We are here to help you create the garden of your dreams.
Hey there -
We are The Thrive Guide!
We are energetic home gardeners and landscape design enthusiasts with a passion for playing in the dirt and growing something beautiful.
Based in Zone 8a, our experience lies in Southern gardening - but the principles of plant care ring true no matter where you live.
Our weekly newsletter is where we share monthly gardening checklists, inspiration, plant fun facts, and the occasional cocktail recipe. It’s a fun place to be!
And if you’re craving more hands-on support in your own garden, reach out to us for a site visit and consultation.
We’re glad you’re here!
Happy gardening,
Caitlin & Mikel
About Us
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Since 2017, I have been transforming my historic 100-year-old home’s yard into a functional outdoor space for my family. I inherited years and years of old landscaping with some quirky specimen plants, old sheds, mature trees that I didn’t know what to do with, and more.
When I first started, I was clueless.
I like getting my hands dirty and learning new skills, and found myself diving into gardening textbooks, going down YouTube rabbit holes, and digging literally hundreds of holes in my yard for new plants.
While juggling a full-time job and two energetic kids, I have dedicated countless hours to learning and experimenting with plants - and feel like I’ve finally cracked the code on home gardening.
I'm now excited to share my self-taught knowledge with you with The Thrive Guide.
If you like learning new things and being outside and are craving an outdoor space that you love, you’re in the right place.
Let’s do this!
Caitlin Watkins
Founder
Mikel Vann
Contributor
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Mikel has decades of gardening experience. She is a Master Gardener through the UGA Extension Program, a former president of the Marietta Council of Garden Clubs, and is an officer for the Laurel District of the Garden Club of Georgia. She has enjoyed participating in the North Georgia State Fair Flower Show and has taken home quite a few blue ribbons. She has also been a liaison for the Cherokee Garden Library for the Garden Club of Georgia. Her own garden has received designations as a habitat for pollinators and connecting with wildlife.