The Blog

I’m sure you can feel the colder morning air; the long days of summer are finally behind us. Most people think spring is the peak gardening season, and while that may be true for preexisting plantings, let me let you in on a secret: fall is actually the golden time to...

In any well-designed space, the eye naturally seeks anchor points. They break up sharp lines and add life to the space. Modern interiors are filled with sleek, neutral, and matte materials. Plants, in contrast to this, provide complements to the design to break up...

When we plant for pollinators, to get the bees buzzing and butterflies gliding through our property, we generally think about the blooming perennials. It is easy to focus on loading up with purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and butterfly bushes. It is easy to...

An autumn garden that stops visitors in their tracks needs structure, texture, and multi-season interest. If you want to achieve this, you might want to take a quick look at these four plants before planting this fall. Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) If you want...

Most landscape designs play on sightlines, colors, and visual interest. Other designs, however, engage your other senses as well; your nose might lead you to stop. Beyond stopping to smell the roses, many other flowers are worth a stop. A fragrance garden will change...

How much do you think about what we put on our dinner plates and the energy and distance from nature? There is a strange irony unfolding in our grocery aisles. Every few months, news headlines warn us to clear our fridges of plastic-clamshell lettuce due to bacterial...

If you've ever caught a fleeting glimpse of a hummingbird, you know it's over almost before it starts. One flower, then the next, then gone. But that quick visit isn't luck. Hummingbirds are picky, and a garden that keeps them coming back is built with a few specific...

KING, N.C. — Mitchell's Nursery and Greenhouse is named a 2026 Innovator of the Year honoree by Lawn & Garden Retailer magazine. Owners Jim and Judy Mitchell traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to accept the award in person at the magazine's Evening of Excellence, where...

Many yards have shady spots, which is great for this hot weather. Under the big trees, or tucked behind your house, shed, or garage, or shaded by the neighbor's, you might be left wondering what will actually grow well there. Here in North Carolina, shade isn't a...

Walk through any thriving vegetable patch, and you'll notice something: the best gardens look less like neat rows and more like good neighborhoods. Certain plants seem to lean toward each other, while others sit as far apart as possible. That's not an accident. It's...

A cheesy way to use up a mountain of summer zucchini, this recipe bakes up golden with a buttery Ritz cracker topping. INGREDIENTS• 5 cups zucchini, cut into chunks• 5 large eggs• 1.5 cups cottage cheese• 1 cup mayo• 1.5 cups frozen corn, thawed and squeezed dry• 3.5...