Hello, and welcome to Gratitude Gardening. I’m Ellen M. Cooper, PhD, and I began Gratitude Gardening in 2017, returning to my “roots,” so to speak, after years working as a researcher in academia. I hold a BS in plant science (Ornamental Horticulture), MS in Plant and Soil Sciences, and a PhD in Environmental Chemistry. I am grateful for the wealth of plant and soil knowledge that formal education provided me: it continues to serve me and my clients well. But, my knowledge, understanding and love for plants, their presence in the environment and their connections to people does not come solely from a formal education.
I grew up gardening with my family. We kept large bountiful vegetable gardens each year which provided food for the whole year. We also had flower beds around our home. Plants have meaning in our family, as they probably do in yours, too, and they carry history. Through life changes and moving homes, we still have some of my grandmother’s beloved rose bushes, the lily-of-the-valley that graced the front porch of my childhood home, and other plant treasures gathered over the years.
I have always loved plants and have been endlessly curious about how they work, how they interact with their environment, the interdependencies that bring plants and people together, and, yes, the beauty and joy they bring to our gardens and our lives. In younger years, I spent much time “botanizing” in local parks and preserves, or along roadsides, or wherever I could explore…spring, summer, fall and, yes, winter too. And, I did my time working in garden centers as well as doing some freelance gardening before taking a “serious” job in academia. That path led me away from plants, and gardening, and all the musical endeavors that had been central to my life since my early years.
Several years ago, I realized that much of the “spark” seemed to have gone from life. I felt dulled by working indoors all day long, mostly at a computer, and under a lot of stress that didn’t seem justifiable. More importantly, I had always felt I was a misfit for the academic world. My connection with nature, plants and music seemed distant, and I felt it was time for change. It took a lot of courage, and much support from friends and family, but I found a path to return to a livelihood and a focus that is better aligned with who I am. I love sharing my plant knowledge and inspiring others’ passions for gardening as well as helping them realize their dreams–gardening or otherwise.
Thank you to all my clients who help make Gratitude Gardening an adventure for us all.
–Ellen