprentice, were told to collect some stinging nettle. Wear gloves, they said. I guess stinging nettle hurts, I thought. That should give you an idea of how much I knew about stinging nettle, in other words, pretty much nothing. I’d vaguely heard of the name …
Carrie’s CSA adventures with Amaranth and Wheat berries
July 2nd’s CSA basket from Prairie Gardens contained: Amaranth Red Root Bunch, Lambsquarters (Fat Hen), Rhubarb, Edible Flowers, Oregano, Tea Mix (Pineapple Mint, Sage, Stevia), Oxalis, Multiplier Onions and Wheat Berries. This week I had success in creating something new for the family and I also had some hiccups. Let’s start with the items that didn’t go as planned. Transplanting …
17 backyard fruits – Sweet, fresh and very, very local
Even with a short season, Alberta gardeners grow apples, goji berries (pictured above), stone fruit, even grapes in their backyards. Here are just some of the fruit varieties available at the Prairie Gardens greenhouse right now. Apples We grow great apples that are hardy enough for the prairies. Red Sparkle, Winter Cheeks, Goodland, September Ruby and Kerr are all productive …
Aw – Snap! It’s Winter.
CBC radio announcer’s voice drifts through my thoughts… “The cold snap continues – with no relief in sight!” A cruel high blew in from the north, bringing with it a bone chilling -32 C wind. The snow from last night and this morning isn’t going to be enough to keep the kale alive, I worry. So I’m still out harvesting, …
Play with your food: Ten things to do with pumpkins
It’s pumpkin season at Prairie Gardens – where Tam and her team grow 100,000 pumpkins every year! Giant Jacks, ice blue (with and without belly buttons), green and bumpy, tiny and white – what are you going to do with all these? Make a pie or watch them fly – here are ten ways to play with pumpkins. Haunted Pumpkin …
CSA family report: Our magic Sundays
It’s been a sweet summer for us at the farm. We’ve been eating our vegetables all through the week and each Sunday we play on the go-karts and swing in the farm’s old tree. Sometimes I remember to bring our leftover greens for the goats, sheep and bunnies. Mama goats love them especially. This is our fourth year in the CSA, …
Plant. Rain. Weed. Grow.
A letter from Farmer Tam It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to sit and write. It’s been a furious, tumultuous, crazy spring season. Scatter the seeds. Plant the onions. Plant the tomatoes. Transplant the pumpkins. Rain! Weeds. Grow. Now that spring has come and gone, it’s with a heavy heart; I share the news that my Mum, …
Passion and Partnerships Key to Adventure Farm’s Healthy Harvest
It started out 60 years ago as a tree nursery and greenhouse. Today, Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm is a family-friendly tourist destination that attracts 50,000 visitors a year. The journey has been one of passion and partnership, lifelong learning and innovation, and a business model that can only be described as relentless. “Everything we do is about building community and connecting …
Hardy Sour Cherries
6 Tips for Growing Tart Pie Cherries in Edmonton Plant Sour Cherries in a protected area with well drained soil. Avoid low lying areas where cold air collects. Windbreak are recommended for North and West sides of the orchard. Late winter or early spring is the best time to prune. Pruning of damaged branches can be done at anytime. Never …
How to grow tomatoes like a farmer
Five things tomatoes love Tam grows incredible tomatoes – they climb all the way to the greenhouse roof! Here are five growing tips from our favourite farmer. Tomatoes love hot summer We have long days here in the summer, but the really hot weather that tomatoes love is short. Pick a short season variety – 55-60 days is ideal for …
