Recent frost did not spell doom for central Alberta gardens

Recent frost did not spell doom for Sundre gardens

Some members of Sundre Community Garden, which boasts 28 raised planter beds, have already harvested frost-sensitive veggies

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1 / 1 Renate de Bruijn, Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society’s community outreach coordinator who also provides operational oversight for the Sundre Community Garden located adjacent to Myron Thompson Health Centre’s main entrance, said members who rent raised planters at the garden have access to lightweight frost blankets that will protect plants without flattening them when temperatures dip below zero. Amid windier conditions, placing weights as simple as rocks on the blanket’s corners will keep the cover from flying off. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff

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SUNDRE – Area gardens largely seem to have escaped unscathed the recent frost spells that befell the region as the summer season nears the end ushering in the inevitable return of colder temperatures.

Environment Canada issued a warning on Sunday and Monday that frost was likely in Mountain View County near Carstairs, Cremona, Water Valley, Olds, Didsbury and Sundre due to low temperatures on those two days.

Plots at the Sundre Community Garden reportedly did not sustain any substantial amount of damage as a result of the overnight cold.

“I have not heard of any frost damage yet,” said Renate de Bruijn, Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society’s community outreach coordinator.

But that might well be as a result of some greenthumbs having taken heed of the warnings to get ahead of any potential harm to their fall harvest.

“However, a number of gardeners have harvested frost-sensitive veggies already,” de Bruijn said on Tuesday, Sept. 17 in response to questions.

The community garden’s coordinator can also help members to protect their varieties that are more prone to succumbing to sub-zero temperatures.

“We also have frost blankets available for covering sensitive vegetables that are not harvested yet,” she said.

Asked what are among the toughest plants that have a higher-than-average propensity to endure overnight cold spells as the fall season approaches, she said, “Vegetables that can tolerate frost include carrots, beets, turnips, spinach, potatoes and kale.”

In certain cases, there are even veggies that can come out the other end more palatable than before.

“Some even taste better after a light frost,” she said, citing kale as one such example.

Since first opening to the community in 2015, the garden – located immediately adjacent to the Myron Thompson Health Centre in Sundre’s northeast subdivision – has consistently proved its appeal with either all or the vast majority of its 28 raised planters being spoken for every season.

There are also usually one or two that end up being allocated to grow food destined to support the Plus 1 Emergency Food Hamper Program run out of McDougal Chapel just west of Sundre.

A season wind-up offering the community garden’s members not only a chance to get together but also tidy up the site ahead of winter is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26 from 2-3:30 p.m.