Dig Into Spring: Gardening Tips and Local Gems in Jackson

Discover spring gardening in Jackson, Mississippi—local tips, public gardens to explore, and upcoming plant sales that bring the City With Soul into full bloom.

The Metro Master Gardeners readying for 2025 plant sale at Mynelle Gardens
Credit: Metro Master Gardeners

For local gardeners, this is prime time to get hands in the dirt, and few places understand that rhythm better than Hutto’s Home and Garden Center. A family-run business since 1968, Hutto’s has become a mainstay on Ellis Avenue. Whether you're planting your first tomato or redesigning a whole landscape, they’ve got what you need—from heirloom plants and fruit trees to organic compost and locally relevant advice.

For those who like their gardening tips with a little personality, longtime horticulturist and radio voice Felder Rushing, host of The Gestalt Gardener, suggests embracing a slower start. “Don’t rush it,” he often says. Mississippi’s spring weather is famously unpredictable. Felder recommends waiting until the soil warms up before planting summer crops to avoid issues like root rot. He’s also a fan of adding personal, quirky touches—bottle trees, raised beds, and old containers turned planters—encouraging gardeners to focus on creativity over perfection. His laid-back, low-pressure approach makes gardening feel less like a chore and more like a conversation with the land, grounded in place and personality.

Rushing
Credit: Frank McMains

Looking to be inspired beyond your backyard? Jackson’s public gardens offer rich experiences in every bloom:

Mynelle Gardens is a quiet sanctuary tucked in West Jackson, with winding paths and vibrant displays of azaleas, camellias, and native plants. Songbirds are frequent guests here, making it a true retreat within city limits.

At the Eudora Welty House & Garden, literary and gardening legacies intertwine. Welty’s camellias—around 50 varieties—are a testament to her love of gardening, now part of the Gulf Coast Camellia Trail.

The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art brings together nature, public art, and water features in a downtown greenspace designed for reflection and connection.

Heirloom plantings in the Welty garden
Credit: Eudora Welty House and Garden

And if you’re looking to grow your plant collection, mark your calendar for these seasonal events: the Metro Master Gardeners' Plant Sale at Mynelle Gardens on April 26, the Spring Plant Sale at the Mississippi Museum of Art on May 3 and the Native Plant Fest at The Mississippi Farmers Market April 26. All feature local plants and expert advice.

In Jackson, spring is more than a season—it’s a way to connect. With the land. With each other. And with the soulful spirit that makes this city bloom.

Paul Wolf

Author

Paul Wolf

Paul is the Director of Destination Storytelling for Visit Jackson, overseeing the organization's website, Soul Sessions podcast, and travel journalism strategy. With 30 years in communications, he excels in writing, photography, video production, and podcasting. Outside work, you can find Paul exploring JXN's food and drink scene—enjoying craft beer and bourbon and savoring BBQ with friends—or unwinding in a hammock.
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