Landscape architect Kathleen Seydow of Plymouth works on designs for her clients. Two of her projects will be featured on the Home and Garden Television Network. (Craig Lassig/Sun Newspapers)

When Kathleen Seydow opened her own business three years ago, she never dreamed her work would be featured on national television.

But now the Plymouth landscape designer is looking forward to two appearances on the Home and Garden TV Network.

Filmed last year in Shakopee, the episode for Landscaper's Challenge will be shown this spring. An episode of Landscape Smart, filmed in Edina, will air later this year or early 2007, Seydow said.

Landscaper's Challenge pits three designers against each other with the homeowner choosing the design he likes best. Then, the winning designer gets to implement that plan on the homeowner's property, according to the network's Web site at www.hgtv.com.

On Landscape Smart, each weekly show focuses on a single landscaping project, which is completed by the homeowner with the help of a landscape designer, the Web site said.

A native of Brooklyn Park, Seydow originally planned to be a secondary school teacher, but when she graduated from St. Catherine's, there weren't many openings in her field, so she went into landscape design, another area in which she always was interested.

"My hobby became my career," she said.

When the company for which she was working closed after 10 years, she branched out on her own, opening KMS & Associates LLC.

"It's been wonderful," she said. "It's really taken off, and I've been lucky to work with really great people."

Not only does KMS & Associates design landscapes, but the company also builds what it designs.

"If they can imagine it, we can build it," Seydow said, "and if they can't - well, we can do that, too."

Good landscaping not only is appropriate to the property and buildings on it, but it also must fit the homeowner's lifestyle, she said.

Once a job is completed, Seydow stays in touch with the property owners, helping them remember what maintenance is needed and reminding them that she can be a source of information.

"I'm still around. I'm still available," Seydow said.

Being filmed for the television shows was an interesting experience and a positive one, but it was anything but glamorous. Seydow recalls having wind and rain blowing in her face as she was working, "but it was fun, anyway."

Relying on Hedberg Aggregates in Plymouth to provide stone and Bachman's to provide plants, Seydow said each yard was transformed in just four days of filming. "It was amazing," she said.

"I like to get in there and get my hands dirty, especially when the plants come in," Seydow said. "I'm definitely right in there, but the guys who build it are the ones you have to take your hats off to. They make you look good. Sometimes they tell me to go away, and then I go to the store and get lemonade.

"That's what I like about having my own business. I can be there for the whole process. I see the products come in, and if they're not right I can send it back. You really need another pair of eyes to make sure everything goes smoothly."

For more information about KMS & Associates, call 612-559-0974 or go to www.kms&associates.com.

Once a job is completed, Seydow stays in touch with the property owners, helping them remember what maintenance is needed and reminding them that she can be a source of information.

"I'm still around. I'm still available," Seydow said.

Being filmed for the television shows was an interesting experience and a positive one, but it was anything but glamorous. Seydow recalls having wind and rain blowing in her face as she was working, "but it was fun, anyway."

Relying on Hedberg Aggregates in Plymouth to provide stone and Bachman's to provide plants, Seydow said each yard was transformed in just four days of filming. "It was amazing," she said.

"I like to get in there and get my hands dirty, especially when the plants come in," Seydow said. "I'm definitely right in there, but the guys who build it are the ones you have to take your hats off to. They make you look good. Sometimes they tell me to go away, and then I go to the store and get lemonade.

"That's what I like about having my own business. I can be there for the whole process. I see the products come in, and if they're not right I can send it back. You really need another pair of eyes to make sure everything goes smoothly."

For more information about KMS & Associates, call 612-559-0974 or go to www.kms&associates.com.