About Me

I'm a certified Permaculture Designer on a mission to make gardening accessible, empowering, and joyful for homeowners in the Triangle area. Gardening shouldn't feel intimidating—it should feel like coming home to work with nature, not against it.

My approach is rooted in permaculture principles and the three ethics that guide everything I do: care for the earth, care for people, and share the surplus. I help people transform their yards into thriving foodscapes and biodiverse havens using regenerative practices that build soil health, support native plants and pollinators, and create resilient ecosystems. Whether it's designing a kitchen garden that feeds your family, a cutting garden that brings beauty indoors, or a pollinator habitat buzzing with life, I'm here to show you that you already have everything you need to begin.

Biodiversity is at the heart of what I do. Companion planting, beneficial insects, native plants, chickens as garden allies—these aren't just techniques, they're relationships. My own garden is a living classroom where my pit bull Millie patrols (with questionable effectiveness), our chickens scratch through mulch, control pests, and close nutrient loops, and every plant plays a role in the larger ecosystem. Watching it all work together has deepened my love for animals, wildlife, and the interconnected web of life that makes gardens thrive.

In 2017, my husband and I launched Ralstead Farm (a portmanteau of Raleigh Homestead) and started selling microgreens and produce at our local farmers' market. Sharing what we grew was rewarding, but what truly lit me up was teaching others. After years of learning from generous gardeners, making plenty of mistakes, and discovering what thrives here in Zone 8a, I realized my real calling: empowering people to grow their own food and cultivate their own connection to the land.

That's why I created Ralstead Foodscapes. I'm here to take the intimidation out of gardening and replace it with confidence, curiosity, and community. You don't need to be an expert to grow your own food—you just need to start. I'll guide you every step of the way, sharing what I've learned and learning alongside you, because the best gardens are grown together.