News Flash

County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 Horticulture Services would like to welcome a segment called Horticulture Corner — a small bi-weekly Facebook segment that highlights the joys of horticulture including garden planning, seed starting, garden harvesting, pests and disease identification, and landscape maintenance. This segment will be a way of sharing information with local gardeners. If you have a tip, question, or interesting article to share, please leave a comment below. Let’s dig in and grow together this season!

Horticulture Corner: Garden Planning and Seed Starting

After a long winter, spring is finally here. A little planning now and starting seeds indoors can help set you up for a productive growing season.

Here are a few helpful tips for planning your garden this year:

1. Keep a small garden journal or logbook to help you remember what you planted each year.
2. It is important to have a 3 to 4-year crop rotation in your garden plots to manage soil fertility and limit soil borne diseases.  
3. Grow nitrogen fixating plants such as beans and peas after heavy feeders such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.

Starting seeds indoors gives your plants a head start on the growing season, especially crops that take longer to mature. Here are a few tips to get started this season:

1. Follow the instructions on the seed packet; this will give you an indication when to start seeds indoors before the last frost date.
2. If re-using seed trays from previous seasons, make sure to disinfect pots and trays to avoid soil borne diseases from previous plantings.
3. Consider using a heat mat, as bottom heat will increase the germination rate and promote healthier roots. It can also help prevent damping off --- a disease that can cause weak seedlings and seedling losses. Damping-off is caused by pathogens on the surface of the potting mix or soil.
4. Use grow lights for 12 to 16 hours per day, which is ideal for seedlings. Avoid leaving grow lights on continuously, as seedlings require periods of darkness for proper development.
5. Keep the grow lights 2-3 inches above the seedlings, as lack of lighting will cause stem elongation causing seedlings to become leggy.
6. Do not forget to harden off seedlings 1-2 weeks before transplanting outdoors to reduce transplant shock.

Resources

For more information on garden planning and crop rotation, click here.

For more detailed information on starting seeds indoor and damping-off please visit: Starting seeds indoors and How to prevent seedling damping off.

For any additional information or help getting your garden started please contact Stefanie at email or 780-352-3321 ext. 2271

References

Grabowski, Michelle. “How to Prevent Seedling Damping Off.” Extension.umn.edu, 2024, extension.umn.edu/solve-problem/how-prevent-seedling-damping.

University of Minnesota. “Starting Seeds Indoors.” Extension.umn.edu, 2018, https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/starting-seeds-indoors.

University of Saskatchewan. “Rotating Your Vegetables.” Gardening at USask- College of Agriculture and Bioresources, 2024, Rotating your vegetables - Gardening at USask - College of Agriculture and Bioresources | University of Saskatchewan.

County of Wetaskiwin Campgrounds are scheduled to open on May 15, 2026, for the camping season. 

Head over to the Lets' Camp website to book your campsite.

Need help? Watch their video tutorials or send us an email. 

We look forward to seeing you at one of our local campgrounds:  

• Battle Lake - Open May 15, 2021 - $29/night 
• Buck Lake – Open May 15, 2021 - $29/night 
• Coal Lake South – Closed until further notice - $27/night 
• Mound Red – Open May 1, 2021 - $27/night 
• Red Deer Lake - Open May 15, 2021 - $24/night 
• Twin Lakes – Open May 20, 2021 - $27/night 

Street sweeping operations for hamlets and various paved subdivisions are scheduled to commence next week on Monday, May 4, subject to weather conditions.

Project Description:

This project intends to improve drainage throughout the Bev Etta Estates subdivision. The project also involves resurfacing the roadways within the subdivision to provide an optimal driving surface for residents. Construction is expected to start on May 8th, 2026, and crews will be on site for about 25-35 days. This does not include days in which crews are unable to work due to inclement weather.

Scope of Work:

• Tree Clearing
• Small Diameter Culvert Installation
• Ditching Improvements
• Subgrade Repairs
• Paving

We understand construction can be inconvenient and may cause minor delays, but your patience and cooperation are crucial. Let's work together to maintain a safe construction site throughout the project. View the full Notice of Construction here. Progress updates will be posted on our website and Facebook page.

The County of Wetaskiwin distributes a Resident Newsletter via Canada Post unaddressed admail to local residents, and via direct mail to boundary residents, in the spring and fall. Non-resident landowners may view or download the newsletter here. Local residents should receive a copy of the Spring Newsletter in their mailbox the week of April 27, 2026.

View current and previous newsletters

On May 1, 2026, the County begins a partnership with Integrity Waste Solutions to provide curbside collection. Enhancements include an automated garbage collection system and new waste carts provided to all residents who currently receive curbside collection. 

Delivery of the new carts will begin April 29, 2026, with use commencing on May 7, 2026. Continue using your existing collection method until May 7, 2026. If you currently use a cart, it will be collected by the provider on their last scheduled collection day prior to May 7, 2026. In considerations of disruption in services due to changes, additional bagged waste can be placed near carts for pick-up on May 7, 2026 ONLY. 

The new curbside collection day is Thursday. This change includes all curbside collection sites in the County.