Tami Gallagher
MNLA-CP, Master Gardener, Business Leader, Gardener Extraordinaire
Best Hugger
Tami loves all aspects of gardening and has a wide variety of annuals, perennials, shrubs, grasses, herbs, and vegetables growing in and out of her home. She loves to experiment and often refers to her gardens as labs. She is willing to try anything. While she tries not to get too attached to any one plant, she does tend to fall head-over-heels over certain ones – usually the one in front of her.
She loves to push the hardiness zone. She loves to teach and share her love of gardens; to her 6 kids, her nieces & nephews, her employees, her clients…anyone who will listen. She loves taking photos of gardens. She loves bugs and rocks and critters. She loves “picking” her dinner. She loves sharing the bounty. She loves the sounds, the textures, the smells, the spirituality, the healing power, the magical-ness of gardens! She believes there is nothing better than being dirty and sweaty at the end of the day!
Ann Hortsch
Master Gardener, Account Manager, Seasonal Services Maven
Most Likely to say “OH GOODY!” when facing a huge project and actually mean it
Ann is a farmer at heart. She grew up on a hobby farm in northern Minnesota and continues the family tradition by feeding her family with produce grown in her backyard. As was her father before her, she is an organic gardener who utilizes companion planting, natural soil amending with compost and manure, beneficial insects, rain barrels and sustainable plantings.
During March through May, Ann’s basement turns into a nursery for plants started from seed, and she always starts too many. She also has a continually expanding perennial garden and is forever rearranging, trying new cultivars, adding trees, making room for this and that, and cutting down on lawn that her husband must mow by breaking more ground for her “finds”. She wants to try it all–hedges, grasses, rock gardens, rock walls, roses, conifers, fruit trees…
Ann’s gardens are an extension of her home. Birds, bees, and insects help her in pursuit of a balanced ecosystem, a pleasant retreat for family and friends in harmony with nature. She loves dirt, rocks, working outside for hours and hours, deadheading, weeding, a sturdy wheelbarrow, and a good pair of clippers.
Abbey Endert
Account Manager, MNLA-CP, Master Gardener-in-training
Shrub ID Extraordinare!
Abbey is an overall plant enthusiast and enjoys both the vast diversity of MN hardy species as well tropical plants for seasonal color and as houseplants. Abbey has worked in many aspects of the Green Industry including natural resource management, commercial and residential garden maintenance, container design, and nursery plant sales. Pollinator and native gardens are a favorite – bringing habitat pockets to our urban areas, while also introducing communities to the beauty of our local plants, insects, and birds.
When not gardening, Abbey is most likely to be found hiking and camping in our amazing parks, trying out a new recipe, or buying yet another houseplant.
Erin Carroll
Master Gardener, Internal Operations Supervisor
#1 Spreadsheet Maker
Erin has been interested in the outdoors ever since he was a kid in Texas, climbing trees and eating flowers. Moving to Minnesota introduced him to the wonders of Zone 4b, including tons of snow and the colors of fall. Growing vegetables in containers with his father was the first time he really started gardening, but it wasn’t until after he graduated college and took a job as a crew gardener with Home Sown Gardens that he truly understood what it was a be a gardener. His interest in gardening techniques, environmental stewardship, and his love of big fat flowers has only grown over the last three years. He now supports HSG’s operations internally as the Internal Operations Supervisor, and although he spends most of his working hours indoors, he continues to love being outside and the beauty that gardens bring to people’s lives.
Katie Culshaw
Master Gardener, MNLA-CP, Inventory Manager, OSHA Safety Officer
#1 All-Around Crusher of Lists & Coiner of Phrases
Katie’s love of gardening started when her post-college graphic design internship did not turn into a job. She needed some way to make money in the meantime so she got a job in a small nursery. After moving into her first apartment she attempted container gardening tomatoes and herbs with limited success. It continued when she and her husband bought their first house that came with a fully landscaped yard and a large vegetable patch, forcing her to learn how to keep things alive!
She was officially bitten by the gardening bug and, eager to learn, took many gardening classes through community ed, joined a community garden, and then tackled landscaping her yard in their new house (a work always in progress!) When not in the garden, you can usually find her in the bleachers watching one of her three kids’ sporting events. She also likes to re-hab old furniture, hike, bike, run, camp (especially in the BWCA), and hug trees!
