About Piper & The Grower's Life
Piper's Story: From Front Yard to 200+ Garden Beds
Piper has always grown food. It's just what she did — in Colorado, in whatever yard she had, whatever season allowed it. So when she and her husband relocated to McKinney, Texas in 2016, she didn't overthink it. She put raised beds in the front yard of their home in historic downtown McKinney and got to work.
The neighbors didn't complain. They stopped to ask questions. Then they asked if she could build them one too.
That front-yard garden became the seed of everything that followed.
What a Decade of Commercial Gardening Taught Her About Your Backyard
What started with a few homeowner builds quietly grew into something much bigger. Piper began connecting with North Texas chefs who wanted gardens steps from their kitchens — the most hyper-local farm-to-table relationship possible. Her first commercial culinary garden went in at a Plano restaurant in 2017. Her second was an herb garden at Fearings in Dallas. She grew one chef at a time, entirely by word of mouth, until Urban Dirt Company had built and managed gardens at some of North Texas's most recognized restaurants, hotels, and corporate campuses — the Thompson Hotel, the J.W. Marriott, corporate wellness programs for campuses housing Samsung and Peloton.
More than 200 raised beds across the Dallas area. Nearly a decade of four-season growing in Texas heat.
Along the way, something interesting happened in the corporate world. Property managers and HR teams weren't just asking for gardens because they looked good — they were asking because employee wellbeing had become a real priority. Gardens became part of health and wellness programs, outdoor engagement initiatives, Fitwel certification pathways. People were hungry, in every sense, to reconnect with where food comes from.
Interview with Edible Magazine DFW
"Chef-centric Gardens: A Growing Trend in North Texas..."
Texas Monthly Magazine
"Serve something homegrown on your holiday table..."
Interview with the Voyager Magazine
”The second was an herb garden for Fearings in Dallas then..."
Garden Coaching & Services for North Texas Homeowners
Here's what she kept thinking about: somewhere in the last few generations, we lost the thread. Most people don't know how to grow food anymore. They don't know what's actually in their food, or where it came from, or what a real tomato tastes like warm off the vine. That knowledge — practical, seasonal, generational knowledge about growing and eating real food — has quietly disappeared from most households. And we are paying for it. In our health, in our relationship with food, in the way we feed our families.
Growing your own food isn't just a hobby. It's one of the most direct things you can do for your health and the health of the people around your table. Fresh, organic, grown-yourself food is different. Anyone who has eaten a cucumber ten minutes from the garden knows it's different. The goal isn't to replace your grocery store — it's to add something to your life that used to be ordinary and has become rare.
That's what The Grower's Life is about.
Meet the Team of Professionals
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Piper Klee
Founder / Horticulture Guru
Darrin Waddle
Project Manager
Megan Rodgers
Garden Coordinator
What North Texas Growers Are Saying
Piper built this as a place to bring everything she's learned — from that first front-yard bed in McKinney to managing culinary gardens for Dallas's best chefs — back to where it started. The home gardener. The backyard. The person who wants to grow real food and just needs someone to tell them honestly how to do it in North Texas soil, in North Texas heat, with a North Texas growing calendar.
"She is an excellent teacher with a gift for communicating essential information while also instilling and inspiring confidence in her client."
— Joanna Hensley, McKinney TX
"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."
— Luann McCaddon, Dallas 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!
— Nancy Keller : Celina, TX
Ready to Grow?
If you've been wanting to grow more of your own food — and eat better because of it — you're in exactly the right place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a garden consultation?
Piper comes to your property for a one-hour, on-site walkthrough. She'll assess your sun exposure, soil situation, water access, and available space — then give you an honest, specific plan for what will actually grow well where you are. No generic advice. Everything is tailored to your yard, your goals, and the North Texas growing calendar.
Who is this consultation for?
Anyone who wants to grow food at home and isn't sure where to start — or who has tried before and hit a wall. Whether you've never touched a raised bed or you've been gardening for years and just want a second set of expert eyes, a consultation gives you a clear path forward.
Do I need raised beds already, or can you help me figure that out?
ou don't need anything in place beforehand. Part of the consultation is figuring out what setup makes sense for your space. Piper will let you know whether raised beds are the right fit, what size and placement works best, and what your realistic next steps look like.
Why raised beds instead of growing in the ground?
North Texas soil is notoriously difficult — clay-heavy, compacted, and not naturally suited to vegetables. Raised beds with quality soil mixes are the solution, not an upsell. It's how Piper builds every commercial and residential garden she manages, and it's why they produce the way they do.
What's the best time of year to book a consultation?
Anytime — but the sooner the better if you have a season in mind. Fall planting in North Texas starts in July, earlier than most people expect. Spring planning ideally begins in late winter. Don't wait until you're ready to plant — a consultation before the season starts means you go in with a real plan.
Can you help with more than just the consultation?
Yes. After your consultation, Piper can design and build your raised beds, source and install plants, set up drip irrigation, and create a seasonal planting plan for your specific yard. The consultation is the starting point — how far you take it from there is entirely up to you.
Title or Question
The Grower's Life serves the North Dallas and Texoma region — McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Wylie, Prosper, Sherman, Denison, Richardson, and surrounding areas. Not sure if you're in range? Reach out and ask.
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