"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees"
Not a short mustached grumpy man, but a passionate advocate for the natural world and nature beings. Dr. Suess's iconic book, The Lorax, was my favorite book as a child and formative to my world view and relationship with the natural world.
I talk to and more importantly LISTEN to the plants, animals, and land wherever I am and whatever I'm doing. But especially when cutting, digging, or planting an area. If you're a gardener or lover of nature, maybe you do this too! But if not, or if you want to strengthen those muscles, I can help you grow your plant communication skills. |
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Landscaping as a Collaboration with Nature
I recognize and honor that the land, the plants and trees, the animals, insects, and other creatures, and the nature beings of a place have the right to exist and thrive. They have their own consciousness and sovereignty and the right to choose or influence what happens to them.
Before making any changes in a landscape, I first introduce myself, communicate my vision or desires and then listen to the land for what their needs and wishes are. Sometimes, they are excited or at least ok with what I want to do. Sometimes, there's some negotiation, and sometimes I need to adjust my needs, expectations, and desires according to the needs of the beings on the land.
The benefits of this way of interacting with the natural world are too profound capture in words. But I can say that some of the what I've noticed and felt are a powerful sense of belonging and relationship with place, deepened understanding of the needs of the plants and land in my care, a beginning of understanding of the complex relationships of every plant, animal, stone, landscape shape, water, wind, sun, and every other element of a place, landscape, ecosystem.
The plants in this kind of relationship flourish in ways I never imagined they could, volunteer medicinal plants show up to heal me, feed me. I don't have to work as hard, because I'm not working against the natures and wishes of the plants and because we are working together in some common vision. The land accelerates its own healing and regeneration. And of course, I'm surrounded by friends at all times. Gardening becomes a party with friends, a healing community, a meditative communion, a joyful collaboration.
Gardening in this way is a way of being in service to the Earth, of healing the planet and our relationship with it.
Let us heal the Earth and restore our belonging in it together.
Before making any changes in a landscape, I first introduce myself, communicate my vision or desires and then listen to the land for what their needs and wishes are. Sometimes, they are excited or at least ok with what I want to do. Sometimes, there's some negotiation, and sometimes I need to adjust my needs, expectations, and desires according to the needs of the beings on the land.
The benefits of this way of interacting with the natural world are too profound capture in words. But I can say that some of the what I've noticed and felt are a powerful sense of belonging and relationship with place, deepened understanding of the needs of the plants and land in my care, a beginning of understanding of the complex relationships of every plant, animal, stone, landscape shape, water, wind, sun, and every other element of a place, landscape, ecosystem.
The plants in this kind of relationship flourish in ways I never imagined they could, volunteer medicinal plants show up to heal me, feed me. I don't have to work as hard, because I'm not working against the natures and wishes of the plants and because we are working together in some common vision. The land accelerates its own healing and regeneration. And of course, I'm surrounded by friends at all times. Gardening becomes a party with friends, a healing community, a meditative communion, a joyful collaboration.
Gardening in this way is a way of being in service to the Earth, of healing the planet and our relationship with it.
Let us heal the Earth and restore our belonging in it together.
Landscape Services
Landscape and Garden Design
Permaculture Food gardens and forests Pollinator plantings Native plantings Medicinal and culinary herb gardens Maintenance Weeding Spring cleanup Fall cleanup Pruning Intuitive plant communication How can we help to heal a ravaged landscape? What do specific plants or areas need? How does your garden want to support or heal you? Learning Edible plant identification (what can you eat in your garden??) Medicinal plants and medicine making (tinctures, salves, teas, etc.) Vegetable gardening What is a weed? Who are your animal neighbors? |
Schedule and Fees
My Requirements
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25 Years of Experience
I have been gardening for 25 years. I began with a small patch dug out of a lawn and planted with lettuce seed. I don't know if I even ate any of it. I just had this powerful need to grow lettuce! I have been growing organic food for myself and others ever since.
Over the years, I expanded into researching and planting native plants, pollinator plants, fruit trees, shrubs and vines, culinary and medicinal herbs, and of course, flowers. I've never gone to school for it, the plants themselves teach me how to care for them. I always have my own garden. I feel incomplete without one. But I also love to help others to grow food or flowers, spend time outdoors with their hands in the rich soil, and collaborate with others in the vital skill of talking to, or more importantly, listening to the plants themselves. |
I have been a gardening companion with some lovely neighbors for the last 3 years. They each have gardens or properties that need more tending than they can do themselves anymore, so I come over and we garden together. Many hands makes light work! The conversation, laughter, and joy in getting our hands in the soil together, feeling the breeze on our cheeks, the sun on our shoulders, hearing the bees buzzing away, the birds singing, makes it not work at all. If you'd like to garden together check out my Gardening Companion services.
Other training and experience:
Other training and experience:
- Permaculture Design Certificate, 2003
- Flower shed customer service, Sky Nursery, Shoreline, WA, 1 year
- Member of Shoulder to Shoulder Co-op Farm on Vashon Island, WA, 2 years
- Invasive plant and weed mitigation with Bee Happy Lands in Durango, CO, 2 years
- Landscaper for Bloomin' Design in Durango, CO, 2 years