Tips for Spring Gardening in Alberta
Did you know planting those pretty bulbs in your garden has the potential to create havoc in your life and the lives of your neighbours because some utilities lines and cables are buried just centimetres below the surface!
First Tip : Spring Safety Check, “Click Before You Dig” at Alberta One-Call online or call 1-800-242-3447.
Even though numerous awareness efforts have been made through Alberta One Call, the number of reported damages continues to increase year-over-year. Because of COVID more homeowners have been working in their gardens which has created even more unsafe digging practices. Did you know a simple spade can accidentally hit an underground cable, and when a strike occurs, and a line is damaged, the cost of repairs are yours to pay?
Most people think they need to call if they are digging fence posts or planting a tree but in fact, simply planting bulbs or seeds can be very costly to you if you don’t know where the utility lines are buried in your garden or yard.
The most popular planned DIY home projects that involve digging include:
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- Planting flowers or a vegetable garden
- Planting a tree or shrub
- Building a patio or deck
- Building a fence
Once you know where the utilities lines are buried on your property, you will be safe to garden every season moving forward. Plan ahead this year – provide ample time for the location lines to be marked because Alberta One call requests at least five days before they can come to your home. Submit a locate request to Alberta One-Call online or call 1-800-242-3447.
Top 10 April Gardening Tips for Alberta Gardeners:
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- Thoroughly rake leaves and clean up lawn and gardens with old leaves and mulch
- Check for plants that did not survive winter and need replacing
- Cut the edge on your garden – it’s is easier when the soil is moist in the spring
- Fertilize evergreens in early to mid-April with a complete fertilizer, high in nitrogen.
- Spring is an excellent time to add compost or manure to your garden
- If needed on your lawn, top-dress and fill bare patches with quality compost or soil, then overseed.
- For those who want a lush green lawn, apply the first of three seasonal applications of fertilizer
- Check your lawnmower and other equipment for the season of mowing
- Spring’s an excellent time to divide perennial roots. Remember to * Click Before You Dig” before you begin digging.
- Cutting back overgrown shrubs to the base to rejuvenate new growth. The soil is moist, few leaves to damage and the root systems are full of energy and they have the entire season to recover.
Thankfully this past winter was on the milder side in Alberta and we’re well on our way to warm spring and summer days. Enjoying our yards and gardens has become even more of a priority this year because of COVID but being safe also includes being safe in our gardens. “Click Before You Dig” – Alberta One-Call online or call 1-800-242-3447. Happy Spring Gardening …
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