Amid ongoing tension between the United States and Canada, many Calgarians are turning to horticulture for their produce needs.  

After repeated comments made by US President Donald Trump questioning Canada’s sovereignty, many Canadians have decided to prioritize Canadian-made items. These can include goods and services from Canadian-owned and operated companies. 

Purchasing aside, some Canadians have decided to begin growing their own produce. 

Alicia Dolan is one of them.

Dolan has wanted to grow her own produce for years and believes this summer is a great time to begin.  She wants to start with easy stuff like carrots and radishes, peas, beans, potatoes.

“(We’re) trying to not rely so much on imported vegetables,” she said.

“I don’t have a whole lot of space to grow veggies, but I’m going to give it a definite try this year. The whole notion of buying Canadian and being more self-sufficient seems a little more important now.”

The Golden Acre Home and Garden Centre saw an increase in business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interest in gardening has again increased through trade worries and global tension. 

“Food sovereignty has become very important to people,” said Colin Hayles, buyer and head of media relations for the store.  

Hayles believes that it is no surprise that many Calgarians are turning to horticulture during these uncertain times. 

“(Gardening) allows us to exercise some control during times when we feel like we have no control,” he said.

“You also gain control over your food, the source it’s coming from and how it’s grown.” 

Garden Centres stalking up on home gardening goodies

Golden Acre plans to meet local demand for seeds and pre-grown plants throughout the spring and summer. 

“We’re the biggest Garden Center in Western Canada, but we are a mom-and-pop shop first. We really believe in supporting the needs of Calgarians,” Hayles said. 

Hayles believes that gardening is widespread, no matter the time or demographic. 

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a young family, a retired couple or a high school kid. There is a plant out there for you,” he said. 

Hayles said that certain types of plants become popular temporarily, but growing plants in general has always been relevant. 

Colin Atter from Plantation Garden Centre also said there was an increase in demand for food-growing plant seeds. 

“It has shown a fairly solid increase this year, and it usually does following any kind of increase in pricing…anything that’s going to affect the supply of fruits and veggies,” Atter said.  

The Plantation Garden Centre does not yet have its plant starters for sale. 

“We don’t have all our tomato and pepper starters in yet. It’s just a little bit too early for that,” Atter said. 

As of now, Atter projects a solid summer for the garden industry this year, but admitted it is too early to tell. 

“There’s no big rush (for plant buying) yet. There’s still ice in the backyard,” he said. “Last year, we all kind of got bit with the water supply being basically shut off. That was a tough year. We’re kind of being cautious, cautiously optimistic.” 

Looking ahead, Alicia Dolan hopes to grow enough vegetables to last her family through the summer and into the fall. 

“We do a lot of cooking with fresh vegetables here. So, the more I can grow, the better.”