Author: James S. Banks

James S. Banks is a professional garden designer, gardening writer and horticulture educator with more than 16 years of hands-on experience in sustainable gardening, soil science, and plant care. James grew up in southern France, surrounded by rich fertile soil and gardens. He has a background that blends practical fieldwork, formal training, and a lifelong passion for growing things, James has become a trusted voice in the world of home gardening and ecological landscaping. His writing is known for its clarity, depth, and grounded insight — making complex garden topics accessible and actionable for readers at every stage of their gardening journey. Based in such a temperate region rich with diverse plant life, James began his path in gardening during his early teens. Encouraged by his parents and mentored by older local growers, he transformed a small backyard plot into a thriving edible garden. What began as a hobby grew into a serious discipline: one grounded in observation, experimentation, and a growing appreciation for the delicate relationships between plants, soil, insects, and weather. Over the years, James has cultivated a wide range of gardening expertise — from raised-bed vegetable production and orchard planning, to native plant restoration and no-dig perennial systems. He has worked with homeowners, schools, nonprofits, and conservation projects to design spaces that are not only productive and beautiful, but also resilient, low-maintenance, and ecologically beneficial. Check out his articles and let James help to grow your garden!