What is a HortiCoach?
A clever combination of the words “horticulture” and “coach” used to describe an aide for directing and assisting in the design and construction of horticultural features. There are similar words such as, permaculture (permanent agriculture) and aquaculture (aqua meaning water), otherwise known as hydroponics.
So, what is “The” Horticoach?
Hi! My name is Dusty, and I can be the humble director of your show about the wonders in your yard. You are the star; your gardens are your stage. You have the best ideas for your outdoor living space and how you want all the elements to perform on that stage. You might only need a director to guide you through the sticky spots in the script. I have over 40 years of experience in the nursery business and the landscape trade, supplemented by scholastic education. I am a certified Arizona Nursery Professional and a Certified Permaculture Designer.
If you are like many people in Arizona, you migrated here from a different state or even another country. Or perhaps you relocated from within Arizona. In any case, you may not be familiar with the types of plants that thrive where you live now. You may also have purchased a property covered with native vegetation or established landscape plants and you want to know what they are and if they will be suitable for use in your new show.
Yet another possibility is, you’re an experienced gardener—perhaps even a trained Master Gardener—and you just need a little practical guidance. Coaching!
For such assistance, many do-it-yourselfers turn to the local plant nursery or even a landscape professional. These are great resources. However, nurseries have limited time and personnel for spending time in your yard with you and landscapers are going to want to charge you significantly and sell you a design and construction. After all, that’s what they’re in business to do.
The Horticoach can help you determine the best course of action and how to get the landscape contractors to all bid on the same project. (Landscapers tend to each add their own ideas and solutions within their expertise and the homeowner receives several unrelated bids to sort out. It’s best to start with a solid plan so they all bid on the same project.)
An alternative is to hire The Horticoach to direct you where and when you need it. Consultations can be as little as a couple of hours to address specific landscape issues or as great as several months supervising and directing a large-scale permaculture project. Affordable for only what you need and no project too small or too large — patios to acreages.
And not to leave out the pros who often need a different area of expertise on certain landscape challenges, The Horticoach can help when you encounter an insect or disease issue you are unfamiliar with or nutrient deficiencies and other unknowns.
Stay tuned for future blogs where we will cover topics such as:
· Climate and seasons
· Irrigation and water conservation
· What’s a weed?
· Common insect pests
· Wildlife issues
· Landscape design
· Permaculture concepts
· Growing food at home
· Container gardening
· Trees, shrubs, and bedding plants
· Creating great spaces with native and drought-tolerant plants
SEE YOU ON STAGE SOON!
thehorticoach.com