Get the inside scoop on North Texas pests that will probable be in your garden this season and what to do about them!
Who is Piper?
Gardener to the Chefs'
My gardening business was started in 2016 in my front yard in McKinney, TX.
Read my story at Edible Magazine
I began to build small home gardens for neighbors. But then, through unique timing and intentional relationships with industry peers, an opportunity to build a garden for a "chef driven" restaurant come along. Other chefs began to find me by word of mouth and 7 years later I have a successful commercial "edible landscape" business in North Texas. We focus on raised beds for hotels, restaurants and property managers who want a green amenity. We manage the design, the build, and weekly maintenance for all the locations.
We now have such a depth of region specific growing knowledge to offer clients from Dallas to Denison. It has become obvious to me that we should share this knowledge base with homeowners who want a better way to start growing some of their own food. These days there are so many information sources but if you live in DFW you know things grow differently for us here in North Texas!
My home garden consulting services will give a new gardener or an experienced gardener a head start on the season. I can help make your gardening journey more productive and less of a chore! I'll help you focus on systems and steps for gardening success.
My Philosophy:
More folks should have at least a few practical growing skills! This will allow them to better take care of themselves, families then neighbors while learning to understand the link between real food and healthy bodies! Gardening is not a lazy hobby so to learn the basics correctly will make you a more happy gardener while doing the hard work!
Installation Services:
We work with a landscape company that builds out our garden bed kits and systems. We have created several layouts of raised bed systems that will give homeowners optimal crop production and use for urban residential settings.
To get a good idea of what we can grow in small batch gardens and how our installations work you can click the "start the HOME GARDEN PROCESS" button above to contact us. We generally do FULL TURNKEY RAISED BED INSTALLATIONS with drip irrigation and include 3 season planting plans to follow. The images here are a good example of our style.
Additional outdoor living components include:
Decorative garden space fences
Pergolas
Low Voltage garden lighting
Potting benches / compost bins
Water towers, birdbaths, pollinator fountains
See our "shop" for more accessories.
What Customers Think.
Luann McCaddon, Dallas
I met Piper through my daughter and son-in-law's restaurant in McKinney, TX. Chef Robert had a garden for his restaurant Patina Greens. Piper took such great care of that space that when I was ready to install my own home garden I knew I needed Piper's help. She did not disapoint and we grow so many leafy green in our small city yard.
Nancy Keller : Celina, TX
Hey Piper, Hope all is well with you! I've been meaning to text you for a while now... I am thoroughly enjoying our garden. It's super light at the moment, but we have really loved having all of the fresh produce... Sweet potatoes and herbs for Thanksgiving, tomatoes galore, even jars of fermented tomatoes and peppers that were too numerous to eat, beets, parsleys and the ever consistent, hardy chard just keeps on giving! Had broccoli with chicken tonight, the last of the beets for tomorrow, and oh yeah, I had no idea how much basil was needed for basil, but it was amazing!
Joanna Hensley
We recently purchased land in Mississippi to start an organic farm and garden. We had no idea where to start so we called Piper. She had previously designed a small cottage garden for us in McKinney, TX. so we knew she was an incredible resource. She is intelligent and creative but also possesses deep experiential knowledge. Piper is kind, patient, and relatable. She is an excellent teacher with a gift for communicating essential information while also instilling and inspiring confidence in her client. If you hire Piper, you definitely won’t be disappointed. She is simply amazing!
Upcoming TGL Events
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FAQs for 2026 Spring Garden Prep
If you haven't planted a winter garden this year it's time to get ready for Spring! This will set you up for bountiful Summer Harvest!
When should I start preparing my soil for spring planting?
Soil preparation can begin as early as fall, which allows organic matter and amendments to settle and work into the soil over winter. However, late winter and early spring are also ideal times to begin, as long as the soil is workable and not frozen or overly wet. Work in compost, perform soil tests, and clear debris well before planting to give amendments time to activate.
How do I know if my garden soil is ready for planting?
Soil is ready when it is moist but not soggy, crumbles easily, and warms up after the last frost. Check that previously added amendments like compost are well incorporated and that the bed is free of weeds, rocks, and leftover plant matter. If the soil forms clumps that don’t break apart, let it dry a bit more before further digging or planting.
What organic materials should I add to my soil before spring?
Key organic additions include well-aged compost, leaf mold, or composted manure, all of which improve soil structure, enrich nutrients, and promote beneficial soil microbes. Spread 1–3 inches across the bed surface and lightly mix into the top 6–8 inches for best results. Avoid adding uncomposted materials or fresh manure just before planting, as these can rob soil nitrogen or introduce disease.
Do I need to rototill or dig my soil every year?
For established beds, deep tilling may not be necessary each season unless soil is compacted or depleted. Use a garden fork or broadfork to gently loosen and aerate the top layer, which protects soil structure and reduces disturbance to soil organisms. For new beds, deep digging (8–10 inches) helps roots grow better, but over-tilling annually can degrade soil quality over time.
Should I test my soil before planting? How often?
Conduct a soil test every 1–3 years or whenever you notice poor plant growth, unusual leaf color, or suspect imbalances in nutrients. Early spring or fall is a good time since you’ll have time to adjust pH levels, add necessary nutrients, or address deficiencies before planting. Many county extension offices and nurseries offer inexpensive soil testing services along with recommendations for amendments.
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