I’m an independent private gardener for those who need a helping hand.
Serving clients in the greater Des Moines metro and central Iowa.
Feel welcome to navigate through my portfolios to check out other facets of my career, including writing, editing, proofreading, resume building, and personal assistance.
Gardening often requires back-breaking physical work. Whether you’ve been injured, aged out of handling certain tasks, or are simply reserving your energy for other projects, I’d love to take on the heavy lifting. I can work solo or side-by-side with you to make a beautiful space you can enjoy through any hardship you might face.
If your garden has been neglected for a while, I will clear the debris, dig up roots, suppress weeds, trim and prune when seasonably appropriate, and provide a fresh start. From here, we can map your garden and figure out ways to make it work for you–whether that means lower maintenance between visits or clear, even pathways for strolling among the roses.
Developing a lower maintenance garden can include reimagining the area where a tree has been removed to take advantage of new sunlight, mulching heavily to retain moisture through the hottest months of the season, and finding flowers that will fit the sun and climate of your yard. Permaculture is my favorite research topic, and I can cater that to you!
Let’s chat about what kind of wildlife you see in your garden, and which you’d like to encourage. During my visit, I can replace or fill up birdfeeders and squirrel feeders, add butterfly houses and bee waterers, and even cobble together terra cotta frog domains.
- spring & autumn refresh
- decorative & cut flower garden maintenance
- vegetable garden & edible landscaping maintenance
- planting and transplanting perennials, annuals, herbs, veggies, bulbs, shrubs, and small trees
- bulb, rhizome, and root division
- seasonably appropriate pruning & trimming
- garden mapping, redesign, and enhancement
- researching & troubleshooting plant pests and diseases
- weed removal–digging up roots, hand-pulling, and natural suppression
- special occasion preparation & curb appeal for resale
- winter interest landscaping
- in-home seed starting & gardening classes for kids and adults
- seed collection
- garden glamor shots
- houseplant repotting & care
To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.
Audrey Hepburn
An appeal to those who’ve always done the work themselves…
This is for you, the one whose body has never failed you. The one who now finds the need to reserve your energy for other things. Maybe your garden has gotten out of control–maybe you can’t kneel to divide the hostas or stand long enough to prune all the roses or dig a large hole for a new tree. There is no shame in delegating these tasks. I will treat your space–and you–with respect and compassion. This is not a pity party. I do not believe that a lack of physical strength means a regression of the mind. I’m not here to talk down to you; I’m here to complete the tasks you no longer can or want to complete.
If you still love to get your hands dirty, let me do the hauling, digging, and renovating. I’ll run errands to garden centers with or for you, and will help set up a potting station so that you can sit or stand on flat ground. It’s not a form of “giving up” to ask for/accept compassionate help. Let’s tackle this together, however is comfortable for you, so that you can still enjoy the work you’ve put into your space, both indoors and outdoors.
While I am perpetually learning to specialize in elderly gardening needs, I handle clients of all ages, many with long-term illnesses or in recovery from serious health issues. My work is not exclusive to any age.
Reserve your energy and time for the things that are most important. I’ll help!