GIMME THE DIRT!
Occasional blogs, container garden inspo, and examples of my work.

Rooted in Heritage:

How My Grandmother Louise

Inspired Two Green Thumbs

Beyond our parents, grandmothers are often our most outstanding teachers. Friends have shared stories of grandparents passing down all kinds of wisdom—how to play cards, shuck oysters, or perfect a family recipe.

For me, the lessons that lasted came from the garden. From an early age, both of my grandmothers instilled in me a love for nurturing plants. My Dutch grandmother kept a bountiful vegetable plot where we delighted in pulling carrots, snapping beans, and watching the first tomatoes ripen. Her garden was practical, generous, and grounded in the rhythm of the seasons.

And then there was my Grandma Louise—a true force of nature. Her yard was alive with color and texture, a sanctuary for birds and creatures, and every summer her rose arbor bloomed into what felt like a magical doorway. She knew flowers inside and out, and she shared her secrets with us:

Pinch back blossoms to promote stronger growth.

Water early in the morning to give plants the best start.

Plant according to the seasons to keep your home and yard lively and ever-changing.

When she visited our house, she’d wander the deck, checking my mom’s potted plants. With a gentle hand, she’d pinch back here, add a tip there—“coffee grounds, eggshells”—small touches that always seemed to work magic. I marveled at her instinct, and I knew her garden flourished because it carried both her knowledge and her love.

Those lessons live in me now. Every container I create is a continuation of that heritage—a blend of care, creativity, and a deep belief that flowers and greenery can transform a space, spark joy, and connect us to something larger. With Two Green Thumbs, I carry her legacy forward, tending each planter with the same attention she showed in her garden and to her family.

Container gardening isn’t just a service. It’s a labor of love, rooted in memory, and grown with the hope of bringing beauty and delight to our community.

As the seasons shift, it’s the perfect time to carry that joy forward. Summer blooms have their moment, but fall invites a new palette—rich oranges, deep burgundies, warm purples, and ruby reds that make containers come alive with the spirit of the season. If your planters are ready for a refresh, I’d love to help you transition them into fall-friendly displays that bring warmth and vibrancy to your home or business all autumn long.

Containers to Elevate Your Business

First impressions matter. Whether you run a storefront, restaurant, office, or real estate agency, beautifully planted containers send a powerful message: your business is thoughtful, welcoming, and worth noticing.

Seasonal containers and flower boxes don’t just decorate—they reinforce your brand, attract new customers, and encourage repeat visits.

🌸 Why Containers Add Value Curb Appeal with Character:

Brand Reinforcement: Custom designs reflect your style—whether modern elegance, cozy charm, or playful energy.

Customer Experience: Research shows that greenery in business settings improves perceptions, reduces stress, and makes people more likely to linger and make purchases.

Consistency: Seasonal refreshes keep your exterior looking cared for and intentional.


The Bottom Line: Plants do more than brighten a doorway—they communicate quality, care, and attention to detail. Adding and maintaining container gardens can be the difference between a passerby walking past or walking in.

Two Green Thumbs Services Tailored for Businesses

Custom Container Design & Planting – Containers matched to your space and brand

Seasonal Refresh Programs – Rotating displays for Spring, Summer, Fall, and winter/holidays

Special Event Plantings – Extra impact for grand openings, promotions, or celebrations.

Maintenance – Regular care so your displays stay vibrant without the hassle.

Monarchs seek bright blooms, but they need milkweed
Two Green Thumbs Container Gardens and Planting Services 's image

Pollinator-Friendly Containers: Welcoming Bees & Butterflies to Your Porch or Patio

Container gardens aren’t just about adding beauty to your home or business — they also play a crucial role in supporting our local ecosystem. Here on the North Shore, pollinators like bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds are essential for keeping plants (including our food crops!) healthy and thriving. By selecting the right flowers and foliage, you can transform your porch, patio, or storefront planters into a haven for pollinators.

🐝 Why Pollinators Matter

Bees and butterflies might be small, but their impact is significant: Bees are responsible for pollinating much of the food we eat, from apples and blueberries to tomatoes and squash. Butterflies contribute to beauty and biodiversity while helping transfer pollen between flowering plants. Here in the Northeast, where short growing seasons and coastal weather can challenge crops, pollinators are vital for maintaining healthy gardens, farms, and natural spaces.

🐝 Choosing the Best Plants For Pollinators

When planting for bees and butterflies, focus on nectar-rich, long-blooming, and native-friendly options that thrive in containers.

Here are a few great choices for our region:

For Bees

Lavender – Fragrant, drought-tolerant, and a bee magnet.

Salvia (sage) – Long-lasting blooms in purple, blue, or pink shades.

Bee Balm (Monarda) – A native favorite with vibrant red or purple flowers. Coneflower (Echinacea) – Provides both pollen for bees and seeds for birds later in the season.

For Butterflies

Lantana – Bright clusters of nectar-rich blooms.

Zinnias – Easy-to-grow annuals that attract butterflies all summer.

Verbena – Trailing flowers perfect for hanging baskets or the edges of containers.

Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Essential for monarch butterflies to thrive.

Flat leaf parsley and fennel are the main attractor and homes for black swallowtails –planting these herbs in your garden or containers ensures they have plenty of places to lay their eggs.

Bonus for Hummingbirds

Petunias, Fuchsias & other trumpet-shaped flowers have tubular blooms that are irresistible to hummingbirds and add dramatic flair to containers.

🌱 A Win-Win for You & Nature

Pollinator-friendly containers do more than brighten your doorstep—they give back to the environment and help sustain essential species in our community. By planting with bees and butterflies in mind, you’ll enjoy lively, colorful displays while knowing you’re making a positive impact right here on the North Shore.

© 2024. All Rights Reserved.
© 2024. All Rights Reserved.