About Kim

From Greenhouse to
Garden Coach

My garden story didn't start with a design degree — it started with getting my hands dirty. From my earliest days working in retail greenhouses, I was captivated by the way plants respond to care, attention, and thoughtful placement.

The MSU Master Gardener Journey

In 2002, I earned my Master Gardener certification from Michigan State University — one of the most rigorous horticultural training programs in the country. That credential opened doors, but more importantly, it deepened a love for learning that has never stopped growing.

MSU's program gave me a scientific foundation for everything I do. Understanding soil biology, plant physiology, and Michigan's unique climate challenges has made me a better landscape designer, garden coach, and educator than experience alone ever could.

Hands-On Experience Across Michigan

Over two decades, I've worked across the full spectrum of garden environments. Retail greenhouses taught me sourcing and plant health. Managing public gardens taught me scale and durability.

But my favorite work has always been private residential landscape design — intimate conversations with homeowners about how they want to live in their outdoor spaces, and the profound satisfaction of watching those dreams come to life in Michigan gardens.

Life Beyond the Garden

When the snow falls in Michigan, you'll find me on the slopes — skiing and teaching skiing with the same passion I bring to gardening. In warmer months, I'm cycling Michigan's beautiful backroads. An active, adventurous life makes you a better observer of the natural world. That energy flows directly into every garden I touch.