GENERAL TIMING TIPS FOR ZONE 3

• Early May (as soil becomes workable): Hardy cold-weather crops like peas, spinach, and poppies
• Late May to Early June (after risk of hard frost): Beans, carrots, beets, calendula, and marigolds
• Mid to Late June (once soil is warm): Tender crops like cucumbers, zucchini, and nasturtiums

Soil temperature is more important than air temperature—check that it’s consistently above 5–10°C for early crops and 15°C for warmth-loving plants.

DIRECT-SOW VEGGIES + COMPANIONS

1. Peas

• Sow: Early May
• Companions: Carrots, radishes, turnips, spinach
• Avoid: Onions, garlic
• Tip: Provide trellises early so they can climb as they sprout.

2. Spinach

• Sow: Early to mid-May
• Companions: Strawberries, peas, radishes
• Avoid: Potatoes
• Tip: Succession sow every 2 weeks for a steady harvest.

3. Carrots

• Sow: Mid- to late May
• Companions: Onions, peas, rosemary, lettuce
• Avoid: Dill
• Tip: Keep soil moist until seedlings emerge—carrots are slow to germinate.

4. Beets

• Sow: Mid-May
• Companions: Onions, lettuce, bush beans
• Avoid: Pole beans
• Tip: Thin seedlings for better root growth and eat the greens!

5. Lettuce (leaf varieties)

• Sow: Mid-May
• Companions: Radishes, carrots, strawberries, chives
• Avoid: Parsley (can bolt early)
• Tip: Shade with taller plants like sunflowers or corn to prevent bitterness in midsummer.

6. Beans (bush & pole)

• Sow: After last frost (~late May or early June)
• Companions: Corn, squash, carrots, cucumbers
• Avoid: Onions, beets
• Tip: Avoid cold, wet soil—they’ll rot instead of sprout.

7. Zucchini & Summer Squash

• Sow: Mid-June (when soil is 18°C+)
• Companions: Nasturtiums, corn, beans
• Avoid: Potatoes
• Tip: Needs space! One plant can easily fill a square metre.

8. Radishes

• Sow: Early May through June
• Companions: Lettuce, spinach, peas, cucumbers
• Tip: Fast to mature—great for interplanting with slower crops like carrots or squash.

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DIRECT-SOW FLOWERS + VEGGIE COMPANIONS

1. Calendula

• Sow: Mid-May
• Attracts: Pollinators and beneficial insects
• Companions: Tomatoes, carrots, beans
• Tip: Edible petals! Sprinkle in salads or dry for teas.

2. Nasturtium

• Sow: Late May or early June
• Repels: Aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs
• Companions: Cucumbers, squash, beans, brassicas
• Tip: Plant as a trap crop—aphids love them more than your veggies.

3. Sunflowers

• Sow: Late May
• Attracts: Pollinators; provides shade for lettuce
• Companions: Cucumbers, corn, squash
• Tip: Tall varieties can act as natural trellises for pole beans.

4. Borage

• Sow: Mid- to late May
• Benefits: Improves growth & flavour of tomatoes and squash
• Companions: Strawberries, tomatoes, squash
• Tip: Beautiful edible blue flowers; self-seeds reliably.

5. Poppies (California or Shirley)

• Sow: Early May (even April if soil is thawed)
• Use: Beauty, pollinator support
• Tip: Do not transplant—direct sow only! They resent being moved.

Direct sowing isn’t just practical—it’s empowering. Watching seeds sprout straight from the soil connects you to natural rhythms and brings a deep satisfaction to your gardening practice. Whether you’re tucking nasturtiums next to your zucchinis or letting borage bloom near your tomatoes, every seed is a promise.

Happy planting, Alberta gardeners! May your rows be full, your weeds few, and your harvest sweet.