Native Plants
Want to learn more about native plants and gardening with nature? I can help.
If you love native plants but could use help on how to proceed in a suburban setting, an hour with a garden coach might be just the right solution. I’m a passionate native plant gardener and nature lover, certified Rutgers Environmental Steward, and longtime Environmental Commission member. I love helping others create natural habitat that’s beautiful and humming with life.
My goal is to empower you. I can give you guidance on plant selection, sourcing, plant identification, planting and management techniques, shrinking the lawn, pollinator- and wildlife-friendly practices, water conservation, and more—including referrals to and collaboration with trusted professionals such as garden designers, landscape architects, invasive species specialists, and quieter landscapers who use only electric power equipment and manual tools. If you’re working with a designer or landscaper, I encourage you to use my services to review the proposed plant list to ensure it meets your goals.
Services
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Consultation only: $100
Consultation + follow-up email: $150Ask me your questions, pick my brain, talk to me about your goals. I’ll share my experience and recommendations. I’ll ask you to complete a brief online questionnaire in advance, so we can use our time together efficiently. Afterwards, how we work together will be tailored to your individual needs and goals.
Pricing showing is for clients in the Madison-Chatham-Morristown, NJ area. I also welcome clients outside this area.
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$125/hr.
If you’re looking for ongoing support, you can purchase a package of one or more hours and reach out to me on an as-needed basis for help and advice, planting, or garden management.
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$250, including Q&A
I’m currently offering presentations on the following subjects. Please contact me if you are interested in one of these or another topic!
Leave the Leaves (and Stems): Why and How
Bird-Friendly Yards in Winter
Turn Your Yard Into a Natural Bird Feeder
Spring Forward Into Smarter and Healthier Yard Care Practices
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Please message me to request a site-specific quote.
Depending on your site requirements, I can help you:
Carefully remove weeds and invasives growing among your native plants. We’ll minimize soil disturbance and leave seedlings of beneficial natives—including offspring of those you’ve planted and spontaneous “volunteers” you may be pleasantly surprised by.
Leave the leaves and stems to create natural bird feeders and habitat for stem-nesting bees
Add native plants to fill in gaps and create abundant blooms and visual interest throughout the seasons
Shrink the lawn
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$300 for a garden with 10 native plant species
Get to know the native plants in your yard with a customized reference guide that provides practical and interesting info, including photos. Input on what you want to know is welcome. Pricing for more or fewer species available on request. See a sample.
Let’s talk!
“More than controlling anything, natural gardening is an art of observation and thoughtful response.
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Visit my Rutgers Environmental Stewards project, the Madison Public Schools Pollinator Habitat, for inspiration! This mini-meadow was created to support native bees, butterflies, moths, lightning bugs, and many more. And check out my favorite resources (a few of which are linked below)—from expert advice to plant profiles to the best local sources for buying native plants.
