Garden Stewardship for Native and Edible Gardens
Healthy landscapes become more beautiful over time when they receive knowledgeable, consistent care. Our Garden Stewardship programs give native, edible and water-wise gardens that care, for homeowners across Alameda, Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont and the East Bay.
Stewardship is horticultural work. We spend each visit on the tasks that take real plant knowledge: pruning and structural shaping, plant health, soil building, irrigation and thoughtful garden editing. We don't mow, blow or do routine yard cleanup. Many of our clients pair us with a traditional maintenance crew for that.
Every Program Includes
- Regularly scheduled stewardship visits
- Fine pruning and structural shaping
- Seasonal cutbacks and perennial care
- Plant health and pest monitoring
- Hand weeding and garden editing
- Soil building and mulching
- Irrigation monitoring, with minor drip repairs during visits
- Habitat and pollinator support
- Quarterly garden reports with seasonal recommendations
- Your Garden Passport
Your Garden Passport
Every stewardship client receives a Garden Passport, a living record of your landscape. It holds your garden's design intent, plant palette, irrigation notes, what has changed season by season, and what we recommend next.
Anyone caring for your garden can understand its history and goals in minutes, so what we learn about your garden stays with it.
Tier 1: Stewardship
Expert horticultural care that protects and improves an established garden. Monthly visits focus on pruning, plant health, seasonal care and recommendations for the future.
Best for: homeowners who want a healthy, beautiful garden and prefer to plan improvements at their own pace.
Tier 2: Curator
Everything in Stewardship, plus an annual plant and improvement allowance. We refine your garden gradually with curated plants, seasonal refreshes, edible garden rotations, bulbs and containers.
Best for: homeowners who enjoy watching their garden become more beautiful each year.
Tier 3: Lead Gardener
Everything in Curator, plus a true long-term partnership: quarterly garden walks, seasonal planning conversations, design guidance and coaching for your household.
Best for: significant properties and homeowners who want a trusted horticultural advisor.
How Your Program Is Priced
Every program is customized to your garden. Your monthly rate depends on:
- Garden size and planting density
- Landscape complexity, including edible gardens and irrigation
- Current condition of the garden
- Visit frequency
- How much ongoing enhancement you'd like
We prepare a written proposal after visiting your garden.
How to Get Started
- Schedule a garden walk-through ($150 credited towards first service)
- We assess your plants, soil and irrigation, and recommend the right program and visit schedule.
- You receive a written proposal with a set monthly rate.
Programs continue month to month and can be ended with 30 days' notice. Annual agreements are available at a reduced rate.