Good Morning Reader,

Asheville gardening is not quite like gardening anywhere else. The elevation, the clay soil, the wildlife, the unpredictable late frosts... it can be a lot.

Updated for 2026, this is what a beginner (who has been humbled many times) has learned about growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers in the NC mountains, including raised bed tips, companion planting, local events, and who sells the best plants.

Pictured above: Plant shopping at Painters Greenhouse & Reems Creek, our black bear family (they actually do leave the garden alone), and the North Asheville Tailgate Market

Here's what's happening in our garden this year:

🌸 Top deck - pollinating flowers for the hummingbirds and bees: bee balm, hummingbird sage, petunias, dahlias, and salvia. No herb garden this round. Where are the hummingbirds this year? Anyone else notice fewer?

🍅 Below deck raised beds - asparagus (including some gorgeous new purple stalks), a variety of tomatoes, squash, and pumpkins. I am taking a break from cucumbers and eggplant. Hail has been brutal in previous years, so I'm keeping it manageable, though I cannot resist one more nursery run. Don't tell Tom...

🌹 Ground level - rose bushes and companion plants: lavender, scallion, and anise to deter the bugs and critters.

See pictures of our raised garden beds across the years, including the bear families, dog slime, and surprising hail:

What are you growing, attempting, or hoping for this spring/summer?

Have a great upcoming holiday weekend. I'll be back with some exciting news coming to Old Fort to check out while you are doing your Painters Greenhouse run (sneak peek here). I'm also working on shorter, more digestible newsletters.

And, speaking of digestion, sadly, my UC (ulcerative colitis) is flared again. I'll be doing the best I can to get you the latest in Asheville, but I'm having a rough stretch. 🐻 with me.

​Tips always appreciated.