I planted my first garden in San Francisco in 1995. Since 2000 I have joyfully lived and gardened in Portland Oregon. I spent 15 years working as a Child Development Specialist and Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor with special needs children and at-risk families. Making a midlife career change to horticulture was an unexpected surprise and blessing.

 

After a decade of working in plant nurseries, floral shops, and doing part-time garden maintenance I happily started my own business The Gardening Goddess in 2015. I named my business that because for many years my friends, students, and colleagues have affectionately called me their gardening goddess. As the sole proprietor of my small business I enthusiastically spread my passion for gardens and nature with garden design, garden consultation, gardening workshops, garden writing, nature retreats, floral design, and horticultural therapy.

​

In 2010 I began my work in therapeutic horticulture. I completed my horticultural therapy core coursework and clinical internship with Teresia Hazen at Legacy Health. I am a former contract gardener for Legacy Health maintaining their award-winning hospital healing gardens. My therapeutic gardening work has included pediatrics, rehabilitation, adults with intellectual disabilities, skilled nursing, long term care, assisted living, memory care, corrections, and urban agriculture. 

​

For over 10 years I have taught gardening classes in a variety of venues. I am a former adjunct faculty at Clark College and currently am a part-time instructor at Portland Community College and Mt Hood Community College. In 2019 I became the Cascade Learning Garden Coordinator at PCC in addition to my teaching and design work. 

​

I am the author of The Gardening Goddess Guide to Edible Gardening in Portland. My first book released June 1, 2021 and is the compilation of my 25 years gardening and 12 years teaching hundreds of gardening classes to thousands of students. Sharing my book with the world brings me tremendous joy! 

 

I am happiest when my hands are in the dirt and I strongly believe in the inherent healing power of plants and nature. It is my calling and a privelage to help heal people, communities, and the earth one garden at a time. Thank you for visiting my website and supporting my small business. I hope to meet you and your garden soon! 

 

Happy Gardening,

Jolie Ann Donohue, BA, C-QMHA

Owner, The Gardening Goddess 

Author, The Gardening Goddess Guide to Edible Gardening