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Work Bio
I grew up in New England and I was always an outdoorsy kid. But I chose an urban college, Temple University in Philadelphia where I completed a BS in Horticulture with honors (Pi Alpha Xi). I had to financially support myself in college so I worked and studied. My part-time job at Border’s bookstore led to my first “real job” with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). I worked in the publications department as an editorial assistant. We produced the monthly garden magazine Green Scene (now Grow), numerous membership publications, and the materials for the Philadelphia Flower Show. During my time there, I had the rare opportunity to co-author a unique garden book, Sanctuary: Gardening for the Soul, with my office mate Lauri Brunton. In 2000, it won a national book award, the Quill and Trowel, from the Garden Writers Association of America.
After my friend and mentor, Jean Byrne, retired from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, I moved onto the Burpee Seed Company. As a Seed Trial Manager, I learned the ins-and-outs of producing a seed catalog, and managed the trial gardens for photography and product research. I also briefly worked with Herronswood Garden (and Dan Hinkley) during its ill-fated collaboration with Burpee. My time at Burpee concluded after several projects finished (or imploded depending on your viewpoint) and I decided to return to New England to be closer to my family. I was offered the position of Executive Director of the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society and to pay the bills I also worked for Brown University. I loved creating education programs, event planning, and working with native plants. But juggling two jobs (that may have been full time roles) was exhausting and challenging. Thankfully, I met and married my husband (Alex Frost) and we decided to go in a different direction.
We moved to Boston (for the start-up community) and my son Grady arrived soon after our move. During the baby years, I worked as the garden producer for the PBS TV series, Cultivating Life. Eventually, the baby started to walk and sadly the television series came to an end. With a small child at home, I continued to work but also used my experience as an educator; helping to start a Co-op Preschool, organizing an after school STEAM Program (grades 1-5), and donating my time to community projects. After a few years, I was able to find a part-time position as a horticulturist that allows me to continue to be a hands-on-parent. I have been a Perennial Manager for Mahoney’s Garden Center for the last 10 years.