About Amy
Northern Gardening Expertise
Amy Grisak has spent more than three decades digging into the challenges and rewards of northern gardening. From the rocky, frost-prone foothills near West Glacier to the windy, semi-arid prairie of Great Falls, she has learned how to grow abundant, beautiful gardens in some of the toughest climates in the country. Her hands-on experience has been featured in publications such as Fine Gardening and Sinra, and her gardens have inspired hundreds of visitors over the years.
As a longtime garden writer, Amy has authored hundreds of articles for regional and national outlets, sharing practical techniques, innovative approaches, and her passion for making gardening accessible to everyone. Her home garden serves as an ever-evolving test plot where she experiments with raised beds, hugelkultur, keyhole and spiral gardens, heirloom varieties, and cold-hardy fruits.
Through Northern Roots Garden Coaching, Amy now helps gardeners of all levels create thriving, resilient spaces of their own. Whether she’s offering personalized guidance, speaking to community groups, or writing about new discoveries, her goal is simple: empower people to grow with confidence—no matter where they live or what challenges their climate brings.
Writing & Media Experience
Amy Grisak is a freelance writer, photographer, and former National Geographic Television sound recordist and associate producer with more than two decades of professional field and media experience. During ten years in wildlife television production, she specialized in recording wild ambient sound and documenting North American wildlife, including extensive work with grizzly bears and mountain lions. Working in remote environments and challenging conditions shaped her approach to storytelling and built a deep respect for accuracy, observation, and patience in the field.
Today, Amy writes about gardening, food, family life, outdoor recreation, and Western history for regional and national publications. Many of her projects combine traditional reporting with firsthand experience—testing techniques in her own garden, hiking the landscapes she writes about, visiting historic sites, and speaking directly with experts and local communities. This on-the-ground approach allows her to bring practical insight, real-world context, and authenticity to each story while maintaining strong editorial standards.