“I grow the plants that do well in Western Canada
– the tried and true favourites and new varieties
developed for the area,†says Rob Visser of
Meadowbrook Greenhouses. “My favourites are
the old-fashioned ones – pansies, snapdragons,
and petunias. There are others too, but we focus
on plants that can take the prairie weather and
still look good. And we work hard to have strong
plants that adapt quickly to life in the garden,
after their cosseted life in the greenhouse.â€
Peavey Mart stores bring in well-started annuals,
herbs, vegetables and shrubs, all grown in
Western Canada. Visser is also supplying
complete planters of annuals or shrubs,
including succulents – a new trend that can be
really impressive.
“A planter can be spectacular – bringing a real
Wow factor to a patio or entrance,†he says. Some
of his planters include herbs like rosemary and
lavender, with the annual flowers. Others are
made up of tomatoes, beets, onions, carrots and
herbs.
“I’m a big fan of edibles in the garden,’ says
Visser. “Growing herbs and vegetables in your
garden or in a planter makes it so easy to include them in your meals. It makes such a difference to have
fresh-cut herbs, as you’re cooking. Fresh herbs and
vegetables make a huge difference to a meal – they’re
part of healthy eating.â€
Fruit may be the best of garden edibles, and this year
Peavey Mart will have everbearing strawberries as well
as the traditional June-bearing type. All are produced
from bare root stock for good health, and will be ready to
bloom by May.
Traditional fruits like rhubarb, gooseberry, raspberry and
saskatoons never go out of style. But the hardy sour
cherries developed at Saskatoon make great pies and are
beautiful in blossom. Haskaps, (also called honeyberries)
are tasty right off the bush.
Peavey Mart also has a wide selection of vines that do
well on the prairies: thumbergia, scarlet runner beans,
morning glory, lab-lab or hyacinth bean and hops, which
have attractive foliage and may encourage beer-makers
to try gardening.
Visser is a huge fan of
gardening for the
whole family, getting
away from the iPads
and other screens, to
enjoy digging in the
dirt together.
“Gardens add colour
to your life. It’s
healthy, relaxing,
stress relief. It’s great
family time. You can
talk as you work.â€