Biography of Kevin Napora B.Sc. Agric, Master Gardener.
Just a little bit about me, Kevin Napora, and my company. After graduating from the University of Alberta in horticulture (the study of growing and taking care of plant material) I apprenticed at the Devonian Botanic Garden as a general gardener and went on to specialize in Herbs. My primary training is as a traditional English gardener where the whole concept of working with perennials, and creating dynamic movement with colour and texture captivated me. I then started a garden maintenance company and worked in Horticulture therapy for seniors. Along the way I got roped into older garden renovations. There, I kept running into some unbelievable garden designs that were either just ridiculous or did not address anything the client wanted. So for the last ten years I have been composing landscape designs and installation. (Mostly because I really want to see what the designs look like). I am primarily a residential landscaper although I have done many commercial renovations specializing in seniors, handicapped facilities, and Alzheimers. I have always believed in learning and have since acquired my Master Gardener certification in addition to certificates in pruning, Japanese garden design, et al. Along the way I have been fortunate to pick up enough awards in landscaping that I often judge in competitions now, as well as having my yards regularly featured in the journals in Edmonton (sometimes Calgary and once in Vancouver), as well as few national magazines.
As a designer I was trained under the influence of the English natural movement with soft curves, colour through perennials, and hard surfacing of brick, stone, or gravel. I do work with all the newest trends, as well as teach many courses and do quite a few presentations. I teach courses ranging from horticulture courses in lawn construction and pruning to intermediate and advanced level Landscaping and Xeriscape design courses.
As an aside to gardening I long had an interest in Feng Shui, and Cantonese. And over the last 12 years have been deeply involved in its study (My Feng Shui is pretty good my Cantonese is barely understandable). I do designs and have given courses and presentations of Feng Shui in the landscape and interior design. (We have designed 5 homes but this does not make me a professional interior designer so when I look at homes I only identify the problem areas and then the elements needed to increase the flow of chi. The implementation I leave for you.) I truly believe that a Feng Shui environment helps a person focus on what they want to achieve.
Yes I am still yammering on. On a personal note if you have made it this far down the page. I am presently studying Latin and hope to one day read Harry Potter in Latin. (My thinking is I could sit and do crossword puzzles with my morning coffee or memorize the 36 ways in Latin to say "one" or worse the 72 ways to say "that".) This helps with my singing of the Gregorian Chant at Mass every Sunday. I enjoy still life painting in oils, canoeing and ironing.