Seed early with caution

Whether they survive or fail, these early seeding plots will provide some valuable data on seeding dates

Extension agronomist Anastasia Kubinec wasn’t heeding her own advice to farmers the first week of April. She was seeding — but not because she’s banking on pulling in a bin-buster. Rather, she’s betting on a bust. Kubinec, Manitoba Agriculture and Rural Initiatives’ oilseed specialist, wants to demonstrate the risks of seeding too early, especially frost-sensitive

Fruits of our labour

Gardening can be a rewarding experience. First we till, preparing the seedbed. We carefully plan, sow the seed and mark the rows. We expect our vegetables to grow where we have planted them. Some years the rain and sunshine come in just the right amounts. When we get too much rain or not enough, it


The passion flower

The passion flower Growing exotic-looking houseplants can be a challenging but very interesting endeavour. No plant is more exotic looking than the passion flower and around Easter time it takes on an increased significance as it has religious symbolism connected to this Christian season. Each bloom consists of a flat base of petals above which

Growing from seed

One of the first flowers to make an appearance in the spring garden is the pansy — and it is one of the last to cease blooming in the fall. Pansies are definitely cool-weather plants, and in fact, they sometimes take a blooming holiday in midsummer during the hottest weather, and that is acceptable because


Fermenting tomato seeds the short road to removing membrane

Some families hand down furniture, others inherit jewelry, but Jim Ternier’s family legacy was a handful of melon seeds. And he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Ternier is the owner of Prairie Garden Seeds based in Humboldt, Saskatchewan and has made a living growing and selling seeds for the last 30 years. “Saving

Time to rejuvenate foliage plants

By now we contemplate the days becoming longer and providing more hours of sunlight for our indoor plants — soon houseplants will begin a resurgence after a long period of semi-dormancy. Because the plants will be coming into “full growth mode” as light levels increase, now is the perfect time to do some cutting back,


Glossary of garden terms

As we look through those seed catalogues and plan for a new season, here’s a list of terms to brush up on: Acidic soil: has a pH below seven, typical of clay soils. Azaleas, camellias, dogwoods and roses like acidic soils. Alkaline soil: has a pH of seven or higher. Annual plant: lives one year

Seed-applied liquid nutrient approved

Staff / A new liquid formulation of a seed-applied nutrient has been cleared by the CFIA for use on wheat, barley, oat and corn. Colorado-based Loveland Products’ seed treatment Awaken ST will be distributed by ag input retailer UAP Canada. Awaken ST’s micronutrient package includes five per cent zinc plus boron, copper, iron, manganese and


Bees Make A Buzz At The Forks Market

Jim Campbell of the Manitoba Beekeepers Association (centre) sets up a display at the ManitobaHoneyShowatTheForksMarketinWinnipeg.P hoto: ShannonVanRaes By Shannon VanRaes Co-operator staff Kids and adults alike swarmed the Manitoba Honey Show early this fall, as apiarists took the opportunity to share their honey and insights. The bees are important to Manitoba, said Ray Hourd, owner

Orchard Venture Proves Apples Are A Viable Prairie Crop

After a 36-year banking career, Ed Clayton decided to become a farmer but instead of grain or livestock, he wanted an extra challenge. I just wanted to prove to people that you can grow good apples in Manitoba, said the 70-year-old as he guided visitors through his operation on Open Farm Day. In 1996, after