GaiaScape LLC

I can't believe this project is only approaching its one year mark. I have exceptional clients and often they become more like friends as their gardens mature and I see them grow into their spaces. This space has brought me so much joy and happiness as it is on a frequent walk of mine on Penn Ave in Garfield. The client asked for a schoolyard inspired planting and for it to be low maintenance. I really wish I had this sort of space to look out upon when I was in school. I would have probably approached ecology and landscaping first instead of healthcare as a way to support my community. This sort of space has really inspired me to lean into clients that want to bring these spaces into the work they're already doing as Chris added plant labels and is often showing her own clients the plantings. I can't wait to see what this space looks like in spring and it will only be more vibrant as the summer and fall displays mature. I would absolutely love to do more public facing spaces like this and add more ecological value to our human spaces.

This space is on a relatively challenging slope with very disturbed urban soils and a lot of gravel backfill from the retaining wall and alleyway. The native plants are absolutely thriving in it due to a curated selection of plants that are adapted to the soil conditions. Though they've been heavily watered to get established, they should be able to tolerate the urban environment and the absolute full sun in the space. The landscape fabric was entirely removed and 1 in of mushroom manure and 2 inches of wood chips were added to prep the site.

As a side note, this is a fully functional indoor/outdoor gym and the turf grass really softens the spaces for the clients to work outside in the patio/garden space and though most of my job is killing lawn, I'm willing to look past the artificial substitute. The inside of the gym also looks incredible! With a well curated homage to a millennialish elementary school experience. I'm pretty sure the classes here will meet you where you're at and hopefully allow you to relive some found school memories or create new ones... now with 200+ native plants.

Happy to share some tips in this month's bulletin. Garfield is a great community of people making our region greener.
is a wonderful friend and business promoting sustainable land care. has incredible native plants you can't find at many nurseries. has amazing volunteer opportunities, classes, and produce. is a great neighbor keeping Healcrest tidy and with winter goats.
Thanks for putting this into print!

Article link in bio

Veggie seedlings are up for sale in bio!

Mostly heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, herbs, and brassicas. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are $4 each, smaller plants are $2 each.

These are for pickup only in Garfield as I don't have the time to set up shop, deliver, etc at this time. I don't want to turn anyone away due to lack of funds (NOTAFLOF) but I worked hard growing these extra plant babies. The majority are being planted at AHN healthy food center gardens so I am selling off the extras because I missed doing spring veggie seedlings and meeting neighbors and other members of the growing community.

Please send me a DM, email, or text and I will pull your order and set it out after payment is received via Venmo or Zelle (cash/check if I am home). I'm still very happy to answer any questions yinz have and will do my best to say hi when I'm home. I'll update inventory as things sell. Please share with your friends and community gardens.

Happy growing yinz!

I made a short how-to for Winter Sowing as I have been getting a lot of questions about it lately. It is by far the easiest way to germinate perennial and native seeds as many of them require a period of cold stratification (30-60 days of fluctuating cold temperatures) before breaking dormancy.
Many guides will suggest using a milk jug, which will work, but I prefer using a deeper pot of 3-4 inches as it allows you to delay up potting/transplanting later in the year when things are busier. The deeper soil reserves hold more water and allow roots to grow apart making it easier to prick them apart later on. The open environment doesn't encourage early germination like a milk jug "greenhouse" might and allows them to germinate when the conditions are right rather than looking to us to keep them watered. Once the seeds begin germinating I do keep them watered despite weather conditions.
My biggest tips are using at least 2-3 inches of potting soil with added drainage materials (vermiculite, perlite, or small pine chips). You will want to make sure that the seeds won't move around in heavy rains or eaten by birds or other critters such as chipmunks and squirrels, the grit is the perfect material for this. It also helps to keep the soil from drying out as it retains a little bit of moisture at the soil surface right where the seeds are. You should also protect the seeds/future seedlings from predation by wrapping them in fencing materials like chicken wire.
Pay attention to the containers after mid-late February as some seeds may begin to break dormancy then. I then move these to an area that is easiest for me to keep an eye on and water.

I physically wouldn't be here without my Mum .brooks.712 . Also I certainly wouldn't be inspired to have the same spirit that she does without her influence on my life. When people ask where my plant journey started, it started by sitting in my mother's lap while she w**ded the triangle flower bed and she taught me what was a w**d and not. She's also the only person who's not in land care that I can share stories of being out gardening past dark, cleaning the house until you realize it's 11pm, and having so many silly stories of people we've had in our lives over the years and how we can both still get so emotional and grounded over these little things in life. My Mom taught me to be meditative and caring for all things in the world, I don't know that I would be focused on the little creatures of Gaia without her. I certainly think of her every day, today is just one of those days where I decide to mark the occasion more directly.
Thank you Mum for your love and support, you're an inspirationally strong woman! Thanks for continually sharing your energy with me and the world!

What an amazing evening! The 2nd annual Wild Ones Symposium discussing Sustainable Land Stewardship SOLD OUT! The room was filled, wonderful food was shared, and an incredible discussion about the challenges and successes of land stewardship in our region went on longer than expected.
I'm so thankful for our panel members for sharing their knowledge, time, and experiences with us. There are so many take-aways from the evening. For those interested in knowing more about land stewardship, a great start is to get involved with an organization in your area. There are plenty of opportunities with the panelists and their organizations alone but if you are looking in your specific area, perhaps reach out to your local Conservation District to find ways to get involved.
Thank you again to the amazing panelists, the evening was anchored on your shoulders and yinz kept us engaged all evening!
It wouldn't have been possible without the amazing team. I'm so happy to be part of this wonderful organization promoting native plants and ecological practices. It's only been 1 year since I've been a part of this organization and I can't imagine where I'd put this energy of engaging with our community that is ready to grow!
Consider joining Wild Ones if you enjoyed this event or if you want to see more events like it, please consider being involved. We're always looking for help and for more discussion and sharing if you have a niche of your own. We'll be sharing workdays, garden tours, workshops, field trips, native plants, and plenty of discussions with activists and gardeners alike.