Backyard Gardening in Canada (Zone 3)


"Zone 3 Canadian Winters can be challenging; 
but very beautiful in their own way!"


" Gardening is a journey; not a race"

'Retirement for my wife & I has been very gratifying"

"We celebrate together the journey not the perfection"


Construction of the greenhouse was a fun event that was a challenge and a summer long project. The days and weeks included many tea breaks and rest periods. The project when completed was a fantastic addition to our gardening plans. The project augmented our raised garden beds to provide enjoyment and relaxation. Zone 3 seasons are a challenge and the early jumpstart of planting was immense. The smell of fresh dirt and green sprouts was an elixir in life that one has to experience. 

"Remember it's not about getting everything done" 

it's about creating something beautiful" 

"one step at a time" 


Seed catalogues and net views shape our seeding intentions in February. Rule of thumb is to try at least one new flower and vegetable variety each season. Exploring new plant varieties gives us gardening success and conversation hot topics with friends and neighbors. Spring seeding 
activity begins in mid March.
We start our plants in the greenhouse based on seed  germination timelines.
 Seeding consideration is given for the last frost free date. 
In zone 3A that is usually the last week of May/June 1

 


"Every small step forward is something to celebrate"

For my wife and I  it's important for us to pace ourselves"

   "We take many breaks as often as we need to"





Spring gardening preparation begins with planning to best utilize our raised garden beds to maximize our production potential. The raised beds are constructed with concrete slabs placed between vertical pillars. We built these beds over two seasons. The beds have been an outstanding success that we have enjoyed for last 10 years. The beds are 16 inches high and allows easy reach accessibility for our gardening pleasure.







"Retirement for us is staying connected to nature"



We plant our garlic in our raised 
  beds as soon as the frost is out of
 the top six inches of soil; early April usually. Six inch snow in late spring covered our emerging garlic; 
recovered beautifully to
 produce an abundant 
harvest in August.













"Gardening is more than just planting seeds;

                                      its nurturing our souls"


Pea seeds are placed 1 inch apart in close parallel rows with a wire rack support between the rows  

  


"Staying active and producing something truly special; 

for Seniors it's a way for us to stay connected 

with nature"


Tomatoes are a very easy crop to grow and we really enjoy them fresh or canned. The tomatoes are started in the greenhouse by mid April. We prefer the variety Oxheart which is an indeterminate heirloom variety. The cherry tomato is also a type we enjoy. The yields from both types are more than adequate for us, our family, friends & neighbors. Harvesting our crop is an ongoing process once the tomatoes are a good size. The majority of fruit is picked green or at the early stages of ripening, this harvest method, we find prolongs production and yield. Tomatoes are ripened in covered boxes indoors for future processing and eating. Tomato cages allow the large plants the ability to grow larger and maintain their integrity. Watering is provided by the use of a drip line irrigation system. Fertilization is provided using composted manure supplemented with weekly soluble fertilizer and bone meal.




" Relive cherished memories"

" Embrace the beauty of a life at a slower 

more meaningful pace"


Cucumber Trellis



We love cucumbers and pickles! The trellis( see below) allows us to pick our cucumbers without scavenging on our knees. The cucumber flowers are more accessible to our bee friends. For my wife and I we hit a home run with this innovation. Watering our plants is a snap with our wicking bed feature. Fertilization is a weekly event. Water soluble fertilizer is applied at very low rate combined with Epson salt dissolved in a watering can. 


                                                               Cabbage

                                                 
  Apples                                 Potatoes


                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                      
             Cauliflower                                                                     Lettuce                     


Peppers                                                        Beets




                                                                    Rhubarb



                                                                       Onions                                      


  
                  Zucchini                                                            Beans



                                                          Strawberries       

                    Bird screen cover

Carrots 


We savor our fresh garden fruits and vegetables. The enjoyment we get is unmeasurable; both in value and personal satisfaction. 

"Keep growing one day at a time"

"Have many 'Ah ha' moments"

  We love our flower gardens. The greenhouse has allowed us to start our plants early. The seed catalogues give access to a larger selection of flowers and vegetables. The fun part of gardening is learning something completely new each and every season. Celebrating successes and learning from our failures. Zone 3 gardening is a challenge in recognizing adaptability and probability. The biggest gardening improvement for us has been the introduction of wicking flower pots / beds and the utilization of mulch.   











   





























Gardening friends, my wife and I have enjoyed showing you our backyard. Our yard has evolved into our special place over time. Years of sharing and loving our handiwork has given us our little piece of heaven on earth in our retirement. We leave you now and share with you these thoughts. 

  "Gardening & nature offer some of the worlds purest and simplest joys".

 While towns and cities offer their charms, nothing compares to the beauty and sweet smell of flowers, birds lamenting in a sweet song, or the melancholy sound of a gentle fountain calming your soul. The garden is full of vibrant colors, mesmerizing scents & beautiful sounds. Gardens are havens we share with butterflies, birds, and bees who feel the need for peace and joy as they fly among the flowers. The sun always seems to shine a bit brighter here, as if the flowers have magical ways of reflecting the light. The Lord has truly blessed us..   


We retire to our favorite spot to have our tea & enjoy our handiwork.



Thankyou
&
Good gardening
😀














































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