AVAILABLE March 2013
from fine book sellers everywhere
THE PERSONAL GARDEN COACH (Christina Salwitz) is a horticultural guidance counselor, and Horticultural Photojournalist in the Fairwood neighborhood of Renton, Washington.
Christina provides every level of gardener with a fresh and objective perspective on their special needs. By focusing on organic methods, improving soil quality, pruning technique and seasonal focus, Christina translates “garden speak” into a language that gets people of all ages excited about achieving their gardening dreams!
Christina has a fun, dynamic and enthusiastic approach to teaching. She has a singular way of connecting to clients and students to make them feel like they can do anything! Her unique style is crafted through leading numerous college courses, seminars for garden clubs, and radio shows.
She has appeared in, written for and provided photos to magazines and books such as Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Better Homes and Gardens, Green Profit, Container Gardening, Birds & Blooms, Oklahoma Gardener, Grocery Gardening, The Edible Front Yard, Lawn Gone, and more coming soon. 
Experienced in world-class nurseries as a buyer and merchandiser for the more than twenty years, Christina has heard it all! Specializing in teaching adult gardeners, experienced or not, in how to become a confident gardener. With a special focus on saving each client MONEY, TIME and LABOR, she has become foremost in gardening education for many years.
Specialties:
Christina Salwitz is a vibrant, lively container designer, public speaker and horticultural photojournalist. Her containers designs are regularly featured in magazines across the country. Christina speaks at leading Industry events such as the Ohio Floriculture Association convention and travels all over the country speaking at events for nurseries and growers.
As a teacher, garden designer, demonstrator for tips and techniques, she is also an expert in organic gardening. With in-depth horticultural industry knowledge, marketing and merchandising expertise and successful track record in increasing business income by significant percentages.
Personal Garden Coach, Designer, Horticultural Photojournalist, Manager, Supervisor, Buyer, Merchandiser, Teacher, Writer, Marketing Expert.
Love the picture above. lots of color,movement, variety,hight, and texture it has it all. Great job
I want my gardens to look just like that. Beautiful.
Can you coach me online? Do you have a book? Because I live on the other coast. But I love your philosophy.
Hi Cathy,
I need to get a bit more disciplined at my blog posts before I can tackle that project. But, it’s all running around in my head!
I would be happy to Coach you online. No book, yet…
Thanks for your lovely comment and I look forward to chatting with you more.
Christina
I call myself a “gardening cheerleader”.
Same, but different.
Patty
Hey ,Totally intersted in your service please mail me so we can connect
Thanks
Janine
I am very interested in receiving your coaching! I am in the Lake Tapps, WA area. Does that work for you?
I would very much like to receive some coaching in pruning and design. Please e-mail me the details how this works. I am in Diamond Bar, CA
I’m interested in talking to you about garden designing. Thanks!
Are you in the Denver, CO area?
I’m looking for a garden coach in the Renton area, and Robin Haglund gave me your name. Please contact me to let me know how we started. Thanks!
Hi,
Thanks SO much for inquiring. I sent you a personal e-mail. Christina
I’m the president of DashPoint Garden Club in BrownsPoint,WA.
We’re putting together our program speakers for 2010-11.I would love to have you speak to our group. Are you available? and what is your fee?
Kathy Juracek
Hi, I’m interested in a garden coach, along with someone who can help with some design ideas. We live in the Renton area and would like to talk to you if you are available. Thank you.
[...] What’s Coming: Stay tuned as co-host Jayme Jenkins talks with two more experts in the garden. Don’t miss our next two podcasts with hot tips from award-winning landscape designer Susan Cohan and talented Northwest garden coach Christina Salwitz. [...]
Hi,
Thanks for your interest in Personal Garden Coaching. You can e-mail me at http://www.PersonalGardenCoach@comcast.net
Christina
[...] What’s Coming: Stay tuned as co-host Jayme Jenkins talks with two more experts in the garden. Don’t miss our next two podcasts with hot tips from award-winning landscape designer Susan Cohan and talented Northwest garden coach Christina Salwitz. [...]
Hi Christina!
I’m a good friend of Karen Kidwell’s and she has been raving about you! (In fact, I was with Karen when she called you from Flower World a couple weeks ago to ask you about purchasing a specific Evergreen tree!)
A couple of questions… My husband and I have a large shady backyard in Mill Creek and we’re stumped regarding shade loving plants to place under fir trees. Do you drive as far north as Mill Creek to consult? It would be great to get your input before we spend a lot of money on plants that won’t grow in this area. (been there!)
Also, my sister and I started a women’s organization called The Women’s Connection and I would love to promote your business, free of charge. We’re emailing our Spring Newsletter this week, would you like me to mention your name and website? Karen actually wrote an article for our Newsletter this time so you would be in good company!
You can view a sample copy of our Newsletters at http://www.womenconnectingwomen.com. Just click on the NEWS link and then the Archived box.
I’m looking forward to meeting you! Love your website!
Teri McLean
Hi Christina,
We saw your ad in the Newcastle News and want to know if you can help us.
We have a third of an acre in Newcastle and we did quite a bit of landscape work 10 years or so ago and have since slowly been improving it. We do all of our own yard work but now we want to do a lot less of it while still maintaining an attractive home. Specifically we want to do: less weeding, less watering and make the moles go away. Which trees, shrubs and ground covers should we keep, propagate, prune or remove? What new ones should we add? Fall is coming and we’d like to have a plan in place in the next month or so.
We are looking forward to your reply.
Hi Blaine,
I would be honored to meet with you and help you meet your low maintenance gardening goals! I happen to work at the little nursery in Newcastle. Feel free to e-mail me to schedule a time at PersonalGardenCoach@Comcast.net, I will get you my cell phone number and we can connect to schedule a time for you ASAP.
Thanks!
Christina
I am interested in contacting you offline about speaking engagements. Many thanks.
Hi, Christina, I like what your are doing and achieving for yourself and for other gardeners and landscapers. See you on facebook.
Hi Tom,
How nice of you to stop by and say Hi! Thanks for your kind remarks. I appreciate it immensely.
Hi Christina,
My yard needs some help. What is the best way to set up an appt with you?
Thank you.
Hi Katie,
So happy you stopped by! Here is my e-mail, PersonalGardenCoach@comcast.net. I will touch base with you via e-mail as well. I look forward to chatting about your garden. Thank you!
[...] local gardening experts Willi Evans Galloway on integrating edibles into your ornamental landscape, Christina Salwitz, a self-avowed foliage fanatic and container gardening design diva, and the northwest’s [...]
Hi! I was at the Outdoor Living Extravaganza and your talk answered the questions that I had about my own garden. Unfortunately, my mid-40′s brain can’t remember what my notes mean. When you gave a proportion of evergreen plants to deciduous in a garden, what was it? I thought it was 1/3 to 2/3, but can’t remember which way.. If it is 2/3 deciduous, that seems like too many bare branches…Please help.
I am considering a trip from Lake Stevens to Newcastle to visit in person and to select some things.
hi christina! i think you have the most beautiful yard and finally found something online with a picture that is exactly what i want. i am needing someone to help me with my yard, ASAP! i was attempting to plant my pots on my front porch and proceeded to rip out my whole yard. seriously, i went a little overboard. i moved to seattle from texas and know NOTHING about this zone. i am very interested in talking with you and look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Stacy,
It sounds like you have some great enthusiasm for gardening- I love it! Please feel free to contact me via my e-mail address to discuss your goals further and schedule a time to get started!
PersonalGardenCoach@Comcast.net
[...] About The Personal Garden Coach [...]
[...] friends, Christina Salwitz is a very successful “The Personal Garden Coach” and has been for [...]
Love the picture – y wish I could do that. Previously lived in Sumner WA (love the PNW) and moved to Houston about four years ago. Gardening is not a lot of fun here – clay soil and hot, humid weather. Hope to see you at Plants for all Seasons.
Joni
Thank you Joni- very kind of you. I hope to meet you at Plants For All Seasons too!
Hi Christina – I am looking for a gardening coach. I live in Normandy Park, have a 11,000 square foot corner lot and I’m overwhelmed. I have planted and pulled out more plants than are available at Furneys. argh. I would love some help. I contacted Robin Haglund, garenmentors.com and she suggested your name. Please advise if you are interested and available. Look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Moira
I’m the newsletter for a group of Master Gardeners in Northwest Arkansas. I would like to use some of your photos and information for small sections of our newsletter. When I use information from others, I always cite their web addresses. Would this be acceptable to you?
Thanks – in advance
abbey
Hi Abbey,
Sure, but a few details needed on this as well. Would you mind emailing me directly at Persoanlgardencoach@comcast.net? Thanks!
Youre blog makes me so happy!
Stumbling upon one of your stunning potted arrangements at a nursery i was curious as to who was responsible. after seeing your work, i found myself returning to my yard with a sense of vigor and inspiration. so happy to meet such a talented garden enthusiast. when i shared my inspiration with my husband, he actually told me he also consults with you for his professional landscape work. thank you for gifting the world with your talent!
I would love to get ideas from you regarding the front of my home….make my canvas yours and tell me what i can do and not do to spruce up the look without alot of time to care.
Sure Sue! Email me at Personalgardencoach@comcast.net
Thanks!