Photo: Urban Eatin’ Gardeners Worker Coop

Manitoba tradition holds that the May long weekend is the time to plant, but with spring coming around the corner, there are lots of things you can do to get your yard ready to grow.

If you haven’t got your seedlings ready yet, it is a good time to get them started. The few extra weeks you gain by starting indoors can give your plants the advantage they need to thrive in Manitoba’s often all too brief summer season. Here are some great tips.

Check into your compost. If you were composting all winter, your frozen scraps will have turned into a messy muck with the spring thaw. Turning it and adding some dried leaves will prevent rot, smells and keep away pests. If you were not adding new material over the winter, it is time to turn it and see if there is anything to harvest. Compost that is not ready yet may need to have a little water added. It’s been a dry spring, so moisture will keep your pile active.

Even if you are not starting your own garden this year, you too can participate in Manitoba’s bounty. This is a great time of year to sign up for a farm share. Community supported agriculture gives local farmers income security while providing you with quality local produce at a fair price. Don’t miss out on getting your basket of fresh local veggies all through the summer.

Meanwhile give yourself a challenge. Dig In Manitoba is a new initiative that encourages Manitobans to pledge to:

  • Shift at least $10 of my grocery money each week towards local food,
  • Try at least two new Dig In activities each month,
  • Attend Dig In workshops and log my activities to be entered to win great prizes (optional).

Let us know what you are doing to get ready for summer this year.