About Us

We are a young couple that enjoy working outside and are efficient, tidy, knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic. We operate out of Renwick, but we are not scared of long drives to save a garden. Love Gardening got its name from our love for one another and our love for gardening.

Meet the Team

Mara Schmidt

I have been a keen gardener since my late teens when I started my first garden in Botswana. When I was 20 years old I returned to New Zealand to do a Fine Arts degree at Massey and while I was doing that I began working as a part time gardener. I love working in the outdoors and being amongst the plants. Whether it's gently tending things to thrive or tearing in for a full transformation. Since university I have had 7 years of experience working as a gardenening contractor in Wellington and am thrilled to be starting in a new chapter in beautiful sunny Blenheim with my husband Donavin.

Donavin de Jager

I love working in nature. I grew up in South Africa and worked in Kruger National Park as a safari guide before moving to New Zealand in December of 2019. My education is mainly in wildlife, as I spent 5 years studying guiding, Zoology and Ecology. However, I did some gardening in South Africa and was a landscaper in New Zealand for 18 months. My upbringing drives me to do the best job I can and my gardening goals are to transform gardens in need to gardens that drop jaws! My favorite gardening activity is something that challenges me physically. I look forward to a fresh start with my lovely wife Mara.