My passion for landscaping was inspired by my mom’s love of flowers. At 15, I started planting annuals for Mother’s Day, and by 25, I had started my first vegetable garden while experimenting with perennials.
In 2000, while working as a graphic designer, I found myself feeling restless. So, I quit my job and started a landscaping company in Valparaiso, IN. My knowledge was limited, but my passion for flowers was undeniable. Little did I know, I would soon discover another love—natural stonework.
Using pesticides and herbicides was never my thing so I found natural ways to handle gardening problems. Around 2005, I heard Jeff Lowenfels speak at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show and it changed my world. The secret was in the soil.
Here’s one of my first garden designs that I was so proud of. Although attractive, it’s primarily planted with plants native to east Asia and are still the typical finds in most nurseries.
Besides the liatris, the daylilies, Miscanthus grasses, and Asiatic lilies all came from different countries. No wonder we rarely saw pollinators—unless, of course, you count Japanese beetles.
2001 - 2003
I jumped into landscaping head first and found a passion for natural stone. Most of these installations were dry stacked (mortarless), a method I still prefer to use today.
In 2003, I moved back to Chicago and went back to work in graphic design. But that didn’t last very long as I soon found a job working for a landscape company.
2005 - 2007
The following are just a few examples of my designs.
Attending the Chicago Flower and Garden Show was always a highlight, especially for the seminars. One year, Jeff Lowenfels spoke about the benefits of using compost tea to organically treat lawns and landscapes. That knowledge proved invaluable and ultimately inspired me to start Organic Garden Company in 2007.
We didn’t just fertilize with compost tea—we also balanced the soil with added nutrients and used battery-powered equipment for maintenance, keeping everything as eco-friendly as possible.
In addition to organic lawn care, I worked with a landscape architect installing and maintaining gardens. This experience introduced me to annual decor, where planters transformed with the seasons.
Many of my clients stayed with me for over a decade. Even after moving to Atlanta in 2017, I returned seasonally to care for my longest-running client—because she simply wouldn’t take no for an answer.
2007-2019
Here’s a glimpse at a few before-and-after photos.
In the first two, my clients wanted a seating area. To keep dirt and mulch from spilling onto the patio and walkway, we edged the planting area with bluestone. The final result exceeded all our expectations.
The next two photos showcase the transformation of a longtime client’s front yard—a project I was eager to tackle. We installed an above-ground timed sprinkler system and focused on Zone 5 U.S. native plants. Eventually, we added grass seed, but looking back, I would have chosen a native Carex instead. (Click on photos to enlarge.)
Here are a few more pictures of some of my favorite gardens.
