One of the positive lingering impacts of the COVID pandemic is the increase in the number of residential property owners who took up gardening.
Reports indicated that novice “green thumbs” were getting their hands dirty in a big way, with just over half of Canadians growing at least one type or fruit or vegetable and nearly one in five starting to grow their own food for the very first time.
The trend continues in a post-pandemic world, and that means large garden centres like the one at Sault Ste. Marie’s Canadian Tire location are once again busy preparing for the spring rush.
“We have always been very strong at this time of year in selling seeds, food and flowers,” said Sheila Roussain, General Manager of Canadian Tire, home of the second-largest garden centre in Sault Ste. Marie. “There is no issue with supply, including things like onions and potatoes that were harder to get during the pandemic. All of it back in full stock and replenished regularly.”
Despite intermittent blasts of cold weather across most of Ontario, a relatively mild winter has people already thinking about gardening and landscaping projects. That’s great for business at Canadian Tire, but Roussain cautions early birds about planting prematurely.
“As nice as it may seem at times, all the pretty flowers you plant in May can still be at risk from frost into June,” she said. “Any seeding you do should happen indoors and not planted outside until the risk of frost is gone. If you do plant them than you may have to cover them.”
Whether you’re planting decorative flowers, garden beds full of your favourite vegetables, Canadian Tire’s massive garden centre is a one-stop shop for everything you need. It stocks a full selection of soil compound, mulch, fertilizer, dirt, sand and rock. Along with a huge variety of seeds, annuals and perennials, Canadian Tire also stocks variety of fruit trees and shrubs including plum, cherry, multiple apple varieties, and pear trees.
Before you forge ahead with your small-scale family farm or landscaping project, here are a few important tips for both beginners and experience gardeners:
Tips for Planting your Home Garden
Whether you have a small balcony, or a big garden area, are growing flowers or vegetable gardens, it’s easy when you have all the right essentials, tools and tips. Before you buy all the essentials you need for your garden, decide what type of garden you’d like to have.
Understand your space and keep sun exposure in mind when determining where you’d like to position your plants, pots, or balcony boxes. Determine the type, size and placement of your garden and keep in mind most fruit, vegetables and herbs require full sun – six or more hours of sunshine a day. Create a vertical garden and save space by growing your plants on trellises, garden shelves, hanging boxes and more.
Plus, use good quality soil and fertilizer and water regularly as soil dries quicker in small containers. Finally, make watering easy and efficient and consider soaker hoses and timers for in-ground plants. Be sure to water early in the day to reduce loss to evaporation
Small space oasis
Don't have a lot of room but want to garden? Consider container gardening. Some very beautiful and productive gardens can be created in tiny spaces.
Grow your own vegetables
There’s nothing fresher than vegetables from your own garden. No matter the size of your space, there are options available. Edible gardens can be planted in the ground, in raised beds and containers from seeds or starter plants.
Ornamental gardening
Add a pop of colour, visual interest, and beauty to your outdoor space with an ornamental garden. Woody plants, perennials and annuals are great choice
Essential plant and garden supplies
Get your garden growing and flourishing with all the essential plant growing supplies you need.
From beautiful blossoms to lawn care, herbs, fertilizers, evergreens and more. Find everything to get your garden off to a great start and blooming in no time.
What Supplies Do I Need to Grow Plants and Flowers
Some supplies you may need to grow healthy flowers and plants include weed control, lawn fertilizers, trimming tools, rakes, garden shovels, garden gloves and kneelers, garden hoses, hand tools, watering cans, burlap rolls, shrub covers and more.
According to Roussain, Canadian Tire has a fully trained and knowledgeable staff in the garden centre ready to help you make the right choices, along with a huge retail space fully stocked from early April through late August.
Come in today and start planning!