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Unseen Pollinators

Andrew Mitchell

Unseen Pollinators

Let's face it, if it is not big, bold, or beautiful, then it is an unseen pollinator. What I mean is that there is a class of pollinators which mostly go unnoticed by gardeners. These are unseen polli...

ants beetles flies pollination pollinators unseen pollinators

Feb 19, 2026

Orchard Planning

Andrew Mitchell

Orchard Planning

Here in the Central Great Plains region, we have a long tradition of orchard plantings. Even though Kansas is no longer known for its fruit, it once was a hub for apples and other fruits. In the late ...

apple cherries fruit fruit bushes fruit trees orchard planning pawpaw peaches persimmons plums serviceberry

Feb 12, 2026

Dogwoods

Andrew Mitchell

Dogwoods

Dogwoods have become a very important part of our landscapes, even as they have always been important to the natural landscapes around us. Did you know there are at least sixteen species of dogwood na...

Sgt Pepper dogwood arctic fire dogwood trees dogwoods flowering shrubs native plants pollinators trees

Feb 5, 2026

Chitalpa

Andrew Mitchell

Chitalpa

Last summer Doug asked me up to the arboretum to look over some new trees he had planted from J. Frank Schmidt. It was a Chitalpa. But what in the world is a Chitalpa? He was excited because his was b...

Garden Answer Pink Dawn chitalpa catalpa chitalpa desert willow el nino chitalpa flowering shrubs hybrids

Jan 30, 2026

The Honeybee

Andrew Mitchell

The Honeybee

The honeybee is one of the most well-known and iconic insects on earth. Especially here in the United States and among gardeners of all types. The honeybee is recognized for its importance as a pollin...

Kansas state insect Kansas state symbols bees butterflies endangered species honeybee pollination regal fritillary state symbols threatened species

Jan 29, 2026

Blackhawks Big Bluestem

Andrew Mitchell

Blackhawks Big Bluestem

Surprise! I was totally surprised to discover that the Perennial Plant Association named a grass (Blackhawks big bluestem) as the perennial plant of the year for 2026. Has this happened before? Well, ...

2026 Perennial Plant of the Year Big Bluestem Blackhawks Big Bluestem Grasses Native Grasses Ornamental Grass Perennial Plant of the Year

Jan 15, 2026

Native Grasses for Your Landscape

Andrew Mitchell

Native Grasses for Your Landscape

Native grasses have always fascinated me. Living in the Great Plains, and growing up in the Smoky Hills Region of Kansas, I got to find grasses from two separate ecoregions. The tall grasses of the ea...

Big Bluestem Gardening Little Bluestem Native Grasses Ornamental Grass Switchgrass

Jan 8, 2026

What Organic Mulch is Best for Your Garden?

Andrew Mitchell

What Organic Mulch is Best for Your Garden?

What kind of organic mulch should I use? Wintertime for the gardener is planning time. When snow comes and the frigid winter winds keep us from tinkering in the garden shed, we curl up on the couch wi...

Garden Planning Gardening Mulching Organic Gardening Vegetable gardening organic

Jan 1, 2026

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New Plants in the Nursery - 2026 Edition

Each year, as I become more and more accustomed to ordering for the nursery and landscapers, I try to add new plants that I think might excite customers. Adding new plants not only gets people more ex...

Dec 25, 2025

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My Garden in 2025

Every year, I give you all a virtual tour of my garden. And 2025 is not different. I think it is nice to end the season with photos of your favorite spaces, and my garden is tops on my list, though I ...

Dec 18, 2025

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2025 Year in Review

It has been awhile since I have posted anything, life has been so busy! But the ed of 2025 is nearing and it is time for my annual review of the year. I have a lot to tell you about, so bear with me. ...

Dec 11, 2025

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Plant Now for Next Year

Why do so many people ask if fall is a good time to plant? If you plant now, in the fall, then you will have much better gardens than planting in the spring. At least, that is how it works for most pl...

Sep 18, 2025

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