By Terrie Welwood
Russell Banner

It’s probably safe to say that Shannon and Newell Johnston are among the busiest people in the area.
Especially in the spring and summer when they prepare both of their Prairie Gardener locations in Russell and Roblin.
This year, the pair have something to cheer about aside from the ongoing success of their two locations as this year, they celebrate their 20th anniversary in business.
Shannon Johnston says every year, they look forward to the opening of their two locations
“We are happy to be able to continue to provide plants to the local area, and it really does feel like we are a part of the community in both Roblin and Russell,” Shannon said.
“We open our gates in town each year and are always so grateful to be shown again how great our customers are - they come in to say hi and are so excited to see everything we have grown.”
After several years of assisting with the business, Shannon and Newell Johnston purchased it with the help of financing from the local credit union, and began the process of disassembling and rebuilding the production farm on a newly cleared property near the edge of Riding Mountain National Park east of Inglis.
“It was quite the task to take down and reset-up the buildings and infrastructure, but we managed to make it happen and we were able to produce a nice crop the following spring despite still finishing heating and ventilation work, building benches as we went, and somehow keeping just slightly ahead of the space needs as we grew that first crop at our new location.”

Read the whole front page story in this week's edition of the Russell Banner.