This morning on the local edition of Breakfast Television (btedmonton.ca) Frank Ferragine (a.k.a. Frankie Flowers), a Canadian gardening expert, put in a guest appearance, the focus being flowers, of course. Among the topics discussed were sowing seeds now for spring planting. Frank mentioned that in Edmonton, Environment Canada says our last expected day of frost is May 8. But we all know how Edmonton can be and Frank reiterated what is common knowledge here. We can get snow until the end of May sometimes. I know! It sucks, really!
Good advice from Frank: if you are a family of four, don't plant a whole tray of tomato seeds! Plant what you will eat! One plant can yield several tomatoes, depending on the variety. Also, if you don't have room or proper lighting, don't sow seeds indoors. Rather, buy started plants at the beginning of the season.
Which brings us to "healthy bottom, healthy top." When selecting your plants, whether flowers or vegetables, check the roots! Gently pull the plant from the pot and inspect the roots. The roots should be visible and plenty. Fleshy white roots indicate good health. Brown mushy roots indicate root rot. Smell is also a good indicator. If the soil and roots smell foul, don't purchase the plant.
For more of Frank's insight into gardening, check out the Edmonton Home and Garden Show where he will put in guest appearances today at 5 and 7pm and tomorrow at 1pm. More information below:
Frank's new book Get Growing hit store shelves Feb. 15, 2011. (I saw it in Costco)
Frankie Flowers reaches over 1 million Canadians each week as the gardening expert for BTToronto, CityLine and City TV News, and also writes a column for Canadian Living. His family business, Bradford Greenhouses, is one of Canadas largest combined greenhouse/garden businesses. He lives with his family in Innisfil, Ontario.
Frankie @ Edmonton Home & Garden Show
Greenland Garden Stage
Thursday, March 24 -Opening Night Party
5:00pm & 7:00pm
Friday, March 25
1:00pm
Home & Garden Show scheduling and other information can be checked online at: http://www.edmontonhomeshow.com/
Frankie's personal website is: http://www.frankieflowers.com/
See my previous post about the Edmonton Home And Garden Show for more information about this must attend event!
