I Didn’t Mean to Become a Gardener
Growing up, one of my chores was tending the carrots and pulling weeds in my dad’s vegetable garden.
I hated it.
It was long rows of plants under the hot sun. The weeds grew faster than I could pull them. My friends were at the beach, and I was stuck in the dirt. Gardening felt like work — endless, sweaty, inconvenient work.
So when my husband suggested starting a vegetable garden years later, my first reaction was resistance. He tilled up the ground and took it on himself. I happily enjoyed the harvest… but I still didn’t love the process. It felt like childhood all over again — and summer had so many better things to offer.
Then my mom died.
She loved flowers. Even living in an apartment, her balcony overflowed with color. She experimented with varieties, textures, and shapes. She had an eye for beauty — and a gift for bringing life into small spaces.
After she passed, I decided to plant a small flower bed in her honor.
And that’s when everything changed.
I began researching plants, paying attention to sunlight patterns, and sketching layouts — using my background in graphic design to thoughtfully design the space. When my hands went into the soil, something shifted. My mind slowed. My grief softened. I was creating something beautiful, something alive, something that brought joy back into our home.
The following spring, when those flowers returned on their own, I was hooked.
Gardening became more than plants. It became a blend of everything I value:
education, creativity, productivity, self-care, and family.
How Angelo Acres Began
I never intended to be “a gardener.” But now? I could talk about plants for hours.
Angelo Acres was born from that transformation — from resistance to restoration.
I love experimenting with growing methods, propagation, varieties, and new garden projects. I deeply appreciate the wisdom that comes from trial and error — and from generous gardeners who share their knowledge through books, blogs, and YouTube.
What I’ve learned is this:
Gardens don’t have to be long rows of crops you dread tending.
They can be beautiful, intentional spaces you want to spend time in.
If I — the girl who once hated pulling carrots — can fall in love with gardening, you absolutely can too.
My hope is to help you create a garden that feels like joy.
A garden that reflects you.
A garden you can’t wait to step into.
Welcome to Angelo Acres 🌿