I hope you all get basic cable because the Home and Garden Television Channel (HGTV) is not only where I get most of my gardening ideas but it’s how I survive the loooong winter (even in relatively balmy Zone 7 it’s too damn long for me). So let me introduce the folksiest, goofiest, most knowledgeable gardening guy you’ll ever see on TV – the host of "Gardening by the Yard," Paul James. Ain’t he cute? Plays the guitar, too. Probably had a ponytail and played in a rock band. Overall, my kind of guy, but I digress.
Now be forewarned that Paul may take some getting used to. He and his crew are pretty goofy – no, make that silly in the extreme – but that’s just him not taking himself too seriously. What you get with the silliness is knowledge of gardening techniques that are almost always organic and that work with the land and elements, not against them. He encourages people to just accept a little insect damage, to not plant or transplant in the middle of the summer, and loads of other seriously practical lessons for gardening. He turned me on to conifers. He turned me on to one of my favorite gardening writers, Ann Lovejoy of Bainbridge Island, Washington. And he just keeps turning me on to gardening.
Where I live his show is on Saturday and Sunday mornings, as part of a line-up of solid gardening shows from 10 to 1. Of course I’m not going to spend my weekend mornings in front of the TV watching gardening, so I tape shows for my viewing enjoyment throughout the week, usually while I’m exercising. And because I don’t like programming the timer any more than you do, I just pop in a tape sometime before 10 and press "record," which even my most electronically challenged friends (you know who you are) can do, I think.
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HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a neighbor that dispite my request for him to contact someone that knows more about Trees than we do, cut down 2 60+ feet poplar trees. I was told that the stump needed to be poisoned within 24 hours or we would have new trees growing. And it seems as though this information was true for in my back yard which has a 4000 gallon Koi pond and landscaping I am finding poplar trees popup everywhere from roots leading back to my neigbor’s yard.
What if anything can I do to stop this attack before a root finds its way through my liner and into my pond?
Thanks
Wayne in Sacramento, California
Mr. James,
It was a pleasure meeting you this afternoon while you were in transit at the DFW airport. We are volunteer Ambassadors who provide help to DFW passengers during their passage through the airport. My wife and I work the Friday afternoon shift at DFW, and we hope to see you again one of these days.
Though I did not mention it at the time, we are very jealous of your garden. We drive through Oklahoma now and then, and I’ve often wondered how you have managed to develop your garden in such climatic conditions. Your show has inspired us to actually think we will have success at a garden even in the DFW area.
Keep up the good work, and hope the HGTV folks will expand the coverage of your program in the future.
HELP!!!!! I am looking for a small Gardena (mfgr.) hand held rake for raking leaves, weeds an grass cutting in beds. I have one but have been unable to find additional ones. I would like to purchase two of them. I have been on line to Canada (can’t ship to US), i have spoken directly to many supposed outlets but have been unable to purchase.
Since I saw you on line using one, I thought perhaps that would be my best avenue. These are the most useful tool I have ever bought in my 60 someyears of gardening. If you can help me please e-mail.
Many thanks and I thoroughy enjoy your show!!!
Love your show. New viewer. Do you write books. If so where can I get one?
Dear Paul,
I have recently discovered wild strawberries growing in my back yard. I did not plant them, they just majically appeared and are loaded with ripe strawberries. The chipmunks & squirrels have not bothered them. Are they good to eat? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Paul,
Love your show! I was wondering if you have an published books or are working on any? I would love to read more of your garden knowledge. Any info would be great. Thanks!
Paul, I find the show very informative and funny at the same time. Your latest episode showed how to stay fit by using tools used around the yard. My husband and I found these tips useful. I made a commit to my husband how large your calve muscles were and he replied they must be calve implants. I disagreed and said you must be a mountain biker.
I am happy to say that Paul James is still showing off his big beautiful feet on Gardening By the Yard. That is the only reason I watch it and record it. He has the sexiest soles and toes on television. I especially love when he does closeup shots of his toes wiggling and soles all wrinkled. Keep up the great work Paul, you foot fans love you!!
I have my lawn serviced by a Scotts Lawn Service. My problem is Dallisgrass. It has suddenly appeared and is taking over in big solid patches. I was told there was nothing that could be done without destroying the lawn. I feel that I am throwing good money away. Should I continue the plan or just forget it.
help me, help me (use your little spider voice) i have locust trees. i’ve cut down 15-20 of them in my yard and now i have a multitude of babies all over my yard. how do i get rid of them. i’ve tried bleach, vinager, boiling water and my trusty hatchet. i’m afraid to use a broad leafe herbaside, don’t want to kill everything. what can i do?
I saw one of your showes a while back on mending a deep injury to a tree. The suburbs of Chicago recently had a “mirco burst” and I lost a rather large limb on a 20 year old Maple. The damage to the trunk is about 1/4 of the diamiter and about 3 feet from the ground. The damage is also about 2 feet long. Is this tree worth trying to save at this point? and if so…I need the repair info again. Can’t find it on HGTV.
I have a Japanese weeping maple tree that was obviously grafted. I have a picture of it. I would like to email this picture to you. This year it sprouted a shoot below the graft and it has the leaves of the maple that the Japanese maple was grafted to. It is weird but I have to know the following. Do I need to trim the new shoot of the original maple? Will it allow the Japanese weeping maple to continue to grow or will it hog all of the nutrients?
In addition to Gardening by the yard, I am taping Paul James on Home Grown Cooking on DIY channel. Every Sunday morning at 5:30am he is on. Guess what…..he is also showing off his feet on this show! Even though it is a cooking show he did a segment on “Sore Feet” and showed an EXTREME closeup of his toes wiggling and soles all wrinkled. It is soooo obvious he loves to show off his beautiful feet on camera.
Paul, I had Tivo’d an episode where you had mentioned the name of one of your favorite trees that does well in sandy soil, sun and you said you had it planted in your yard…I thought you called it a chinese french tree but that must not be right as I can’t locate anything with that name. Of course my Tivo locked up and I can’t retrieve the show. If you know what I’m talking about, please post the name. We’re landscaping our backyard and it’s pure sand with a lot of sun and wind and that tree sounded perfect!
Hello,
I am looking to contact Paul James the gardening guy about his suggestion to use cocoa mulch. I have luckily found out before putting 5 bags of the stuff on my lawn, that this mulch is deadly to dogs if ingested. I truly think this is vital information for all dog and cat owners. If you or anyone knows how to relay this information to Paul as well as others please contact me. Thank you and happy gardening.
-Lisa
rebelette@aol.com
Please advise if you write books. I would love to buy one.
I saved your show with the gardener that has the black garden plants. She has found over 100 plants. Can you provide a list of those plants or provide a website or email for this gardener in Britain that found these lovely plants please?
Thank you! Love your shows!
Dear Mr. James
I watch your show every weekend and have learned a lot. But I have a question.
I have 3 climbing rose bushes that are 3 years old. They are climbing beautfully but the do not get any roses on the vines. They are planted with a southern exposer. I have tried feeding many different foods that are suppose to make them bloom, but they are not, all they do is make them climb more. What else can I do. I live in Omaha, Ne. Do I need to do something in the winter to ensure blooms in the summer? HELP PLEASE.
Thank you
Joanne
My Hemlock tree has wolly bugs what kind of treatment do I need to use. I live in St Louis Mo
Help my beautiful tree is dieing.
My Grandaughter need’s too find and lable 25
different kind’s of Maple Leaves could you please help us! I have watched your show so
I have seen you show alot of them.
Thank You
Does anyone know WHY Paul James is no longer showing off his bare feet on Gardening By the Yard? For many years now he shows off his soles on camera and will wiggle and flex his toes, much to the delight of his many fans. Unfortunately the last several shows he is wearing shoes now and is now ‘foot conscious’ about showing off his beautiful feet. What a shame. Paul, I in future episodes you start to show off your feet again. Thanks
WE NEED MORE OF THE GARDNER GUY, IT’S THE ONLY GOOD DOWN TO EARTH GARDENING SHOW LEFT.
I really enjoy the show and always look forward to hearing about his dog Maggie. I can’t tell you how sad I was to hear that she has gone to the rainbow bridge. Is there a way that I could pass on a personal note to Paul. Expressing my sorrow?
Hello Paul.
I watch your shows Sat& sundays.When I can`t ,I tape and watch late nights. I need help. I garden In New Jersey and Las Vegas I live in both places. I need a Zoning Chart and can`t one. How can I get one?
I started a pet website and am interested on posting information on harmful plants and flowers to our pets. I have heard Paul talk about dangerous plants in the past. The site is http://www.mylooneypets.com. We send our deepest sympathy on the passing of Maggie.
Since Paul James, Gardening By the Yard, my fav gardening host doesn’t have any means to offer encouragement and HGTV seems to fall short there as well–I’ll put it here … recent changes in HGTV’s line up mean that I’ve lost my mid-morning weekend connection. As the daughter of two master gardeners, I still have lots to learn and his campy style is easy to watch. HGTV, keep this guy in your forefront or risk me using the DVR to see him and ff past the folks that pay the bills.
Hello Paul.
I watch your show when I can . I was hopeing that you might be able to tell me what type of tree or shrub I can use to screen me from my neighbors. The soil is kinda clayish and at times wet. I would like some kind of low maintance and something that only grows to about 12feet? , and hugs the ground too. I seem to live in zone 5b from what the zone chart says. Also some of the areas are partly in shade from the many trees on lot. Again love your show!
I want to know where Paul gets all of his wonderful mulch. I live in Southern California and would like suggestions for finding a good mulch.
What can I do to try to keep deer and groundhogs from taking over my hostas , roses , any and everything within reach ??? I live inside city limits , so no shooting or natural predators , not even dogs allowed unless confined .
I had just turned on the show and caught just the last couple of minutes but could not catch the name of the product Paul was talking about that he said would get rid of moles for up to one year. The show was on HGTV on Sunday morning August 24th, 2008. Please help me out because we have tried everything.
Bill,
They are Gopher and Mole Repellent Pegs, biodegradable,
drop peg into hole. has a Garlic/sulfur odor.
Available through Gardner’s Supply.
Dear Paul, I watch your show but it would appear you only take on ” nice”common gardening problems. I am living in hell with all the Texas stickers. It is horrible problem. They are everywhere! Imagine taking a shower and when drying off your bath towel is full of stickers, my dog is suffering and won’t go outside because of all the stickers.
I have tried EVERYTHING to no avail. Please, please help me.
Dear Paul, I have been watching your show for some time and enjoy it very much. I have always enjoyed gowing potted plants gowing up in an apartment in New York City, but now I want to really get serious about it. I’m looking into some classes at the NY Botanical Garden so that I can later on find work in this business. Am I on the right track? Any other suggestions. thank you, and thank you for your show
Donna
I would like to see Paul James show at some other time than 7 or 7:30 am in the morning. It is a great gardening show.
Paul, you had a segment on making your own septic/drain field for doggie do.
I have looked for the segment with no luck. Can you send me the instructions on how to put one together?
what happen? the gardener guy is know longer on cable lineup.
i’m not happyabout this. i really like the show.
ME TOO! I just wrote a nice long, crabby comment to HGTV! Where are the real people: the real gardeners, the real cooks, the simple folk (over 40) who are not endlessly facinated with more ways to waste money on ugly, stupid stuff. I’ve just about had it with HGTV, Food Network AND PBS. Long live Paul James, Rebecca and the rest of them. Bring ‘em back!!
Paul, you had a segment on making your own septic can for doggie do for you own back yard. Can you send me the instructions on how to do this.
Love your show, just wish it was on in a better time slot for me. Thank you.
I’ve been watching Gardening by the Yard for years now and just three years ago bought my first home, so I finally got to impliment all the techniques and advice in my very own yard. Around the same time the show went down to just twice sunday and now just the once. I hardly get to watch it cause it’s just on so early. I have so many unanswered questions still. I just hope Paul doesnt disaper all together. I’m only 24 and most of my friends dont garden so it’s nice to have somewhere to get good advice.
GREAT NEWS……. PAUL JAMES “THE GARDENER GUY” WEB SITE COMING VERY SOON……..
I work with Paul James and we are in the final development of Paul’s new web site.
Also did you know that Paul is the new spokesperson for Nation Public Gardens Day which is May 8th. Paul will be on morning new programs on May 7th talking about this great organization.
see link below.
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS233053+04-Mar-2009+BW20090304
We want to hear from YOU the fans, so let me know what you think. Tell us what you would like to see on Paul’s website.
Stay Tuned
Brian Rowan
MidSouth Media Group
One more note about Paul James “The Gardener Guy.” Paul and I have read this and other blog sites and on our new web site we will have a place for you the fans and viewers to voice your concerns about HGTV and others. Just know that Paul does read this site and others.
THANK YOU to the viewers. More info coming SOON…….
Let me hear your thoughts.
Brian
I heard that the wax myrtle was a good mosquito repelling shrub. Is this true , if not, what would you suggest for a Brookhaven, MS yard?
Mr. James
I love your show, but I can’t find it on TV anymore. Where are you? I miss you.
Cathy
Mr. James
I love your show Gardening By The Yard but, I can’t find it on TV anymore. I miss you. Where are you?
Cathy
Help!!! I live in the California central valley and am prepping my raised planter boxes for my vegetable garden. I’ve had my soil checked and all is well. However, when I started tilling the soil I have a noticeable grub worm problem. I have tons of earthworms and don’t want to kill them off but my garden will never make it with the grub situation. I understand I probably have grub eggs, too!?! What should I do? My garden is not organic but I don’t want to feed my family tons of toxins, either. Help!
Hi Amy
I will pass this to Paul and this will be one of the questions he answers on our new site. We are still about 4 weeks from launching the site so stay tuned. The new site will be http://www.gardenerguy.com
Thanks for the email and Please, Calling All Fans of Paul James “The Gardener Guy,” Let us here your questions. We will be adding them to our web site.
Brian
HI Cathy
Gardening By The Yard is still on HGTV but it is on at a bad time. BOOOO to HGTV!!!!!!!!!!!
Currently the show is on Saturdays at 7:30am CT. DVR the shows if you have to.
Stay tuned to this blog and I will update everyone when the new web site is up and running.
Brian
Hey Paul, I heard that the wax myrtle was a good shrub for keeping mosquitoes away. Is this true?? Love your show!!!
My husband and I absolutely love Paul and the his show. His crazy attitude and fun with the crew make it even better. We’ve been watching for at least 7 years and have learned so much, and use the advise in our gardens most all of the time. When we argue about how to do something, I kindly remind him that Paul won’t do it that way. Of course, I get “the look”, but it’s okay.
Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing a new website. By the way, we love seeing the new projects in his own home landscape.
Hi,
I Love Paul James….He makes me laugh and learn all at the same time.
BUT. I have heard that his show is Canceled ,, I get up extra early just not to miss his show…Please tell me this is not true….
Sincerely,
Shannon
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