I don’t think you’re a spaz, it never even crossed my mind until you said it. Don’t buy the narrative-you are extremely knowledgeable and an invaluable resource for many of us!

I vote YES to more Q&A

No SIR! You are wonderful and very well appreciated by us! I am a musician so I get the hand talking and doing multiple things. Keep being smart and accomplishing much!

Yes to midweek Q & A!

‘Kiss the Ground’ is a must watch documentary on soil health and ways we can improve growing conditions. I love your energy Jim…..your knowledge and enthusiasm for gardening is a gift! 💚

I love this channel. Jim, you are so good at sharing your knowledge with us. You are so easy-going, down-to-earth and just plain pleasant & fun. That hummingbird makes me think of the dog joke where the dog keeps saying "squirrel!". LOL!! Also, the Closed-loop Landscaping on the channel next year is going to be very interesting. Thanks for all you do!!

I love these question and answer shows ,its amazing how much you can learn ! But you and the hummingbird 🤣

Can't wait to learn about the closed Loop system 👏👏

You are a wealth of knowledge and I learn something new each time I watch your new episode. I live in the Pacific Northwest and collect miniature conifers. This heat wave despite water burned some of my golden ones and it was painful to see especially with my rare ones. It was nice to learn it was not my fault. I agree with and practice all of your garden fundamentals, an example today was don't fight the powdery mildew, move the plant or don't buy another one....Right plant Right place. Thank you for all you do!

LOL!! Wouldn’t you like to know what that little Hummer is actually thinking about you just sitting there talking to your self. I love all of your videos but I REALLY love this one! God bless you Jim and keep helping us have beautiful plants 🌺🌱🌻🌼🌸 lm 76 yrs. old and still love getting my hands dirty in that wonderful soil.

I loved the more relaxed, seated Q&A. Nothing wrong with being high energy, though! I wish I had a little more in my advancing years. 😂

I said Lemon Thyme in the groundcover answer. It isn't hardy in zone 5, but other Thyme is. I will have a giveaway on the next Q and A. I didn't have time this week to put it together. Thanks for watching

Love Q&As, always so much great information. I wouldn’t say a spaz, just energetic! Which is great to watch and motivates me to get out and do more. Who wants to watch a slug? Hope you got that pic of the hummingbird!

“Cover the soil” … best advice ever! Love your channel, Jim. 💚

Great Q& A today! Your answers to more complex/specific situation questions are greatly appreciated as they are more difficult to research and get good information.

You’re the best source of gardening information on the internet. Thank you!

Love your videos! ❤️ Definitely yes to the mid-week Q & A!!

Hi Jim, I am Really looking forward to your "closed loop" series for next year. That is something I would love to do also on my smallish city lot. Should be interesting. Take care.

Jim, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your gardening advice. You have so much knowledge and we are all so lucky to be able to learn from your many years of experience. Please keep up the great work!!

Your containers look great. Glad you are supporting independent coffee and garden shops. 👌🏾

Maybe the hummingbird appears when you’re recording because it hears your voice. Maybe you should talk when you want to get a photo of it. 🌸🌸

Cracking me up with the hummingbird! I think your energy is great - do you! 😊

Jim, hummingbirds are one of my favorite distractions. It doesn't matter if I have company over, or if I'm just out pulling weeds, I completely stop whatever I'm doing to enjoy the beauty, and antics of this precious little creature! ~Margie

Love the Q&As and your channel in general. One of my “must watch” channels for gardening. Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge and projects with us, Jim!

Brewskie’s in Asheboro, NC. And you talk with your hands and it reminds me of my dad and my cousin. I don't know how to listen if your hands aren't moving.

Such a wonderful informative channel!! You are a blessing. You are a great friend to us gardeners! Yes to more Q and A. I learn a lot from those. Good luck with the hummer!

Yes to second Q&A this week.

Love the sit down porch with a coffee Q&A format! Jim such great information as always! Thanks

I love that you talk with your hands. It's not irritating. I'm animated myself 😁😁

Up here in the frigid north, the recommendation is that anything planted over a septic system be shallow rooted and semi evergreen because the insulation is important for winter protection. Geranium macrorrhizum is one plant I recommend here in zone 5.

I really enjoyed this format of video! I enjoy all your videos but it was especially nice to get to know you a little better. Love your channel, you have invaluable knowledge!

I may have asked "the best question EVER" but now we have even MORE questions!! I guess we'll be contacting you for a consult when we get close to moving in.

I started with leaf mulch to create healthy soil for my beds. Thank you for your common sense answers and easy going style. You make it seem like we’re sitting with you having a conversation in your yard.

Some of us are just "busier" than others, Jim. Unfortunately, others are happiest when we're willing to keep a pace they're not. I empathize sir.

Great video and lots of info as always. I like the sit down. 😉

Jim, I love you just the way you are! You share so much knowledge with us in every video and I'm very grateful. Yes, do another Q&A if you would. Question: What can you tell us as far as do's and don'ts about planting in or around the area where you've had a big tree cut down? You had one cut down in your yard so I thought you could share with us. Thank you. 😊

Nature wants the ground covered! Beautifully said

ADD / ADHD is a super power. Thank you for sharing your expertise and positive energy!

I have struggled with my hot, steep, western slope for years. Weeding it was slippery. What seems to be working is planting a mix of evergreen shrubs, trees and shore juniper as a ground cover. A thick mulch of pine needles holds weeds down and does not easily wash out with rains. Now I can pull a handful of weeds in 15 minutes once a month. It’s not maintenance free but pretty close. Good Luck 🍀

Anyone who has a problem with you will be back! Hands down you are the most knowledgeable gardener on KZfaq!!!

You do you Jim, my husband talks with his hands too. You communicate effectively with great info.

My favorite independent Garden center is Mitchell’s in King NC. Owners are NC state grads and do an amazing job! Their Christmas poinsettia offerings along with others have been featured on PBS. Maybe a video with you Jim. Enjoy

Yes! Do another Q & A this week. I LOVE them!

We like you just the way you are (sounds like a Billy Joel song!) Your knowledge and passion for gardening plus your eagerness to share it with us - we are on the winning end. I'm loving the Q & A and enjoy seeing Holly in the doorway. I've never acquired a taste for coffee but kudos to you for putting the small/independent businesses in the spotlight. Thank you for all you do :)

I never gave your hands a thought. Since I'm half Italian, I grew up thinking that's perfectly normal and still do! 👍😀

You're not a spaz Jim, it's just the hummingbird inside you 💚😄

SQUIRREL 🐿! Lolol. I love the energy you have. And you do get many things done at once, and well. Thank you for always sharing your knowledge. What you are saying about the earth is so true. Take care. 👏🏻💕👏🏻

I absolutely understand better BECAUSE you talk with your hands. I don't just talk with my hands, I think with them too!! I would love another Q&A this week.

It was great to have chatted via zoom a few weeks ago, Jim. You are the same when chatted on zoom as you are on your videos. It was very calming for me and reassuring. Keep being your "spazz" self..LOL

Great video. Love your pup in the back

On the biomass, I’m totally on the same page. I grow things a lot from seed and I use everything as organic material. I compost on the ground to improve my soil. I have an area that was filled with honeysuckle and had it all removed. Now I’m trying to return it to a healthier woods. I use all the plant material as food for the soil organisms. So far so good!

YES, please do a mid-week Q&A video. Thanks!

It never even crossed my mind that you are a spaz (I remember that term from the 70’s). Never even noticed the hand movements. Love the wealth of info you provide. I am a happy subscriber, and the Southern accent is soothing…

It's easy to understand why you would be distracted by that hummingbird. They are truly fascinating creatures. I left the door open momentarily to my sunroom one day and one flew inside. I tried to chase him out to no avail. I eventually had to catch him in my hand (not easy, let me tell you). To hold one is like trying to hold smoke. There's so little substance to one. You would wonder how they have so much energy. I will never forget being able to see one up so closely for a length of time. He flew away safely outside.

Excellent questions every one & thank you Jim for answering them 🪴🌺🪴

An enthusiastic YES to the mid-week Q&A. Your energy is motivating 🤗.

😎 look forward to these on Sundays☕

Pittsburgh,PA Dancing Goats coffee shop ❤☕

We frequent Floyd and Blackies in Cramerton, NC. Fantastic guidance on the soil. And looking forward to the "closed loop" garden videos in a ridiculous way. We get excited when neighbors haul leaves to the curb! Never noticed the flailing hands, probably because I'm a fellow hyperactive person. There are downsides to the "Squirrel!!!" way of being, but yes, it does allow you to get a lot done. Being physically engaged (and exhausted) in the garden helps the mind to cut back from a dozen different thoughts to under 5. These question and answer videos are really helpful!

Yah!! Gotta love independent coffee shops. THANK YOU. My favorite in Hillsboro, KS is Rhubarb Market. AND, the owner roasts his own coffee, AND is the head gardener for Tabor College!! When we travel, we look specifically for independent coffee. Fun travel hobby.

Great Q&A session, thank you! Even Holly took part if only to melt our hearts. I fall for the pout every time... When I lived in Wilmington NC over 20 years ago, I used to go to the very first Port City Java on Front St. Now they are a chain, so couldn't call them independent. Now I go to Muttigans Coffee Shop in Emerald Isle, down the island from me. Muttigans is also a pet supply store, so they have all kinds of dog treats, toys, cookies, food, etc... and they let you take your dog in for puppaccinos!! and just to hang out with you while you drink coffee. Also they do several events every year to support the local animal shelter and rescues in the area. So, Muttigans is definitely my favorite independent coffee shop, and a must stop for anyone visiting the Crystal Coast.

Jim you were right, great questions. Thank you for always thinking of others. It is so important to support small businesses. My first 3 years of gardening I'd put down mulch and couldnt figure out where it went the following year, until I started following you. It broke down!! You àare so right, I do not do anything but dig and plant, all my perrenials grow beautifully with out pest issues. I only use organic fertilizer on my veggies. I couldn't figure out why so many people have insect issues and I think it's over fertilizing forcing plants to grow too fast and not enough variety of plants. I'm excited to see how you make mulch. I'm fortunate I get broken down wood chips free from my brother in law who works for an arborist.

I love your question and answer videos the very best !!!🌳🌳🌳 And would love 1 every week 🌷

Your cohost 🐶 is so cute sitting behind you inside. so cute!!!!!

I totally get your reaction with that hummingbird!!

We love when you drop in a spicy bit or funny line among all the knowledge! Cracks us up. Thanks for the tools video but now we're dying to see the inside of the shed! 😳

I appreciate the Q&A Sundays and have learned a lot from them. Please ignore the negative comments from the naysayers (you’d think they could find something of greater value to comment on). I’m focused on what you’re sharing and don’t find anything distracting with your presentation. I like today casual format - you sitting down, having a coffee and just chatting as if with the neighbours or to friends. Something I came across years ago when I first started taking an interest in gardening - I can’t remember if I read it, saw it or how I came across it but it was before you plant a seed or a seedling, plant dirt! That is, before we rush out and buy those pretty little nursery plants, spend a season or two preparing the soil (beds) first.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

I am originally from NY, and all the Italians talk with their hands!!!🤣😂

North Mississippi area - Coffee Central is amazing! ☕️

Nice! our nice little coffee shop in Grove City, Ohio is Transcend Coffee + Roastery.

Provisions in Waxhaw, NC is my fav coffee/great breakfast place! My fav local garden place is Kings in Matthews, NC. Friendly, helpful and HUGE selections!

Thanks for your tips, Jim! I FINALLY have amazing zinnias this year, and I think it's because I cut the first flowers off when I planted them. On another note, I'll never go another summer without pentas in my garden! They're my absolute favorite!

No worries about talking with your hands. Most people do, including me. Shame on anyone who would criticize like that... how rude of them.

Very informative video! Never noticed your hands untill you mentioned it! Your knowledge of plants and how you talk and educate people is awesome!

Loved your dog in the background just waiting patiently for you to finish so he could come outside or have your attention.

I am loving these topics. In addition to plants. I love coffee and books. I especially love coffee shops where I can read books. All of these are in NC: The Black Chicken (Lexington), no matter how hot it is, there is always a breeze on the front porch; DeBeen (High Point), Caminos Bakery (Winston Salem). Yes, Caminos is a bakery, but the 4th Street location is also a class act coffee shop. They can fill up quick, especially if the weather is not amenable to outdoor seating. In such cases, I cut my reading short, and I think other loiterers should do the same. We all need to support the small independents.

Love the close loop gardening method, and look forward to more information. We compose our food scraps, mulch our leaves, plant trimming always. Any added methods will be great to learn. Thanks for sharing 👍❤️😊

Queen Bee Coffee Shop McDonough, GA I'm ADHD too. No worries. I can't talk without my hands. I love working in the garden...keeps my hands busy.

Favorite coffee shop in my area is The Grind. A variety of coffees offered and the owner loves suggestions for flavor combos

I have learned so much from your videos! My favorite coffee shop is The Beehive Cafe in Bristol, Rhode Island

I love you being a spaz and your awesome at gardening

Coffee in Fort Mill, SC: Olive's Mud Puddle. It's a combination cafe and art studio on our little old fashioned Main Street. They offer pottery classes, have a piano in the cafe and open mic nights. They also host art shows for local high schools. And Jim, if you're ever down near Charlotte, swing by Pike Nurseries in Matthews. I work there and would love to say hi to you!

Can't wait to learn more about your closed-loop landscape! I've been dreaming about it, but not sure what is actually was called or how to do it. By the way, your energy and enthusiasm are exactly why I'm here. Those are qualities to celebrate!

Alice Jules Coffee Shop in Monroe, NC!

Thank you! The wilting question and answer helped me 👍😁

Thanks for answering my question!

Fabulous video x yes to a midweek Qand A video x happy to see you take a drink of your coffee x. Vadoulis Garden Centre and Cafe is my favourite independent here in Gawler South Australia x I was hoping you'd get up and film the birdie but I guess you might have scared it away x love watching your hand and arm movements x

Esteamed Coffee in Cary. Hires developmentally disabled staff. Also much better coffee then the big well known coffee company . Big Bloomers in Sanford.

Love the new construction question. This was our situation too and I learned this from watching this channel

I'd love to see garden questions on Wednesday.

Groundcover for a sunny slope? I would use honeysuckle. Will fill in quickly, smells great in June and later when it reblooms, doesn't get bothered by most pests or diseases, and great for pollinators. Just give it a light trim once in a while. Jim, you're not a spaz, you're a cutie, and full of info. If you get a lot done, that's nothing to apologize for.

I'm in Orange County, CA. Kèan Coffee is my favorite independent coffee shop. They have 2 locations and I frequent the Tustin location. By the way...Holly pouting is hilarious! My dog used to excel at it❤👍

Great information thanks Jim 🪴

Great one! I missed these!

Brown Bean coffee roasters in Brevard, NC. Bloomers in Sanford and For Garden’s Sake in Durham. Love your channel 🌱 ❤️ 🐕 🐕. Linda Vater had a Hummingbird visiting in a recent video. So funny, I love my zippy little birds.

You are so knowledgeable your gardens are glorious! Please do tell Laura from Garden Answer re the soil, she has so much naked soil that it hurts me so much to see the extent of it so I cannot watch her show!! Please message her with your amazing advise! She has a heart ❤️ but seriously took on too much more that she can handle! Your videos are amazing! Don’t worry about your hand gestures, didn’t notice! Keep your videos going!! Love ❤️ you!!

That hummingbird... Was funny to watch...

A great full sun/ hot / dry / steep slope ground cover for me in zone 7a is Teucrium chamaedrys (wall germander). After it flowers (pink) in July-August here in Maryland, you can shear to 8” to keep it looking tidy. It will get wider after you shear it back and low branches will root in, making new plants you can transplant the following spring. I believe it is hardy zones 6-9. Evergreen, pollinators love it, deer hate it…it’s a perfect plant to create large sweeps in these conditions. P.S. favorite coffee shop in Annapolis, MD is Ceremony Coffee.

My favorite coffee shops are oasis coffee shop in Montezuma, Ga and a local coffee shop in Perry, GA downtown.