The Blog

This time of year, in Stokes County, the rain, plants, and mulch smell like promise. If you’re like me, your hands itch to get back into the dirt and watch nature work its magic. You’ve spent the winter looking at a yard that’s mostly shades of "dormant brown," and...

  Has this ever happened to you? It’s early spring, plants are popping out with buds and blooms, and you want to fill your car with everything that’s giving off bright colors. Then, by sometime between late July and mid-January, that same garden bed becomes tired and...

Most of the country observes Arbor Day in late April, but in North Carolina, we do things a little differently. This year, on Friday, March 20, we’ll recognize North Carolina Arbor Day. To some, it’s just another date on the calendar. But to those of us who spend our...

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that a garden without "bones" is always missing something. When plants fade in the fall, many landscapes are often left with a lot of flat brown space. It comes with the changing seasons. That is where the ‘Sculpture’ or...

  For those of us who share our lives with pets, the garden isn't just a hobby-it's a shared space. When you spot your cat investigating a new shrub or your dog chewing on a low-hanging branch, you might start to get concerned about safety. There is a bigger picture...

Whether you know the name or not, you’ve likely noticed these for their shapes. They are tall, they complement architecture, and they carry a timeless growing habit that few other houseplants can match. The National Garden Bureau has named 2026 the Year of the Ficus....

If you live near the woods, you probably know about the heartbreak of gardening with deer. In the morning, just as you step out front to admire the flowers, you find them eaten down to a green nub. At that moment, it’s easy to feel like you’re at war with nature. But...

Online shopping is something we all seem to do now. Imagine you’re surfing the web after thinking about an untouched corner of the yard. You wonder how it would look transformed and landscaped. You see a “Buy Now” button for a colorful Japanese maple or a tall Green...

We love poinsettias for their velvety and colorful leafy bracts and deep green leaves, but poinsettias have a reputation for being sensitive. The truth? They are actually quite hardy if you follow a few general rules. Here is your ‘checklist’ for making your...

Top 3 Overall (218 ballots) #1.  Ice Punch  #2. Luv U Pink  #3. Red Ribbons  Top 5 Red #1 Red - Red Ribbons#2 Red - Christmas Mouse#3 Red - Toro Red#4 Red - Fortuna Red#5 Red - Christmas Bells Top 5 White #1 White- Princettia White#2 White- Rinehart Pure White#3...

Classic Oatmeal Cookies Recipe enhanced by Jim Mitchell Yield: Makes a "big batch" (Approximately 4–5 dozen, depending on size) Oven Temperature: 350°F (175°C) Bake Time: 10–12 minutes Ingredients The Wet Mixture 1 cup shortening 1 cup brown sugar, packed 1 cup white...

There is a serious myth among casual gardeners that the gardening season ends towards the end of fall. Real growers know the truth, though, the winter season does not have to be a landscape of idle emptiness. After the summer flowers have faded, winter offers a chance...