As the first quarter of 2013 rolls along, Calgary's condominium market is thriving.

"With less selection in the singlefamily market, particularly at the lower price ranges, more consumers are turning to the condominium market," said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB® chief economist.

Since the age of three when she'd question her parents on when the garden carrots would be ready to eat, Donna Balzer has been passionate about how things grow. Authour, award winning journalist, columnist with CBC radio and the Calgary Herald and blogger (GardenGuru.net); Balzer took some time out of her busy schedule to share her love of gardening including which plant she wishes she could grow here in Calgary.

Calgary Regional Housing Market Statistics: February 2013

Total residential sales for the month of February 2013 totaled 1,711 units, a one per cent decline over the previous year. Accounting for the leap year in 2012, activity in the single family market resembles last year's activity. However, even with one less day in the February 2013 figures, condominium sales have made significant gains increasing by 13 per cent relative to February 2012.

While housing markets in Central Canada have "shown signs of fatigue over the past six months," a new report from TD Economics said the Calgary market is experiencing "positive momentum".

Detailing the vast differences in major markets coast to coast, the TD report singled out Calgary as "the lone shining star in Western Canada's real estate market".

According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) first quarter 2013 Housing Market Outlook, Prairie Highlights, housing starts are expected to moderate this year before seeing increases in 2014.

Starts in the Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) are projected to hit 47,200 this year before increasing to 47, 800 in 2014. Residential construction in the prairie region increased from 38,818 to 50,606 between 2011 and 2012, a 30 per cent increase.