I don't think you are doing anything wrong, you just have very challenging conditions. It would be interesting to know where exactly in this beautiful province you live. I have gardened and farmed both in England and in Canada on a variety of soil conditions. 16 years ago we moved back to Nova Scotia - now near Truro . My soil tends to be on the heavy side, but with rocky gravel not far down; better than the blowaway sand we had before. Have you tried raised beds? They do require a bit of investment to set up: materials for the sides and good loamy topsoil for fill. You can build them as deep as you like, mine being about a foot, and you can utilize whatever space you have. Each year I rejuvenate them with home produced and bought compost with excellent results.
I don't think you are doing anything wrong, you just have very challenging conditions. It would be interesting to know where exactly in this beautiful province you live. I have gardened and farmed both in England and in Canada on a variety of soil conditions. 16 years ago we moved back to Nova Scotia - now near Truro . My soil tends to be on the heavy side, but with rocky gravel not far down; better than the blowaway sand we had before. Have you tried raised beds? They do require a bit of investment to set up: materials for the sides and good loamy topsoil for fill. You can build them as deep as you like, mine being about a foot, and you can utilize whatever space you have. Each year I rejuvenate them with home produced and bought compost with excellent results.