Growing Food
Growing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit
Gardening in Manitoba is a great way to spend time outside during our short season. Below you will find resources pertaining to growing food on the Prairies. There is nothing like the taste of fresh basil, a juicy strawberry or the bite of a crunchy Manitoba cucumber in the middle of summer. We can also enjoy the harvest in the middle of winter with canned or frozen food, direct from your garden. Yum!
Vegetable Gardening Calendar for Manitoba
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January/February |
Start planning your garden; Purchase seeds as needed. If desired, start early crops, such as hot peppers, with growing lights. |
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March/April |
Start seeds indoors for crops requiring a longer growing season. No growing light required, but you will need a full sun window. |
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May/June |
Prepare garden and soil; Plant seeds and seedlings according to instructions on seed packages |
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July/August |
Water as needed; Thin plants as needed; Replant/successive plant as planned; Stake plants that need it; Examine plants for disease or insect problem; Enjoy. |
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September/October |
Store and preserve harvest; Clean the garden; Prepare garden for next year; Plant any crop you want to over-winter |
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November/December |
Enjoy your frozen or canned vegetables; Dream about your next garden. |
Print Books
Online Guidebooks and Manuals (PDF)
- Community Gardeners GuidebookA month to month guide covering the basics of gardening in Winnipeg. Created by the Winnipeg North End Food Security Network.
- Basic Gardening Manual ManitobaA basic gardening manual created by the government of Manitoba for Northern Manitoba.
- Fruit Crops for Northern ManitobaA Government of Manitoba guide to planting, growing and variety selection.
Growing Food - Useful Links
- Winnipeg Community GardensThe City of Winnipeg rents community garden space for people who need the extra garden space.
- Planting Chart for ManitobaThis blog posting by Getty Stewart provides a detailed vegetable planting calendar.
- Vegetable Gardening for BeginnersThe Old Farmer's Almanac Vegetable Gardening Guide for Beginners will help you to plan and grow your tastiest vegetables ever.
- Seed Starting Chart from Sage GardensThis handy chart is specific to Winnipeg gardeners. Learn the best date to start a variety of seeds.
- River City MushroomsThe go-to place for information on growing your own mushrooms in Manitoba.
- Grow-A-Row Winnipeg HarvestFor those who love to garden, Grow-A-Row is an ideal way to share. Winnipeg Harvest redistributes your produce to nearly 64,000 people that need emergency food each month.
- Herb Society of ManitobaThe Herb Society of Manitoba is dedicated to promoting knowledge, use and enjoyment of herbs through education, programs, research and sharing the experience of its members with the community.
- Farmer's Almanac Gardening VideosDozens of videos with explanations on growing a variety of crops.