Hidden Gems: Meet Richard of Sunflower Garden Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard.

Hi Richard, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started working at my first nursery when I was 16 doing the watering, customer carry outs, and the unloading of stock. About a year and a half later, the owner had me take over the duties of hand writing the plant info signs. I learned a lot about the plants and about 6 months later I helped my first customer “design” a small patch of her garden. She was so thrilled with I had suggested which in turn made me thrilled. That’s when I got the bug and new I wanted to work with plants forever. I’m now 57.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The nursery industry is rarely a smooth road. Droughts can often hit a nursery hard until they learn to pivot to better plant material. Although there was a period of about 3-4 years back in the 80’s where a bad drought made for great sales. Rainy weather usually means no work which also means no pay, so super rainy years were tough. Late 2024 and early 2025 was really bad. Sales always drop during a presidential election year. Then after the Palisades fire in 2025, the nursery I was working at lost half it’s clientele and had to lay off bunch of people, myself included. Luckily I was able to fall back on my Garden Coaching business.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I primarily work with people and teach them how to grow their own food. It doesn’t matter what size space they have, I can help them grow things. I also consult with homeowners about the rest of their garden with recommendations on what to plant, how to take care of insects and diseases, and teach them how to properly prune their roses and fruit trees.

But, I’m really known for helping people design and implement raised garden beds. I think my extensive knowledge and experience is what really sets me apart.

I offer 1-on-1 garden coaching, family garden coaching, planting demonstrations for groups and garden parties, full landscape consulting, and fruit tree and rose pruning consulting. A new branch of my business is for those who are spiritual practitioners and in the holistic wellness community. For them I provide consulting to make sure they have the correct plants in their sanctuary spaces. Plants have specific energies just like their crystals.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Healthy plants matter the most to me. Healthy plants usually mean a happy person and home. Everyone deserves to be happy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sunflowergardencoaching.com
• Instagram: @SunflowerRich