Paul James

Paul James is a television gardener, horticulture educator and public gardening advocate from Tulsa, Oklahoma, widely known by the nickname “The Gardener Guy.” He is best recognized as the host, creator, writer and senior producer of the Gardening by the Yard, which aired on HGTV from 1996 to 2009.

James began his media career in the late 1980s by hosting a gardening segment on a Tulsa CBS affiliate. After learning that HGTV was launching, he contacted Scripps Howard Broadcasting and secured a meeting at their headquarters, which ultimately led to the creation of Gardening by the Yard. The show was notable for being filmed largely in James’ own backyard in Tulsa and for combining practical home gardening advice with an informal, accessible presentation style.

The program covered a wide range of gardening topics relevant to home gardeners, including lawn maintenance, vegetable cultivation, tree pruning and youth gardening education. Early episodes were largely self-produced by James, while later seasons incorporated contributions from horticulture specialists and expanded coverage of organic and advanced gardening techniques.

In addition to his flagship series, James hosted several HGTV specials, including a “Rose Parade” program, and the cooking-themed show Paul James' Homegrown Cooking.

Today, James continues his work in horticultural education at Southwood Garden Center, where he provides public instruction on gardening practices, lawn care and plant cultivation. He remains an influential figure in American home gardening media and education.