Did you hear about the guy who was reading a book about making homemade glue? He couldn’t put it down.
A book gardeners won’t be able to put down is the latest hot-off-the-press 2026 edition of “The Prairie Garden” book series, titled “Shaping Spaces.” It’s the perfect Christmas gift for any gardener, including yourself, at an affordable price.
Books tailored to gardening in the Upper Midwest are rare. Even rarer are entire book series with new and different editions published each year, especially suited for gardeners in our region.
“The Prairie Garden” book series, originating in Manitoba, Canada, is a rare garden treasure that combines interesting reading with practical information for gardeners in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. If it works in Winnipeg, it’ll work in Fargo, Bismarck, Minneapolis and all points within planting distance.
Each paperback, digest-type book is composed of articles relating to the year’s theme. The 2026 edition, “Shaping Spaces,” is packed with ideas and advice for making our gardening spaces unique, inviting and enjoyable. As in each year’s book, there’s something for everyone.
The edition’s editor, Evelyn Lundeen, writes, “No matter where one resides, everyone wants a buffer against the rush, noise and complexities of modern living — a sheltered spot where one can relax in comfort. It is possible to create a private retreat, be it small or large, through appropriate landscaping.”
Mark Bauche, guest editor and Winnipeg landscape architect, says in the book’s forward, “The intention behind this year’s theme is to make design feel accessible, inspiring and deeply connected to place. This edition challenges the traditional notion of design as something exclusive or elite. Instead, it celebrates gardening as an act of everyday creativity, resilience and care. Regardless of the size of your garden, the ability to shape your space is at our fingertips.”
What’s in the 2026 edition?
The book contains 52 articles, each making great standalone reading over a cup of coffee. Thirty articles directly relate to the theme of shaping our gardening spaces, and 22 articles cover a wide range of gardening topics, from winter-hardy pears to planting tulips.
To whet your appetite, here’s a content sample relating to shaping spaces:
“From bland to bloom: transforming the prairie boulevard” “Seven simple tips for planning and planting a vegetable garden” “Color and mood” “Small garden design: expand your horizon” “How to design an edible garden” “A condo garden design” “Designing a native plant garden for shade” “Perennial planning: a joyful guide for every gardener” “Reimagining small spaces” and“Transforming a traditional yard into a prairie native and foodscape garden.”
Articles not specifically relating to shaping spaces, but of general interest, include “Cold-hardy and landscape-ready: NDSU’s trees and shrubs that conquer the cold,” “Growing winter squash,” “Pears for the Canadian provinces,” “Tulip planting is a work of art,” “The prickly side of gardening” and many more.
“The Prairie Garden” has a rich history as a nonprofit, annual publication dedicated to advancing horticulture in the northern prairies. The digest-sized paperback has been published by a Winnipeg-based volunteer committee since 1937, and I’m proud to be a member of the board that oversees the book’s creation.
The book is filled with 52 helpful articles and would make a perfect gift for any gardener.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
I’ve long valued horticultural research and information originating from the prairie provinces of Canada, as it partners perfectly with gardening in northern states. There might be a national boundary dividing our two countries, but the growing conditions are similar throughout the region, and climate doesn’t recognize national dividing lines.
Last year’s “The Prairie Garden” edition, titled “Budged-minded gardening,” was a big hit, which helped us stretch our gardening dollars. Take heart, even if you missed it: many past editions of the book series are still available to order.
Previous year’s themes featured year-round gardening, flowering shrubs, shade gardening, fruits and berries, grasses, succulents, perennials, edible landscapes and more. Available past editions are listed on the “The Prairie Garden” website. I have over 20 different editions myself, and I consider them among the most valuable resources in my gardening book collection.
Because practical, down-to-earth garden information is timeless, past years’ digests remain filled with useful information that continues to hold the attention of gardeners.
For more information, including pricing and ordering details for the 2026 edition, “Shaping Spaces,” as well as past editions, visit
https://www.theprairiegarden.ca.
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