Go Hard Ranch

05/29/2026

TENT CATERPILLARS IN ALBERTA!

DON’T PANIC, WE’VE GOT THIS!

We had to do a little research ourselves… because wow, the sheer number of these little black wigglers and how fast they can strip a tree is shocking when you first see it.

If your trees (or even your house!) are looking a bit webbed over this spring, trust us, you’re not alone. Alberta is in the middle of a tent caterpillar boom, and while it looks dramatic, it’s actually a normal part of nature’s rhythm.

Why it’s happening:
Tent caterpillars follow a natural population cycle every 8–10 years, and this spring just happens to be one of those peak years.

How long it will last:
The good news: this phase is short‑lived.
They’re usually done feeding by late June, then they cocoon and disappear. Most trees push out fresh new leaves afterward and recover beautifully, even if they look rough right now.

What you can do (simple + effective):
• Remove the tents early in the morning when the caterpillars are inside.
• Blast them with a strong spray of water to knock them off branches.
• Mix Dawn dish soap + water in a spray bottle and apply directly to clusters, it’s surprisingly effective and avoids harsh chemicals.
• Let the birds help, robins, chickadees, and blackbirds think this is an all‑you‑can‑eat buffet.
• Skip the heavy pesticides if you can, nature usually balances this out on its own.

We used the Dawn dish soap mix in a big pump sprayer today, and it worked really well for us here at the ranch.

You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth along pathways from trees to buildings (they crawl from tree to tree), just keep in mind it can affect other small insects too.

If you see them on buildings:
Totally harmless. They won’t damage siding, paint, or structures, they’re just wandering around looking for a place to cocoon. Yet we don't recommend squishing them against light colored siding and stuco as they can stain your house!

The positive side:
As messy as they seem, tent caterpillars are an important food source for birds and wildlife. The trees? They’re tougher than they look. Most bounce back with fresh green growth once the caterpillars move on.

So if your yard looks a little wild like ours right now, don’t stress, it’s just Alberta doing its spring thing.

The webs will be gone soon, and the summer greens will return.

Hang in there, prettier branches are on the way and we hope this post gives you some peace of mind!

05/28/2026

He’s not just the owner of the ranch, he’s the hardest working guy around, incredibly skilled at pretty much anything he wants to build and has one huge heart.

Each year he doesn’t say it, yet his actions speak louder than words… he dedicates his time, energy and work ethic to this hometown event.

Because he believes in it.

And if he believes in something you better know that he’ll do anything he can to help it succeed.

We are looking forward to seeing the crowds enjoy all of the new additions to this years rodeo!

05/25/2026

The Quiet Power of Yarrow.

Some plants don’t just grow… they offer themselves.

Yarrow is one of those ancient healers hiding in plain sight, a wild medicine chest wrapped in feathery leaves and tiny white blooms.

For thousands of years, yarrow has been known as the warrior’s plant, carried for protection, strength, and healing. And it’s no wonder:

A Natural First‑Aid Hero :
Yarrow helps stop bleeding, soothe cuts, and support wound healing, it’s been used on battlefields and in backyards alike.

Anti‑Inflammatory & Immune Supporting:
Its powerful compounds help calm inflammation and strengthen the body’s natural defenses.

Digestive + Nervous System Support:
Yarrow tea has long been used to ease digestion, settle the stomach, and bring a sense of calm to the whole system.

A Plant of Boundaries & Balance:
Energetically, yarrow is known for helping people protect their energy, stay grounded, and create healthy emotional boundaries, a gentle reminder that healing is both physical and spiritual.

We grow them intentionally in the flower beds in hues of pink to white.

Yet out here at the ranch, we always love watching these “w**ds” show up exactly where they’re needed.

Nature always knows.

05/20/2026

A list of vendors for one of our favourite markets for us as well as our guests!

Hey Everyone,
Here is a list of vendors for the week of May 23,2026.
INSIDE VENDORS
Lazy One
Pampered Chef
Sweet Girls Co
Haywire Dry Rubs
Clara’s Honey
Lotus Blades Handmade
KC Food Products
Barpex
Cozy Home Sewing
Designs by Eva
Mama Bird Creations
Rochfort Colony – meats, pies, eggs, pickled products, jams
Ed’s Cribbage Pegs
Snuggle Bear
Soap Much More
Baba’s Cheesecakes Galore and More
Mary Kay
Vivacity (wrap bracelets,cups, kids hoodies)
Always Room for Tea
Soup It Up
Rose and Amy’s Bracelets and More
Wildflower Lotions ‘n Creams
Crafts and More
OUTSIDE VENDORS
Lacombe Fresh – green house veggies
The Crummy Cookie Company
Nodding Donkey Brewing
Kat’s Kandy
Barb’s Baking – baking, eggs and lamb
Boutique on Your Street
Desperately Seeking Hot Honey
Safari Crafts
The Trio Farm
A&A Sausage
Country Mixers
Prairie Bear Cider Co
Dars Mini Donuts
Little Monster Pet Treats – pet treats
Badlands Distillery
Rad Hatter Creations
KGW Kettle Corn

05/20/2026

Ever wondered who throws the biggest lake party at Go Hard Ranch?

Meet Alberta’s most underrated troublemakers and the loudest ones of all, the gulls.

First up: the Common Gull, except joke’s on us, because Alberta doesn’t actually have ‘seagulls’ at all!

(There are *over 16 gull species in Alberta, and none are officially called “seagulls”.)

The ones you’re seeing by the thousands in this video from this morning? (This is just a tiny glimpse of how many there actually are.)

Likely Ring‑billed Gulls, Alberta’s classic ‘parking‑lot gull’, but out here they’re living their best lake‑life, snacking on insects and cruising the shoreline.

But the real star of today’s show?

The Franklin’s Gull, the flashy, loud, social butterfly of the gull world.

Franklin’s Gulls migrate in MASSIVE flocks, sometimes tens of thousands strong, and Chip Lake has become one of their favourite Alberta stopovers.

So when thousands of gulls gather at Go Hard Ranch?

It’s not just noisy chaos, it’s migration magic.

Just another wild day on Chip Lake… where even the birds know the views are worth the trip.

05/19/2026

We’ve been taught to see certain plants as “w**ds,” something to pull, spray, or ignore.

But the land tells a different story. Many of these so‑called w**ds are actually powerful healing plants, growing exactly where they’re needed, offering nourishment, medicine, and wisdom to anyone willing to look closer.

When we slow down and shift our perspective, we begin to see what our ancestors saw:

That annoying w**d that takes over in the spring?

Isn't actually a w**d.

It is one of the most healing plants on the planet.

It's the incredible power of the dandelion.

The dandelion is one of nature’s most underestimated superfoods.

A plant so common we walk past it, yet so potent it has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.

Every part of the plant, flower, leaf, and root, carries healing properties.

Our favorite way to use this powerhouse of healing is as a fully body detoxifer.

Dandelion is one of the most effective natural detox plants.

- Supports liver health by helping the body break down toxins.
- Stimulates bile production, improving digestion.
- Acts as a gentle diuretic, helping the kidneys flush waste.

Traditional herbalists call it a “spring cleanser” because it wakes up the whole system after winter. Although we use it year round in a dry capsule form or better yet a tincture.

Dandelion isn’t a w**d.

It’s one of nature’s most nutrient‑packed superfoods. The leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, K, iron, calcium and antioxidants, making them more nutritious than many store‑bought greens. The roots support gut health with natural prebiotics, while the flowers offer powerful anti‑inflammatory compounds and can be great for your skin!

A plant of resilience and renewal, the dandelion nourishes the body, supports digestion, boosts immunity and brings the whole system back into balance.

It's the first food of the spring for the pollinators and a true healing gift from the land!

(Now to get everyone on the ranch team to see it this way lol!)

05/16/2026

Just down the road from the ranch!!

11/12/2025

11/05/2025

Creative minds have always been a source of inspiration at the Ranch.

Over the years, the Ranch has been home to countless creative talents, and as a result, our decor collections have flourished and expanded.

Unique pieces have been created, antiques discovered.

With every passing season and each new wedding,

Our creativity continues to flourish.

From conversations around rocks, to foraging for moss.

From drying out flowers, to cutting natural grasses to add to pampas grass arrangements.

We have created unique concepts for each and every wedding.

And this one may just be one of our favorites.

Wood & Rope centerpieces orginally designed by Cowboy Leftovers and crafted by

Sandstone centerpieces inspired by a conversation with Crumb n Get It

Decor Design & concept by SJ Originals Samantha Callioux

Lovely wedding couple: Alley & Glen

The Ranch really is a place where Romance meets Rustic.

Weddings | Events | Vacations

www.gohardranch.ca

10/30/2025

In a world that invades your mind and your spirit with distractions everyday.

A beautiful thing to do for yourself;

Is to develop discernment.

Discern what is true to you.

Discernment will teach you how to read energies.

How to read intentions.

How to see through illusions.

And understand others unspoken thoughts.

It will help you strengthen your emotional intelligence.

Discernment will help you build trust in your own intuition.

It will help you to stand true in every decision you make.

It will help you to recognize when something doesn’t align with your true self.

Discernment will help you to trust your inner wisdom, even when it goes against what we are told to believe.

So go ahead, give yourself the gift of discernment.