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Gardeners in the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba face unique gardening challenges. Our harsh winters and short growing season mean that typical gardening advice doesn’t always work in our region. Here are 25 prairie gardening books that were written with us in mind. Or anyone who lives in zones 2 or 3. Enjoy!
Growing Vegetables and Fruit
Canadian Vegetable Gardening
by Douglas Green
An excellent guide for beginning Canadian vegetable gardeners.
Vegetable Gardening for Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
by Laura Peters
I love the Lone Pine series of books and this one is no exception. If you have a vegetable garden in one of the three prairie provinces, it doesn’t get more specific to you than this.
The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener
I debated sharing this link, because I’ve just started experimenting with winter gardening for myself and don’t know if it will actually work. The author hails from Nova Scotia, which has a milder climate. However, it’s something that really intrigues me, and I think we could successfully use the authors techniques until at least November.
P.S.- this book image is the only one that is copyrighted, so I did not include it. If you’re interested in purchasing it, the title link will take you there.
Edible Plants for Prairie Gardens
by June Flanagan
I think when most people begin to garden, they do it because they want to grow their own food. This book breaks down the best varieties for the prairies.
Growing Fruit in Northern Gardens
by Sara Williams & Dr. Bob Bors
I am super excited for this book to come out December 1st. If you’ve been reading this blog at all this summer, you know I’m obsessed with prairie-grown fruit.
Related: For the Love of Berry Picking
Planning Your Landscaping on the Prairies
The Short Season Yard
By Lyndon Penner
Make the most of our short growing season.
Short growing season? No problem. Learn how you can make the most of it.Click To TweetGarden Design for the Short Season Yard
by Lyndon Penner
Finally a landscaping book specifically for the prairies!
Use Plants Native to the Prairies
One of the biggest challenges to new prairie gardeners is figuring out what will actually grow in zone 2 or 3. Look no further than these four books.
Want the shortcut? I collaborated with the members of Gardening in Saskatchewan to compile a list of the 28 Most Hated Perennials and 53 Favourite Perennials for zones 2 and 3. I also have a beginners guide to gardening when you feel like you have no clue.
Native Plants for the Short Season Yard
by Lyndon Penner
Top picks for the prairies, as well as the chinook region around Calgary, which has it’s special challenges.
Native Plants for Prairie Gardens
by June Flanagan
Gardening with Prairie Plants
by Sally Wasowski
Creating the Prairie Xeriscape
by Sara Williams
General Gardening Guides
Chances are that not everyone reading this post is from the prairies. These pics are for you if you live elsewhere in Canada or the Midwest.
Canadian Gardener’s Guide
edited by Lorraine Johnson
The New Canadian Garden
by Mark Cullen with Marette Sharp
The Northern Gardener: Perennials that Survive and Thrive
by Barbara Rayment
Gardening Niches
The Prairie Winterscape
by Barbara Jam and Nora Bryan
I confess that I am one of those people who hibernates during winter. I refuse to embrace the cold. This book is convincing me that winter can be embraced, even in landscaping. I can’t wait to try out some of the projects!
Embrace winter gardening on the prairies? Find out how.Click To TweetGardening, Naturally
by Sara Williams and Hugh Skinner
For those who want to avoid pesticides and chemicals, this book is for you.
Best Trees and Shrubs for the Prairies
by Hugh Skinner and Sara Williams
Because gardening isn’t just about flowers and vegetables.
Best Groundcovers and Vines for the Prairies
by Hugh Skinner and Sara Williams
The Prairie Rose Garden
by Jan Mather
I love roses, but I’ve never planted them in my garden because my Dad discouraged me from doing so when I just started out. While his advice was probably right for a newbie gardener, I feel like I’ve since graduated and am ready to tackle this book.
Perfect Partners: Beautiful Plant Combinations for Prairie Gardens
by Liesbeth Leatherbarrow and Lesley Reynolds
It takes a lot of years of gardening and sometimes a pinch of luck to figure out what goes well together in the garden. Take the shortcut and read this book!
Space-Saving Gardening
Here’s a few books that aren’t specific to the prairies, but good reads for the urban and beginning gardener. I’ve just begun experimenting with these techniques this year and already am planning to do more next year.
Vertical Gardening
You would be amazed at how many vegetables you can grow up rather than out. A must-read for the urban gardener.
P.S.-Another copyrighted image. Click the vertical gardening link to see the book.
Square Foot Gardening
by Mel Bartholomew
Container Gardening for Canada
by Peters, Beck, and Williamson
There are tons of container gardening books, but one that’s specific to Canada? Be still my heart!!
Companion Planting
Have you ever wondered what plants work best together? Louise Riotte has two comprehensive books to ensure you never make a companion planting mistake again.
Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening
by Louise Riotte
Roses Love Garlic: Companion Planting and Other Secrets of Flowers
by Louise Riotte
That’s it! Let me know in the comments which one you want to read first. Did I miss any? I’d love to hear about it.
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