Guys, I'm going to be real with you. I REALLY want to be good at gardening and everything plants BUT not a single one of my thumbs is green.

I literally struggle to keep my houseplants alive and have experienced a lot of betrayal throughout the journey. (Them betraying me by dying and me betraying them by accidentally killing them...it's a harsh cycle.)

BUT! I'm feeling very optimistic about this gardening season since talking to Susan Russell, President of the Okotoks Garden Club.

I called her up and said "Sue...I'm a garden dummy, teach me everything you know...for beginners." And she gave me a lot of great tips that are useful for not only someone that is just starting out but maybe some more advanced gardeners as well.

Not quite green yet but lots of plants already popping through the soil at the community garden!

So let's dig in! 

1. Now that it is warmer, can we start planting anything?

2. If we can start planting now what are some of the best plants for this time of year?

Other than Purple Turnips Sue informed me that another EASY veggie to start with is Lettuce! And because it's so easy to grow you can actually save some moola rather than buying it in store!

(You can also put chard, lettuce, spinach in the freezer if you grow too much....this may just be common sense but I am the freezer QUEEN and had no idea! lol.)

3. Now with lettuce, is that something that once you pull out to eat you have to re-plant? 

4. When it comes to starting from scratch...or seed in this case, where do you even start?

Something to keep in mind when you're starting to plant here in the Foothills is we have fewer frost-free days than other places in Alberta. Sue wants you to keep in mind that the average "last" frost is June the 10th and the "first" average frost is August 30th. (anyone else a little depressed after reading this stat?) 

5. So with this time period in mind, how do you know how long certain veggies will take to grow?

 6. Herbs are kind of expensive in store, which ones are easier to grow? 

We had to ask a personal question as one of our coworkers is struggling to grow radishes, Sue didn't have a particular solution but she let us in on a really cool trick when it comes to radishes!

7. As for critters, how do you keep them out of your garden? 

Sue also suggests non-toxic powders that you can sprinkle on your plants as they are very effective but she swears by "Horticultural Fleece" to help keep things that lay eggs away such as caterpillars. 

8. What's the best way to install this Horticultural Fleece? 

I don't know about you but I am feeling INSPIRED! I want to get out and start planting today while the weather is nice! (And we're supposed to have some rain this weekend so maybe the perfect time to do it?) 

Sue left me with a few last words of wisdom before we parted ways..."Gardening is meant to be fun, it isn't meant to be hard work....and youtube is a great resource these days, particularly for gardeners because instead of just reading advice from an expert you get to see them doing it."

Some great videos Sue suggests are:

- Veggies 101 - this is a video Sue's Husband did for the town.

- The Rusted Garden - this is one of Sue's favorite garden YouTubers but keep in mind that he is in Virginia so different climates! 

Also, check out the Okotoks Garden Club's Facebook Page if you have any questions! 

Good Luck in the garden friends!!!

~Shayne