May long weekend means garden time: 5 local greenhouses to visit

Everything Morinville
6 days ago
4 min read

No pressure, but some Community Gardens members have already started planting.

In the Edmonton area, the May long weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and the 'all-clear' date for putting plants in the ground outside. While early May can still bring a surprise frost, most years the Victoria Day weekend is the green light we’ve been waiting for to get the hanging baskets up and the tomato plants in.

If your green thumb is tingling and you're ready to get planting, here are five local greenhouses—each with its own personality and specialty—to visit this weekend.

A VeryNice Greenhouse

If you want to check out this little gem of a greenhouse, you'd better hurry. At A VeryNice Greenhouse, the focus is on quality over quantity—and on giving you the best possible price. Spend a few minutes talking to Keenan, who owns and runs the place himself, and you’ll quickly see this little operation is a true passion project.

Every plant is tended with the care of someone who genuinely loves growing, and Keenan stands by his work—if you manage to find a wilted plant in his greenhouse, he’ll give you a healthy one for free. Alongside lovely flowers—including standout picks like these velvety black petunias—you’ll still find a good selection of very sturdy tomato and herb plants.

A VeryNice Greenhouse kicked off the season just a few short weeks ago with 5,000 plants. As of this week, they’re down to around 700—and expect to be sold out by the end of the long weekend. Plans are in the works to expand growing space in the next year or two, but for now, you’ll have to come quick!

Fun side note: A VeryNice Greenhouse is part of Simmeron Ranch, a working cattle operation (definitely NOT a petting zoo, but there are cattle close by the greenhouse to see).

Deb’s Greenhouse

Deb’s Greenhouse is a well-known local favourite that seems to get bigger and better every year. Long known for its drop-dead gorgeous hanging baskets and planters of all sizes, Deb’s also has a solid selection of vegetable and herb seedlings, perennials, and even a few fruit trees and bushes.

If there’s one thing Deb wants people to know about her greenhouse, it’s that families are welcome—kids are not just welcome, they're celebrated. As a mom of four, Deb recalls the challenges of shopping with clunky strollers and busy toddlers and has made it her mission to make her garden centre fun for the whole family. Outside, next to the greenhouse, there’s a delightful Secret Garden area to play in (not much is growing quite yet, but it’s still a fun spot to explore), and next to that, a mini-golf course! You can easily turn your plant-buying trip into a full family outing here.

Last but not least, up by the front counter, you'll find Deb's own line of flower, herb, and vegetable seeds, specially selected for our Alberta climate. And if you’re needing planting tips or inspiration, Deb and her talented staff are always happy to share. Check out their Instagram for loads of fun and informative posts.

St. Albert Greenhouses

Don’t be fooled by the modest-looking parking lot—St. Albert Greenhouses is bigger than it looks outside. Founded in 1971, this well-established spot has everything you'd expect: rows of hanging baskets, flower seedlings, and hardy vegetable seedlings. But what really sets it apart is its incredible selection of exotic plants.

Succulents, in particular, are a standout here. You’re likely to find varieties you’ve never seen before, alongside tropicals and eye-catching houseplants that feel like they belong in a botanical garden. St. Albert Greenhouses is really a show-not-tell kind of place—you really have to walk through to appreciate it, so carve out a little time for a visit.

Budding Baskets

Tucked away behind the main street stores in Morinville’s downtown, Budding Baskets is a seasonal pop-up greenhouse on 102 Street that will be open until the end of June. While tiny compared to the other greenhouses surrounding Morinville, Budding Baskets has been known and loved by local residents for years. Inside are vibrant hanging baskets and flower seedlings perfect for patios, planters, and garden beds… and the vegetable seedlings are arriving now too.

While local gardeners do usually see the May long weekend as the green light for planting everything, Budding Baskets owner Darlene is a bit more cautious this year. With Victoria Day falling earlier than usual, she’s been recommending folks hold off a little longer on tender veggies like tomatoes and cucumbers. But if you’re itching to get started, she’s got you covered: this weekend, she’s bringing in heartier plants like peppers, celery, and a good selection of herbs.

With its downtown location, Budding Baskets is especially convenient to nearby apartments and seniors’ residences—it’s just a short stroll away. Even if you don’t have a yard, you can still grow herbs, tomatoes, peppers, or flowers in pots, and bring a little colour and flavour to your balcony or patio.

Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm

Prairie Gardens is a little further out of town (about a 15-minute drive, by Bon Accord), and unfortunately, we weren’t able to get out there in time for this blog post. But there’s a reason I personally have been itching to go for a browse around: their huge selection of Zone 3-friendly fruit trees and shrubs.

According to their website, they have raspberries, blueberries, honeyberries (aka haskap), cherries, apples, plums—even kiwis and grapes—and much more, too many things to list. Also nuts: hazelnuts, walnuts, and butternuts (which I’d never even heard of).

The orchard angle is exciting, but Prairie Gardens also offers the full greenhouse experience, extensive cool grounds, and family-friendly fun like goats onsite! To get a better sense of the delights awaiting you there, check out their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myprairiegardens/

Make It a Garden Crawl 🌱

With all these great options right in and around Morinville, why not turn your planting prep into a local greenhouse crawl? It’s the one mega-shopping trip you can make with your kids in tow—and they’ll love it as much as you do. They might even bring it up again next year!

Oh, and if your garden area doesn't quite look like this yet: