About Rise & Garden
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The Mission
As a Middle Tennessee Garden Coach, I design kitchen gardens and seasonal planting plans tailored to your experience level—so you can grow with confidence and discover both success and joy in your garden!
Rooted in nature, we focus on building healthy soil, planting a wide variety of pollinator-friendly plants, and creating a garden that’s not only productive but also full of life and beauty. No harmful chemicals, just sustainable, natural practices that support your health and the planet.
The Story
My love for gardening started early, wandering through my grandmother’s farm in South Canaan, PA. I still remember the joy of picking wild berries and gathering apples and pears from her orchard, those simple moments sparked a lifelong connection to nature.
Years later, after a life changing experience, I found my way back to gardening as a source of healing. I began with just a few seeds under a grow light, growing vegetables on my small apartment balcony. What started as a quiet refuge soon blossomed into a true passion. When I moved from the Northeast to Middle Tennessee, I carried that passion with me, pouring my heart into building a kitchen garden from the ground up, every plant started from seed (that’s the garden you see above!)
Since then, I’ve spent years growing my knowledge and skills, including training with Gardenary to become a Garden Coach. I’ve also dedicated over 80 hours in 2024 and 2025 volunteering with various local community gardens, nurturing not just plants, but also connection, growth, and a stronger community.
Kelly Darpino
Certified Gardenary Consultant
"Kelly was wonderful and offered suggestions to help the issues I was having in my garden..She has motivated me to get moving on my garden this year. Looking forward to a bumper crop this year"
Susan S. - Murfreesboro, TN