May weekend planting tips in Winnipeg

The long May break is over, and with the extra time off, you can get to your garden and planting. However, the age-old debate of whether to plant now or wait still lingers.

According to historical data from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the average temperature (in Winnipeg) on ​​the Monday of the long weekend over the past 10 years has been about 13.5 Celsius – which usually makes it a good time to plant some gardens.

Only four of the last 10 Bank Holiday Mondays have seen rainfall – 2021 was the most recent with 2.8 millimeters.

However, the recent weather may give you pause, as the city has seen a lot of rain lately and is even battling a particularly powerful hail storm last Thursday.

Carla Gritsina, president and co-owner of St. Mary's Nursery and Garden Center, says this year's spring rain has been beneficial.

“The long weekend is traditionally the time when we want to be in our garden and I think this season can be the time when we can really grow. The ground has thawed out beautifully, and the rain has helped with that, so once we get into our gardens and start moving some things around, like planting, I think it's time to grow. Just be careful, we're always monitoring the weather. But I think this is the season, I think it's good to grow,” Gritsina said.

Another consideration for gardeners is to hold off on planting until the full moon.

Plants at St. Mary's Nurseries and Garden Center on May 17, 2024 (CTV News/Jamie Dowsett)

“Traditionally, I know even my grandfather would say yes, never (to plant) until the first full moon, but those who are a little more interested in gardening will get some of the harvest earlier,” Gritsin said. . “If the weather gives us cooler days, they're ready to cover up a bit – so two trains of thought.”

Environment Canada is predicting highs of 14 degrees to 18 degrees this weekend. Hrycyna said there is a variety of plants that can work in a range of temperatures.

“Traditionally there are ground crops, snapdragons, some marigolds and geraniums. There are certain crops that can tolerate these cooler temperatures. If you're not adventurous enough to do endurance work, maybe stay away from those who are a little more temperamental in cooler temperatures,” Gricin said.

If you're ready to take the plunge and grow, Hrycyna said you have options.

“If you really want to plant some, trees, shrubs …. Or all your garden plants like potatoes, cool crops, cabbages, kales can go in the garden a little earlier. They love the cool temperatures at night.”

Flowers at St. Mary's Nursing and Garden Center on May 17, 2024 (CTV News/Jamie Dowsett)

If the weather turns bad, Gritsina says, don't panic.

“If we have a lot of wind or rain, the plants themselves will come back up,” he said. “If you have a really big hailstorm and you have broken stems, there are different categories with that. Of course, if you have one plant and it has a very large pea and it destroys its stem – many plants can grow back. If you have something happen to a plant and it has a little bit of external scraping, just remember what we've been through in the gardening world pinching a lot of our things, annuals, trees, shrubs. We give them a little pinch and it encourages further branching below and I always say – more branches, more flowers.”