Jim Mitchell

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...

  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...

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...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Classic Oatmeal Cookies Recipe enhanced by Jim Mitchell Yield: Makes a “big batch” (Approximately 4–5 dozen, depending on size) Oven Temperature: 350°F...

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...