Liz Primeau

Liz Primeau is a highly respected Canadian writer, editor, and horticulturalist who has played a significant role in shaping contemporary gardening culture. She is best known for her long tenure as the founding editor of Canadian Gardening magazine, a position she held for many years. Under her editorial direction, the magazine became the premier publication for gardeners across the country, celebrated for its practical advice and celebration of regional planting styles.\nPrimeau’s career in journalism and media spans several decades. Beyond magazines, she is an accomplished author of multiple books. Her most influential work, Front Yard Gardens: Growing More Than Grass, challenged the suburban convention of the pristine, empty lawn. In this book, she advocates for transforming underutilized front lawns into vibrant, eco-friendly gardens that foster community interaction and biodiversity. The book’s success helped spark a North American trend toward "un-lawning" and sustainable landscaping.\nIn addition to Front Yard Gardens, Primeau has written In Pursuit of Garlic: An Intimate Look at the Divinely Odorous Bulb, which combines history, folklore, and growing tips, and My Natural History: The Evolution of a Gardener, a memoir that traces her personal growth alongside her gardens. She is a frequent speaker at horticultural societies and home shows, where she lectures on topics ranging from urban agriculture to low-maintenance landscape design. Primeau continues to write and garden from her home in Ontario, remaining a passionate voice for environmental stewardship through gardening.