Chastin Martel

Lakeside Leader

One creative and unusual way to grow plants is in a greenhouse. Grace McLeod of Slave Lake has one in her backyard.

Her husband and son built the greenhouse in April of this year. It took about a week, says McLeod.

Her husband insisted on having the greenhouse. She was hesitant at first because it would take a lot of work and commitment.

“Once it was finally up, I was surprised to find myself enjoying the process of planting, caring for the plants, and watching the garden slowly come to life,” says McLeod.

Consistency is the most important part about maintaining a garden, she says.

Making sure to water, weed and check on your plants daily are important. Leaving for a week and expecting the plants to thrive on their own, isn’t going to work.

“Paying attention to things like soil health and pests is also key, because a small issue can become a big problem quickly,” she says.

“Gardens need daily care, and it can be frustrating when weather, pests, or other things ruin your hard work.”

Perhaps the most important part about having a garden is saving on healthy food.

It also teaches patience and responsibility plus it’s a great way to spend time outdoors, says McLeod.

Asked what advice she would give for new gardeners, McLeod says, “Start small. Don’t feel like you need to grow everything at once. Pick a few plants you actually like to eat and learn how to care for them properly.”

Significant research on soil and climate is also essential. The reason? Not setting yourself up for failure, says McLeod.

“Most importantly, don’t get discouraged if something doesn’t grow right away. Gardening takes trial and error,” she says.