Gardens Are... owners design and build gardens

Reprinted from the Community Advocate
Friday, February 2, 2001
Compiled By Dave Greenwood Contributing Writer

Marlborough - Donald and Patricia Bishop met while attending the Boston Conservatory of Music. Besides her involvement in her and her husband's business, Patricia teaches flute lessons. The Bishops homeschool their children as well as serve as teachers and advisors for teenagers at their church.
Current home: The Bishops currently reside in Marlborough.
Family: Five children. Three girls and two boys.
Hobbies: Donald loves music, playing basketball, collecting books and, of course, gardening. Patricia loves music, cooking, reading and dried flower arranging.
Business description: The Bishops are land care professionals, who design, build and maintain gardens organically and emphasize the use of native, non-invasive plant species.
Business history: Donald began by pulling a lawn mower on a trailer from the back of his bicycle when he was 13. Since then, he has worked throughout the green industry. In 1999, Gardens Are... came together as a small business. Today, Donald serves as a member of the NOFA Organic Land Care Committee.
Why did you choose this business?: What, there's something else?
Hottest new products: Compost, compost, compost!
Latest interesting trends: Alternatives to pesticides. The EPA's recent banning of several chemicals has made many customers aware of the health hazards of certain pesticides commonly used around their homes.
Question most often asked by our customers: How soon can it be done?
Answer to most often asked question: Gardens are alive. They take time and patience.
Most common misconception that customers have: A garden happens overnight.
We learned the most about running a business from: Networking and building a resource bank of people.
The key to success is: Did I mention compost?