Garden Coaching & Consultation
Do you already enjoy the act of gardening, but want to level up your skills?
Do you have specific “problem areas” in your yard to troubleshoot?
Are you thinking about making major changes to the space, and don’t know where to start with the project planning?
Would it be helpful to have a fresh perspective on the space you’ve been in for years? Or to wrap your head around the property you just purchased?
These are a few of the questions we’ve been able to help answer through garden coaching.
We recognize that you may not want or need extensive design/build/maintenance services, but there still may be a gap between your ideal garden experience and where you are now.
How does this work?
Reach out to Emma about setting up an informational session (in person or remote) OR working alongside one another.
Emma will send you a Calendly link with her upcoming availability.
You can select a time that works for you, and we’ll see you then!
FAQ’s
Q: What does a coaching session look like?
A: We generally spend 1-2 hours together in the garden, and I will send notes and any links or other resources/referrals to you via email afterwards. I typically try to better understand the history of the garden so far — what you’ve done versus what you’ve inherited — and troubleshoot any issues you may be having. It’s helpful to have a clear goal or question in your mind before we meet.
Q: Can we work alongside each other in the garden?
A: Yes, many of us learn best through doing! We can schedule a time to work together in your garden, focusing on a particular area or skill set. This is the best way to learn pruning techniques, for example. Typical sessions are 2-4 hours, billed hourly ($75/hr).
Please note that it takes more time for us to explain, demonstrate, and give feedback on tasks than to simply go ahead and do them—while this can be a great way to learn, it is not a great way to save money on that specific maintenance job! (Though in the long run, knowing how to efficiently take care of your garden’s maintenance needs may certainly pay off!)
Q: How much does coaching cost?
A: Informational sessions are $125/session (flat fee). For working together, our current rate is $75/hour. We also include travel time over 30 minutes (one way). We have a reduced rate for remote coaching.
Q: How far will you travel?
A: We are based in central Baltimore City and will travel throughout neighboring counties. We charge for travel time over 30 minutes one way and will travel farther within the Midatlantic if our schedule allows.
If you are significantly outside the Midatlantic Region, we recommend finding a local business offering a similar service as they will be more familiar with the growing conditions of your area.
We also offer remote coaching via phone, Zoom, or Google Meet.
Q: Where can we buy the tools that you recommend?
A: We sell some of the more difficult-to-find Japanese hand tools directly—just ask! We will also provide a list of non-Amazon vendors for the other tools we recommend in our follow up notes.
Q: Should I take notes during the session?
A: Some people like to do this to help remember what we discuss. I will also take notes and will send a brief write-up of the session to you via email afterwards, along with any relevant links that might be helpful. If you would like to purchase tools from us, I will send you the order form. If you learn or retain information better through listening, we can make a voice recording of some or all of our conversation for you to play back later.
Q: How/where did you learn how to garden?
A: I have been learning (and continue learning) about gardening since a very early age (around five or six years old), when my parents gave me a little patch of their garden to experiment with. I have spent many seasons working on organic farms including some dedicated internships that were highly educational and taught me a lot about soil quality, weeds, and planting! In high school, I took plant biology and followed that with biology classes in college. I’ve read dozens and dozens of books on gardening and related topics. In 2014 I went through the Baltimore City Master Gardener program. I have also done the Beginner Farmer Training Program offered through Future Harvest CASA, and the Chesapeake Bay Landscaping Professional training levels 1 and 2. I started Yellow House Farm on my own property and picked up a lot of helpful tips and techniques through trial and error and the necessity of working efficiently. I have spent many hours working shoulder to shoulder with gardeners who know a lot more than I do. I became familiar with the landscaping industry through a job I had in a small office dealing in wholesale plants. When I travel, I typically include spending time working on farms that give me insight and ideas to bring home. In addition to gardening in Baltimore, I am working on two passion projects at a family property in Western Md.—cataloging our flora, and restoring an abandoned apple orchard—which are teaching me a lot. In short, I’ve been immersed in the work of working with nature since a very young age and I continue to expand my horizons at every possible opportunity.
