Spring is an exciting time for gardeners, especially in Calgary’s Zone 3 climate, where a short growing season means planning is essential. Whether you dream of a backyard filled with fresh vegetables, an entire orchard bursting with berries, vibrant cut flowers for bouquets, or a fragrant witchy herb garden, now is the time to map out your garden and start your seeds.
What Do You Want from Your Garden?
Before diving into seed packets and soil prep, consider what you hope to get from your garden this year. Here are a few popular garden goals and the best plants for each:
A Productive Vegetable Garden
If you want to grow your own food, focus on cool-season crops that thrive in Calgary’s climate and those that can be started indoors for transplanting after the last frost (typically late May to early June).
Best Vegetable Crops for Zone 3
- Cold-Hardy & Direct Sow (April-May): Peas, spinach, radishes, lettuce, carrots, beets, Swiss chard, rhubarb, garlic (plant locally sourced hardneck varieties in the fall)
- Start Indoors (March-April, Transplant in May-June): Tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, leeks
- Mid-Summer Planting for Fall Harvest (June-July): Kale, turnips, parsnips, second sowing of carrots & lettuce
- Heirloom Seed Suggestions: Ground cherries, heirloom tomatoes (Roma), heritage bush beans, heirloom carrots (Rainbow, Nantes)
A Fruit-Lover’s Paradise
Fruit-growing in Zone 3 requires selecting hardy varieties that can withstand long winters. While fruit trees take a few years to establish, starting with berries can yield faster results.
Best Fruits for Calgary
- Early Planting (April-May): Raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, saskatoon berries, currants, honey berries
- Late Spring Planting (May-June): Apple trees (look for ones with several grafted varieties), cherry trees (Cupid, Juliet, Nanking), haskap berries
A Stunning Cut Flower Garden
For those who love fresh-cut flowers indoors, a well-planned flower garden can provide blooms all season long.
Best Cut Flowers for Zone 3
- Start Indoors (March-April, Transplant After Frost): Snapdragons, zinnias, cosmos, delphiniums, sunflowers
- Direct Sow (May-June): Sweet peas, marigolds, poppies, bachelor’s buttons
- Perennials to Establish (Plant in Spring for Years of Blooms): Echinacea, lilies, daisies, hardy roses
- Perennials to plant in the fall: Peony, tulip, daffodil and crocus
A Thriving Herb Garden
A well-planned herb garden can provide fresh culinary ingredients, medicinal benefits, and fragrant additions to your garden space.
Best Herbs for Zone 3
- Hardy Perennial Herbs: Thyme, oregano, sage, mint (keep contained to prevent spreading), chives
- Start Indoors (March-April, Transplant in May-June): Basil, rosemary, parsley, lavender
- Direct Sow (May-June): Dill, cilantro, chamomile, borage, calendula, fennel
- Heirloom Herb Suggestions: Lemon balm, anise hyssop, heirloom basil varieties (Thai Basil, Purple Opal)
- Biennial suggestions: parsley, tarragon
- Self-seeding of note: dill, borage amaranth
Spring Seed Starting Calendar for Calgary (Zone 3)
| Month | Start Indoors | Direct Sow Outdoors |
|---|---|---|
| February-March | Peppers, tomatoes, onions, leeks, celery | — |
| April | Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, herbs (basil, thyme, parsley) | Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, carrots, beets |
| Late May (After Frost) | Start to harden off & transplant seedlings (tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, herbs) | Beans, corn, sunflowers, marigolds, dill, cilantro |
| June | Start a second crop of lettuce, radishes, and carrots | Pumpkins, squash, cucumbers |
Other Spring Garden Prep Tips
- Test & Amend Your Soil – Add compost and organic matter to boost nutrients.
- Set Up Raised Beds or Containers – They warm up faster than ground soil, extending the season. (Do not plant perennials in raised containers, as our zone with frequent Chinooks and deep freezes will kill the roots).
- Use Row Covers or Cold Frames – Protect early plantings from unexpected frosts.
- Plan for Pollinators – Include flowers like bee balm, lavender, and borage to support bees. Flowers of red and purple are often thought to attract pollinators more frequently.
Final Thoughts
By planning ahead and starting your seeds at the right time, you can maximize Calgary’s short growing season and enjoy a thriving garden.
What’s your top gardening goal this spring? Share in the comments below! 🌱🌸🍅
Andrea’s Path to Plants 
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