About       Community       Gallery       Articles        Reviews       Contact

Beauty Through

Biodiversity

A house with a gray and stone exterior sits behind a lush, colorful garden with various plants, flowers, and trees.

Thriving gardens. Native plants. Eco-friendly care.

let's get started

  • KIC Gardening Services Inc. is based in Toronto, Ontario. We specialize in garden maintenance, native plantings, garden restorations, and educational outreach.

    We’re passionate about transforming outdoor spaces into ecologically vibrant, beautiful, and functional gardens.

  • Our name, KIC (pronounced kick), stands for Knowledge, Interest, Compassion.

    Inspired by the work of entomologist Douglas Tallamy, we believe that when people understand the species in their gardens, they develop interest, and from that, a deeper compassion for nature.

    This philosophy guides everything we do- from native plantings to mindful maintenance practices that support healthy soil, thriving plants, and local biodiversity.

  • Valerie Groves (Val) launched KIC after 13 years in the landscaping industry, including over a decade at the award-winning Landscape Plus Ltd. She also recently joined the board of directors for the North American Native Plant Society.

    A graduate of Humber College’s Horticultural Technician Pre-Apprenticeship program and Gaia College’s Organic Master Gardener course, Val brings deep expertise in plant identification, garden restoration, and soil-focused maintenance.

    Her leadership ensures every garden KIC touches reflects both skill and care.

  • Val is not only passionate about gardens, but also about people.

    She volunteers regularly in the Weston neighborhood, where she leads community planting projects, runs garden workshops at local schools, collaborates with community organizations, and serves as a core member of the Pelmo Park PollinateTO team.

About KIC Gardening Services

Black and white illustration of a caterpillar with horizontal stripes, multiple legs, and antennae.
want to learn more?
A garden with colorful flowers, green bushes, and trees, bordered by a stone wall and a paved pathway, with a stone house and a small wooden structure in the background.
hand drawn sketch botanical drawing new england aster flower

Services

A landscaped garden bed with various green and variegated plants, a decorative stone birdbath, and a brick pathway on the right side, surrounded by a brick wall and a wooden fence in the background.
A backyard garden with a variety of green plants and bushes, surrounded by a black wooden fence, with a glimpse of neighboring houses and trees in the background.
People attending an educational presentation by Valerie groves with KIC Gardening Services about gardening for the planet
Dig deeper into services

Community Program

See a green space in need? YOU can help!

Your snapshot could help restore an entire micro-ecosystem!

All it takes is someone like you to spot them.

Black and white drawing of a flowering plant with large, bell-shaped flowers and elongated leaves.

  1. Snap a photo

  2. Post it to Instagram: with Location & #KICThis

  3. I’ve got it from there!

I follow up, do the legwork, and revive that space using eco-friendly, native planting practices.

Follow on Instagram to see which space thrives next, and watch your neighborhood get greener one garden at a time.

Learn more

Why choose KIC?

Rooted in Biodiverse Ecology

We don’t just garden for beauty, we garden for biodiversity. Our work supports pollinators, strengthens soil health, and helps native plants thrive.

Number one digit in a purple color with a shadow effect.

Thoughtful + Personalized

No two gardens (or gardeners) are the same. We tailor every service to your space, your goals, and the unique rhythms of your landscape.

Number two in a light purple color on a white background.

Experienced + Trustworthy

With years of hands-on experience and a deep respect for plants, we treat your garden with the same care we’d give our own.

Number three in a stylized font.
Front view of a house with a stone and dark wood exterior, a brick pathway leading to the front door, surrounded by a lush garden with autumn-colored trees.
An illustration of a monarch butterfly with detailed black and white patterned wings.

787

79

121

- Native Plants Installed

- Invasive Species Management Efforts

- Team Volunteer Hours

It has been a real honour recreating these gardens at Weston Station. Aside from the existing serviceberries, the first plants went into to the ground August 2024, with many planted June 2025. Even now in mid-November there is still a lot of colour a
It has been a real honour recreating these gardens at Weston Station. Aside from the existing serviceberries, the first plants went into to the ground August 2024, with many planted June 2025. Even now in mid-November there is still a lot of colour and much to enjoy. A few perennial plants were cut back today to best showcase the garden, but the rest of the plants will remain standing for the winter, offering a variety of texture and hues throughout the colder months. The last photo shows even more colour a couple of weeks ago when the serviceberries were at their peak.
A day of planting daffodils under the lawn featuring the lovely @pat.metivier! Definitely our most challenging bulb planting this year, but we were thankful for the sunshine and all went smoothly! Looking forward to seeing the display in the spring.
A day of planting daffodils under the lawn featuring the lovely @pat.metivier! Definitely our most challenging bulb planting this year, but we were thankful for the sunshine and all went smoothly! Looking forward to seeing the display in the spring.
KIC Gardening Services is proud and excited to announce the launch of our new website! We’re incredibly grateful for the skill and creativity of @lynifferrr at Sytegeist for making this goal a reality! The site beautifully captures the passion
KIC Gardening Services is proud and excited to announce the launch of our new website! We’re incredibly grateful for the skill and creativity of @lynifferrr at Sytegeist for making this goal a reality! The site beautifully captures the passion and motivation behind our services, and we are so excited to share it with you! LINK IN BIO!
Very excited about this front yard pollinator garden transformation! Our client smothered the lawn under black plastic to create more garden space. We came in and weeded, pruned, transplanted many of the existing shrubs and perennials, and added 23
Very excited about this front yard pollinator garden transformation! Our client smothered the lawn under black plastic to create more garden space. We came in and weeded, pruned, transplanted many of the existing shrubs and perennials, and added 23 new species of pollinator-friendly plants. The addition of mulch provides a lovely finishing touch, and will also protect and enhance the soil, help retain moisture, and reduce the germination of weeds as the garden gets established. So thankful for another trusting and supportive local client!
Phase 1 and phase 2 of another great local project we completed last week. We used extra bricks from the house to create the new garden border, and then added in a lovely mix of perennial plants. Plant list here includes some great species native to
Phase 1 and phase 2 of another great local project we completed last week. We used extra bricks from the house to create the new garden border, and then added in a lovely mix of perennial plants. Plant list here includes some great species native to our region: black-eyed Susans, Ohio spiderwort, purple coneflower, anise hyssop, aromatic aster, rosy sedge and wild columbine. Space was left in the garden for an asparagus plot coming next spring. It will be a feast for the eyes, the belly and the bees!
We did some great local projects this past week! First one highlighted here is from a native front garden we’ve admired for years. The owner wanted to remove tall and more aggressive perennials like Canada goldenrod and New England aster in a f
We did some great local projects this past week! First one highlighted here is from a native front garden we’ve admired for years. The owner wanted to remove tall and more aggressive perennials like Canada goldenrod and New England aster in a few spots to provide space for some new, lower plants. These pockets will help give the garden dimension and greater interest throughout the year. We also opened up a mulched pathway along the side of the house. There is now functional access, significant removal of a couple invasive species and a more orderly planting scheme. This garden is filled with pollinators and many great native plants including pawpaw trees - the largest one weighed down with yummy, edible fruit!
More appreciation for insects in the garden and the beautiful plants that sustain them! Showy blooms here include Canada goldenrod, anise hyssop, false sunflower, garlic chives, pink turtlehead, stiff goldenrod, New England aster, bush honeysuckle, and smooth aster. Most interesting insect finds were the dead katydid and the Chinese mantis.
Late summer brings all sorts of beauty in the gardens we tend. And remember - it is a wonderful thing aesthetically and ecologically to have plants that bloom through the fall season. This is not the end of the show!
A beautiful day and a beautiful place 💕 This is the first time we’ve tried putting tomato cages on the ‘Rozanne’ geranium. We will be doing this every year!
A beautiful day and a beautiful place 💕 This is the first time we’ve tried putting tomato cages on the ‘Rozanne’ geranium. We will be doing this every year!
It is hard to express how much it means to be able to tend this property. The gardens are stunning and they are ALIVE. In looking at this picture, I was able to come up with 24 native perennial plants and shrubs within the visible space. They are in
It is hard to express how much it means to be able to tend this property. The gardens are stunning and they are ALIVE. In looking at this picture, I was able to come up with 24 native perennial plants and shrubs within the visible space. They are intermingled with beautiful non-natives that also attract a variety of pollinators. The result of this abundant and biodiverse planting is a sanctuary for native insects and birds. We need to provide this type of gently-managed habitat everywhere we are able to supply it. Taking care of this space is a great joy and a great responsibility. And it gives true meaning to the work we do.
It has been a real honour recreating these gardens at Weston Station. Aside from the existing serviceberries, the first plants went into to the ground August 2024, with many planted June 2025. Even now in mid-November there is still a lot of colour a A day of planting daffodils under the lawn featuring the lovely @pat.metivier! Definitely our most challenging bulb planting this year, but we were thankful for the sunshine and all went smoothly! Looking forward to seeing the display in the spring. KIC Gardening Services is proud and excited to announce the launch of our new website! We’re incredibly grateful for the skill and creativity of @lynifferrr at Sytegeist for making this goal a reality! The site beautifully captures the passion Very excited about this front yard pollinator garden transformation! Our client smothered the lawn under black plastic to create more garden space. We came in and weeded, pruned, transplanted many of the existing shrubs and perennials, and added 23 Phase 1 and phase 2 of another great local project we completed last week. We used extra bricks from the house to create the new garden border, and then added in a lovely mix of perennial plants. Plant list here includes some great species native to We did some great local projects this past week! First one highlighted here is from a native front garden we’ve admired for years. The owner wanted to remove tall and more aggressive perennials like Canada goldenrod and New England aster in a f
More appreciation for insects in the garden and the beautiful plants that sustain them! Showy blooms here include Canada goldenrod, anise hyssop, false sunflower, garlic chives, pink turtlehead, stiff goldenrod, New England aster, bush honeysuckle, a
Late summer brings all sorts of beauty in the gardens we tend. And remember - it is a wonderful thing aesthetically and ecologically to have plants that bloom through the fall season. This is not the end of the show!
A beautiful day and a beautiful place 💕 This is the first time we’ve tried putting tomato cages on the ‘Rozanne’ geranium. We will be doing this every year! It is hard to express how much it means to be able to tend this property. The gardens are stunning and they are ALIVE. In looking at this picture, I was able to come up with 24 native perennial plants and shrubs within the visible space. They are in

Instagram Gallery

We don’t just cultivate spaces, We grow community.

Our Instagram is a living journal of the work we do together: restoring habitats, supporting native pollinators, and bringing people back into connection with the land.

Follow us on Instagram (or Facebook) to see what’s buzzing and blooming!

Valerie Groves hand holding an inspirational book titled 'Bringing Nature Home' in a native garden with colorful flowers and greenery.
Detailed black and white illustration of a green sweat bee with three visible legs, large wings, and segmented body.
“Knowledge generates interest, and interest generates compassion.”
— Douglas W. Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home
A photo of KIC gardening Service team members including Valerie Groves smiling outdoors near greenery.

Featured Articles

Read more
A lush backyard garden with various flowering plants, green bushes, and trees, adjacent to a dark-colored house with large windows.

Learning is part of our main mission.

Got questions?

Get Answers!

Neighbourly Reviews

  • Colorful native pollinator garden with purple, yellow, and green plants expertly installed by KIC Gardening Services Valerie Groves

    Val and her team have done a fantastic job creating and caring for my gardens. Their professional and dedicated service helps keep my property looking like a true oasis.

    Tyson B.

  • native polinator garden Expertly installed by KIC Gardening Services showing skills and attention to detail for a project for Leslie D

    Val has been working with us for 20 years and we are very happy with all the work done. For the last 4 years, Val and her KIC Team have been consistently guiding the ongoing development and maintenance of our gardens. Everyone is friendly and respectful of each other and our property. Val listens, suggests then gets the job done. I highly recommend KIC Gardening Services.

    Leslie D.

  • A backyard native pollinator garden with a green lawn, a flower bed with green plants, a large tree with broad leaves, a white wooden shed, expertly installed by KIC Gardening Services Valerie Groves

    Val and her team recently did some gardening work for me, and I couldn’t be happier. She started with a great consult, really listened to my concerns, and came up with smart, creative suggestions. Then she and her crew got everything done quickly and beautifully. She’s a natural gardener, and it really shows. As someone with a pretty hopeless green thumb, I found her advice and help so valuable. The whole process was easy, friendly, and fun — I’d happily recommend Val and her team to anyone looking to spruce up their garden.

    Monica W.

  • native polinator garden Expertly installed by KIC Gardening Services showing skills and attention to detail for a project for Romano D.

    Valerie Groves and her team at KIC Gardening Services have transformed my overgrown garden into a vibrant, colourful showpiece. Val's creative vision and her team's professionalism, attention to detail, and punctuality made the entire process a pleasure. Their love for gardening truly shows in the beautiful results. Highly recommended!

    Romano D.

  • native polinator garden Expertly installed by KIC Gardening Services showing skills, knowledge, and attention to detail for a project for Maria R.

    Val and her team worked their magic to transform our weedy front yard into a beautiful garden. They were responsive to my needs, adjusting as needed to ensure that I would be happy with the result. From choosing the plants that would do best in the location to advising on how to care for them, they made the process easy for me. Subsequent visits have allowed me the opportunity to seek guidance and get reassurance on the progress of the various plants. I know I am in good hands with KIC Gardening. Thank you very much.

    Maria R.

  • colorful native polinator garden Expertly installed by KIC Gardening Services for Doris and George

    Val has brought knowledge, vision and inspiration to the maintenance of our flowerbeds and shrubs. Her monthly visits keep our surroundings trimmed and beautiful. Under Val’s care our gardens give us pleasure every day. We are happy to recommend her landscaping services.

    Doris and George M.

  • native polinator garden Expertly installed by KIC Gardening Services showing skills, knowledge, and attention to detail for a project for Jason

    After a storm transformed my garden from full shade to full sun, she thoughtfully designed and delivered a vibrant, sun-loving landscape bursting with colour. Her deep knowledge of native plants, eye for design, and willingness to accommodate every request made the process a joy. Kind, nurturing, and truly dedicated, she brings a quiet, steady passion to every project.

    Jason D.

Contact

Black and white illustration of a dragonfly with detailed wings, body, and head.

Need a service, looking for guidance, or just curious?

Valerie is here to help, feel free to reach out!

A detailed black and white illustration of a caterpillar with segmented body and multiple legs.