That’s why in 2023 I decided to step away from the tech world and find work more aligned with my values. I can personally attest to the myriad benefits of gardening, and I’m excited for you to experience them, too.

We all hold the powers of cultivation within us, but not all of us tap into them early—and that’s ok. Not all of us have the time or space to wield them as we wish—and that’s ok, too. Just as the garden teaches us bright-eyed acceptance, it teaches us that even a little curiosity, diligence, and appreciation can summon a universe of beauty and bounty.

I grew up connected to nature, but didn’t commit to gardening until after my husband Sean and I purchased our home in Burlington in 2021. Since then, gardening has changed my life. Like many, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety years ago and have experimented with therapy, medication, and so on. I was advancing my career in tech and had poor work-life balance, was disconnected from my food system, and had gained weight from a sedentary lifestyle. I realized that puttering around my yard and pulling out weeds made me feel more active and purposeful. While I don’t have a horticulture degree—you don’t need one either—I’ve since conducted hours and hours of personal experiments and research, taken the Thriving Gardens course through Vermont Garden Network, worked full-time as a Landscape Gardener at Mama’s Gardens, written horticultural articles for Gardener’s Supply and other brands, and completed the UVM Extension Master Gardener course. I’ve become healthier through working outside and growing my own food, and I’ve built community connections that teach and inspire me. I can say I feel happier than ever, and that positioning gardening at the center of my life continues to yield fruit. I am serious about continuing my own life-long gardening education, right alongside my clients.