‘We’re two weeks behind’: Saskatchewan gardeners struggle through late spring

A slow start to spring has delayed the gardening season in Saskatoon, with retailers seeing lower sales. Carla Shynkaruk reports.

For many Saskatchewan gardeners, this spring has felt unlike any in recent memory. But with warmer temperatures finally arriving, local garden centres and green thumbs alike are holding onto hope that the growing season can still rebound.

At Early’s Farm and Garden Centre, the unusually slow start to spring has become the main topic of conversation.

“At our water cooler — there’s a lot of conversation about the weather,” Derek Bloski of Early’s Farm and Garden Centre told CTV News.

Bloski, who has spent decades in the horticulture business, says this year stands out even compared to other difficult springs.

“I haven’t seen this this late,” he said.

“I think we’re a little bit fooled this year as well with the May long weekend being as early as it possibly could be. That weekend is traditionally a planting weekend.”

The cold, wet conditions have also affected sales. Bloski says products tied to early-season yard work have been slower to move than usual.

“Fertilizer sales have been a little bit delayed because nobody was getting ready to fertilize their lawns. Watering equipment as well, because people aren’t turning their water on,” he said.

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According to Bloski, sales at the store are down roughly 15 per cent so far compared to a typical year.

The situation is similar at another Saskatoon greenhouse and garden centre, where they say customer traffic has started to pick up.

“Talking to my parents, they haven’t seen this kind of year in about 20 years. I am optimistic. It’s hard to say if we’ll catch up in dollars though,” Nikki Van Duyvendyk, one of the co-owners at Dutch Growers, said.

Still, she says the recent stretch of warm weather is making a noticeable difference. Wednesday marked the store’s busiest day of the season so far.

“Typically, you see holes in our shelves this time of year. You’d see things that have already sold out. But we are stocked up and we are full,” she said.

Gardeners themselves are also eager to finally get planting.

“We’re like two weeks behind now. There’s too much snow, too much rain. I just tilled my garden yesterday, and that’s never happened that late,” Carrie Hounjet said.

Others, however, say the extra moisture may not be entirely negative.

“We’ve had stuff in the ground for two weeks. Even in that snow, it didn’t slow those plants down at all,” retired farmer Denis Corriveau said.

Despite the delayed season, many in Saskatchewan remain optimistic that warmer days ahead will help gardens and garden centres bounce back.

“There’s still lots of time. There’s still roughly a third of the month left and, hopefully better weather to come. It’s something that’s going to come. It’s just going to be a little bit delayed,” Bloski added.

So hope is also starting to sprout.