Getting Started - Outdoor Garden

Getting your hands dirty with outdoor gardening in Prince George? Awesome! Our unique northern climate offers a mix of challenges and rewards. This guide is here to walk you through the basics, from picking the right plants to tackling pests, and everything in between. Let's get your garden growing!

Understanding Your Climate and Soil

Gardening in Prince George requires adapting to the unique challenges of a subarctic climate. This area is classified within Canadian Hardiness Zones 3 to 4. Understanding the hardiness zone for your area helps in selecting plants that can survive the winter and thrive during the growing season. For a closer look at the hardiness zones and to find out which plants are best for each zone, check out this detailed map and guide here: planthardiness.gc.ca.

The subarctic climate of Northern BC is characterized by cold winters and warm, but short, summers. This environment presents a limited growing season, meaning the timing of planting and harvesting is crucial to get the most out of your gardening efforts. Frost dates can vary significantly, affecting when you can safely plant seedlings outside without the risk of frost damage. Check out the regional planting chart crafted by our friends at West Coast Seeds for some helpful info: westcoastseeds.com/blogs/regional-planting-charts.

The ideal time to start your garden in Northern BC varies by hardiness zone but generally falls between late April and early June. Our last frost dates can range from late May to mid-June, so it's essential to monitor local weather forecasts before planting. Starting seeds indoors can be a great way to get a head start on the season, especially for warm-loving plants that need more time to mature.

The soil in Prince George can vary from place to place, but it typically features a loamy composition that may be heavy in clay or organic material. Assessing the soil's texture, drainage capability, and fertility is vital before planting. Amending the soil with compost or well-rotted manure can improve its structure, increase nutrient content, and enhance its ability to retain moisture, key factors for thriving plants in this climate.

To optimize your gardening efforts, consider using our in-house soil testing service! This valuable test will provide detailed insights into the pH level and nutrient profile of your soil, empowering you to make informed decisions about fertilization and plant selection.

Container Gardening vs. Garden Beds

Gardening can be adapted to any space, with container gardening and garden beds each offering distinct benefits. Container gardening is highly flexible, perfect for limited spaces, and allows precise control over soil conditions. It's ideal for urban settings and can be easily moved to suit weather conditions, though it requires more frequent watering and can be costlier due to the need for containers and potting mix.

Garden beds, on the other hand, provide ample space for plant growth, leading to healthier plants and higher yields. They are more efficient for watering and fertilizing and promote biodiversity, which helps control pests naturally. However, they require more labour to set up and maintain, are fixed in location, and can be more prone to soil-borne diseases. Choosing between the two depends on your space, lifestyle, and gardening goals.

Watering and Maintenance

Regular watering is necessary to ensure that plants receive adequate moisture throughout their growth cycles. During dry spells in the summer, this becomes even more critical. Watering early in the morning is highly recommended because it helps reduce water loss due to evaporation and allows the water to soak deeply into the soil, reaching the roots where it's most needed. Additionally, morning watering prevents the foliage from staying wet for too long overnight, which can lead to the development of fungal diseases.

Mulching plays a pivotal role in garden maintenance by helping to retain soil moisture, which can be particularly beneficial during warmer temperatures or windy conditions. Organic mulches such as straw, bark, or leaf mold not only keep the soil cool and moist but also gradually break down to improve soil structure and fertility.

Pest Management

• ✓Neem Oil is a versatile organic option that acts as an insecticide, fungicide, and miticide, helping to control a wide range of pests and diseases.
• ✓Diatomaceous Earth is particularly effective against slugs and other crawling insects, working by dehydrating them as they crawl over the powder.
• ✓Premium 3 in 1 Crop & Plant Rescue, a potent alternative to Neem Oil made from 100% organic non-GMO canola oil and surfactants, targets the usual range of pests but also suppresses powdery mildew.
• ✓Encouraging beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and bees can be an effective natural strategy; ladybugs and mason bees are available for purchase seasonally.

Deer Management

• ✓Install high deer fencing (at least 8 feet tall), possibly angled to deter jumping.
• ✓Use deer repellents to emit unpleasant scents, though these may require frequent reapplication.
• ✓Plant deer-resistant herbs and perennials, which are less appealing due to their strong scents or textures.

Deer-Resistant Plants

• ✓Herbs: Lavender, mint, thyme, and sage.
• ✓Perennials: Foxglove, bee balm, and black-eyed Susan.
• ✓Shrubs: Boxwood and barberry.

Rabbit Control

• ✓Install rabbit-proof fencing that is buried at least a foot underground and is tall enough to prevent jumping.
• ✓Consider using chicken wire or hardware cloth for added effectiveness.

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