Gardeners grapple with drought in Alberta

Spring is here, and that means preparations for the growing season are underway.

However, drought conditions across Alberta, along with Calgary’s potential water restrictions will create challenges for gardeners.

As a result, preserving water is a key topic at Calgary’s Horticulture Society market, where gardeners from all experience levels share their tips and tricks heading into a dryer growing season.

“I think we all need to learn how to use a watering can,” horticulturist Kath Smyth told CityNews.

“I don’t think we should be out there spraying our hoses around in the air.”

Alberta is at risk of a severe drought this year, following several years of extremely dry conditions, and a warm and dry El Niño winter.

To help circumvent this, the Alberta government said 38 water plants voluntarily agreed to reduce their water usage should a drought occur in the spring and summer.

The province says this will allow Albertans more access to water should the need arise.

This comes after wildfires swept across the province and the country, burning more than 15 million hectares and forcing more than 230,000 people from their homes.

Calgary has been in a drought since the last water restrictions were lifted in the fall of 2023. The city has once again placed water restrictions as it continues to wrangle with the drought.

To help curb the restrictions, Smyth recommends collecting water in your shower and sink and making “every drop count.”

“I shower with a five-litre pail in my shower, it fills up every time I do a 10-minute shower. I keep that water and it goes into my garden,” Smyth explained.

“I rinse or wash dishes a little bit before I use the dishwasher. But I keep the bucket that I rinse them in and put that into the garden and water my plants that way.”

Picking drought-tolerant plants like peonies is also another option for dryer conditions.

Adam Yakabuskie, the owner of Parkland Peonies, says the flower can go a whole season without water.

“It will hold the moisture in its root system and take the moisture it needs, and it can last the whole season without any watering whatsoever,” he said.

Don’t be afraid to have a vegetable garden either, horticulturists say, as they suggest lots of vegetables and fruits grow in drier climates

“Just because the plant is a tomato does not mean it needs to be watered every day. Remember tomatoes grow in Mexico,” Smyth said.