Generations of Stone County families have turned to the soil for food and stability, and one man carries the tradition forward with a steady belief in the value of soil, sweat and self-sufficiency.
On his property in Stone County, Tim Doak grows vegetables, flowers and nearly 100 blueberry bushes. What began as lessons from his grandfather has become a way of living he now shares with his grandchildren, passing along the same knowledge and love for the land that shaped him.
Doak said his passion started young when he spent hours with his grandfather, a former coal miner, who supported his family entirely from a few acres.
“He never had a driver’s license or went anywhere, but he made his whole living off that land,” Doak said. “Since he was my idol, I just kind of fell in his footsteps.”
In Stone County, Tim Doak grows vegetables, flowers and blueberries while also gardening a legacy to pass on to his grandchildren.
Photo courtesy Tim Doak
The mindset of working the land has carried Doak into adulthood. Even when moving, Doak and his wife, affectionately known as Miss Pam, always planted something.
“We’ve never done without a garden,” Doak said. “You always wanted that food in the backyard in case anything else went wrong.”
Gardening has also been a thread in their marriage since the beginning. Doak remembered one of their earliest dates.
“Miss Pam’s mother had a number 3 washtub overflowing with green beans,” Doak said with a laugh. “We had to break those before we could go out on a date.”
Over the years Doak has learned the key to a successful garden comes from soil preparation.
“The secret to being a successful gardener is good soil,” Doak told the Stone County Republican.
Unlike the long rows of his grandfather’s mule-plowed garden, Doak plants in blocks to reduce weeds and use space more efficiently.
“You can get a lot more vegetables in a small spot that way,” Doak said.
His property now produces tomatoes, green beans, peppers, onions, garlic and broccoli. Potatoes are grown under straw so he can pull tender new ones without damaging the plant.
“I love new potatoes,” Doak said. “You can reach under there, grab a handful and the plant just keeps going.”
Blueberries have become another staple for the Doak’s garden. Though blueberries are a challenge in Ozark soil, Doak has learned to adapt. He originally planted three bushes of different varieties but added more at Pam’s urging.
“Miss Pam told me she didn’t know if that would be enough for the grandkids,’” Doak recalled. “I think I stopped at about 100.”
Flowers add both beauty and practicality to the garden. Inspired by Amish growers, Doak has planted zinnias to attract pollinators.
Inspired by Amish growers, Doak plants zinnias to attract pollinators.
Photo courtesy Tim Doak
“You actually come out ahead,” Doak said. “You get the beauty and the butterflies, and your crops produce more.”
Doak said he also started a shiitake mushroom project years ago. The mushrooms grow on oak logs.
“After a good rain, they’ll pop out, and they’re great on the grill,” Doak said.
Canning remains central to the Doaks’ routine. Each year they preserve around 400 jars of tomatoes, salsa, pickles, apples and pears.
“Family comes by and takes what they like,” Doak said. “Miss Pam prefers at least 100 quarts of green beans each season, a goal that keeps me busy.”
The garden is rarely quiet. Jack, the family dog, who is part chihuahua, often helps himself to fresh green beans and ripe tomatoes.
“He’s sneaky,” Doak said. “A lot of times he alerts me when the first tomatoes are ready. He’ll walk by with one in his mouth like, ‘Here it is.”
Doak’s creativity extends beyond gardening. He carves and paints wood ornaments by hand, each one unique, and shares them with family and friends. Those who know him also appreciate his storytelling. Whether recalling his grandfather’s influence or entertaining with lighthearted tales, Doak has a way of making people feel at home.
For anyone thinking of starting a garden, his advice is simple; start off small.
“You’d be amazed at what you can do in a space the size of a pool table. It doesn’t have to be perfect. If you’re still getting tomatoes, you’re doing just fine,” Doak said.
For Doak, gardening is not about large plots or community projects. It is about his land, his grandchildren and the peace he finds in the process.
“It’s supposed to be stress free,” Doak said. “Don’t overwhelm yourself. Just enjoy it.”
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