Inspiration: Stylist Ruth Steinberg Goes Green
You worked for many years as a stylist. Tell us about the transition from that work to gardening. You now run a business called Little Saplings that teaches children how to garden. After 20 years, and a baby, working as a stylist did not do it for me anymore. Little Saplings and working in the garden were a natural transition for me. I wanted a less superficial life and a career composed of more sustaining projects. I always loved working with kids and teaching was my first love!
When you’re not in the garden where are you working? In my car! My bedroom, the home office (which is a converted garage in the backyard). Everywhere. I try to catch as much of every moment as I can.
How do you organize your workspace? Once again this has to be on the fly! In my car I carry a gardening kit with me, a few kits actually. And I have my office in our studio/garage. I also write all my jobs out on a chalk-board door and have files on each client.
What inspires you? I think pure color inspires me. Growing up in South Africa surrounded by so much natural beauty definitely influences me. As well as seeing the kids taking things in and the enthusiasm with which they do.
What piece of technology or tools most helps you in your work? In the garden it’s my Felco pruners and my knee-high shovel. And in the office it’s my new labeling machine. It’s a huge help sorting things out. And my little Apple computer – it’s the brains of it all.
If you could change your home workspace what would you do? I have a vision of my workspace having big clear glass-sliding doors onto the garden and half of the workspace would be set up for propagation – high table tops with perfect lighting. As well as storage under tables in mesh shelves. A little modern/ Victorian greenhouse effect! On the other half there would be a desk and beautiful rug and storage, lots of bookshelves. I could go on and on!
What and who inspires you? The Bioneers and so many people who have been keynote speakers there. Kenny Ausubel, my little boy of course, the Venice Learning Garden, Christa Tippet – on NPR- interviews of importance! Cooking shows-I love KCRW’s Good Food and also anything with Jamie Oliver in it.
Photo credit: Larry Hirshowitz
I LOVE this interview, the photos are brilliant, and Little Saplings mission is wonderful.
Ruth is an inspiration. Teaching youngsters to love gardening is beautiful and important work. Well done!