Meet Ainsley

Ainsley Chew has been working in the horticulture field in one form or another for 17 years.  A native Rhode Islander, Ainsley has spent many years working in gardens across the US and gleaning knowledge from various plant mentors.  Before moving back to Rhode Island in 2019, Ainsley worked at the San Francisco Botanical Garden as a horticulturist, as well as a gardener for the San Francisco Parks Department.  In addition to her time in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ainsley has worked as a residential gardener on estates in Vermont, Colorado and on Nantucket Island.

Currently, Ainsley is the estate gardener at Rough Point, the former home of Doris Duke in Newport, RI.  In her free time, she works on various projects with Catboat Gardens.  Her passion lies in historic gardens and organic rose management.    

Ainsley has her ISA Arborist Certification (NE-7573A) and is a certified NOFA Organic Land Care Professional. In addition to a commitment to continuing education in the field of horticulture, Ainsley earned an Associate of Science degree in Horticulture from Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, CA as well as a bachelors degree from Northern Vermont University.   

Manny joined the Catboat Gardens team in 2022 after running amuck in Mississippi for a period of time only he knows.  He is 100% good boy and brings a wealth of charisma to the gardens.