Indigo Gardens

Hourly rates apply for garden-work. Fixed rates apply for design-work only.

30-minute complimentary site visits are required before we book. At times a job will need to be referred out after a walk-through because it's out of scope. Examples: square footage, machinery, excavation, soil grading, sod removal, hard-scaping, mow/blow, hedging, large tree pruning, excessive overgrowth, hauling, standing or conveyance water issues, to name a few. Your first full day of work will be scheduled into the next available slot. Most clients end up in the monthly rotation and become ongoing clientele. If a one time project then maintenance is optional and we can discuss. I offer half day slots (4 hours), and full day slots (7 to 8 hours). The hourly rates differ. We will cover this during the site visit.

I have a master's degree in ecological education and design, a permaculture design certificate, a permaculture teaching certificate, and countless ongoing education hours through local county extension offices. Whenever I relocate to a new bio-region I take master gardener courses, and tour the local botanical gardens and nature preserves. Learning never ends.

In 2005 I started doing pickup weeding work through my community networks and instantly discovered untapped talent for garden design and plant selection. I went on to pursue a Master's in Ecological Design. I also discovered a gift for artistry, and this includes hand-rendered (illustrated and colored) concept and master plans. I have designed edible food forests, raised beds, berry/cane trellises, greenhouses, cold-frames, compost systems, pathways, sheds, pergolas, patios, fences, decks, kiosks, benches, bioswales, ponds, dry creek beds, keylines, log checks, wildlife corridors, and more. I particularly enjoy container gardening both inside and outside on patios and porches. Most of my work is the product of an intense passion for learning and skill application. I learn by researching and then doing. Trial and error. The plant world is very forgiving, but there is a way to do it right from the start, especially with placement and materials selection. Because I am a designer as well as a gardener, I understand how maintenance works after the installation is complete and years into the future. I err towards practicality.

I am most often contacted by people with mature and well established gardens that have fallen on upkeep. The longer people are in their houses, the more established their gardens become. They tend to be retired and either want to spend their time elsewhere or simply cannot bend or crouch like they used to. Feeling stress free outside on the patio or along the walk up to the house is the primary goal I aim to achieve for my clients. My ideal client trusts me to take creative license, but will express their preferences if they have any. Often clients pop outside while I am working for a chat. I am one of those people that can work and talk at the same time, and greatly enjoy getting to know who they are. I have a very high standard towards aesthetics. This tends to be a similar expectation from the clients I work with.

I did a full planting project in a new client's backyard recently (Fall of 2023). It was a blank slate, but there were size and budgetary limitations. I had an incredibly fun time planting shrub roses, climbing roses, vines, perennials, setting up the drip irrigation, and topping off with a deep, rich, dark mulch. My client was overjoyed. It looked amazing. Often when I have a short deadline I can perform what seems to me, creative miracles!

Make sure you hire a true gardener or horticulturist if you have planting beds that you cherish, or want to get off to a good start in the ground. This would also apply to shrubs and trees. Plant lovers will be your best bet. It is all too common for unqualified people to hack away at vegetation and inadvertently destroy the architecture and beauty of the natural form. Over-pruning of shrubs and trees is one of the biggest dangers of hiring landscapers who are either not properly trained, don't care about plants, don't know any better, or over-rely on landscaping power tools. Hire a Certified Arborist for all your tree care needs. NEVER let someone top your tree. There are exceptions for hedging of varietals that are suited for such a function. Landscapers perform wonders at excavating rotted, old, overgrown vegetation and removing root balls. It is hard work, and they will haul all that away and leave a clean pallet for new projects to commence.

Know exactly what you want to be removed, improved, and maintained. If you have a long term vision, absolutely express that. A good designer will listen and either surprise you with the result, or communicate it is going to be integrated. Make sure you know how willing you are to hand water the new plantings, or if you want drip irrigation set up (or a sprinkler system). If someone recommends weed barrier, ask questions. It can inhibit plants from naturally spreading as it impedes water flow, which is needed for the metabolic process for healthy soil and root systems. Mulching suppresses weeds and retains moisture while allowing water to reach the plant crown. It can also cause a challenge when beds needs to be cleaned of leaves, sticks, and debris. Make sure you know the mulch you are being recommended and how long it will take to breakdown. It is common for excavation, design, installation, and maintenance to be performed by different contractors. It is up to you to decide if a company is suitable for consolidating which of those areas. You can, for example, hire someone simply to do the excavation. This can be a cost saving measure.