Today we’d like to introduce you to Calvin King
Hi Calvin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Glass Root Garden sprouted from a simple fascination: moss. My business partner and fiancé, Ashley Waggoner, and I were always captivated by its resilience and beauty. Seeing moss blanket the trails of East Texas in countless different conditions intrigued me. I wanted to recreate that environment and cultivate a diverse collection of moss species wherever I could.
Ashley visited her late grandmother’s home in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Her grandmother’s garden was thriving in every corner, in every crack, despite being left untended for 10 years. Overwhelmed by all the beauty, Ashley couldn’t leave with just photos. She grabbed clumps of moss from every end of the property, hoping to take a piece of those memories with her.
Individually, our attention to terrariums would wax and wane, but together we knew we could recreate the beauty and feeling of nature by mirroring the balanced ecosystems we see in the wild.
We both have extensive horticulture and gardening experience and love that terrariums offer a window into understanding the symbiosis between plants, soil, microorganisms, water, animals, and more. We believe terrariums can inspire future gardeners of all kinds. We wanted to create a free, trustworthy resource to share our knowledge.
Our research led us to retail sales at Hill Country Water Gardens, a local garden center in Cedar Park (we’d argue the best Nursery!). We sold everything from tiny jars of moss to large worlds in old cookie jars. We then began developing a larger product line, mixing and bagging our homemade soil, breeding isopods and springtails, and more. We are continuously updating our website and social media with as much free research and knowledge as we can. Our website includes a wide range of information, including water gardening and terrestrial gardening. We offer consultations for those who are new to a hobby or are seeking solutions in all things horticulture.
Our hope is to have our terrariums in stores throughout the Austin Metro Area, with our roots planted in Kyle, Texas. Ultimately, we want to inspire a deeper appreciation for nature and encourage everyone to explore the wonders that exist right outside their doors.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been without its challenges! While the business itself has been growing organically, life has a way of throwing curveballs. One of our biggest hurdles was simply space. We started Glass Root Garden in a 600-square-foot apartment, which, as you can imagine, got pretty crowded with all our plants, terrariums, and supplies! It was a constant juggling act to find room to work and create.
Thankfully, we recently moved to a larger house in Kyle, and now we have more space than we know what to do with! That’s been a huge relief.
Of course, the other ongoing challenge is balancing our passion project with our ‘day jobs’. It takes a lot of dedication and late nights to keep things moving forward, but seeing the positive response and knowing we’re making a difference makes it all worthwhile. Honestly, the rewards have already been incredible, and we’re so excited to see what the future holds for Glass Root Garden.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Glass Root Garden, we’re passionate about bringing the beauty and wonder of nature into people’s homes and lives. We specialize in creating stunning bioactive terrariums – self-sustaining ecosystems that showcase the intricate relationships between plants, microorganisms, and even small creatures. These terrariums aren’t just beautiful; they’re amazing learning tools that illustrate the delicate balance of the natural world.
We’re also deeply committed to educating our community about sustainable landscaping practices and the importance of native plants. I’m a degreed horticulturist with a focus on native landscapes and aquatic ecosystems, and my business partner, Ashley, has over a decade of experience in ponds, water gardens, terrestrial gardening, and landscape design. We are both managers at Hill Country Water Gardens and Nursery, where we share our knowledge through seminars and workshops.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach to landscaping and our dedication to ecological responsibility. We believe in working with nature, not against it. Many landscapers prioritize aesthetics and profits over sustainability, often using non-native plants that require excessive resources and provide little benefit to local wildlife.
We’re proud to be different. We believe that by empowering people with knowledge and encouraging them to embrace native plants, we can create a healthier and more vibrant environment for everyone. Through our seminars and educational talks, we have been featured in smaller publications and were even mentioned by Jared Barnes in Horticulture Magazine, which is incredibly rewarding and has made a positive impact on our community.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We’d love to invite your readers to join us on our journey to explore the fascinating world of plants and ecosystems.
Visit our website: www.glassrootgarden.com – You’ll find a wealth of information about bioactive terrariums, native plants, and sustainable landscaping practices. We’re constantly adding new articles, how-to guides, and videos.
Connect with us on social media: Instagram and Facebook – We share behind-the-scenes glimpses of our work, introduce you to our amazing plant and animal friends, and announce upcoming events and workshops.
Come check out our work at Hill Country Water Gardens and Nursery: We’re always happy to chat about plants, terrariums, and all things nature. You can see our terrariums on display and learn more about our approach to creating thriving ecosystems.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting to explore your green thumb, we believe everyone can benefit from a deeper connection with the natural world. We hope you’ll join us in creating a more beautiful and sustainable future, one plant at a time.
Pricing:
- Terrariums range from $5 going up to $250+
- Landscape Consult/ Aquatic Consults are $150 for the first hour and $100 after that
- Custom terrariums from small to large capable of supporting animals or insects.
- Isopods and Springtails start at $10 per culture but it is hard to keep them in stock!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://glassrootgarden.wpcomstaging.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassrootgarden/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551612222833&ref=xav_ig_profile_web
