Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen McDonald.
Hi Jen, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Gardening began as a hobby for each of us. It grew into a career, an ‘Act 2’, about five years ago with another garden design company. The three of us loved designing and installing gardens but realized that we would be happier doing it together with a company of our own. With a few hundred garden designs and installations under our belts, we took the leap and formed Garden Girls.
Garden Girls was founded in January of 2022 and immediately took off. As self-taught gardeners, we recognized that many people want to garden but don’t know how or where to start. We were once those gardeners! We learned the wrong way before we learned what really works in Houston.
Our company focuses on turnkey garden design and installations. We want to demystify gardening and make it enjoyable by setting our clients up for success from the start with the right foundation. Our days are spent with new clients~ designing garden spaces with current clients~ conducting coaching visits, and leading workshops and talks. We stress the importance of ‘purpose over perfection.’ Gardening is something to be enjoyed in the moment because the garden is constantly changing and evolving with the seasons.
Since starting in January 2022, we’ve been quoted in Martha Stewart Living, The Washington Post, Today.com and have appeared regularly on Houston Life. Our continued goal is to create confident gardeners.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been an enjoyable road! We all agree that had we each started our own business as a sole proprietor; it would have felt pretty lonely. Instead, we share ideas, responsibilities, and tasks. This is also beneficial because we can take on roles in which we excel.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in turnkey luxury gardens. We simplify the process by handling everything from design to install to education. If you’ve never shoveled 2 yards of Blackstar gravel, consider yourself lucky. If you have, you’ll understand the need for turnkey garden designers!
We’re different from landscape companies for a few reasons. We’re women-owned and extremely detail-oriented. We treat each space as if it were our own and prepare designs that take into account a home’s architectural style and our client’s goals. We treat the design component with importance and use the most qualified craftsmen and women in the business.
I’m proud of our team and our work ethic. We take each project personally and want to make sure that our clients are happy and proud of the garden that we’ve installed. Most of our business is referral based, so it says a lot about our team that clients continue to refer us!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
There is an exciting shift in landscaping towards ‘rewilding,’ which essentially means bringing in more natives and pollinators and reducing the amount of traditional turf grass. This is important for birds, bees, and wildlife, which depend on native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants for food, shade, and habitat. It’s also more aesthetically interesting! We are currently going through the certification process with the NPSOT, Native Plant Society of Texas, and we strive to include natives and pollinators in every garden we plant.
Pricing:
- Garden projects start at $5000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gardengirlstx.com
- Instagram: @gardengirlstx
- Facebook: @gardengirlstx
