Where We're From

Eden's Organic

Garden Center

How it all started..."Eden's Organic Garden Center was conceived out of my passion to share the beauty of nature, the simplicity of organic gardening and the hope of helping create a safer place in which families and individuals could enjoy their little piece of paradise at home, or wherever their paradise is found. It continues to be my passion to bring safe solutions to people who have no idea how harmful toxic pesticides and common home and yard chemicals can be to themselves, their families and pets or neighboring properties."

Marie Tedei, the proprietress, has been into organics and the green solutions for a very long time. She is originally from the Midwest where she remembers recycling and thinking "green" were taught in school. As a gardener, upon moving to Texas, she quickly learned that fire ants are not at all like the benign picnic ants back home, the soil was either sticky as paste or hard as a rock and yet, there were more beautiful plants growing in organically amended soil here to choose from - perennials that returned year after year - than she ever dreamed of, due to the wonderful mild Dallas winter climate.

In addition to the many years at the "school of hard chunks of soil", she studied at Collin County Community College in the horticulture program and managed one of the industry leading organic garden centers in Dallas for nearly two years. She later worked in sales for a north Dallas commercial landscape company where she had to cringe at the use of synthetic and toxic products, but encouraged and taught organic practices with the crew she oversaw at the residential properties she handled in far north Dallas.

Eventually she ran her own private gardening business out of her all natural 14 acre "horse and chicken" ranch in southeast Dallas county. She handled the landscapes of several commercial properties in south Dallas county which she converted to organics.

In January of 2006, a former professor gave her the opportunity to re-open a longstanding nursery. On March 1, 2006, Marie, friends and family celebrated the grand opening of Eden's Organic Garden Center.

The original shop was located in far north Lake Highlands, a neighborhood of north Dallas.

Marie celebrating the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with family, (above-Dad), and friends, (below).

In the spring of 2007, the shop had to relocate down to her all natural "farm and chicken ranch" in Balch Springs, where she also boards a few horses, raises free range chickens for their eggs and enjoys a bit of peace and quiet. "This is where I originally wanted to put the garden center. Sometimes you have to go around the block first to get to where you're supposed to be. It is a fun place to visit and a great place to work." Marie adds, "I dare you to come and watch these crazy chickens and ducks and try not to smile!" The shop reopened with the same mission - to share organic methods with people who wanted to learn how to maintain their land naturally.

Now Marie again shares the wonders of the awesome cycle of life in the garden - like it must

Marie Celebrates the re-grand opening/ribbon cutting at the Balch Springs location in April of 2007, with friends and colleagues.

have been in Eden; "..a Paradise without the use of toxic synthetic pesticides or "miraculous" fertilizers.." - with those who drop in, walk by or call. "If there is a need to control a pest or unpleasant situation, we look for the most natural, least toxic and inexpensive way to solve the problem. In that way, anyone can have a safe home and yard, without the worry of dangerous pesticides or harsh chemicals or cleaners." It seems every year, more of the previously considered "safe" chemicals are being pulled off the shelves. Come see what nature uses to control itself when things get out of balance.

Eden's Organic Garden Center takes appointments for consultations on how to implement organics at your home or business and to provide "house calls" to help trouble-shoot and teach folks right where they live and use the products. Marie has been working in organics in one capacity or another for 20 years and has a lot of knowledge to share. Companies, schools, churches or other organizations wishing to convert from the use of toxic, synthetic polluting products to natural methods can seek advice here.

EOGC will also ship or deliver products to those who live where organic garden centers and the products haven't quite made it yet. "The organic movement is growing and we want to be able to share what wonderful products we have in the Dallas area market with folks around the USA." You can shop easily at www.eatgreendfw.com

"Everyone should be able to afford a bit of the Garden of Eden's paradise, wherever they live." And that also means reasonable prices on products, full instructions and when possible, follow-up calls to check progress. "One of my goals is that we're never so big that we lose the ability to bring a personal touch to our customers. I may not remember everyone's name, but we'll take good care of you - like that cousin whose name you can't ever remember!"

Marie loves God's little critters, too. And you'll find plenty of them running around the garden shop. Chickens and horses can wreak havoc in the garden - but you'll find natural feed and supplements for them as well as natural fly and pest control products at the shop. "We've not had too much trouble with them, they seem to be content eating bugs and weeds!"

"I try to live and eat naturally and organically, at least as much as I can, and I want my animals to have that same opportunity."

Eden's Organic Garden Center is working to reach out to the community around it with a community garden, free classes to the public or small nonprofit groups, hosting of a twice monthly farmer's market and Marie writes a blog on various gardening topics that is published on www.neighborsgo.com , an on line Dallas Morning News magazine, and gardening articles are found in the Saturday Dallas Morning News NeighborsGO Mesquite/Sunnyvale/Balch Springs edition. Marie has accepted the role of President with the Dallas Organic Garden Club again this year and has been asked to speak to various groups such as White Rock Lake's "For the Love of the Lake", Historical Rose Society of Dallas and at the annual TOFGA conference.

"I hope to share some Paradise with everyone who visits my shop or who comes to me for help about their yard. II Peter 1:3 says, in my words, that, God gave us everything we need to live a good, full, and godly life. I like to think the organic way reflects that scripture, and I try to live as naturally as I can!"

"I'm taking things one step farther this year with the creation of a local CSA." There is a big demand for good, safe and organically grown local food in Dallas. "I've been working and playing in the horticultural field for many years - over 2 decades - and I think it is time for me to help feed my neighbors something they don't have a lot of access to."

Putting a small part of the land into farm production will bring another local source of fresh, all natural produce to the twice monthly Market Days and feed local CSA share families the fresh produce they desire - and will benefit from. "I'm very excited to be able to work the soil for a living and actually get to see the people who are going to be eating it! It is a big step for me, (to farm full time), but I'm ready."

Come and see Marie, her farm friends and the slice of Paradise she calls Eden's.