The Kansas Gardener

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Andrew Mitchell, also known professionally as the Kansas Gardener, is a Horticulturalist, Nursery Crops Specialist, and Landscape Maintenance Supervisor for Grimm's. He has a B.S. Degree in Horticulture from Kansas State University and a A.S. Degree in Agronomy from Cloud County Community College. Andrew is a Lifetime Member of the National Home Gardening Club and a member of the American Horticultural Society. He is a regular writer and on the Board of Directors of the Kansas Native Plant Society and the Eternal Hope Worship Center. Andrew lives on an oak-hickory remnant forest edge with his wife and 3 children. He is an avid collector of plant species, and has an interest in heirloom vegetables. Andrew spends his free time in photography, hiking, spending time with his family and church, and working in the garden.

Posts by The Kansas Gardener:

  • The Kansas Gardener’s Garden – 2020

    It is that time of year again; time to take a tour through my gardens! Even in other years, the only people that visit my gardens are my family, so the pandemic did not change much. I love sharing plants and ideas with people, so this yearly virtual tour is exciting to do. I will [...]

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  • 2020 Year in Review – Annual Color

    Each year I love doing annual color plantings more and more. In the past, I used to hate annuals, but I have learned how much of an impact and statement they can make. With our ever-changing weather patterns, it can be difficult to choose annuals that will withstand heat, drought, flooding, and cool spells. However, [...]

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  • Plant of the Week: Purple Coneflower

    Purple coneflowers are the bloomiest plants in summer, attracting many pollinators. Their tall stems are great for cutting and add height to the garden. Nearing the end of the gardening year, coneflowers are not in bloom, but their seedheads offer a plethora of uses in the garden and home. Echinacea, or coneflower, is native to [...]

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  • 2020 Year in Review – Insects

    The year is winding down and it has been a doozy! We have seen an exponential growth in the green industry, thanks in part to people staying home for the pandemic. More people tried gardening this year than I can recall ever before. At the season’s end, I like to take the time to go [...]

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  • Plant of the Week: Western Ironweed

    Western ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii) is our Plant of the Week for the second week of November. Even though bloom time is past, this perennial native has great fall and winter interest. There are many ironweeds native to North America, but Vernonia baldwinii is most widespread. This pollinator-friendly plant attracts many bees and butterflies to its [...]

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  • November Tips for the Garden

    We do not think about there being much to do in the garden in November. However, November in Northeast Kansas is usually snow free, and warm enough to work the ground for the next season. This is also still a good time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials, as long as the ground is not [...]

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  • Plant of the Week: Karl Foerster Grass

    Karl Foerster grass is our Plant of the Week for the first week of November. This perennial grass is great for its ability to stay upright and not flop in the wind. Grasses are great additions to any garden for their easy maintenance and textural presence. The only maintenance they require is burning or cut [...]

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  • The Care of Trees – Major Diseases of Trees

    As we head into autumn we need to start preparing for next season’s round of diseases. Some of these diseases of trees will affect us now and into winter, while others pop up during spring and summer. Knowing which disease is most likely to be a problem for our trees is important to preventing major [...]

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  • Plant of the Week: Oregon Trail Maple

    Oregon Trail maple is our Plant of the Week for the last week of October. This is our signature tree, everyone around us knows us for this special plant. About Oregon Trail Maple Hiawatha, KS has long been known as the City of Beautiful Maples. Over the decades, many sugar maples were planted in Hiawatha, [...]

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