FAQ

Why would I work with a garden coach?

Like the way an athlete works with a coach to improve their performance, or a musician takes lessons to develop their skill, you may choose to work with a garden coach because you want to learn to be a better gardener. Hiring someone who has more experience and knowledge in the area in which you want to improve can lead to more significant and efficient growth than attempting to develop those skills on your own through trial and error. Successful coaching involves understanding the needs of the learner and providing the appropriate support and information to build knowledge, skill and confidence.

My approach to garden coaching prioritizes non-judgmental listening (there are no bad questions!), hands-on practice (let’s get out there and prune those overgrown shrubs) and the joy of gardening (I promise we’ll have fun).

What’s the difference between consultation and coaching?

A consultation involves one-hour of time together (virtually or in-person) to address your gardening goals. This session will be tailored to your needs and questions with the focus on providing information about your project. The outcome of the consultation is that you’ll have written information so that you can move forward with your garden on your own (or you can decide to get additional support through coaching). Learn more about consultation here.

Coaching, on the other hand, is more about the process of gardening. I’ll show up with tools and we’ll get to work. I’ll demonstrate and model tasks and then give you a chance to put them into practice. The outcome of coaching is that you get some work done in your garden and develop skills for the future. You can learn more about coaching here.

Often a consultation will be followed up with coaching, but there’s no obligation to continue to work together. The consultation could be a one-off experience that provides you with the information you need to tackle the work in your garden on your own.

Do you provide plants and install gardens?

My services are different from those of landscape architects and designers who provide full garden design and installation. There are many, many talented landscape designers with years of experience. They are excellent at conceptualizing and creating outdoor spaces for their clients. My approach is one that focuses on supporting you as the gardener so that you can create and care for your garden. My unique background of working in professional development along with the study of horticulture and gardening experience means that I understand plants and how people learn.

If your project involves sourcing new plants (which, let’s be honest, is one of the most exciting parts of gardening), I can help develop your list of plants, provide a design layout and determine where best to purchase them. I can also accompany you to the nursery and be there with you to help put them in the ground (or a pot!).

Why are you called The Persistent Gardener?

One thing I love about gardening is that it serves as a reminder that nothing is stagnant. Things are always changing in the garden and there’s always more to learn. During the growing season I begin most days with a short walk around my small Brooklyn garden, sometimes with a coffee cup in hand. I notice newly forming buds, observe a visiting pollinator, pull a weed here and there or make mental notes on the tasks that need to be done. 

I also persist in developing my knowledge and skills. There are stacks of garden books around my house, I regularly attend webinars or in-person workshops and I admit to being sucked into the vortex of YouTube gardening channels. The combination of science and art involved in gardening means that I continue to grow, learn and feel inspired to garden with mindfulness, not only towards the aesthetics of the garden but more importantly, its impact on the local ecology. I hope that through my services my clients recognize the joy and fulfillment that comes from interacting with plants in intentional ways and the role gardens play in creating habitats for insects, birds and other wildlife.