IName: Jean Persely
Email Address
73881 Omo Rd, Armada MI 48005
Business Phone: 586-473-8182
Mobile Phone: 586-764-5956
Best Way to Contact Me: Email

Topics I Speak About: Check Jean's website for updates and upcoming programs. Follow BMO Logisitics-Garden on Facebook for upcoming programs.

The Best Garden is Next Year's Garden
Did your last garden fall short of your expectations? Interested in improving your existing garden? Adding a new garden? Let's discuss what you can do to make some improvements or create a new garden. Learn how to make your dream garden a reality. Watch as a new garden was installed. What should you consider when planning a garden? We will browse some plants with Right Plant, Right Place. No matter the season, it isn't too late to do something to start thinking about your next garden. 

Magical Monarchs
Monarchs are the most recognizable butterflies around. Their numbers have declined by 90% over the past 2 decades, and they need our help. Join us to learn about their annual migration, lifecycle, what you can do to help them, how to create a habitat, and how to rear them. Available as either a 1 hour or 1 ½ hour presentation. Further information on rearing is provided in the longer program.
LIVE SPECIMENS: Based on seasonal availability
MONARCH SHOP: Butterfly rearing supplies, including habitats; Monarch books; Monarch themed items; Milkweed based on seasonal availability. Payments processed via Square

Beckoning Butterflies
Children of all ages delight in flight of a butterfly! Do you enjoy seeing butterflies flittering about your yard? Have you wondered how to bring more of these winged jewels to your yard? Learn about the butterflies we can see in our area and how you can attract them to your gardens. 

Defining Your Canvas: Landscape Design
Join us as we explore the art of landscape design. Discover how to evaluate your site for your personal wants and needs while utilizing principles and elements of design. What are some things you need to consider when planning your design? What opportunities and limitations does your site pose? Scale, balance, line, color and texture are just a few topics we will delve into. Don't roll the dice on your landscaping. Learn how to invest your time in creating an aesthetically pleasing design that is practical for you and your site. 
OPTIONAL: Extra time may be added at the end of this program for attendees to work on their own designs.

Naturally Natives
Native plants have been all the rage recently. So, what's the buzz all about? What is a native? A nativar? What is the difference? Is one better than the other? Why are some of the plants my grandparents grew considered exotic? Should a garden be 100% native? Join us to explore more about Michigan native plants and why we want to grow them.

Pick a Pollinator!
We all love to love honey, but did you know that pollinators are more than just honey bees? Who else pollinates flowers? What food requires pollination? When you pick any one pollinator to focus on, they all win! Let's explore which pollinators like which plants as well as how and why we should create pollinator habitats.

Facebook Groups and Pages
Effectively communicate with your group, project, team, friends, family, etc. using groups and pages.
Learn how to create, set up, and manage a Facebook group and page. Learn how to determine the best choice for your needs. Learn how to use groups and pages features for your personal use.
This 2-hour program will include a hands-on portion. Bring your electronic device of choice to set up, establish, or just browse. The program will be centered around a computer - note that FB may appear different on a cell phone or tablet.
OPTIONAL: Chromebooks may be made available for attendees

Practical Pruning
Help, I inherited a poorly pruned plant! Now what? What tools do I need for which pruning job? What different types of pruning is there? Is there a right way and a wrong way to prune? Can I prune anything anytime I want to? Feeling overwhelmed with pruning info? Let's walk through the many options out there and narrow it down to what you will realistically do in your garden. 
OPTIONAL: Hand's-on demo on-site, based on site owner's approval.

Gardening Education: Jean took the Master Gardener course (Macomb County) in 2004, earning her MSUE MG and Advanced MG certificate soon afterwards. Jean is also an MSUE Master Composter. She was Macomb County Master Gardener Volunteer of the Year in 2006. Jean earned her Landscape Design Certificate from Macomb Community College in 2006.

Gardening Experience: Jean is a lifelong gardener who has created gardens in several states around the country - where ever she was living, she left a piece of beauty behind. She enjoys assisting others in finding and honing their passion for gardening. 

Jean was the first Vice-President of the Macomb County Master Gardener Association. She maintains their Facebook page. Jean has earned over 450 education hours and over 4,000 volunteer hours as of Dec 2017. 

Jean created, designed, installed, and coordinated an after-school youth gardening program at an elementary school for 5 years, which she built into a MI Junior MG program. Gardens included an alphabet garden; butterfly garden; Monarch waystation; edibles; and natives. The school garden was certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Wildlife Habitat.

Jean is currently the Vice-President of a 501(c)3 non-profit, local community garden (April Millsap Memorial Garden) that has been awarded the 2016 MSUE MG Extraordinary Project, 1st Place as well as 2016 Keep Michigan Beautiful President's Award. In addition, the garden is a Monarch Waystation, Wildlife Habitat and has several other certifications.

Specialties: Native plants, wildlife (birds, butterflies and pollinators) and design are Jean's gardening passions.

Amount I Charge: Varies; Email with the address and presentation topic for a proposal quote.

Travel Restrictions: Unlimited

What Else Should We Know About You?: Jean has lived in Michigan since 2003 with her husband and children. Having grown up Western Massachusetts (Zone 6a) and then living primarily in warmer climates (Zones 8a, 12b, 10a) she is thrilled to be back gardening in Zone 5b! Retail greenhouse/garden center and a working for grower started Jean's green industry career path in Michigan. Jean looks forward to meeting your group and sharing her knowledge and insights with you.