Felder Rushing shares gardening philosophy at Earth’s Bounty event
Published 2:45 pm Thursday, April 30, 2026
Celebrated Mississippi gardener, radio personality and author Felder Rushing is making a return to Meridian where he is scheduled to appear in connection with Earth’s Bounty at The Mississippi Arts+Entertainment Experience (The MAX) on Saturday May 2 at 10 a.m.
Rushing, widely known as the long-time host of the Mississippi Public Broadcasting show The Gestalt Gardener, has built a career encouraging everyday people to rethink their relationship with plants.
At the heart of Rushing’s philosophy is what he calls “Slow Gardening.” The concept pushes back against rigid landscaping rules and high maintenance expectations. He encourages people to cultivate plants that thrive naturally in their environment.
“Your yard doesn’t have to look like a magazine. It just has to make you happy,” he urges.
“My favorite part of my job – really, my hobby, since I am long retired – is encouraging new or daunted gardeners, and children, to try something simple with great rewards. I especially enjoy the “edimental” approach of growing stuff that is pretty AND good to eat, like peppers or okra in flower beds, or even cultivating a small culinary herb garden in an old wash tub.”
Rushing’s approach blends practical advice with much humor and storytelling.
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“After 33 books and countless magazine and newspaper articles, I am mostly done writing. My Maverick Gardener and Slow Gardening books are as good as I can put it, nothing more to say.”
Clearly though, Rushing has a lot more to say as he travels all over giving lectures and spreading his light-hearted gestalt gardening gospel. He serves as the administrator for the Mississippi Gardening Facebook page, which has thousands of members who share their hopes and frustrations with one another.
Rushing says, “We keep things NICE and FRIENDLY.”
Rushing began his radio call-in program on Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) in 1983. Recently, the program has been extended to a 2-hour format, running every Friday from 9:00-11:00 a.m. accompanied by a livestream on YouTube and mpbonline.org available 24/7. People can call in or email questions about their flower and garden mysteries, and Rushing usually has a down-to-earth practical solution.
Rushing started the Mississippi Master Gardener program in the state and continues to work with them and similar organizations in other states all over the country. Lately, his biggest claim to fame was MPB making him an honorary garden Muppet.
A 10th generation Southern gardener, Rusher has four sides of his family that have been in Mississippi since the 1770s. The past 16 years, he and his wife Susan split their time between Lancashire England and Jackson, Mississippi.
“We now explore gardens across the world together and have small gardens in both Mississippi and the UK. Susan is a much more dedicated hands-on gardener than I am. She makes me weed better than I would prefer.”
Named by Southern Living as one the “25 people most likely to change the South,” Rushing’s name is synonymous with an eclectic truck garden.
“I started a garden in the back of my old pickup truck in 1989, as a demonstration – to prove that, with the right plant choices, anyone can garden, anywhere. My truck garden has been to 24 states now.”
“I am a great planter and pruner and talker but I’m not a detail-oriented hands-on gardener. If a plant needs regular attention, it ain’t getting it in MY yard!”
“My great grandmother was a horticulturist and an avid gardener who raised me in a Delta garden wonderland. Both my grandmothers were hard core gardeners as well; they taught me a lot early on.
He studied horticulture at Mississippi State University. Rushing’s first job out of graduate school was as an Extension Horticulturist in Jackson, from where he did statewide media work until retirement.
At his upcoming appearance at the MAX, Rushing’s talk is expected to emphasize how small changes like planting herbs, supporting pollinators, or simply spending more time outdoors, can have a lasting impact on both individuals and communities. The lecture is free to the public and sure to be packed with his fans.
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