The Blog
Experts gardening tips to ensure your plants reach their maximum potential. Get early access to articles as well as special deals by signing up for our e-newsletter.
Plants Deserve Better Than a Box
Online shopping—we’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through your phone late at night, envisioning that perfect corner of the yard transformed and landscaped. You see a “Buy Now” button for a colorful Japanese maple or a tall Green Giant arborvitae. It looks easy....
5 Ways You Are Accidentally Killing Your Poinsettia (And How to Stop)
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...
2025 Poinsettia Voting Results
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
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...
Color and Life in the Winter Landscape
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...
Online Tools for NC Gardeners
We are often happy to answer questions, and I wanted to share a few of my favorite resources for helping our gardens and wildlife thrive. These are my go-to references for growing and observing the wildlife of North Carolina. For the Plants in your garden: NC State...
Little Hands for Great Gardens
There is a special kind of magic that happens amidst the soil, the seasons, and planting seeds. Share that magic with the generations behind us. We can’t afford to have the knowledge and skills of our past become a forgotten pastime. We live in a world that often...
Get to Know Yezberry
Hey there, garden growers! I have got to tell you about a new discovery in my garden journey, the Yezberry Solo (Lonicera caerulea), also known as Honeyberry, Haskap, or Blue Honeysuckle. This is a cold-hardy, low-maintenance, superfruit plant! What’s Yezberry Solo?...
Beginner Bonsai: Tiny Titans
There's a unique magic in the art of bonsai. If you are looking to dabble in the ancient practice of growing an interesting and forgiving bonsai tree, this is a good place to start. Bonsai is not just for seasoned masters with tiny rakes and decades of patience....
Get to Know Camellias
Many plants are seasonal; they come out for a while and go back to sleep. There are a few that hold interest all year long, and some of the best are the camellia. If you're looking for year-round interest, this could be your favorite plant! Camellia shrubs are...
Fruit Paradise
Has this ever happened to you? You stroll through your yard and think, "Something's missing?" Well, that something could be homegrown fruit. Here in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina, we’re blessed with a ‘Goldilocks climate’, perfect for a wide variety of fruit...
Fast, Fresh, Crops for Fall
When times are uncertain, it’s natural to look to the past for guidance. During the world wars and the Great Depression, ordinary Americans were asked by the government to dig up lawns, vacant lots, and even city parks to plant “Victory Gardens.” These plots of...