About

\

About Michelle

Hi, I’m Michelle a licensed RN, BSN, and suburban gardener in Southwest Virginia. Since discovering the restorative power of gardening, I’ve made it my mission to encourage others to bring life, beauty, and stewardship of the earth into their own backyards. Over time, that mission has grown to include partnerships with brands I trust and collaborations rooted in providing genuine value to this community. You can learn more on my Press & Publications page.

As a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how disconnection from nature affects well-being. Through this website, my YouTube channel, and Instagram, I share education, resources, and inspiration to help you grow food, flowers, and herbs while nurturing your mind, body, and spirit and deepening your connection with nature, community, and, for those who seek it, the Creator.

How My Garden Story Began

I dreamed of gardening since childhood, but life didn’t leave room for it until recently. Years of working as an RN, raising my children, caring for an elderly parent, and helping my husband establish a community of faith kept me busy but eventually, life gave me the margin to finally start the garden I dreamed of as a child. You watch more of my story here.

The Garden Grows on Instagram

In 2021, I launched Michelle’s Garden Grows on Instagram to document my journey.

Encouraging Others

By 2025, I expanded with this blog as a central hub for tips, inspiration, and resources to encourage others along their own garden path.

With my husband’s support, our garden has grown into a space of beauty, abundance, and learning. Our children are now young adults. My daughter is in college and my son recently graduated from university and they continue to inspire me every day.

What started as a hobby has become a way of life, one that nurtures not just our own lives but the earth as well. I hope my enthusiasm for gardening sparks that same love in you.

Michelle of Michelle's Garden Grows with her husband


MISSION


To encourage and equip others with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to grow food, cultivate beauty, and care for their backyards in ways that nourish people and the planet.

VISION

A world where every backyard grows something that nourishes people, supports wildlife, and helps the earth thrive.

Gardening

Values

Worship & Love of the Creator

I believe gardening is a stewardship and a reward rooted in the idea that God placed us in a beautiful garden from the beginning! I believe the creator of the world is the God of the Bible and everything comes from him. He gave humans the job of stewarding the earth; therefore, I embrace sustainable and eco-friendly gardening practices and give Him all the glory while appreciating the beautiful earth he gave us to steward.

Learn More

Respect for & stewardship of the Earth

Gardening begins with respecting the natural world. That’s why I choose to garden organically with biodiversity in mind. I believe plants, animals, minerals, and the environment are all deeply interconnected—and our gardens are a small reflection of that larger harmony. When we care for the soil, we care for the plants. When we provide food and shelter for pollinators, we’re nurturing life beyond our backyard. Respecting nature means listening to its rhythms, working with it instead of against it, and appreciating the miracle in every seed, raindrop, and sunrise.

Learn More

Biodiversity & Sustainability

I appreciate the importance of biodiversity in fostering a healthy and resilient garden. I aim to incorporate a variety of plants to support local ecosystems. I believe home gardens are a hotspots for biodiversity and contribute to the health of our planet.

Learn More

Observational Skills

I strive to develop keen observations skills to understand the needs of plants. Regularly monitoring the garden to identify potential issues or opportunities for improvement.

Learn More

Joy in the process

 I strive to find joy in the act of gardening itself, not just the end results. I believe gardening is therapeutic and fulfilling aspects of nurturing plants and creating a vibrant, outdoor space.

Learn More

Cycles of Renewal

I embrace the natural cycles of growth, decay and renewal in the garden. I appreciate the beauty of seasonal changes in the garden as well as the life-cycle of plants that bring opportunity for new beginnings.

Learn More

Stay Rooted in Inspiration

Get more seasonal reflections, gardening resources, tips, guidance and encouragement straight to your inbox.

on the blog

  • Learn
    Gardening Basics
  • Napa Cabbage
    Grow
    Plants
  • explore Inspiration

frequently asked questions

Here’s some of the answers to common questions.

I garden primarily in raised beds using a polyculture approach, combining herbs, flowers, edible plants and I’m intentionally adding more native plants each season to create a backyard that is beautiful, nourishing, and welcoming to wildlife and supportive of a healthy ecosystem.

I use Birdies metal raised beds in slate gray by Epic Gardening.

Epic Gardening, Botanical Interests, Coast of Maine, Renee’s Garden Seeds, Vego Garden, Farmer’s Defense, to name a few.

’m lucky to have my husband helping behind the scenes. Without him my beautiful garden space would have never been possible. Gardening brings us together while nurturing the land.

Absolutely! I partner with brands that align with my values of sustainability and practical gardening. Please reach out through my contact form here to discuss opportunities.

must-read