1. Get the ground ready. Start early. Canadian growing season is shorter, due to limited sunlight hours. Break up the ground, amend the soil. Fertilize. If you want to give your soil a boost, try manure. It’s rich in nutrients, though your best bet is to stay away from the fresh stuff and instead invest in the drier cow patties, according to one gardener in the know.
2. Take inventory of your garden and gardening tools. What do you have, and what do you need? How did your garden fare over the winter? Do you have any new ideas or plans for
   this spring season?
3. Spring clean up. Much like the cleaning you give your house when the warmer weather stars, your garden deserves no less. Clear away the branches, the trash and other foreign items that may have ended up in your green space over the winter.
4. Expect some crazy temperatures. Spring time is a season for extreme temperatures, from freezing nights to warm Chinook days. Protect your new plants from a spring freeze. When the temperature drops, cover up those new shoots, with a blanket or wood shavings. Water your southern exposure beds when the temperature reaches 10 degrees Celsius during Chinooks, which will help replenish moisture lost to the dry warm winds.
5. Coping with the hot and dry summer weather — mulch will keep the soil moist until the heat waves set in, in July.
6. Find out what the frost date is, that is, the average date of the last spring frost. The frost date varies from year to year, and many foothills gardeners swear by the May Long weekend. Check the Agroclimatic Atlas of Alberta, found on the provincial government website.
7. Plan out your garden. Look through catalogues for Zone 3 appropriate plants. Plant hardy species. For flowers, try pansies and snapdragons. For veggies, try carrots, onions, spinach and peas.
8. Be on the lookout for gardening seminars and classes. A reliable source of information is the Calgary Horticultural Society. Visit them at http://www.calhort.org for more information on growing your garden.
9. Edible berries, ranging from blueberries, gooseberries to dwarf cherry trees, are a good investment for this upcoming season. Black currants are also an option, as they are hardy and can withstand cold winters and the full sun in the summer.
10. Seeds. Keep in mind that gardening is about pleasure, so raid the seed racks at your local garden supplier for your upcoming gardening season!

LAWN CARE
Tips from the Calgary Horticultural Society for a “green” lawn.

Spring Fertilizing

• Wait until lawn is dry before working to avoid compacting turf.
• Rake grass to remove debris .
• Do not use weed –and –feed fertilizers until weeds can be seen. 
• Spread fertilizer evenly with a spreader at half the recommended rate, making 2 right-angled passes for even coverage.
• Water in well.
• Scrape up any granular fertilizer spills, and water area thoroughly to dilute.
• Apply fertilizer a second time in early July.

Watering

• Water approximately 2.5 cm (1”) every 7 – 10 days or when soil is dry to the root zone.
• Water should penetrate 15 – 20 cm (6-8”) to encourage deep root growth.

Thatch

• Left untreated, thatch can prevent air circulation, repel water, provide a breeding ground for disease and pests and hold fertilizer.
• Causes are quick-release nitrogen fertilizer that promotes excessive top growth; cutting grass to short which causes shallow roots; excessive grass clippings; too-frequent watering.
• Best treatment is prevention by watering deeply and less frequently, and picking up clippings.
• Rake lawn vigorously or power rake in spring to break up thatch.   
• Use a core aerator every 2 or 3 years to remove plugs of soil and allow for aeration and penetration of water, fertilizer and roots.
• Follow aeration by spreading compost or organic fertilizer and watering in to help decompose grass clippings.

Mowing

• Ensure mower is mower is mechanically sound and has sharp blades.
• Remove all debris from  the lawn before mowing.
• Cut grass in the spring to a height of 5 – 8 cm (2-3”) to encourage thicker growth.
• In summer, leave grass higher at 8 – 10 cm (3-4”) to encourage deeper roots, provide more blade area for food production, choke out weeds and prevent soil from  drying out. 
• Cut no more than 1/3 of  the grass height at a time; more will cause plant shock.
• Cut very tall grass gradually; 1/3 at a time,  leaving recovery days between. 
• Remove heavy grass clippings to compost.
• Cut no shorter than 5 cm (2”) in fall.
• Remove all debris and leaves before first snowfall. 

Fall Fertilizing

• Apply a winterizing fertilizer in mid to late September .