I am a home-based nursery operating out of Crafton. I went to college for graphic design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, graduating in 2013. I worked as a professional graphic designer for three years until I realized that it wasn’t a fit for me. Through a dear friend, I found my way to the world of plants and was introduced to the Bidwell Training Center’s horticulture program. After eight months of homework, trips to businesses in the industry to learn firsthand, an externship, and immersing myself in the colorful world of plants, I had a diploma in horticulture.
After graduating, I worked as a farm technician at a vertical hydroponics farm growing leafy greens and fresh herbs. While I love growing food, my passion is ornamental, tropical, and indoor plants. I landed a job caring for plants in businesses all over Pittsburgh and worked there until the pandemic. I started propagating and growing plants to sell and trade to stay busy during quarantine, and The Grimm Botanist was born. I just celebrated one year in business on July 27! All the plants I bring to the market are grown by me. Occasionally, I will bring artwork from Sarah Sweeney and alternative growing media for people to try.
This is my second year at the Bellevue Farmers Market. You can find me and sometimes my friend, Lauren Eicher, at the booth. She owns her own business, Moondust Salon, and loves plants just as much as I do! I love talking with everyone about plants! It’s so much fun meeting everyone in the area, the other vendors, and trying all the delicious food!
A fun fact about me is that I raise ducks! I have five backyard ducks, one male and four females.
You can follow the Grimm Botanist on Facebook, Instagram, or visit https://www.thegrimmbotanist.com. Keep an eye out in the fall, when Niki will sell products online and offer in-person local delivery, shipping, and pickup of plants. Currently, she occasionally runs sales on Instagram and local Facebook plant groups.