Garden Miles

Exploring Public Gardens, Wild Botany and Backyard Horticulture
Jim Putnam, HortTube

• Thursday, January 15, 2026 – 6:30 pm–8:00 pm

Join us for a special evening with Jim Putnam, the gardener behind the wildly popular HortTube YouTube channel, as he brings his passion for plants from the screen to the garden—live and in person. With more than a quarter-million subscribers, Jim has built a devoted following by sharing thoughtful, practical, and endlessly entertaining explorations of gardens near and far. Now, local fans have the chance to meet him right here at the JCRA, while supporting the work of the arboretum.

This program is offered as a fundraiser for the JC Raulston Arboretum, with all proceeds directly supporting our gardens, programs, and educational mission. Jim is generously donating his time for this event, making it a unique opportunity to enjoy an evening of horticultural storytelling while giving back to a public garden that serves the community.

In this casual, story-driven talk, Jim will take you along on a yearlong journey through public gardens, behind-the-scenes nursery visits, wild botanical explorations, and everyday backyard horticulture. Along the way, he’ll highlight the plants, places, and people that made 2025 such a memorable year in gardening, offering insights that resonate whether you tend a single container or an entire landscape.

Attend in person to enjoy a relaxed evening at the garden, hear Jim’s stories firsthand, and connect with fellow plant enthusiasts and HortTube fans from the area. For those unable to join us on-site, the program will also be livestreamed via Zoom, with a recording of the presentation shared with all participants, making it easy for viewers near and far to take part.

Whether you’re a longtime HortTube follower or simply enjoy seeing how gardens connect us across landscapes and seasons, this program offers a meaningful way to share a few garden miles together—while helping sustain the garden that makes gatherings like this possible.

About Jim Putnam

With nearly 40 years in the horticulture industry, Jim Putnam brings practical, hands-on gardening expertise to his audience through more than 1,600 videos on the HortTube with Jim Putnam YouTube channel. His content covers everything from garden design and plant selection to seasonal maintenance and troubleshooting—demystifying gardening for both beginners and seasoned gardeners.

A former owner of Earthworks Nursery, Landscaping, and Garden Center, Jim has worked across nearly every facet of horticulture, including landscape design and installation, plant propagation, nursery production, and garden center management.

Cost

$30.00 per participant.

Registration

Advance registration is required. Registration is available for in-person, on-site attendance or online attendance.

Registration is considered complete when payment is received. You will receive a confirmation receipt from notify@cashnet.com when registered.

Cancellation

Program cancellations can be made up to two weeks before the program's start date. No refunds will be made after this time. A 15% cancellation fee applies.

To request a cancellation, send an email to the JCRA Education Team at jcraprograms@ncsu.edu with the participant name and program information.

Location

Online and in person at the Ruby McSwain Education Center, JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606.

Directions

Need directions? Click here.

Parking

Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.

Questions

Contact the JCRA Education Team at jcraprograms@ncsu.edu for more information about this program.