
Winter is the best time for armchair gardening. I'm not talking about browsing the seed catalogues; no, I'm referring to 'digging' into the many excellent books and resources that inform about plants and gardening practice.
The publication I recommend – especially for gardeners who grow in a cold zone – is The Prairie Garden, "Western Canada's only gardening annual." Each year,
a team of volunteers assemble articles around a horticultural theme written by experienced gardeners. This year, the annual focuses on two popular plant forms: grasses and succulents. I was pleased to contribute an article, A Perennial Affair: Finding Grasses that Love the Cold Zones, in the 2015 issue.
While the growing conditions in Manitoba are as
unique as any other part of the country, it is the cold temperatures and challenges of overwintering that make the advice in The Prairie Garden relevant for northern gardeners.
Past issues have focused on annuals and biennials, perennials, shrubs, trees, and roses. Many of the back issues are available through the Prairie Garden website.
The publication I recommend – especially for gardeners who grow in a cold zone – is The Prairie Garden, "Western Canada's only gardening annual." Each year,
a team of volunteers assemble articles around a horticultural theme written by experienced gardeners. This year, the annual focuses on two popular plant forms: grasses and succulents. I was pleased to contribute an article, A Perennial Affair: Finding Grasses that Love the Cold Zones, in the 2015 issue.
While the growing conditions in Manitoba are as
unique as any other part of the country, it is the cold temperatures and challenges of overwintering that make the advice in The Prairie Garden relevant for northern gardeners.
Past issues have focused on annuals and biennials, perennials, shrubs, trees, and roses. Many of the back issues are available through the Prairie Garden website.

The Prairie Garden has been publishing reliable gardening advice for 72 years! As a gardener writing this blog for going on 25 months, that kind of longevity is impressive.
First Ever Giveaway ...
I'd like to acknowledge the commitment of the gardeners behind The Prairie Garden while also celebrating the continuing online life of There Blooms a Garden. So what could be better than a giveway to readers of this blog?
At the end of February, I will draw names and mail a copy of the 2015 Prairie Garden to two lucky people.
First Ever Giveaway ...
I'd like to acknowledge the commitment of the gardeners behind The Prairie Garden while also celebrating the continuing online life of There Blooms a Garden. So what could be better than a giveway to readers of this blog?
At the end of February, I will draw names and mail a copy of the 2015 Prairie Garden to two lucky people.
Just two steps to enter ...
- Fill in a There Blooms a Garden contact form and tell me one gardening topic youi'd like to know more about. Be sure to include your email and your mailing address.
- Sign up to receive blog posts by email (see the Subscribe invite at the top right of this post).
OR
'Like' There Blooms a Garden on Facebook.