Over the years, we have grown many vegetables, herbs, and berries. Some are annual plants, while others stay in the garden and reliably return each year.
At a Glance: Korean Vegetables in Calgary
Here is a quick overview of what we grow in our Calgary garden and how they handle the local climate:
| Category | Vegetables & Berries | Growing Notes (Zone 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Perennials | Gomchwi, Chamnamul, Deodeok, Korean Chives (부추), Minari, Raspberry, Strawberry | Return every year; very hardy in cold winters. |
| Leafy Greens | Perilla leaves (Kkaennip), Crown Daisy, Kale, Arugula, Lettuce | Fast-growing; best planted after the late May frost. |
| Warm Season | Korean Chili Peppers (Gochu), Cucumbers, Zucchini, Beans | Require full sun; start indoors early or protect from cold nights. |
What We Have Grown in Our Garden
1. Leafy Greens & Korean Herbs
We grow a variety of leafy greens that are essential for Korean cooking:
- Perilla Leaves (Kkaennip): A staple for Korean BBQ ssam and side dishes. They enjoy summer warmth but grow rapidly once established.
- Gomchwi & Chamnamul: Excellent perennial herbs that survive cold Calgary winters and sprout early in spring.
- Crown Daisy, Kale, Arugula, and Lettuce: Fast-growing annuals that do extremely well in Calgary's cooler spring weather.
2. Warm-Season Summer Crops
Summer vegetables need careful timing due to Calgary's short frost-free window (usually late May to mid-September):
- Cucumbers & Zucchini: Very productive during hot July days.
- Korean Chili Peppers (Gochu): Started indoors in early spring to give them enough time to yield before autumn.
- Beans: Easy to grow and great for improving soil nitrogen.
3. Perennials & Root Vegetables
- Minari & KoreanChives (부추): Continuous harvests throughout spring and summer.
- Deodeok & Jerusalem Artichokes: Require patience and longer growing times, but are deeply rewarding to harvest.
- Raspberries & Strawberries: Reliable perennial fruits that provide sweet fresh berries every summer.
Connecting Our Garden to the K-Food Kitchen
One of the main reasons we enjoy gardening is that many of our vegetables go directly from the soil to our dinner table.
We use fresh perilla leaves, chili peppers, Korean chives, and minari in authentic Korean dishes. This connection makes our garden an essential extension of our K-Food kitchen.
We also practice sustainable gardening through composting:
Our Sustainable Garden Cycle:
Garden Harvest → K-Food Kitchen → Organic Kitchen Waste → Compost → Healthy Soil for the Garden
It is a simple, eco-friendly cycle that improves soil health year after year.
Tips for Gardening in Calgary's Short Season
If you are planning a garden in Calgary or a similar cold climate, here are a few real tips we learned through trial and error:
- Watch the Frost Dates: Wait until after Victoria Day weekend (late May) to transfer tender warm-season crops outdoors.
- Overwintering Perennials: Multi-year plants like gomchwi and raspberries need deep watering before the ground freezes in late autumn.
- Soil Preparation: Adding homemade compost early in spring helps cold soil warm up faster and provides natural nutrients.
A Garden That Keeps Changing
We are not professional farmers—just passionate home gardeners growing Korean vegetables in Alberta.
Some crops thrive amazingly well, while others require trial and error. That constant learning process is what makes home gardening so fulfilling. Our goal is simple: grow fresh, useful food, enjoy the outdoors, and share our real Calgary gardening journey with you.
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