My husband Dean and I have lived in River Ranch for almost four years now, and we absolutely love it here. I grew up in Virginia and have lived in several places over the years—including New York, both Carolinas, and New Orleans—but something about this neighborhood just feels right. It’s so walkable, and the people here are incredibly friendly. I’ve been lucky to have such kind neighbors, and that sense of community is one of the things I treasure most about living here.

When I’m not in the garden, you can usually find me doing something creative or adventurous. I enjoy cooking, going to music festivals, reading, and heading out on road trips to hike in National Parks. I love being active and connected to nature, whether I’m traveling across the country or just stepping outside my back door.

My love for gardening started when I was a child, thanks to my grandmother. She taught me a lot about plants and flowers, and some of my fondest memories are of planting with her. As an adult, I’ve found my own reasons to keep digging in the dirt. I’m vegan, so growing herbs and vegetables allows me to cook with ingredients I know are fresh and healthy. And there’s something truly satisfying about watching something grow and thrive because of your care.

The most rewarding part of gardening, for me, is using what I grow. I love cooking with the herbs and vegetables I harvest—there’s nothing better than stepping outside to snip fresh parsley or cilantro for a dish. I also enjoy making bouquets with flowers and herbs from the garden. It brings a little bit of the outdoors inside, and herbs make wonderful natural fillers.

Right now, my herb garden is full of variety. I grow parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme (yes, just like the song!), basil, cilantro, fennel, mint, dill, and lemongrass. I also grow vegetables like lettuce, okra, tomatoes, onions, chives, and peppers. For a splash of color, I have a few roses and lots of zinnias, and I make sure to include native milkweed to support pollinators.

Of course, gardening isn’t without its challenges. For me, the biggest issue is weeds. Since I don’t use pesticides and stick to all-natural methods, I’ve learned that the key is to stay on top of it. Frequent weeding keeps things under control and allows everything else to flourish.

Some of my favorite gardening memories still go back to planting flowers with my grandmother. Those moments really stuck with me and laid the foundation for the joy I find in gardening today. Here in River Ranch, the kind words from neighbors who admire my garden mean so much. Their encouragement motivates me to keep going and to keep growing.

Spring is, without a doubt, my favorite season. It’s when everything comes back to life—and I get to do a little more planting, a little more creating, and a lot more enjoying the beauty all around me.