Conditions ripe for good gardening season in Calgary, home gardeners say

With the May long weekend around the corner, some Calgary gardeners are keen to get growing, either to make up for last season’s challenges or to “grow their own” produce amid American trade tensions.

As Jack Postlewaite pulls up weeds and tends to his tomato planters, he says growing his own vegetables is important as he boycotts groceries marked “product of the USA.”

“You feel like you’ve contributed to your fresh vegetables, which is great now that we are not able to get fresh vegetables from the United States,” said Postlewaite.

This time last year saw plenty of issues for home gardeners.

May 2024 was very cool, but it was the rupture of the Bearspaw feeder main and the rounds of water restrictions that kept gardeners from tending to their patches.

Allan Rodbourne says he’s grateful for the recent stretch of cool, moist weather, inspiring him to shop at Golden Acre.

“No more water shortages, please. No more water shortages,” laughed Rodbourne.

Colin Hayles, horticulturist and media relations manager for Golden Acre, says business is booming for a bunch of reasons.

“People can’t wait to get out, and I think people missed out on so much last year,” said Hayles.

“Food sovereignty has become very important to a lot of people.”

Hayles pointed to the sparse display for West Coast Seeds—the shelves for seeds are selling faster than they can be restocked.

“So far this year, year to date, we are up 20 per cent in terms of sales, which is great, and that is across the country,” said Bobbi Rayton, national sales manager for West Coast Seeds.

Rodbourne says he just hopes there continues to be plenty of rain as he gardens both at home and at his Inglewood Community Garden plot.

“You never know. It’s Calgary right?”