Our Practice
It’s not just about “me” at Your Garden Companion, it’s all about “WE.” We value all the interrelationships within Central Oregon ecosystems and use a science-based approach to help guide your decisions toward a more sustainable future. Sustainability is not a buzz word here! Sustainability is a practice, an ongoing process of evaluating and experimenting with what we know and improving it as more information becomes available.
“Through my training and experience, I can help you design a plan that integrates both native plants and/or vegetables into your site, thereby encouraging wildlife to serve as pollinators, pest control agents, predators and workers in the soil, creating a healthy place for life. Gardening this way on a regular basis is not only a beneficial physical activity, it is a journey of cooperation and learning about what plants and gardening strategies will sustain us into the future.” – Yvonne Babb, Owner & Land Steward
Our specialty is community ecology, assessing your entire landscape, from soil to canopy, working together to help you design, install and maintain your land in a way that prevents problems before they start.
How We Work Together with You
Despite your past experiences with what may seem like challenging growing conditions, by building relationships with each other and the land, we can make gardening a joyful, positive experience year in and year out.
Starting with an on-site assessment, we discuss your needs and the health of your current landscape or property. If needed, we test your soils and devise a plan based on your needs, onsite observations and your budget.
Teaching and working with you as a companion is one way our company is unlike the others. As a team we work side by side to engage your interests and knowledge of the local ecology to help you select plants, manage wildlife, build soil and create a place teaming with life in your garden. If you don’t have time to garden with us, we can do it all for you.
More Specialty Opportunities
Teaching/Educational Landscape We can work together, including with your children, to garden and be outside. Engaging children is one of the things Yvonne does best. If you want to learn along side your children, let’s plan a day to be together in the garden. Once we adults make the plan, we can implement the garden with your children. Don’t forget to ask us how to make your yard more playful!
Adaptive Gardeners There are a variety of Adaptive Gardening activities, tools and containers that we can use to overcome your physical challenges so you can have great experiences in the garden.
“My husband has been in a wheelchair for over 12 years and we have learned to adapt his gardening strategies through various tools and gardening beds. I can be your helper at whatever level you need. We also have a spare outdoor wheelchair with off-road tires that you can borrow. Please call me so I can better understand your needs and how I can help you get outside. Tour our site for ideas and sustainable strategies.” – Yvonne Babb, Owner & Land Steward
Our goal is to make gardening a fun, learning experience for everyone. Our shared curiosity will grow along with your garden! Together, we will leave future generations a restored landscape that supports people and natural ecosystems.
