You can learn a lot about a person just by reading what they write. Some folks come off kind, others terse, some brilliant, and some—well, a bit outrageous. But Mike McGrath? He’s a category all his own. Outrageously kind, comically smart, enthusiastically chaotic, and definitely not stoopid. No sir, not our Mike.

Reading Mike’s work is like chasing a butterfly through a garden of tangents: colorful, dizzying, unexpected—and guaranteed to leave you smiling. I read his articles and feel hyper, ready to go! Or maybe I mean ready to grow. Honestly, it’s hard to tell with Mike. His stories bounce with so much energy, you’d swear they were written after a triple espresso and a Fruit Loops breakfast.

I’ve been reading Mike McGrath for years—decades, even!—so I figure I’ve earned the right to pick a few bones (lightly, of course) in this affectionate tribute. I mean, how many writers make you giggle, groan, and grab your gardening gloves in the same breath?

Mike’s recent GreenPrints article on tomatoes and berries had me howling—mostly because I still can’t understand why I can drink tomato juice and slather sauce on pasta, but one spoonful of tomato paste sends my heartburn into orbit. I even commented on the article hoping someone might solve the mystery. (Still waiting, folks.)

But that’s the thing about Mike. He makes you feel seen, even when you’re confused. He’s the kind of guy who lifts your spirits just by existing—and writing like a caffeine-powered comedian in a compost heap.

If I were lucky enough to be Mike’s neighbor, there’d be an apple pie waiting for him on the fence. Not just any pie—one with pecans, dried cranberries, and a whisper of almond extract. (Mike, if you’re reading: pour boiling water on those cranberries first. It’ll change your life.)

Every time I read a Mike McGrath story, I picture him springing into the day like a cartoon character—maybe with the Jaws theme playing in the background until he’s had his cereal (with jelly beans, naturally). Then it’s off to the garden, where the beans grow straight, the tomatoes blush with pride, and the weeds are probably too entertained to invade.

Mike is the guy you want around when life feels a little wilted. A guru of green thumbs with a goofy grin and a brain bursting with stories, puns, and just enough gardening wisdom to keep us all coming back for more. He’s Laurel, Hardy, and Goofy rolled into one, with Popeye’s heart and a cat named PeaceSea curled at his feet.

He’s that neighbor. You know—the one you’d never dare ask for green beans from, but whose kindness you’d feel every time a fresh handful appeared magically on the fence.

And yes, I would hold on to every single bean. I’d smile like the Cheshire Cat and rush inside, heart thumping, to cook them with the reverence they deserve. Because those wouldn’t be just beans—they’d be Mike McGrath beans.

So thank you, Mike. For the stories. The wisdom. The whirlwind of energy that jumps off every page and into our gardens—and hearts. You are, and always will be, The Gardening Guy.

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Editor’s Note:

Want more Mike McGrath? We don’t blame you. He’s a treasure trove of gardening joy, wit, and wisdom. Visit Mike’s Author Page to read dozens of his stories that have delighted readers for years.

And from all of us here at GreenPrints—thank you, Mike. You’ve grown a garden full of fans.

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