Harvesting fruits and vegetable from her own backyard garden, this mom didn’t need to go to the grocery for produce. And now Noelle Henderson wants to share that same luxury with other moms. After leaving the fashion industry to stay home and raise a family, Noelle was looking for a creative outlet. Spending long winters pouring over gardening catalogues and library resources, Noelle became a self-taught gardening addict. Her lawn quickly began to shrink in size and was replaced by a four season show of shrubs, flowers and vegetables. 
Gardening became a family affair and an opportune way to keep her three daughters outside and away from the tv and computer. Noelle developed a garden that produces tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, beans, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, lettuces and peppers all summer long. She didn’t have to go to the grocery for produce once her first summer. She also grows winter items including squash, pumpkins, winter lettuce and spinach. And she freezes what her family can’t use right away.
“It’s amazing how easy gardening is and it’s meant to be that way, healthy soil, sun and water is all you need.” Noelle believes that eating seasonal food grown locally is equally as important as eating organically. “You know exactly where your food came from. There was no plane, truck or refrigerator involved.” Noelle asks, “Why are people from Connecticut eating apples from New Zealand in October and November?”
Starting plants from seeds, Noelle’s girls are involved from the beginning. “They see the cycle of food, planting the seedlings outdoors, harvesting the crop, and gathering seeds to use for next year at the end of the season. It’s all so mystical when they see things grow from a seed.” Her girls love taking a basket out with their friends to check on the progress in the garden and to bring in fruits and vegetables.
Seeing the enjoyment and excitement her kids get out of growing their own food, she wants all kids to have the same opportunity. Garnering inspiration from the national Edible Schoolyard movement, Noelle was instrumental in bringing edible gardens to the local elementary schools. “With an infinite numbers of ways to incorporate a garden into the school curriculum, everyone involved agrees that reconnecting kids with the earth and teaching them how to grow their own food is an important initiative and worthwhile pursuit.”
Noelle has put gardens in schools and now want to put one in your backyard. Through Design by Noelle, she is bringing edible gardens to families by offering the installation of a complete produce garden in their backyards, and she offers the opportunity to be involved in the process.
In her blog, The Dirt, Ideas for the Family Garden, Noelle shares her garden enthusiasm and encourages family time in the garden with simple tips, activities, crafts, book recommendations and anecdotes. Her girls love the idea of a lemonade stand and often ask to set-up a farm stand instead. Noelle loves the idea of showing her kids the business side of gardening.
Contact: [email protected], Design by Noelle
