Growing Consultations
It’s our goal to make knowledge more accessible to all folks when it comes to growing and caring for the spaces around us, and while we are always happy to answer questions via email, we know that sometimes we all just need a bit more guidance.
Our growing consultations are offered in person to folks in the Hamilton area, or virtually to those in other parts of Ontario. Consultations include one hour of time exploring spaces and getting to know your style and current practices, as well as environmental challenges you might have, or unique opportunities you may not be aware of.
While I myself have a personal style and ethics for how I engage with growing, my ultimate goal through these services is to help folks feel comfortable caring for their property and put more roots in the ground, and I believe this is best achieved by holding a judgment-free and accessible space whenever consulting. I believe that you do not need to do everything one way, but rather find a way to work with you to see how we can fit your goals into the environment we are currently working with, which includes your capacity and experience. I am committed to making this as accessible for you to engage with as possible!
Custom Reports
With each consultation, you have the option to add a written report that will be sent within 5 days, costing $75 +HST. This 5-8 page report details the information discussed at the consultation with supporting images and multimedia links that are tailored to your style of learning, including local shopping resources and reference literature. This is not a formal landscape design plan but rather a tool to point you in the direction of independent learning while empowering you to take your first steps in a sustainable way.
Once the report has been sent, we are so happy to continue the conversation and discuss any other questions you have, or things that might develop over time!
In-Shop Consultations
Starting in 2024, we will now be offering in shop appointments with Stef for 30 minutes during regular open hours. If you have growing related questions or would like to bring in some plants for additional assistance, this is the right service for you. When you come in for your consultation, you will also receive 20% off all products in shop at that time.
Client Feedback
"We had a garden consult from Stef yesterday and it was amazing! She is sooooo informative, and so empowering. Rather than plan the garden for you, she listens to your ideas and interests and provides amazing guidance in a way that makes even beginner gardeners feel at ease! Highly recommend the garden consult service!!!"
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"Thank you again, Stef! It was such a pleasure meeting and learning from you and I am so very excited to slowly get started. I definitely feel more grounded and clear about my first steps. The workbook you offered is -chef's kiss- and I've already been playing around with it as I plan out my gardening ideas. It's definitely made the process fun and exciting. "
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"Thank you so much for all of this! It’s already had a big impact on me and I spent 3 more hours outside yesterday ! I’m excited to further dive in and choose some plants for the front area, and mulch and add nutrients to the soils everything. You are such a gift and I’m excited to approach this season with new eyes and inspiration."
As a business, we prioritize accessibility in everything that we do, and we acknowledge that late stage capitalism and a colonialist society that we as white women have benefitted from has left many folks pushed to the margins and forced to make hard decisions when it comes to their basic needs.
We specifically acknowledge the cost that has on Black, Indigenous and persons of colour, members of the queer and trans community, and folks with disabilities and chronic illness. Systemic racism, classism and ableism have no place in our business model, so while we may ask for information about your capacity in terms of finances, time, and physical labour, we only do so to determine how to best advise you for next steps. We will never hold anyone accountable to any standard that a broken system perpetuates.
Being mindful of this, we also offer a sliding scale for our pricing for consultations. Note that we will never ask for proof or further details about why you would book with a particular pricing model. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to us at info@shopatpinch.com and we would be happy to explain further.