There’s something faintly ridiculous about reseeding the same patch of lawn beneath an oak tree every … Pennsylvania Sedge Grows Where Grass Won’t, and You Barely Have to Mow ItRead more
Author: Mitch Stevenson
I’m Mitch Stevenson, an old-timer who's spent a fair amount of time learning that plants aren't especially interested in following instructions and wishes.
I’ve moved things that sulked, watered things that apparently wanted something else, and watched supposedly reliable plants decide they had other plans.
That is probably why I enjoy the odd corners of gardening so much. The awkward bits usually turn out to be the most interesting.
When I’m not outside getting soil under my nails, I collect old gardening books, catalogues, botanical prints, and the occasional wonderfully outdated piece of advice. I like seeing what gardeners used to get excited about, what they got completely wrong, and what still holds up surprisingly well.
Most of my writing starts with stumbling blocks I've encountered, a bit of trial and error, and one question that somehow turns into five more.
I’m not especially interested in making gardening sound grand or complicated. I’d rather share what I’ve learned, what made me laugh, and what actually works.
Christmas Fern Stays Green All Winter, Even in Dry Shade
Winter has a way of making woodland gardens look abandoned. Deciduous trees lose their leaves, summer … Christmas Fern Stays Green All Winter, Even in Dry ShadeRead more
Ground Cover Under Pine Trees Fails From Thirst, Not From Acidic Needles
There’s something suspiciously convincing about the bare ground beneath a pine tree. Needles accumulate, grass disappears, … Ground Cover Under Pine Trees Fails From Thirst, Not From Acidic NeedlesRead more
Leave the Leaves Under Your Trees This Fall. Bumble Bee Queens Are Sleeping in Them
Autumn has a way of making otherwise reasonable gardeners suspicious of anything lying on the ground. … Leave the Leaves Under Your Trees This Fall. Bumble Bee Queens Are Sleeping in ThemRead more
Where to Plant Solomon’s Seal So It Actually Thrives
Solomon’s seal looks more delicate than its growing habits might suggest. Arching stems rise in spring, … Where to Plant Solomon’s Seal So It Actually ThrivesRead more
The Gardening Method We Got From WWI Trenches
Imagine spending four years constructing one of the largest killing machines Europe had ever seen and … The Gardening Method We Got From WWI TrenchesRead more
Epimedium Thrives in the Dry Shade Most Plants Can’t Stand
Dry shade has a special talent for making perfectly sensible gardeners buy the same doomed plant … Epimedium Thrives in the Dry Shade Most Plants Can’t StandRead more
Plants for Dry Shade That Survive Under Big Trees
A mature tree can look wonderfully generous until you try gardening underneath it. Up above, there … Plants for Dry Shade That Survive Under Big TreesRead more
Things I’ve Learned With Dirt Under My Nails
Gardening looked suspiciously peaceful before I actually did much of it. Pictures had led me to … Things I’ve Learned With Dirt Under My NailsRead more
Why Nothing Grows Under Your Big Tree and Can You Do Something About it?
A big tree can look magnificent overhead while presiding over a patch of ground that resembles … Why Nothing Grows Under Your Big Tree and Can You Do Something About it?Read more