I am mostly a self-taught gardner from the school of trial and error, although I did receive my master gardner certificate in 2024. I was raised by weekend gardners, but did not find my passion for it until COVID. Right before COVID hit, I finalized my divorce, was raising my son, had a grueling executive job. Looking back, gardening saved me in many ways. It started with a 4x4 rasied bed made from bricks sitting behind my dad’s garage for who knows how long. Not much grew that first year, but we did get some zuchini and maybe cucumbers. It was a great way to pass the time, teach my son some things, and teach myself a lot of things.

Within a few years the garden greatly expanded. I painted a laid cinder blocks to make a rasied bed about half the size of a football field. It kept me sane, active, and fed myself.

Fast forward and the garden expanded again. I learned so many things about soil health, companion planting, composting, adding flowers. I read everything I could, attended webinars, Facebook groups, etc.

Towards the end of the 2023 gardening season, I realized that I wanted everything in my garden to have a purpose. Whether that be to feed me, make beautiful things with dried flowers, MORE HERE. I used to just throw herbs away!

I have a sign I got from a thrift store many years ago with “Create Things You Wish Existed”on it and I have let that led this process. From growing plants, saving seeds, making cards, my version of art. I live simply and my offerings reflect that.

Let me know what you wish existed!