• Name: Jill Oliver
• Resides in: Close-in Memorial
• Kids: Henry (22), Charlie (20), and Ivy (16)
• Born: Crowley, Texas
• School: I graduated w a BA from Texas A&M in 1995 and Masters in Communication Disorders from University of Houston in 1999. I’m Native Plant certified by the Native Plant Society of Texas.
• Before kids: I worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Cy-Fair until I became a full time mother. Nineteen years later I started working for a company installing raised bed vegetable, herb, and flower gardens. In January of 2020, I started my own landscaping company called Garden Girls with Jen McDonald and Nicole Shah.
If you have children, what activities are they involved in?
My two sons are in college at Clemson and A&M, my daughter is at Memorial HS.My boys love to play GOLF! My daughter plays Varsity basketball for MHS.
Do you do any volunteer work? Are there any charities that you support?
I volunteer every Monday at Bayou Bend, Ima Hogg’s home and gardens. It is a historical garden and we plant and propagate the plants on her approved list, which is mostly azaleas and camellias. Through River Oaks Garden Club and National Charity League, I support the Horticulture program with Brookwood Community. I am also passionate about Kids’ Meals. I help maintain the gardens and preschool entrance at Christ the King.

Favorites
Activities/Hobbies:
GARDENING! I love growing herbs, vegetables, flowers, and native plants. I have an impressive heirloom seed collection. I’m a bee keeper and butterfly enthusiast. I love working with friends and neighbors creating their dream gardens. I enjoy antiquing in Round Top and time outdoors with friends around a fire pit. Recently I took a sourdough bread class with my Mother, Sister, Aunt, and Niece. Avocado Sourdough Toast is my favorite meal.
Current Favorite Restaurant:
Clark’s Oyster Bar in Montrose. SO Good!
Favorite Vacation Spot:
My most favorite vacation of all time is Switzerland where we visited Interlaken and JungFraujoch. We took the cogwheel train to the Top of Europe and saw the mountains and ate Swiss chocolate. My second favorite place is Round Top. It’s close to my parents home in Brenham. It is here where I decompress/unwind – I geek out on reading garden books and eat at Boone and Co, and Round Top Brewing Co
What is your favorite piece of parenting advice that you have given/received?
Find out your kids love language. Is it words of encouragement? Time together? Cooking a special meal? Supporting their team by watching them on the field? My kids are all different but sharing a meal is my favorite way to say I love you.
Are there any Apps that you just can’t live without?
I use Instagram for my business – @gardengirlstx.
What Podcasts are you listening to and what TV shows are you binging?
Into the Garden, Joe Gardener Show, Big Boo Cast, A Way to Garden, Cultivating Place, Backyard Gardens, Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange, Mel Robbins, Goal digger, Joe Rogan, School of Greatness, Danny Miranda
Is there anything else we should know about you, your family, or your business?
I would love to help you design and install a kitchen and pollinator garden. It’s been a wonderful hobby and now career for me.
What would you tell someone who is just moving to the area?
The best part about Houston is the people, food, and mild winter season. Perfect for a throwing a garden party and growing what you love to eat – jalapenos for a spicy

