Winnipeg residents preparing for gardening season

Dozens of hanging baskets with fresh flowers are on display at St. Mary's Nursery & Garden Centre on Saturday May 3, 2025. (Dan Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg)

For Kylynn Hill, the beginning of the growing season is something she marks on her calendar each spring. Getting her hands in the fresh soil is something she really enjoys.

“I think it’s really grounding for people,” Hill said.

“I think we have a long winter here, it takes a long time to get through it, and the first little hit of sun is really intoxicating. To get out there and see things pop back to life is a really rewarding.”

Hill spent her Saturday morning looking for shade lovers and border plants at St. Mary’s Nursery & Garden Centre. Gardening is a hobby she’s carried in her family for a long time.

“As early as I can remember, going out and digging in the earth and picking out earthworms and that sort of thing with my mom is a big part of it for sure,” she said.

Carla Hrycyna, co-owner of St. Mary’s Nursery & Garden Centre said there’s always a new collection of plants coming in, especially this time of year. The garden centre currently has black petunias which were a particular favourite among her customers last year.

“When people are coming in looking at the flowers, I think they’re looking at the color combinations,” Hrycyna said.

“Flowers are still going to be very strong for people this year. I think it is planting flowers that gives us some motivation and they’re so cheery and welcoming.”

Hrycyna said she’s already noticed more customers putting a greater emphasis on buying vegetables for 2025.

“We had some early, early calls this season for tomatoes already. So that’s an indicator that people are going to probably going to be looking for sustenance and getting their own gardens growing so that they’re able to do more canning and preserving some foods for this year.”

For people who are new to gardening, Hrycyna said she recommends tomatoes and cucumbers to start for a new growing season.

“Peppers might be a little bit more challenging for some folks, but there’s always the trusty tomato that you can go to,” she said.

Hrycyna said to be cautiously optimistic about the warm May weather if people decide to start planting now.

“We usually still predict the May long weekend as the planting area, but we have to be realistic,” she said.

“We’ve had some years where we’ve seen it early June, some frost. So always (plant with) caution. But I think gardeners love pulling out the sheets just because they get ahead on their planting.”