My gardening journey started with a 5-gallon bucket and a packet of tomato seeds...

After several years of growing herbs & vegetables, I got a box of zinnia seeds from the dollar store and planted up a few containers on my driveway. I instantly fell in love with their sweet blooms and couldn't believe how easy zinnias were to grow. The following season I built a raised bed for them. I had to have more flowers! I've been adding new beds to my growing space every year since.

Even though I have some formal education in horticulture and floral design, the real lessons have come from getting my hands in the dirt, observing the life around me, trying new things, and killing many plants along the way.

It's not just about cultivating beauty, for me. Spending many hours outside in the sunshine, tending to my plants, has had profound effects on my mental health.

Growing flowers gives me a sense of purpose, tangible accomplishment, and hope for tomorrow. Planting, watering, and weeding provide a grounded connection to Mother Earth. My hands are busy, but my mind is calm and present.

I'm constantly inspired by Mother Nature, as well as amazed by her.

Working with flowers brings me so much joy. I love sharing the beauty of flowers with others. I have years of hands-on experience and love when people come to me with questions about plants, flowers, or anything related to growing.