Living Landscape Designed for Real Life

Serving Rochester, Minnesota & Olmsted County

Your outdoor space should feel natural. Personal. Like it belongs to you and the way you live.

Step into your landscape with me.

Schedule a consultation and we’ll walk through your ideas together to shape a space that feels alive, purposeful, and uniquely yours

Schedule a Consultation

Come Experience the Garden

The Garden Lab isn’t just a place—it’s something you can step into.

From seasonal gatherings to hands-on workshops and garden dinners, these events are meant to connect people to the land (and to each other).

Come wander, learn something new, or just spend a little time outside.

See all Upcoming events

Intuitive Design, Shaped by Real Life

Hi, I’m Kelly—designer, educator, and the hands behind Kelly’s Garden Lab.

I design landscapes that go beyond aesthetics—they are living systems connected to the land, and shaped by the rhythms of everyday life.

Spaces you can actually live in.
Grow in.
Come back to.

There’s always something going on over here

here are a few ways I work with people and the community.

Landscape Design

Every space starts with a walk.

We’ll look at what’s there, talk through how you use it, and shape something that feels natural, intentional, and like it truly belongs.

Events

I host seasonal events and invite the community in.

From garden gatherings to the Farm to Fork Summer Series, it’s a chance to slow down, wander, and spend time together outside.

Learn more about Events

The Garden Lab

This is where the learning happens.

I teach about seeds, soil, and everyday gardening—and in the spring, I grow and sell plants so you can take a little of it home.

See the Garden Lab

Learn more about Design

A Few Notes from past gardens

"Kelly is an artist.

Kelly is an artist. Plants are her medium, and the landscape - her canvas. The design she came up with for our yard was creative, beautiful as it matured, and unlike any other design presented to us for consideration. The new garden spaces and walkways enhanced the exterior of our home tenfold and enriched our lives in countless ways. I wholeheartedly recommend Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick.”
- Romi W.
“I have been a client of Kelly’s for over ten years.

When we moved to our historic country home on 25 acres, we immediately hired Kelly to design the gardens. Kelly’s design genius, attention to detail, vast plant knowledge, limitless idea generation, budget consciousness, and, most importantly, willingness to listen have transformed our landscape. Without reservation, I highly recommend Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick.”
- Ellen H.
"The brain-child of Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick.

“How does one transform a drab, rarely used deck into a distinctive bi-level living space packed with entertainment potential? Lots of planning. Janine and Chris didn't want support posts or an overhang spoiling their view or darkening their basement the way the old structure did. The answer? Create an outdoor kitchen (complete with wood-fired pizza oven) and terrace underneath an all-season sunroom that opens to a lovely green space. The brain-child of Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick.”
- RW Magazine July/August 2013

Thoughtful Design, Rooted in Connection

Every space starts the same way—with a conversation.

I take the time to understand how you live, what you’re drawn to, and how you want your space to feel. From there, we design something that isn’t just beautiful, but intentional.

I care about materials. About plants that belong. About creating something that lasts.

UPCOMING EXPERIENCES