Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I visit Lunaria Estate?
A. Lunaria Estate and BB Lane Gardens are available by appointment only. Please do not drop by unannounced. Thank you for respecting the space.

Q. Do you offer garden planning services?
A. Yes. I offer custom garden planning tailored to your space, soil, sun exposure, and seasonal rhythms. If you are interested in working together, you can book a consultation or email me at melissa@lunariaestate.com with any questions.

Q. How can I get in touch with you?
A. The best way to connect is by booking a consultation. For general inquiries, you may email melissa@lunariaestate.com. Due to the nature of outdoor work and scheduling, phone calls and texting are limited to active clients.

Q. Do you sell plants or produce?
A. Not at this time. While much of the food and herbs grown at BB Lane Gardens are part of ongoing design and consulting work, occasional surplus, including herbs, flowers, seedlings, and divisions, may be offered through seasonal pop-up sales.

Q. What is Lunaria Estate?
A. Lunaria Estate is both a creative studio for design and planning and my home, where I practice and share homesteading and food preparation. My work focuses on land-based design, seasonal living, and writing, rooted in place and intention. It is a blend of beauty, practicality, and permanence in contrast to a disposable, short-term approach.

Q. What is BB Lane Gardens?
A. BB Lane Gardens is a large, self-seeding herb and perennial garden located near Lake Iroquois. The space includes meandering paths through wetland edges, views of Camel’s Hump, and a small pond. As of 2025, the property is undergoing restoration after significant landscape disruption. The work will unfold gradually over the coming seasons.

Q. Can I hire you to write or consult on a project?
A. Yes. In addition to garden work, I offer writing, content planning, and creative consulting, particularly for land-based, organic living, and mission-driven projects. Reach out with details about what you are working on.

Q. What is your collaboration policy?
A. I welcome thoughtful collaborations with individuals, businesses, and organizations that feel aligned with this work. This may include projects related to gardening, sustainable living, design, writing, or seasonal practice. If you are interested, please reach out with a clear outline of your idea, timeline, and expectations. All collaborations are evaluated based on alignment, availability, and capacity.

Q. What growing zone are you in?
A. Lunaria Estate is located on a north-facing ridgeline in Hinesburg, Vermont, with BB Lane Gardens nearby in Williston, overlooking Lake Iroquois. The area is firmly USDA Zone 4b, with some 5a influence closer to Lake Champlain. All work is grounded in what will realistically thrive in this region, with careful attention to site-specific light and soil conditions.

Q. What inspires your work?
A. Seasonal shifts, native plants, established gardens, new ideas, family stories, and long walks through the landscape. The work grows from observation and time spent paying attention.

Q. What is your cancellation policy?
A. If you need to reschedule or cancel, please provide at least 48 hours notice. Appointments canceled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours notice may be subject to a fee equal to 50 percent of the service cost. This helps ensure that time is respected on both sides. In the event of an emergency or serious illness, I am happy to reschedule free of charge ,when it’s possible.

Q. What are your qualifications?
A. I coordinated the Williston Community Garden for five years, which provided extensive experience working with a wide range of people and growing conditions. I later completed the UVM Master Gardener program and established BB Lane Gardens in 2020.

Over the past decade, I have continued my education through workshops and classes, including work with Railyard Apothecary in Burlington, Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, and various Vermont-based practitioners. Ongoing learning is an essential part of this work.

Before focusing fully on gardening and homesteading, I worked as a social worker for ten years after earning a degree in psychology from Vermont State University. That background continues to inform how I approach people, spaces, and long-term care.

Q. Do you offer sliding-scale pricing?
A. Yes. Sliding-scale pricing is available for select projects based on financial need, personal circumstances, and current scheduling. If you would like to discuss this, please email melissa@lunariaestate.com and we can determine an approach that feels fair and appropriate.

Q. Are you licensed and insured?
A. Lunaria Estate is a fully registered and insured business. While Vermont does not require specific licensing for garden consulting, I carry comprehensive liability insurance for all major projects and take professionalism and safety seriously.

Q. What is your refund policy?
A. If you are unsatisfied with any aspect of the work, I encourage you to communicate that as soon as possible so it can be addressed. If concerns remain unresolved, a refund will be provided. The goal is always for the work to feel thoughtful, aligned, and well executed.