The Prairie Gardener's Go-To for Fruit - (Guides for the Prairie Gardener) by Janet Melrose & Sheryl Normandeau (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"The wisdom of these seasoned gardeners applies to any garden, wherever it may be." --Acadia Tucker, author of Growing Perennial Foods

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 like

• Placement for sun- and shade-loving plants
• Pollination, propagation, and grafting
• Mulching, hilling, trellises, and those oh-so-fancy espaliers
• Troubleshooting pesky spots, scales, worms, flies, and other killjoys
• Preventing weather damage and prepping your plants for winter
• Harvesting and storage methods

With 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).

Review Quotes

Praise for The Guides for the Prairie Gardener

Honorable Mention at the American Horticultural Society Book Awards

"The Prairie Gardener's Go-To series comes in mighty yet digestible volumes covering popular topics like seeds, vegetables, and soil. . . Although each guide touches on regionally specific information, the wisdom of these seasoned gardeners applies to any garden, wherever it may be." --Acadia Tucker, author of Growing Perennial Foods

"Whether you're looking for information on that one tiny pest you just can't control, or are talking a new gardener through their first planting season, these slim but mighty volumes make great companions at the height of summer in the garden trenches and during cold winter days planning the next season." --Floral Acres Greenhouse & Garden Centre

"From planning to planting to harvesting vegetables such as onions, lettuce, carrots, celery, beets, corn, legumes, peppers, potatoes, squash and more, this Q & A- style guide covers common questions about cultivation practices, preventing damage from frost, flood, and drought, and harvest and storage." --Prairie Books NOW

"The books are a pleasure just to leaf through, but the accessible writing and level of expertise makes them essential to any gardener's library... Well-indexed, to help you find solutions to elusive problems. Highly recommended!"--Diane Miessler, Certified Permaculture Designer and author of Grow Your Soil

"Reading the Prairie Gardener's Go-To series is like sitting down with your friendly local master gardener. Delivers practice guidance that will leave you feeling confident and inspired." --Andrea Bellamy, author of Small-Space Vegetable Gardens

"The Prairie Gardener's Go-To series offers knowledgeable yet accessible answers to questions covering a broad range of topics to help you cultivate garden success. Get growing!" --Lorene Edwards Forkner, gardener, writer, author of Color In and Out of the Garden

"The Prairie Gardener guides offer tips on planning, planting and growing gardens, and troubleshooting pests and diseases." --Calgary Herald

"A great resource for gardeners everywhere." --Quill & Quire

"In a digital world full of general information, their books provide specific knowledge for gardening in climates like Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Plus, everything they write about is based on their own experience." --Helpful Gardeners Podcast

"This book provides detailed cultivation, harvesting and storage tips for the vegetables grown in our region." --Western Producer

"Melrose and Normandeau answer all the questions that the two experts could think of when it came to horticulture on the prairies." --Edify Edmonton

"Helping gardeners across the prairies succeed in growing food, flowers and everything in between." --Medicine Hat News

"Herbs offers highly local advice on how to grow herbs for your kitchen in our climate." --Savour Calgary

"With advice on which native grasses to use--and why--the book gives gardeners both inspiration and knowledge." --Alberta Views

"This go-to paperback addresses many issues of perennial plants that will prove extremely useful to gardeners." --Calgary Horticultural Society

"Advice on container gardens, raised beds, small plots and postage-stamp sized yards, and how to try your hand at vertical gardening." --Garden Making

"Written with wit and charm, Janet and Sheryl have given us the comprehensive, gardener-friendly guide to soil science everyone who grows a garden needs to read." --Daryl Beyers, gardening instructor and author of The New Gardener's Handbook