About Us

Mike and Kelly started Swipe Garden, a small business with a big heart, in their retirement garden in the hills of southwest Portland, Oregon. They were passionate about rare trees, shrubs, and vines, and they wanted to share their knowledge and love of plants with others.

Swipe Garden quickly flourished, attracting a community of local and online enthusiasts eager to learn about citrus trees and other plants. As the business grew, they expanded our offerings to include tours of Portland’s gardens, workshops, and plant sales. They are thrilled to announce that Swipe Garden is expanding again! They are changing our name to Swipe Garden to reflect the broader scope of our expertise. In addition to citrus trees, the website will now offer a comprehensive selection of fruit trees, flowers, vegetables, and other plants.

The website is also expanding its online presence with a new website and social media channels. They will continue to provide accurate and valuable information about plants, as well as exceptional advice and service. Their goal is to help you flourish in your gardening endeavours. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, Swipe Garden has something to offer you, as the platform invites you to explore the wealth of knowledge that defines Swipe Garden.

Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey! We look forward to nurturing your passion for plants every step of the way.

Mission

Swipe Garden is committed to cultivating a thriving community of passionate gardeners and plant enthusiasts. We provide expert guidance and valuable insights to help you create vibrant and flourishing gardens. We are dedicated to spreading knowledge and fostering a love for plants, and we strive to be your trusted partner on your journey to botanical excellence.

Vision

We envision a world where everyone can enjoy the beauty and joy of gardening. We want to be the go-to resource for plant lovers of all levels, providing them with the information and inspiration they need to create stunning gardens.

Our Team

Our team at Swipe Garden includes garden experts and horticultural visionaries. We are passionate individuals who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to your gardening endeavours.

Together, we embody the core values of Swipe Garden: knowledge, passion, and a genuine commitment to your gardening journey. We are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring your gardening experience with us is nothing short of a blooming success.

Our Review Board includes some of the best professionals in gardening. You can find out more about them below.

Kelly Lawrence

CEO

Kelly Lawrence is the CEO of Swipe Garden. She has been writing with over 10 years of experience in various domains related to gardening, houseplants, and composting.

Kelly Lawrence, CEO of Swipe Garden, is a gardening enthusiast who founded Swipe Garden to share her knowledge and experience with others. She hopes to inspire and educate fellow gardeners as they navigate the joys and challenges of growing plants.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from New York University, she leveraged her two years of post-graduation experience to launch the blog, drawing upon the knowledge and skills she gained during her education.

Mike Rastus-Josiah

Master Gardener

Mike Rastus-Josiah is a Master Gardener at Swipe Garden. With Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, plant physiology, and sustainability practises.

He is passionate about gardening and believes in the power of plants to improve people’s lives. He Co-Founded Swipe Garden to provide valuable information and resources to gardeners. He now works as a Master Gardener at Swipe Garden and is a regular contributor to gardening websites.

Mike Rastus-Josiah, a Harvard University of Marketing and Media Analytics graduate pursued his passion for gardening with a second degree in Environmental Plant Physiology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Janet Rorry-Narcissus

Gardening Expert

Janet Rory-Narcissus is a Gardening Expert with over 15 years of experience in sustainable and urban farming. She is a former Gardener Master at Swipe Garden and is now an esteemed member of the Swipe Garden team.

With degrees in journalism and plant science, Janet writes clear, engaging content that informs and captivates readers while promoting eco-friendly practices. She aims to inspire a love of gardening and a commitment to sustainability, believing that gardening can connect people with nature and benefit the environment.

Janet Rory Narcissus holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Plant and Soil Sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Stockbridge.

Sorrel Alvarez

Senior Editor

Sorrel Alvarez is a Senior Editor with over 30 years of experience in sustainable farming and organic gardening practices.

Sorrel Alvarez, pursued a career in horticulture and gardening. He is now a Senior Editor for Swipe Garden, where he combines his love of horticulture with his marketing skills to create engaging content. Sorrel is a leading voice in the horticulture community and hopes to inspire others to appreciate plants.

He earned a BS in Horticulture from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA in Marketing and Communications from the University of Pennsylvania.

Shako Beatrix

Master Gardener

Shako Beatrix is a master gardener with over 10 years of experience in horticulture, gardening, and sustainable gardening practices.

Shako Beatrix is a master gardener at Swipe Garden, where she uses her extensive knowledge and expertise to help people discover the joys of gardening and promote sustainable practices. She believes that gardening is a way to connect with nature and improve the environment.

Shako earned a BS in Horticulture from North Dakota State University and later a Master of Agriculture in Agribusiness from the same university.