Grown for Life in Alberta
Think about Alberta and how unique its landscape is: we have rich Boreal forests, Rocky Mountains that
stretch for 3,000 kilometres, a prairie landscape that extends as far as the eye can see (and then more), and semi-arid conditions that are
prone to drought-like conditions. Alberta has rivers and lakes, fertile soil to support farming and agriculture, deep canyons and striking
landforms that we call the badlands with dinosaur bones resting deep in the ground.
We have four very distinct seasons that swing from hot, dry summers to cold, dry winters – often interrupted by warm chinook winds
from the west. Alberta sees tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and hail. And while our precipitation is evenly spread throughout the year,
the north sees more rain than the south, causing our desert flora and temperate woodlands and grasslands to tolerate extreme
temperatures in order to survive.
At Bow Point Nursery, we grow for life in Alberta. Our vision for your space is accented with trees and plants that are
meant for the soil where they are planted, requiring as little maintenance required as possible so that you can simply… enjoy.
Our approach to growing is unique to Alberta, and is intentional in producing the most robust vegetation you can buy.
How do we do it?
We use sustainable practices to grow plants designed specifically for your landscape. Our seedlings are grown at the nursery in outside seed beds or in plug containers which are stored outside for the winter. This gives us the best possible plants to line out into our fields that grow on to become landscape-sized material for your yard!
Field Grown
We grow in the soil in our fields, and come spring we bare-root our plants and containerize for ease of transportation. This is a traditional practice that leads to the best outcome for the plant and for your landscape.
Quality Soil
When we bare-root our plants, our soil is left in our field to be used for the next crop. We have an active compost operation that provides us with the organic material to maintain our soils to optimum quality.
Non-irrigated Fields
We have found that the native plants that like to grow here don’t need additional watering, so we don’t irrigate our fields. Little additional water is needed beyond what falls naturally over the year.
All of this effort results in a stronger plant which will adapt to your conditions quickly, with less required maintenance and a much higher chance of success. When a tree or a plant is grown within the boundaries of a pot, it can become pot bound and struggle to expand when planted, or it can end up in a garden centre in a climate it is not intended for; common reasons why new shrubs and trees do not make it through the winter and into the next season.
How We Grow for Life in Alberta
“Seed Collection and Selection
Here at the farm, we have hand planted a multitude of local, native shrubs and trees. As the years go by, these varieties are monitored for their health and resilience to disease, climatic changes, and soil conditions. It is from these resistant parents that seeds are selected for collection. ”
“Propagation
After our hand-selected seeds are gathered, propagation begins, with each plants varying germination requirements in mind. Seedlings are grown at the nursery in outside seed beds or in plug containers which are stored outside for the winter.
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“First Planting
We plant our seedlings into our fields at the beginning of the season where they are left to survive the elements with no additional watering or tending. We manage our soils by hand pulling weeds daily and only amending with the addition of compost that we build on site.
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“Growth
Once in the fields, the seedlings are completely exposed to the elements. In the Springbank area outside of Calgary, we occupy a unique environment where the mountainous foothills meets the prairies. This is a challenging zone to grow in, making our plants and trees some of the most robust around.
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“Digging
The practice of bare rooting is a technique of arboriculture whereby a plant is removed from its soil in a dormant state so that it can more rapidly acclimate to new soil conditions. The partially mature plants are carefully removed from their homes in the field and situated in pots with a bit of sawdust to protect the roots. While pot grown plants are extremely common, bare rooting allows for faster root establishment after planting. This means much faster, observable growth as well as a healthier, happier plant with an increased chance of survival.
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“Selection
All of these steps mean that when it comes time to choose which plants or trees might work best for your project, you can be confident that we take every precaution to ensure the health and success of your finished project under our guidance.
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“Final Planting
Our team will provide you with planting and maintenance instructions and send you on your way with all of the required materials to complete your vision. We do have one ask of you… please send us pictures! Our greatest satisfaction comes from seeing Bow Point plants and trees at home and thriving in your space. We love to see your vision come to life!
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