ABOUT US

Meghan O’Connell

CEO & Manager

Landscape Management certified

Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist

Master Urban Gardener

I first visited Boston while interning with the Americorps Student Conservation Association in 2012. I immediately fell in love with the tree-filled landscapes that seamlessly integrated urban and natural environments. I knew then that this was the place for me.

In Fall 2012, I used grant funding to help build Lowell Elementary’s first edible school garden. It was such a success, that the other Watertown schools created or expanded on their own gardens, and later became part of the school district’s curriculum! It was by teaching and learning alongside my own students in our garden that I discovered my passion for horticulture.

In 2014, I began my career as a Gardener. I worked as a Horticultural Assistant with a residential landscaping business for two years. In 2015, I became a Master Urban Gardener through the Boston Natural Areas Network.

Having always had an independent and entrepreneurial spirit, I decided to strike out on my own in 2017. Green Urb Gardens was born! As my client base quickly expanded, I hired other gardeners to work alongside me and share in our passion of nature together.

In the world of horticulture, just as in life, my learning never ceases. In 2022, I became a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist after passing a rigorous exam with the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA). I continue to earn education credits yearly in order to maintain this highly respected title. And in 2024, I attended UMass Extension’s Green School program, earning an additional certification in Landscape Management.

I love being able to beautify home gardens in a way that serves both the Earth and my clients. I’m excited to continue expanding my business so that more people can enjoy the art of gardening, share in the beauty of native and natural aesthetics, and most importantly, provide habitat and food for our local wildlife and pollinators.

I hope you will join me on this journey!

Meet the Team

  • Karen Dooley

    LEAD HORTICULTURIST

    I grew up in northern California, where my love for the outdoors was sparked by a childhood spent camping, hiking, playing, and gardening. I came to Boston for my studies, and graduated from Tufts University with bachelor and master degrees in Biology.

    While at Tufts, I pursued ecological research and extensively studied insect pollinators in urban environments. I joined the Tufts Pollinator Initiative where I found a passion for native plants, horticulture, and educational outreach.

    Over the course of my five years at the Tufts Pollinator Initiative, I loved the combination of conservation and outreach: I got to install and maintain gardens/plants for pollinator habitat while also teaching community members about the diversity of life they can find in their very own gardens.

    Post graduation, I continued to build my plant knowledge at Mahoney’s Garden Center as a part of their perennials team. I am excited to join Green Urb Gardens and continue my journey in the horticultural world. I especially look forward to creating and caring for beautiful garden spaces that cater to nature in the city, serving both people and our wildlife neighbors.

  • Mac Gaither

    ASSISTANT HORTICULTURIST

    Growing up in rural-suburban Pennsylvania, surrounded by fields, hills, and wonderful hiking, I have always felt a connection to the natural world. In 2021 I started attending the University of Vermont to study Sociology and Community Development, inspired by Burlington's beauty and conservation efforts. Throughout my studies I grew interested in how different societies interact with the Earth. That interest turned into a passion as I began working as a Farm and Garden intern in 2023. I went in with almost no garden knowledge and left with experience in caring for vegetable fields and gardens, flower boxes, landscapes, and farm animals, which left me incredibly fulfilled and itching to do more. 

    My last semester of college brought me to Boston in 2024, where I participated in the College For Social Innovation's Semester in the City program. I was matched with an internship at Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, a nonprofit that focuses on food access, wellness, and youth development in the neighborhood. My experience there organizing the weekly farmer's market and supporting community wellness initiatives was deeply impactful and furthered my understanding of how environmental and social justice are intertwined. 

    These experiences fueled a lasting desire to explore how humans can live in balance with the ecosystems around us. That journey naturally led me to native plant landscaping, where I now feel lucky to combine my passion for sustainability, community, and ecological care in my work with Green Urb Gardens.