Bøger i Guides for the Prairie Gardene serien

All the most common questions about growing vegetables in the prairies are answered in this first installation of the new gardening series, Guides for the Prairie Gardener.

Lifelong gardeners Janet Melrose and Sheryl Normandeau tackle the tasty topic of fruit in the seventh book in the Guides for the Prairie Gardener series.Strawberries, blueberries, saskatoons, pears, plums, apricots, cherries, currants, kiwi . . . There are lots of great reasons to grow your own. There's the unparalleled taste of fresh produce to consider, and the opportunity to help reduce ever-rising grocery bills. Then there's the ornamental appeal (think grape vines and apple blossoms).Whether you're growing an orchard in a rural area, planting a couple of currant bushes or haskaps in a small urban yard, or a container of squash on a balcony, you'll find help and inspiration here.Janet and Sheryl answer your questions on things likePlacement for sun- and shade-loving plantsPollination, propagation, and graftingMulching, hilling, trellises, and those oh-so-fancy espaliersTroubleshooting pesky spots, scales, worms, flies, and other killjoysPreventing weather damage and prepping your plants for winterHarvesting and storage methodsWith a primer on what exactly counts as fruit (scientifically and culturally) and Prairie-friendly lists of species and varietals for every space and inclination, you'll soon know your drupes from your pomes, your berries from your pepos and be well on your way to harvesting the fruits of your own labour (yes, we went there).

The eighth book in the Guides for the Prairie Gardener series is all about those reliable, grounded plants you can count on: perennials.Perennials are those species whose stems and leaves die back to their crowns each fall, but whose roots remain alive throughout the non-growing months. They include showy flowers like peonies, poppies, lilies, clematis, and lupine, but also edibles like asparagus, fiddlehead ferns, sunchokes, and rhubarb.In this guide prairie gardening experts Janet Melrose and Sheryl Normandeau answer questions likeWhat are the best perennials for building biodiversity in my garden?What's the difference between species, variety, cultivar, and nativar?What kinds of perennials can I grow in containers?When and how do I divide plants once they're well established?How do I keep enthusiastic re-seeders from taking over?Which of my perennial babies need to be brought inside for the winter?The pair dedicate a chapter to perennial vegetables and another to mitigating common pests and diseases. The final chapter is a perennial hall of fame, an extended list of recommended plantings for colour, native species, rock gardens, ground cover, fragrance, spring champions, and all-season displays. Janet and Sheryl give you the information you need to make your perennial garden as successful as you can while promoting biodiversity and creating a healthy habitat for pollinators and wildlife.