About The Prairie Garden
What is The Prairie Garden?
A non-profit publication dedicated to the advancement of horticulture in the northern Prairies.
The Prairie Garden is a digest-sized, soft-covered book published annually by a volunteer committee consisting of about 12-15 members. The work is organized by the editor and an annual guest editor.
Each year, a theme is selected from which a large portion of the articles follow. The theme articles are the responsibility of the Guest Editor, who is chosen because of his or her knowledge in the chosen subject area. The books are edited in part and as a whole by The Prairie Garden Committee, before being published at the end of each year. Aside from their roles as associate editors, members of the committee often write articles and provide images for the book. These individuals are what makes this book possible, as are our sponsors, and you, our loyal readership.
A non-profit publication dedicated to the advancement of horticulture in the northern Prairies.
The Prairie Garden is a digest-sized, soft-covered book published annually by a volunteer committee consisting of about 12-15 members. The work is organized by the editor and an annual guest editor.
Each year, a theme is selected from which a large portion of the articles follow. The theme articles are the responsibility of the Guest Editor, who is chosen because of his or her knowledge in the chosen subject area. The books are edited in part and as a whole by The Prairie Garden Committee, before being published at the end of each year. Aside from their roles as associate editors, members of the committee often write articles and provide images for the book. These individuals are what makes this book possible, as are our sponsors, and you, our loyal readership.
Our History
The Prairie Garden Committee began in 1956 as a standing committee of the Winnipeg Horticultural Society, which had published The Winnipeg Flower Garden and The Flower Garden, the precursor of The Prairie Garden, starting in 1937. The book began as the annual report of the Winnipeg Horticultural Society, and was free to members when they paid their annual membership fees.
It was first called The Winnipeg Flower Garden and included not only the official annual report of the society, but also informational articles by prominent local horticulturists of the time. The name was changed to The Flower Garden in 1955 because of the book’s ever-increasing readership. However, it was only to be called The Flower Garden for two years before becoming The Prairie Garden in 1957, once again because of its ever-broadening popularity, now extending right across the Prairies and beyond and because of its applicability to gardening in this region in general, and not to Winnipeg in particular.
The Prairie Garden Committee began in 1956 as a standing committee of the Winnipeg Horticultural Society, which had published The Winnipeg Flower Garden and The Flower Garden, the precursor of The Prairie Garden, starting in 1937. The book began as the annual report of the Winnipeg Horticultural Society, and was free to members when they paid their annual membership fees.
It was first called The Winnipeg Flower Garden and included not only the official annual report of the society, but also informational articles by prominent local horticulturists of the time. The name was changed to The Flower Garden in 1955 because of the book’s ever-increasing readership. However, it was only to be called The Flower Garden for two years before becoming The Prairie Garden in 1957, once again because of its ever-broadening popularity, now extending right across the Prairies and beyond and because of its applicability to gardening in this region in general, and not to Winnipeg in particular.
Meet The Prairie Garden Committee
Ian Wise: Chair
Ian's educational and working background is in entomology. After obtaining Bachelor of Science and a Master of Pest Management degree from Simon University University in Burnaby, BC, he worked as the Provincial Research Co-ordinator for Hoechst Canada in Regina for 8 years and as a research biologist at the Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg for 25 years until retirement in 2013. At the CRC he specialized in developing economic thresholds and sequential sampling plans for insects pest on field crops, and screening wheat for resistance to insect pests. He worked with plant breeders in the development of insect resistance of spring wheat to the wheat midge. He has been an avid gardener for 35 years and grew up in BC on a small acreage where nearly all their fruit and vegetables came from their garden.
Ian's educational and working background is in entomology. After obtaining Bachelor of Science and a Master of Pest Management degree from Simon University University in Burnaby, BC, he worked as the Provincial Research Co-ordinator for Hoechst Canada in Regina for 8 years and as a research biologist at the Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg for 25 years until retirement in 2013. At the CRC he specialized in developing economic thresholds and sequential sampling plans for insects pest on field crops, and screening wheat for resistance to insect pests. He worked with plant breeders in the development of insect resistance of spring wheat to the wheat midge. He has been an avid gardener for 35 years and grew up in BC on a small acreage where nearly all their fruit and vegetables came from their garden.
Linda Dietrick: Editor
Before her retirement in 2016, Linda was a professor of German language and literature at the University of Winnipeg. She has also been an avid gardener for over 30 years. Her garden has been featured on a number of tours. As a certified Master Gardener, she enjoys volunteering in the gardening community as well as speaking and writing about plants and garden design.
Before her retirement in 2016, Linda was a professor of German language and literature at the University of Winnipeg. She has also been an avid gardener for over 30 years. Her garden has been featured on a number of tours. As a certified Master Gardener, she enjoys volunteering in the gardening community as well as speaking and writing about plants and garden design.
Darlene Belton: Co Chair
Darlene Belton, M.A., M.Ed., M.G., had a long career in many aspects of education, from teaching high school English in Winnipeg and business subjects at St. Lawrence College in Kingston ON, to fulfilling many administrative and project management roles in continuing education, international institutional development, and adult education. After retiring in 2011, she took intensive training in permaculture and became a Master Gardener. Besides serving on The Prairie Garden committee, she is currently the Volunteer Coordinator for the Manitoba Master Gardeners Association.
Darlene Belton, M.A., M.Ed., M.G., had a long career in many aspects of education, from teaching high school English in Winnipeg and business subjects at St. Lawrence College in Kingston ON, to fulfilling many administrative and project management roles in continuing education, international institutional development, and adult education. After retiring in 2011, she took intensive training in permaculture and became a Master Gardener. Besides serving on The Prairie Garden committee, she is currently the Volunteer Coordinator for the Manitoba Master Gardeners Association.
Other active members include Rita Campbell (Marketing), Lynn McCarthy (Shipping), Sarah Piercy (Social Media), Maggie Shen, Barb Shields (Treasurer) Suzanne Simpson (Secretary) & Sandy Venton.
Brent Poole
Brent was born, raised and educated in Winnipeg. He obtained a B.Sc., M.Sc. (Zoology- Wildlife Parasitology) and B. Ed at the University of Manitoba. He was pleased to be able to combine his love for Biology with his love for teaching which led him to a career in education. He recently retired after 30 years from the Pembina Trails School Division in Winnipeg where he held the positions of Senior Years Biology Teacher, Vice Principal and Director of the International Student Program. He became interested in gardening when he and his wife (Marie) moved into rural Manitoba and onto larger property with no landscaping (nothing like starting with a clean slate). Brent quickly acquired a keen interest in growing vegetables while Marie focused on the shrubs and trees aspect of their yard. Marie was the ‘brains’ and Brent was the ‘brawn’ as their landscaping plans evolved over the past 27 years. Brent was anxious to do more in the 'gardening world' after his retirement and was pleased to be invited to join The Prairie Garden Committe
Brent was born, raised and educated in Winnipeg. He obtained a B.Sc., M.Sc. (Zoology- Wildlife Parasitology) and B. Ed at the University of Manitoba. He was pleased to be able to combine his love for Biology with his love for teaching which led him to a career in education. He recently retired after 30 years from the Pembina Trails School Division in Winnipeg where he held the positions of Senior Years Biology Teacher, Vice Principal and Director of the International Student Program. He became interested in gardening when he and his wife (Marie) moved into rural Manitoba and onto larger property with no landscaping (nothing like starting with a clean slate). Brent quickly acquired a keen interest in growing vegetables while Marie focused on the shrubs and trees aspect of their yard. Marie was the ‘brains’ and Brent was the ‘brawn’ as their landscaping plans evolved over the past 27 years. Brent was anxious to do more in the 'gardening world' after his retirement and was pleased to be invited to join The Prairie Garden Committe
Tom Nagy: Website Administrator
Born in Hamilton Ontario, Tom Nagy is an ecologist with a passion for botany and mycology who has worked as an organic farmer, field botanist and environmental consultant. Tom advocates for a greater understanding and appreciation of how we interact with the natural world by writing thoughtful and engaging articles and conducting public programs discussing native plant communities, organic agriculture, mushroom cultivation and wild foraging for edible and medicinal plants and fungi. Tom currently works as a commercial craft brewer for Barn Hammer Brewing Company in Winnipeg.
Born in Hamilton Ontario, Tom Nagy is an ecologist with a passion for botany and mycology who has worked as an organic farmer, field botanist and environmental consultant. Tom advocates for a greater understanding and appreciation of how we interact with the natural world by writing thoughtful and engaging articles and conducting public programs discussing native plant communities, organic agriculture, mushroom cultivation and wild foraging for edible and medicinal plants and fungi. Tom currently works as a commercial craft brewer for Barn Hammer Brewing Company in Winnipeg.
Monique Graboski: Bookkeeper
I have been involved with gardening most of my life, starting out as a member of a 4-H Gardening Club at about 10 years old. Since that time I have always enjoyed the work and benefits of planting vegetables and flowers. It has been my good fortune to have been a member of the Friends of the Assiniboine Park Conservatory and the Chair of the Festival of Trees and Lights for about 4 years. I am married and have children and grandchildren, all grown. I am a Marriage Commissioner for the Prov of MB and now consider myself to be semi-retired. I have had a career in mostly business in Office Management, Computer Software Support and Training. And now I can say I am a member of the committee of The Prairie Garden.
I have been involved with gardening most of my life, starting out as a member of a 4-H Gardening Club at about 10 years old. Since that time I have always enjoyed the work and benefits of planting vegetables and flowers. It has been my good fortune to have been a member of the Friends of the Assiniboine Park Conservatory and the Chair of the Festival of Trees and Lights for about 4 years. I am married and have children and grandchildren, all grown. I am a Marriage Commissioner for the Prov of MB and now consider myself to be semi-retired. I have had a career in mostly business in Office Management, Computer Software Support and Training. And now I can say I am a member of the committee of The Prairie Garden.
Tiffany Grenkow
Succulent sweet peas and juicy carrots from my grandparents garden left a deep impression on this child of the 70’s raised in southern Manitoba. Keeping the past relevant as an urban farmer and owner of Renegade Gardens I tend six small regenerative gardens where I produce heirloom vegetables, herbs and edible flowers for local chefs. My pioneering spirit and gardening over the past 25 years lead me to try my luck growing sweet potatoes in our northern climate. I now own Winnipeg Sweet Potato where I produce and supply local growers with a short season variety of sweet potato slips. I love learning, sharing and growing fruit so I also volunteer as an orchard steward and garden club instructor at the Sustainable South Osborne Permaculture Commons.
Succulent sweet peas and juicy carrots from my grandparents garden left a deep impression on this child of the 70’s raised in southern Manitoba. Keeping the past relevant as an urban farmer and owner of Renegade Gardens I tend six small regenerative gardens where I produce heirloom vegetables, herbs and edible flowers for local chefs. My pioneering spirit and gardening over the past 25 years lead me to try my luck growing sweet potatoes in our northern climate. I now own Winnipeg Sweet Potato where I produce and supply local growers with a short season variety of sweet potato slips. I love learning, sharing and growing fruit so I also volunteer as an orchard steward and garden club instructor at the Sustainable South Osborne Permaculture Commons.
Susanne Olver
Ontario Diploma of Horticulture, University of Guelph, and member of the Order of St. John Ambulance. Trained as a horticulturist in Frankfurt, Germany, Susanne worked for 30 years at the University of Manitoba as a supervisor of the Department of Botany greenhouses. She has lectured across Manitoba and for Continuing Education U of M and was a frequent guest of CBC Information Radio. Other interests include reading, training, and showing prize winning German Shepherd dogs, therapy dog work, and music.
Ontario Diploma of Horticulture, University of Guelph, and member of the Order of St. John Ambulance. Trained as a horticulturist in Frankfurt, Germany, Susanne worked for 30 years at the University of Manitoba as a supervisor of the Department of Botany greenhouses. She has lectured across Manitoba and for Continuing Education U of M and was a frequent guest of CBC Information Radio. Other interests include reading, training, and showing prize winning German Shepherd dogs, therapy dog work, and music.
Associates of The Prairie Garden
Andy Tekauz
Andy is now ‘retired’ after a 40-year career with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Winnipeg as a research scientist (plant pathologist) working on diseases of cereal crops. He believes in TPG’s mantra of providing practical, concise, accessible, and locally-written information for prairie gardeners, and enjoys his editing duties with the publication. He has written several articles for TPG to address relevant disease issues in the garden and to relay applicable mitigation measures for these. He resides, in St. Andrews MB.
Andy is now ‘retired’ after a 40-year career with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Winnipeg as a research scientist (plant pathologist) working on diseases of cereal crops. He believes in TPG’s mantra of providing practical, concise, accessible, and locally-written information for prairie gardeners, and enjoys his editing duties with the publication. He has written several articles for TPG to address relevant disease issues in the garden and to relay applicable mitigation measures for these. He resides, in St. Andrews MB.
Warren Otto
has been involved in a number of capacities related to horticulture education for almost 20 years. He served as administrator of the Prairie Horticulture Certificate at the University of Manitoba from 1997 until 2010, and currently teaches Botanical Latin for the Master Gardener Program at Assiniboine Community College. When not engaged in activities related to his children, or on the home front, he is pursuing a Master of Arts in Military History.
has been involved in a number of capacities related to horticulture education for almost 20 years. He served as administrator of the Prairie Horticulture Certificate at the University of Manitoba from 1997 until 2010, and currently teaches Botanical Latin for the Master Gardener Program at Assiniboine Community College. When not engaged in activities related to his children, or on the home front, he is pursuing a Master of Arts in Military History.