Become A Green Thumb At The Calgary Home + Garden Show

Let's face it, not everyone is born a natural green thumb - but it's never too late to improve your skills in the garden. Look to landscape designer Joanne Dafoe, owner of Dafoe Design and Home + Garden Stage presenter at this year's Calgary Home + Garden Show, for some insight on how to become the best green thumb you can possibly be.

Catch her on stage on Friday, February 27th at 5pm and Saturday, February 28th at 5pm, at the Calgary Home + Garden Show, and get a sneak preview of her favourite garden tips below! Whether you're looking for easy garden maintenance tips, edible garden ideas, or secrets to the lushest garden on the block, she's got you covered.

Shady Secret

Aside from what everyone thinks, shady areas in the backyard are not always a bad thing. Some vegetables and herbs actually thrive in cooler conditions, including swiss chard, lettuce, parsley, and arugula. Try planting these healthy greens in cool corners as opposed to sunny spots in your garden - trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Image via Garden Bytes

Winter Pruning

Winter is not a time to ignore the garden, especially when it comes to pruning your trees and shrubs. If you have multiple trees in your yard, late winter is the optimal time to prune them, as the leaves are long gone and the branches are easy to trim. Pruning your trees will help support new growth on remaining branches, preparing them for the spring months. Most trees can be pruned in the winter, with the exception of Birch and Maple, which can wait to be pruned in the summer months.

Image via Better Homes and Gardens

Go Organic

Going organic does not have to be restricted to your diet. Do your garden a favour by using natural fertilizers rather than harmful chemicals, found in most fertilizers. A prime example is seaweed - not only will it support the plant, but it will also feed the soil surrounding it, making it an optimal natural stimulant.

Image via WikiHow

For more tips on how to achieve a lush, healthy garden, don't miss my presentations on the Home + Garden Stage at the Calgary Home + Garden Show on February 27th and 28th at 5pm. Remember to buy your tickets early for the best deal. Right now, get 2-for-1 tickets on our Facebook Ticket Deals.

Happy gardening!

- Joanne Dafoe