A surprise visit from Prairie Garden Committee chair Ian Wise delivered a lovely copy of the 2024 Prairie Garden Annual. This year the focus is on “Year-Round Gardening”, meaning everything you ever wanted to know about raising houseplants. The issue covers the topic from micro greens to orchids, from overwintering succulents and cactus to creating a bottle garden. There is even a story, in the general section of the book, about how to grow watermelons on the prairies!
New editor Evelyn Lundeen and her guest editor Barb Shields have pulled together a very good collection of articles from hands-on gardeners. You will recognize a number of familiar names but there are lots of new contributors, too. Excellent work from these two volunteers.
The Prairie Garden is a great primer for newbie gardeners who may have just retired and are wondering how to fill their time. There is really nothing as welcoming as a big Boston Fern in your living room or a healthy and happy spider plant in the office. If you pick up a copy of The Prairie Garden, you will be able to grow them both quite confidently!
The book is available at McNally Robinson as well as at most of your favourite garden centres. At $19.95, it’s a bargain.
