Kid-friendly gardens in the East Bay
Bring your kids into your garden.
At Green Roots Workshops, I help families make the most of their outdoor spaces through hands-on workshops and planting days. With simple, thoughtful changes—like adding vegetables, water elements, fruit trees, a berry patch, or native plants that support wildlife—I offer ideas and inspiration to make your garden more inviting, usable, and fun for everyone in the family.
Each workshop is tailored to your space and your goals. We’ll vision your yard together and talk about how you’d like to use it—maybe with raised beds for growing snacks, seating areas for gathering, shady spots for reading, or muddy corners for kids to dig and explore. I’ll suggest possibilities based on your layout, sun exposure, and existing garden features, and then we can plant it together, side by side.
These workshops aren’t just about improving your yard—they’re about learning new skills, spending meaningful time together, and building a space that supports everyday family life.
About Me
I studied architecture at Rice University, city planning at MIT, and nature conservation at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. I have worked in landscape architecture, urban design, and city planning, and am currently writing a book about the past and future of free public water in the United States, planned for publication with the University of Virginia Press in 2028.
But I also love gardens and working with kids to plant exciting and engaging gardens that they can touch, pick, eat, observe, care for, and play with. I have two young kids and have had a wonderful time working with them in our garden and in their school gardens.
Packages
Visioning Package:
The Visioning Package includes a one-hour on-site consultation and workshop with just you or with your whole family to brainstorm family-friendly ideas for your space. I will bring paper and markers, as well as example images and some initial ideas. Following the visioning session, I will send you a summary document with suggested planting and landscape elements.
Cost: $250
Plant-It Package
The Plant-It Package includes:
Visioning Session: A one-hour on-site visioning session with just you or with your whole family. With paper, markers, and some example images, we will workshop ideas for the space.
Planting Day: I’ll bring the plants and tools and show you and your kids how to amend soil, plant trees, separate plant start roots, and all the little tasks that lead to successfully planting a small garden. I will also leave behind maintenance directions for care and watering. Please note: the standard package includes a $650 fruit tree, plant, heirloom seed, and soil budget. You can also opt to provide the plants yourself and waive that cost.
Follow-Up: We will schedule an on-site follow-up for two months after the build day for troubleshooting, seasonal planting changes, and new ideas that have arisen from using and enjoying the garden.
Cost: $2,500 (includes a $650 plant and soil budget)
