Garden Consulting + Workshops

For gardeners who love to do the work themselves — but want to do it right.

Garden Consulting and Coaching

Monarch Ranch’s Garden Consulting program is designed to teach and empower you to understand your own space, soil, and plants. We focus on education, helping you create self-sustaining, biodiverse gardens that attract pollinators, reduce maintenance, and thrive year-round.
Each session is hands-on and informative, covering everything from native plant selection and garden layout to building small ecosystems that bring butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects to your space.
Whether you’re starting fresh or improving an existing garden, we’ll equip you with the knowledge, plans, and confidence to transform your landscape – yourself.

Learn your land, love your garden.

Meet Sean Reid
The Gardener Behind Monarch Ranch

Sean Reid is the creative force and ecological mind behind the gardens of Monarch Ranch Butterfly Conservatory. With years of hands-on experience in native plant cultivation, pollinator habitat design, and ecological restoration, Sean brings a thoughtful, science-based approach to every landscape he touches.

What sets Sean apart is his ability to connect people to the why behind their gardens — teaching homeowners, landscapers, and nature enthusiasts how to create outdoor spaces that thrive naturally and support wildlife year after year. His philosophy is simple: when you work with nature instead of against it, your garden becomes not just beautiful, but alive.

Garden Consulting & Coaching Sessions at Monarch Ranch — a service created for homeowners, landscapers, DIY gardeners, and anyone who wants to elevate their garden with confidence, clarity, and expert support.

Garden Services: Consulting vs. Coaching

Two distinct pathways to a beautiful, sustainable landscape. Choose Consulting for professional analysis and planning, or Coaching for hands-on education and skill-building.

Consulting

Professional assessments focused on analysis, design direction, and ecosystem planning. No teaching or hands-on instruction is included.

Discovery Consultation

On-site property walkthrough and expert evaluation.

Brief assessment of soil, drainage, and light
Native plant compatability + next step guidance

Habitat Design

A visual framework to move from assessment to actionable design.

Simple layout for planting zones and circulation
Preliminary plant structure and design notes
Follow-up consultation

Comprehensive Design & Ecosystem Plan

A full plan for a native, pollinator-forward landscape for new and existing gardens.

Soil testing
Native plant lists
Strategic layered design + pollinator strategy

Request a Consultation

Coaching

Educational, hands-on sessions for home owners, gardeners, nature enthusiasts, and professionals. Focused on teaching proper techniques and ecological principles.

One-on-One Coaching Session

Foundations of native gardening and ecosystem basics.

On-site coaching
Native garden design + soil health + seasonal maintenance
Q&A with practical next steps

Monthly Coaching

On-site learning with step-by-step guidance 2 visits per month.

Seasonal tasks and succession planning
Pollinator habitat creation techniques
Soil health, watering, and pruning practices

Seasonal Coaching

On-site coaching with step by step guidance. 3 Months / 6 total visits.

Seasonal tasks and succession planning
Pollinator habitat creation techniques
Soil health, watering, and pruning practices

Book a Coaching Session

Consulting provides professional analysis and plans; it does not include instruction or hands-on teaching. Coaching is educational and interactive, focused on skills, methods, and ecological understanding.

“Sean is a wealth of knowledge.”
-Cindy S

Transform Your Yard with a Butterfly & Wildlife Habitat

“Sean’s knowledge, passion, and attention to detail truly set him apart. If you’re looking for a landscape designer who can create a stunning, eco-friendly garden that flourishes for years to come”
– Susan

Workshops at Monarch Ranch

Explore our immersive learning experiences designed for schools, gardeners, and professionals. Each workshop blends hands-on learning with the natural beauty of Monarch Ranch Butterfly Conservatory.

The Pollinator Pal Workshop

$20 / person (Adults and Children) | Minimum 10 People

Designed for schools and homeschool groups, this educational garden experience introduces students to the world of pollinators through interactive learning and outdoor exploration.

Hands-on pollinator education activities
Butterfly garden tour and observation
Guided discussion on habitat importance

Available exclusively for educational groups.

The Native Roots Workshop

$50 / person | Minimum 4 People

A foundational introduction to South Carolina’s native plants and local ecology, paired with a guided garden tour highlighting how native species support butterflies and wildlife.

Overview of native plant benefits
Guided ecology and garden tour
Q&A with our Monarch Ranch experts

The Garden Builder Workshop

$75 / person | Minimum 5 People

Dive deeper into garden design and ecological planning. This workshop combines hands-on design exercises, plant selection guidance, and insect identification lessons.

Garden layout and design practice
Plant pairing and planning techniques
Native insect and pollinator identification

The Habitat Architect Workshop

$150 / person | Minimum 4 People

A two-class intensive designed for professionals and dedicated gardeners. Learn advanced principles of native ecosystems, habitat creation, and sustainable landscape design.