Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsie Burke.
Hi Kelsie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The garden has always been my happy place. Some of my earliest memories are running around my great grandparents property, picking – and eating – as many cherries and sugar snap peas as possible! At home, my mom always kept a thriving garden with fruit trees, strawberries, summer squashes and pumpkins, blueberry bushes, tomatoes galore, and even kiwi and grapes – you name it, she grew it! After graduating college, I did what many do and got a 9-5 job, spending the majority of my day inside, staring at a computer screen. It was a good job, but I never felt fulfilled. Every day after work I felt the need to decompress, so I would throw my boots and gloves on and head outside to my garden. It didn’t matter if all I did was pull a couple weeds – it instantly relieved my stress and I felt more relaxed! Turns out, there’s science behind that. Studies show that working in a garden and taking time to care for your plants boosts your mood, reduces anxiety, and relieves stress!
I moved from a house in Georgetown to a condo in Austin, smack dab in the center of downtown, and no longer had a backyard. I took to container gardening and I began filming videos about the things I was planting, worm composting, and all the different things that you can grow in containers and posted them to Instagram and Facebook as the “ATX Condo Gardener”. Next thing I knew, I was helping neighbors, friends, and friends of friends plant gardens in containers or raised beds, or simply adding some greenery to their patios – focusing on incorporating native plants for low-maintenance and long-lasting greenery. Thus began my gardening business!
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?
Starting and growing a business is never entirely smooth sailing, but I feel fortunate that my journey hasn’t been excessively bumpy either. What began as a simple gesture of helping friends and neighbors set up herb and vegetable gardens has evolved into a balcony gardening service. I now offer a range of services, from kitchen gardens to planting native plants and grasses, all tailored for low-maintenance, Texas-summer-tolerant urban oases. Ideally, I’d love to provide something for everyone with a balcony. However, simplifying my services and pricing them in a way that is both approachable and profitable has been the biggest challenge, especially since no landscaping companies in the Austin area truly specialize in patio and balcony gardens.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
With ATX Condo Gardener, I design and install herb and vegetable gardens, plant native plants and grasses, and create low-maintenance, Texas-summer-tolerant green spaces. Specializing in patios and balconies, I demonstrate that even the tiniest areas can thrive with lush greenery.
I take pride in integrating nature into urban living, crafting serene and productive environments for my clients. My unique focus on balcony and patio gardening, often overlooked by traditional Austin landscapers, sets me apart. By carefully selecting plants suited to central Texas’s climate and delivering personalized service, I ensure clients enjoy beautiful, sustainable gardens with minimal upkeep.
I am most proud of the gardens I have created. There is no better feeling than hearing from my clients about how I’ve enhanced their living spaces and helped them keep their gardens alive and thriving. I believe everyone has a green thumb; it’s just that knowing where to start can be the hardest part.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I am committed to working with a variety of budgets because I believe everyone should be able to enjoy their outdoor living space, no matter the season. Caring for plants not only brings a sense of accomplishment but is also scientifically proven to improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and provide a sense of purpose through nurturing living things. Whether you have a modest budget or can invest more, I strive to create beautiful, sustainable gardens that enhance your well-being and bring joy to your everyday life.
Pricing:
- Affordable and transparent pricing
- Standard rate: $50 per hour for labor + Materials
- Materials: Based on project needs; at cost
- Flexible approach: Accommodates various budgets
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kelsieburke.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atxcondogardener
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atxcondogardener
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kelsiesplants
Image Credits
Kelsie Burke
