Mary – Nursery Sales Associate

Background: Worked at nurseries since 1997. Completed Master Gardener in 2004. Founded the Sun Prairie Farmer’s Market. Chaired the Garden Committee at St. Albert the Great church.

First Interest in Gardening: In the late 1970’s my dad asked me to take care of his garden while he and the rest of my family went to California to visit my brother for three weeks. He had a small plot of vegetables at the farm he grew up on in Waukesha. I knew nothing about gardening but somehow got “stuck” taking care of dad’s garden those weeks. I fell in love with it! The following season I had a small plot on that family homestead. A couple years after that, dad and I went to the local Farmer’s Market to sell the surplus of vegetables we were growing. I have been gardening ever since that summer over thirty years ago.

Size of Garden: When we first moved to this area we lived in the country and had an acre and a quarter. Little by little the grass became gardens. I started with annual vegetables, then perennial vegetables, herbs, cutting gardens… I couldn’t stop. Over half the land turned into gardens. Now we live in town and have a small lot. I have 18 window boxes and pots everywhere. Once again, the gardens are taking over the grass area.

Favorite Garden Style: This is a tough one for me. We have a cottage garden effect at our home. I love fresh vegetables so we intermingle them with the herbs. I think “theme” gardens are fun so I’m currently designing a “Wine” garden in the backyard.

Pets: Max is our Golden Retriever and Zoe is our longhaired calico cat.

Hobbies/Interests: Gardening of course, reading (especially mysteries that have gardening involved), cross-country skiing, chocolate, and tasting different wines.

Personal Items of Interest: I love antiques and treasure the ones most from family members. I also like yard art in and out of the house.