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Digging In With Pam

Exclusive Video Series

Local Garden Guru, Pam unveils secrets in this video series named “Digging In With Pam”.  You too can master the art of horticulture with Pam and Lynn.

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#1 Introducing Digging In

#2 Spring Tree Inspection

#3 Prepping Containers

#4 Prepping Flower Beds

#5 Successful Dirt

#6 Plan Your Purchase

#7 Mastering Containers

Before and After

Asked and Answered

Introducing

As Hanna’s treasured Garden Guru prepares to retire, we are thrilled to capture her wealth of knowledge gained over years of nurturing the Town’s green space. Join Pam and her assistant, Lynn as t hey share invaluable tips and tricks. In this video series, you will learn how to prepare, maintain, and beautify your trees and flowers throughout the changing seasons. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from a true master of horticulture.

Trees in Spring

Welcome! All gardening enthusiasts, follow along as Pam gets into the tree-mendous world of spring maintenance. Learn what to look for when pruning, what damage to watch for including deer, voles, and sun scald. You’ll also get the inside scoop on fertilizing to make your trees the envy of the neighborhood.

Prepping Containers

Tune in to learn why it’s important not to re-use old soil… Preparing your containers by eliminating compromised soil is the key to grande flower pots.

Prepping Flower Beds

It’s important in Spring to do some prep work so that your flower beds can produce vibrant flowers all season long. Follow along to learn these important steps.

Successful Dirt

Using good quality potting soil is essential. Other dirt will become packed and hard.

Learn why it’s important to water your dirt before planting.

Plan Your Purchase

Know the size of your containers and plan out your recipes. This will help you make a detailed list when you head to the garden centre.

Pam even shares some of her favorite recipes that she uses and includes how many plants are needed.

Mastering Containers

Learn the proper planting technique, when plants are ready to plant and what to fertilize with for successful flower containers this season.

Before and After

Look at the difference a few short weeks can make.  By following the tips Pam and Lynn have graciously shared, your plants can be full and abundant.

Did you know that each barrel is watered about three times a week? In the spring, they use about 3 gallons each time. As the summer progresses, the water increases to 4-6 gallons per barrel per week. Be sure to fertiize weekly, and reguarly deadhead and your foliage will be as beautiful.

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Pam Answers Your Questions

Karin asks what to plant in her unprotected and hot front yard.

Question: My front yard has no shrubs or trees. I have a front balcony it gets very hot there in the summer, I’m not sure what flowers for the balcony, shrubs or trees to plant in the front yard. Flowering trees or shrubs are ok, as long as they are not to strong in the fragrance ( allergies and asthma ). We are still working on the backyard, so not this year maybe next. Thank you kindly for your advice. Oh and please not too much work with the shrubs and trees as I am handicapped.

Pam’s Answer: Lynn and I feel this is a two-part question.  First, we can talk about the front balcony, if it’s in a lot of sun there are quite a few options depending on the size of the balcony and the size of the pots.

For example: We plant 4 waves plus a center plant in a whiskey barrel size pot, that also works for 3 geraniums, a center plant and 2-3 plants to hang over the edge. Good plant options for a lot of sun and heat are:
  • Supertunias
  • Waves
  • Geraniums
  • Marigolds
  • Salvia, Scaveola, Cuphea, or Dianthus
  • Vines such as Sweet potato vine, vinca, bacopa or mint.
There are so many options.  Check tags and the internet as additional resources and ask your garden centres and greenhouses.
The question about trees and shrubs is a very personal one for your situation.  Every tree or shrub requires at minimum, regular watering and fertilizing, pruning of dead and diseased wood, leaves and managing the fruit whether you harvest it or pick it from the ground.
We think your best options are:
  1. Call in a professional to help take stock of your yard in regards to
    • soil conditions
    • exposure to North/South/East/West
    • size of trees and shrubs required.
    • help with actual plant selection
    • possible help with planting if needed.

2. Go to one of your local greenhouses or garden center with a drawing of your yard with the areas mapped for where you want plants.  They can help guide you in your plant selections to meet your specific needs.

 

Darrel asks for advice on his lawn.

Question: My grass is full of all kinds of weeks, grass and stuff I don’t recognize. I have two trees in the front that are great for shade which I love. I had them trimmed once and I’m sure when I moved in six year ago the grass looked great. No I figure it is just a lack of water. Any advice?

Answer: Absolutely, the weeds are a product of the lack of moisture and probably a lack of fertilizer too. If you are not interested in fertilizing, just mow the weeds with your grass. If you do fertilize, I highly recommend a product formulated in Alberta for our Alberta climate. These fertilizers are very beneficial for your trees too.