Tom McDonald

Tom was raised on a farm in the Missouri Ozarks where he graduated from Drury College with a degree in Biology and Education. In 1984 he moved his family to Mesa, Arizona to become a golf course superintendent. this is where he gently steered the properties under his stewardship to use chemicals and water as responsible as possible and crete sustainable wildlife habitat.

In 200 he started a landscape company, Smiling Dog Landscapes. The current staff of 12 includes his daughter and son serves the Gold Canyon area. Operating from his home, a 2.5 acre property called Smiling Dog Ranch, located in the morning shadow of the Superstition Mountains. Tom has created a demonstration garden and nursery where prospective clients can see and appreciate the plants of the Sonoran Desert.

A certified Master Gardener and member of Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Tom teaches drip irrigation and desert landscaping for both entities.

A desire to learn more about rainwater harvesting was the impetus that steered him to the Phoenix Permaculture Guild. A graduate of the fall 2009 Permaculture Design Course class and of the March 2010 Advanced Permaculture Teaching Course held at Arcosanti. Tom looks forward to growing in Permaculture and helping to spread the philosophy and ethics of this inspiring discipline.

Tom McDonald
Smiling Dog Landscaping
(480) 288-5749
tom@smilingdoglandscapes.com
smilingdoglandscapes.com